AIM:To evaluate the role of thyroid blood flow assessment by color-flow Doppler ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis and compare it to technetium pertechnetate thyroid scanning. METHODS:Twen...AIM:To evaluate the role of thyroid blood flow assessment by color-flow Doppler ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis and compare it to technetium pertechnetate thyroid scanning. METHODS:Twenty-six patients with thyrotoxicosis were included in the study. Clinical history was taken and physical examination and thyroid function tests were performed for all patients. Thyroid autoantibodies were measured. The thyroid glands of all patients were evaluated by gray scale ultrasonography for size, shape and echotexture. Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography of the thyroid tissue was performed and spectral flow analysis of both inferior thyroid arteries was assessed. Technetium99 pertechnetate scanning of the thyroid gland was done for all patients. According to thyroid scintigraphy, the patients were divided into two groups:18 cases with Graves' disease and 8 cases with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. All patients had suppressed thyrotropin. The diagnosis of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis was supported by the clinical picture and follow up of patients. RESULTS:Peak systolic velocities of the inferior thyroid arteries were significantly higher in patients with Graves' disease than in patients with thyroiditis (P = 0.004 in the right inferior thyroid artery and P = 0.001 in left inferior thyroid artery). Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography parameters demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 87.5% in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis. CONCLUSION:Color Doppler flow of the inferior thyroid artery can be used in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, especially when there is a contraindication of thyroid scintigraphy by radioactive material in some patients.展开更多
AIM: To assess the incidence, location, morphology and clinical association of myocardial bridging in a Saudi population using coronary computed tomographic angiography(CCTA). METHODS: A total of 350 CCTA of Saudi pat...AIM: To assess the incidence, location, morphology and clinical association of myocardial bridging in a Saudi population using coronary computed tomographic angiography(CCTA). METHODS: A total of 350 CCTA of Saudi patients were included in this study(236 men, 114 women) with a mean age of 56.3 years. All patients were examined for appropriateness criteria of CCTA indications(typical chest pain, recent onset cardiomyopathy, left bundle branch block, etc.). The scans were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of myocardial bridging and any other pathological association. RESULTS: Myocardial bridging was found in 89 of 350(22.5%) patients. Most of the intramuscular segments were of the superficial type and found in the mid left anterior descending(LAD)(24.6%), followed by distal LAD(3.7%), diagonal branches(2%), ramus intermedius artery(1.4%) and obtuse marginal artery(0.8%). No myocardial bridging was detected in the right coronary or circumflex arteries. No significant differences were found between males and females(P = 0.14). Coronary artery atherosclerosis was found in 51 of 89(57.3%) patients with MB. Atherosclerotic plaques were not detected in the intramuscular or distal segment of bridging arteries. Dynamic compression was observed in 35(94.5%) patients with full encasement. No evidence of myocardial hypoperfusion was found in the territories supplied by the bridging arteries. CONCLUSION: CCTA is excellent in analyzing myocardial bridging in a Saudi population and the results are comparable to other populations. However, finding the real incidence may need a large multicenter study.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous imagingguided biliary interventions in the management of acute biliary disorders in high surgical risk patients.METHODS:One hundred and twenty two patients underwent 139 pe...AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous imagingguided biliary interventions in the management of acute biliary disorders in high surgical risk patients.METHODS:One hundred and twenty two patients underwent 139 percutaneous imaging-guided biliary interventions during the period between January 2007 to December 2009.The patients included 73 women and 49 men with a mean age of 61 years(range 35-90 years).Fifty nine patients had acute biliary obstruction,26 patients had acute biliary infection and 37 patients had abnormal collections.The procedures were performed