Clinico-pathological profile of acute promyelocytic leukaemia at Al-Amal Oncology-Haematology Centre, Qatar.

This cases series describes the profile of adult patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APt) at a referral hospital in Qatar. Of 34 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cases diagnosed, 11(32%) were classified as APt. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was common at presentation (91%). Severe thrombocytopenia was seen in 73%, leukocytosis in 55% and severe anaemia in 45%. Only 2 patients were of the classic hypergranular type. In the remaining 9 patients, 3 morphological subtypes were recognized: microgranular variant (6 patients), hyperbasophilic (2 patients) and regular nuclear outline M3r (1 patient). Translocation t(15;17) was detected in 63% of cases. APL constitutes a high proportion of AML cases in Qatar, with considerable morphological heterogeneity and a oredominance of APL variants with unfavourable oresenting features.

Evaluation of the apical sealability of mineral trioxide aggregate and portland cement as root canal filling cements: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: One of the principle purposes of root canal obturation is to obtain hermetic sealing of the root canal system. According to the development of technology, many materials are now used in root canal filling. An in vitro dye leakage study was performed to evaluate the apical sealability of White-colored Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (WMTA) and Gray-colored Portland Cement (GPC) when used alone or as a sealer with gutta-percha points in root canal filling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five single-rooted extracted human teeth were used in this study. After cleaning and shaping, the teeth were randomly divided into five equal groups of 15 teeth each based on the root canal filling material used; Group 1, (WMTA) alone; Group 2, (GPC) alone; Group 3, (Gutta-percha points + WMTA); Group 4, (Gutta-percha points + GPC); Group 5, (Gutta-percha points + AH26). Methylene blue was used to determine the apical leakage. After sectioning the teeth longitudinally, linear dye penetration was measured with a caliper under the stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and one-way ANOVA tests with (P ≤ 0.05) as the level of significance. RESULTS: The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences among the materials of five groups. CONCLUSION: (WMTA) alone, (Gutta-percha points + WMTA), (GPC) alone and (Gutta-percha points + GPC) may be used in the root canal filling.

Clinico-pathological profile of acute promyelocytic leukaemia at Al-Amal oncology-haematology centre, Qatar

This cases series describes the profile of adult patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia [APL] at a referral hospital in Qatar of 34 acute myeloid leukaemia [AML] cases diagnosed, 11 [32%] were classified as APL. Disseminated intravascular coagulation was common at presentation [91%]. Severe thrombocytopenia was seen in 73%, leukocytosis in 55% and severe anaemia in 45%. Only 2 patients were of the classic hypergranular type. In the remaining 9 patients, 3 morphological subtypes were recognized: microgranular variant [6 patients], hyperbasophilic [2 patients] and regular nuclear outline M3r [1 patient]. Translocation t[15;17] was detected in 63% of cases. APL constitutes a high proportion of AML cases in Qatar, with considerable morphological heterogeneity and a predominance of APL variants with unfavourable presenting features

[Frequency of improper diagnosis of hypertension]. / Fréquence des diagnostics abusifs de l'hypertension artérielle.

The aim of this work is to estimate the real prevalence of hypertension in a population declared hypertensive by general practitioners. This prospective study has lasted 30 months from October 1994 to March 1997). It has concerned 2,151 patients that had been declared hypertensive by general practitioners. Each patient had 2 visits at 15 days interval. During each visit the blood pressure (BP) is measured 4 times at 5 min interval with a mercury tensiometer. The patient remains supine for 20 min. Patients declared normotensive on these 8 measurements are controlled once every 6 months. Those that are declared hypertensive are distributed in 2 groups: the patients that have a systolic blood pressure (SBP) superior to 160 mm of mercury (mmHg) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) superior to 95 mmHg are treated with the habitual follow-up. Those that have a SBP and DBP between 140-160 mmHg and 90-95 mmHg have a control visit at the end of the first and the third month. After this period patients whose BP remains between 140-160 mmHg and 90-95 mmHg have an ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM). This study included 1,635 women and 516 men. Average age was 54 +/- 11 years. The average of 8 measurements of SBP/DBP was 148.3 +/- 22.5/93 +/- 13 mmHg. After 8 measurements, out of 2,151 patients, 37.8% (841 patients) were declared normotensive and 62.2% (1,337 patients) had a SBP and/or DBP > 140/90 mmHg. This group was controlled after one month and 3 months. A subgroup (254 patients) was declared normotensive, and the 588 patients whose BP remained between 140-160 mmHg and 90-95 mmHg had an ABPM : 481 (48%) were then declared normotensive and 307 (52%) were declared normotensive patients. After repeated controls, with the use of ABPM, only 37.3% were truly hypertensive. This study confirms that a long follow-up is necessary before labelling a patients as hypertensive. BP can remain abnormal for weeks and months. A large group of "hypertensive" patients are normotensive people with a white coat effect or so labelled because of errors in technique or the absence of a sufficient delay so that BP returns to normal.