Clinical and ultrasonographic investigations of 30 water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) with hepatomegaly.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Knowledge of normal ultrasonographic dimensions of the liver and associated vascular structures is an important indicator for the diagnosis of hepatic diseases. Enlargement of the liver beyond its normal dimensions is the term of hepatomegaly and ultrasonography is the primary and the suitable diagnostic technique for this condition. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the clinical and ultrasonographic findings of liver diseases causing hepatomegaly in 30 buffaloes as well as to provide a range of liver dimensions and its blood vessel measurements in normal and diseased buffaloes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 30 buffaloes that were admitted to the clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Zagazig University for investigation of clinical signs associated with gastrointestinal diseases such as anorexia, chronic weight loss, and variable degrees of diarrhea or constipation. The animals were subjected to thorough clinical and ultrasonographic investigations. In addition, 10 healthy buffaloes were investigated ultrasonographically and post-slaughtering for comparison of liver dimensions and physical appearance. RESULTS: Three conditions causing hepatomegaly were identified in this study as multiple focal hepatic lesions, diffuse fatty liver, and hepatic congestion. Clinically, it was difficult to differentiate between each condition while ultrasonography was the ideal tool for diagnosis after comparing with necropsy as a gold standard tool. Hepatomegaly was recorded in all affected animals with a significant decrease in the size of the portal vein (PV) and caudal vena cava (CVC) in animals affected with multiple focal hepatic lesions and fatty liver disease while the size of the PV and CVC was significantly increased in buffaloes with hepatic congestion. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography can aid to accurately identify buffaloes with hepatomegaly and differentiate between different lesions involved.

A localised morphoea/idiopathic polymyositis overlap.

A 54-year-old female presented with a three-year history of proximal muscle weakness and arthralgia. EMG, muscle enzymes and biopsy and other tests were consistent with idiopathic polymyositis. At a later stage, she developed plaques of morphoea involving the dorsum of hands and forearms. There was no evidence of systemic sclerosis throughout the course of the disease. In our opinion, such association appeared as an unusual overlap syndrome that provided a new constellation of features in connective tissue disease.

Disease profile of 400 institutionalized mentally retarded patients in Kuwait.

In this preliminary report we summarize the results of a 4-year multidisciplinary systematic, etiological clinicogenetic survey of 400 institutionalized mentally retarded patients in Kuwait. All had an intelligence quotient below 50. A constitutional disorder, as the direct cause of the mental retardation, was found in 203 patients (50.75%)): a chromosomal abnormality in 37 (9.25%), Mendelian disorders in 137 (34.25%), MCA/MR in 22 (5.55%) and CNS malformations in 7 cases (1.75%). In 157 patients (39.35%) a pre-, peri or postnatal cause was ascertained. No etiological diagnosis was detected in 40 patients (10%). A detailed analysis of the "disease profile" is given and compared with the results of previous diagnostic genetic surveys among different institutionalized mentally retarded populations in Western and developing countries.

Pipothiazine palmitate in the long-term treatment of schizophrenia.

Fifty patients suffering from active schizophrenic episodes were treated with electroplexy and thioproperazine for 3 weeks. Pipothiazine palmitate was then given parenterally at a dose of 100 mg at 4-week intervals over a period of 3 years. It seemed to be effective in maintaining remissions in forty-eight patients.