The role of magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance sialography in the evaluation of salivary sialolithiasis: radiologic-endoscopic correlation.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR sialography in salivary gland calculi in correlation with sialendoscopy. Material and methods: In this prospective study, pre-therapeutic MRI was performed for patients with clinically suspected sialolithiasis. In addition, sialendoscopy with or without surgery was performed. The detectability, number, size, and location of calculi (distance of obstruction from the ostium and masseter line) and the condition of the main duct at MRI were reported. Agreement between the 2 readers was confirmed for all MRI findings. Data regarding the detectability, number, and size of calculi were correlated with endoscopy. Results: There was excellent agreement between the 2 readers regarding the detection and number of calculi at MR sialography (κ = 1, p < 0.001). As regards MRI measurements, excellent interclass correlation was found between the 2 readers regarding size of calculi, distance of calculi from the ostium, and distance from the masseter line (κ = 0.98, 0.98, 0.97, respectively; p < 0.001). In correlation with sialendoscopy, MRI was false negative in 1 patient, and it missed 1 calculus in 3 patients with multiple calculi. There was no statistically significant difference between the size of calculi detected by MRI and true size of calculi retrieved by sialendoscopy. Conclusion: MR sialography is an accurate modality for diagnosis of the presence, size, and location of sialolithiasis and offers accurate ductal mapping for sialendoscopists.

Outcome after Surgical Treatment of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors in the Second Part of Duodenum: Is Localized Resection Appropriate?

BACKGROUND: The second part of the duodenum is the most common part to be involved with duodenal gastrointestinal tumors (D2-GISTs). Localized resection (LR) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) are two viable options for curative resection. The aim of this study is to compare the middle-term outcomes in patients with D2-GIST after either LR or PD in a single institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overall, 53 patients with non-metastatic D2-GIST were analyzed. Either LR or PD was executed depending on the involvement of the ampulla of Vater. The tumors were stratified in accordance with the Miettinen classification for tumor behavior. The patients were followed up for 3 years for recurrence and survival. RESULTS: Thirty-two of the patients were females (60%) and 21 males (40%), with a mean age of 55 ± 8 years. Bleeding was the most common presentation in 19 patients (36%). LR was performed in 41 patients (77%), whereas PD was performed in 12 patients (23%). Three-year survival and recurrence were comparable between the two groups. The disease-free survival at 3 years was 85% and 92% in LR and PD group, respectively. The PD group had a significantly longer operative time and a higher incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula. Otherwise, no statistically significant difference was calculated. A significantly shorter survival was calculated in those with a mitotic index of >5 and also for tumors classified as high grade in accordance with the Miettinen classification. 71% of those with recurrence had high mitotic index > 5/hpf. CONCLUSIONS: LR for D2-GIST is an acceptable alternative to PD with satisfactory middle-term outcomes. For tumors involving the ampulla of Vater, PD is still indicated. Furthermore, tumor biology predicts the likelihood of survival and recurrence.

Endoscopic versus percutaneous biliary drainage for resectable pancreatic head cancer with hyperbilirubinemia and impact on pancreaticoduodenectomy: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that percutaneous biliary drainage provides more short-term advantages over endoscopic stenting before pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Between January 2019 and December 2010, a prospective cohort study was conducted. Sixty patients with potentially resectable pancreatic head cancers and high bilirubin levels were stratified into two equal groups according to the method of biliary drainage: endoscopic stenting or percutaneous drainage. The primary outcome measures were operative difficulties and early postoperative morbidity, the secondary outcome was post-drainage complications. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in age; gender; presenting symptoms, type of malignancy, post-drainage complications, and time intervals between drainage and surgery. Key preoperative significant differences were technically higher but clinical success rates was better in the PTD cohort. ERCP patients had significantly more difficult dissections, more blood loss, longer resection time, more postoperative bile leak, and longer hospital stay. CONCLUSION: From the operative perspective, patients who underwent PTD in the preoperative setting had fewer morbidities and shorter hospital stay. Large scale studies are required to support the validity of these findings in surgical practice.

