Endoscopic anterior cervical discectomy under epidurogram guidance.

Cervical discectomy is commonly required for spinal cord and nerve compression disorders. Currently, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is the standard procedure for the treatment of cervical disc herniations and cervical degenerative disorders, whereas endoscopic cervical discectomy is considered an important alternative. Despite the advancement in surgical technology, endoscopically removing hard pathological tissues remains challenging.

Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar procedure for disc herniations: a "between" technique.

Despite the advancement of surgical techniques in endoscopic spine surgeries, treatment of central and paracentral disc herniations, especially disc extrusions and disc sequestrations, remains challenging. On the basis of our experience with treating disc tears, disc herniations, and other spinal diseases, we have developed a new technique we call the "between" technique. This technique involves positioning the opening of the endoscope access cannula at the edge of the targeted disc with half of the opening being positioned inside the disc and the other half positioned in the epidural space.

Hepatitis C virus transmission in family members of Egyptian patients with HCV related chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egypt has become a major public health problem. In the present study, sexual and intrafamilial transmission of HCV infection were assessed in the family members of 200 Egyptian patients (index patients) with HCV-RNA positive and biopsy ascertained chronic hepatitis C. Index patients were 139 men (mean age 55+/-11 years) and 61 women (mean age 48+/-8 years).

The association of Helicobacter pylori infection with the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

A large number of studies were performed that support the association of Helicobacter pylori infection and the development of (GERD), although to prove that this association is a causation is still a matter of dispute. The objectives of this study was to prove this causal association in order to be able to plan a program for intervention. The work was conducted on 30 patients suffering from symptoms suggestive of gastro-esophogeal reflux disease diagnosed by upper endoscopic examination and 20 matched controls were chosen complaining from dyspeptic symptoms but with completely normal by upper endoscopic examination.

Botulinum toxin injection versus internal anal sphincterotomy for the treatment of chronic anal fissure.

Background: Anal fissure is a chronic condition characterized by painful defecation and rectal bleeding. The aim of this study was to compare injection of botulinum toxin versus surgical sphincterotomy for treatment of chronic anal fissure.

Patients And Methods: In a quasi-experimental trial in a university hospital in Kerman, 50 patients diagnosed with chronic anal fissure received 20 units botulinum toxin (n=25) or underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy (n=25).

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3: a novel biomarker for the assessment of the synthetic capacity of hepatocytes in liver cirrhosis.

The liver is the major source of circulating insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3). Because the hepatic tissue is deranged in cirrhotic patients, we measured serum IGFBP-3 concentrations by two-site immunoradiometric assay in sera from 37 cirrhotic patients with different stages of hepatic dysfunction. These were compared with IGFBP-3 levels from 11 healthy controls.

Free fat autotransplantation for the cosmetic treatment of first web space atrophy.

The results of free fat autotransplantation for the correction of first web space atrophy were reviewed for 25 patients who sustained war injuries resulting in ulnar nerve palsies. In anticipation of partial graft resorption, a 30% overcorrection of the first web space deformity was performed compared with the normal hand. Average follow-up was 5 years.

Benzathine penicillin G for rheumatic fever prophylaxis: 2-weekly versus 4-weekly regimens.

Rheumatic fever is still one of the major public health problems in Egypt and the developing countries. It is characterized by a high tendency to recur following streptococcal infections. The use of long acting penicillin for prophylaxis against strep infections was a good achievement in this field, yet, recurrences have been reported in patients following monthly prophylactic programs.