Susceptibility profile of methicillin-resistant to linezolid in clinical isolates.

Objective: To determine the resistance and sensitivity pattern of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates to linezolid (LZD) along with its prevalence in a tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. This study lasted for about 1 year.

Comparison of Hemodynamic Effects and Negative Predictive Value of Normal Adenosine Gated Myocardial Perfusion Scan With or Without Caffeine Abstinence.

For vasodilator stress, myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with at least 12-h caffeine abstinence is recommended, as it attenuates cardiovascular hyperemic response of adenosine and dipyridamole. However, many published conflicting results have shown no significant effect upon perfusion abnormalities in MPI performed without caffeine abstinence. The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic changes and negative predictive value (NPV) of normal MPIs with adenosine stress performed with or without caffeine abstinence.

Renal Biopsy: A much needed tool in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE).

Background And Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) is an inflammatory disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Kidneys are frequently affected in SLE and various stages of lupus nephritis have been identified based on severity of the disease. Treatment varies with the staging and correct diagnosis is essential for timely intervention as it can have significant impact on morbidity and mortality.

Hybrid Imaging in Oncology.

In oncology various imaging modalities play a crucial role in diagnosis, staging, restaging, treatment monitoring and follow up of various cancers. Stand-alone morphological imaging like computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide a high magnitude of anatomical details about the tumor but are relatively dumb about tumor physiology. Stand-alone functional imaging like positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT) are rich in functional information but provide little insight into tumor morphology.

Higher event rate in patients with known CAD despite a normal myocardial perfusion scan.

Objective: The negative predictive value of a normal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is very high. However, prognostic implication of a normal SPECT MPI in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) is not clear. Objective of this study was to evaluate the cardiac event rate in patients with known CAD who had a normal stress SPECT MPI.

Wandering Meckel's diverticulum on 99m technetium-pertechnetate scintigraphy: A diagnostic dilemma?

Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common gastrointestinal anomaly with heterotopic mucosa in 60% of cases. 99m technetium-pertechnetate scintigraphy is a sensitive tool for detection of MD containing heterotopic gastric mucosa. It is usually located in the right lower quadrant or umbilical region and less frequently in other quadrants.

Indigenously developed close delivery system for oral iodine-131 therapy: Nominal cost but phenomenal protection.

Background: Administration of radiopharmaceuticals through intravenous and oral routes is the major source of radiation exposure to nuclear medicine (NM) technologists. Adopting new strategies to minimize radiation exposure is an important step toward safe practice in nuclear pharmacy.

Materials And Methods: We have indigenously developed a relatively close delivery system for oral administration of radioiodine-131 ((131)I) to minimize radiation exposure to the technologists.

Higher events rate in patients with a normal gated myocardial perfusion imaging with dipyridamole than exercise: "Run for reliability".

Objective: The aim of this is to evaluate the negative predictive value (NPV) of a normal gated myocardial perfusion imaging (NGMPI) with exercise and dipyridamole in a propensity matched population.

Materials And Methods: This is a prospective study conducted at Nuclear Cardiology Department of Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases, Karachi from December 2008 until June 2010. A total of 809 patients with a NGMPI with adequate exercise (558/809) or dipyridamole (251/809) stress were included and followed-up for 12-30 months (mean 24 ± 3 months) for fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarctions (MI).

Esophageal motility disorders in diabetics.

Objective: To see the presence of esophageal motor disorders in diabetic patients and compare it with controls at the Department of Medicine Ziauddin Medical University Hospital, Karachi.

Methods: Diabetic patients admitted at Ziauddin Medical University Hospital, Karachi were taken as study subjects, whereas age and sex matched healthy volunteers not suffering from any disease neither taking any medication for dyspepsia were taken as controls Esophageal manometry was done to see the motility disorders in diabetic patients and controls.

Results: Resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter in diabetics was similar to controls.