ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is evolving role of computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in non-invasive evaluation of coronary artery abnormalities in children with Kawasaki disease (KD). Despite this, there is lack of data on radiation dose in this group of children undergoing CTCA. AIM: To audit the radiation dose of CTCA in children with KD. METHODS: Study (December 2013-February 2018) was performed on dual source CT scanner using adaptive prospective electrocardiography-triggering. The dose length product (DLP in milligray-centimeters-mGy.cm) was recorded. Effective radiation dose (millisieverts-mSv) was calculated by applying appropriate age adjusted conversion factors as per recommendations of International Commission on Radiological Protection. Radiation dose was compared across the groups (0-1, 1-5, 5-10, and > 10 years). RESULTS: Eighty-five children (71 boys, 14 girls) with KD underwent CTCA. The median age was 5 years (range, 2 mo-11 years). Median DLP and effective dose was 21 mGy.cm, interquartile ranges (IQR) = 15 (13, 28) and 0.83 mSv, IQR = 0.33 (0.68, 1.01) respectively. Mean DLP increased significantly across the age groups. Mean effective dose in infants (0.63 mSv) was significantly lower than the other age groups (1-5 years 0.85 mSv, 5-10 years 1.04 mSv, and > 10 years 1.38 mSv) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the effective dose between the other groups of children. All the CTCA studies were of diagnostic quality. No child required a repeat examination. CONCLUSION: CTCA is feasible with submillisievert radiation dose in most children with KD. Thus, CTCA has the potential to be an important adjunctive imaging modality in children with KD.
ABSTRACT
The present study was aimed to explore the protective role of Aloe vera gel extract against hepatic and renal damage caused by X-ray exposure to mice. Male balb/c mice were divided into four groups: control, Aloe vera gel extract [AV] (50â¯mg/ kg b.w on alternate days for 30 days), X-ray (2â¯Gy) and AVâ¯+â¯X-ray. X-ray irradiation enhanced the serum levels of liver function indices and chromosomal abnormalities in liver. Kidney function markers were found to be deranged and were accompanied by reduced glomerular filtration rate indicating renal dysfunction. Irradiation caused histopathological and biochemical alterations in both tissues which was associated with enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and enhanced apoptosis as revealed by TUNEL assay and DNA fragmentation. The administration of Aloe vera gel extract to X-ray exposed animals significantly improved their hepatic and renal function parameters which were associated with a reduction in ROS/LPO levels, LDH activity and chromosomal abnormalities as compared to their irradiated counterparts. In vitro assays revealed effective radical scavenging ability of Aloe vera gel extract, which may be linked to its potential in exhibiting antioxidant effects in in vivo conditions. This data suggested that Aloe vera may serve to boost the antioxidant system, thus providing protection against hepatic and renal damage caused by X-ray.