Medical Specialties Commons^™

Craniocerebral Aspergillosis: A Review Of Advances In Diagnosis And Management, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Ather Enam, Rushna Ali, Saleha Anwar

Section of Neurosurgery

Craniocerebral aspergillosis is a rare but dangerous central nervous system infection. The infection has a spectrum of presenting features, mostly affecting immunocompromised individuals. The incidence appears to be on the rise that has been especially observed in the immunocompetent population. A high index of suspicion, a comprehensive understanding of the infectious process and advanced laboratory and radiological diagnostic techniques, allow early diagnosis. Surgery, followed by systemic antifungal medications, remains the cornerstone of management. Early administration of empirical anti-fungal agents along with immunomodulators may further improve prognosis. Immunocompetent patients tend to have better outcomes as compared to those who are immunocompromised. …

Is It Possible To Reduce Rates Of Placenta Praevia, Sheena Memon, Kaweeta Kumari, Haleema Yasmin, Sheerin Bhutta

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

To determine factors responsible for rising rates of placenta praevia. This comparative study was performed at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Karachi, (Group-A) from September 2000 to February 2002 and (Group-B) from January 2008 to January 2009. All women with major degree of placenta praevia diagnosed on ultrasound who came in emergency or through out patient department were included in the study. Patients with mild degree of placenta praevia were excluded. Group A had 100 patients and Group B, 58 patients. Chi-Squire test was used for comparison of previous study and current study. The number of unbooked cases in both …

Birth Weight Estimation--A Sonographic Model For Pakistani Population, Waseem Akhtar, Arif Ali, Mubashir Aslam, Farah Saeed, Salman, Nadeem Ahmad

Department of Radiology

OBJECTIVE: To develop a sonographic birth weight estimation model for Pakistani population and to validate the published models in the same population.

METHODS: Data was collected for pregnant women who presented to Radiology Department of Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi from January 2007 to July 2008 and had undergone ultrasound estimation of foetal weight within 4 days prior to a term delivery (37-42 weeks gestation). The neonate's actual birth weight was used to validate the published foetal weight estimation models and modified sonographic birth weight estimation model was derived for our population by using linear regression.

RESULTS: Modified sonographic birth …

Anaesthetic Management Of Two Patients With Beta-Thalassaemia Intermedia, Shahnawaz Ali, Fauzia Khan

Department of Anaesthesia

There is paucity of literature regarding the anaesthetic management of patients with thalassaemia intermedia. In this case study, the anaesthetic management and concerns in two children with thalassaemia intermedia aged eleven and nine years undergoing herniotomy and splenectomy respectively is reported. Both children had unanticipated difficulty in airway management and high intraoperative blood pressure trends. These cases are representative of the range of problems seen in children with thalassaemia intermedia.

Health Related Quality Of Life Changes Among Users Of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (Dmpa) For Contraception, Sikolia Wanyonyi

Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background: Contraceptive use is often a lifestyle choice that could impact on the quality of life. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), like any other contraceptive method has other effects besides fertility control. Understanding how these impacts on the quality of life could assist in client counseling, eventually leading to informed choices. Objective: To determine health related quality of life changes associated with the use of DMPA for contraception. Methods: A longitudinal observational study was carried out between December 2008 and September 2009 at family planning clinics at the Aga Khan University Hospital and Family Health Options, Kenya (FHOK) after institutional and …

Is There An Association Of Giardiasis With Beta-Thalassemia Minor?, Javed Yakoob, Wasim Jafri, Hizbullah Shaikh

Section of Gastroenterology

Beta–thalassemia minor is a symptomless carrier state of a hemoglobinopathy which predisposes to bacterial infections. We report three cases presenting with giardiasis, a parasitic infection of gastrointestinal tract caused by Giardia lamblia. Patients presented with recurrent diarrhea and abdominal pain for over a year. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy finding varied from normal to acute duodenitis. Duodenal biopsy demonstrated changes consistent with mild chronic non-specific inflammation with G. lamblia trophozoites. All three patients were diagnosed as β -thalassemia minor hemoglobin electrophoresis. They were treated with Diloxanide furoate 500 mg and Metronidazole 400mg three times daily for five days. Their symptoms resolved and a …

