Salivary Duct Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland: Report of Two Cases in Females.

Salivary duct carcinoma is a rare tumor, commonly involving parotid gland. It typically affects middle aged to elderly males. The tumor has an aggressive behaviour and is notorious for early metastasis, high rate of local recurrence, and high mortality. Treatment is mainly surgical but other modalities are also used. We are reporting 2 cases in females who had different presentation, course of disease, treatment, and prognosis.

Awareness of academic use of smartphones and medical apps among medical students in a private medical college?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness of medical apps and academic use of smartphones among medical students. METHODS: The questionnaire-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2015 and comprised medical students of the Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan. The self-designed questionnaire was reviewed by a panel of expert for content reliability and validity. Questionnaires were distributed in the classrooms and were filled by the students anonymously. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among the 569 medical students in the study, 545 (95.8%) had smartphones and 24(4.2%) were using simple cell phones. Overall, 226(41.46%) of the smart phone users were using some medical apps. Besides, 137(24.08%) were aware of the medical apps but were not using them. Also, 391(71.7%) students were not using any type of medical text eBooks through their phone, and only 154(28.3%) had relevant text eBooks in their phones. CONCLUSIONS: Medical college students were using smartphones mostly as a means of telecommunication rather than a gadget for improving medical knowledge.

Is chlorhexidine-gluconate superior than Povidone-Iodine in preventing surgical site infections? A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine gluconate scrubs in preventing surgical site infections. METHODS: The randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted from May 2012 to April 2013 in two public-sector hospitals of Pakistan; one each in Karachi and Islamabad. Patients undergoing clean or clean contaminated surgeries were included and were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: group I comprised patients whose skin was preoperatively disinfected using 10% povidone-iodine, and in group II by 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% alcohol. A predesigned proforma was filled for all patients to record demographic data, diagnosis, surgical procedure and antibiotic used. Patients in both groups were followed up for one month postoperatively to monitor any signs of surgical site infections. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 388 patients from the two hospitals, 220(57%) were in group I and 168(43%) were in group II. Surgical site infection was observed in 22(10%) cases in group I and 12(7.1%) in group II (p=0.324). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23.5%) was the predominant pathogen associated with surgical site infections followed by Staphylococcus aureus (17.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Chlorhexidine gluconate was associated with lower infection rates compared to povidone-iodine; but it was not statistically significant.

Validity of early parathyroid hormone assay as a diagnostic tool for sub-total thyroidectomy related hypocalcaemia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of early (one hour postoperatively) parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay (² 10 pg/ml), keeping gold standard as the serum ionic calcium level, for predicting sub-total thyroidectomy-related hypocalcaemia and to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of latent signs of tetany. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional validation study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of General Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from August 2008 to August 2010. METHODOLOGY: Patients undergoing sub-total thyroidectomy were included by convenience sampling. PTH assay was performed 1 hour post sub-total thyroidectomy. Serum calcium levels were performed at 24 and 48 hours, 5th day and 2 weeks after surgery. Cases that developed hypocalcaemia were followed-up for a period of 6 months with monthly calcium level estimation to identify cases of permanent hypocalcaemia. Symptoms and signs of hypocalcaemia manifesting in our patients were recorded. Data was analyzed through SPSS version 10. 2 x 2 tables were used to calculate sensitivity and specificity of PTH in detecting post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia. RESULTS: Out of a total of 110 patients included in the study, 16.36% (n=18) developed hypocalcaemia including 1.81% (n=2) cases of permanent hypoparathyroidism. The sensitivity of one hour postoperative PTH assay as a predictive tool for post-thyroidectomy related hypocalcaemia was 94.4% while its specificity was 83.6% with 53% positive predictive value and 98.7% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: One hour post sub-total thyroidectomy PTH assay can be helpful in predicting post sub-total thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia. Moreover, it can be useful in safe discharge of day-care thyroidectomy patients.

Diagnostic accuracy of leukocytosis in prediction of acute appendicitis.

