OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical efficacy of exploration of common bile duct through cystic duct or T type tube in CE patients. METHODS One hundred and fifty six patients with chronic CE received decompression of biliary tract from January 2007 to December 2012 were included. Exploration of common bile duct was performed through cystic duct (n=102) or T type tube (n=54). Psychological reacti...

OBJECTIVES Owing to the great absorption capability of the pleura for transudates, the protein content of draining pleural fluid may be considered as a more adequate determinant than its daily draining amount in the decision-making for earlier chest tube removal. In an a priori pilot study, we observed that the initially draining protein-rich exudate converts to a transudate quickly in most pat...

OBJECTIVE Draining of the chest cavity with two chest tubes after pulmonary lobectomy is a common practice. This study aimed to investigate whether using two tubes after a pulmonary lobectomy is more effective than using a single tube. METHOD This prospective randomised study included 100 consecutive patients who underwent lobectomy or bilobectomy for any pathological condition between May 20...

This technique combines the advantages of magnification and stereoscopic angiography. A heavy-duty x-ray tube oscillating between two positions (25 mm apart) allows serial spinal angiograms to be produced in stereo magnification (factor 2.0) using the 0.2 mm, 12 kW focal spot. The x-ray tube can be rapidly changed for normal serial angiography with a 0.6 mm, 50 kW focus. The technique is easy t...

Background: Tuberculous (TB) empyema is a chronic infection of pleural space which carries a signifi cant morbidity and mortality. Aims: The aim of this study was to observe clinical, radiological, bacteriological features, and the outcomes obtained by the medical management of TB empyema. Methodology: A retrospective case analysis of all the adult patients admitted with TB empyema was performe...

Central venous stenosis is a well-known complication in patients with vascular access for hemodialysis. We report two cases involving patients on hemodialysis with arteriovenous fistulas who developed reversible unilateral conductive hearing loss secondary to critical stenosis of central veins draining the arteriovenous dialysis access. A proposed mechanism for the patients' reversible unilater...

Injuries to the parotid duct and parenchyma resulting in swelling in the cheek region commonly present in maxillofacial practice. Sialocele is a discrete collection of saliva in a subcutaneous cavity that can be iatrogenic, idiopathic or the result of post-traumatic injuries to the duct or parenchyma, presenting as a salivary pseudocyst or retention cyst. We present an unusual case of parotid s...

CASE HISTORY An 83-yr-old female presented with a history of worsening dyspnoea. In 1952, the patient had undergone surgical treatment for progressive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) of the left-upper lobe. Treatment had consisted of an artificial pneumothorax and a cavernostomy via incision and drainage of a tuberculous cavity. Since surgery, the patient had cared for the cavernostomy herself by o...