Our experience with blast and gunshot induced traumatic vascular injuries at Somalia's major vascular referral center.

Blast and gunshot-induced penetrating traumatic vascular injuries represent a significant portion of patients with vascular trauma in countries where there are higher rates of war-related violence. These injuries are especially challenging in resource-limited countries due to early diagnosis and transfer delays. This report aimed to present our experience regarding the surgical management and outcome of such injuries at a major referral vascular surgery centre in the country. A retrospective descriptive review of 326 patients with blast and gunshot-induced penetrating traumatic vascular injuries managed during a five-year period between April 2018 and April 2023. The demographics, mechanism of injury, type of vascular injury, Anatomical location, time to the operation, length of hospital stay, amount of blood products given, concomitant neuroskeletal injuries, development of Vascular injury associated acute kidney injury, surgical procedures performed and patient outcome were reviewed. In this study, 326 patients with 445 vascular injuries fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most of the patients were male 92.3%, and the mean age was 28.3 ± 9.9 years. The gunshot mechanism of vascular injury was implicated in 76.1% of the injuries, and explosive-induced injury was 78 (23.9%). 193 (59.2%) of the patients had isolated arterial injuries, 117 (35.9%) patients had combined arterial and venous injuries while 18 (4.9%) patients had isolated venous injuries. The most commonly injured arteries were the femoral artery, followed by Brachial and popliteal artery injuries (26.1%, 23.5% and 19.4%, respectively). The median time to revascularization was 8.8 ± 8.7 h. 46.8% of the patients had Concomitant fractures, while 26.5% had Concomitant nerve injuries. Only three patients had temporary non-heparin-bound shunts during their arrival. The most common surgical intervention in arterial injuries was reversed saphenous vein graft 46.1%. The mortality was 5.8% and 7.7% of the patients needed secondary amputation. The majority of wartime arterial injuries are a result of Blast and gunshot vascular injuries. Frequent need for autologous vein grafts should be considered to manage such injuries. Results are encouraging despite delays in intervention; therefore, all viable limbs should be revascularized, keeping in mind the long-term functionality of the limb.

A blunt traumatic giant pseudoaneurysm of the brachiocephalic artery: A case report from Somalia.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudoaneurysm of the brachiocephalic artery is a rare condition that can occur as a result of various causes, including trauma, iatrogenic injury, and infection. The clinical presentation of brachiocephalic artery pseudoaneurysms can vary depending on the size and location of the pseudoaneurysm. The treatment options for innominate artery pseudoaneurysms include both surgical and endovascular approaches. Our goal of the study is to increase awareness and early detection of blunt injuries in the chest, clavicle, or sternoclavicular joint that may cause a vascular injury. CASE PRESENTATION: We present here A 24-year-old male came to present with an acute onset of dyspnea, stridor (an abnormal, high-pitched respiratory sound produced by irregular airflow in a narrowed airway), a worsening cough, and chest pain that had been worsening over several months. His medical history was significant for blunt chest trauma secondary to a bicycle fall 3 months earlier. DISCUSSION: A traumatic giant pseudoaneurysm of the innominate artery is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. Treatment options for brachiocephalic artery pseudoaneurysm include both endovascular and surgical approaches. This case report contributes to the current literature when any patient has a blunt injury in the chest, clavicle, or sternoclavicular joint and is highly suspect of a vascular injury. To increase awareness, we first need to exclude if there is any vascular injury, which helps to detect it early and intervene. CONCLUSION: Brachiocephalic artery traumatic large pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon but potentially fatal disorder that can arise from a number of different sources. Achieving favorable results requires prompt diagnosis and proper care, which may include open surgical repair and endovascular procedures. To better comprehend the condition and optimize its management approaches, more investigation and case studies are required.

Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant TB Among Smear-Positive Pulmonary TB Patients in Banadir, Somalia: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is the second most common cause of death from a single infectious agent. TB infection affects anyone, regardless of age, gender, and ethnicity. Drug-resistant TB is a serious public health problem, which needs treatment with a second-line anti-TB drug and it includes poly-drug resistance (PDR), multi-drug resistance (MDR), and extensive drug resistance (XDR). The goal of this research is to find out the prevalence of MDR TB among pulmonary TB patients in Banadir, Somalia. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective review of data involving 1732 smear-positive pulmonary TB patients visiting Banadir TB centers between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. Demographic, clinical, and drug susceptibility data were retrieved from TB treatment cards. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software (IBM SPSS Statistics version 26). Results: All 1732 pulmonary TB cases were previously diagnosed by the Gene Xpert MTB/RIF test. Among them, 70.4% (1219/1732) were males. The mean age was 31.77 years. Overall, the prevalence of drug resistance TB was 10.56% (183/1732). The MDR TB was 1.96%, poly-drug resistance (PDR) was 0.12%, and extensive drug resistance was 0.06%. Conclusion: This study showed a prevalence of MDR-TB among pulmonary TB patients, which is similar to some of the eastern African countries.

A successful surgical management and outcome for a young man with infrarenal aortoiliac occlusion: A rare case report of Leriche syndrome.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Leriche syndrome, also known as aortoiliac occlusive disease, is characterized by chronic obstruction of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries. The disease was first described by Robert Graham in 1814. Leriche syndrome was named after a French surgeon, Rene Leriche, who first operated on the condition. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present a 35-year-old male patient who came to our cardiovascular polyclinic in a wheelchair. He had been complaining for a year about severe back pain, leg cramps on both sides, and weakness in both legs. Associated symptoms included fatigue, lower limb tingling, and numbness. Physical examination revealed pulselessness in the popliteal-dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries in both lower extremities, and coldness and ulcers in the dorsum part of the foot. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Leriche syndrome often presents with a triad of clinical symptoms: (1) intermittent lower extremity vascular claudication, (2) impotence, and (3) weak/absent femoral pulses. This case report contributes to the current literature when any patient has lower limb weakness, pain, and ulcers. It must be considered in our differential diagnosis list for Leriche syndrome. This makes us more aware of the need for early diagnosis and intervention to decrease late complications of ischemia. CONCLUSION: Leriche syndrome, also known as aortoiliac occlusive disease, is considered because of its high morbidity and mortality. This was the first case in Somalia to be successfully managed and operated on by using extra-anatomical bypass, especially axillo-bifemoral bypass, by using it as an emergency measure to save ischemic limbs and shorten the length of time in the hospital.

A successful surgical repair of a gunshot injury to the left common carotid artery without neurological deficiency: A case report.

Introduction and importance: Penetrating neck trauma is serious and has a high fatality rate, especially in individuals who suffer injuries to the common carotid artery. The mortality rates for penetrating neck trauma are estimated to be 3%-6%. Accidents that cause a lot of blood to flow, like being stabbed, shot, or hurt in a car accident, can cause a person to lose a lot of blood quickly and in a short amount of time, which can be fatal if not treated right away. Clinical presentation: we present a 26-year-old young male patient with penetrating neck trauma caused by a gunshot. The gunshot entered the right sternocleidomastoid muscle at the level of the hyoid bone and exited the left sternocleidomastoid muscle on the mid side. Clinical discussion: In a recent report on the management of major vascular injuries to the neck, carotid artery injuries accounted for about 17% of all patients presenting with penetrating neck injuries. In this case, previously published literature adds that carotid artery injury early surgical and primary repair in young patients has a good outcome. Conclusion: Considering the high morbidity and mortality associated with penetrating neck injuries, In young patients, they can be successfully managed with early surgical and primary repair with a good outcome.

Empyema necessitans mimicking mesothelioma; unusual presentation of active pulmonary TB in immuno-competent state.

•This case presented with very rare feature of active Pulmonary TB.•It denotes that Empyema Necessitans can mimick mesothelioma.•Unusual CT findings of Empyema Necessitans.•It states importance of induced sputum for TB diagnosis.•We recommend to test induced sputum for extrapulmonary tuberculosis to halt the spread of TB in the communities.

Localized massive staphylococcal pericardial abscess with atypical presentation.

