The eyelids are important structures that maintain the health of the ocular surface and have an important role in facial esthetics. Any interruption in eyelid development can lead to congenital eyelid deformities. Eyelid abnormalities in children may present at birth due to abnormal embryogenesis (congenital) or may occur at a later stage as the child matures (developmental). These abnormalities, in general, can be classified into three different categories depending on the location: malformation of the margins, malformation of the folds, and malformation of the position. Congenital and developmental eyelid abnormalities are among the most challenging problems encountered by ophthalmic reconstructive surgeons. Additional considerations include social factors regarding the patient’s self-awareness of their deformities and associated medical issues, which often coexist and maybe multisystem in nature. This article briefly reviews eyelid embryology, the most common congenital eyelid anomalies, and the management options available to address these conditions.

Keywords: Eyelids; Eyelid Diseases; Embryonic Development.

Objectives: Glucose testing at six weeks after delivery has been recommended by the World Health Organization as the earliest period to detect abnormal glucose tolerance among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the rate of postpartum glucose testing in many parts of the world is low, between 30–60%. Therefore, we sought to determine the proportion of women with GDM who underwent glucose testing at six weeks postpartum and the factors associated with the compliance to the test. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between January and April 2017 in 13 governmental primary health care clinics in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia. All eligible postpartum women registered from January to June 2016 who had GDM during their most recent pregnancy were included. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Out of 341 women, 35.8% attended primary health care clinics for glucose testing six weeks postpartum. The factors significantly associated with the compliance to postpartum glucose testing were GDM diagnosis in previous pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.76; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–2.99; p = 0.036) and normal level of glycated hemoglobin during the most recent pregnancy (AOR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.06–5.86; p = 0.036). Conclusions: The proportion of women with GDM who underwent postpartum glucose testing remained low. Hence, strategies should be reinforced to encourage all women with GDM to undergo postpartum glucose testing.

Keywords: Postpartum Period; Glucose Tolerance Test; Diabetes, Gestational; Primary Health Care; Malaysia.

Objectives: We sought to determine the immunohistochemistry expression of mismatch repair (MMR) and BRAF V600E proteins in sporadic young-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) and their association with clinicopathological features in the Kelantan population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of sporadic young-onset CRC over 11 years from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2017 in Kelantan. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks were immunohistochemically stained with antibodies for MMR (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2) and BRAF V600E. These expressions were correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Results: Our patient sample included 31 patients with a mean age of 31.5 years. More than half (61.3%) of the patients were women. The majority presented with abdominal pain (41.9%), and 71.0% had a tumor located on the right side of the colon, with 83.9% being moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. The majority of patients presented at stage IV (54.8%). The most frequent pattern was all MMR protein expressions, which constituted patients in the microsatellite stable group (64.5%). Nine (29.0%) were microsatellite instability (MSI-high), and two (6.5%) were MSI-low. Positive BRAF V600E expression was observed in 83.9% of patients. Only histopathological subtypes revealed a significant association with BRAF V600E positive expression (p = 0.015). Conclusions: The majority of sporadic young-onset CRC presented with abdominal pain and advanced cancer stage. Most were microsatellite stable, and most cases showed positive expressions in all MMR markers and BRAF V600E by immunohistochemistry method. This finding will pave the way for further research on this disease.

Keywords: MutS Homolog 2 Protein;Mismatch Repair Endonuclease PMS2; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-rafColorectal Neoplasms.

Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health problem worldwide. The prevalence of HBV is dependent on the modes of transmission. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Oman is regarded as an intermediate endemic region and has had a neonatal vaccine against HBV since 1990. However, little research has been conducted regarding risk factors for HBV transmission. Our study aimed to identify the prevalence of major risk factors for acquiring HBV in Oman. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all adult Omani patients diagnosed with CHB at two tertiary hospitals in Oman, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and Armed Forces Hospital, between February 2009 and July 2013. The prevalence of major risk factors was identified by interviewing CHB patients using a standard questionnaire during their follow-up visits to the hepatology clinic at both hospitals. The risk factor frequency was stratified by age, gender, and educational level. Results: A total of 274 patients were interviewed; 52.2% of the participants were males. The median age for men was 35.9 years and 35.1 years for women, with 75.5% aged 20–39 years old. The antenatal screening was the most common means of identifying HBV infection in females, and pre-blood donation screening was the most common in males. Intra-familial contact with HBV infected persons and behavioral risks such as body piercing (females) and barber shaving (males) were more common than nosocomial risk factors. Knowledge about HBV infection was scarce among our participants. More than half of the participants had a positive family history of HBV infection. There was a significant association between HBV infection and age groups, and educational levels (p < 0.050 and p < 0.001, respectively). Among those who were infected due to intra-familial contact or behavioral risk, there was a significant difference between the two sexes (p < 0.020) and between the three age groups (< 23, 23–28, >28) of HBV positive mothers (33.3%, 14.3%, and 6.6%, respectively; p < 0.050). There was also a statistically significant difference among different educational levels (p < 0.050). Conclusions: Direct contact of infected individuals within a family and exposure to high-risk behaviors such as piercing and barber shaving are the main reported risk factors for HBV infection in Omani patients. Reducing the vertical and horizontal transmission of HBV in Oman could be improved by implementing routine antenatal screening of pregnant women and a greater focus on contact screening, respectively.

Keywords: Hepatitis B virus; Risk Factors; Retrospective Studies; Oman.

Objectives: We investigated the existence of any connection between smoking and sublingual varices (SLV) in the older population. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 2019 on adults > 65 years old at Kahrizak Charity Nursing Home, Alborz, Iran. We conducted clinical examination and inspection of 222 elderly patients. Both the case group and control group contained the same number of patients (n = 111). SLV were classified as grade 0 (few or none visible) and grade 1 (moderate or severe). The case group included patients with SLV and the control group consisted of those older adults without SLV and who were matched with the case group based on age, gender, blood pressure, denture wearing, and varicose veins in their legs. Cigarette smoking habits were investigated in both groups. Smokers were considered those who smoked at least one cigarette per day for more than six months. Chi-square and odds ratio (OR) were used to statistically analyze the exposure of participants to smoking in both groups. Results: Among 222 participants, 21.6% and 5.4% were smokers in the case and control groups, respectively. The results of our data analysis revealed that SLV were significantly associated with smoking (p < 0.001, OR = 4). Conclusions: Elderly patients with SLV are more likely to be cigarette smokers. Therefore, cigarette smoking cessation programs are recommended for older adults in society.

Keywords: Elderly; Varices; Smokers; Cigarette Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Case-Control Studies; Iran.

Objectives: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a major problem in preterm infants occurring in up to 50% of infants born at < 28 weeks gestational age. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of BPD. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of intratracheal budesonide administration in combination with a surfactant in preventing BPD in preterm infants. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 128 preterm infants at < 30 weeks gestational age and weighing < 1500 g at birth were studied. All had respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and needed surfactant replacement therapy. They were randomly allocated into two groups; surfactant group (n = 64) and surfactant + budesonide group
(n = 64). Neonates in the surfactant group received intratracheal Curosurf 200 mg/kg/dose. Patients in the surfactant + budesonide group were treated with intratracheal instillation of a mixed suspension of budesonide 0.25 mg/kg and Curosurf 200 mg/kg/dose. Neonates were followed untill discharge for the primary outcome which was BPD and secondary outcomes including sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Results: The mean gestational age and birth weight of the studied neonates were 28.3±1.6 weeks and 1072.0±180.0 g, respectively. The demographic characteristics and RDS score were similar in the two groups. BPD occurred in 24 (37.5%) neonates in the surfactant + budesonide group and 38 (59.4%) neonates in surfactant group, p = 0.040. Hospital stay was 29.7±19.2 days (median = 30 days) in the surfactant group and 23.3±18.1 days (median = 20 days) in the surfactant + budesonide group, p = 0.050. The rates of sepsis, PDA, ROP, and NEC were not significantly different in the two groups. Conclusions: The use of budesonide in addition to surfactant for rescue therapy of RDS in preterm infants decreases the incidence of BPD and duration of respiratory support significantly. Large adequately powered clinical trials with long-term safety assessments are needed to confirm our findings before its routine use can be recommended.