Role of dynamic sleep MRI in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

PURPOSE: To identify obstruction sites of the upper airway during sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) under dynamic conditions and improve knowledge to guide surgical treatment and advancements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 15 patients (5 females and 10 males) who were diagnosed as having OSAS. Overall mean age was 40.2 years (± 7.01 years). All the patients underwent drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and dynamic sleep MRI. The presence, location, and direction of airway collapse were assessed. Dynamic MRI findings were correlated to DISE. Data of the site and direction of airway collapse were correlated with those of endoscopic findings and interobserver agreement was done. RESULTS: The dynamic images in sagittal section showed collapse of the upper airway at retropalatal level in 14 patients (93.33%) and at retroglossal level in seven patients (46.7%) and of these 14 patients; seven had combined retropalatal and retroglossal collapse. These findings were highly correlated with DISE findings with an excellent interobserver agreement for retropalatal and retroglossal levels (Kappa = 1 and 0.867, P value = 0.000), respectively. Objective measurements of the direction of collapse in axial dynamic sleep MRI images showed significant statistical correlation with endoscopic findings regarding retropalatal anteroposterior and circumferential collapse (Kappa = 0.58 and 0.52, P value = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: Dynamic sleep MRI can reliably characterize the actual site of dynamic airway obstruction and has the potential of improving predictions of successful surgical outcomes in OSAS patients.

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in adults: randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy did not meet the same acceptance in the setting of perforated appendicitis as in uncomplicated appendicitis in the general surgical community. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of laparoscopic and open appendectomy in perforating appendicitis. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was conducted on 126 patients presenting with perforated appendicitis. Sixty patients were subjected to laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and 66 patients underwent traditional open appendectomy (OA). RESULTS: 65 (51.6%) patients were female, and 61 (48.4%) patients were male in whom the mean age was 37.6 + 8.5 years. A significant difference was calculated in the domains of postoperative pain, less need for analgesics, hospital stay, and return to daily activities. The mean operative time was shorter in OA 94 ± 10.4 min than LA 120.6 ± 17.7 min. No statistically significant difference between both groups was detected as regard occurrence of intra-abdominal collection. CONCLUSION: In view of its clinical outcomes, laparoscopy should be considered in the context of perforated appendicitis. The possibility of intra-abdominal collection should not be a barrier against the widespread practice of this surgical procedure amidst laparoscopic surgeons if adequate precautions are employed.

Cholelithiasis after bariatric surgery, incidence, and prophylaxis: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Rapid weight loss is associated with a high incidence of cholelithiasis. OBJECTIVES: To identify the incidence of gallstone formation after weight loss surgery and to detect the efficacy of 6 months regimen of prophylactic Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). METHODS: RCT included a total of 1530 morbid obese patients who were subjected to either laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), or greater curve plication (GCP). Patients with previous or concomitant cholecystectomy and missed follow-up were excluded, leaving 1432 patients to analyze. They were randomly allocated into two groups receiving either UDCA or placebo with a minimum follow-up of one year for assessment of cholelithiasis and weight loss. RESULTS: The overall incidence of cholelithiasis after surgery was 9.7%. There was a significant decrease in the incidence of gallstone formation from 22% in placebo to 6.5% in treated group with UDCA. The mean percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) was significantly higher in those who develop gallstones than others. Of those developing gallstones, there was 64.7 % with SG versus 28.1% and 7.2% in OAGB and GCP, respectively, which is statistically significant. NNT to prevent cholelithiasis is six, AR% is 70.4%, and RR is 3.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Cholelithiasis after SG and OAGB was higher than GCP. %EWL was rapid and higher in OAGB and SG contributing to the higher rate of symptomatic cholelithiasis and could be predictive for post-bariatric cholelithiasis. A 6-month use of UDCA is an effective prophylaxis decreasing gallstone formation after bariatric surgery at short-term follow-up.