An analytical study was conducted to find out the diagnostic accuracy of leukocytosis in predicting acute appendicitis in patients undergoing emergency appendicectomy. The degree of inflammation of the resected specimens was grossly assessed and graded into acute inflammation, acute inflammation with complications (such as gangrene, perforation, abscess) and un-inflamed appendix. The operative findings were correlated with leukocyte counts using 2 x 2 table. Out of 233 appendicectomies, with exclusion of the negative appendicectomies (17.59%, n = 41), there were 67.38% patients (n = 157) with elevated leukocyte count. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of elevated leukocyte counts for inflamed appendix were 91.81%, 43.55%, 81.77% and 65.85% respectively.

Efficacy and safety of subcutaneous lateral internal sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous lateral internal sphincterotomy (SLIS) for chronic anal fissure by assessing the relief of defecatory pain, duration of wound healing and associated complications such as bleeding, infection, and anal incontinence. METHODS: This descriptive case series was carried out at the Department of Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad from September 1, 2008 to February 28, 2009. RESULTS: Out of fifty patients 31 were males and 19 were females. The mean age was 30.04 ± 8.49 years. Defecatory pain and bleeding per rectum were the commonest symptoms, found among all patients. Symptomatic relief of pain following surgery was observed among all patients at 4th week while all fissures healed at 8th week. At 4th weeks follow-up visit none of the patients had flatus incontinence while at 8th weeks all patients had good faecal continence. Majority (76%) of the patients were managed as Day case or Extended day case surgeries. There was no in-hospital mortality in this case series. CONCLUSION: SLIS is a valuable surgical procedure for patients with chronic anal fissure. It is effective and safe, offers quick relief of defecatory pain, and promotes early fissure healing without being attended by any major complications. The initial transient incontinence of flatus and faeces improves spontaneously over few weeks period. Majority of the patients are manageable on day case or extended day case surgery basis.

Surgical presentation and outcome of parotid gland tumours.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical presentation and outcome of surgical management of various parotid gland disorders requiring parotidectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of General Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, from January 2003 to December 2010. METHODOLOGY: Patients presenting in surgical OPD with parotid gland disorders requiring parotidectomy were included. Data were obtained through the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) and patient charts. The sociodemographic profile of the patient, presenting features among patients, benign versus malignant nature of the disease, FNAC reports, type of surgical procedure instituted, complications encountered and histology reports of the surgical specimens were all recorded on a proforma. The data were subjected to statistical analysis with SPSS version 15. RESULTS: Out of 126 patients, 62 (49%) were males and 64 (51%) females with mean age of 41 ± 12.6 years. All had presented with a lump usually painless. One hundred and fourteen (90.47%) patients had benign pathology while 9.52% (n = 12) had malignanciy. Superficial parotidectomy was carried out in 79.36% (n = 100) patients, total parotidectomy in 19% (n = 24) and extended total parotidectomy was performed in 2 cases (with mucoepidermoid carcinoma). The most common post-operative complication was greater auricular nerve paresis (n = 19; 15%) followed by facial nerve transient paresis (n = 10; 8%). There was no in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Parotid gland lumps commonly affect relatively young individuals of either gender. Most of the patients have benign pathology. Superficial parotidectomy is the most commonly offered surgical procedure. Parotid surgeries are safely performed in general surgery units with low morbidity and no mortality.

