Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (gist) of the duodenum.

This is a report of a rare gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the duodenum in a 75 years old man who presented with recurrent episodes of intestinal obstruction and melena. The patient underwent successful Whipple's procedure.

Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and C amongst health workers of Civil Hospital Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) amongst the health workers of Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study. A precoded Proforma was filled out which included questions regarding the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of HIV, HBV and HCV. SETTING: Departments of a tertiary health care facility at CHK. Antibodies to HIV, HCV and Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were done using enzymes linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. RESULTS: Uptake of screening was 98% to those offered. The prevalence was 5.6% for antibodies to HCV, 2.4% for HBsAg, while none of those studied had antibodies to HIV. CONCLUSION: Our results show the prevalence of antibodies to HCV in health workers are 20 folds higher than health workers in the developed countries. Similarly, the prevalence of HBV although not as high as HCV is significant. Seroprevalence of HIV does not exist in this group. We need to ensure better training; regulations regarding preventive and safety measures also need to be enforced (JPMA 52:92; 2002).

Critical ischaemia of the upper limb.

Fifty-seven patients who presented to the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, with critical upper limb ischaemia between 1980 and 1989 were studied. Only 13 patients had emboli, while 23 presented with arteritis, seven involving large vessels and 16 with small vessel disease. Other causes included nine patients with trauma, six with atherosclerosis (of whom five were women), and four with vascular complications of thoracic outlet obstruction. Single examples of ischaemia due to radiation fibrosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation were also seen. Critical ischaemia of the upper limb remains an uncommon yet challenging problem. The review demonstrates that total limb arteriography should be performed in all patients, except the minority who present with direct arterial trauma or classical emboli.

Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and C amongst health workers of Civil Hospital Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) amongst the health workers of Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study. A precoded Proforma was filled out which included questions regarding the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of HIV, HBV and HCV. SETTING: Departments of a tertiary health care facility at CHK. Antibodies to HIV, HCV and Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were done using enzymes linked immunabsorbant assay [ELISA]. RESULTS: Uptake of screening was 98% to those offered. The prevalence was 5-6% for antibodies to HCV, 2.4% for HBsAg, while none of those studied had antibodies to HIV. CONCLUSION: Our results show the prevalence of antibodies to HCV in health workers are 20 folds higher than health workers in the developed countries. Similarly, the prevalence of HBV although not as high as HCV is significant. Seroprevalence of HIV does not exist in this group. We need to ensure better training; regulations regarding preventive and safety measures also need to be enforced.

Long-term results of a single protocol for thrombolysis in acute lower-limb ischaemia.

In a prospective study, 78 of 157 patients with acute lower-limb ischaemia were considered suitable for thrombolysis. The immediate and 4-year results of 52 patients managed by a single protocol are reported. Of 34 patients alive at 4 years, 23 had limb salvage. Initial treatment produced effective lysis in 38 patients (73 per cent) with significant benefit in 35 (67 per cent); that benefit was sustained for a minimum of 4 years in 30 patients (58 per cent). Seven of the 18 deaths by 4 years occurred within 30 days. Amputation was carried out in six patients within 30 days and in five during the next 4 years. Delayed amputation followed persistent distal occlusion or progression of distal disease. No death or amputation was caused by complication of treatment. In selected patients the risks of thrombolysis can be reduced to an acceptable level by personal supervision and a strict protocol. In survivors, limb salvage is generally sustained for at least 4 years.

Influence of the gut microflora and of biliary constituents on morphological changes in the small intestine in obstructive jaundice.

Increased amounts of intestinal endotoxin are absorbed in obstructive jaundice. The precise mechanism is not known but the increased absorption may arise from alterations in the luminal contents, in the intestinal flora, in the gut wall or in interactions between all three. To examine the effects of the intestinal flora we have compared the morphological changes in the small intestine in obstructive jaundice in germ free and conventional rats while the effects of bile constituents have been examined by addition of bile constituents to the diet of bile duct ligated rats. Changes in the intestine were examined, histologically, by enzyme histochemistry, and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed no differences in response between germ free and conventional rats. Feeding of diets containing bile salts exacerbated the lesion. Feeding of diets containing cholesterol, however, reduced the degree of intestinal changes produced by cholestasis and completely antagonised the increase in damage caused by feeding of bile salts.

Leucocyte count: a predictor of early femoropopliteal graft failure.

The patency of 90 elective femoropopliteal reconstructions was assessed 6 months after surgery. The preoperative white cell count was found to be a highly significant predictor of early graft failure (P < 0.0001) independent of other previously recognized predictors of occlusion such as smoking and run-off.