under computed tomography(CT)-(73 patients),sonographic-(41 patients),and fluoroscopic-guidance(25 patients).Success rates and complications were determined.The χ2 test with Yates' correction for continuity was applied to compare between these procedures.A P value < 0.05 was considered significant.RESULTS:The success rates for draining acute biliary obstruction under CT-,fluoroscopy-or ultrasoundguidance were 93.3,62.5 and 46.1,respectively with significant P values(P = 0.026 and 0.002,respectively).In acute biliary infection,successful drainage was achieved in 22 patients(84.6).The success rates in patients drained under ultrasound-and CT-guidance were 46.1 and 88.8,respectively and drainage under CT-guidance was significantly higher(P = 0.0293).In 13 patients with bilomas,percutaneous drainage was successful in 11 patients(84.6).Ten out of 12 cases with hepatic abscesses were drained with a success rate of 83.3.In addition,the success rate of drainage in 12 cases with pancreatic pseudocysts was 83.3.The reported complications were two deaths,four major and seven minor complications.CONCLUSION:Percutaneous imaging-guided biliary interventions help to promptly diagnose and effectively treat acute biliary disorders.They either cure the disorders or relieve sepsis and jaundice before operations.展开更多
AIM:To assess the effectiveness and safety of imagingguided percutaneous cecostomy in the management of pediatric patients with organic fecal incontinence.METHODS:Twenty three cecostomies were performed on 21 children...AIM:To assess the effectiveness and safety of imagingguided percutaneous cecostomy in the management of pediatric patients with organic fecal incontinence.METHODS:Twenty three cecostomies were performed on 21 children with organic fecal incontinence(13 males,8 females),aged from 5 to 16 years(mean 9.5 years).Thirteen patients had neurogenic fecal incontinence and 8 patients had anorectal anomalies.Procedures were performed under general anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance.Effectiveness and complication data were obtained for at least 1 year after the procedure.RESULTS:Cecostomy was successful in 20 patients(primary technical success rate 95).Cecostomy failed in one patient due to tube breakage(secondary technical success rate 100).The tubes were in situ for an average of 18 mo(range 12-23 mo).Eighteen patients(87) expressed satisfaction with the procedures.Resolution of soiling was achieved in all patients with neurogenic fecal incontinence(100) and in 5 of 8 patients with anorectal anomalies(62.5).Eleven patients(52) experienced minor problems.No major complications were noted.CONCLUSION:Percutaneous cecostomy improves the quality of life in children with organic fecal incontinence.A satisfactory outcome is more prevalent in patients with neurogenic fecal incontinence than anorectal anomalies.展开更多
文摘AIM:To evaluate the role of thyroid blood flow assessment by color-flow Doppler ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis and compare it to technetium pertechnetate thyroid scanning. METHODS:Twenty-six patients with thyrotoxicosis were included in the study. Clinical history was taken and physical examination and thyroid function tests were performed for all patients. Thyroid autoantibodies were measured. The thyroid glands of all patients were evaluated by gray scale ultrasonography for size, shape and echotexture. Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography of the thyroid tissue was performed and spectral flow analysis of both inferior thyroid arteries was assessed. Technetium99 pertechnetate scanning of the thyroid gland was done for all patients. According to thyroid scintigraphy, the patients were divided into two groups:18 cases with Graves' disease and 8 cases with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. All patients had suppressed thyrotropin. The diagnosis of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis was supported by the clinical picture and follow up of patients. RESULTS:Peak systolic velocities of the inferior thyroid arteries were significantly higher in patients with Graves' disease than in patients with thyroiditis (P = 0.004 in the right inferior thyroid artery and P = 0.001 in left inferior thyroid artery). Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography parameters demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 87.5% in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis. CONCLUSION:Color Doppler flow of the inferior thyroid artery can be used in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, especially when there is a contraindication of thyroid scintigraphy by radioactive material in some patients.
