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Basal cell adenoma is encountered in the salivary glands, particularly the parotid gland; however, malignant transformation is rare, and recurrence is much rarer. We report the case of a 60-year-old man who had experienced a slow-growing mass in the parotid gland, which was suspected to be pleomorphic adenoma. Radiological and cytological examination suggested an atypical lesion in the left parotid. The final diagnosis reached on the excised specimen was that of a basal cell adenocarcinoma ex adenoma with close margins. The patient presented with a recurrence after two years. Routine histopathological examination with careful examination by the pathologist is essential for proper management of such rare malignant lesions, and recurrence is a possibility. A complete excision of the tumor with tumor-free margins from the beginning is suggested.
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Background The practice of self-medication (SM) is the use of self-consuming medication without consulting healthcare which carries its own risks. SM patterns differ across populations and are influenced by several factors. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of SM practices in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia, to identify the factors contributing to this practice and develop effective strategies to decrease its occurrence and associated risks. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted in Al Baha Province, Saudi Arabia, over two weeks in July 2023, with a sample of 580 participants. Eligible participants were males and females, both Saudi and non-Saudi, aged 18-65. The data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire. Results Of all participants, 48.7% admitted taking medications without a healthcare practitioner's prescription in the last three months. Analgesics were the most common SM (29.1%), followed by vitamins and minerals (16.2%), and antipyretics (14.1%). The side effects experienced from SM included nausea (24.5%), headache (20.5%), and shortness of breath (8.7%). Regarding the source of medication, the majority (61.9%) obtained medications from a pharmacy and 14.6% used existing stock. Age was significantly associated with higher rates in the 18-29 and 40-49 age groups. Educational status was significantly associated with higher SM among graduates. Regarding reading medical instructions, 39.2% always read, 47.7% sometimes read, and 13.1% never read. Regarding antibiotic SM, 61 participants reported using over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotics. Common reasons for use included sore throat (27.8%) and common cold (19.6%). The most common reason for SM was to save time (25.9%), followed by avoiding crowds and long waits (17.1%). Conclusions A significant prevalence of SM practice concerning antibiotic misuse and sex differences with female dominance was detected. We recommend further public awareness activities from related organizations and more regulations for OTC prescription practices to ensure safe SM practices. In addition, further research is needed to explore SM patterns.
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AIM: Multidisciplinary, as a term, is used to define people from different scientific backgrounds working together, each drawing on their field of expertise. Some related terms are frequently used interchangeably, such as interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary, but they are confusing and ambiguous. Introduction of a multidisciplinary teaching method in the early phases of medical curricula is insufficient for effective learning. Here, we aim to implement a multidisciplinary approach in the early phase of medical education and identify outcomes. METHODS: Two groups were evaluated in this study, each representing phases II and III of the Albaha medical curriculum, and including 90 and 86 students, respectively. "Hearing tests and their clinical applications" was selected as a subject to evaluate the understanding of special senses as studied by the phase II group, while "pathology of otolaryngology-related tumors and clinical correlations" was selected as a subject to evaluate the understanding of otolaryngology as studied by the phase III group. These subjects were selected by faculty members from otolaryngology, pathology and physiology departments and taught in successive stations. Teaching sessions were followed by a formative test that included 10 multiple-choice questions and a mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX). A questionnaire to evaluate student satisfaction was completed after the exam. RESULTS: Students' satisfaction for the "hearing tests and their clinical applications" and "pathology of otolaryngology-related tumors and clinical correlations" subjects were 80% and 90.5%, respectively. The formative assessment revealed good student performance at 63.28%, and 60.46% of all students in both phases attained scores above 80%. CONCLUSION: Introduction of a multidisciplinary approach early in the medical curriculum improves knowledge and skill acquisition. This is reflected in student performance, especially if evaluated using the mini-CEX format, thus providing rapid feedback to students concerning their performance.
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OBJECTIVES: To assess the quality and quantity of Saudi publications in oncology over a 10-year period. METHODS: A systematic PubMed search was conducted between January 2008 and December 2017 to retrieve all Saudi oncology publications. Data about the articles was collected. The level of evidence (LOE) was independently assessed by 2 authors. Two 5-year periods (2008-2012 and 2013-2017) were compared using the relevant parameters. Clinicaltrials.gov was also searched for all oncology trials registered in Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: A total of 839 publications met our inclusion criteria. The most common type of research was case series, totaling 32% of all publications. Clinical trials formed less than 2% of the total. The LOE was I, II, III, and IV in 0.3%, 2.1%, 58.4%, and 39.3% of the included publications, respectively. The LOE was the same in the 2 periods. There were more publications in international journals (p=0.004), more international collaborations (p=0.001), and higher journal impact factors (p=0.037) in 2013-2017 than in 2008-2012. Only 76 registered clinical trials were found in the Clinicaltrials.gov registry. CONCLUSION: Despite an increase in the number of Saudi publications in the field of oncology over time, the LOE did not change. There were, however, some improvements in the international collaboration and journal impact factor, as well as an increase in the number of studies published in international journals. These observations call for a national strategy to improve oncology research in Saudi Arabia.