Constipation and reversible urinary tract abnormalities

Urinary tract anomalies were prospectively investigated with ultrasound in 29 children with functional constipation. These children were compared before and after treatment with 451 age matched healthy controls without constipation. The bladder residue and upper renal tract dilatation after micturition were significantly increased in the group with constipation and improved after treatment.     

BRONCHIAL ARTERIOGRAPHY AND TRANSCATHETER EMBOLIZATION IN MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE HAEMOPTYSIS

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of bronchial arteriography and transcatheter embolization in treatment of severe haemoptysis. Forty five patients with severe haemoptysis were evaluated by means of bronchial arteriography and study of non bronchial systemic arteries and underwent transcatheter embolization. Specific causes of haemoptysis were Tuberculosis (n=37), Tuberculosis with Aspergilloma (n=4) and bronchiectasis (n=4). Gel foam pellets and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles were used as embolic material in 36 patients and 9 patients respectively. The angiographic signs of haemorrhage encountered were extravasation of contrast in 2 patients (4.4%), hypervascularisation in 42 (93.3%), broncho-pulmonary shunt in 13 (28.8%) and bronchial artery aneurysm in 1 patient (2.2%). Immediate control of bleeding occurred in 44 (97.7%) of 45 patients after embolization. Recurrent haemoptysis occurred in 4 cases (11.9%) more than 1 month after embolization but bleeding was less severe, than before treatment. This study suggests that bronchial artery embolization is an effective method of managing patients with severe haemoptysis, minor bleeding recurrences appear to be relatively infrequent.KEYWORDS: Embolization, Haemoptysis, Lung haemorrhage     

How robust are our methods of detecting impaired glomerular filtration rate in the intensive care unit?

Background: Serum creatinine is not a sensitive marker to assess early loss of renal function in acute kidney injury. Timed creatinine clearance and several formula used to predict glomreular filtration rate have not been validated.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma: From diagnosis to treatment

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the sixth most prevalent malignancy worldwide and is a rising cause of cancer related mortality. Risk factors for HCC are well documented and effective surveillance and early diagnosis allow for curative therapies. The majority of HCC appears to be caused by cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus. Preventive strategies include vaccination programs and anti-viral treatments.Surveillance with ultrasonography detects early stage disease and improves survival rates. Many treatment options exist for individuals with HCC and are determined by stage of presentation. Liver transplantation is offered to patients who are within the Milan criteria and are not candidates for hepatic resection. In patients with advanced stage disease, sorafenib shows some survival benefit.