14 C-urea breath test in the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori infection is supposed to be one of the major causes of digestive and other diseases. Among a lot of invasive and non-invasive methods for its detection, none is ideal. The aim is an assessment of the Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach using breath test and comparison to other diagnostic methods, as well as following up the effects of therapy. In 17 patients with digestive discomfort, breath test, rapid ure- ase test and histology were performed, while in 47 patients with proven HP infection the effect of therapy was followed up using breath test and clinical findings. Breath test was performed af- ter per oral administration of the capsule of 14 C urea (37 kBq). Findings of the breath and urease tests were in accordance in 14/ /17 patients (83%) while breath test and histology in 16/17 patients (94%). During follow-up of the therapeutic effects, breath test and clinical findings were in accordance in 43/47 patients (98%). Breath test can be useful in diagnosis but is a method of choice in following up the patients after therapy for H. pylori infection, because it is non-invasive, fast and precise

Position and size of massa intermedia in Serbian brains

Background: Massa intermedia, a midline bar-shaped structure, connects two thalami across the third ventricle in 70–80% of healthy humans. It has become clinically important since its absence was comprehended as a midline malformation of the brain and brought in connection with schizophrenia indicating that some symptoms could be a consequence of disturbed neuron chains underlying the mechanisms of attention and processing of information. The aim of the investigation was to find out the incidence, position, and size of massa intermedia in the brains of the Serbian population. Materials and methods: Our investigation was performed on 41 brains of adult Serbian cadavers using a macro dissection method. Results: Massa intermedia was present in 80.49% of cases, in 1 case it was double. In most of the cases it was located in the superior quadrants of the lateral wall of the third ventricle, the larger part being in the anterosuperior one. Some other combinations were also present. The horizontal diameter of the cross-section was larger than vertical and was not in correlation with the length of the third ventricle. The average cross-sectional area was 29.58 mm2, significantly larger in females. Conclusions: Massa intermedia is present in most of the investigated brains, usually connecting the anterior-superior quadrants of the lateral walls of the third ventricle. Different in shape and size its cross-section is a horizontal ellipse, significantly larger in females. The cross-sectional area and the size of the third ventricle are not in correlation

Pediatric urolithiasis: the current surgical management

Children represent about 1% of all patients with urolithiasis, but 100% of these children are considered high risk for recurrent stone formation, and it is crucial for them to receive a therapy that will render them stone free. In addition, a metabolic workup is necessary to ensure a tailored metaphylaxis to prevent or delay recurrence. The appropriate therapy depends on localization, size, and composition of the calculus, as well as on the anatomy of the urinary tract. In specialized centers, the whole range of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureterorenoscopy (URS), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) are available for children, with the same efficiency and safety as in adults

Double unilateral fenestration of the anterior cerebral artery in the pre-communicating segment: a report of a unique case

A unique example of two fenestrations of the pre-communicating (A1) segment of the right anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in a 78-year old woman was a special case among 388 cadaveric specimens. It was found by a retrospective review of the personal data obtained during graduate and undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Medicine. Two unequal fenestrations of the right A1 segment were associated with the presence of a pseudo anterior communicating artery, hypoplasia of the right posterior communicating artery and the left superior cerebellar artery, absence of the right anterior inferior cerebellar artery, and ectasia of the basilar artery; however, the cerebral arteries were without aneurysm(s) or other pathology. The reason could be the almost equal ACA diameter on both sides

ABSOLUTE AND RELATIVE RENAL LENGTH IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASES

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the significance of absolute and relative renal length in the diagnoses of several chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) in which kidney size changes in different manners during the disease course. The study included 181 patients: 35 with Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), 31 with diabetic nephropathy (DN), 30 with primary glomerular diseases (GN), 30 with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and 58 healthy controls (C). Absolute renal length was the distance between two most distant points on their poles and it was measured ultrasonographically, and relative length was obtained as the ratio of renal length and body height (kidney/body ratio, KBR). In the statistical analysis, One Way ANOVA test was used to establish the differences in absolute lengths and KBR between the studied groups; 2 test was used to establish the differences in the number of examinees of male and female gender; correlation and linear regression analysis were used to assess the association between age of the examinees and absolute and relative parameters of kidney size. The obtained results demonstrated that the average lengths of the right and left kidney were highest in ADPKD and lowest in BEN group. The average values of KBR of the right and left kidney showed a trend similar to that of average absolute lengths in all groups, except in GN and DN groups, in which absolute parameters of kidney size differed significantly from relative parameters. The correlation analysis showed that a significant negative correlation between age and absolute i.e. relative parameters of kidney size existed only in BEN group, but even in this case the differences between correlation coefficients of absolute and relative length of both kidneys were not statistically significant. Based on the obtained results, we could not establish the advantage of absolute over relative kidney length and vice versa in the studied CKDs. Further studies of larger patient samples with better gender and age distribution are therefore warranted

Alarm system for surveillance of patients receiving high doses of radioiodine (131I) therapy in the case of unauthorised abandoning of a controlled area

After receiving high doses of radioiodine the patients have to remain isolated within the “restricted area”, until the radioactivity of the body drops below a certain level. The aim of this paper was to present our alarming system designed to discover patients who attempt to abandon the “restricted area” and inform medical staff about the event. The system consists of a survey-meter with a pancake probe directed towards the corridor. The survey-meter is connected to a trigger circuit which gives a signal in the case when the measured count rate exceeds a preset value. This signal sets “on” the alarm device, blinking light, programmable siren and IP camera, in order to warn the patient and inform the personnel when such a case occurs. In order to test the consistency and sensitivity of our system we measured ten times the ambient dose equivalent, H*(10), from the source of 925 MBq (25 mCi) 131I, kept at a distance of 1 m. The average ambient dose equivalent was 77.73 ± 31.57 (0.084 mSvh-1 per MBq, or 3.1 mSvh-1 per mCi). We measured ten times the same source at various distances (1-2.25 m) from the probe. In each position, the system was triggered. Also we tested the system on 40 patients treated with radioiodine instructed to pass through the corridor. Each of their attempts triggered the system. According to our experience gained over the past few years, this alarm system intended for patients receiving radionuclide therapy ensures a high level of safety for both the patients and medical staff. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 175007 and Grant no. III41007