Assessment of Mass Effect Sign at High-Resolution Computed Tomography in Prediction of Cholesteatoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of mass effect sign in the diagnosis of cholesteatoma at high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). METHODS: This prospective study included 32 ears in 24 patients with chronic otitis media who underwent HRCT of the temporal bone. Otoscopic and operative notes were recorded. Image analysis was done both qualitatively and quantitatively. In the qualitative analysis, mass effect was evaluated visually by comparing both ears together in 4 certain anatomical sites. Ossicular erosions, erosion of tegmen tympani, erosion of tympanic segment of facial nerve canal, and the presence of lobulated nondependent opacity were also evaluated. In the quantitative analysis, we calculated the difference between the distances of the described anatomical sites in both ears. RESULTS: Qualitative analysis of mass effect sign showed 97.1% accuracy in detecting cholesteatoma. Ossicular erosions showed 69.2% accuracy in the diagnosis of cholesteatoma. In the quantitative analysis, we found that the cutoff point of 0.45 mm in the difference of aditus measure between both ears showed 85.3% accuracy in differentiating cholesteatoma from otitis media. The cutoff point of 0.75 mm in the differences in supratubal measure showed 86.1% accuracy. The cutoff point of 0.45 mm in the medial to incus measure showed 100% accuracy. CONCLUSION: High-resolution computed tomography is highly valuable for the detection of mass effect sign, which has great importance in diagnosing cholesteatoma.

The role of graft reperfusion sequence in the development of non-anastomotic biliary strictures following orthotopic liver transplantation: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplant is a potential cure for liver failure and hepatic malignancy but there are many techniques which have been described for vascular reconstruction. This study was to compare the prevalence of non-anastomotic biliary stricture and other surgical complications based on Clavien-Dindo scoring system, in initial portal reperfusion (sequential) versus simultaneous or initial artery reperfusion. DATA SOURCES: Meta-analysis of published studies comparing the outcomes of both techniques was carried out. Data search was conducted across the major databases and studies were selected under the guidance of the Cochrane guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analysis. RESULTS: Seven studies were included to address the primary and the secondary outcomes. No statistical difference was found in the incidence of non-anastomotic biliary strictures (OR = 0.40; P = 0.14), regardless of reperfusion technique. The pooled estimate of the Clavien-Dindo grading of complications was not significantly different between the techniques, though Clavien-Dindo II complications were higher in the simultaneous or initial artery reperfusion group than the initial portal reperfusion group (OR = 2.73; P = 0.01). Similarly, there was no difference in the operative time, hospital stay and other outcomes addressed in this report. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggests that there is no significant difference demonstrated in the rate of non-anastomotic biliary strictures or other complications, between the two techniques, except for Clavien-Dindo II complications.

Accuracy of heparin binding protein: as a new marker in prediction of acute bacterial meningitis.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid bacterial culture is the gold-standard for confirmation of acute bacterial meningitis, but many cases are not culture confirmed. Antibiotics reduce the chance of a microbiological diagnosis. Objective to evaluate efficacy of Heparin-binding protein in diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. PATIENTS: 30 patients diagnosed with acute bacterial meningitis, 30 viral meningitis, and 30 subjects with normal CSF findings. DESIGN: Diagnosis was based on history, clinical criteria, CSF examination, latex agglutination & culture, and sensitivities and response to therapy. HBP was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent technique in both serum & CSF. RESULTS: Cerebrospinal fluid HBP levels averaged 0.82±0.3ng/mL in controls, 3.3±1.7ng/mL in viral and 174.8±46.7ng/mL in bacterial meningitis. Mean serum level was 0.84±0.3ng/mL in the controls, 3.7±1.9ng/mL in viral, and 192.2±56.6ng/mL in bacterial meningitis. Both HBP levels were significantly higher in patients with bacterial meningitis. Cut-offs of 56.7ng/ml and 45.3ng/ml in cerebrospinal fluid & serum showed 100% overall accuracy. Even in patients who received prior antibiotics, remained elevated. CONCLUSION: Serum Heparin-binding protein serves as a non-invasive potential marker of acute bacterial meningitis even in partially treated cases.

