Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
-
Case Reports
Does diffusion tensor tractography of the corticospinal tract correctly reflect motor function?
To investigate the consistency of diffusion tensor tractography of the corticospinal tract on motor function. CLINICAL PRESENTATIONS AND INTERVENTION: Three patients with brain tumor were admitted to our hospital with impaired motor function. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography were performed in these patients to assess their affected corticospinal tract. The corticospinal tract showed interruption with moderately impaired motor function in 2 patients. The third case had significantly weakened muscle strength on the left upper limb but an intact right corticospinal tract. ⋯ These cases showed that the corticospinal tracts obtained by DTI with tractography were inconsistent with motor function. Hence, DTI should be interpreted with caution.
-
It was the aim of this study to investigate the serum oxidative stress level in nonischemic patients with heart failure (HF). ⋯ The oxidative stress levels were higher in HF patients, and hence, oxidative stress may play an important role in poor prognosis of HF. Therefore, antioxidant treatment might be reasonable.
-
To investigate the presence of Demodex in patients with gestational diabetes and the impact of glucose regulation on Demodex density in gestational diabetes. ⋯ Our study revealed that the Demodex density was increased in gestational diabetes patients. Further, poor glucose regulation could be the mechanism responsible for the increased Demodex density in gestational diabetes patients with unregulated glucose levels compared to those with regulated glucose levels.
-
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gender on symptom presentation and quality of life of patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) and nonerosive reflux disorder (NERD). ⋯ The GERD-specific symptom severity and general quality of life scores of the EE and the NERD patients were similar. Gender had a great influence on symptom presentation and quality of life in patients with NERD, but not in those with EE.
-
To investigate the effects of recurrent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on cardiac function as assessed by echocardiography. ⋯ The mitral diastolic inflow A wave velocity increased 20 min after ECT, and this increase persisted after recurrent ECT sessions. This finding could be considered as an indicator of acutely increased sympathetic tone.