ABSTRACT
Meningiomas are common brain tumors that are classified as either benign, atypical, or malignant. This case involves a 75-year-old woman with a medical history of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. She was diagnosed with an atypical meningioma while being evaluated for symptoms related to a stroke. Upon her presentation at the hospital, the patient displayed symptoms such as loss of motor function on the right side of her body, weakness, dysphagia, and aphasia, indicating a possible stroke. Imaging tests confirmed both the stroke symptoms and the presence of an atypical meningioma. The primary focus of her treatment was addressing the stroke symptoms. Despite being asymptomatic for the meningioma, the patient opted for conservative treatment and declined invasive procedures. Her decision was respected, and a plan was put in place for regular monitoring and counseling regarding the meningioma. This case emphasizes the significance of tailored treatment decisions in complicated clinical situations involving incidental brain tumors.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Research participation by medical students in the early years of their medical studies can change their attitude towards research conduction in the years to come. To identify the shortcomings in our system, it is essential to determine the perception, tendencies, and knowledge of Pakistani medical students about the field of research. Methods: This survey-based cross-sectional study was conducted at KING EDWARD MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, Lahore with 305 MBBS students. The relevant data for the study was collected in the shape of a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire assembled in the form of google form. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 16. Results: 36.7% of the final year students have conducted research, however, the percentage comes down to 0% and 10.6% for 1st and 2nd year respectively. 50.6% of the final year students claimed they had a good grip on the steps involved in the conduction of research while the percentage for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year was 7.1%, 21.3%, 20.9%, and 51.2% respectively. More than 70% of the participants from each year considered research as an important help for critical thinking and improvement in patients' care. Discussion: The reasons for the interest of the students in research as indicated by our study include improvement in the professional standards, help in becoming a better self-directed learner, and opportunities for team-based learning via research conduction. Academic overload, lack of structured research training, and difficulty in publishing are the biggest barriers to the conduction of research as recognized by our study. Conclusion: Conduction of research seminars, organizing platforms for communication between students and teaching staff, restructuring of the medical curriculum, and providing students with the required technical staff can help us overcome these hurdles.
ABSTRACT
Parvovirus B19 infection can present with myriads of clinical diseases and syndromes; hepatitis and polyarthropathy are a few of these examples. Parvovirus frequently affects children but this condition has also been reported in adults. The present case report discusses a case of a 43-year-old female who presented to the outpatient department (OPD) with complaints of high-grade fever and pain in multiple joints of her body for three days. On examination, stiffness and swelling of the hand, knees, wrist, and ankles were noted. Laboratory investigations showed highly elevated aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and bilirubin. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram (ECHO) findings were unremarkable. PCR testing showed the presence of parvovirus. Parvovirus B19 infection led to the development of acute hepatitis, which appeared as yellowing of skin (jaundice) and led to hepatosplenomegaly. Parvovirus-induced polyarthropathy was also observed in the patient. The patient was managed with a parenteral course of ceftriaxone, paracetamol, and a normal saline infusion. Anti-viral drugs were also prescribed to the patient including ribavirin and pegylated interferon. This case study will explore how the patient was diagnosed and managed with conventional therapy and anti-viral to relieve parvovirus-induced hepatitis with hepatosplenomegaly and polyarthritis. Acute hepatitis can be caused by viruses and other noninfectious causes, all of which must be cleared out to avoid chronic disease development. When patients present with joint pain and skin rashes, a thorough workup for viral indicators, medication histories, autoimmune and metabolic illnesses, and parvovirus b19 infection is required.
