Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of MRI and MR angiography in the assessment of vascular malformations as compared with the usefulness of duplex sonography and digital subtraction arteriography. Participants and methods A total of 40 patients (age range, 1-35 years; 21 male and 19 female) with diagnosed vascular malformations on the basis of color duplex imaging were examined on a 1.5 T whole-body MR scanner. Using parameters based on a fast localizer sequence, we acquired axial or coronal T1-, T2-, short-time inversion recovery (STIR) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. Dynamic postcontrast three-dimensional (3D) gradient-echo MRIs were used for patients with high-flow arteriovenous malformation. MR data sets were evaluated for the detection of the lesion, determination of the malformation extent, involvement of surrounding structures, and vascular details with regard to the nidus, feeding arteries, and draining veins. Results were compared with findings from the digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Results All MRIs revealed 14 low-flow venous vascular malformations, 12 high-flow arteriovenous malformations, and 14 hemangiomas. The STIR sequence was helpful for determining the extent of vascular malformation, whereas dynamic postcontrast 3D MR angiography helped in the classification of the type of the vascular malformation. MR angiography was inferior to DSA in revealing the vascular details and for interventional procedure planning. Conclusion MRI and MR angiography appear to play a significant role in the assessment of vascular malformations. The protocol for imaging such vascular malformations should include dynamic postcontrast 3D gradient-echo MRI with STIR sequences. However, DSA is still required for more vascular detail delineation and definitive treatment decisions.

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Objective The aim of this study was to declare the frequency of neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and psychiatric comorbidities associated with epilepsy and the relation of these disorders with several variables, including age at onset of epilepsy, duration of epilepsy, type of epilepsy, antiepileptic medications (monotherapy or polytherapy), and seizure frequency. Patients and methods This cross-sectional study included 50 epileptic children selected from those regularly attending the Neurology Outpatient Clinic in Mansoura University Children Hospital and already diagnosed with primary epilepsy and maintained on antiepileptic medications. They were subjected to full general and neurological assessment, Wechsler Intelligence Scale (IQ), Child Behavior Checklist, and Developmental Profile-3. Data were analyzed using SPSS program, version 16. Results Children with prolonged duration and earlier onset of epilepsy performed worse on Developmental Profile-3 assessment as they showed significantly delayed cognition, in addition to more attention problems and low IQ. Increased frequency associated with delayed cognitive, social, and communication development, low IQ, and attention problems were observed. Moreover, those with polytherapy were more significantly affected as regards cognition, communication, IQ, attention, social problems, thought problems, and anxiety depression. No significant differences were found between effects of sodium valproate and carbamazepine, but a high dose of valproate was associated with higher incidence of low IQ and cognitive and attention problems. Cognition, communication, and attention were more affected in patients with generalized epilepsy in comparison with those with partial epilepsy. Conclusion Childhood epilepsy is associated with cognitive deficits, intellectual decline, and behavioral problems, which are multifactorial, such as age of onset, frequency, type of seizure, prolonged seizures, antiepileptic drugs, and duration of epilepsy.

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Background Nigella Sativa (NS) is one of the traditionally used herb well known for its healing properties. The most of the therapeutic properties of this plant is due to the presence of Thymoquinone (TQ), the major bioactive component of the essential oil. TQ is also a promising dietary chemopreventive agent for the treatment of number of diseases. Very low level of toxicity has been reported through acute and chronic toxicity studies. Aim The present study aimed to investigate the anti-ischemic effect of NS using carotid artery occlusion model in rats.This study also aimed to investigate the effect of NS on SVP induced hepatotoxicity. Method 0Animals given NS and TMZ for 21 days then subjected to 45 min for brain ischemia then reperfusion.Animals administered NS, SVP for 21 days then subjected to serum measurement of serum ALT & AST and liver histopathological examination. Results NS significantly reduced the percent of necrosis and reduced the size of cerebral infarction compared to control and enhanced the effect of TMZ on cerebral ischemia.NS produced significant decrease in serum ALT and AST and improvement of histopathlogical picture compared to SVP group. Conclusion These results indicate that the NS could have a therapeutic effect against cerebral ischemia.NS has protective effect against SVP induced hepatotoxicity.

