Dietary habits as associated factors with irritable bowel syndrome among medical students: evidence from a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Research on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) among medical students has increased globally, highlighting a high prevalence in this demographic. However, there is a lack of data specifically regarding the prevalence of IBS among medical students in Yemen. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of IBS among Yemeni medical students. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving medical students who completed a validated self-administered questionnaire incorporating socio-demographic information, dietary habits, smoking status, sleep patterns, and the Rome IV criteria for IBS. We used bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models to identify IBS's associated factors, estimated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and average marginal effect (AME) on the predicted probability of IBS. RESULTS: The study included 351 medical students with a mean age of 22.53 ± 2.70 years; 39.60% (139) were females. The prevalence of IBS was 26.21% (92 students), with 67.39% (62) of them classified as IBS-M (mixed). In multivariable analysis, the consumption of carbonated soft drinks remained significantly associated with IBS (OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 1.14-9.88; P = 0.028). In males, coffee consumption had a substantial effect on the predicted probability of IBS (AME: 11.41%; 95% CI: 0.32-22.60). In females, the consumption of carbonated soft drinks had a significant effect on the predicted probability of IBS (AME: 24.91%; 95% CI: 8.34-41.48). CONCLUSION: The consumption of carbonated soft drinks is significantly associated with IBS among medical students, with a particularly notable increase in the predicted probability of IBS in females. These findings highlight the necessity for gender-specific dietary recommendations in IBS management. Further research is essential to investigate IBS in the general population to gain a comprehensive understanding of its prevalence and associated factors.

Unraveling the Enigma of Gossypiboma: A Series of 14 Cases Highlighting the Prevalence, Root Causes, and Outcomes in Resource-Limited Settings.

BACKGROUND: Gossypiboma or textiloma is the unintentional retention of textile material in a patient's body, often occurring during abdominal surgery and involving surgical sponges. The body may respond to this foreign body with an exudative inflammatory reaction or an aseptic fibrotic reaction, encapsulating the cotton material and forming a mass. This rare but dramatic event can lead to life-threatening complications, and due to legal and ethical concerns, few publications exist. There were no published papers regarding this issue in our nation (Yemen). This study aims to report the retained surgical sponges' cases and their associated factors in a resource-limited setting to improve prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series study was conducted at hospitals affiliated with Ibb University, Ibb, Yemen, between March 22, 2018, and May 12, 2024. The study included 14 cases of diagnosed and surgically confirmed retained surgical sponges. Data on demographic characteristics, type of operation, and risk factors were gathered and analyzed. RESULT: Among 15,120 surgical procedures, there were 14 cases of retained surgical sponges with a prevalence rate of 0.09%. The mean age was 32.5±17.0 years, with 10 (71.4%) females and 4 (28.6%) males. Gynecological surgery was the most common causal procedure (n=7, 50.0%). The most common clinical presenting features were abdominal pain in 12 (85.7%), followed by infections and a systemic reaction in 9 (64.3%). The median symptom incubation time was 37 days. 11 (78.5%) patients underwent abdominal X-rays, and 13 (92.8%) had abdominal ultrasounds, with 4 (28.6%) X-rays and 5 (35.7%) abdominal ultrasounds being deemed non-diagnostic. An abdominal-pelvic CT scan was done on 11 (78.5%) individuals, with the results being diagnostic in 10 (71.4%) and non-diagnostic in one (7.1%). The leading causes for gossypiboma occurrence were prolonged surgical procedures > one hour and emergency in 7 (50.0%) cases, followed by multiple surgical team involvement and change in nursing staff during procedures in 5 (35.7%) cases. CONCLUSION: A gossypiboma or retained foreign body diagnosis can be achieved through comprehensive patient history, radiologist-surgeon interaction, understanding of risk factors, and familiarity with imaging patterns. Safety procedures should be robust and straightforward, and effective communication among surgical professionals can help minimize medical negligence and protect patients in chaotic situations. Furthermore, the surgeon should adhere to the standard prescribed method and report cases of retained surgical sponges.

Surgical removal of an impaled unexploded mortar shell into the chest: Case review from a war-zone.

