Persistent Low Levels of Beta-hCG: A Pitfall in Diagnosis of Retained Product of Conception

Persistent low level of beta-hCG (PLL) is defined as rising hCG level no more than two-fold over a three months period. Almost many types of PLL can lead to the wrong diagnosis. Here, we presented two cases of the retained product of conception (RPOC) with persistent low levels of beta-hCG. Both cases were presented with persistent low levels of beta-hCG and abnormal uterine bleeding since first-trimester pregnancy termination. Ultrasonography revealed a vascular mass with extension from the endometrial cavity to myometrium imitating gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) or arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The final pathologies of both cases were retained product of conception. Imaging features of RPOC can closely imitate those of an AVM or GTN; so, hysteroscopy is one of the best non-invasive procedures which may be helpful in diagnosis and selection of appropriate treatment especially in young patients who desire to preserve their fertility.

Diagnostic Value of Conventional and Doppler Ultrasound Findings in Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis

The main outcome of virus-related hepatitis is progression to liver fibrosis. Therefore, early diagnosis is very important in the treatment and management of patients. Although liver biopsy is the gold standard test for assessment of liver fibrosis, it is expensive and has some disadvantages such as sampling errors, interobserver variability, and a significant mortality and morbidity rate. Moreover, this method is invasive and has side effects, especially if it needs repeated sampling. In order to come up with a reliable noninvasive modality in place of biopsy, we studied the value of grayscale ultrasonography (US) and Doppler ultrasonography (DS) for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Patients and methods: Sixty patients, 43 with chronic hepatitis B and 17 with chronic hepatitis C, were enrolled in this study. Grayscale US and DS were performed for all patients in the week prior to liver biopsy. Ultrasonographic findings were recorded according to a US scoring system, and they were compared with histological findings after liver biopsy. Results: A total of 35 male (mean age: 36.1 ± 10.1 years) and 25 female (mean age: 36.1 ± 10.4 years) patients were studied. Forty-three patients had chronic hepatitis B and the others had chronic hepatitis C. The overall grayscale US score was abnormal (ranged from 1 to 7) in 63.3% of patients and normal (0) in the other patients. The mean portal vein velocity ranged from 8.1 cm/s to 31.7 cm/s (mean: 17.1 ± 5.1 cm/s). The right hepatic vein diameter ranged from 2.8 mm to 8 mm (mean: 5.1 ± 1.2 mm). The total DS score was abnormal (1 or 2) in 66.7% of patients. Quantitative US parameters that were related more significantly to the histopathological staging scores of liver fibrosis were mean portal vein velocity, right hepatic vein diameter, and gallbladder wall thickness. The total grayscale US score, DS score, and accumulation of US and DS scores (US–DS score) were significantly different between patients with liver fibrosis and those without fibrosis (p = 0.03, p = 0.03, and p < 0.001, respectively). We found that the total grayscale US score, DS score, and US–DS score are significantly correlated with liver fibrosis stages. Conclusion: Based on these findings, one can conclude that US may be an accurate, noninvasive alternative modality for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis, with fewer side effects than biopsy. It may be especially useful for repetitive follow-up of patients

Wernicke’s encephalopathy following hyperemesis gravidarum

Background: &Prime;Wernicke&rsquo;s Korsakoff&Prime; syndrome is the most important complication of severe thiamine deficiency. The term refers to two different syndromes, each representing a different stage of the disease. Wernicke&rsquo;s encephalopathy (WE) is an acute syndrome requiring emergent treatment to prevent death and neurologic morbidity. Korsakoff syndrome (KS) refers to a chronic neurologic condition that usually occurs as a consequence of WE. It is a rare complication of hyperemesis gravidarum that confusion, ocular signs, and gait ataxia are the most prevalent symptoms, respectively. Typical brain lesions of wernicke&rsquo;s encephalopathy (WE) are observed at autopsy in 0.4 to 2.8 percent of the general population in the western world and the majority of affected patients are alcoholic. The prevalence of wernicke&rsquo;s encephalopathy lesions seen on autopsy was 12.5% of alcohol abusers in one report. Among those who with alcohol-related death, it has been reported to be even higher, 29 to 59%. The aim of this study was to report a case of wernicke&rsquo;s encephalopathy following hyperemesis gravidarum. Case Presentation: A 28-year-old-pregnant woman in 19th weeks of gestation referred to the hospital with hyperemesis, gait ataxia, and dysarthria before that she had hyperemesis gravidarum with weight loss and unresponsive to outpatient and inpatient medical therapy. MRI showed hyperdense lesion around thalamus which was characteristic of wernicke&rsquo;s encephalopathy. Rapid improvement in patient&rsquo;s condition occurred after high dose thiamine infusion. Conclusion: In hyperemesis gravidarum, presence of either symptoms of ocular or mental disorder or ataxia must be considered to rule out and appropriate treatment of Wernicke&rsquo;s syndrome which can cause maternal and fetal death