A meta-analysis of the effect of different neuroprotective drugs in management of patients with traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury is a major problem worldwide. Our objective is to synthesize available evidence in the literature concerning the effectiveness of neuroprotective drugs (cerebrolysin, citicoline, and piracetam) on Glasgow outcome score (GOS), cognitive performance, and survival in traumatic brain injury patients. Comprehensive search of electronic databases, search engines, and conferences proceedings; hand search journals; searching reference lists of relevant articles, theses, and local publications; and contact of authors for incomplete data were performed. Studies included patients in all age groups regardless of severity of trauma. There was no publication date restriction. Two reviewers independently extracted data from each study. Fixed effect or random effects model selection depends on results of statistical tests for heterogeneity. The literature search yielded 13 studies. Patients treated with cerebrolysin (n = 112) had favorable GOS three times more than controls (OR 3.019; 95 % CI 1.76 to 5.16; p = 0.003*). The odds of cognition improvement in the treatment group was 3.4 times more than controls (OR 3.4; 95 % CI 1.82 to 5.21; p < 0.001*). Survival of cerebrolysin-treated patients did not differ from controls (103 patients; OR = 2.81; 95 % CI 0.905 to 8.76). Citicoline did not improve GOS (1355 patients; OR 0.96; 95 % CI 0.830 to 1.129; p = 0.676), cognitive performance (4 studies; 1291 patients; OR 1.35; 95 % CI 0.58 to 3.16; p = 0.478), and survival (1037 patients; OR = 1.38; 95 % CI 0.855 to 2.239). One study showed a positive effect of piracetam on cognition. Further research with high validity is needed to reach a solid conclusion about the use of neuroprotective drugs in cases of brain injury.

Accuracy of heparin binding protein: as a new marker in prediction of acute bacterial meningitis

ABSTRACT Background: Cerebrospinal fluid bacterial culture is the gold-standard for confirmation of acute bacterial meningitis, but many cases are not culture confirmed. Antibiotics reduce the chance of a microbiological diagnosis. Objective to evaluate efficacy of Heparin-binding protein in diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Patients: 30 patients diagnosed with acute bacterial meningitis, 30 viral meningitis, and 30 subjects with normal CSF findings. Design: Diagnosis was based on history, clinical criteria, CSF examination, latex agglutination & culture, and sensitivities and response to therapy. HBP was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent technique in both serum & CSF. Results: Cerebrospinal fluid HBP levels averaged 0.82 ± 0.3 ng/mL in controls, 3.3 ± 1.7 ng/mL in viral and 174.8 ± 46.7 ng/mL in bacterial meningitis. Mean serum level was 0.84 ± 0.3 ng/mL in the controls, 3.7 ± 1.9 ng/mL in viral, and 192.2 ± 56.6 ng/mL in bacterial meningitis. Both HBP levels were significantly higher in patients with bacterial meningitis. Cut-offs of 56.7 ng/ml and 45.3 ng/ml in cerebrospinal fluid & serum showed 100% overall accuracy. Even in patients who received prior antibiotics, remained elevated. Conclusion: Serum Heparin-binding protein serves as a non-invasive potential marker of acute bacterial meningitis even in partially treated cases.

Accuracy of heparin binding protein: as a new marker in prediction of acute bacterial meningitis

ABSTRACT Background: Cerebrospinal fluid bacterial culture is the gold-standard for confirmation of acute bacterial meningitis, but many cases are not culture confirmed. Antibiotics reduce the chance of a microbiological diagnosis. Objective to evaluate efficacy of Heparin-binding protein in diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Patients: 30 patients diagnosed with acute bacterial meningitis, 30 viral meningitis, and 30 subjects with normal CSF findings. Design: Diagnosis was based on history, clinical criteria, CSF examination, latex agglutination & culture, and sensitivities and response to therapy. HBP was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent technique in both serum & CSF. Results: Cerebrospinal fluid HBP levels averaged 0.82 ± 0.3 ng/mL in controls, 3.3 ± 1.7 ng/mL in viral and 174.8 ± 46.7 ng/mL in bacterial meningitis. Mean serum level was 0.84 ± 0.3 ng/mL in the controls, 3.7 ± 1.9 ng/mL in viral, and 192.2 ± 56.6 ng/mL in bacterial meningitis. Both HBP levels were significantly higher in patients with bacterial meningitis. Cut-offs of 56.7 ng/ml and 45.3 ng/ml in cerebrospinal fluid & serum showed 100% overall accuracy. Even in patients who received prior antibiotics, remained elevated. Conclusion: Serum Heparin-binding protein serves as a non-invasive potential marker of acute bacterial meningitis even in partially treated cases.

Predictors of success of treatment of distal two thirds common bile duct strictures: A retrospective Cohort study over two years.

