Application of photodynamic therapy in gastrointestinal disorders: an outdated or re-emerging technique?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising therapeutic modality that involves the administration of a photosensitizer followed by local illumination with a specific wavelength of light in the presence of oxygen. PDT is minimally invasive, has high selectivity for cancer, and has good patient compliance due to the simplicity of the procedure; therefore, PDT is widely used as a palliative and salvage treatment in patients with various gastrointestinal malignancies. When used as a salvage treatment for locoregional failures after definitive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer, favorable results have been reported. PDT in conjunction with biliary stenting is a promising palliative treatment for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma, and can be used as an advanced diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer. Recent clinical reports of PDT for treating non-resectable pancreatic cancer also show promising results. To widen the application of PDT, the integration of PDT with molecular imaging and nanotechnology is being extensively studied. Based on these new developments, PDT is likely to re-emerge as a valuable technique in the treatment of diverse gastrointestinal diseases.

Colour doppler ultrasound; A useful diagnostic tool for venous imaging

The incidence and prevalence of venous thrombosis can only be estimated as most episodes go undetected clinically. Venous Thromboembolism [VTE] is a major source of emboli in 95% cases of pulmonary embolism [P.E], which in tuner is one of the leading causes of death in patients dying undetected. This study was carried out in the Department of Radiology and Ultrasound at Allied Hospital, PMC Faisalabad for a period of 8 months and total number of cases are 100. The objective was to evaluate the case of VTE and their squealae by using Colour Doppler studies. The result was that colour doppler sonography and colour enhanced technique has improved the sensitivity of blood flow detection