Diagnostic Accuracy of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of Carcinoma of Unknown Primary.

Objective: Detection of primary tumor site in patients with carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) syndrome has always been a diagnostic dilemma, necessitating extensive workup. Early detection of primary tumor site coupled with specific therapy improves prognosis. The low detection rate of the primary tumor site can be attributed to the biological behavior or the small size of the primary tumor to be detected by conventional imaging.

Diagnostic accuracy of high resolution MR imaging in local staging of bladder tumors.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of high-resolution MR imaging done at 1.5T in distinguishing bladder-restricted tumor from non-bladder-restricted tumor and compare the mean short axis dimension of metastatic pelvic lymph nodes with benign pelvic lymph nodes.

Study Design: Analytical study.

Reliability of MRI in measuring tongue tumour thickness: a 1.5T study.

Background: Tongue tumour thickness has been shown to have a correlation with neck nodal metastasis and hence patient survival. Current AJCC guidelines recommend inclusion of tongue tumour thickness measurement in routine radiologic staging. Several studies have attempted to define the accuracy of MRI in measuring tongue tumour thickness.

Bleomycin induced pulmonary toxicity in patients with germ cell tumours.

Background: Bleomycin is a cytotoxic drug used in treatment of Germ Cell Tumours (GCTs) and is associated with pulmonary toxicity. Bleomycin pulmonary toxicity (BPT) manifests predominantly as pulmonary fibrosis, organising pneumonia (OP) or Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonitis (NSIP). Our objectives were to determine the incidence of BPT, describe the common HRCT patterns of pulmonary toxicity and to find out the correlation of variables (cumulative dose of bleomycin, age and glomerular filtration rate) with pulmonary toxicity.

Survival from hepatocellular carcinoma at a cancer hospital in Pakistan.

Objectives: To determine the tumour and general characteristics, especially survival, of patients presenting with hepatocellular carcinoma at our tertiary care cancer hospital.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively studied 584 charts of patients consecutively registered between 1995 and 2004 at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, in Lahore, Pakistan. Descriptive statistics were obtained for gender, age, tumour size and morphology, alpha fetoprotein level, means of diagnosis, Child-Pugh status, risk factors, treatment given and follow-up.

Third world issues in breast cancer detection.

Objective: To determine the statistics for age, distributions of the type of mammography, ultrasonic evaluation, laterality, assessment category, risk factors, and financial status, amongst females undergoing mammography.

Methods: A descriptive review of consecutive records of women undergoing mammography during Janurary and February 2005 at a tertiary care cancer facility, the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center in Lahore, Pakistan.

Results: Of a total of 87 patients, only 12 had attended the hospital for mammographic screening.

Turpentine oil inhalation leading to lung necrosis and empyema in a toddler.

Household poisons can cause serious damage to the health of children. Turpentine oil, used chiefly as a solvent in paints, varnishes, and waxes; is often placed within easy reach of children during polishing or painting work. It is capable of causing serious toxicity, whether ingested or inhaled.

Endoscopic ultrasound guided biopsy of a mediastinal mass.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) now has an established role in the diagnosis, staging and management of cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, pancreato-biliary system, and rectum. Recently, a role for EUS in the staging of lung cancers has been proposed. Linear EUS allows fine needle aspiration (FNA), core biopsies and therapeutic manoeuvres such as coeliac plexus block to be performed.