Keywords: Infant; Infant, Premature; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Budesonide.

Objectives: Febrile neutropenia is a major complication of cytotoxic chemotherapy and is associated with a high rate of mortality and morbidity if not treated appropriately. Consequently, it is important to know the bacterial spectrum and pattern of its resistance in each hospital to formulate an appropriate empiric antibiotic regimen. We sought to study the bacterial spectrum in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and report their resistance patterns. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on patients admitted with febrile neutropenia between January 2010 and December 2016 in the oncology unit at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Oman. Consecutive patients diagnosed with non-hematological malignancies who had febrile neutropenia and positive blood culture were included in this study. Results: A total of 76 bacterial isolates were documented in 67 episodes in 62 patients. There were 26 male and 36 female patients. The median age was 51 (14–81) years. The most common cancers were breast cancer (17.7%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (16.1%), and colon cancer (14.5%). Gram-negative and gram-positive organisms accounted for 73.7% and 26.3% of all isolates, respectively. The most common gram-negative organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26.8%), Escherichia coli (23.2%), Klebsiella species (17.9%), and Acinetobacter baumannii (12.5%). The most common gram-positive organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (30.0%), followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (25.0%). There were 14 multidrug-resistant organisms and eight extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL). The resistance among gram-negative organisms to the commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotics was 23.5–55.6%. No resistance was recorded against vancomycin amongst the gram-positive organisms. Eight (12.1%) patients died while neutropenic. Conclusions: Gram-negative organisms were the predominant organisms. There is a high rate of resistance to the commonly used antibiotics. Using a combination of antibiotics is warranted in patients presenting with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia.

Keywords: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Fever; Bacteria; Oman.

Objectives: We sought to assess the prevalence of fibroids complicating pregnancy among Omani women who delivered and were followed-up at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) and correlate the presence of large fibroids (> 5 cm) with maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SQUH, from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2016. Demographic data included maternal age, gravidity, parity, body mass index (BMI), and history of preterm delivery. Ultrasonographic data included the total number of fibroids, number of fibroids > 5 cm in diameter, and location. The main outcomes measured were preterm delivery, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), malpresentation, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), mode of delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, retained placenta, and cesarean myomectomy. Fetal outcomes included birth weight and Apgar score. We used the chi-square test and t-test to calculate significant outcomes. Results: The total number of deliveries over the study period was 24 800. Among these, 62 women had fibroids complicating pregnancy, giving an overall prevalence of 0.3%. Of the 62 women with documented uterine fibroids, 41 had fibroids > 5 cm in diameter and formed the study group, while the control group included 88 women with no fibroids and normal singleton pregnancies. The mean age, parity, BMI, and history of preterm delivery were comparable. The mean age of the study group was 32.6 years. There was no statistically significant difference in obstetric outcomes between the study and control group in terms of preterm labor (p = 0.381), PPROM (p = 0.536), malpresentation (p = 0.237), IUGR (p = 0.059), and retained placenta (p = 0.296). Postpartum hemorrhage was significantly higher in the study group (p = 0.018), the commonest cause was uterine atony (p = 0.007). Women with large fibroids had a significantly increased cesarean section rate (p = 0.002), the main indications were obstructed labor and failure to progress (62.5%). Five of the 44 women in the study group (12.8%) underwent cesarean myomectomy. Regarding neonatal outcomes, a statistically significant difference was noted in the Apgar scores. Conclusions: Fibroids measuring > 5 cm in diameter are more likely to cause obstetric complications and are associated with higher cesarean rates. Pre-conception myomectomy is recommended for women with large fibroids.

Keywords: Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes; Cesarean Section; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Retrospective Studies.