INTRODUCTION AND SIGNIFICANCE: The surgical removal of unexploded mortar shells is rarely documented in the literature. Since most cases occur within war or conflict regions, reporting such instances is vital for optimizing and enhancing surgical practices, particularly in low-resource settings. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 35-year-old man who sustained an injury from a 60 mm unexploded mortar shell, penetrating the patient's right posterior chest in the right paravertebral region of the 4th thoracic vertebra, causing intrathoracic injuries, multiple rib fractures, and a right pneumothorax. The patient was immediately resuscitated and transferred to the operating room. The projectile was removed without direct contact with metal instruments. A right chest tube was then inserted and the injured area was repaired, resulting in an uneventful postoperative recovery. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Unexploded mortar shell injuries are infrequently documented in the literature. These injuries are seen within war and conflict regions, that have limited accessibility or availability of experienced explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams, transporting personnel, and equipped and separated operating theaters. CONCLUSION: Unexploded ordnance and munitions represent an underrecognized and underreported health risk to patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare facilities. These injuries are commonly encountered within regions that lack experienced transport and EOD staff. The need for the establishment of such experienced teams along with providing adequate training for healthcare providers is necessary.

Utility of perioperative ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration cytology in differentiation between benign and malignant cervical lymphadenopathy: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The preoperative differentiation of benign form malignant cervical lymphadenopathy (CLA) is crucial in determining the need for surgical intervention. This study aims to assess the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US), fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), and their combination with the postoperative histopathological diagnoses of CLA. Method: In a retrospective study between April 2021 and May 2023, 214 patients with CLA were assessed with preoperative US and FNAC. The morphological parameters, including tissue margins, vascularity, and fatty hilum echogenicity, were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The diagnostic efficacies of US, FNAC, and their combined use were compared to the postoperative histopathological findings. Result: In the final histopathological examination, 185 cases (86.4%) were found to be benign, while 29 cases (13.6%) were determined to be malignant. The US features of fatty hilum, echogenicity, and vascularity pattern had the highest diagnostic accuracy in characterizing CLA patterns, with values of 88.3%, 85.5%, and 85.0%, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed a significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.883 (95% CI: 0.832-0.923; P<0.0001) for the combined use of all US parameters with better sensitivity (93.10%) and specificity (68.65%) than individual parameters. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FNAC were 97.3%, 82.8%, and 95.3%, respectively. Additionally, US parameters and FNAC together showed a significantly higher AUC value of 0.924 (95% CI: 0.880-0.956; P<0.0001) and achieved a sensitivity of 86.21% and specificity of 88.65%. Conclusions: The combined use of US and FNAC provides high sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy in characterizing CLA patterns. In limited-resources settings, this approach is feasible, less invasive, and cost-effective, thereby enabling clear management strategies and avoiding additional surgical interventions.

Small Bowel Obstruction in Virgin Abdomen: Predictors of Surgical Intervention Need in Resource-Limited Setting.

Background: Limited evidence is available regarding the management of small bowel obstruction in the virgin abdomen (SBO-VA), with most studies excluding this entity. This study aims to assess the available data on the treatment outcomes and predictors of surgical intervention in SBO-VA. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between 2015 and 2021, including all diagnosed and managed cases of SBO-VA at Al-Nasar Hospital. Patients were divided according to the treatment approach into surgical or conservative groups. Preoperative laboratory and radiologic data were gathered and compared between groups. Results: During the study period, 67 cases, primarily males (58.2%), with an average age of 52.2±14.4 years were assessed. Common comorbidities included diabetes (20.9%) and hypertension (16.4%). Key symptoms were rebound tenderness (82.1%) and abdominal tenderness (70.1%). The predominant etiology was adhesions (23.9%). About 46.2% received conservative treatment, 53.8% underwent urgent surgery. Conservative treatment failed in 9.4% of cases, and complications arose in 23.9%, with most being fever (17.9%). Factors necessitating surgical management included older age (58.8 ±11.7 vs 44.9 ±13.8 years, p<0.001), previous hospital admission (p<0.001), presence of abdominal tenderness (p=0.030), longer abdominal pain duration (4.0 ±0.9 vs 2.1 ±0.6 days, p<0.001), higher C- reactive protein (p= 0.033), higher white blood cell (p= 0.006), longer time to hospital presentation (75.3 ±17.2 vs 39.0 ±22.8 days, p= <0.001), small bowel thickness ≥3 cm (p=0.009), and reduced bowel enhancement (p <0.001) on computed tomography imaging. In surgical group, the need for ICU admission was higher and hospital stays were shorter than in conservative group and were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The main etiology of SBO-VA in our study was adhesions. Older age, previous hospital admission, longer abdominal pain duration, abdominal tenderness, increased inflammatory markers, and alarm signs on CT scans are the main factors for determining the need for urgent surgical exploration in patients with SBO-VA. To achieve prompt identification and intervention, it is crucial to maintain a high level of vigilance and awareness, even in individuals with no prior surgical history.