The Effectiveness Of Training Nurses In Breast Cancer Awareness At A Tertiary Hospital: An Experimental Study, Miriam Mutebi

Master of Medicine in General Surgery

Background: Breast cancer is characterized by late presentation and significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Breast screening aids in early detection of breast cancer. The nursing health worker is uniquely placed to provide advocacy and screening in a resource limited environment. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of an abbreviated training program in breast cancer awareness on nurses at a tertiary hospital, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. Methods: Using a statistical tool, the Solomon Model, 79 nurses were identified and divided into experimental and control groups. An abbreviated training intervention in breast cancer awareness was administered to the experimental …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Of The Effect Of Additional Ultrasound Therapy To Analgesia Treatment Protocol For Acute Low Back Pain At Akuh (N), Shamshudin Mohammedali

Master of Medicine in General Surgery

Background: Acute low back pain is a common condition that is encountered by many physicians. Varied treatments are instituted in its management with no defined standard protocol in our institution. Additional physiotherapy has had minimal impact in terms of pain control and the time to return to work in the available literature. Controversy remains regarding effectiveness of ultrasound physiotherapy and its role in management of acute low back pain. Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the addition of ultrasound physiotherapy to analgesia in patients with acute low back pain at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. Methods: A randomized controlled …

A Randomised Comparative Trial Of Seven Versus Fourteen Day Triple Therapy For Helicobacter Pylori Eradication At The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Ahmed Sokwala

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Background: Helicobacter is associated with a number of important upper gastrointestinal conditions including chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric malignancy. Proton pump inhibitor -based triple therapies are considered the standard regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication, but the optimal duration of these regimens is still controversial. Local studies are required to evaluate the H. pylori eradication rates in a country for adequate eradication to prevent H. pylori infection and complications Objectives: The main objective of this study was to compare 7 day and 14 day regimens and determine the optimum duration of triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. Methods: A …

Late Onset Postpneumonectomy Empyema Presenting 24 Years After Pneumonectomy, Saulat Hasnain Fatimi, Umair Khalid, Sanna Fatima, Taimur Saleem

Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Empyema is a devastating complication that is rarely seen in the postpneumonectomy setting. A 56-year-old man presented to us 24 years after pneumonectomy with a 15 days history of chest pain and shortness of breath. Physical examination revealed a fluctuant swelling at the thoracotomy site. Computed tomography scan showed a large fluid density mass in the left pneumonectomy space. Needle aspiration and video assisted thoracoscopic surgery was carried out and culture of the aspirated fluid grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The patient was discharged with the chest tubes in place. At 2 months follow-up, the patient presented with fever and continuous copious …

Giant Unresectable Lymphangioma Of The Trunk Managed Via Intra-Tumour Injections Of Bleomycin, Umair Khalid, Saulat Hasnain Fatimi, Taimur Saleem

Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Surgical excision was once considered the mainstay of treatment for lymphangiomas. However, that paradigm is now changing with sclerotherapy emerging as a viable alternative. A 22-year-old girl presented with a mucopurulent and painful discharge from an extensive wound in the trunk. Chest roentogram showed a large soft tissue abnormality with multiple calcifications in the right upper abdomen and lower thorax. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extensive lobulated mass measuring 27 x 19 cm. Due to the extensive involvement of tissues, surgical excision did not appear to be a favourable option in this case. Local injections of bleomycin were successfully administered; …

Modification And Implementation Of Nccn Guidelines On Prostate Cancer In The Middle East And North Africa Region., Waleed A. Hassen, Farrok A. Karsan, Farhat Abbas

