Prevalence of carotid calcification detected on panoramic radiographs in a Saudi population from a training institute in Central Saudi Arabia

To determine the prevalence of carotid artery calcification as detected on panoramic radiographs in a Saudi population. This cross sectional study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia between March 2008 and January 2009. Five hundred and fifty-five panoramic radiographs of Saudi patients aged 30 years and above was collected from the patient charts. The panoramic radiographs were examined by 3 trained and calibrated examiners to detect any carotid artery calcification. Carotid artery calcification was noted in 28 [5%] of the 555 radiographs. Among these, 21 images were obtained from men [3.75%] and 7 from women [1.25%]. Dentists should be aware of the techniques to detect carotid artery calcification on the widely used panoramic radiographs. Consequently, information on a life-threatening condition could be provided to the patient, and a precautionary treatment could be suggested

Dental patients' awareness and knowledge in using dental implants as an option in replacing missing teeth: a survey in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this survey was to assess the level, sources, and need for information about dental implants among a selected sample of dental patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients' knowledge and awareness in using dental implants as an option in replacing missing teeth were evaluated through a standardized self- explanatory questionnaire distributed in two places in Riyadh: Military Hospital and College of Dentistry, King Saud University [Darraiyah campus]. The questionnaires were handed to the patients during their regular dental visits. A total of 379 subjects were included in this survey. The results of this study indicate that 66.4% of the subjects knew about dental implants. The subjects' friends and their relatives were the main source of information about dental implants for 31.5% of the subjects, and dentists were the secondary source for 28.3% of the sample. About 82.4% of the subjects need more information about dental implants and 85.2% of them chose the dentist to be the desired source for such information, followed by the internet in 28.5% of the cases. Almost 74.4% of those surveyed did not know if their regular dentists use dental implants. High cost was the major factor in preventing patients from choosing implants in 86.5% of the cases while the long treatment time and fear of surgery was the factor in 71% and 68.6% of the subjects, respectively. The results of this survey showed an acceptable level of awareness about dental implants among a selected sample of dental patients in Riyadh. It also showed the need for providing more general and accurate information to the patients about this treatment modality

Epilepsy among Elderly Sudanese Patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical presentation and characteristics of elderly Sudanese patients with epilepsy. Methodology: This is a prospective study (from Feb. 2005 to Jun 2008). The study population included 240 elderly epileptic patients (age 60 years or above). Results: Cerebrovascular accident was found to be the most common cause of secondary epilepsy (31).Generalize epilepsy was seen in 120 (50) of patients. Abnormal neurological findings were more common (49) among patients with partial epilepsy. Fifty percent of our patients showed abnormal EEG. Abnormal CT brain findings were common among patients with partial epilepsy. Conclusion: The pattern of clinical presentation of epilepsy among elderly Sudanese epileptic patients is similar to what was mentioned in the literature except that the percentage of epilepsy following infections was more among our studied group (6

Study of Knowledge; Attitude; Practice towards Epilepsy among Relative of Epileptic Patients in Khartoum State

People with epilepsy are suffering from a lot of un tolded negative impacts on their lives; due to misunderstanding of the disease and from the associated stigma. Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge; attitude; and practice among relatives of Sudanese epileptic patients seen in Sheik Mohamed Kheir Neurological clinic and Elshaab Teaching Hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive cross- sectional community based study; 313 respondents were included; the duration of the study was from November 2008 to June 2009. Results: Most of the respondents knew the disease; and had witnessed an attack. One third mentioned a brain lesion as the underlying cause of epilepsy. Most of the respondents mentioned loss of consciousness as the major symptom. More than two thirds mentioned that it is not contagious. Most of the respondents claimed that it can be controlled; and two thirds preferred medical treatment. The study revealed that half of the respondents had shown favourable attitudes and practice. Conclusion: The study revealed that the level of knowledge; attitude; and practice towards epilepsy needs community educational programmes to fill the gaps; and minimize the stigma

The Prevalence of Neurological Complications among Adult Sudanese Diabetic Patients

"The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of neurological complications among adult Sudanese diabetic patients attending the outpatient clinics of El Shaab Teaching Hospital in Khartoum. Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional hospital based study; it was conducted at El Shaab Teaching Hospital; Khartoum; Sudan during the period from ebruary !!"" to #ctober !!$.esultset '!! diabe(c pa(ents were included in the study; $ were male and )* females. +ore than *;- were above the age of ); years and ;$- were in the age group );- $"". The pa(ents were from di/erent tribes and di/erent states. Sixty percent of the patients were from the northern Sudanese states while the rest of patients were from eastern and western states. Seventy seven percent of the patients had type diabetes mellitus and 7*.""- of them had diabetes for more than one year. Hypertension was found in *- of our pa(ents. The study revealed that $!- of the diabe(c pa(ents have neurological manifesta(ons. The main neurological complication found was peripheral sensory-motor neuropathy. Conclusion: There is significant positive correlation between age; duration of diabetes; glycaemic control and occurrence of the neurological complications."

