E- Learning experience of the medical profession's college students during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, most of educational institutions have moved to online electronic learning methods because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 8, 2020, the Saudi Ministry of Education announced remote learning for public and private schools and universities as a preventive and precautionary measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The objective of this study was to explore the e-learning experience of the students of the colleges of health sciences with regard to the technical preparedness, academic achievements, e-learning advantages and limitations. A well-structured and validated questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale and open-ended questions about their e-learning experience was distributed to a heterogeneous purposive sample of the health sciences students in Saudi Arabian universities. RESULTS: Of the 1288 respondents, of various demographical features a relatively higher proportion of 58.2 % agreed that they had enough information about the online learning. However, the proportion who reported receiving adequate guidance, technical support, and having satisfactory hardware and internet access to online learning were 48.1 %, 42, and 35.4 %, respectively. Of all participants, 40.8 % agreed that they had gained a good understanding of their courses learning outcomes. Only 30.0 % agreed that the quality of the online teaching was similar to traditional classes and 56.1 % agreed that the online learning is unsuitable for the medical sciences studies. E-learning advantages mentioned were the flexible accessibility of the learning materials, time, effort, and money saving, acquiring and improving technical and self-learning skills, health safety, interaction without shyness, and better academic accomplishment. On the other hand, disadvantages and difficulties included inadequate tools to facilitate online learning, poor internet connection, lack of technological skills by the educators and students. In addition, there was inadequate or lack of practical classes, lack of a unified clear policy for the conduct of online classes and exams and grade distribution, limited online exam time. CONCLUSIONS: The sudden shift to e-learning without prior preparedness has revealed some pitfalls that need to be adjusted. The initial findings were considered satisfactory for such a new experience for both learners and students. However, there is a great chance for improving and expanding the e-learning process.

Inherited paediatric neurometabolic disorders, can brain magnetic resonance imaging predict?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diagnostic capability of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detection of inherited neurometabolic disorders. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was performed in Radiology Department at our Hospital in Dhahran, from January 2013 to January 2020. We evaluated brain MRIs of children (under 5) who were referred to pediatric neurology for clinical suspicion of neuro-developmental delay and metabolic disease. Known perinatal ischemia and birth trauma cases were excluded. Imaging criteria included: (i) bilateral symmetric white matter signal abnormality, (ii) diffusion restriction affecting bilateral deep grey nuclei with or without brainstem involvement, (iii) brain atrophy or edema with abnormal white matter signal, (iv) characteristic MR spectroscopic finding. Presence of any one of these findings was considered positive for neurometabolic disease. Two neuroradiologists interpreted MRIs with substantial interobserver agreement. Diagnoses were confirmed on biochemical/ metabolic screening and genetic testing. A 2 x 2 contingency table was used for results. Chi square test was used to determine association. RESULTS: Out of 133 cases, 72 (49 males, 90% AR) were found to have neurometabolic disorders. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated as 81.94% (CI, 71.11-90.02), 67.21% (CI, 54.00-78.69), 74.68% (CI, 66.96-81.11) and 75.93% (CI, 65.16-84.17) respectively. Findings were found significant (p-value=0.0001). CONCLUSION: Brain MRI can help to predict inherited neurometabolic disorders considering certain findings.

Is Duplex carotid artery screening prior to CABG justified?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of duplex carotid artery screening in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). METHODS: This descriptive, observational study was conducted in Radiology Department at King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from April 2015-2018. All Saudi patients (n=178) who underwent duplex carotid sonography prior to CABG were retrospectively reviewed for essential morphologic and hemodynamic information to estimate severity of extra-cranial internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis. Patients with combined CABG and cardiac surgery, and those with limited carotid studies were excluded. Advancing age (65 years or above), gender, smoking, obesity, diabetes (DM), hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia, coronary vessel disease, cardiac disease and previous stroke were recorded. Post-coronary artery bypass graft neurologic event (namely, transient ischemic attack [TIA] or stroke) was recorded. Chi-square test was used to determine association of stenosis degree with post-CABG neurologic event. RESULTS: One hundred twenty eight patients (72%) were having ICA disease, while significant carotid artery stenosis (>70%) was seen in 11 patients (6.2%). Post-coronary artery bypass graft neurologic event was seen in 4.5% of patients. Advancing age, significant ICA stenosis and multi-vessel coronary disease were seen associated with a post-CABG event. CONCLUSION: Significant ICA stenosis on duplex screening in elderly patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease or certain risk factors may predict post-CABG stroke.

Left lower limb deep venous thrombosis, May-Thurner syndrome and endovascular management.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) in left lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT) cases and to analyze the outcome of endovascular intervention in these patients. METHODS: A record-based descriptive study was carried out in Radiology Department, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, including patients who underwent lower limb duplex ultrasounds between January 2015-2021. Patients with bilateral DVTs, known pelvic masses, and pelvic surgeries were excluded. All patients positive for DVTs were identified and further imaging was reviewed. Left common iliac vein compression of 50% or more on computed tomography (CT) was considered positive for MTS. Endovascular interventions (venoplasty alone or with stenting) were evaluated and success recorded by observing patency of vein on follow-up imaging or improvement of symptoms on follow-up visits. RESULTS: Of 182 patients with left lower limb duplex studies, 51 patients were positive for DVTs. A total of 37 patients had CTs and 21 patients had MTS (17 females, 3 males). A total of 15 patients underwent endovascular interventions, 2 patients had venoplasties alone (one successful) and 13 patients had venoplasties with stenting (10 successful). CONCLUSION: Patients with MTS as cause of DVT may benefit from early endovascular intervention.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: An often overlooked cause of abdominal pain!