文摘AIM: To assess the incidence, location, morphology and clinical association of myocardial bridging in a Saudi population using coronary computed tomographic angiography(CCTA). METHODS: A total of 350 CCTA of Saudi patients were included in this study(236 men, 114 women) with a mean age of 56.3 years. All patients were examined for appropriateness criteria of CCTA indications(typical chest pain, recent onset cardiomyopathy, left bundle branch block, etc.). The scans were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of myocardial bridging and any other pathological association. RESULTS: Myocardial bridging was found in 89 of 350(22.5%) patients. Most of the intramuscular segments were of the superficial type and found in the mid left anterior descending(LAD)(24.6%), followed by distal LAD(3.7%), diagonal branches(2%), ramus intermedius artery(1.4%) and obtuse marginal artery(0.8%). No myocardial bridging was detected in the right coronary or circumflex arteries. No significant differences were found between males and females(P = 0.14). Coronary artery atherosclerosis was found in 51 of 89(57.3%) patients with MB. Atherosclerotic plaques were not detected in the intramuscular or distal segment of bridging arteries. Dynamic compression was observed in 35(94.5%) patients with full encasement. No evidence of myocardial hypoperfusion was found in the territories supplied by the bridging arteries. CONCLUSION: CCTA is excellent in analyzing myocardial bridging in a Saudi population and the results are comparable to other populations. However, finding the real incidence may need a large multicenter study.
文摘AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous imagingguided biliary interventions in the management of acute biliary disorders in high surgical risk patients.METHODS:One hundred and twenty two patients underwent 139 percutaneous imaging-guided biliary interventions during the period between January 2007 to December 2009.The patients included 73 women and 49 men with a mean age of 61 years(range 35-90 years).Fifty nine patients had acute biliary obstruction,26 patients had acute biliary infection and 37 patients had abnormal collections.The procedures were performed under computed tomography(CT)-(73 patients),sonographic-(41 patients),and fluoroscopic-guidance(25 patients).Success rates and complications were determined.The χ2 test with Yates' correction for continuity was applied to compare between these procedures.A P value < 0.05 was considered significant.RESULTS:The success rates for draining acute biliary obstruction under CT-,fluoroscopy-or ultrasoundguidance were 93.3,62.5 and 46.1,respectively with significant P values(P = 0.026 and 0.002,respectively).In acute biliary infection,successful drainage was achieved in 22 patients(84.6).The success rates in patients drained under ultrasound-and CT-guidance were 46.1 and 88.8,respectively and drainage under CT-guidance was significantly higher(P = 0.0293).In 13 patients with bilomas,percutaneous drainage was successful in 11 patients(84.6).Ten out of 12 cases with hepatic abscesses were drained with a success rate of 83.3.In addition,the success rate of drainage in 12 cases with pancreatic pseudocysts was 83.3.The reported complications were two deaths,four major and seven minor complications.CONCLUSION:Percutaneous imaging-guided biliary interventions help to promptly diagnose and effectively treat acute biliary disorders.They either cure the disorders or relieve sepsis and jaundice before operations.
文摘AIM:To assess the effectiveness and safety of imagingguided percutaneous cecostomy in the management of pediatric patients with organic fecal incontinence.METHODS:Twenty three cecostomies were performed on 21 children with organic fecal incontinence(13 males,8 females),aged from 5 to 16 years(mean 9.5 years).Thirteen patients had neurogenic fecal incontinence and 8 patients had anorectal anomalies.Procedures were performed under general anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance.Effectiveness and complication data were obtained for at least 1 year after the procedure.RESULTS:Cecostomy was successful in 20 patients(primary technical success rate 95).Cecostomy failed in one patient due to tube breakage(secondary technical success rate 100).The tubes were in situ for an average of 18 mo(range 12-23 mo).Eighteen patients(87) expressed satisfaction with the procedures.Resolution of soiling was achieved in all patients with neurogenic fecal incontinence(100) and in 5 of 8 patients with anorectal anomalies(62.5).Eleven patients(52) experienced minor problems.No major complications were noted.CONCLUSION:Percutaneous cecostomy improves the quality of life in children with organic fecal incontinence.A satisfactory outcome is more prevalent in patients with neurogenic fecal incontinence than anorectal anomalies.