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Historically, the treatment armamentarium for secretory pituitary adenomas included neurosurgery, medical management, fractionated radiotherapy, and, recently, gamma knife surgery (GKS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and role of GKS in the treatment of secretory pituitary adenomas as regards hormonal and adenoma size control. Between January 2010 and January 2014, a prospective analysis of 40 consecutive patients who underwent GKS for secretory pituitary adenomas at the International Medical Center, Cairo, Egypt, was carried out. Eight patients had adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting adenoma, 16 patients had prolactin-secreting adenoma, and 16 had growth hormone-secreting adenoma. In 19 patients, GKS was the secondary treatment to a prior surgery with failure of hormonal control along with medical treatment. In the remaining 21 patients, the secretory pituitary adenomas were not controlled with medical treatment alone. The follow-up period ranged between 12 and 60 months. Hormonal control was achieved with either normalization or a marked decline in abnormal hormone level of more 50%. Radiological tumor size control was carried out with either tumor size stabilization or reduction. Among the 40 patients, 21 had microadenoma of 1 cm ³ volume or less. Overall, 24 patients (60%) had hormonal control and 38 patients (95%) had tumor size control after GKS. There was a direct correlation between tumor size, prescription radiation dose, and hormonal and size control after GKS. Twenty out of the treated 21 microadenoma cases showed both hormonal and size control. In conclusion, GKS is a safe and effective treatment method for secretory pituitary adenomas that have failed to respond to medical treatment alone or have postsurgical residual tumor, or recurrence, especially microadenomas.

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Background Obesity is an excessive accumulation of fat that adversely affects well-being and health. It is a major public health problem that affects nearly 18% of teenagers. Aim This study was conducted on primary school children in Menouf district to study the prevalence of obesity and overweight and some associated risk factors. Results Obesity was more prevalent in children between 6 and 9 years of age, and it is more prevalent in girls than in boys. The incidence of obesity was higher among urban than among rural children, and children attending private schools and of high socioeconomic levels were more obese. Conclusion and recommendation Childhood obesity has tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence in 11 years has increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. There is an urgent need to spread awareness about obesity, its consequences, and ways and means of prevention, especially among children and their families.

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Background Pneumonia is the most common single cause of death among children under 5 years of age in the developing countries. Anemia is the most common ailment affecting health, socioeconomic development, and overall betterment of mankind. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and pneumonia in Egyptian children. Patients and methods This case-control study included 100 children aged 9-72 months, selected from Benha University Hospital and Shebin El-Kom Educational Hospital from January to December 2014. A total of 50 children with pneumonia and 50 age-matched and sex-matched controls were included in the study. After taking an informed verbal consent from the parents, our children were subjected to medical history taking, clinical examination, and complete blood count. For children with hemoglobin less than 11 g/dl, serum iron, serum ferritin, and total iron binding capacity were detected. C-reactive protein and chest radiography were performed for the patients. Results Anemia, particularly IDA, was significantly more frequent among patients (54 and 22%, respectively) than among controls (24 and 22%, respectively) (P = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Hemoglobin level was significantly lower in the IDA patients than in the IDA controls (P = 0.03). Anemia was a risk factor for childhood pneumonia (P = 0.001, odds ratio 4.03, and confidence interval 1.71-9.49) and recurrent chest infection (P < 0.001, odds ratio 15.55, and confidence interval 4.88-49.53). Conclusion Anemia, particularly IDA, is a community problem in Egypt. Anemic children are about four times more susceptible to develop pneumonia compared with the nonanemic ones, and IDA is predominating. Prevention, accurate diagnosis, and prompt treatment of anemia are necessary.

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