Background/Aim:Alcohol is the most common substance abused in Nepal. Liver disease caused by alcohol abuse, including its end stage, cirrhosis, is a major health care problem, which is difficult to treat.Objectives:To study the demographic profile, laboratory parameters, complications and their prognostic implications among patients of alcoholic liver disease (ALD).Materials and Methods:Records of all patients of ALD admitted from January 1' 2005 to December 31' 2006 were studied and followed up to December 31, 2007. A total of 181 patients were analyzed. Their clinical profile and laboratory parameters were noted and analyzed using SPSS-10.0 software.Results:Among the 181 patients, 80.7% were male, 30.9% were army/ex-army and 65.2% were documented smokers. The mean age of presentation was 52.08 years. Jaundice (57.5%) was the most common presentation followed by hepatomegaly (51.4%). Hypoalbuminemia (50.3) followed by ascites (48.1) were common complications. Death occurred in 19.1% of the patients, the most common cause being hepatic encephalopathy (72.2%) followed by variceal bleeding and hepatorenal syndrome. Jaundice, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy at presentation and female sex were significantly associated with increased mortality along with discriminant score >32, aspartate aminotransferase (AST): Alanine aminotranferase (ALT) ≥ 2, ultrasonography (USG)-proven cirrhosis, rise in prothrombin time ≥5 s, total bilirubin ≥ 4mg/dL and ESR ≥34.Conclusion:ALD was predominantly seen among the productive age group with a high morbidity and mortality. Jaundice, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy at presentation and female sex are poor prognostic indicators along with discriminant score > 32, AST:ALT ≥ 2, USG-proven cirrhosis, coagulopathy, hyperbilirubenemia and high ESR.

IntroductionRenal cortical elastography has shown conflicting but promising results in evaluation of chronic kidney disease and other renal disorders. The purpose of this study was to establish a normogram of renal cortical elasticity values and assess their variation between right and left kidney and their relation with age, gender, body mass index, renal dimensions and skin to cortex distance.MethodsThe study was a hospital based cross sectional study performed at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, a tertiary care center in Kathmandu, Nepal. All individuals referred for Ultrasound from General Health Check up clinic were included in the study. Patient with abnormal ultrasound findings and abnormal renal function test were excluded from the study. Renal morphometry including length, cortical thickness, and skin to cortex distance were measured in B mode imaging and renal cortical elastography was measured with region of interest box of 1 × 0.5 cm. All analyses were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 20.0 soft ware.ResultsA total of 95 individuals who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The mean values of right and left renal cortical shear wave velocity were 1.49 ± 0.19 m/s and 1.54 ± 0.19 m/s respectively. Statistical significant difference was observed between the renal cortical shear wave velocity of right and left kidney. The renal shear wave velocity was seen to decrease with age, however the correlation was not statistically significant. No significant difference was also noted in renal shear wave velocity among various sex or Body mass index groups. Statistically significant negative correlation was noted between skin to cortex distance and renal cortical shear wave velocities. However no statistically significant correlation was noted between renal dimensions and renal cortical shear wave velocities.ConclusionsThe normal cortical elasticity values in terms of shear wave velocity of right and left kidney were established. Renal elasticity is independent of the age, gender, Body mass index and renal dimensions.

Introduction:Ultrasound (USG) can be a good screening tool to identify high-risk nodule requiring fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The study aimed to assess the association of USG characteristic of thyroid nodule with malignancy.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed from August 2011 to July 2012 at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Patients referred for USG of the neck with thyroid nodule more than 10 mm were offered FNAC and included in the study after taking informed consent. USG characteristics were compared with histopathologic diagnosis of benign or malignant nodule.Results:USG characteristics significantly (P < 0.05) associated with malignancy were as follows: size of thyroid nodule more than 30 mm, ill-defined margin, solid echotexture, hypoechoic lesion, microcalcification, and any form of increased vascularity. High sensitivity was seen in microcalcification, hypoechoic echogenicity, and ill-defined margin and high specificity was seen in ill-defined margin and solid echotexture. Relatively high sensitivity and specificity was found in ill-defined margin.Conclusions:Texture, size, margin, echogenicity, and vascularity are important factors for discriminating benign from malignant nodule. Hypoechogenicity, vascularity of any type, ill-defined margin, and microcalcification were independent predictors of malignancy. None of the characteristics were sensitive and specific to be used independently as screening tool to identify high risk of malignancy.

