Gonococcal Acute Septic Arthritis in Immunocompetent Patients

The objective of this study is to estimate the clinical evolution and the biological values and of three cases suffering from Gonococcal acute septic arthritis (GASA).Our study is based in a thoroughfully screening of 18 patients hospitalized in our service during the period of time of March 2011 – July 2016. Among those 18 cases, 12 of them (66.7%) were diagnosed with Acute Septic Arthritis (ASA) due to Staphylococcus aureus, 3 cases (16.65%) were diagnosed with ASA due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and 3 other cases (16.65%) were diagnosed with ASA due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Echinella corrodens. Two sexually active women at the seventh and tenth day of an untreated suppurative cervico-vaginitis and one man at the eighth day of an untreated suppurative urethritis were consulted at the Service of Infectious Diseases of University Hospital Center “Mother Theresa”, because of: severe pains in left wrist, in the left elbow and in the right knee, swollen of those articulation, difficulties in their movements, shivering and a high fever of   38-39.2ºC. Neisseria gonorrhea was insolated in three cases in blood cultures and cervical/urethral samples and they were sensitive towards Cyclines, Cephalosporins and Fluoroquinolones. All three patients were immunocompetent. Keywords: Neisseria gonorrhea, Acute Septic Arthritis, Biological values

Gender and Age Distribution of Thyroid Nodules using Imaging Diagnostic and Management Modalities in Albania; Our data

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate gender and age distribution and the importance of imaging modalities in the evaluation and management of thyroid nodular disease in Albania nowadays. Material and method: The study analyzed the results of 310 patients (N=257 women; N=53 men), assessed at U. O. Clinic, American Hospital and Hygiea Hospital, Tirana, Albania during one year period; May 2015 – May 2016. The average age in the sample was 45.6 years. Thyroid nodules were found in 221 cases (185 females and 36 males). The patients had a standard ultrasound (US) of the thyroid; scintigraphy (SC) and ultrasound-guide fine needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) when indicated. Results: The study shows that nodular disease of the thyroid was found in 84 % of women patients, and in 16 % of men patients. The largest presence of nodules was at the age group of 41-49 years. Moreover, this survey showed that ultrasound can help to distinguish nodules that are definitely benign and those with suspicious features that may require further investigation under FNAB. Some statistically significant connections were found between ultrasound characteristics and FNAB. Conclusion: Females were vast majority of patients as in regards of gender with 84 % of total sample population in the study of 310 subjects. And group age of 41-49 years old were more affected. Ultrasound and other imaging modalities are reliable methods for diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules, including patients' selection to undergo through FNAB. SC was indicated to evaluate the functional features of a nodule, especially in the presence of a low TSH value. In Albania these modalities are now used by many trained medical staff thus offering quality medical service to our patients over all. Keywords: Thyroid nodule, malignant, ultrasound, FNAB DOI: 10.7176/ALST/92-04 Publication date: February 28th 202