Management of Retrosternal Goiter in Resource-Limited Settings: Outcomes From 28 Cases Using Cervical Approach.

Background Despite thyroidectomy being the preferred approach for retrosternal goiter (RSG), controversies surround its rationale in asymptomatic cases. This study aimed to investigate the treatment of RSG in resource-limited settings. Methods A retrospective study conducted between April 2010 and June 2022 included 28 RSG cases who underwent thyroidectomy using the cervical approach at Al-Nasar Hospital, Ibb, Yemen. A bivariate analysis was performed to investigate the risk factors for postoperative complications. Results The main age was 49.4±9.9 years, and most of them (60.7%) were females. The main symptoms were cervical mass appearance and breathing difficulty in 75 %, and 32.1%, respectively. Twenty-four (86%) cases were classified as Grade 1 (above aortic arch) and four (14%) cases were classified as Grade 2 (aortic arch to the pericardium). All patients underwent total thyroidectomy through the cervical approach without needing sternotomy. The mean operative time was 121.9±26.7min (99-200 min) and the mean intraoperative bleeding was 321.2±137.4 mL. Postoperatively, the malignant entity was histopathologically proven in seven patients (25%). The postoperative complications (14%) were transient hypocalcemia in two (7.1%) and hematoma in two (7.1%). Older age, bigger thyroid mass, extension below the aortic arch (Grade 2), longer operative time and bleeding, intensive care unit admission, and malignant features are associated with postoperative complications (all p < 0.05). Conclusion Cervical approach for patients with RSG in our experience is an optimum, feasible, and less invasive surgical approach, in a resource-limited setting. Older age, bigger thyroid, extension below the aortic arch, longer operative time and bleeding, intensive care unit admission, and malignant features are associated with postoperative complications.

Open surgical retrieval of intra-uterine contraceptive device perforating the ileum: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Intra-uterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) are globally acknowledged for their high utilization and tolerability as contraceptive techniques. However, the uncommon but critical complication of IUCD perforation and migration into the gastrointestinal (GI) system necessitates careful consideration. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of IUCD migration culminating in ileal perforation in a 30-year-old female. The patient, with a history of IUCD insertion four years prior, manifested persistent abdominal discomfort lasting for a period of six months. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the abdomen disclosed the presence of an extraneous object perforating the uterine wall and penetrating the ileum. Surgical intervention substantiated the diagnosis, encompassing the removal of the IUCD and subsequent suturing to amend the bowel wall defect. The patient's post-operative recovery proceeded without additional complications. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Migration and GI perforation of the IUCD are uncommon complications, and require immediate attention and proper management. When there is a suspicion of a missing IUCD, obtaining radiologic confirmation and timely removal is crucial. CONCLUSION: In females of reproductive age, persistent abdominopelvic pain warrants an evaluation of their IUCD placement history and a thorough examination. If the IUCD string is not visible, further radiological investigation is mandated. Any delay in diagnosis and the ensuing treatment may lead to significant, potentially catastrophic, organ damage.

Congenital uterine arteriovenous malformation presenting as vaginal bleeding following vaginal delivery in a 23-year-old woman: A case report.

Congenital uterine arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are an uncommon cause of vaginal bleeding in women of reproductive age. In the medical literature, there are few reports of congenital uterine AVMs. This report describes a 23-year-old woman who presented with intermittent vaginal bleeding following a vaginal delivery two years prior. Initially, a molar pregnancy was suspected, but further assessment with magnetic resonance imaging revealed a diagnosis of right uterine AVM. The patient underwent uterine artery embolization, which was repeated three months later. At two-year follow-up, the patient remained free of symptoms. This case highlights the importance of considering congenital uterine AVM as a potential cause of vaginal bleeding and emphasizes the need for clinical examination and radiologic investigations to establish an accurate diagnosis. Treatment depends on disease severity, comorbidities, patient age, and fertility desires.

