Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
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To review our experience with typhlitis among children treated for acute leukemia. ⋯ In our study, the rate of typhlitis among leukemic children was 4.5%; however, the mortality rate was 20%. Thus, rapid identification and timely, aggressive medical intervention are necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality from typhlitis.
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Undiagnosed and mismanaged tuberculosis (TB) continues to fuel the global TB epidemic. Rapid, accurate and early diagnosis of TB is therefore a priority to improve TB case detection and interrupt transmission. Although considerable improvements have been made in TB diagnostics, there are two major gaps in the existing diagnostics pipeline: (1) lack of a simple accurate point-of-care test that can be used for rapid diagnosis at the primary care level; (2) lack of a biomarker (or combination of biomarkers) that can be used to identify latently infected individuals who will benefit most from preventive therapy. ⋯ Recognizing the threat posed by these suboptimal tests, a World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Group has strongly recommended against the use of serological tests for the diagnosis of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB. Another WHO Expert Group has discouraged the use of interferon-γ release assays for active pulmonary TB diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries. All existing tests for latent TB infection appear to have only modest predictive value and further research is needed to identify highly predictive biomarkers.
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Over the past two decades technical advances and improvements have made computed tomography (CT) a valuable and essential tool in the array of diagnostic imaging modalities. CT uses ionizing radiation (X-rays) which may damage DNA and increase the risk of carcinogenesis. ⋯ In the light of scientific and technical developments, we will also discuss the possible strategies and ongoing efforts to reduce CT radiation exposure in pediatric patients. In this context, we will not ignore the fact that a well-justified CT scan may exceed its risk and have a favorable impact.
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Case Reports
Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis with thyroid papillary cancer in multinodular goiter: case report.
To report a case of amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) concomitant with thyroid cancer in multinodular goiter (MNG). ⋯ This case showed that thyrotoxicosis, MNG and amiodarone may contribute to thyroid carcinogenesis. Amiodarone should be carefully commenced in cases with MNG.
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To investigate the frequency and significance of pulmonary nodules in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). ⋯ Our study has shown that multiple indeterminate pulmonary nodules with an irregular border in a parenchymal location were more likely to represent metastatic disease. However, the frequency of the occurrence of indeterminate pulmonary metastases of CRC was low.