This study was done to find out the relationship between gallbladder wall thickening and esophageal varices in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. A total of 61 CLD patients were included and divided into two groups. Group A included 13 CLD patients with no oesophageal varices and Group B composed of 48 CLD patients with esophageal varices. Mean gallbladder wall thickness (GBWT) of Group B was 5.6±0.2mm compared to 2.7±0.1mm of Group A. The mean differences of GBWT were statistically significant between group A and group B (P<0.05). The mean GBWT was significantly (p<0.05) higher in CLD patients with grade III and IV varices (6.1±.8 mm) compared to grade I and II (3.9±0.7 mm). The result suggests that GBWT may be considered as an important marker for the presence of esophageal varices in CLD patients.Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2012; 6(1): 18-20

Objectives: This study was performed to find out the extent and nature of arterial flow abnormality in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy compared to diabetic patients without neuropathy, using duplex colour Doppler technique. Materials and method: This cross sectional study was performed on diabetic subjects in the Department of Radiology and Imaging, BIRDEM from July 2008’ to May 2009. Patients were referred from Department of neurology and preventive foot care OPD, BIRDEM, for colour Doppler imaging of lower limb arteries. Total 88 consecutive diabetic patients were included in this study. Out of them 48 were diagnosed cases of diabetic neuropathy (group I) and 40 were diabetic without neuropathy (Group II). In all patients the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) and Pulsatility Index (PI) were recorded on both left and right lower limb arteries, by using duplex colour Doppler technique. Total no. of patients were 88. 48 had neuropathy. They were 27-57 yrs of age. Result: Unpaired‘t’ test was used to find out relationship between the variables.P value <o.o5 was considered as statistically significant. The mean ABI was 1.44±0.07, ranged from 1.30 to 1.59 in group I (diabetic neuropathy) and 1.17±0.06, ranged from 1.05 to 1.26 in group II (diabetic without neuropathy). The mean ABI difference was found statistically significant (p<0.05) between group I and group II. The mean PI was 3.0±0.69, ranged from 1.18 to 3.68 and 7.97±2.29,ranged from 5.50 to 13.0 in group I (diabetic neuropathy) and group II (diabetic without neuropathy) respectively. The mean PI difference was found statistically significant (p<0.05) between group I (diabetic neuropathy) and group II (diabetic without neuropathy). Conclusion: In this study it was observed that Pulsatility Index (PI) decreased and Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) increased in diabetic neuropathic group. There was significant difference of Pulsatility Index (PI) and Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) found between diabetic subjects with and without neuropathy. So, from the finding of the present work, it can be said that diabetic neuropathy affect the arterial flow detected by non invasive duplex colour Doppler imaging may help in proper patient management and may prevent neuropathic arterial complications. But for any definine conclusion, bigger appropriate study should be done.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v2i2.12309 (Birdem Med J 2012; 2(2): 89-92)

Detection and monitoring of blood loss in trauma patients can often be challenging. Change in the inferior vena cava diameter (IVCd) occurs due to alteration in circulating blood volume (CBV) and blood loss. Ultrasonographic measurement of IVCd provides a noninvasive real-time information of the CBV. The present study was designed to determine whether acute blood loss could be detected by sonographic measurement of the IVCd. A total of 50 volunteer blood donors aged 18 to 57 years were studied in the Department of Radiology and Imaging of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) from July 2004 to June 2005. The inferior vena cava diameters, both during inspiration and expiration were measured by ultrasound examination immediately before and after donation of a single unit (450ml) of blood. During examination, the transducer was applied to the epigastrium parallel to the median line about 2 cm to the right of it for sagittal sections, and at a right angle to the median line about 3 cm below the xiphoid process for transverse sections. In sagittal sections, the inferior vena cava behind the liver were imaged during inspiration and expiration. The mean diameter of IVC during expiration before and after the blood donation was 17.5mm (±1.56mm) and 11.93mm (±1.48mm) respectively. Likewise, the mean diameter of IVC during inspiration before and after the blood donation was 12.96mm (±1.61mm) and 7.58mm (±1.29mm) respectively. The decrease in INV diameter following blood loss was significant (p< 0.01). Thus, the acute depletion of CBV could be detected by measuring the change of IVCd by sonography. Further study may be undertaken to determine the relationship of unit change of IVCd due to acute blood loss in case of trauma or other conditions. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/imcj.v5i2.10099 IMCJ 2011; 5(2): 51-53