Characteristics of Polyps in Lebanese population

Background: The objectiv e of this study is to describe the characteristics of the polyps in the Lebanese population and evaluate dysplasia and its relation to the polyps’ locations. Methods: A retrospectiv e descriptiv e study was conducted at the Department of the National Institute of Pathology in Lebanon and comprised a biopsy of colonic polyps or resected polyps from patients from 2007 to 2009. We collected demogr aphic data and polyps’ characteristics. Then, we divided patients according to age sex, location, and histology . Results: With 2298 polyps in 1470 patients, the mean age was 57.45 with 68% aged more than 50yo. 75.6% have one polyp and multiple polyps are more commonly found in older patients (> 50 years). More than 20 % of polyps are found in the recto-sig moid area. In the right colon, people older than 50 years were more likely to have polyps (19%) compared to those < 30 years (8.3%) (p < 0.05). In the rectum, people < 30 years were more likely to have polyps compared to those > 50 years (p < 0.01). Concerning histology , tubular adenoma is the most common type and is more prevalent in the left colon. Hyperplastic polyps are mainly found in the recto-sigmoid area and mainly in the age group 30-50 in contrast to adenomatous polyps found over 50yo. Adenocarcinomas and/or degener ative polyps were founded in 5.9% of our population. Conclusion: This study gives valuable information on colorectal polyps in the Lebanese population regarding age, sex, dominant histology and anatomic location. We noted a male predominance and mainly above 50 years old. The majority had single polyps, and>50% of polyps were localized in the rectosigmoid. Adenomatous polyps were the most common type.

Stroke-related knowledge and attitudes among university students in Northeast Nigeria

te public knowledge of stroke, but the impact in Nigeria is notwell known. This study assessed stroke-related knowledge andattitudes among university students in Nigeria, where health stud-ies are parts of college curricula. This was a cross-sectional studyof students at three universities in Northeast Nigeria. Using ques-tionnaire survey, we assessed biographical data and participantknowledge of the primary site, warning signs and risk factors ofstroke. Responses were graded on a knowledge score, where ≥2.5points indicated adequate knowledge. Data were analyzed with theSPSS version 21 program. We studied 824 participants, 67.1%males. Males were older than females (mean age ± SD: 27.42±5.58years versus 26.27±5.31 years; P = 0.009; 95% CI: 0.29 ­ 1.99)and 14.5% participants had stroke lectures during general studies.Major sources of stroke knowledge were personal discussions(44.6%) and internet websites (24.5%). Only 15.7% participantscorrectly identified the brain as the primary site of stroke, whileknowledge of one or more stroke warning signs and risk factorswere noted in 42.2% and 49.6%, respectively. Mean knowledgescore was 1.08 ± 0.99. Adequate knowledge of stroke was noted in13.2% participants, and was higher in females (17.7% versus10.7%; P = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed significantassociations between adequate knowledge of stroke with femalesex (OR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2 ­ 2.8; P = 0.008) and a history of strokein close relatives (OR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1 ­ 2.6; P = 0.025) but notwith age, academic discipline or stroke lectures. University stu-dents in Northeast Nigeria have low knowledge of stroke, which isworse in males. Although health issues are taught at universities,little is taught on stroke, suggesting a need to prioritize strokeknowledge in the universities little is taught on stroke, suggeting a need to prioritize stroke knowlegde in the university curriculum .

Duplication of the inferior vena cava: case report and a literaturereview of anatomical variation

Anatomical variation in the inferior vena cava can result in misdiagnosis, making a better understanding of suchvariations crucial. Here we report the case of a 29 year-old male, victim of multiple trauma, who in the courseof treatment presented with a pulmonary thromboembolism confirmed by tomography. Given the gravityof the situation and the need for additional surgeries, a decision was made to implant an inferior vena cavafilter. During phlebography, prior to implantation of the filter, the duplication of the vena cava was detectedand classified as a complete duplication. A review of the literature revealed various anatomical descriptions ofduplicated inferior vena cava, the most common of which were incomplete cases showing greater variationin venous contion. All in vivo anatomical descriptions were done via phlebography, demonstrating the valueof this test for the diagnosis of anatomical variation in the abdominal veins. While duplication of the inferiorvena cava was not the cause of the venous thrombosis in our patient, a detailed phlebography test was neededto both identify the anatomical variation and facilitate the placement of the filter to prevent a new pulmonarythromboembolism.

Reversible Cortical Blindness Following Successful Surgical Repair of Two Wounds in the Heart

This report describes a case of cortical blindness that followed successful surgical repair of two stab wounds in the heart in a 29-year old Libyan man. The patient presented in a state of pre cardiac arrest (shock and low cardiac output status); following multiple chest stab wounds. Chest tube was immediately inserted. Surgery was urgently performed suturing the two wounds; in the root of the aorta and in the left ventricle; and haemostasis was secured. Cardiac arrest was successfully prevented. The patient recovered smoothly; but 24 hours later he declared total blindness. Ophtalmic and neurological examinations and investigations that included fundoscopy; Electroencephalograms (EEGs) and Computed Tomography Scans revealed no abnormalities; apart from absence of alpha waves in the EEGs. We diagnosed the case as cortical blindness and continued caring for the patient conservatively. Three days later; the patient regained his vision gradually and was discharged on the 7th postoperative day without any remarks

Study of electrocardiographic changes in Egyptian top athletes

Sixty well-trained Egyptian top athletes participated in this study. Electrocardiographic [ECG] tracings at rest showed a resting heart rate that ranged from 48 to 65 beats/minute with a mean value of 56 + 2.8 and 28.33% incidence of respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA]. The results showed 53.33% right axis deviation and 40% left axis deviation with 6.67% normal axis. In addition, 38.33% of the athletes showed horizontal position of the heart; while 61.67% showed a vertical position. Data also revealed normal, prolonged P-R and prolonged Q-T intervals in 5%, 95%, and 80% of athletes, respectively. Elevated S-T segment was present in 20% of the cases; while depressed S-T occurred in 13.33% with an isoelectric S-T segment in 66.67%. Hypertrophic right ventricle was seen in 46.67% of the cases, while hypertrophic left ventricle occurred in 33.33%. Bundle branch block [BBB] was detected in 19 subjects [31.67%]. Inverted T was found in 12 subjects [20%]. These changes were considered normal in athletes because they occur as a sort of adaptation of the hearts of athletic subjects to the physical training programs