Computed tomographic analysis of renal calculi

An in vitro study sought to determine the feasibility of using computed tomography (CT) to analyze the chemical composition of renal calculi and thus aid in selecting the best treatment method. Sixty-three coded calculi were scanned in a water bath. Region-of-interest measurements provided the mean, standard deviation, and minimum and maximum pixel values for each stone. These parameters were correlated with aspects of the stones' chemical composition. A multivariate analysis showed that the mean and standard deviation of the stones' pixel values were the best CT parameters for differentiating types of renal calculi. By using computerized mapping techniques, uric acid calculi could be perfectly differentiated from struvite and calcium oxalate calculi. The latter two types also were differentiable, but to a lesser extent. CT has a potential role as an adjunct to clinical and laboratory methods for determining the chemical composition of renal calculi in an effort to select optimal treatment.     

Tamoxifen Therapy for Breast Cancer and Endometrial Pathology

Background

Tamoxifen, used as adjuvant therapy for carcinoma breast in postmenopausal women to prevent relapse has estrogenic effect on the endometrium.

Methods

104 patients on tamoxifen for more than six months were subjected to a clinical examination and transvaginal sonography. Patients with endometrial thickness > 8 mm were further evaluated by hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy.

Results

35(34%) patients were symptomatic. The average endometrial thickness was 11.2 mm which correlated with duration of tamoxifen use. 27(48%) patients had abnormal hysteroscopic findings. 35 (63%) of endometrial biopsies revealed abnormal endometrium. One case of endometrial carcinoma was diagnosed. The results were statistically analysed. There is a significant association between symptomatic status and endometrial thickness and duration of tamoxifen use.

Conclusion

All patients on long term tamoxifen should be annually screened for endometrial pathology.Key Words: Tamoxifen, Endometrium, Transvaginal sonography     

Effect of exercise on serum creatine kinase in carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

In order to evaluate the effect of exercise on serum creatine kinase levels, blood samples were obtained from 17 normal females and 12 Duchenne muscular dystrophy carriers before and 9 hours after moderately strenuous exercise. The results revealed that after exercise serum creatine kinase levels may be better indicators of carrier status than resting levels. The mean serum creatine kinase levels before and after exercise, as well as the mean increases, were found to be significantly greater in Duchenne muscular dystrophy carriers than in normal control subjects.