Browsing by Author "Kotze, Tessa"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Efficacy of single fixed dose of radioiodine (I-131) therapy in patients with hyperthyroidism at Groote Schuur Hospital
    (2019) Isah, Ahmed Rufai; Kotze, Tessa
    Aim: The aims of this audit were: To determine the proportion of hyperthyroid patients receiving I-131 therapy in whom treatment with a single fixed dose was successful, as defined by the achievement of euthyroidism or hypothyroidism 6-months after the therapy; To identify patients in whom treatment was not successful and a second dose needed; And, if possible, to establish the factors associated with treatment failure. Methods: A single observer reviewed the records of all patients who received I-131 therapy for hyperthyroidism between 23rd April 2010 and 23rd November 2017 in conjunction with their pre and post treatment thyroid function tests. Results of their thyroid ultrasound were retrieved and documented. The images of their Tc-99m sodium pertechnetate thyroid scans were also retrieved and reprocessed. Results: The records of 409 patients treated between April 2010 and November 2017 were retrieved. 223 (63%) patients were referred by the endocrine clinic at Groote Schuur hospital (GSH. Of the 409 patients, 56 (14%) patients that were excluded because their post therapy records were not available for analysis. Majority of our patients were females 310 (88%). Patients between the ages of 15 and 45 years are more likely to present with Grave’s disease while those aged more than 45 years presented with toxic multinodular gland (p=0.000). Patients that presented between the ages of 15 and 45 years are more likely to have moderately increased pretreatment FT4 (12-51 mmol/L) (p=0.002). We administered a radioiodine therapy dose of 456.6±54.8 MBq (Mean ± SD) to these 409 patients. Among the 353 patients, with complete records, 314(89%) achieved cure at some stage after receiving one dose of RAI; 239(76%) achieving cure ≤ 6 months of therapy and 75(24%) patients after 6 months. In our audit the patients who failed to achieve cure following the first RAI therapy appeared to be younger (median(interquartile range) age 39(16), p= 0.03), have severe hyperthyroidism as demonstrated by higher pre-treatment FT4 (median(interquartile range) 27 pmol/L(30.6), p= 0.05) and high pertechnetate uptake (median(interquartile range) uptake 9.9%(14), p= 0.002) on thyroid scintigraphy. CONCLUSION Our audit showed RAI therapy was found to be successful in 68% of patients at 6 month and 89% at a year. A second therapy with radioactive iodine would be indicated in 32% of patients, as these patients have not achieved cure at 6 months. Patients presenting with severe thyrotoxicity are likely to require more than one RAI therapy. Due to major deficiencies in referral, record keeping and follow up, other factors responsible for treatment were not be able to be evaluated. Based on these findings, suggested areas for further research are: should patients with severe hyperthyroidism be considered for pretreatment with antithyroid medication prior to RAI; would a one year follow up after radioiodine therapy be considered before second RAI. Now that the deficiencies in our current practice have been identified and suggestions put forward to address these deficiencies, a follow up audit would be needed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    How has the OSD affected our state hospitals?
    (2009) Parkes, Jeannette; Abratt, Raymond; Taylor, Allan; Le Feuvre, David; Murray, Elizabeth; Robertson, Barbara; Kotze, Tessa; Marais, David; Khan, Del; Kilborn, Tracy; Wieselthaler, Nicky; Gajjar, Himal; Handler, Lenny; Fagan, Johan; Spitaels, Ariane; Morrison, Adrian; Davidson, Alan; Salie, Shamiel; Urban, Mike; Rajkumar, Ash; Pretorius, Vincent; van Niekerk, Magriet; Ferreira, Germaine; Wolmerans, Marli; Cyster, Lyall; King, Darren; Okwuosa, Sebastian; van Staden, Sanet; van Niekerk, Margarethe; Winckler, Jana; Meissenheimer, Heinrich; Botes, Annie; Tait, Deon; Visagie, Jodine; Swarts, Steve; Klocke, Marina; Lomas, Vanessa; Marais, Ilke; Vijoen, Werner; Perry, Jennie; Nkosi, Nokwazi; Stuve, Katrin
    The long-awaited occupation-specific dispensation (OSD) process for state-employed doctors has now been concluded. The final offer, signed and accepted in the bargaining chamber despite being rejected by 92% of doctors in a SAMA survey, has not received much attention or fanfare. At the conclusion of this process, which has been drawn out over several years, many points have emerged that are extremely worrying for the future of health care in this country.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    The conclusions drawn from ventilation/perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) compared to lung perfusion SPECT and a chest x-ray (CXR) in patients with suspected pulmonary pulmonary thromboembolism
    (2018) Abubakar, Sofiullah; Kotze, Tessa; Mann, Mike D
    Purpose: There are conflicting results from studies on whether the ventilation (V) scintigraphy can be safely omitted or replaced by a chest x-ray. These studies were based on planar ventilation perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy. We evaluated the value of the V single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) on the final conclusion drawn from a V/Q SPECT and the possible role of the chest x-ray as a surrogate for the V SPECT. Methods Raw data of V/Q SPECT images and chest x-ray acquired within 48 hours over 18 months period were retrieved, reprocessed and reviewed in batches. The V SPECT, Q SPECT and chest x-ray were reviewed separately and in combination. Data on the presence and character of defects and chest x-ray abnormalities were recorded. The V/Q SPECT images were interpreted using the criteria in the EANM guideline and the Q SPECT and chest x-ray images were interpreted using the PISAPED criteria. Agreement between the diagnosis on the V/Q SPECT review and the Q SPECT and chest x-ray review was analysed. Results 21.1% of the patients were classified as 'PE present’ on the V/Q SPECT review whereas 48.9% were classified as 'PE present’ on the Q SPECT and chest x-ray review. Only 5.4% of defects seen on V SPECT had matched chest x-ray lung field opacity. Conclusion Our study showed that the omission of a V SPECT led to a high rate of false positive diagnoses and that the ventilation scan cannot be replaced by a chest x-ray.