Department of Surgery Docs

Abstract

A prostate cancer committee was established to modify the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) on Prostate Cancer for adaptation and implementation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The objective was to enhance the multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of prostate cancer. The committee, comprising regional experts in the fields of urologic, medical, and radiation oncology, reviewed the 2009 version of the NCCN Guidelines on Prostate Cancer and suggested modifications based on the unique needs of the regions determined through published evidence and local expertise. The committee identified several areas in the NCCN Guidelines …

Nipple Adenoma Of Breast: A Masquerader Of Malignancy, Kanwal Aftab, Romana Idress

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Nipple adenoma is a benign condition simulating malignancy such as breast carcinoma and/or Paget’s disease clinically. In this study 19 cases diagnosed as nipple adenoma over a period of 14 years are described. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology alone. All patients were females with age ranging from 23 to 63 years. Most of the cases presented clinically with in duration and ulceration accompanied by pain and itching. The diagnosis was clinically suspected in only 3 cases. This highlights the importance of histological diagnosis in all suspicious breast lesions. In one case, the clinical and histological diagnosis was incorrect leading …

Soft Tissue Profile Response In Extraction Versus Non-Extraction Orthodontic Treatment, Munizeh Khan, Mubassar Fida

Section of Dental-Oral Maxillofacial Surgery

Objective: To compare changes occurring in the soft tissue profile with orthodontic treatment in extraction versus nonextraction cases, and to determine the hard and soft tissue parameters that show significant correlations to understand the factors influencing the response to tooth movement. Study Design: Quasi-experimental. Place and Duration of Study: Dental Section, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from 2005 to 2008. Methodology: Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalographs of 34 subjects were assessed. For half of the patients (n=17), treatment included the extraction of 4 premolars, whereas the other half were treated by the non-extraction approach. Incisal and soft tissue effects …

Effects Of A Perindopril-Based Blood-Pressure-Lowering Regimen In Patients With Previous Stroke Or Transient Ischaemic Attack (Progress). How Do The Results Affect Practice In Pakistan, Maria Khan, Ayeesha Kamran Kamal

Section of Neurology

No abstract provided.

Effects Of A Perindopril-Based Blood-Pressure-Lowering Regimen In Patients With Previous Stroke Or Transient Ischaemic Attack (Progress). How Do The Results Affect Practice In Pakistan?, Maria Khan, Ayeesha Kamran Kamal

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Patterns Of Fatal Gunshot Injuries In Nairobi: A Prospective Forensic Study, Ancent K. Nzioka

Master of Medicine in Anatomic Pathology

Introduction: Gunshot injuries are one of the leading causes of fatal and non fatal injury in many countries (1) .All over the world, injury studies show an increasing preference for the gun as the weapon of choice for homicides and suicides (2).Firearms are more lethal compared to other portable and concealable weapons (2). Gunshot injuries impact severely on the criminal justice as well as health care systems (3, 4). There is no available published statistics on fatal gunshot injuries inKenya. Some basic statistics are important in understanding the magnitude and severity of the socio-economic burden caused by gunshot injuries. Objective: …

Expression Patterns Of Β–Catenin, Cox-2 And P27 In Colorectal Carcinomas At Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Patricia Okiro

Master of Medicine in Anatomic Pathology

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, as indicated by WHO. Local published and unpublished data indicate that patients in the developing world with colorectal cancer tend to present at an early age, and possibly at a more advanced stage than described in the developed world. The reason for this difference is unclear, and as yet undefined. The Wnt/APC pathway, Microsatellite instability pathway and the Epigenetic pathway are three pathogenetically distinct pathways that have been implicated in the development of colorectal cancer. Exploration of these patterns may allow us to elucidate possible reasons for these differences. Objectives: …

Spontaneous Dural Tear Leading To Intracranial Hypotension And Tonsillar Herniation In Marfan Syndrome: A Case Report, Aqueel H. Pabaney, Farhan A. Mirza, Nadir A. Syed, Humera Ahsan

Section of Neurology

Background:We describe the case of a 38 year old male with Marfan syndrome who presented with orthostatic headaches and seizures. Case Presentation: The Patient was diagnosed with Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension secondary to CSF leaks, objectively demonstrated by MR Myelogram with intrathecal contrast. Epidural autologus blood patch was administered at the leakage site leading to significant improvement.

