Mushtak Talib Abbas,¹ Fahmi Yousef Khan,¹ Saif A. Muhsin,² Baidaa Al-Dehwe,³ Mohamed Abukamar,⁴ Abdel-Naser Elzouki⁵

Abstract

Objective: To describe the etiology, clinical presentation, management and outcome of liver abscess in adult patients admitted at Hamad general hospital, Qatar.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to involve all adult patients who sequentially encountered episodes of liver abscess during the period from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2010. Blood cultures were drawn from all patients in the first 24 hours after admission. In addition, all patients had stool examinations and indirect Hemagglutination test for Entameba histolytica. Aspiration of abscess was done under CT guidance and aspirated pus was sent for gram stain and culture.

Results: In total, 67 patients were admitted with liver abscess; 56 patients with pyogenic liver abscess and 11 with amebic liver abscess. There were 61 (91%) males and six (9%) females and their mean age was 47.4 ± 18.5 years. Fever, abdominal pain and vomiting were the commonest presenting features. Of the 56 pyogenic liver abscess patients, four discharged against medical advice and seven refused all invasive procedures and were treated with antibiotics for six weeks. The remaining 44 (79%) patients were treated with antibiotics and one or more invasive procedures, while one patient was treated surgically. The commonest organism isolated was Klebseilla pneumonia found in 21 patients (38%). The mean duration of hospitalization was 13.6 ± 8.1 days; the mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 34.7 ± 40.6 days, and one patient died. In contrast, all amebic liver abscess patients underwent ultrasound guided aspiration and showed good response to metronidazole treatment. Their mean duration of hospitalization was 7.7 ± 4.1 days, mean duration of therapy was 11.8 ± 2.1 days, and all patients were cured.

Keywords: Liver abscess; Amoebic abscess; Pyogenic abscess; Klebseilla pneumonia.

Ahmed Al-Mandhari,¹ Ibrahim Al-Zakwani,² Moosa Al-Kindi,³ Jihane Tawilah,⁴ Atsu S.S. Dorvlo,⁵ and Samir Al-Adawi⁶

Abstract

Objective: To illustrate the patient safety culture in Oman as gleaned via 12 indices of patient safety culture derived from the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSPSC) and to compare the average positive response rates in patient safety culture between Oman and the USA, Taiwan, and Lebanon.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional research study employed to gauge the performance of HSPSC safety indices among health workers representing five secondary and tertiary care hospitals in the northern region of Oman. The participants (n=398) represented different professional designations of hospital staff. Analyses were performed using univariate statistics.

Results: The overall average positive response rate for the 12 patient safety culture dimensions of the HSPSC survey in Oman was 58%. The indices from HSPSC that were endorsed the highest included ‘organizational learning and continuous improvement’ while conversely, ‘non-punitive response to errors’ was ranked the least. There were no significant differences in average positive response rates between Oman and the United States (58% vs. 61%; p=0.666), Taiwan (58% vs. 64%; p=0.386), and Lebanon (58% vs. 61%; p=0.666).

Conclusion: This study provides the first empirical study on patient safety culture in Oman which is similar to those rates reported elsewhere. It highlights the specific strengths and weaknesses which may stem from the specific milieu prevailing in Oman.

Abdul Nabeel Khan,¹ Muhammad Umair Khan,² Muhammad Harris Shoaib,³ Rabia Ismail Yousuf,³ and Salman Ali Mir¹

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the nurses’ expectations and experience about pharmacists in private sector hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2012 in five private sector hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. A convenient sample of nurses (n=377) were enrolled in this study. Data was obtained through a previously validated questionnaire. Responses were statistically analyzed using SPSSv.17.

Results: Questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 63.6% of which 20 were unusable (n=240). Out of the remaining 220, 24.1% (n=53) responded that they never or rarely interacted with a pharmacist. Respondents who expect pharmacists to collaborate with nurses to solve drug related problems were 45% (n=99). Nurses’ experience of pharmacists was not substantial as only 44.5% (n=98) respondents consider pharmacists as a reliable source of clinical drug information.