Presentation and outcome of surgically managed liver trauma: experience at a tertiary care teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To document and analyse the presentation and outcome of surgical management of liver trauma. METHODS: The study was a retrospective review of records of all surgeries carried out at the Department of General Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, from January 2003 to December 2010. The study included all adult patients of either gender who presented with liver trauma and underwent operative management. Convenience sampling technique was employed. The study excluded patients who were managed conservatively. The data were collected through a proforma and analysed through SPSS 10. RESULTS: Out of 113 cases of liver trauma, 91 (80.5%) were males and 22 (19.4%) were females. The mean age was 34.8 +/- 9.7 years. Road traffic accidents were the leading cause (n = 75; 66.3%) of injuries. There were 37 (32.7%) patients with grade I injury; 41 (36.2%) with grade II injury; 29 (25.6%) with grade III injury; and 7 (6.1%) patients with grade IV injury. Besides, 62 (54.8%) patients had associated extra-hepatic injuries. Majority of the patients presented with haemodynamic compromise (n = 97; 85.8%). Perihepatic packing was the commonest operative procedure instituted (n = 43;38%). The in-hospital mortality was 9.7% (n = 11). CONCLUSION: Liver trauma constitutes an important cause of emergency hospitalisation, morbidity and in-hospital mortality in our population. It predominantly affects the younger males and road traffic accidents are the leading cause. Majority of the patients are successfully managed with perihepatic packing.

Carcinoma multiplex.

Multiple primaries in a single patient are uncommon, though not very rare. The existence of such cancers in two un-related, non-paired organs is even more un-common. Here, we present a case of 55 years old male who presented to us with a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland and was operated. Later on, he presented with a large cystic swelling in the pelvis which turned out to be pseudomyxoma peritonei. A review of slides and immunohistochemistry indicated it to be adenocarcinoma colon. He presented again with recurrent mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid which was operated successfully with the use of myocutaneous flap for wound closure. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy. In order to establish a separate mono-clonal etiology of both tumours, immunohistochemistry was performed. To the best of our knowledge, carcinoma multiplex in the colon and the parotid has never been reported before.

Clinical audit of the presentation and outcome of benign thyroid disorders in a tertiary care setting in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical presentation and outcome of surgical management of benign thyroid disorders in a tertiary care set up in Pakistan. METHODS: The clinical audit was carried out at the Department of Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, from September 2002 to December 2010. The data were recorded on a pre-designed proforma, which comprehensively encompassed the relevant variables and outcome measures. SPSS 10 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Out of 527 patients, there were 474 (89.94%) females and 53 (10.05%) males. The overall age ranged 21-56 years, with a mean of 41.99 +/- 9.07 years. Symptoms due to local pressure effects of the goiter were the commonest presenting features found in 473 (89.75%) patients. The mean duration of thyroid disorder was 11.85 +/- 3.41 years. Hypothroidism was the commonest biochemical abnormality found in 117 (22.20%) patients, while hyperthyroidism was found in 63 (11.95%) patients. Multinodular goitre was the most frequent disorder found in 439 (83.30%) patients. Subtotal thyroidectomy constituted the commonest surgical procedure performed in 398 (75.52%) patients. Temporary hypocalcaemia was the most common post-operative complication observed in 93 (17.64%) patients. The mean hospital stay was 4.76 +/- 2.14 days. There was no in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Benign thyroid disorders are prevalent in our population and commonly affect the younger females. Majority of the patients have a family history of thyroid disorders. Most of the patients present with several years history of the disease. Subtotal thyroidectomy is the most frequently offered surgical procedure, which is safe.

Giant pancreatic pseudocyst.

A 56 years old man presented with epigastric pain and abdominal distension. He suffered an attack of acute pancreatitis 6 weeks back followed by pseudopancreatic cyst formation. As the cyst kept on enlarging in size despite being on conservative management, the patient was operated after 5 weeks. A huge pancreatic pseudocyst was found containing about 4.5 liters of fluid. Cystogastrostomy was performed and the patient recovered un-eventfully. It was the third largest pancreatic pseudocyst reported so far.

