Potential risk factors of intestinal parasitic infection in Al Ahssa, Saudi Arabia

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections [IPIs] are endemic worldwide and have been described as constituting the greatest single worldwide cause of illness and disease. Low income, poor personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, and limited access to clean water are the factors associated with spread IPIs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the community awareness to IPIs and their related risk factors among people in Al-Ahssa

Subjects and Methods: A cross- section study was conducted in April 2014. A random sample of 120 participants was included. Data collection was gathered through the questionnaire form which includes inquires about social-demographic data, personal hygiene and habits

Results: Results showed that 92.7% of the participants were lacking awareness of IPIs. The proportions of participants who wash fruits and vegetables with only water before eating were 80% and 94% of them used to eat in restaurants at variable frequencies which was considered as a high risk factor for acquiring IPIs. However, the percentages of participants practice good hand washing before eating and after toilet were 67.7% and 90%, respectively which indicates lower risk

Conclusions: There is a need for campaigns to create awareness regarding the importance of prevention against the intestinal parasitic infection, and improve delivery of hygiene and health information

Awareness about first aid management of epistaxis among medical students in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Epistaxis is the bleeding from nose or nasal cavity and it is considered as one of the most common emergencies presenting in Ear, Nose and Throat [ENT] department and Accident and Emergency department worldwide

Objective and aim: the aim of this study was to assess and evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice of first aid management of epistaxis among medical students in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Methods: A cross-sectional community-based studies were collected using electronic questionnaire distributed among medical students all over the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted between September and Jan 2018

Results: Data was collected from 300 medical students from all over the kingdom of Saudi Arabia using questionnaires, which were filled electronically. Majority of the respondents were female with [75.7%] while [24.3 %] of the respondents were male. Most of the participants were from 4[th] and 5[th] year with [25.0%][24.3%] respectively. [39.7%] of the participants respond that fingernail trauma is the commonest cause of the epistaxis follow by bleeding disorder with [17.3%]. [64.0%] of the respondents think that epistaxis is an emergency condition require early intervention. [71%] of the respondents demonstrated the correct position as epistaxis first aid measure and only 41.3 % of respondents demonstrated the correct site for pinching the nose. The main source of the respondent's knowledge regarding first aid management of epistaxis was self-taught [53.67%] followed by medical books [23.33%]

In Conclusion: medical students in Saudi Arabia have an adequate knowledge about epistaxis and first aid measure which can be used to manage epistaxis

Esophageal web complicating an isolated esophageal lichen planus

Lichen planus [LP] is a chronic, idiopathic disorder affecting the mucosal surfaces, skin and nails. Esophageal involvement in this disease is rare and only few cases were found in literature, thus making its diagnosis challenging as it can be easily misdiagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Currently, little is known about its pathogenesis and management. We report a case of a previously healthy 32-year-old female who presented with the complaint of dysphagia, which was later diagnosed endoscopically as an esophageal web. Biopsy of the lesion revealed a histological diagnosis of an esophageal lichen planus [ELP]. This was treated with multiple Esophagogastro Duodenoscopy [OGD] dilatation sessions and local steroids. We also reviewed similar reported cases in the literature, stressing on the importance of the successful management of such a disease and its complications

Clinicopathological profile of cardiac myxomas in Bahraini population

Background: Cardiac tumors could be either primary [benign or malignant] or secondary. Myxomas are the most frequent benign cardiac neoplasms of the heart, usually affecting the ages between 30 and 70 years and are typically found in females

Objective: To evaluate the clinicopathological manifestations of cardiac myxomas in the Bahraini population. Design: A Retrospective Study. Setting: Mohammed Bin Khalifa Cardiac Center, BDF-RMS Hospital, Bahrain

Method: Twelve cases of cardiac myxoma patients were reviewed from 2005 to 2012. Personal characteristics and clinicopathological manifestations were documented

Results: Twelve patients with cardiac myxoma tumors were included in the study. Seven [58%] patients were females; the age range was from 44 years to 70 years and the mean range was 57.6 years. In eight [67%] patients, the tumors were found in the left-atrium, in three [25%] patients in the right-atrium and in one [8%] patient in the right-ventricle. The most common presentation was chest pain, seven [58%], followed by neurological symptoms, five [42%] and shortness of breath, four [33.5%]. Five [42%] patients had diabetes mellitus, four [33.3%] had dyslipidemia and two [17%] had hypertension

Conclusion: Myxomas were the most common benign primary cardiac tumors in our institute, mostly arising from the left-atria. Five years of follow-up revealed no recurrence. Most patients presented with extra-cardiac manifestations and surgical intervention was the treatment of choice