Conclusion: The role of pharmacists is not well appreciated among nurses in Pakistan. Hence, pharmacists must bridge the observed gap and use a more strategic and consistent approach to build a more positive image in line with other healthcare professionals and in providing patient-centred pharmaceutical care. This research would impress upon the pharmacists the need to redefine their role in the healthcare settings.

Fatemeh Dabiri,¹ Asieh Pormehr Yabandeh,¹ Arefeh Shahi,¹ Azita Kamjoo,² and Saeed Hosseini Teshnizi³

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of mode of delivery on postpartum sexual functioning in primiparous women.

Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 150 primiparous women in postpartum period, who attended the family planning or vaccination clinics, were enrolled for the study. Eighty-one had vaginal delivery with episiotomy and 69 had experienced cesarean section. Sexual function was evaluated by the Female Sexual Function Index within 3 and 6 months postpartum.

Results: About 29% in vaginal delivery group and 37% in cesarean delivery group had resumed their sexual intercourses four weeks after delivery (p=0.280).There were no significant differences between mode of delivery and sexual functioning, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain.

Conclusion: The present study showed that postpartum sexual functioning was not associated with the type of delivery.

Ganiy Opeyemi Abdulrahman, Jnr

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and incidence rates of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) between 1999 and 2010 in Wales and the relationship between AD with age.

Methods: The Patient Episode Database for Wales was used to identify patients who were diagnosed with AD between 1999 and 2010.

Results: During the 12-year study period, 14,534 people were diagnosed with AD in Wales. The overall prevalence of AD in individuals 60 years or older was 2% and the overall incidence was estimated as 1.5 per 1000 person-years. The prevalence of AD in individuals between 60 and 74 years was 1%, rising up to 5% in those aged 75 years and older. The incidence of AD increased during the study period from 1.4 per 1000 person-years in 1999 to 1.9 per 1000 person-years in 2010. More than half of the diagnosed AD during the study period was unspecified.

Conclusion: The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease is progressively increasing in Wales. Prevalence and incidence rates rise with age. It is important that the public is educated on the symptoms of AD and doctors pay particular attention to these symptoms so as to ensure that diagnosis is made as early as possible. This will enable adequate support to be provided as soon as possible in order to prolong patients’ independence and slow the progression of symptoms.

Keywords: Dementia; Alzheimer’s disease; Wales; early-onset Alzheimer’s disease; late-onset Alzheimer’s disease; incidence; prevalence; Unspecified; epidemiology; United Kingdom.

Raghad J. Ali,¹ Firyal H. Al-Obaidi,² and Hala S. Arif³

Abstract

Objectives: To assess urinary NAG/ urinary creatinine (NAG/ Cr) ratio in patients with urological abnormalities (normal and abnormal ultrasonography) and compare it with normal healthy children.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted from November 2012 to April 2013. Urine samples were collected from 70 patients with various urological abnormalities, and from 40 healthy control groups, their age range (1 month-13 years). Children who were admitted to Emergency Pediatric department, Children Welfare Teaching Hospital / Medical City Complex, Baghdad, Iraq. The Glomerular filtration rate was in normal range in all of them. Urine samples were tested for NAG by (ELISA, Cusabio, China) while, both Serum creatinine (S-Cr) and urine creatinine (U-Cr) were estimated by Jaffe’s kinetic method.

Results: In this study 29% of the patients had normal ultrasonography and 72% abnormal ultrasonography. The current results revealed that NAG/creatinine index was significantly higher in all patients with (vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis and pyelonephritis) in comparison with cystitis.

Conclusion: The assessment of urinary NAG could be considered as a useful marker in prediction of the (vesicoureteral reflux, hydronephrosis) .Urinary NAG is elevated in children with pyelonephritis and it can be considered as a further criterion in the diagnosis of upper urinary tract infection.