Abdominal tuberculosis: epidemiologic profile and management experience of 233 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To document the epidemiologic profile and management outcome of patients with abdominal tuberculosis in a tertiary care setup. METHODS: This descriptive case series was conducted at the Department of Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, between January 2003 and December 2008. All adult patients of either gender who presented with abdominal tuberculosis and were managed at our hospital during the study period were included in the study on the basis of convenience sampling. Numerical data were expressed as mean +/- standard deviation, while categorical data were analysed using SPSS version 10. Chi square test was conducted to compare categorical variables. RESULTS: Of the 233 adult patients with abdominal tuberculosis who were part of the study, 110 (47.21%) were males and 123 (52.78%) females. The mean age was 28.21 +/- 5.75 years. Majority of our patients (80.68%) belonged to poor families. History of concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis was found in 23 (9.87%) patients. Family history of tuberculosis was found in 13 (5.57%) patients. Of the patients 157 (67.38%) presented with acute abdomen; strictures were the most common operative finding (n = 161; 69%); the patients needing hospitalisation were 204 (87.55%), with the mean hospital stay being 19.55 +/- 4.51 days. The in-hospital mortality was 5 (2.14%). CONCLUSION: Abdominal tuberculosis was found prevalent in the population and predominantly affected the younger lot belonging to the poor socioeconomic strata. Majority of the cases were of primary intestinal variety, and in a small proportion it was secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis. Majority of the patients presented with complications such as acute intestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation and peritonitis, necessitating emergency laparotomy.

Alvarado scoring system in prediction of acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Alvarado score for the prediction of acute appendicitis. STUDY DESIGN: Analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: This study was carried out in the Department of Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, during the period from January 15, 2009 to July 15, 2010. METHODOLOGY: The study included all adult patients of either gender who presented with clinical findings suggestive of acute appendicitis, who were assigned Alvarado score of < 4 pre-operatively and subsequently underwent emergency appendicectomy with histological examination of the resected specimens. Based on the Alvarado score, the patients were stratified into two groups. i.e. Group I (with a score of > 7) and Group II (with a score of 5-7). Alvarado score was compared with the histopathology. The data was subjected to statistical analysis to measure the objective. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Alvarado score for acute appendicitis were 66%, 81%, 96%, 29% respectively. The sensitivity was higher though not significant, for males with a score over 7 than females with similar scores (97% vs. 92%). However, for scores less than 7, sensitivity among males was significantly higher than females with similar scores (79% vs. 61%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence of a high Alvarado score in adult males is highly predictive of acute appendicitis, however, in women of child bearing age other causes of similar clinical presentation lead to a low diagnostic accuracy of the score.

Thoracic trauma: presentation and management outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presentation and management outcome of thoracic trauma in a tertiary care setting. STUDY DESIGN: Case series study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was carried out in the Department of Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad from January to December 2005. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 143 patients, who presented with chest trauma, were included in the study. All the patients were assessed by the history, physical examination and ancillary investigations. Appropriate managements were instituted as required. Data was described in percentages. RESULTS: Out of 143 patients, 119 (83%) were males and 24 (17%) were females. Most of the patients belonged to the age group of 21-50 years. Ninety seven (66%) patients were admitted for indoor management. Blunt injury was found in 125 (87.4%) patients, while penetrating injuries in only 18 (12.6%) patients. Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) were the commonest cause of trauma (n=103, 72%). Rib fracture was the commonest chest injury (74% patients). Head injury was the most frequently associated injury (18% of the patients). Tube thoracostomy was the commonest intervention undertaken in 65 (45%) patients. Seventeen (11.88%) patients were managed with mechanical ventilation. There were 17 deaths with a mortality rate of 11.88%. CONCLUSION: Thoracic trauma is an important cause of hospitalization, morbidity and mortality in the younger population. RTAs constitute the leading cause of thoracic trauma in our setup. Tube thoracostomy is the most frequent and at times the only invasive procedure required as a definitive measure in thoracic trauma patients. A policy of selective hospitalization helps to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

Mesenteric lipoma leading to small gut strangulation and short gut syndrome.

A rare case of mesenteric lipoma was presented to us as acute abdomen. His abdominal x-ray showed dilated small gut. Ultrasonography of abdomen revealed dilated small gut loops and minimal amount of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity. On exploration, most of the small gut was gangrenous and tightly twisted twice around its mesentery that contained a lump which was confirmed as lipoma on histopathology.