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Introduction Chronic venous insufficiency is a common condition that leads to the development of incompetent great or short saphenous veins (GSV or SSV) resulting in varicose vein development. Conservative management is initially employed for its treatment; however, the varicosities that do not respond to conservative management may require intervention by surgery or endovenous routes. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) are the two most common endovascular techniques available for the management of incompetent GSV or SSV. Clarivein and Flebogrif are two devices to treat incompetent GSV or SSV by MOCA. Mechanical ablation is provided by their flexible cutting elements and chemical ablation is provided by polidocanol or sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS). RFA uses radiofrequency waves to treat venous insufficiency. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the early treatment outcome results for incompetent GSV or SSV treated with RFA or MOCA by Flebogrif. Materials and methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study undertaken at the Radiology Department of Indus Hospital and Health Network. Electronic Medical Records of all the patients who underwent RFA or MOCA for GSV or SSV for venous insufficiency from January 2021 to December 2021 were included. Both male and female patients aged 18 years and above diagnosed with venous insufficiency having Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, and Pathophysiologic (CEAP) scores of >1 were included. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for data entry and analysis. Results 137 patients were included in the present study with a mean age of 53.8 ± 12.1 years. Pre-procedure CEAP score was C3 in 59 (84.4%), C4 in four (5.7%), and C6 in seven (10.0%) patients in patients who underwent RFA, and it was successful in 69 (98.6%) patients. Pre-procedure CEAP score was C3 in 62 (92.5%), C4 in two (3.0%), and C6 in three (4.5%) patients who underwent MOCA, and it was successful in 59 (88.1%) patients. Pain was the most frequent complication observed in both RFA and MOCA. Conclusion RFA has a high success rate as compared to MOCA by Flebogrif in treating incompetent GSV or SSVs.
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Epidermoid cyst in the oral cavity is uncommon. It is even more rare to see an epidermoid cyst in the sublingual region. We report the case of a 30-year-old male presenting with a swelling in the floor of the mouth extending into the submental and submandibular regions. The midline swelling was painless, soft, and dome-shaped. CT scan contrast revealed the site and extent of swelling. The complete surgical excision of the lesion was performed via a transcervical approach. Histopathology revealed cystic fibrocollagenous tissue covered by squamous epithelium containing some keratin flakes.
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Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common primary hepatic cancer. Its early diagnosis can aid in its treatment by curative means such as surgery or ablation. Advanced-stage diagnosis limits these treatment options, and such cases can be treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) and drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) are usually used, and follow-up response is evaluated using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria. This study was done to compare the treatment response of cTACE and DEB-TACE in patients with HCC. Materials and methods A retrospective review of electronic medical records of all patients diagnosed with HCC from January 2021 to August 2022 who underwent cTACE or DEB-TACE was undertaken at the Department of Interventional Radiology, Indus Hospital and Health Network. Both male and female patients aged 18 years or above with Child-Pugh class A and B were included. DEB-TACE or cTACE was performed by a fellowship-trained interventional radiologist, and the response was evaluated at six weeks follow-up using mRECIST criteria. Results A total of 129 patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 54.1 ± 10.8 years. The mean size of HCC was 3.1 ± 1.7 cm. Seventy-eight (60.5%) patients underwent cTACE, and 51 (39.5%) underwent DEB-TACE. Out of the 78 patients who underwent cTACE, complete response (CR) was found in 28 (35.9%), partial response (PR) was found in 33 (42.3%), stable disease (SD) was found in 12 (15.4%), and progressive disease (PD) was found in five (6.4%) patients. Of the 51 patients who underwent DEB-TACE, CR was found in 13 (25.5%), PR was found in 20 (39.2%), SD was found in 11 (21.6%), and PD was found in seven (13.7%) patients. Conclusion The response rate of TACE in the form of complete or partial response was higher with a lower frequency of stable or progressive disease. cTACE has a high response rate as compared to DEB-TACE.
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INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a threatening condition, and it is far more common than previously assumed, especially after the COVID pandemic. Its outcome is not good; if detected late, and can lead to right ventricular failure, which can be fatal. Our goal was to evaluate CT signs of PH, correlate them with echocardiography, and identify the cut-off values of these signs in our population. METHOD: In this study, 160 patients having both CT and echocardiography with a maximum gap of one month were assessed from June to November 2021. The association between CT signs and echocardiography to diagnose PH was investigated. The Pearson and Spearman correlation and area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) tests were performed in the analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was also used to assess CT's diagnostic capability and cut-off values. RESULT: The correlation between main pulmonary artery (MPA) diameter and main pulmonary artery to aorta ratio (MPA/AO) with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was weak but statistically significant (r = 0.316 and r = 0.321, p<0.001). However, there was a very weak correlation between the right and left pulmonary artery and mPAP with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.155 and 0.138, respectively. For the first time in our population, we measured the cut-off values of MPA and MPA/AO ratios for PH which were 26 and 0.88 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CT signs of PH correlate with echocardiography; however, should not be used solely; the cut-off values should be used according to race and population.
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Objective To determine the frequency of anatomical variations in lung fissures using computed tomography (CT) at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of Radiology and Imaging Services at Memon Medical Institute Hospital, Karachi, between November 2021 to April 2022. Patients aged between 15 to 92 years with a completed high-resolution CT scan chest were included. Subjects with no significant structural lung disease that could alter the anatomy were analyzed. Baseline data was gathered using a pre-designed questionnaire, and two qualified radiologists assessed the CT chest images. Results A total of 382 subjects participated in this study, out of which 57.1% were males whilst 42.9% were females. The right horizontal fissure was absent in 10 (2.6%) cases. Accessory fissures were seen in 7.33%. The most common fissural variation was azygos fissure (14; 3.7%), followed by superior accessory fissure (six; 1.6%), inferior accessory fissures (four; 1%), and left horizontal fissure (four; 1%). These variations were more common in males. The significant difference was only seen in the superior accessory fissures with respect to gender (P-value<0.05). Conclusion This study showed the presence of accessory fissures in 7.33% of patients, the most common being the azygos fissure, irrespective of gender. The absence of normal right horizontal fissures was observed in 2.6% of cases.
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Introduction A significant increase in patients with end-stage renal disease has been observed currently in our community. Kidney transplantation is the most promising cure but the problem is that large numbers of people are not good candidates for transplantation. Hemodialysis is the next appropriate medication for such patients and for patients with end-stage renal disease, who have no chance for transplantation. Morbidity and mortality are the consequences of vascular access complications. Local data related to the complication rate of permanent hemodialysis catheters is not available. The current study examines the complication rate in people due to permanent intrajugular hemodialysis catheterization. Materials and methods The study has been conducted in Dr Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi. The dataset consists of 212 patients who had gone through jugular catheterizations for hemodialysis at this hospital from the year 2014 to the year 2015. A descriptive method has been chosen for obtaining appropriate results. Complications have also been categorized as early or late. Results Complications have been detected in around 24% of the patients from the dataset. Among these complications, infection has the highest percentage (around 13%) while 4% percent of patients have a failed puncture. The others have venous thrombosis, catheter thrombosis, hematoma, wrong canulation, and hemothorax and pneumothorax problems. Conclusion The study concludes that the placement of a permanent hemodialysis catheter in the internal jugular vein has a low complication rate. In addition, the method is safe and easy. So, it can be said that the internal jugular vein is a reliable and preferred route for hemodialysis catheterization.