Role of BAL cellularity in assessment of severity of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Study the role of BAL cellularity in assessment of the degree of severity of IPF. Forty IPF patients underwent, history taking, clinical examination, HRCT chest, ABGs, 6MWT, spirometry, echocardiography, FOB and BAL. Neutrophils were present in 28 patients, mean value 57.25 and SD +/- 31.27. The second predominant cell was Alveolar Macrophages with mean value 24.25 and SD +/- 27.828.HRCT pattern and BAL cellularity, showed the most predominant cell neutrophils in the ground glass and Honey combing on HRCT. There was no statistical significance between the sex and the BAL cellularity, the most predominant cell was neutrophils in both sexes. Corticosteroids did not have an effect on BAL cellularity and the predominant cell was neutrophils in IPF patients using steroids and those not. BAL cellularity in relation to treatment by azathioprine and/or acetlycysteine showed no statistical significance between patients using those drugs and those not, the most predominant cell was neutrophils in both groups.Correlation between BAL cellularity and age, showed no statistical significance but there was a negative correlation between age to neutrophils and lymphocytes. There was a negative correlation between neutrophils and PaCO2, PaO2, SO2, FVC%, FEV1 and 6MWT with no statistical significance but with significance to FEF25-75%.Macrophages showed a positive correlation with age, PaO2, 6MWT, FVC%, FEV1% with no statistical significance but with significance to SO2 and FEF25-75% and a negative correlation with PaCO2 and PASP. There was a positive correlation between neutrophils and severity of the disease and a negative correlation between Macrophages and severity of the disease. Most commonly used drugs did not show any effect on BAL cellularity

Posterior lumbar interbody interfusion with threaded titanium cages in low grade spondylolisthesis

Evaluation of posterior lumbar interbody fusion with titanium cages, BAK system [Bagby - Kuslich, Spine Tech, Inc. Minneapolis, MN] for low grade spondylolisthesis [Grade I, II]. Interbody cages have been developed to replace tricortical interbody grafts in posterior lumbar interbody fusion [PLIF] procedures. The cages provide immediate postoperative stability and facilitate bony union with cancellous bone packed in the cage itself. Superior fusion rates and clinical outcomes have been obtained by using titanium cages. The authors evaulated 26 consecutive patients of whom surgery was performed in the Alexandria University Hospital. The neuroradiologic work-up consisted of plain x-ray lumbosacral spine, computerised tomography lumbosacral spine, and magnetic resonance imaging lumbosacral spine. Surgery was performed at the L4-5 level in 18 cases and at the L5-S1 level in 8 cases. The median follow-up was 15 months. Transpedicular screws and rods were added in 14 patients to enhance stabilisation. Satisfactory fusion was obtained at all levels during the one-year follow-up, with a fusion rate was 92.5%. Overall, 77% of the patients were satisfied with their clinical outcome. The function of interbody fusion cages is to stabilise the spina! segment primarily by distracting them as well as by allowing bone ingrowth and fusion. The procedure is safe and effective with a 92.5% fusion rate and a 77% overall patient satisfaction rate

Role of cavernosometry and cavernosography in the diagnosis of vasogenic impotence

This study included eighty-six men with ages ranging between twenty- three and sixty-seven years. They were divided into two groups, eight healthy volunteers and seventy-eight patients with clinical suspicious of vasogenic impotence. The work aimed to study the role of cavernosometry and cavernosography after intracorporeal injection of papaverine in the diagnosis of vasogenic impotence