Conclusion:

Our literature search shows that this is the second reported case of a Marfan Patient presenting with symptomatic spontaneous CSF leaks along with tonsillar herniation.

A Probit- Log- Skew-Normal Mixture Model For Repeated Measures Data With Excess Zeros, With Application To A Cohort Study Of Paediatric Respiratory Symptoms, Sadia Mahmud, W. Y. Wendy Lou, Neil W. Johnston

Community Health Sciences

Background: A zero-inflated continuous outcome is characterized by occurrence of "excess" zeros that more than a single distribution can explain, with the positive observations forming a skewed distribution. Mixture models are employed for regression analysis of zero-inflated data. Moreover, for repeated measures zero-inflated data the clustering structure should also be modeled for an adequate analysis. Methods: Diary of Asthma and Viral Infections Study (DAVIS) was a one year (2004) cohort study conducted at McMaster University to monitor viral infection and respiratory symptoms in children aged 5-11 years with and without asthma. Respiratory symptoms were recorded daily using either an Internet …

Knowledge And Awareness About Cervical Cancer And Its Prevention Amongst Interns And Nursing Staff In Tertiary Care Hospitals In Karachi, Pakistan., Syed Faizan Ali, Samia Ayub, Nauman Fazal Manzoor, Sidra Azim, Muneeza Afif, Nida Akhtar, Wassi Ali Jafery, Imran Tahir, Syed Farid-Ul-Hasnian, Najam Uddin

Community Health Sciences

Background and Objective: Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality amongst the gynecological cancers worldwide, especially in developing countries. It is imperative for at least health professionals in developing countries like Pakistan to have a sound knowledge about the disease. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and its prevention amongst health professionals in tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods and Design: A cross-sectional, interview based survey was conducted in June, 2009. Sample of 400 was divided between the three tertiary care centers. Convenience sampling was applied …

Post Traumatic Avulsion Of Lumbar Artery: A Rare Cause Of Retroperitoneal Haemorrhage Treated By Glue Embolization, Rana Shoaib Hamid, Haq Tanveer Ul Ul, Ishtiaq Chishti, Muhammad Azeemuddin

Department of Radiology

Lumbar arterial injury after trauma is a rare cause of significant retroperitoneal haemorrhage. Early diagnosis followed by endovascular transcatheter embolization is a very effective treatment to control bleeding in patients who do not respond to conservative management. We present a case of post traumatic avulsion of left fourth lumbar artery which was successfully treated with percutaneous transcatheter arterial embolization with glue.

Labrad : Vol 35, Issue 2 - June 2010, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

LABRAD - Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Radiology Archives

• The Atypical Lymphocytes
• High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): An Effective Tool for the Diagnosis of Various Hemoglobinopathies
• Platelet Transfusions: What We Need to Know
• Measuring Homocysteine Levels
• Parathyroid Hormone: A Marker of Vitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency
• Surrogate Measures of Insulin Sensitivity
• Foetal Autopsy
• Laboratory Diagnosis of Vaginitis due to Trichomonas Vaginalis
• AKU Clinical Laboratory Continuing Medical Education Seminars

Anaesthetic Management Of An Infant With Epidermolysis Bullosa Undergoing Inguinal Hernia Repair, Khalid Maudood Siddiqui, Sobia Khan

