Open Surgical Excision of Dorsal Wrist Ganglia: Puncturing the Dome Reduces Surgery Time.

Background: The following study is retrospective and compared the operative time and complications using two techniques of surgical resection of primary dorsal wrist ganglia in adults. Methods: Surgery was performed by the senior author (M.M.A.) through a transverse skin incision. The dome of the ganglion is dissected in both techniques. In the first technique (group A patients, n = 20 patients), dissection is continued to the base of the ganglion to reach the stalk near the scapho-lunate ligament. The stalk is transected and cauterized near the ligament. This surgical technique has been practiced by the senior author for 25 years. Over the last 5 years, the author has modified the technique (group B patients, n = 20 patients) by puncturing the dome of the ganglion following dome dissection. About two-thirds of the content of the ganglion is removed, and a mosquito is then used to close the puncture site. Dissection of the base of the ganglion to the stalk becomes easier and quicker, and the stalk is transected and cauterized near the scapho-lunate ligament. Results: There was one recurrence in each group. Other complications were not seen in either group. The mean operative time (SD) was 30.75 (SD = 2.98) minutes for group A; and 20.75 (SD = 2.25) minutes for group B. An independent-samples t test was used to compare the operative time of both groups, which showed the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study showed that intentionally puncturing the dome of the ganglion makes the dissection of the base quicker, without increasing the risk of complications.

An Orbital Pseudotumor Secondary to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report.

Nonspecific orbital inflammation (NSOI), the primary cause of painful orbitopathy mostly in adults, can either manifest as localized or diffused. Periorbital edema or swelling is the most common sign followed by proptosis. NSOI or orbital pseudomotor secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is very uncommon in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is the first reported case from Saudi Arabia. The patient first presented to the outpatient department during her gestational period. Her chief complaint was right eye swelling and pain when she woke up in the morning. Her past medical history was positive for irritable bowel disease and SLE. A slit lamp examination revealed chemosis with conjunctival injections in the right eye and mild temporal chemosis in the left eye. Funduscopic examination after pupillary dilation revealed hyperemic discs with venous tortuosity more prominent in the right eye. Serum albumin level was low at 29 g/L. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging without contrast showed bilateral diffuse preseptal soft tissue swelling more prominent on the right side with diffuse bilateral congestion of intraorbital fat, including intraconal and extraconal fat. There was associated fat stranding around the optic nerves bilaterally. The bilateral extraocular muscles showed a diffusely increased T2 signal compatible with edema. The patient was given a bolus of intravenous methylprednisolone for three days. She had a satisfactory recovery. Early diagnosis is important to rule out other differential diagnoses, such as orbital cellulitis and lymphoma.

Spinopelvic Dissociation Case Report and Literature Review.

A 32-year-old male was brought to our emergency department following trauma due to fall of heavy object (tree) on his back. After Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocol implementation, the patient was noted to have a complete perianal tear and loss of power in L3-S1 measuring 1/5 complete loss of sensation below the level of L2. Imaging showed spinopelvic dissociation with cauda equina syndrome. Spinopelvic fixation and fusion with rigid fixation done. The patient regained normal function following extensive physiotherapy. This paper concludes that good and prompt surgical intervention facilitated neurological recovery following decompression.

Fracture Dislocation at the Level of C6-C7: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Fractures of the cervical spine can cause devastating long-term effects on patients. Spinal cord injuries can occur in up to 50% of cases in association with cervical spine fractures. Therefore, it is vital and of utmost importance to recognize cervical spine injuries early on to avoid the exacerbation of an existing injury and its detrimental effects on the patients. We report a case of a C6-C7 fracture dislocation with an associated neurological insult that improved dramatically following fixation and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, patients with this presentation may have long-term neurological insults rather than regain normal function; however, our case notes the importance of prompt intervention and its effect on the outcome.

Osteochondroma of the Scapula: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Osteochondromas are bone lesions composed of medullary and cartilaginous bone covered by a cap of hyaline cartilage. The presence of medullary and cortical bone with the continuity of the tumor is pathognomonic for osteochondroma and aid in establishing the diagnosis. We report a case of a two-year-old girl who presented to our clinic following her mother noticing a palpable, growing, and painful mass on her left scapula. There was no limitation in the range of motion. A clear-cut mass was seen on the dorsal aspect and palpated measuring around 2.5x3 cm. Surgical excision of the mass followed by histologic examination confirmed osteochondroma. Upon follow-up, the patient had no pain and had a full range of left shoulder motion without discomfort or pain. In conclusion, scapular exostoses are very rare and more so when they present dorsally. Symptomatic lesions can be managed effectively with surgical excision of exostosis.

Perception of Mental Health Care Professionals in Saudi Arabia on Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Observational Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Mental health disorders are common in Saudi Arabia with a 34% lifetime prevalence. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy, is an evidence-based intervention for the majority of mental disorders. Although the demand for CBT is increasing, unfortunately, there are few therapists available to meet this demand and the therapy is expensive. Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (cCBT) is a new modality that can help fill this gap. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to measure the knowledge of cCBT among mental health care professionals in Saudi Arabia, and to evaluate their attitudes and preferences toward cCBT. METHODS: This quantitative observational cross-sectional study used a convenience sample, selecting mental health care professionals working in the tertiary hospitals of Saudi Arabia. The participants received a self-administered electronic questionnaire through data collectors measuring their demographics, knowledge, and attitudes about cCBT, and their beliefs about the efficacy of using computers in therapy. RESULTS: Among the 121 participating mental health care professionals, the mean age was 36.55 years and 60.3% were women. Most of the participants expressed uncertainty and demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding cCBT. However, the majority of participants indicated a positive attitude toward using computers in therapy. Participants agreed with the principles of cCBT, believed in its efficacy, and were generally confident in using computers. Among the notable results, participants having a clinical license and with cCBT experience had more knowledge of cCBT. The overall attitude toward cCBT was not affected by demographic or work-related factors. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health care professionals in Saudi Arabia need more education and training regarding cCBT; however, their attitude toward its use and their comfort in using computers in general show great promise. Further research is needed to assess the acceptance of cCBT by patients in Saudi Arabia, in addition to clinical trials measuring its effectiveness in the Saudi population.