Saeed Mahmood,¹ Mushrek Alani,¹ Hassan Al-Thani,¹ Ismail Mahmood,¹ Ayman El-Menyar,² and Rifat Latifi³

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the causes, predictors and outcomes of re-intubation.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of data collected from the trauma data base registry was conducted to identify the extubation failure cases in Trauma ICU at Hamad General Hospital, the only Level I trauma center in Qatar between January 2009 and December 2010. Demographics, mechanism of Injury, complications, injury severity score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), ICU-length of stay (LOS), and mortality were analyzed among trauma patients who need reintubation within 48 hrs after extubation (group 1) compared to successfully extubated patients (group 2).

Result: A total of 954 patients were admitted to the trauma ICU, of which 343 were intubated orotracheally. The mean age of patients was 32±12 years with male predominance (95%). Motor vehicle crash (41%), pedestrian injury (20%) and falls (18%) were the most common mechanisms of injury. Reintubation (group 1) was required in 24 patients (7%). Patients in group 1 had higher rate of head injury mainly SAH (88%), pneumonia (79%) and pulmonary contusion (58%). The mean ICU-LOS was higher in the reintubated patients (p=0.010) in comparison to group 2. Forty-six percent of reintubated patients required tracheostomy. The mean age, ISS, GCS and tube size was comparable among the two groups. Furthermore, reintubation was not associated with higher mortality rate (p=0.910). However, Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (odd ratio=3.61 [95% CI 1.25-10.44]; p=0.020) and ventilator days (odd ratio=1.09 [95% CI 1.024-1.153]; p=0.006) were independent predictors of reintubation by multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: Re-intubation is associated with increased ICU-LOS and need for tracheostomy. VAP and prolonged intubation are independent predictors of re-intubation. Our finding addresses the value of prevention and early treatment of infection in intubated patients. This study may represent an audit of local practice as well.

Edem Ziadinov, Hilal Al-Sabti, Malik Al-Toubi, and Mohammad Salman Siddiqi

Abstract

The risk of thrombosis is high in patients with essential thrombocythemia. Special precaution needed for those patients who will undergo Coronary artery bypass grafting. We are reporting a 62 years old patient with ischemic heart disease who was found to have essential thrombocythemia. This report explains the preoperative management and the postoperative risks anticipated due to the treatment.

Keywords: Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting; Essential Thrombocythemia; Hydroxyurea; Case Report.

Viji S. Thomson,¹ Osama Tariq,² and Hafidh Al Hadhi³

Abstract

Multivessel coronary spasm resulting to cardiogenic shock and malignant ventricular arrhythmias though rare has been reported in the literature. The disease seems to be more prevalent in Asians. There have been isolated reports of coronary spasm in patients with reactive airway disease. We report the first case of spontaneous multivessel spasm in a male patient with bronchial asthma of Arab ethnicity resulting in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock, recurrent ventricular arrhythmias, and transient complete heart block. Literature review of similar cases suggests a strong association with bronchial asthma and a more malignant course in patients with reactive airway disease. The role of intracoronary nitroglycerin in proving the diagnosis even in patients in shock on maximal inotropic supports and intra-aortic balloon pump is highlighted and the importance of considering multivessel coronary spasm as a cause for acute coronary syndrome even in patients with conventional risk factors for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is reinforced in the discussion of this case.

Ziad Dahdouh, Adrien Lemaitre, Vincent Roule, Vincent Troussard, and Gilles Grollier

Abstract

We report a case of an octogenarian woman who suffered from cardiogenic shock following an inferolateral myocardial infarction extending to the right ventricle associated with complete atrioventricular heart block. Her initial status was critical with a poor prognosis. She requested an invasive full management to be able to continue to take care of her ill husband. She was managed with circulatory assistance, temporary pacing and percutaneous coronary intervention. The procedure was successfully performed and the patient showed a remarkable improvement in clinical condition. Cardiogenic shock complicating right heart ventricle in elderly requires careful patient selection for invasive strategies that can sometimes rely on the willingness of the patient, as the procedural outcome appears to be poor in this high-risk population.

Keywords: Cardiogenic shock; Octogenarian; Percutaneous coronary intervention.

