We conclude that albendazole is safe and effective adjuvant therapy in the treatment of hydatid liver disease.

Background/Aim:Hydatidosis has a worldwide distribution and the liver is the most common organ involved. Hydatid cysts of the liver can be managed either by nonoperative or operative methods. Nonoperative methods include chemotherapy and percutaneous treatment. The study aimed at understanding the effect of albendazole therapy on the viability of protoscoleces and recurrence rate of hydatid disease of the liver.Patients and Methods:The study was conducted at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, Kashmir, India, over a period of 2 years from January 2002 to December 2003, with further follow-up of 5 years. The study included 72 cases in the age group of 17-66 years, comprising 39 males and 33 females. The patients were randomized into two groups of 36 patients each. In group A, patients were directly subjected to surgery, while in group B, patients were administered albendazole for 12 weeks preoperatively, followed by a further postoperative course for 12 weeks.Results:Of patients who received albendazole therapy, no patient had viable cysts at the time of surgery, as compared to 94.45% of the patients who did not receive any preoperative albendazole (P<0.01). In patients who did not receive any albendazole therapy, recurrence rate was 16.66%, while no recurrence was seen in patients who received albendazole therapy (P≤0.05).Conclusion:We conclude that albendazole is an effective adjuvant therapy in the treatment of hydatid liver disease.

Meckel's diverticulum is a true intestinal diverticulum that results from the failure of the vitelline duct to obliterate during the fifth week of fetal development. In about 50% cases, it contains ectopic or heterotopic tissue which can be the cause of complications. A systematic review of literature was undertaken to study the history, incidence, embryoanatomy, clinical presentation, complication and management of Meckel's diverticulum. Although Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract, it is often difficult to diagnose. It may remain asymptomatic or it may mimic disorders such as Crohn's disease, appendicitis and peptic ulcer disease.

Background: Chest trauma comprises about 10-15% of all traumas and 25% of all deaths from traumatic injury. Chest injuries are cause by blunt mechanisms such as road traffic accidents or penetrating mechanisms such as stab and missile injuries. Traumatic chest injuries are the most common cause of preventive mortality and morbidity.Methods: A retrospective study of all patients with chest injury presenting to Emergency Department of SKIMS Medical College, Srinagar was done.  Records of all the patients were retrieved. A complete data regarding age, gender, mode/type of injury, extra thoracic injuries, mode of management and outcome was gathered.Results: A total number of 1429 trauma patients presented to AE of which 160 patients (11.2%) had chest trauma. Majority of the patients (51.87%, n=83) were of age group of 21-40 years. A male preponderance was observed. Road traffic accidents were major causes of blunt chest injury, while gunshot injury was the major causes of penetrating chest injuries. Head and neck injuries were the most common associated injuries. Tube thoracostomy was the commonest modality of management (65%) and (28%) patients were managed conservatively.  Severity of chest trauma and associated injuries coupled with prompt diagnosis and treatment were important factors in efficient management of chest injuries.Conclusions: Chest trauma resulting from road traffic accidents remains the major mechanism of injury. Preventive measures aimed at educating the common masses about traffic rules and strictly implementing them is indispensable to reduce the incidence of chest injuries.

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