PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITISM AND ASSOCIATED SYMPTOMATOLOGY AMONG HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Intestinal parasites are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Immunocompromised individuals may develop more severe forms of these infections. Taking into account the immunity impairment in patients suffering from chronic renal failure (CRF), we will determine the prevalence and associated symptoms of intestinal parasites in these patients. Controls without CRF were used for comparison. Stool samples were collected and processed for microscopic identification of parasites using the Formalin-ether concentration method. For Cryptosporidium diagnosis, the ELISA technique was used. One hundred and ten fecal samples from hemodialysis patients were analyzed, as well as 86 from a community group used as control group. A result of 51.6% of intestinal parasites was observed in hemodialysis patients and 61.6% in the control group. Cryptosporidium and Blastocystis were the most common infections in patients with CRF (26.4% and 24.5%, respectively). Blastocystis was the most common infection in the control group (41.9%), however no individual was found positive for Cryptosporidium. Among the CRF patients, 73.6% were symptomatic, 54.3% of these tested positive for at least one parasite, in contrast to 44.8% in asymptomatic patients (p = 0.38). The most common symptoms in this group were flatulence (36.4%), asthenia (30.0%) and weight loss (30.0%). In the control group, 91.9% were symptomatic, 60.8% of these tested positive for at least one parasite, in contrast to 71.4% in asymptomatic patients (p = 0.703). A significant difference between the two groups was observed with regard to symptoms, with bloating, postprandial fullness, and abdominal pain being more frequent in the control group than in the hemodialysis group (all p < 0.05). Comparing symptomatic with asymptomatic, there was no association in either group between symptoms or the prevalence of parasitic infection, nor with the type of parasite or with multiple parasitic infections. Patients with chronic renal failure are frequent targets for renal transplantation, which as well as the inherent immunological impairment of the disease itself, results in immunosuppression by medication. For this reason, carriers of intestinal parasites with pathogenic potential can develop serious clinical complications influencing the success of transplantation. This fact, coupled with the high prevalence of intestinal parasites and the dissociation between symptoms and infection in CRF patients, suggests that the stool test should be incorporated in routine propedeutics. Furthermore, preventive measures for the acquisition of parasites through the fecal-oral contamination route should be introduced

Characterization of pediatric head and neck masses with quantitative analysis of diffusion-weighted imaging and measurement of apparent diffusion coefficients

Purpose: Our objective was to investigate the accuracy of quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to determine the histopathologic diagnosis of pediatric head and neck lesions. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 100 pediatric patients recently diagnosed with head and neck tumors. All patients underwent preoperative conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DWI. Each lesion was evaluated according to signal characteristics, enhancement pattern, and diffusivity. The average apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) obtained from each tumor was compared to the histological diagnosis of benign, locally malignant, or malignant categories. Results: Our retrospective study showed a significant negative correlation between average ADC and tumor histopathologic diagnosis (P < 0.001, r = -0.54). The mean ADC values of benign, locally malignant lesions, and malignant tumors were 1.65 ± 0.58 × 10−3, 1.43 ± 0.17 × 10−3, and 0.83 ± 0.23 × 10−3 mm2 s−1, respectively. The ADC values of benign and locally malignant lesions were overlapped. We found a cut-off value of ≥1.19 × 10–3 mm2s−1 to differentiate benign from malignant pediatric head and neck masses with a sensitivity of 97.3’, specificity of 80.0’, positive predictive value of 94.7’, and negative predictive value of 88.9’. Conclusion: Diffusion-weighted MRI study is an accurate, fast, noninvasive, and nonenhanced technique that can be used to characterize head and neck lesions. DWI helps to differentiate malignant from benign lesions based on calculated ADC values. Additionally, DWI is helpful to guide biopsy target sites and decrease the rate of unnecessary invasive procedures

Assessment of narrow alveolar ridge expansion by ossiodensification vs. ridge splitting technique for dental implant placement: Clinical and radiographic study

Objectives: Comparing osseodensification vs. ridge splitting techniques in dental implant placement regarding implant stability, insertion torque, bone width and density. Patients and Method: Twenty individuals with a narrow ridge width of 3-6 mm at crestal bone level were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: Group I Osseodensification technique, Group II Ridge splitting technique with bone expanders and sticky bone augmentation. Implant stability, insertion torque, surgical procedure duration, bone width, and density were all evaluated by CBCT. Results: Group (I) had showed higher statistically significant Insertion torque than group (II). While group (II) had showed statistically significant increase in mean ISQ reading after 6 months (p&lt;0.001). Group (II) showed statistically significant higher surgical time than group (I). Group (II) showed a higher increase in bone gain than group (I). Group (I) had showed statistically significant increase in mean bone density postoperatively, after 3 and 6 months (p&lt;0.001*). While group (II) had showed statistically significant increase in mean bone density postoperatively, after 3 and 6 months (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Osseodensification technique had been shown to increase ridge width while maintaining primary implant stability and bone density around dental implants without sacrificing bone

Combined effect of ultrasound and manual therapy on cervical pain after maxillofacial surgeries