Objectives: We sought to explore the expression of genes associated with depressive disorder in patients with depression compared to control patients. A large body of research in the area of genetics has shown familial aggregation for depressive disorders. The purpose of this study was to identify genetic risk factors in developing depression, particularly among the population residing in the UAE. Methods: We investigated five associated genes (PPARGC1A, CAMKMT, HSD11B1, SLC6A4, and MAOA) previously linked to depression and anxiety in other populations. The study was carried out in Al Ain, although participants were from different nationalities. Blood samples were collected over a period of seven months, and lab work was carried out over a period of two months from September 1, 2018 to May 30, 2019. We screened the prevalence of the PPARGC1A, CAMKMT, HSD11B1, SLC6A4, and MAOA in 29 patients with depressive disorder and 30 controls using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Results: The expression of the PPARGC1A gene, studied for the first time in the UAE population. The independent t-test was used to check the significance of difference between the expression levels of target genes where the control was set at a reference level of 1.0. PPARGC1A  gene is lower among the depressed group which showed mean difference: 0.4 and p-value: 0.02, indicating a strong association with depression. No significant difference was found in the genes’ expression of CAMKMT with p-value 0.150, MAOA p-value 0.070, SLC6A4 p-value 0.750, and HSD11B1 p-value 0.100 in two groups in comparison with (p < 0.050). Conclusions: These results open several possibilities for further research to study the role of this gene as a protective factor against developing depression.

Keywords: Depressive Disorder; Gene Expression; Biomarkers; SLC6A4 protein, human.

A 54-year-old man presented with a pathologic hip fracture secondary to a right femur tumor. A reaming biopsy showed the diagnosis of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma (DDC). In addition, the patient had a thyroid mass. Fine needle aspirate from the thyroid mass revealed numerous large fragments of cohesive spindle cells with moderate nuclear atypia and brisk mitosis, identical to the femur tumor. Immunohistochemical staining on cell blocks of thyroid aspirate showed positivity for mesenchymal markers and negativity for epithelial and thyroid markers. The metastasis of DDC to the thyroid gland is a very rare incident and has previously been described once in the literature. In this report, we describe the clinical and pathologic findings of this case.

Keywords: Biopsy, Fine-Needle; Thyroid Neoplasms; Chondrosarcoma; Staining and Labeling.

Condylar hyperplasia (CH) is a rare idiopathic condition affecting the mandibular condyle where the growth of the condylar head and/or neck continues beyond the normal growth period. This disorder presents clinically as facial asymmetry and occlusal discrepancy. Here, we present two cases of CH managed at our centers during the period between 2012 and 2017 with a successful outcome. We highlight the clinical presentation, investigation, and surgical management and give a brief literature review.

Keywords:

Hyperplasia; Facial Asymmetry; Orthognathic Surgery; Oman.

In this case report, we review a male child who presented with severe bilateral hearing loss. Preoperative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) evaluation facilitated the initial diagnosis of the disease, which revealed typical findings of cochlear incomplete partition type III anomaly (IP-III), surgical planning, and cochlear implant selection to avoid possible complications. The child underwent cochlear implantation, which resulted in gushing and misplacement of the electrodes into the internal auditory canal (IAC) as postoperative complications. Postoperative imaging was used to determine the position of the implant and to assess the complications. The child’s postoperative X-ray revealed misplacement of the cochlear implant, the extent of which was further assessed by a HRCT scan for preplanning the revision surgery and electrode selection. Following the revision surgery, a further HRCT scan confirmed proper implantation and ruled out any further complications.

Keywords: Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Stapes Surgery; Cochlear Implantation; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked.

Cutaneous granulomas presenting as skin nodules are the most common extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Granulomas are defined as a form of chronic inflammatory response characterized by aggregation of activated histiocytes. Visceral granulomas are a rare complication of long-standing RA and have been described twice in the literature. We report a case of a 55-year-old woman with a 15-year history of RA. The patient presented with epigastric pain and weight loss. Imaging studies showed a large soft tissue mass in the head of the pancreas, which was suspected to be malignant. A Whipple procedure was performed, and histological examination revealed multiple non-caseating granulomas with central liquefaction and neutrophilic infiltrate. Ziehl-Neelsen stain for acid-fast bacilli and tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction were negative. The patients’ granulomas were diagnosed as rheumatoid granulomas. Five years after diagnosis, the patient is doing well and has no complications.

Keywords: Rheumatoid Nodule; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Granuloma; Pancreas.