The Association between Adenotonsillectomy and Frequency of Vaso-Occlusive Crises in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) typically manifests in early childhood as attacks of pain known as vaso-occlusive crises. Infection and hypoxemia have been linked with these recurrent episodes and with prolonged hospitalization in SCD patients. However, adenoids and tonsils as sources of infection and causes of hypoxemia have not been adequately investigated in association with vaso-occlusive crises in SCD. To assess the association between adenotonsillectomy and frequency of vaso-occlusive crisis in SCD patients who underwent this procedure at our Hospital, and between adenotonsillectomy and frequency of blood transfusions and emergency department and intensive care unit admissions. We used medical record data to conduct a retrospective review of SCD patients who underwent adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy between 2005 and 2017. Eligible subjects were assessed for frequency of vaso-occlusive crises, blood transfusions, and emergency department and intensive care unit admissions. Using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, we compared the frequencies of each outcome preoperatively and 1, 3, 5, and 10 years postoperatively. Of 524 records reviewed, 40 eligible patients were included in the study. Minimal reduction was observed in the frequency of vaso-occlusive crisis episodes within 1 and 3 years after adenotonsillectomy (p = 0.337 and p = 0.549, respectively). Although the 5- and 10-year postoperative vaso-occlusive crisis frequency tended to be higher than that in the preoperative period, none of the results reached statistical significance. The number of emergency department admissions showed a statistically significant increase 3 years postoperatively compared with that in the preoperative period (P = 0.043). There were no statistically significant differences in perioperative blood transfusion frequency or number of intensive care unit admissions in any period. Adenotonsillectomy in SCD patients does not seem to be related to the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises, blood transfusions, or emergency department or intensive care unit admissions. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to further evaluate these findings.

Carotid Plaque Phenotyping by Correlating Plaque Morphology from Computed Tomography Angiography with Transcriptional Profiling.

OBJECTIVE: Ischaemic strokes can be caused by unstable carotid atherosclerosis, but methods for identification of high risk lesions are lacking. Carotid plaque morphology imaging using software for visualisation of plaque components in computed tomography angiography (CTA) may improve assessment of plaque phenotype and stroke risk, but it is unknown if such analyses also reflect the biological processes related to lesion stability. Here, we investigated how carotid plaque morphology by image analysis of CTA is associated with biological processes assessed by transcriptomic analyses of corresponding carotid endarterectomies (CEAs). METHODS: Carotid plaque morphology was assessed in patients undergoing CEA for symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis consecutively enrolled between 2006 and 2015. Computer based analyses of pre-operative CTA was performed to define calcification, lipid rich necrotic core (LRNC), intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH), matrix (MATX), and plaque burden. Plaque morphology was correlated with molecular profiles obtained from microarrays of corresponding CEAs and models were built to assess the ability of plaque morphology to predict symptomatology. RESULTS: Carotid plaques (n = 93) from symptomatic patients (n = 61) had significantly higher plaque burden and LRNC compared with plaques from asymptomatic patients (n = 32). Lesions selected from the transcriptomic cohort (n = 40) with high LRNC, IPH, MATX, or plaque burden were characterised by molecular signatures coupled with inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation, typically linked with instability. In contrast, highly calcified plaques had a molecular signature signifying stability with enrichment of profibrotic pathways and repressed inflammation. In a cross validated prediction model for symptoms, plaque morphology by CTA alone was superior to the degree of stenosis. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that CTA image analysis for evaluation of carotid plaque morphology, also reflects prevalent biological processes relevant for assessment of plaque phenotype. The results support the use of CTA image analysis of plaque morphology for risk stratification and management of patients with carotid stenosis.

The Assessment of Dermatology Clinical Research in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the level of evidence in dermatology research over the last five years and to assess the frequency of publication in different journals in the field of dermatology in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, western region. METHODS: All published research were reviewed during the period of 2015 till 2020 using online research database through PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. A list of all Saudi dermatologists who are registered by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties as consultants, and who worked in public institutions at Jeddah and Makkah was retrieved. The Oxford Level of Evidence Scale was utilized to determine the level of evidence of these studies. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the frequency of different study types and levels of evidence. RESULTS: A total of 125 articles were published in 62 different national and international journals. Majority of the published studies were level IV (76%). Case reports were the most common type of published research (56%) and meta-analysis studies accounted for (6.4%). Thirty-two articles were produced by academic institutions, compared to 68 published articles from governmental institutions, and 22 from military hospitals. CONCLUSION: Only a small percentage of publications in Saudi Arabia are considered high level clinical research. The number of publications during the past five years was high compared to the previous years and case reports constituted the majority. Authors should be encouraged to conduct higher-level studies to enhance patient care.

Determining the correlation between olive oil consumption, BMI, and waist circumference in the adult Saudi population.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the correlation between dietary intake of olive oil, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 200 participants aged 20-30 years using pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic data was collected via a questionnaire, while dietary data was collected for two days using a 24-hour dietary recall. Anthropometric data such as BMI and WC were collected, and all the information was entered into the Diet Organizer software and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software for statistical analysis. The test results were assessed on the basis of a significance level of 95% (p < 0.05). RESULTS: We did not find a significant difference in BMI and WC between high and low olive oil consumers. Carbohydrate intake was significantly higher among low olive oil consumers. Although high olive oil consumers had a significantly higher caloric intake, they had a similar BMI compared to low olive oil consumers. CONCLUSION: This study provides baseline data on the intake of olive oil in a Saudi cohort aged 20-30 years. This study suggests that high olive oil intake may have a role in maintaining body weight.