George Sarin Zacharia, K. Sandesh, and TM Ramachandran

Abstract

Acute esophageal necrosis or black esophagus is an uncommon clinical entity, diagnosed at the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with the presence of strikingly black necrotic esophagus. Very often no definite etiology will be identified even though a large list of potential associations has been postulated. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is the most common clinical presentation, others being epigastric pain, retrosternal chest discomfort and dysphagia. Only about a hundred cases of acute esophageal necrosis have been described in medical literature till this date. We report a case of acute esophageal necrosis in an elderly female who had presented with hematemesis.

Shivali V. Kashikar,¹ Bhushan Lakhkar,² Ankur Pandey,³ and Aanchal Gupta⁴

Abstract

An adolescent presented with headache and projectile vomiting and showed ataxia, dysarthia and nystagmus with normal cognition. A diagnosis of acute cerebellitis was made on the basis of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings. He developed seizures and had a rapid downhill course with death at 48 hours after admission. Clinically, patients of acute cerebellitis present with fever, nausea, headache and altered sensorium with cerebellar symptoms. Inflammation of the cerebellum compresses the brain stem and induces mental alterations. It is a rare pathology developing due to an infectitious cause, post-infectitious or post vaccination etiology. Many times it is not possible to identify the causative agent. Cerebellitis can be mild where recovery occurs in few weeks and no abnormalities are seen on diagnostic imaging studies. On the other end, severe cases have focal neurological deficits, altered consciousness, raised intracranial pressure and abnormal neuroimaging. Treatment should be tailored to individual needs according to presentation, severity, and etiology. We discuss clinical features, diagnosis and management of acute cerebellitis which is an important cause of acute cerebellar functional disorder in childhood.

Keywords: Cerebellar Diseases; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Spiral Computed Tomography.

Successful Outcome of a Pregnancy Complicated by a Voluminous Placental Chorangioma: Case report with Review of the Literature

Dilani Lokuhetty¹ and Maiya Al Bahari²

Abstract

Placental chorangioma is a rare, benign, placental neoplasm associated with a myriad foetomaternal and neonatal complications. Voluminous chorangiomas have frequent complications and adverse outcomes. The successful outcome of a pregnancy complicated by a voluminous chorangioma is reported herein, with the literature review. Chorangiomas mostly occur in primiparous women over 30 years of age, complicated by polyhydramnios, placenta praevia, ante-partum haemorrahage, premature separation of membranes, premature labour, toxaemia of pregnancy, hydrops foetalis and midterm intrauterine death. The neonatal period may be complicated by effects of low birth weight, cardiomegaly, cardiac failure, anaemia, thrombocytopenia and unsuspected congenital anomalies. This case had an unusually uneventful antenatal period for 36weeks, culminating in a medically unassisted, spontaneous, vaginal, breech delivery with a successful pregnancy outcome, in spite of having a voluminous chorangioma.

Keywords: Voluminous chorangioma; Placenta; Pregnancy outcome.

Gouranga Santra,¹ Rudrajit Paul,² Sourav Pradhan,³ Partha Sarathi Choudhury,⁴ and Shubhabrata Das⁵

Abstract

Giant left atrium has become rare in present day owing to decreased incidence with earlier diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic mitral valve disease. Transthoracic ultrasonography is remarkable for clear visualization of giant left atrium with clots. In the absence of clot, ultrasonography picture could be mistaken for aortic aneurysm. In severe left atrial enlargement, chest x-ray may be mistaken for pleural/pulmonary mass or rarely pleural effusion. Ultrasonography and echocardiography may help in diagnosis in such case. A 52 year old female presented with progressive respiratory distress for last two years. She had undergone mitral valve replacement (metallic valve) 24 years back for rheumatic mitral stenosis but for last eight years, the patient did not return for follow-up and had discontinued warfarin. Chest x-ray showed a homogeneous opacity in left hemithorax with obliteration of left costo-phrenic angle suggesting pleural effusion. An ultrasonography of left hemithorax revealed a giant left atrium with spontaneous echogenicity suggesting multiple large non-organized thrombi. There was no pleural/pericardial effusion. Echocardiography also showed a giant left atrium with clots.

Keywords: Giant left atrium; Pleural effusion; Ultrasonography, clots.