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome in patients presenting with abdominal pains, and to evaluate computed tomographic (CT) findings needed for its diagnosis. METHODS: This retrospective record-based study was carried out at the radiology department, from January 2016 to January 2021. All young patients (aged under 25) who underwent CT scans for abdominal pains were reviewed. Post-surgery, tumor, and trauma cases were excluded. Imaging findings for SMA syndrome were recorded as 'suggestive' (reduced aortomesenteric angle and distance with proximal duodenal dilatation), 'possible' (reduced angle and distance without proximal duodenal dilatation) and 'probable' (reduction of either angle or distance). Two radiologists interpreted the findings and consensus reporting was made. Diagnoses were confirmed on clinical grounds (symptomatic improvement by specific treatment and exclusion of other diagnoses), or barium studies. Imaging findings were compared to final diagnoses. McNemar's Chi-square test was used to determine association. RESULTS: Out of 141 patients (mean age=10.8, standard deviation=4), 7 (4.9%) patients mostly females were having SMA syndromes based on 'suggestive' imaging criteria (p=0.0005), and one patient underwent surgery. CONCLUSION: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is not an uncommon condition and should be considered in differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in young patients after excluding other diagnoses.

Imaging trend and disease course in admitted COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To describe radiographic imaging findings and disease course in admitted Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. METHODS: This retrospective study was carried in the Radiology Department, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Dhahran between March to August 2020 (6 months). All laboratory confirmed COVID-19 admitted cases were evaluated for their symptoms, duration of hospital stays (in a ward or intensive care unit [ICU]), and imaging findings (ground-glass opacity [GGO], air-space shadowing/consolidation, and others such as atelectasis, reticulation, peribronchovascular thickening, lymphadenopathy and pleural effusion) on chest radiograph (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) studies. Cavitation, nodularity, bronchiectasis, and embolism detected on CT scans were considered as complications. Disease course in terms of recovery (radiographic regression or resolution of findings), worsening (shifting from ward to ICU), and unfavorable outcome (persistent ICU stay or death) were recorded. Imaging findings were interpreted by 2 experienced radiologists and consensus reporting was made. Chi-square test was used to determine association. Results: Out of 106 patients, majority were males (n=82, 77.4%). Forty-six patients (43.3%) had abnormal imaging with mostly peripheral GGO (56.5%), followed by consolidations (34.7%), and others (26%). Complications were detected in 6 ICU patients. All patients with unfavorable outcomes were above 60 years having comorbidities or complications (p less than 0.0005). Fatality rate was calculated as 2.8. Conclusion: Coronavirus disease 2019 is seen mostly affecting males, with peripheral opacities as common imaging findings. Elderly patients with co-morbidities may show unfavorable outcomes.

Detection of Left Ventricular Thrombi on Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Viability Studies.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight detection of left ventricular thrombi on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) viability studies. METHOD: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Radiology Department at our Hospital in Dhahran, from April 2015-2019. All recently re-perfused (post-percutaneous coronary intervention/PCI) patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI), having low ejection fractions (<40%), impaired LV functions or abnormal wall motions on transthoracic echocardiographies (TTEs), who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging viability studies were included. Patients with incomplete or limited studies (due to artifacts), previous coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), those who lost follow-ups, and those who were contraindicated or unfit for MRIs were excluded. An area of low signal intensity with no late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was defined as thrombus on MR imaging, and two radiologists reached consensus report for the diagnoses. Patients with anterior or non-anterior wall MI were documented, and their ejection fractions were recorded. Percentage estimation of LV thrombi as detected on CMR studies was made. Any complications (like MI, stroke or death) that occurred within one year of diagnoses were documented. A Chi-square was used to determine association. RESULTS: Of the 125 patients, most were men (71.2%) with a mean age of 56.78 years. Eleven patients had left ventricular thrombi (8.8%), and most of these were anterior wall infarctions with low ejection fractions (<40%). Three out of 11 patients with LV thrombi developed complications versus 3 out of 114 without LV thrombi (P- value, .0005). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular thrombi can be detected on cardiac viability studies in recently re-perfused STEMI patients and may possibly predict the risk of complications.

Computed tomography pulmonary angiography using high-pitch dual-source scanner technology.

OBJECTIVES: To compare use of ultra-fast high-pitch dual-source free-breathing computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) with conventional standard-pitch single-source breath-hold CTPA. Methods: This retrospective comparative study was conducted in Radiology Department at King Fahad Military Medical Complex Dhahran, Saudi Arabia from July 2016 to December 2017. Patients (N=130) were divided into 2 groups, each having 65 consecutive patients; Group-1 (single-source CT) and Group-2 (dual-source CT). Previously treated pulmonary embolism cases, pregnant patients and those with incomplete data were excluded. Image quality was subjectively assessed by 2 readers for adequacy of contrast opacification and pulmonary vessel outline, and presence of artifacts (breathing motion, cardiac pulsation, and contrast related). Scan acquisition times and radiation doses were also compared. Chi-square and t-test were used to determine association. Results: Improved image quality (optimal studies without artifacts 91%) was seen in Group-2 compared to Group-1 (optimal studies without artifacts 75.4%). Also, reduced scan time (1-2 sec.) and radiation dose (mean dose length product (DLP)-248 mGy-cm) were observed in Group-2 compared to Group-1 (scan time- 6.5 sec, mean DLP-375). Results were found significant (p less than 0.05). Conclusion: High-pitch dual-source CT with free-breathing yields better image quality, reduces image acquisition time and radiation doses.