Identification of predictive factors for surgical site infections in gastrointestinal surgeries: A retrospective cross-sectional study in a resource-limited setting.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI), albeit infrequent, drastically impacts the quality of care. This article endeavors to investigate the predictive factors of SSIs following surgical interventions that involve the gastrointestinal (GI) tract within a single institution in a resource-limited setting. Methods: Over seven years from June 2015 to June 2022, patients who underwent GI surgery and developed SSI were retrospectively matched with an unaffected case-control cohort of patients. Standardized techniques for wound culture, laboratory evaluation of bacterial isolates, and antibiotic susceptibility tests were employed. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to investigate the predictive factors associated with 30-day postoperative SSI occurrence. Results: A total of 525 patients who underwent GI surgical procedures were included, among whom, 86 (16.4%) developed SSI and the majority of SSIs were superficial (74.4%). Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated bacterium (54.4%), and a high percentage of multidrug-resistant organisms were observed (63.8%). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, illiteracy (Odds ratio [OR]:40.31; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.54-170.26), smoking (OR: 21.15; 95% CI: 4.63-96.67), diabetes (OR: 5.07; 95% CI: 2.27-11.35), leukocytosis (OR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.24-5.53), hypoalbuminemia (OR: 3.70; 95% CI: 1.35-10.16), contaminated and dirty wounds (OR: 6.51; 95% CI:1.62-26.09), longer operation duration (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), emergency operations (OR: 12.58; 95% CI: 2.91-54.30), and extending antibiotic prophylaxis duration (OR: 3.01; 95% CI: 1.28-7.10) were the independent risk factors for SSI (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study highlights significant predictors of SSI, including illiteracy, smoking, diabetes, leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, contaminated and dirty wounds, longer operative time, emergency operations, and extending antibiotic prophylaxis duration. Identifying these risk factors can help surgeons adopt appropriate measures to reduce postoperative SSI and improve the quality of surgical care, especially in a resource-limited setting with no obvious and strict policy for reducing SSI.

A Case of Idiopathic Colonic Intramural Hematoma: Successful Expectant Management.

Intramural gastrointestinal hematomas are commonly observed following abdominal trauma or are associated with coagulopathy disorders. In contrast, idiopathic gastrointestinal hematoma is rare, and colonic involvement is sporadic, with very few published reports. We report the case of a 29-year-old female who presented with right hypogastric pain over the last three days. Abdominal CT with contrast revealed an 8.5 × 6 × 7.5 cm pre-occlusive intramural hematoma of the ascending colon up to the hepatic flexure with diffuse edematous wall thickening, indicating colonic obstruction. On colonoscopy, the site of the intramural hematoma was identified without active bleeding or obvious pathology, and the colonoscope successfully passed through the region. The patient was managed conservatively. A month later, abdominal CT revealed complete resolution of the colonic hematoma. After two months of follow-up, the patient was free from gastrointestinal symptoms. In conclusion, idiopathic colon intramural hematoma is rare, with a challenge in diagnosis and treatment; efforts should be made to treat it with conservative therapy.

Hydatid Disease of the Liver Presenting as Spontaneous Cutaneous Fistula: A case report.

Hydatid cyst (HC) disease is a parasitic infection produced by cysts containing the Echinococcus granulosus larval phase. Patients with HC disease are typically asymptomatic until incidentally diagnosed or when complications occur. A rare presentation of liver HC is spontaneous cutaneous fistualisation. We report a 63-year-old female patient admitted in a tertiary care hospital in Ibb, Yemen, in 2019 with an infected cutaneous fistula induced by a ruptured HC. The patient underwent laparotomy and partial cystectomy with excision of the fistula tract. Upon 6-month follow-up, there was no HC recurrence. This report highlights the need for physicians to consider this diagnosis when faced with an unusual cutaneous fistula near organs commonly involved in HC, especially in areas where the prevalence of this disease is high.

Repair of total penile skin loss after ritual circumcision using a scrotal flap: a case report.

