Brain computed tomography evaluation of patients with syncopal episode in the emergency department at King Hussein medical center

The aim of our study is to determine the value of using brain computerized tomography as a routine investigation in patients presenting with syncope to the emergency department at King Hussein Medical Center Amman Jordon. In the time period between March 2006 and April 2008, a total of 254 patients [134 males and 120 females] with a mean age +/- SD of 62 +/- 27 years [range: 32-73] presented with syncope to the emergency department. All of these patients underwent various investigations to verify the cause of syncope including brain CT scan. Patients were categorized into three groups according to CT scan findings and their neurological examination on presentation. Patients were classified into three groups based on their brain CT findings and their neurological examination on presentation. The first group included 203 [79.9%] patients, all of which had normal brain CT scan and normal neurological examination. The second group included 10 [3.9%] patients all of which had abnormal brain CT scan findings and abnormal neurological examination. The abnormal neurological findings can be attributed to their syncopal episode and abnormal brain CT findings. The third group included 41[16.1%] patients who had abnormal brain CT findings and either normal or abnormal neurological examination which is not related and can't be attributed to the abnormal head CT findings and their syncopal episode. The use of brain CT scan as a routine investigation in the evaluation of patients presented to the Emergency Department at king Hussein Medical Center with syncope is unjustifiable, unless these patients had abnormal neurological examination

Percutaneous central venous catheterization in children, is it efficient?

To evaluate the frequent use of percutaneous central venous catheters [CVCs] in pediatric age group. Retrospectively we reviewed the records of all children that had percutaneous CVCs in the pediatric surgical ward and pediatric intensive care unit at King Hussein Medical Center between January 2007 and December 2007 [one year]. Patients were evaluated with respect to their age, gender, catheter type, indication for CVC insertion, site of CVC insertion. The duration of catheter use and eventual complications were also taken into consideration. A total of 120 percutaneous CVCs were inserted in 104 children. Patient age ranged from one day to 14 years. The average catheter insertion time was 12.5 days. We noted 66 [18.8%] CVC- related complications. Complications related to percutaneous CVCs insertion were malposition of catheter [5.4%] and pneumothorax [0.9%]. Occlusion of CVCs [4.3%], catheter related bloodstream infections [CRBI] [4.0%], dislodgment [3.7%] and catheter damage [0.6%] were complications associated with length of CVCs use. We conclude that percutaneous central venous catheterization is a safe and efficient procedure that can be done at bedside with minimal complications in pediatric age group

Doppler findings in testicular microlithiasis

Testicular microlithiasis [TM] is a rare and asymptomatic condition, associated with various conditions and diseases. There were no specific Doppler findings found in the literature. In this case presentation we discuss the Doppler findings in TM. Three patients with TM were evaluated with Doppler ultrasound for specific findings. There are no specific Doppler ultrasound findings in patients with TM