Upper respiratory tract sampling in COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: To review the present literature on upper respiratory tract sampling in COVID-19 and provide recommendations to improve healthcare practices and directions in future studies. METHODS: Twelve relevant manuscripts were sourced from a total of 7288 search results obtained using PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar. The search keywords used were COVID-19, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, swabs, SARS and CoV2. Original manuscripts were obtained and analysed by all authors. The review included manuscripts which have not undergone rigorous peer-review process in view of the magnitude of the topic discussed. RESULTS: The viral load of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the upper respiratory tract was significantly higher during the first week and peaked at 4-6 days after onset of symptoms, during which it can be potentially sampled. Nasopharyngeal swab has demonstrated higher viral load than oropharyngeal swab, where the difference in paired samples is best seen at 0-9 days after the onset of illness. Sensitivity of nasopharyngeal swab was higher than oropharyngeal swabs in COVID-19 patients. Patient self-collected throat washing has been shown to contain higher viral load than nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab, with significantly higher sensitivity when compared with paired nasopharyngeal swab. RECOMMENDATIONS: Routine nasopharyngeal swab of suspected COVID-19 infection should take anatomy of the nasal cavity into consideration to increase patient comfort and diagnostic yield. Routine oropharyngeal swab should be replaced by throat washing which has demonstrated better diagnostic accuracy, and it is safe towards others.

The Incidence of Thyroid Gland Invasion in Patients with Carcinoma of the Larynx who Underwent Total Laryngectomy

@#Introduction: Total thyroidectomy or at least hemithyroidectomy is routinely performed alongside total laryngectomy in patients with advanced carcinoma of the larynx. Life-threatening hypocalcaemia and hypothyroidism are common sequelae especially with adjuvant radiation. The study aims to determine the incidence of microscopic thyroid gland invasion and challenge the idea of routine thyroidectomy in advanced carcinoma of the larynx. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective observational study. It was done in two tertiary centres in Malaysia between 2003 and 2013 for a total duration of 11 years. A total of 72 patients were included in this study. Data from medical records, operative notes, and histopathological reports were collected and analysed. Results: Three patients (4.2%) had the presence of microscopic thyroid gland invasion. There were no significant associations between microscopic thyroid gland invasion and tumour subsites, histological types of a tumour nor T staging (p>0.05) Conclusion: The incidence of microscopic thyroid gland invasion in advance carcinoma of the larynx is low, disavowing routine thyroidectomy. Limitations: Some factors such as cartilage invasion on CT imaging and central lymph node treatment were not considered due to limitations in case documentation.

Balloon Dilatation of Laryngotracheal Stenosis: Hospital Ampang Experience

The upper airway is a crucial structure. It becomes a grave problem should it be narrowed. Several methods of treatment were rendered for patients with laryngotracheal stenosis. We share our experience with the combination total intravenous anaesthesia and apneic pause technique with or without steroid injection. Four cases of laryngotracheal stenosis were observed in Hospital Ampang: two adult and two paediatric cases. Age, gender, causative factor, stenosis segment length, grade or severity were observed before and after dilatation, number of dilatation were observed and compared. The outcome measures are decannulation and avoidance of tracheostomy. All cases had improvement of symptoms. Half or 50% of the patient required repeated balloon dilatations. The paediatric cases successfully avoided tracheostomy while the adult cases successfully decannulated with no complication from the procedure. Balloon dilatation by total intravenous anaesthesia coupled with apneic method is a safe and effective method of treatment for the narrowed airway.

Case Report: Progression of Pre-Septal Cellulitis to Orbital Subperiosteal Abscess despite Intravenous Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics in a Child

We report a case of a 7-year-old girl who initially presented with painless right eyelid swelling with full extra-ocular movement (EOM). She was treated with intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics for preseptal cellulitis but her condition worsened. An urgent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and orbit showed orbital abscess, subperiosteal abscess in the medial orbital wall and evidence of sinusitis in the anterior ethmoidal air cells. She underwent Endoscopic Orbital Decompression (EOD) surgery on day 4 of presentation and her condition improved remarkably. We report a case of orbital abscess with subperiosteal abscess in the medial orbital wall. This case highlights the possibility of progression of orbital cellulitis despite administration of a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Gore-Tex Medialisation Thyroplasty for Unilateral Vocal Cord Palsy: A Tertiary Centre 7 Years Experience

The resultant dysphonia and aspiration in unilateral vocal cord palsy can be overcome with medialisation thyroplasty. With this background, we aim to determine the aetiology of the unilateral vocal cord palsy and effectiveness of the phonosurgical procedure with Gore-Tex as a sole treatment. Methods: Within a seven year period, 37 Gore-Tex medialisation thyroplasty were performed for unilateral vocal cord palsy at our institution and medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results: There were 18 males and 19 females with mean age of 48.7 years (range 19–81 years). The predominant aetiology was thyroidectomy (43.2%) with benign thyroid disease predominates (n=13) over thyroid malignancy (n=3). Voice outcome was evaluated subjectively using visual analogue scoring system, results indicating that Gore-Tex medialisation thyroplasty was effective in addressing dysphonia in 62.5% (n=15) patients. However it alone cannot address aspiration seen in those with high vagal nerve lesion. Airway compromise occurred in two cases postoperatively (5.4%) presenting as acute stridor. Conclusion: In unilateral vocal cord palsy, Gore-Tex medialisation thyroplasty can effectively improve the resultant dysphonia and often accompanying aspiration which would otherwise be disabling for the patients.

Prolong Placement of Tracheostomy Tube Causing Unusual Complication

Tracheostomy can be associated with numerous complications. Here, we present a case of large hypertrophic skin of tracheostoma with tracheal granulation tissue causing malpositioning of tracheostomy tube and airway obstruction, secondary to prolong placement of a cuff tracheostomy tube due to improper tracheostomy care. This case illustrates that awareness and knowledge of proper tracheostomy tube care among medical personnel are very important to avoid any mismanagement that can cause life-threatening complications.