Forest resources and tree stock in different countries decline rapidly due to the rising population. Rapid wood consumption created a major wood stock shortage. There is also an immense disparity between demand and supply. Particleboard provides the opportunity to use the greatest possible volume of forest resources and industrial waste. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the physical-mechanical properties of particleboards made from kattha extracted particles of Acacia catechu and Melia dubia. Boards were prepared from different ratio of particles of A. catechu and M. dubia i.e. 50:50 and 60:40 at two different pressures of 17.5 kg cm(-2) and 21 kg cm(-2) using 10 and 12% resin content. Their physical properties (moisture content, density, water absorption, general swelling and thickness swelling) and mechanical properties [modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and screw withdrawal strength] were evaluated. The best experimental results were obtained by mixing particles in the ratio of 50:50 with 12% resin content at 21 kg cm(-2) specific pressure and 150 degrees C temperature for 15 minutes which meets the requirements of medium density particleboard as per Indian standard IS 3087:2005. The utilisation of kattha extracted particles of A. catechu and M. dubia in different combinations and parameters can be explored for the development of wood composites.

Alkaptonuria is a rare disorder of metabolism caused by deficiency of homogentisic acid oxidase enzyme and characterized by triad of homogentisic aciduria (dark urine), relentlessly progressive arthritis and ochronosis. We have documented a case with typical features of alkaptonuria along with intramedullary calcification which has not been reported in the literature before.

OBJECTIVES : The purpose of this study is to assess the role of spiral CT angiography in suspected cases of pulmonary embolism and to do comparative evaluation of CT angiography with conventional pulmonary angiography. MATERIAL AND METHODS : Twenty five patients of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) underwent spiral CT angiography from the level of arch of aorta to the dome of diaphragm .Scanning was done with collimation of 5mm and an interval of 5mm at 130 mA and 120 kV. 100 cc of contrast containing 300 mg I/ ml, diluted with 60cc of normal saline in ratio 5:3 was injected at a flow rate of 3ml/sec with a scan delay of 20 seconds. Retro - reconstruction was done at 3mm interval. RESULTS : Spiral CTA showed a sensitivity of 80 % and a specificity of 85.7% for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. It also provided ancillary findings in the form of parenchymal and mediastinal structural information. CONCLUSION : CTA is an effective alternative to PA in diagnosis of suspected cases of PE. With its non- invasive nature, low cost, over and above high sensitivity and specificity, it may be used as the first line of investigation in the diagnosis of PE.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGPN) is an CASE REPORT: uncommon form of granulomatous inflammation characterized by destruction of the renal A 45 years old woman presented with the history of pain parenchyma and replacement by solid sheets of lipidin the right loin. There was no history of dysurea or fever. laden macrophages [1]. The process may be focal (10The haemogram was unremarkable. Plain radiograph KUB 17%) or diffuse (83-90%) with extension of inflammation revealed a large staghorn calculus in the right renal area out side the kidney. This entity is of particular interest to (Fig 1). On USG, the right kidney was poorly visualized; the radiologist, as the focal type may mimic renal cell instead multiple calculi surrounded by echogenic fat were carcinoma, while the diffuse form has imaging features seen. The urinary bladder showed a thin walled cyst of which are characteristic [2]. XGPN is usually confined to 1.2cm in size in relation to the right ureterovesical junction the kidney, extension and involvement of ureter though (Fig. 2). CT scan confirmed the staghorn calculus in the reported, is rare [3]. We report one such case of XPGN right kidney. The right renal parenchyma and the having characteristic CT findings with involvement of the perinephric space were infiltrated by a fat density (-30 to ureter. -55 HU) mass which showed no enhancement on post contrast scans. Also, there was no excretion of contrast by the right pelvicalcyceal system. The Gerota's fascia was thickened and the fat planes with the adjacent small bowel and the IVC were lost (Fig. 3 and 4). The wall of right ureter was thickened with fat density within its lumen (Fig. 5). The thickening extended till the right ureterovesical junction and terminated as a cystic mass projecting into the lumen of urinary bladder.

© 2006. Indian Radiological Association. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

© 2006. Indian Radiological Association. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

From the present study it can be concluded that both the procedures have their own importance and no one can substitute the other, in diagnosing all the diseases. HSG has been found to be more rewarding in cases of abnormalities of the lumen of uterus and fallopian tubes for their patency. On the other hand laparoscopy has been more rewarding for the abnormalities of the surface of uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. It is suggested that in all the cases of infertility both the procedures should be done and the HSG should be done first followed by laparoscopy.

The role of real-time ultrasonography was evaluated in 50 randomly selected cases with a strong clinical suspicion of gallbladder diseases and normal oral cholecystogram. Of these, 13(26%) cases showed abnormalities on ultrasonography.