Background: Recent studies on prescribing among outpatients in hospitals in Western Nepal are lacking. The main objectives of the study were to obtain information on the morbidity pattern among outpatients and to analyze prescribing using drug use indicators. Methods: A retrospective hospital record based study from 01.01.2004 to 31.12.2004 was carried out among individuals attending the outpatient department (OPD) of the Manipal Teaching hospital, Pokhara, Western Nepal. A total of 32,017 new patients attended the OPD during the study period. Systematic random sampling (1 in every 20 patients) was done and 1600 patients selected. After excluding patients visiting the emergency department, those who got admitted and whose records were not available, 1261 cases were analyzed. The demographic details, morbidity pattern, average number of drugs prescribed, percentage of drugs prescribed by generic names and from the Essential drug list of Nepal (Essential drugs are those which satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the population), percentage of encounters with an antibiotic and an injection prescribed were noted. Results: 1261 patients made 1772 visits. Upper respiratory tract infection and acid peptic disease were the most common diagnoses. The mean number of drugs was 1.99. Only 19.5% and 39.6% of drugs were prescribed by generic name and from the Essential drug list. Antibiotics and injections were prescribed in 26.4% and 0.96% of encounters. Cetrizine, vitamins, amoxicillin, the combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen and ranitidine were most commonly prescribed. Conclusions: Upper respiratory tract infections and acid peptic disease were the common illnesses. Generic prescribing and use of essential drugs were low. Some of the drug combinations being used were irrational. Prescriber education may be helpful in encouraging rational prescribing.

Background & Objectives: The most common etiology of neck pain is degenerative disc disease, however non-degenerative disease can be important cause of neck pain. This study aims to study the non-degenerative findings in cervical MRI in symptomatic patients with neck and radicular pain.Materials & Methods: The study was a institutional record based retrospective study performed for the duration of 3 years. MRI performed for patients with neck pain and/ or radiculopathy were reviewed. Patients with post operative findings were excluded from the study. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21.0.Results: A total of 721 MRI were performed for neck pain and radiculopathy, among which 91 (12.13%) cases had non-degenerative changes. Most common non degenerative change was traumatic lesions followed by neoplastic lesions and syrinx. Traumatic lesions were more common in males as compared to females. Infection was more common in females as compared to males. C5 and C6 vertebrae were most common vertebra involved in trauma and infection. Some cases like signal change in spinal cord, and syrinx were also noted in our study.Conclusion: Non degenerative cause of neck pain were less common but important cause of neck pain. Traumatic lesions were the most common cause of non degenerative neck pain.Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, Vol.11(4) 2015: 20-23

Background: Accurate estimation of fetal weight is of paramount importance in the management of labour and delivery.Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted over a period of 6 months in a tertiary care teaching hospital. All singleton term mothers with cephalic presentation and intact membranes with ultrasound examination done within a week were included in the study. IUFD, multiple gestation, malpresentation, diagnosed oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios, pelvic and or abdominal masses, and current weight more than 80 Kgs were excluded from the study. Expected fetal weight was estimated by clinical method (Johnson's formula), which was compared with Ultrasound weight estimation (Hadlock method) and actual birth weight. Results:The estimated mean birth weight by clinical method was 3492.75±393.16g, by Ultrasound was 3230.02±407.22g and actual mean birth weight was 3236.32±472.87g. The estimated birth weight by ultrasonographic method showed slightly stronger positive correlation (r=0.54; p<0.001) with actual birth weight as compared to the clinical method (r=0.44; p<0.001). The error of estimation of weight by clinical method showed significant negative correlation (r=-0.24; p=0.01) with gestational age, however ultrasonographic method did not show significant correlation (r= +0.045; p=0.64). The sensitivity and specificity of clinical method and ultrasonographic method for identifying fetal birth weight above 3500 gm was 69.23; 65.67% and 46.15; 80.60%, respectively. Conclusions:Ultrasound was more reliable method to establish fetal weight at term and more consistent in various period of gestations. Clinical method can be reliably used to screen large babies in centers where ultrasound has limited availability.

INTRODUCTIONInfection of the spine accounts for 2-4% of all skeletal infection.1 Spondylodiscitis involves intervertebral disc and its adjacent vertebral bodies but later may also extend into the perispinal region, epidural region and over several spinal segments. Also the diagnosis is delayed due to non-specific and variable clinical findings. The area has relatively restricted access to aspiration and culture and imaging guidance is required for obtaining the material. In this context, imaging remains the main stay of diagnosis, localization and follow up.2-3 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) due to its multi plananr capabilities, excellent soft tissue contrast and simultaneous visualization of neural elements is the modality of choice for imaging of spinal infection. 4However on MRI conditions like degenerative vertebral changes (Modic changes) 5 spondyloarthropathies may be mistaken for spondylodiscitis. However findings like disc changes: T2 hyperintensity, loss of nuclear cleft, decreased disc height, erosion and destruction of endplates, and perivertebral and epidural soft tissue edema are more favorable to infective spondylodiscitis. 6The study of spondylodiscitis in MRI in our country, where infective pathologies and spondylodiscitis are quite common, is not abundant. This study aims to identify MRI characteristics in patients with radiological and clinical diagnosis of spondylodiscitis in Nepal and help differentiate the common degenerative changes in spine with this treatable infective pathology. METHODSThe study was a hospital record based retrospective study conducted in Kathmandu Imaging, a multimodalityimaging center in Kathmandu associated with a tertiary care neurological center. MRI of spine (cervical, dorsal Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging is the imaging modality of choice for imaging spinal infection due to its high sensitivity and specificity. This study aims to study the magnetic resonance imaging changes in patients with spondylodiscitis. Methods:The study was a retrospective study carried in a multimodality imaging centre in Kathmandu. Magnetic resonance imaging records and clinical record of 3 years duration were reviewed and patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of spondylodiscitis were included in the study. Three radiologists interpreted Magnetic Resonance Imaging with mutual consensus in disputed issues. Data analysis was done with Statistical Package for Social Sciences21.0.Results: A total of 52 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 43.9 ± 17.6 years. Spondylodiscitis involved lumbar spine in 26(50%) case, cervical and thoracic spine in 13(25%) cases each. Multiple IV discs were involved in 24(46.2%) cases, which was most common in cervical spine and least common in thoracic spine. Only one vertebral end plate was involved in 16(30.8%) cases. Epidural collection was seen in 23(44.2%) cases and paravertebral collection was noted in 63(33.5%) cases. Statistical significant difference in region of spine involved (p=0.02) an...

Backgroud Nepal government has approved medical abortion and manual vacuum aspiration for early first trimester pregnancy. Both the procedures have been approved by World Health Organization for use in early first trimester. Objectives The study aims to compare efficacy and safety of medical abortion with surgical abortion in a district hospital of rural eastern Nepal. Method An observational study conducted in district hospital, dhankuta from July 2010 to January 2011. Clients for abortion services were counseled about methods of abortion and were allowed to make decision on their own and classified as medical abortion group (N=48) (receiving 200milligram Mifepristone followed by 800 microgram misoprostol sublingually or vaginally on day two)and manual vacuum aspiration group (N=36). The two groups were compared for rate of complete abortion and other complications and contraception use after procedure. Results Rate of complete abortion was similar in both groups, 95.8% among medical abortion and 97.2% in manual vacuum aspiration. Moderate to severe expulsion bleeding was reported in 91.6% of cases after Medical Abortion but none required medical attention for hemorrhage. Condom was the most preferred contraceptive in medical abortion group and depo provera in manual vacuum aspiration group. Conclusion Medical method of abortion using mifepristone and misoprostol is equally safe and effective as manual vacuum aspiration in rural setting district hospitals of Nepal. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v11i3.12505 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2013; 43(3):206-209