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A Belkacem

Publications and source records attributed to A Belkacem.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[D-Dimer determination combined with clinical probability for the diagnosis of leg venous thrombosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of combination of D-Dimer test and simple clinical model for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inclusion: clinical suspicion of DVT. Non inclusion criteria were Clinical model performed by the referring physician included probability varying from high to low. D-Dimer test was performed by five different rapid techniques. Standard of reference was Doppler ultrasonography (DU) performed by a senior radiologist. RESULTS: Eight hundred and fifty-four DU were performed on a 14 months time period, including 206 suspicion of pulmonary embolism, 109 postoperative time period, 120 non-included or excluded patients, 278 incomplete observations, 141 complete observations. DVT was present in 33 cases and absent in the other 108 cases (prevalence 23%). Sensitivity and negative predictive value of the five tests were between 82 and 97% and 90 et 97%. The most sensitive test had a specificity of 36% and a positive predictive value of 32%. Combination of clinical model and D-Dimer test did not improve the diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION: None of the test evaluated in the present study, even when combined with the clinical model results, did allow the exclusion of DVT.

Formycins↗

A scale of methodological quality for clinical studies of radiologic examinations.

PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate a scale for assessment of the methodological quality for clinical investigations of radiologic studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A scale was developed that included methodological standards compiled from established sources for assessing the methodological quality of study designs in clinical research and characteristics related to biases commonly observed in clinical radiologic research. The scale was composed of 15 standards and was tested with the results of 96 studies on imaging of liver hemangioma. Interrater reliability was measured between two observers by using percentage agreement and kappa statistics. Interrater reliability between two observers for a composite quality index that encompassed the 15 standards was measured with the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Agreement between the two observers was almost perfect (kappa value, 0.8-1.0) for 11 standards and substantial (kappa value, 0.74-0.78) for four standards. Agreement between the observers with regard to the composite quality index also was high (intraclass correlation coefficient r, 0.91 [95% CI: 0.87, 0.94]). CONCLUSION: The scale appears to be reliable for the assessment of methodological quality of clinical investigations of radiologic studies.

Hemangioma↗

[Urogenital tuberculosis in children].

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis of the uro-genital tract is uncommon in both sexes before puberty. CASE REPORTS: Case 1. A 10 year-old boy suffered from chronic cystitis. Urine examination showed pyuria without bacteria and absence of mycobacterium tuberculosis on direct smears and culture. Intravenous pyelography showed left ureterohydronephrosis and a non functioning right kidney with calcifications. A right nephrectomy was performed which showed caseous lesions with granulomas. A triple specific therapy failed to completely cure the vesicoureteral lesions. Case 2. A 9 year-old boy was admitted for the suspicion of appendicitis. Renal ultrasonography showed features of abscesses located to the right kidney and the liver. Laparotomy showed their tuberculous origin which was confirmed by histological examination and positive search for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in urine. The course was favorable under specific treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of tuberculosis of the uro-genital tract may be difficult leading to a delayed treatment and sequellae.

Child↗

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Journal Article↗