Ritual circumcision is associated with a high rate of complications, mainly if performed by an untrained practitioner. Furthermore, excessive skin removal is a rare complication of this procedure that results in penis "trapping" underneath the skin and future sexual dysfunction. Here, we presented a 45-day-old Yemeni newborn with a trapped penis due to total loss of penile skin during a ritual circumcision performed by a traditional untrained practitioner using the guillotine technique one month ago. The patient underwent surgical exploration, and the penis was deliberated, released, and the skin defect was repaired with a single-step scrotal flap advancement over the penile shaft. At the six-month follow-up, the outcome was both functional and cosmetically satisfying. In conclusion, we recommend that the circumcision procedure be performed at the very least by an educated and skilled health professional. Additionally, a scrotal advancement flap is still an option in significant penile skin loss cases.

Jejunal perforation and upward migration of double J stents during the cystoscopic procedure: a case report and review of literature.

While double J (DJ) stenting is common worldwide in the urological procedure, it may associate with severe and catastrophic complications. Penetration of the jejunum and upward migration of double J (DJ) stents during cystoscopic DJ stent procedure are rare complications with few reported cases in the literature. We present a 65-year-old male presented with acute renal failure and peritonitis one week after failed cystoscopic removal of DJ stents. Radiographic investigations showed upward migration of the right DJ stent and a total displacement of the left DJ stent to the peritoneal cavity with peritonitis, bladder perforation, and jejunal injuries. The right DJ stent was removed via the ureteroscopic procedure. Then, open abdominal surgery was performed to remove the left DJ stent and repair the injured bladder wall and jejunal segment. In conclusion, synchronous upward DJ stent migration and peritoneal DJ stent malposition with jejunal and bladder injuries are rare and severe complications of the cystoscopic DJ stent procedure. The treatment should be performed depending on the time of diagnosis, nature of the injury, and general clinical conditions of the patient.

Giant hydronephrosis presented as a huge abdominal mass in a 16-year-old female: a case report.

Giant hydronephrosis owing to ureteropelvic junction obstruction is a rare condition characterized by the accumulation of more than 1000 ml of urine in the pyelocaliceal system. It could mimic the other benign cystic kidney disease or other causes of abdominal mass in radiologic images. We reported a 16-year-old female who presented with three months of abdominal pain and gradual abdominal mass ingrowth. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed a giant left cystic mass favored hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The patient underwent a left nephrectomy, and more than 12 litters of turbid urine were suctioned from the affected kidney. In conclusion, giant hydronephrosis is an infrequent entity and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of large cystic abdominal masses. The treatment is determined by the underlying cause and the visual appeal of the affected kidney.

Role of tunica vaginalis flap and dartos flap in tubularized incisional plate for primary hypospadias repair: A retrospective monocentric study.

BACKGROUND: In the tubularized incised plate (TIP) procedure, flap interposition between the skin and neourethra is highly recommended to decrease the postoperative fistula rate. However, there is no consensus regarding the ideal flap for this procedure. This study aimed to report our experiences in the one-stage TIP hypospadias surgery utilizing dartos flap (DF) (penile skin subcutaneous tissue) and tunica vaginalis flap (TVF) (parietal layer of the testis) as a tissue coverage of neourethra. METHODS: In a retrospective study from Sep 2018 to May 2021, 16 cases of hypospadias with different types, ranging from midpenile to penoscrotal types, were managed with TIP urethroplasty using DF or TVF as a tissue coverage of neourethra were enrolled. The demographic characteristics of the participants, type of hypospadias, outcome, and complications were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: We used TVF and DF as soft tissue coverage in 11 (68.8%) and 5 (31.3%) patients, respectively. The mean age was 56.38 ± 47.83 months. Mid-penile, proximal, and penoscrotal hypospadias were presented in 3 (18.8%), 8 (50.0%), and 5(31.2%) patients, respectively. The total success rate was 14 (87.5%), while 2 (12.5%) patients developed a urethrocutaneous fistula, which required delayed closure later. In comparison between TVF and DF groups: the TVF was applied in all patients with moderate and severe chordee and all patients with penoscrotal hypospadias, and six patients with proximal hypospadias, while only three patients with mild chordee and two patients with proximal hypospadias used the DF and showed statistical significance between groups (p < 0.001 and 0.012) respectively. The success rate was 90.9% vs. 80.0% in TVF and DF groups, respectively, with no statistical significance between groups (p = 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: In the primary TIP repair, the TVF is a practical option as a DF for the interposition cover of a neourethra, especially in penoscrotal and proximal hypospadias with severe chordee.

