Medicine in Unplanned Mass Gatherings: A Qualitative Study of Health-Care Providers' Response and Recommendations to Beirut's Protests.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at exploring the dynamics of health-care provision during recent unplanned public mass gatherings in Beirut, and how the health-care system adapts to mass movements in protests. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 12 health-care providers who volunteered at medical tents set during protests in Beirut, Lebanon. Responses were transcribed and coded. RESULTS: Three themes were noted: preparedness and logistics, encountered cases, and participants' proposed recommendations. In terms of preparedness and logistics, participants lacked knowledge of field medicine protocols and an organizational structure. They faced difficulties in securing equipment and advertising their services. Most encountered cases were physical injuries rather than mental health problems. The participants proposed both short-term recommendations, including advice on how to boost care provided, and long-term recommendations on structuring the health-care system to be better prepared. CONCLUSIONS: On-site health-care provision during unplanned mass gatherings is a vital need. We recommend forming a task force of health-care workers from various fields led by the Ministry of Public Health in every respective country to plan protocols, train personnel, and secure resources beforehand.

Case report: Back pseudocyst of unknown origin.

INTRODUCTION: Soft tissue masses are fairly encountered clinical entities. Among the rare forms of soft tissues masses are non-pancreatic pseudocysts which are defined as encapsulated fluid collections not lined by epithelium. We are presenting a rare case of a pseudocyst of the back located within the paravertebral muscles at a tertiary care center. CASE DESCRIPTION: Patient presented with a progressively enlarging painless back mass. CT scan was done which showed a 10 × 10 cm cystic lesion along the paravertebral muscles of the back. Surgical excision of the mass was performed revealing an irregularly shaped multilocular cyst. Final pathology showed the lesion to be a pseudocyst. DISCUSSION: Pseudocysts can arise in a variety of locations such as omentum, adrenal glands, spleen or lungs. The etiology of these pseudocysts is highly variable and can be related to trauma, inflammation, or surgery. The diagnosis of these entities requires proper imaging and histopathologic examination. CONCLUSION: Pseudocysts arise due to a myriad of conditions and their diagnosis remains a challenge. Our case comprises the first reported case of idiopathic pseudocyst of the back. Although rare, pseudocysts should be considered in the differential of unexplained masses.