Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy: initial experience with short incision approach at a university hospital

In the great majority of patients diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, the primary pathology is a benign solitary adenoma. Until recently, bilateral neck exploration has been the routine surgical procedure done worldwide to deal with such patients. However, due to the great advancement in localization techniques, this routine approach has been challenged by less invasive procedures. A retrospective study which was done by reviewing the medical records of all patients who were diagnosed to have primary hyperparathyroidism and selected to undergo minimally invasive parathyroidectomy [MIP] at King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University between June 2003 and December2008. There were 40 such patients that had MIP done for them. The surgically removed glands were sent for frozen section in all cases. The sample included 6 males and 34 females with a mean age of 49.32 +/- 13.52. Preoperative laboratory evaluation confirmed hypercalcaemia [2.86 +/- 0.06 mmol/L] and elevated serum parathyroid hormone [66.23+8.00 pg/mL]. The mean operative time was 52.30 +/- 11.45 minutes [range 40-75 minutes]. Postoperatively, both serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels returned to normal range [calcium 2.20+0.02 mmol/L and parathyroid hormone 3.32 +/- 0.21 pg/mL]. These normal postoperative values for calcium and parathyroid hormone remained so during the follow-up period which is 18 postoperative months for every patient. Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy [MIP] is a suitable alternative for appropriately selected patients diagnosed to have primary hyperparathyroidism due to a single adenoma

Scorpion sting syndrome in a general hospital in Saudi Arabia.

To evaluate the incidence of scorpion stings and to draw the attention of clinicians, concerning the dilemma of scorpion sting syndrome and its management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. In a retrospective survey, 251 cases were presenteds with scorpion stings to the Emergency Department of the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, KSA during a period of 15 years [April 1986 to April 2000]. Their ages ranged from 2 months to 101 years [male to female ratio was 2.6:1] and 70.6% of the cases were under 20 years of age. The mean annual incidence of the scorpion sting in the month of May was 16.7%, with the highest mean percentage of approximately 36% each year. The seasonal sting cycle showed the highest record was in the summer period [51%] as compared to the lowest winter period [10%]. Local pain was the primary presenting complaint [95%], with a total systemic toxicity of 78.3% and 35.2% of these were children. Hypertension, sweating, salivation and tachycardia were the most common signs of systemic symptoms. The majority of patients received analgesia, local anesthetics, and application of ice and a period of observation dictated by clinical findings. Eighty-two patients [32.6%] had signs of serious envenoming, requiring admission. There were no deaths. All of these cases were mainly treated symptomatically. The beneficial effect of antivenom in protecting victims against scorpion stings is still questionable. The higher risk groups of systemic toxicity were either those with ages less than 10 years or greater than 50 years, being more susceptible due to their decreased physiologic reserves and increased debilitation

Breast self-examination among Saudi female nursing students in Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and practice of breast self-examination [BSE] among Saudi female nursing college students in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. A cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December 2003. Saudi female nursing students [149] from the College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, and from the College of Nursing, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard, Riyadh, KSA, constituted the study population. The questionnaire contained items on the demographic characteristics of the respondents, knowledge of breast cancer, attitudes toward BSE and questions regarding the practice of BSE. The analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests to examine the association between BSE and demographic, medical history, knowledge of BSE and attitudes toward BSE. The results of the study indicated that 66% of the sample performs BSE. Approximately 62% of those who perform BSE said they learned information regarding BSE in their college curricula. The significant relation was found between higher levels in nursing college and BSE practice. Except for age, no significant relation was found between the socio-demographic factors and BSE practice. The sample showed strong belief in nipple discharge as a causing factor of breast cancer and had significant correlation and BSE practice. Positive correlations were found between nursing students BSE practice and their academic experience in nursing college. Studies like these can enhance the knowledge regarding BSE among nurses and other medical professionals