Accuracy of imaging-guided biopsy in diagnosis of malignancy versus infection.

Aims: Imaging-guided biopsies obtain samples for pathologic testing in addition to therapeutic interventions in patients with cancer. Our aim was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous biopsies of pediatric solid tumors and infectious complications of cancer treatment. Materials and Methods: This study was performed by gathering pediatric oncology patients between 1998 and 2008. A total of 41 percutaneous biopsies were performed in order to establish a diagnosis for a suspected malignancy or an infectious complication of cancer treatment. Results and Conclusions: An accurate diagnosis was achieved in 21 of 26 (87.6%) percutaneous biopsies for suspected malignancy cases or recurrence. The remaining 15 percutaneous biopsies were done for the diagnosis of infectious complications of cancer treatment with an accurate diagnosis of 60%. Imaging-guided percutaneous biopsy technique is highly accurate and safe, particularly in diagnosis of a suspected tumor.

[Detection of urine morphine false negative results caused by adulterants]

Drug abusers are persistently tryieg to use masking techniques for hiding their addiction. Detection of false negative results of urine morphine test which caused by adulterants is the main goal of this study. Screening test for detecting urine morphine was done by two kinds of Immunochromatography rapid tests and the positive results confirmation done by TLC. Sodium chloride, vinegar, lemon juice, nitrite, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach, with effects on pH and gravity were checked as common adulterants in urine morphine check. This data showed that, double test performance without any increase in threshold amount of morphine [300ng/ml], have 100% sensitivity for preventing false negative results due to adulterants interference. Urine morphine test in double format, with and without increasing threshold amount of morphine, can reveal adulterants interference and prevent false negative reporting

Nested PCR based diagnosis of salmonella enterica serovar paratyphi a directly from blood samples

Development of a rapid, reliable PCR - based method for molecular identification of Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A directly from blood samples. S. Paratyphi A isolates were used for regular PCR targeting specific region of fliC-a gene. New primers were designed and conditions were optimized for a nested PCR that could be directly applicable on blood samples. The procedure was tested on 70 blood samples from suspected cases of typhoidal infection and comparison made with blood culture. Blood culture was able to diagnose only four patients as infected with S. Paratyphi A. Regular PCR was unable to detect S. Paratyphi A directly from blood where as nested PCR detected S. Paratyphi A in blood of thirteen patients. S. Paratyphi A, which is emerging as a major pathogen can be detected with better sensitivity by nested PCR as compared with blood culture

role of computed tomography in assessment of causes of temporal lobe epilepsy

Thirty patients [17 males and 13 females] presented with temporal lobe epilepsy [TLE] during the last five years were subjected to complete clinical examination and CT exam. They were 4 cases of localised gliosis,fivecasesofgliomas,five cases of angiomatous malformations,six cases of arachnoid cystsand extracerebral collections, three cases of meningiomas,two cases of localised cerebritis and abscess and 5 patients with no detectable lesions on C.T.Scan.CT was found to be the procedure of choice for exact diagnosis of causes of TLE. Angioilly however is also important to assess the degree of tumour vascularity and vascular morphology.The CT findings were discussed and their importance in the diagnosis and management of these patients was mentioned