ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The liver is the biggest human abdominal parenchymal organ; it weights approximately 1500 grams and is located in the right hypochondrium, under the diaphragm. Liver is able to perform multiple functions also by means of the rich dual vascularization: hepatic arterial system and the portal vein system, between which exists a short circuit (shunt) and free mixture inside the sinusoid, whilst the two flows drain in the same vein system. The discovery of CT and its application in practice fundamentally changes the importance of diagnostic methods for hepatobiliary lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 4-year period, 984 patients suspected with liver or biliary tract disease were explored with CT. 117 of these patients were analyzed with liver metastases. Examinations of the liver was performed in dorsal decubitus and in absolute apnea with spiral movement of the table and in denominations of 1and 5 mm. Siemens MSCT 64 and 6 tier apparatuses enable short scanning time with almost immediate reconstruction, which offers all the necessary elements required for carrying out certain protocols. RESULTS: The average density of metastatic lesions is about 20 HU smaller than normal liver parenchyma. Metastasis with necrosis are more hypodense (30-50 HU smaller than normal liver parenchyma), whilst necrotic metastases with smaller dimensions are almost isodense with normal parenchyma. However, metastases with diameter between 4 to 6 cm are completely isodense and will remain so even after the application of I.V. contrast. The average more frequent size according to most authors, as well as according to our material (148 patients or 90%) was 2-3 cm in transversal diameter.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Anaphylaxis is a dramatic clinical emergency. It is a very severe, life-threatening generalized or systemic hypersensitivity reaction. Based on immunologic mechanism the anaphylaxis is divided in IgE, IgG, complement, or immune complexes-mediated vs non allergic anaphylaxis. There are a lot of etiologic factors of anaphylaxis, but the three principal immunologic triggers are drugs, insect stings, and foods. Regarding the clinical severity there are several proposed grading systems. The diagnosis of anaphylaxis is mainly clinical. DISCUSSION: The anaphylaxis markers measured in clinical laboratories are total tryptase and histamine. There are some conditions that modulate the onset of anaphylaxis, acting as co- or augmentation factors, which significantly lower the allergen dose necessary for triggering anaphylaxis. The well-documented cofactors of anaphylaxis are physical exercise, alcohol consumption, some foods, co-administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), and concomitant infectious diseases. Development of anaphylaxis depends on the sensitization pattern, the proportion of the involved immunoglobulin classes, characteristics of the allergen, the proportion of the involved immunoglobulin classes, the avidity and affinity of immunoglobulins to bind an allergen, the route of allergen application, and, last but not least, the presence of cofactors of anaphylaxis. CONCLUSION: Anaphylaxis remains a continuous challenge for the diagnosis and treatment. The adequate management of anaphylaxis requires rapid diagnosis, implementation of primary and secondary prevention measures, and immediate administration of subcutaneous epinephrine.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Lead toxicity is a serious health threat, especially in developing countries due to environmental pollution. It was thus aimed to investigate correlation between blood lead level and concentration level of hemoglobin in the blood of children involved in research. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research included 250 children of which 31(12.4%) kindergarten children, 166 (66.4%) of primary school pupils in Mitrovica and 53(21.2%) of primary school pupils in Shtime as control group. From the 250 children included in the survey 129 or 51.6% were female children and 48.4% male children. Children were selected randomly, while tests for concentration of Pb and blood hemoglobin were done at the National Institute of Public Health. RESULTS: The average value of blood lead level of Mitrovica pupils was 2.4 µg/dL (SD±1.9µg/dL), range 0.5 to 16.3µg/dL. The average value of blood lead level of Shtime pupils was 2.3µg/dL (SD±0.7µg/dL), range 1.2 to 5.2 µg/dL with no statistical difference (P = 0.191). The average value of blood lead level in kindergarten children of Mitrovica was 3.8µg/dL (SD±1.3µg/dL), range 2.2 to 7.7µg/dL with significant difference between the average values of blood lead levels of pupils and kindergarten children of Mitrovica (P <0.0001). The average value of hemoglobin in the pupils of Mitrovica was 14.0g/dL(SD± 3.7g/dL), range 9.4 to 25.6 g/dL. The average value of hemoglobin to pupils of Shtime was 11.4g/dl(SD±0.8 g/dl), range 9.2 to 13.0 g/dl with significant difference between mean values of hemoglobin pupils of Mitrovica and Shtime (U '= 6440.0, P <0.0001). With Spearman correlation is found significant correlation of a medium scale (r = -0.305, df = 248, p <0.0001) between blood lead levels and hemoglobin level in the blood.
