Pak J Med Sci
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Case Reports
An initial experience of using dual energy contrast enhanced mammography at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.
Contrast enhanced mammography (CEM), a relatively new and promising modality, combines mammography (MMG) with an iodinated contrast material to illuminate neovascularity within the breast; analogous to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CEM improves the overall sensitivity of MMG; reduces the need for unnecessary biopsies and follow-up imaging and can be considered a reasonable substitute for MRI. In Pakistan, CEM was recently introduced and to assess its usability a study was conducted on five patients before making it available as a regular investigation. ⋯ In low-middle-income countries (LMICs) where breast MRI is not readily available and expensive for the populace, CEM can be a reliable alternative. The initial experience with CEM at our hospital shows better visualization of malignant lesions in dense and heterogeneously dense breasts with an easy-to-perform technique and a shorter imaging time while facilitating surgical decision-making in terms of breast conservation.
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To investigate the impact of combining lenvatinib with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ⋯ TACE combined with lenvatinib have a high clinical effective rate, with reduced AFP and VEGF levels, higher two year survival rate, and acceptable incidence of adverse events.
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To explore the risk factors of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) and to establish a predictive model. ⋯ Independent risk factors for PEP are large diameter of common bile duct, history of pancreatitis, long operation time, high intubation frequency, pancreatic ducts visualization, and SOD. The nomogram prediction model based on the above independent risk factors has good prediction ability.
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To assess the understanding of the patients with common mental disorders, towards issues related to their mental health. ⋯ Stigma, both public and personal, was quite high, which caused patients to feel compelled to conceal their illness. There was also a general lack of knowledge with regard to mental disorders in our society. The general public opinion about mental health professionals was not favorable.