Cervical pain is a common complication post maxillofacial surgeries ranging from weeks to months. Purpose: to evaluate combined effect of ultrasound and manual therapy on cervical pain after maxillofacial surgeries in patients who had maxillofacial surgeries and had cervical pain. Methods: - forty five (23 males and 22 females) patients with cervical pain after maxillofacial surgeries were randomly divided into three equal group3. Group (A) received Ultrasound addition to Manual Therapy. Group (B) received Manual Therapy only. Group(C) received only Ultrasound treatment. Results: - The result showed that there was a significant decrease in cervical pain and a significant increase in cervical ROM using Manual Therapy combined with Ultrasound better than Manual Therapy or Ultrasound only. Conclusion: Both types (Manual Therapy and Ultrasound) are effective in deceasing cervical pain after maxillofacial surgeries that is reflected by decreasing cervical pain and increasing cervical ROM

Yang’s keyhole plate versus conventional plate for treatment of mandibular sub-condylar fractures: Clinical and radiographic evaluation

Objectives: The use of a keyhole plate vs two miniplates in the treatment of mandibular subcondylar fractures. Materials and methods:Twenty patients were randomized into two equal groups. Ten patients with subcondylar fractures were treated with two Yang's keyhole plates in Group I. Ten patients with subcondylar fractures were treated with two conventional miniplates in Group II. Maximum mouth opening (MMO), Protrusive excursive movement, Lateral excursive movement, and Time for reduction and fixation were all used to evaluate patients clinically vertical height of ramus, and antero-posterior condylar angulation are all measured radiographically. Results: There was a statistically non-significant difference between the study and control groups at all intervals regarding MMO, Protrusive excursive movement, Lateral excursive movement, vertical height of the ramus, antero-posterior condylar angulation, but was significant at time for reduction and fixation. Conclusion: reducing a mandibular condylar fracture using a YK-plate, the results were similar and the operating time was quicker than when utilizing a traditional mini plate fixation

Effect of amniotic membrane versus collagen membrane on sticky bone graft in lateral sinus lifting with simultaneous implant placement: Clinical and radiographic study

Objectives: to compare of effect amniotic membrane versus collagen membrane on sticky bone with simultaneous implant placement after lateral sinus lifting procedure. Patients and methods: Seven patients with bilateral sever bone resorption undergone immediate implant after lateral sinus lifting and placement of sticky bone. In G (I): Collagen membrane covered sticky bone and implant while in G (II): Amniotic membrane covered sticky bone and implant. Surgical sites were evaluated clinically for any signs of infection, wound dehiscence, or exposure of implant threads. Also, Implant stability and bone density were obtained at 0, 3, 6 and 9 months. Results: Amniotic group revealed statistically significant value in percentage increase of bone density. Conclusion: The application of sticky bone with amniotic membrane was more likely proved to have the ability to assist and accelerate bone healing and osseointegration. &nbsp

Outcomes of Radiofrequency Ablation for Solitary T1a Renal Cell Carcinoma: A 20-Year Tertiary Cancer Center Experience

Background: The aim is to determine the long-term oncologic and survival outcomes of the radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of solitary de novo T1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed our renal ablation registry and included only patients with new solitary, biopsy-proven T1a RCC (<4 cm) who underwent RFA from January 2001 through December 2020. We collected patient and tumor characteristics. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: Of the 243 patients who met our inclusion criteria (160 male and 83 female, median age 68 years), 128 (52.6%) had another primary malignancy other than renal malignancy. Two-hundred forty-three RFA procedures were performed for 243 renal tumors of a median tumor size of 2.5 cm. The median follow-up period was 3.7 years. Most tumors (68.6%) were clear cell RCC. Ten patients (4.1%) experienced Clavien–Dindo Grade III complications. Seven patients(3.1%) developed recurrence at the ablation zone, and 11 (4.5%) developed recurrence elsewhere in the kidney. The 15-year local-recurrence- and disease-free survival were 96.5% and 88.6%, respectively. The 15-year metastasis-free survival and cancer-specific survival were 100%. Conclusions: RFA is a highly effective modality for the management of T1a RCC, with low complication and recurrence rates. Long-term data revealed favorable oncologic and survival outcomes

Outcomes of Radiofrequency Ablation for Solitary T1a Renal Cell Carcinoma: A 20-Year Tertiary Cancer Center Experience

Background: The aim is to determine the long-term oncologic and survival outcomes of the radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of solitary de novo T1a renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed our renal ablation registry and included only patients with new solitary, biopsy-proven T1a RCC (&lt;4 cm) who underwent RFA from January 2001 through December 2020. We collected patient and tumor characteristics. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan&ndash;Meier method. Results: Of the 243 patients who met our inclusion criteria (160 male and 83 female, median age 68 years), 128 (52.6%) had another primary malignancy other than renal malignancy. Two-hundred forty-three RFA procedures were performed for 243 renal tumors of a median tumor size of 2.5 cm. The median follow-up period was 3.7 years. Most tumors (68.6%) were clear cell RCC. Ten patients (4.1%) experienced Clavien&ndash;Dindo Grade III complications. Seven patients(3.1%) developed recurrence at the ablation zone, and 11 (4.5%) developed recurrence elsewhere in the kidney. The 15-year local-recurrence- and disease-free survival were 96.5% and 88.6%, respectively. The 15-year metastasis-free survival and cancer-specific survival were 100%. Conclusions: RFA is a highly effective modality for the management of T1a RCC, with low complication and recurrence rates. Long-term data revealed favorable oncologic and survival outcomes