Assessment of demographic characteristics and histopathological pattern of thyroidectomies patients in a resource-limited setting: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Thyroid disorders are prevalent among Yemenis. However, there is limited data regarding thyroid disease burden, surgical intervention outcomes, and predictive factors in our country. This study aims to review the indications, histopathology, and complications of thyroid surgery in a resource-limited setting where the management is provided primarily by general surgeons. A retrospective study between Jun 2010 and March 2019 included 246 cases who underwent thyroid operations for a thyroid disorder in Al-Nasr Hospital, Ibb, Yemen. The patient's demographic characteristics, operative findings, complications, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results, final pathology, and outcomes were gathered and analyzed. The mean age was 41.60± 8.31 years. The prevalence was high (30.1%) in the age group of 31-40 years and females (87.8%) with a female-to-male ratio of 7.2: 1. The main indication for thyroidectomy was compressional symptoms (35%), and the main preoperative cytology findings were multimodular goiter (89%). There was thyroid cancer in 18(7.3%) patients, and the most type was follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) in 9 patients. The most typical type of surgery was near-total thyroidectomy in 186 (75.6%) patients. Complications were presented in 47 patients (19.1%), and total mortality was observed in 5(2.03%) patients. Intraoperative bleeding was the most typical complication in 36 (14.6%) patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FNAB were 96.34%, 44.44%, and 96.34%, respectively. Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was not precise enough in diagnosing FTC with a sensitivity of 55%. Our result showed a considerable rate of postoperative complications of thyroid surgery, and thyroidectomy may be a viable option even in a resource-limited setting or performed by general surgeons.

Catastrophic Complications of Circumcision by Traditional Circumcisers.

Circumcision is one of the important public surgeries performed globally. It is a popular non-therapeutic procedure that can be performed by people of various abilities and skills, ranging from trained medical practitioners to non-specialists, depending on their cultural and social backgrounds. Consequently, this surgery may cause varying types and frequencies of complications. Glans amputation and death due to severe bleeding, as a complication of this procedure, are rare, and the patients are left with morbidity and life-long complications. Here, we describe two cases of catastrophic complications due to ritual circumcision (one penile glans amputation and one death).

Isolated Giant Primary Splenic Hydatid Cyst in a 10-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report.

Hydatid cyst (HD) disease is a parasitic infection produced by cysts containing the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. It occurs worldwide, but its prevalence is higher in the rural communities of some developing countries like Yemen, where sheep and cattle raising constitute a crucial component of the agricultural industry. This zoonotic disease spreads due to close contact humans with sheep and dogs. The most involved organs with HC are the liver and lungs. However, other organs may also foster it, such as the spleen, with an incidence rate of between 0.5% and 6%. To the best of our knowledge, primary involvement of the spleen by HC is very rare, and a few cases with isolated spleen HC in children were reported. In this study, a ten-year-old boy with a huge primary splenic HC is reported with chief chief complaint of pain and non-tender bulging in his abdomen's left upper quadrant. A 20×16×18 cm splenic cystic mass was detected by ultrasonography (US) and confirmed by abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan without macroscopic involvement in other organs. Total splenectomy was carried out for hem. Pathological examinations revealed cystic hydatidosis. We describe this case of an isolated huge spleen HC, which was successfully treated with total splenectomy, focusing on the management and outcome of this disease.

Delayed presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a case report.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is known as a structural defect caused by inadequate fusion of the pleuroperitoneal membrane forming the diaphragm, allowing peritoneal viscera to protrude into the pleural cavity. It affects nearly one out of 2500 live births. We here report the case of a six-month-old boy with left diaphragmatic hernia presenting with poor feeding, breathing difficulty, cough, and recurrent pneumonia in the last 2 months. Chest X-ray and computed tomography scan revealed left sided CDH. The defect was corrected through open surgical repair without complications. At 5-month follow-up a radiograph was performed which revealed full recovery. The primary goal of this report was to alert physicians to suspect this diagnosis in patients with unexpected presentation of diaphragmatic hernia.