Bilateral clavicular and scapular neck fractures

The aim of this report is to present a very rare case of unstable clavicular and scapular neck fracture of both shoulder girdles. A thirty one years old male sustained a double floating shoulder injury, fracture transverse process third lumbar vertebra and chest wall contusion in a road traffic accident. He was treated by open reduction and internal fixation of both clavicle and scapula on one side and with only clavicular stabilization on the other, with 3.5 reconstruction plates 6 days after injury. Twelve months after injury at the last follow up, the patient was satisfied with result of the treatment. The function of the shoulder at that time was evaluated using the scoring system of Constant and Murely, and it was [95 points] on both sides and a radiographic examination of both shoulders revealed the fractures healed in a satisfactory position. The conservative treatment affords good results in cases with undisplaced fractures. In the case of bilateral unstable fractures treated surgically, and excellent results was achieved

Management of acute urinary retention secoundry to bening prostatic hyperplasia

To analyze patients' status and current practice in the management of acute urinary retention [AUR] secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH]. Salmaniya Medical Complex [SMC], Kingdom of Bahrain. Records of 478 patients with AUR were reviewed. The patients were managed by five consultant urologists during period of eight years [1995-2003]. We have documented: in patients and methods. Urethral catheterization was the initial management of choice in 459 [96%] and suprapubic catheters in 19 [4%]. Digital rectal examination [DRE] and abdominal ultrasonography were done in the majority, of patients. Prostate specific antigen [PSA] was done in 229 [48%]; transrectal ultrasonography in 14 [3%] and intravenous pyelography [IVP] in 129 [27%]. Fifty-three patients [11%] were managed successfully with trial without catheter [TWOC], 2-3 days after starting alpha blocker. Four hundred twenty-five patients [89%] underwent endoscopic examination, of these 10 patients had prostatic stenting only, one had open prostatectomy and the remainder had transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP]. This study revealed a reasonable uniformity in the management of AUR secondary to BPH in SMC without or with guidelines, which needs to depend on evidence-based studies

Supernumerary kidney: a case report

Herpetic infection of the digit is although not common but is being increasingly diagnosed by hand surgeons or the personnel involved in taking care of the hand. A case of herpetic infection of a digit in a four year old child is described. Running title: Herpetic Infection of a Digit

Routine ultrasound in acute retention of urine

To evaluate the frequency of urological abnormalities in routine urinary tract ultrasonography [renal and pelvic] in patients with urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. All patients presented to Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain with acute retention of urine secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] in the period between January 2001 and December 2001 were included. The frequency of urological abnormalities, other than BPH, was obtained. One hundred patients were enrolled with a mean age of 67 years. Forty-one patients [41%] had other urological abnormalities. Among these, 3 cases of malignancy were discovered incidentally. A case of renal cell carcinoma, which was completely excised, and 4 cases of bladder tumor, 2 were new cases and 2 were previously known cases of cancer bladder. Other urological abnormalities were renal stones [9 cases], renal cysts [9 cases], hydronephrosis [14 cases] and bladder stones [5 cases]. Asymptomatic non-urological abnormalities were gallstones [3 cases], liver cirrhosis [one case] and hepatic hemangioma [one case]. Renal impairment was found in 18% of all patients and 80% with hydronephrosis. Four patients had hypoechoic nodules, and all had cancer prostate. Significant fraction of patients with acute urinary retention due to BPH have another pathology; although the majority are trivial and it did not influence the immediate management, some are life threatening such as renal cell carcinoma and bladder tumor. Hydronephrosis can be missed if one depends solely on renal biochemistry. Thus, routine evaluation of such patients with pelvic and renal ultrasonography is justified

Some biochemical investigations and histopathological changes of liver in albino rats experimentally treated with nalbuphine [Nubain]

Forty adult albino rats were used in this investigation. They were divided into four groups each of ten. The first group was used as control. The second, third and fourth group were injected with Nalbuphine [Nubain] for 30, 60 and 90 days respectively. The injection was done intramuscularly and daily with 1 mg/lg B.W. At the end of experiment blood samples were collected from each group and the sera were obtained for immediate determination of aspartate amino transferase [ASAT], alanine aminotransferase [ALAT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], seruloplasmin, total proteins and its fractions. Specimens from liver were processed for histopathological examination. There was a significant decrease in the amount of total proteins and albumins with a significant increase in beta and gamma globulins in all treated group, while the alpha 1 globulins were significantly decreased in the last two groups. A significant increase in ASAT, ALAT and ALP were detected in the sera of rats treated for 60 and 90 days i.e. the third and fourth groups. The ceruloplasmin was significantly decreased in the sera of all treated rats. The histopathological changes of liver revealed congested central veins, leucoytic infiltration and hydropic degeneration in rats treated for 30 days while those treated for 60 and 90 days showed coagulative necrosis