Physiological Intracranial Calcifications in Children: A computed tomography-based study.

Objectives: This study aimed to examined the frequency of physiological intracranial calcifications (PICs) in paediatric population using computed tomography (CT). Methods: The brain CT scans of consecutive patients (age range: 0-15 years) who had visited Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, from January 2017 to December 2020 were retrospectively assessed for the presence of PICs. The presence of calcifications was identified using 3 mm-thick axial images and coronal and sagittal reformats. Results: A total of 460 patients were examined, with a mean age of 6.54 ± 4.94 years. The frequency of PIC in boys and girls was 35.1% and 35.4%, respectively. PICs were most common in choroid plexus, observed in 35.2% (age range: 0.4-15 years, median: 12 years) of subjects, followed by the pineal gland in 21.1% (age range: 0.5-15 years, median: 12 years) and the habenular nucleus in 13.0% of subjects (age range: 2.9-15 years; median: 12 years). PICs were less common in falx cerebri, observed in 5.9% (age range: 2.8-15 years; median: 13 years) of subjects, and tentorium cerebelli, observed in 3.0% (age range: 7-15 years, median: 14 years) of subjects. PICs increased significantly with increase in age (P <0.001). Conclusion: Choroid plexus is the most frequent site of calcification. Choroid plexus and pineal gland calcifications may be present in infants younger than one year. Recognising PICs is clinically important for radiologists as they can be mistaken for haemorrhage or pathological entities such as neoplasms or metabolic diseases.

Radiologic Assessment of Orbital Dimensions among Omani Subjects: A computed tomography imaging-based study at a single tertiary centre.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the orbital dimensions of Omani subjects who had been referred for computed tomography (CT) of the brain at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Good knowledge of the normal orbital dimensions is clinically essential for successful surgical outcomes. Racial, ethnic and regional variations in the orbital dimensions have been reported. Methods: A total of 273 Omani patients referred for CT scans of the brain were retrospectively evaluated using an electronic medical records database. The orbital dimensions were recorded using both axial and sagittal planes of CT images. Results: The mean orbital index (OI) was found to be 83.25 ± 4.83 mm and the prevalent orbital type was categorised as the mesoseme. The mean orbital index was 83.34 ± 5.05 mm and 83.16 ± 4.57 mm in males and females, respectively, with their difference not being statistically significant (P = 0.76). However, a statistically significant association was observed between the right and left orbits regarding horizontal distance (P <0.05) and vertical distance (P <0.01) of orbit and OI (P <0.05). No significant difference between the OI and age groups was observed in males and females. The mean interorbital distance and interzygomatic distance were found to be 19.45 ± 1.52 mm and 95.59 ± 4.08 mm, respectively. These parameters were significantly higher in males (P <0.05). Conclusion: Results of the present study provide reference values of orbital dimensions in Omani subjects. Mesoseme, a hallmark of Caucasian people, is discovered to be the prevalent orbital type of Omani subjects.

Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet for Improvement of Glycemic Control: Mechanism of Action of Ketosis and Beneficial Effects.

The incidence of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus is increasing globally. A diet rich in carbohydrates increases the hyperglycemic state. While considering the lifestyle changes to combat life-threatening diseases, there is an effort to decrease the daily intake of carbohydrates. A low-carbohydrate diet also makes the body rely more on fat for energy, so there is less fat accumulation. A diet is considered to be low-carbohydrate ketogenic if the intake is ≤ 50 g per day. The 'low -carbohydrate ketogenic diet' (LCKD) produces ketosis. LCKD contains high-fat, moderateprotein, and low-carbohydrate components. The main objectives of the present review are to discuss insulin resistance in different viscera of the body, describe the role of adipokines in insulin resistance, understand the mechanism of ketogenesis, and determine the impact of LCKD in overcoming insulin resistance in the body. In the present review, we also highlight the beneficial effects of LCKD in metabolic, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and lipid disorders and discuss the effect on longevity and aging. LCKD may help in combating the morbidity and mortality arising from the above-mentioned diseases and also help in leading a better quality of life.

Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of Cervical Spine Among Omani Patients Referred for CT Scan at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Oman.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the proportion of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine and associated factors among Omani patients. METHODS: We reviewed the cervical spine computed tomography (CT) scans of all patients referred to the Radiology Department, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, from 2011 to 2017. Descriptive statistics were employed to determine the proportion of OPLL. We used the chi-square test to determine the association of age, gender, and diabetes mellitus with OPLL. RESULTS: A total of 843 patients aged ≥ 20 years were included in the study. The proportion of OPLL was 2.7% and was more frequent in men (3.2%) than women (1.9%). The male to female ratio of OPLL was 1.7:1.0. OPLL occurrence was significantly more in non-diabetic patients (p < 0.001). No significant association was found between OPLL with gender (p = 0.281) and age (p = 0.878). CONCLUSIONS: The observed proportion of OPLL in this single-center study is relatively low, but the finding is important as the condition can eventually lead to debilitating neurologic outcomes affecting the patient's quality of life. OPLL occurrence was significantly more in non-diabetic patients, which necessitate further research on OPLL in a larger sample across Oman.