Pak J Med Sci
-
Thyroid nodules (TNs) are abnormal growths of thyroid cells that form masses within the thyroid gland. TNs are common, and the importance lies in need to exclude thyroid cancer. This study was intended to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for differentiating benign from malignant thyroid lesions in comparison with fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNA cytology). ⋯ B-mode ultrasonography is a valuable tool in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid lesions. It can almost always predict the benign nature of thyroid lesions with excellent diagnostic accuracy.
-
To correlate acne severity with elevated androgen levels and to compare androgen levels between cases and controls. ⋯ Androgens are not directly correlated with acne severity, but affect acne severity as seen in difference between their levels in different grades of acne. Anti-androgens may be initiated early in acne resistant to conventional therapy.
-
The study was planned to determine whether serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are predictors of bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal non-osteoporotic, osteopenic, and osteoporotic females. ⋯ Our study suggested that calcium and phosphate are the strongest predictors of T-score in postmenopausal normal females, while in postmenopausal osteopenic females ALP was the strongest predictor of T-score. Elevated serum ALP levels may help in determining loss of BMD in postmenopausal females.
-
In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of bladder hydrodistension combined with pentosan polysulfate (PPS) treatment in interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome (BPS). ⋯ The study results indicate that PPS treatment started just after hydrodistension yields significantly better results in terms of both symptom improvement and treatment compliance in patients with IC/BPS.
-
To compare surgical complications and maternal and neonatal outcomes of low-risk, late preterm and term pregnant women who have had one or two previous cesarean sections (CSs) with those who have had three or more CSs. ⋯ Although the increase in the number of CSs appears to be associated with intraperitoneal adhesions and placenta previa, adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes were not observed in those women with low-risk pregnancies who underwent CS for the fourth or fifth time. Therefore, fourth and fifth CSs may be considered relatively safe surgical procedures in this cohort.