Normal sonographic measurements for kidney dimensions in Saudi adult population: A cross-sectional prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The use of ultrasound-based measurements to determine renal size has proven valuable in the diagnosis of renal function and associated disorders. The dimensions of the abdominal organs are affected by an individual's body age, height, sex, and weight. The objective of this study was to establish the standard sonographic parameters for renal dimensions and to determine the correlation between body measurements and renal dimensions in a population of healthy adults residing in Jazan City, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: The present study was a prospective study conducted at a single center located in Jazan City from February to August 2022. Ninety-five participants underwent abdominal ultrasonography. The process of measuring renal size through sonography entails the measurement of various dimensions of the kidney, such as renal length, width, and thickness. The demographic information of the participants, including their sex, age, height, and weight, was documented. All analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v27 software. RESULTS: The dimensions of the right kidney, specifically the length, width, and thickness, had mean value of 9.79 centimeters (cm), 5.09 cm, and 4.10 cm, respectively. The left kidney had mean dimensions of 10.1 cm, 5.09 cm, and 4.10 cm for length, width, and thickness, respectively. The left kidney was larger than the right kidney. Furthermore, male participants exhibited larger kidney measurements than their female counterparts did. A noteworthy positive correlation was observed between the thickness of the left kidney and sex, whereas no significant correlations were found with age, weight, or height. CONCLUSION: The current study revealed that the kidney dimensions were observed to be larger in males as compared to females. The research findings indicate that there is no significant correlation between kidney dimensions and various demographic factors, such as age, height, weight, and sex. In addition, this study provides reference tables for further use.

The role of molecular imaging in detecting fibrosis in Crohn's disease.

Fibrosis is a pathological process that occurs due to chronic inflammation, leading to the proliferation of fibroblasts and the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). The process of long-term fibrosis initiates with tissue hypofunction and progressively culminates in the ultimate manifestation of organ failure. Intestinal fibrosis is a significant complication of Crohn's disease (CD) that can result in persistent luminal narrowing and strictures, which are difficult to reverse. In recent years, there have been significant advances in our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying intestinal fibrosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Significant progress has been achieved in the fields of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of intestinal fibrosis in the last few years. A significant amount of research has also been conducted in the field of biomarkers for the prediction or detection of intestinal fibrosis, including novel cross-sectional imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Molecular imaging represents a promising biomedical approach that enables the non-invasive visualization of cellular and subcellular processes. Molecular imaging has the potential to be employed for early detection, disease staging, and prognostication in addition to assessing disease activity and treatment response in IBD. Molecular imaging methods also have a potential role to enabling minimally invasive assessment of intestinal fibrosis. This review discusses the role of molecular imaging in combination of AI in detecting CD fibrosis.

Ultrasound Imaging in Subjects with Sickle Cell Disease: The Saudi Arabia Experiences.

Background: Abdominal organ sonography is a crucial part of the workup for treating sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the abdominal organs in SCD patients using ultrasonography. Methodology: A non-interventional descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Asir region Saudi Arabia from April 2019 to July 2020. The study was conducted in 78 patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Data were gathered using a data collection sheet included demographic information, clinical information including medication types, and complications linked to SCD. Furthermore, the study evaluated abdominal ultrasound findings pertaining to the liver, gall bladder, spleen, and kidneys. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: More than half of the study participants 43 (55.1%) were females. About 53.8% of the study participants received blood transfusions, and (11.5%) receive extra-vaccine. Concerning ultrasound findings, hepatomegaly was found in seventeen (21.8%), focal liver lesions in four (5.1%), gallstones in five (6.4%), splenomegaly in fifteen (19.3%), and the presence of splenic focal lesions was found in seven (9.0%). The most frequent complication associated with SCD was osteomyelitis sepsis in six cases (7.7%). The study revealed a significant correlation between the type of crisis and type of medication used and the size of the spleen (P-value <0.01), and no notable correlation was found between the types of crises and the size of the liver (P-value >0.05). Conclusion: Abdominal sonography in SCD patients revealed a wide range of alterations in the liver, gallbladder, and spleen. The most frequently observed complications in SCD were hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, localized lesions in both organs, and the presence of gallstones.

Incidence of Gallbladder Stone Formation After Bariatric Surgery Using Ultrasound Imaging in the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia.

Background Bariatric surgery is performed for accomplishing weight loss, which can save patients from diseases associated with morbid obesity. However, rapid weight loss is one of the most important risk factors contributing to the formation of gallbladder stones. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of gallstone formation among patients in the southern region of Saudi Arabia who underwent bariatric surgery and to evaluate the association between several parameters and gallstone development in these patients. Methods A retrospective study was conducted including 57 patients who did not have gallstones in the preoperative abdominal ultrasound examinations. Demographic data, such as age and gender, were obtained along with other parameters like weight loss after surgery, and time elapsed between the surgery to post-surgery US examination. The findings of the US examinations were collected and analyzed. Data were analyzed to obtain descriptive and inferential statistics. A correlation matrix to investigate the dependence between variables was conducted. Results Patients in this study underwent either sleeve gastrectomy (87.7% [n = 50]) or gastric banding procedures (12.3% [n = 7]). The occurrence of cholecystectomy was 46% after sleeve gastrectomy and 71.1% after gastric band procedures. The majority of the patients (57.9%) lost weight after surgery in the range of 20 to 40 kg. The time elapses between the surgery to post-surgery ultrasonography examination varied among patients, where less than one year, one to three years, and three to six years accounted for 47.4%, 43.9%, and 8.8%, respectively. Gallstone formation after the surgery was found in 35 (61.4%) of the total cases. Among patients who developed gallbladder stones after bariatric surgery, 62.9%, 28.4%, and 8.6% were within less than one year, one to three years, and three to six years, respectively. The results suggest a statistically significant correlation betweengallstone formation and​​​ the time elapsed after the surgery (P = 0.008) and the type of bariatric surgery (P = 0.006). Conclusion The current study found that the overall incidence rate of gallbladder stones after bariatric surgery is 61.4%. The study assumed a possible higher incidence of gallbladder stones following bariatric surgery among the population in the southern region of Saudi Arabia compared to incidence rates reported in the literature. The type of bariatric surgery and the time elapsed after the surgery were found to be of value in predicting the formation of gallstones.