Department of Anaesthesia

Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of inherited disorders characterized by blistering of the skin as a result of minor trauma. We managed an infant with epidermolysis bullosa undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Anaesthesia was induced with oxygen/nitrous oxide mixture and sevoflurane. Oral tracheal intubation was done with a lubricated laryngoscope blade with KY jelly using atracurium 0.5 mg/kg and fentanyl 0.1 microgm/kg. To avoid frictions on the skin, endotracheal tube was tied with ribbon gauze and fixed around the neck. Pulse-oximetry probe and electrocardiogram electrodes were placed, and then attached to the patient's skin covered with KY jelly. Peripheral venous access …

Comparison Of Multi-Detector Ct Venography And Venous Sonography For Detecting Lower Limb Deep Venous Thrombosis In Patients With Suspected Pulmonary Embolism, Ruth Wanjohi

Master of Medicine in Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology

Objective: This was a prospective analytic study that aimed to compare the agreement between CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA/CTV) and ultrasonography (US) for diagnosis of thromboembolic disease and determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the 2 tests using the presence of thromboembolic disease as a reference standard. Methods: 76 consecutive patients who were referred for CTPA at the Radiology department of Aga Khan University Hospital over an 8 month period between December 2008 and July 2009 were included in the study. All the patients underwent combined CTPA/CTV according to the usual departmental protocol. They subsequently had bilateral …

Stroke Registry: A Developing Country's Perspective., Farrukh S. Khan, Maimoona Siddiqui, Hazim Brohi, Khurram A. Siddiqui

Section of Neurology

No abstract provided.

High Dose Atorvastatin After Stroke Or Transient Ischaemic Attack (Sparcl)--Does Every Stroke Patient In Pakistan Deserve A Statin, Maria Khan, Ayeesha Kamran Kamal

Section of Neurology

No abstract provided.

Use Of Miltefosine In The Treatment Of Visceral Leishmaniasis In Children At A Tertiary Care Hospital Of Karachi, Khadija Nuzhat Humayun, Taimur Saleem, Umair Khalid, Fyezah Jehan, Sajid Soofi

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Existing standard treatment options for visceral leishmaniasis are less than optimal. We report here the use of oral miltefosine in the treatment of two paediatric cases of visceral leishmaniasis at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. One patient came from Balochistan while the second patient was from Northern Pakistan. Both presented with a prolonged history of fever, massive hepatosplenomegaly, anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed with bone marrow studies. Amphotericin B was first started in the first patient; however severe hypokalaemia and allergic reaction occurred. Oral miltefosine was then administered. The child showed clinical improvement with regards to …

Parent-Child Communication About Sexual And Reproductive Health In Rural Tanzania: Implications For Young People's Sexual Health Interventions, Joyce Wamoyi, Angela Fenwick, Mark Urassa, Basia Zaba, William Stones

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background

Many programmes on young people and HIV/AIDS prevention have focused on the in-school and channeled sexual and reproductive health messages through schools with limited activities for the young people's families. The assumption has been that parents in African families do not talk about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) with their children. These approach has had limited success because of failure to factor in the young person's family context, and the influence of parents. This paper explores parent-child communication about SRH in families, content, timing and reasons for their communication with their children aged 14-24 years in rural Tanzania.

Methods …

Intricacies In The Surgical Management Of Appendiceal Mucinous Cystadenoma: A Case Report And Review Of The Literature., Muhammad Rizwan Khan, Rashida Ahmed, Taimur Saleem

Department of Surgery Docs

Introduction:Mucinous cystadenoma is a type of mucocele of the appendix that is rarely encountered in clinical practice. Dogmatic consensus on the optimal surgical modus operandi of appendicular mucocele is lacking in the literature and this remains a subject of controversy. There is little agreement with regard to the best procedure (right hemicolectomy versus appendectomy) or the best surgical approach (laparoscopic versus laparotomy). Case Presentation: We report the case of a 70-year-old Asian woman from Karachi who presented with pain in the right iliac fossa for 15 days. On physical examination, a mobile and firm mass was palpable in the …