Introduction and importance: Localized staphylococcal pericardial abscess (PA) is extremely rare and highly mortal complication of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia with only a few reported cases in English-language medical literature. Clinical manifestations are fulminant, and early management is necessary. Case presentation: Here we report a case of end stage renal disease (ESRD) with isolated localized massive staphylococcal PA and had masked signs and symptoms of pericardial staphylococcal infection. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan suggested anterior massive localized pericardial cyst like image. Surgical drainage of the abscess with localized pericardiectomy conjugated with antibiotic therapy led to a successful management. Clinical discussion: Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of hemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infections, contributing 33-80% of the organisms cultured from blood samples. Nature of staphylococcal pericardial infection is aggressive and life threatening with generalized involvement of the pericardium although our patient presented with masked signs and symptoms. Conclusion: CT image of localized pericardial lesion with masked signs and symptoms does not exclude the presence of live threating pericardial infection, especially in immunocompromised patients.

Radial artery pseudoaneurisma due to unintentional arterial puncture during cephalic vein cannulation: A rare case report.

Introduction and importance: Radial artery pseudoaneurysm is considered as an extremely rare and serious complication that usually follows after cardiac catheterizations with incidence of less than 0.05%, but in lesser frequency with arterial cannulation, trauma, and inflammation or hemodialysis therapy. On the other hand, venous access is clinically important, as it allows for blood sampling, administration of medications, fluids, nutrition, and chemotherapy. But its usage is associated with complications like catheter-associated infections, injuries to peripheral nerves, along with thrombosis and phlebitis of the vessel involved as well as arterial injury. Clinical presentation: in this report, we present a 67 years old healthy nonsmoker male patient with proximal radial artery pseudoaneurysm following several attempts of cephalic vein cannulation for intravenous access. Clinical discussion: Radial artery pseudo-aneurisms are very rare with reported incidence of 0.048%, and mainly due to arterial puncture in an attempt of cardiac intervention procedures, but to the authors knowledge this is one of the first reported cases of radial artery pseudoaneurysm caused by arterial puncture in an attempt of cephalic vein cannulation. Conclusion: Radial artery pseudoaneurysm can occur after attempts of cephalic vein cannulation and patients can be successfully managed with surgical removal of the false aneurism and radial arteriorrhaphy.

Spontaneous pneumorrhachis, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, and subcutaneous emphysema. Rare features of Hamman Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Pneumorrhachis (air within the spinal canal), Pneumomediastinum (abnormal air in the mediastinum), Pneumopericardium (air in the pericardial space), and Subcutaneous emphysema (air trapped under the skin) are rare conditions which are rare features of Hamman Syndrome. Some of pulmonary diseases that relate to pneumorrhachis have been reported in the literature; but Hamman Syndrome with Pneumorrhachis and Pneumopericardium due to violent coughs that triggered by tongue scraping are very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 20-year-old male with no previous lung disease or trauma was brought to the emergency department due to acute chest pain, dyspnea, choking, syncope, and neck swelling which started after several self-induced coughs when he was brushing his tongue. Chest CT scan revealed Pneumorrhachis, pneumomediastinum, Pneumopericardium and extensive subcutaneous emphysema associated with lung contusions. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Barotrauma due to violent coughs that triggered by tongue scraping may lead to lung injury resulting in Hamman Syndrome with rare features of pneumorrhachis and Pneumopericardium. To our knowledge this is the first case report of Hamman syndrome with pneumorrhachis and Pneumopericardium secondary to tongue brushing-induced lung injury in Somalia. CONCLUSION: Violent coughs from tongue scarping can lead to Hamman Syndrome with Pneumorrhachis and Pneumopericardium.

An unusual combination of persistent silent truncus arteriosus Type-II with ascending aortic aneurysm.

Truncus arteriosus (TA) is a relatively uncommon cyanotic congenital cardiac anomaly accounting for 1.3% of all congenital cardiac malformations. TA associated with an ascending aortic aneurysm is an extremely rare congenital cardiovascular abnormality. A 15-year-old male presented with shortness of breath and cough for 2 weeks. Radiological examinations showed that the ascending aorta and main pulmonary arteries originate from a single truncus with ascending aortic aneurysm. TA has a poor prognosis if remain unrepaired and surgical intervention is necessary to avoid severe pulmonary vascular occlusive disease.