Design and Validation of Professional Development Environment Model Based on Task-Centered Approach in Medical Education

This study aimed to design and validate a professional development environment model based on a task-centered approach in medical education. Accordingly, a mixed research design was used, and a qualitative content analysis was performed using a synthesis research method to identify the elements and components of the proposed model. Furthermore, a descriptive survey method was employed to validate the model from the point of view of experts. For the purposeful selection of resources considering the identification of the components of the professional development environment model based on the task-centered approach, authentic scientific documents indexed in databases, such as Scopus, Science Direct, Springer, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Emerald, and PubMed from 2000 to 2022 were reviewed, and 48 documents were selected. Then, they were analyzed using open coding and axial coding. To validate the proposed model, 20 specialists in radiology, medical education, and educational sciences were selected as a sample. The data were collected through an 8-item researcher-made questionnaire the content validity of which was confirmed by calculating S-CVI and CVI. According to the analysis, 4 main components and 14 sub-components were extracted, which led to the design of the desired model. The findings in the quantitative part also showed that the presented model has high internal validity in the field of medical education. Therefore, it is suggested to use this model as an innovative strategy and guidance for medical professionals

Central nervous system reactivation of herpesviridae family in patients with COVID-19

The objective of this study is to describe our COVID-19 patients with herpesviridae reactivation in the central nervous system (CNS). Four patients were described including two with acute encephalitis and two with acute encephalomyelitis. Three of four patients had abnormal findings on neuroimaging studies. One of four patients died, one survived with major neurological sequelae, and two others fully recovered. Herpesviridae reactivation in the CNS in patients with COVID-19 is a rare but serious coincidence. The optimal therapeutic management has not been investigated and until more information is available, it is prudent to treat these patients with appropriate antivirals with or without anti-inflammatory agents

Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in patients with Parkinsons disease.

Background: The accuracy of current laboratory and imaging studies for diagnosis and monitoring of Parkinsons disease (PD) severity is low and diagnosis is mainly dependent on clinical examination. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive technique that can assess the chemical profile of the brain. In this study, we evaluated the utility of proton MRS in diagnosis of PD and determination of its severity. Methods: Patients with PD and healthy age-matched controls were studied using proton MRS. The level of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), total creatine (Cr), and total choline (Cho), and their ratios were calculated in substantia nigra (SN), putamen (Pu), and motor cortex. PD severity was assessed by the Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and the Hoehn and Yahr scale. Results: Compared to 25 healthy controls (18 men, age: 59.00 ± 8.39 years), our 30 patients with PD (24 men, age: 63.80 ± 12.00 years, 29 under treatment) showed no significant difference in the metabolite ratios in SN, Pu, and motor cortex. Nigral level of NAA/Cr was significantly correlated with total UPDRS score in patients with PD (r = -0.35, P = 0.08). Moreover, patients with PD with Hoehn and Yahr scale score ≥ 2 had a lower NAA/Cr level in SN compared to patients with a lower stage. Conclusion: This study shows that 1.5 tesla proton MRS is unable to detect metabolite abnormalities in patients with PD who are under treatment. However, the NAA/Cr ratio in the SN might be a useful imaging biomarker for evaluation of disease severity in these patients

Cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for essential tremor: A double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover, add-on clinical trial

BACKGROUND:There is controversial evidence about the effect of cerebellar low-frequency stimulation in patients with essential tremor (ET). OBJECTIVES:In this study we assessed safety and effectiveness of 1 Hz (low-frequency) cerebellar repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on tremor severity in patients with essential tremor in a sham-controlled crossover trial. METHODS:A total of 23 patients assigned into two groups to receive either sham (n = 10) or rTMS (n = 13) treatment, with crossing over after a two-month washout period. Intervention consisted of 900 pulses of 1 Hz rTMS at 90% resting motor threshold or the same protocol of sham stimulation over each cerebellar hemisphere for 5 consecutive days. Tremor severity was assessed by Fahn-Tolosa-Marin (FTM) scale at baseline and at days 5, 12 and 30 after intervention. The FTM consists of 3 subscales including tremor severity rating, performance of motor tasks, and functional disability. Carry-over and treatment effects were analyzed using independent samples t-test. RESULTS:There was no significant improvement in the total FTM scores in rTMS compared to the sham stimulation on day 5 (p = 0.132), day 12 (p = 0.574), or day 30 (p = 0.382). Similarly, FTM subscales, including tremor severity rating, motor tasks, and functional disability did not improve significantly after rTMS treatment. Mild headache and local pain were the most frequent adverse events. CONCLUSION:Although cerebellar rTMS seems to have acceptable safety when used in ET patients, this study could not prove any efficacy for it in reduction of tremor in these patients. Larger studies are needed to evaluate efficacy of this therapeutic intervention and to provide evidence about the optimal stimulation parameters