BACKGROUND: Distal biliary stricture is a challenging clinical condition that requires a co-ordinated multidisciplinary approach. THE AIM OF THIS WORK: was to evaluate the predictors of success of different treatment modalities of distal two thirds CBD strictures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were retrieved retrospectively from the medical records of the patients with distal biliary strictures treated in the Main Alexandria University Hospital from June 2013 to June 2015. Patients were classified into three groups according to the intervention performed: (endoscopic, open surgical, and percutaneous). In addition to the forth group that was followed up without intervention. RESULTS: The study included 282 patients. The mean age was 61.1 ± 10.8 years (25-78) years. The most frequent presenting symptom was jaundice. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma was the most common cause followed by fibrotic stricture secondary to stones. CONCLUSION: In univariate analysis, the success of treatment was significantly associated with the pathology of the stricture of the distal two thirds CBD. In the multivariate analysis, only two factors were affecting the success of the treatment; the stricture length and site.

Critical thinking and attitude of physicians toward evidence-based medicine in Alexandria, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice is important for developing countries and is expected to thrive in a questioning culture. Experienced physicians differ in the making of clinical judgements, which are often not based on evidence. Although this topic is of paramount importance to the quality of care provided in the university hospitals in Alexandria, little research has been done about attitudes towards evidence-based medicine (EBM), and the extent of physicians' skills to access and interpret evidence. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relation between the attitude towards EBM and the indicators for questioning mind and critical appraisal skills among physicians in Alexandria, Egypt. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, physicians (N=549) were randomly selected from different clinical departments in three of the university hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt using the stratified proportionate random sampling technique. A self-administrated questionnaire modified from the questionnaire used by McColl and colleagues was used. RESULTS: A high percentage of physicians (83%) had positive attitude towards EBM. Feeling knowledge gap every day was reported by 34.2% of the physicians while 55.6% felt knowledge gap less frequently. The percentage of physicians who understood the meaning of different measures used to assess the importance of results and quality of evidence in meta-analysis studies ranged from 10.8 to 24.2%. Higher frequency of feeling knowledge gap in clinical practice and the ability to correctly answer different questions reflecting critical reading skills were all significantly associated with positive attitude towards EBM (P<0.05). A significant association (P<0.05) was also found between the frequency of feeling knowledge gap and the ability to answer questions related to critical reading of literature. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This study has identified a significant relation between critical thinking skills and having a positive attitude towards EBM among physicians in the university hospitals in Alexandria. The study supported the hypothesis that strategies that encouraging critical thinking in medical education could improve the attitude of physicians towards EBM. Adopting teaching methods that encourage critical thinking in medical education as well as including the concepts and principals of critical appraisal of scientific research in the syllabus of both undergraduate and postgraduate medical students are recommended.

Abdominal obesity and endometrial cancer in egyptian females with postmenopausal bleeding.

Endometrial cancer is the most common type of female genital tract malignancies. We intended to assess the relation between different measures of obesity and the risk to develop endometrial cancer in Egyptian females with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB). The study was conducted in Alexandria, Egypt and included all postmenopausal females presenting to the University Hospital of Gynecology and Obstetrics with PMB within the study period (from January 1 to September 30). A questionnaire was completed, and data about anthropometric measurements including weight, height, and waist circumference were collected. Vaginal sonography, dilatation and curettage, and pathological examination were done by experts for all participants. Endometrial cancer was diagnosed in 38% of females presenting with PMB. Using ROC curve analysis, only the measure of abdominal obesity (waist circumference) showed significant accuracy in predicting endometrial cancer (area = 0.63, P < .05). The best cutoff point that maximizes accuracy was 88 cm. Body mass index (≥30 vs. ≤30) showed no significant relation (OR = 1.1, 95%CI 0.5-2.3), and the ratio between upper and lower body obesity (W/H ratio) showed border line significant relation (OR = 2, 95% CI 1-4.1), whereas waist circumference (≥88 vs. ≤88 cm) showed strikingly high OR (OR = 13.6, 95%CI 4-46.6). The risk of abdominal obesity on endometrial cancer remains very high (OR = 15.8, 95%CI 4.1-60.9) even after adjustment, in a logistic model, for other risk factors such as age at presentation, age at menarche, age at menopause, family history of malignancy, and gravidity. Abdominal obesity (waist circumference >88 cm) is the best measure of obesity to be used in predicting the risk of endometrial cancer in Egyptian females with PMB.