Mohamed M. Rawas

Airgun injuries: A national health hazard.

Between 1983 and 1989, 41 patients were admitted to King Fahad Hospital (KFH) in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia with airgun injuries. Of the patients admitted, 83% were under 18 years of age. The majority of injuries (80.5%) were trivial. However, 19.5% had serious injuries that required major surgery. These injuries were considered potentially lethal. Public education via media will probably be effective in reducing the number of injuries caused by these weapons.

Mannitol-induced diuretic renalultrasonography: A new technique

We herein describe a new technique to improve the ultrasonic imaging of nonobstructed stone-bearing kidneys. Mannitol-induced diuresis opens up the collapsed renal collecting system and yields better ultrasonographic imaging by increasing the amount of fluid surrounding the calculi. The potential usages of this technique include ultrasound localization for percutaneous stone extraction and during ultrasonographic monitoring of stones treated by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL).