Clinicopathological patterns and distribution of schistosomiasis in Asir Region

The objective of this study is to report, for the first time, the histopathologic pattern of Schistosomiasis from the Asir Region and to compare it to patterns reported from other regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Several studies have reported the patterns of Schistosomiasis in other regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries where Schistosomiasis is endemic. Schistosomiasis is endemic in certain areas of Asir region, however no data is available concerning the clinicopathological pattern of Schistosomiasis in the Asir Region. This is a retrospective analysis of 217 cases of Schistosomiasis from surgical and biopsy files of Asir Central Hospital during a period from January 1990 to October 1999. Our study revealed that Schistosomiasis was more common among the expatriate population of Asir Region than Saudi nationals residing in this area. The urinary tract was most commonly involved, and then in descending frequency came the vermiform appendix, liver and large bowel. These findings are somewhat different from those observed in the Riyadh Region where the vermiform appendix was the most commonly affected organ. Based on the histopathologic pattern, our study describes the pattern of Schistosomiasis in the Asir Region and may serve as a base-line for future research work

Acute appendicitis: a pathological study of 2504 cases at Asir central hospital

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common surgical conditions but very little has been published on appendectomies in Saudi Arabia. In order to determine the pattern of appendiceal diseases and critical evaluation of diagnostic accuracy, we obtained pathological data from 2504 appendectomies performed in Asir region during a period of 20 months [January. 1989 - August, 1990]. The data revealed evidence of inflammation in 2100 [83.9%] specimens. In 338 [13.5%] cases, the inflammatory changes were limited to the lumen or mucosal layer of the appendix. No inflammatory changes were seen in 395 [15.8%] cases. Granulomatous inflammation was present in 9 [0.4%]. Schistosomal infestation was observed in 24 [1%] cases. Enterobius vermicularis [pinworm] was also present in 45 [1.8%] specimens. No significant seasonal variation in the incidence of acute appendicitis was observed