Fontanellar bone - A rarity in pediatric cranial abnormalities.

Background: Fontanelles, membranous gaps in the infant skull, are integral for accommodating the expansion of the skull by the growing brain postnatally. The anterior fontanelle, situated at the frontal-parietal bone intersection, typically closes gradually within the first two years. Fontanellar bone, an exceedingly rare ossification anomaly of the anterior fontanelle, clinically mimics craniosynostosis. Case Description: We present the case of a 22-day-old male with an almost closed anterior fontanelle who underwent evaluation. Prenatal and postnatal history were unremarkable. Physical examination revealed a well-nourished infant with a nearly closed fontanelle but no other anomalies. The initial diagnosis was craniosynostosis; however, a head computed tomography scan revealed fontanellar bone. Consequently, a conservative management approach with regular follow-ups was adopted. Conclusion: This case provides valuable insights into fontanellar bone, emphasizing its consideration in differential diagnoses for almost closed anterior fontanelles. The report aims to enhance awareness and understanding of this rare condition, promoting accurate diagnosis and optimal patient outcomes.

Internal carotid artery ectasia: A case report of incidental diagnosis after post-traumatic headache.

Internal carotid artery ectasia (ICAE) is a rare vascular abnormality characterized by dilation and tortuosity of the internal carotid artery (ICA) beyond normal limits. ICAE is typically asymptomatic but can manifest with symptoms such as headache and dizziness. The exact cause of ICAE remains uncertain, but both congenital and acquired factors, including trauma, have been implicated. A 35-year-old female presented to the Emergency Room with severe headache and dizziness following a traumatic injury. Neurological examination revealed no deficits. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed an elongated and prominent right supraclinoid internal carotid artery with mural wall calcification. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the diagnosis of internal carotid artery ectasia (ICAE) without significant stenosis or malformation. The patient remained asymptomatic during follow-up visits. Proactive monitoring was advised to detect potential complications at an early stage. This case emphasizes the incidental detection of ICAE in a patient with post-traumatic headache. ICAE is a rare condition with an elusive etiology, and its management depends on factors such as symptom severity and associated risks. Conservative management is often recommended for asymptomatic cases.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior of Medical Students with Regard to Concussions: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Concussions, categorized as mild traumatic brain injuries, result from traumatic events and present a significant concern within the field of traumatic brain injuries. Understanding the multifaceted pathophysiology of concussions, their diverse symptomatology, and their appropriate management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals. This study explores the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of medical students at King Faisal University in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia regarding concussions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess a diverse group of medical students at King Faisal University in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Participants were surveyed using a questionnaire covering socio-demographic information, knowledge assessment, attitude assessment, and behavior assessment. RESULTS: Of the 315 participants, 68.3% demonstrated good knowledge about concussions. Participants generally recognized concussions as a type of traumatic brain injury (68.9%) and believed it was necessary to report concussion symptoms to a doctor (80.3%). However, certain misconceptions existed, such as the belief that all patients with concussion should rest for seven days (31.7%). Participants primarily obtained information from teachers (100%) and the internet and social media (81.6%). CONCLUSION: While medical students at King Faisal University in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia generally exhibited good knowledge about concussions, specific knowledge gaps and misconceptions were seen to exist. To ensure comprehensive understanding and promote appropriate management, continuous education, and awareness campaigns are essential, with healthcare providers playing a pivotal role in knowledge dissemination.

Factors Influencing Medical Students' Interest in Dermatology: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Introduction The demand for dermatologists is increasing due to the rising prevalence of skin diseases and the growing importance of dermatological care. However, there is limited research investigating the factors that influence medical students' interest in pursuing dermatology as a career option in Saudi Arabia, specifically in the Eastern Province. Methods This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the impact of dermatology rotation experience on the interest and perception of medical students and interns in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The participants consisted of medical students and interns located specifically in the Eastern Province. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire that captured socio-demographic characteristics and evaluated the impact of dermatology rotation experience using a 3-point Likert scale. Convenient non-probability sampling was employed by sharing the questionnaire link on popular social media platforms. Results A total of 697 medical students from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia participated in this study, with an almost equal distribution between genders. A substantial proportion of participants expressed a strong preference for dermatology as their future career. While approximately 60% had completed a dermatology rotation, more than half found the process tiring. However, most participants agreed that dermatology offers flexible working hours, a better lifestyle, superior career options, and higher earnings compared to other healthcare professions. The study also revealed that factors such as age, marital status, academic level, GPA (grade point average), and income influenced the impact of the dermatology rotation. Conclusion This study sheds light on the factors influencing medical students' interest in dermatology and their perceptions of dermatology rotations. The findings emphasize the importance of diversity, early exposure, educational interventions, and supportive environments in promoting dermatology as a career choice. Overcoming barriers, enhancing transparency in assessment systems, and improving educational experiences can further foster interest in dermatology among medical students and address the growing demand for dermatological care.

The Prevalence and Clinical Features of Skin Irritation Caused by Infection Prevention Measures During COVID-19 in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), caused by a novel coronavirus (CoV), was reported at the end of 2019 and caused a severe public health concern. It caused high mortalities by respiratory failure among infected people and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. This virus caused infections through air or direct contact which documented a huge number of fatalities. AIM: This study aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on skin eczema of the general public in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, survey-based study, that was conducted via an online survey distributed to the general population of Riyadh for the period between January and February 2023. Data was collected through a questionnaire which was distributed through the social media websites. RESULTS: A total of 697 participants were involved in this study. Around one-fifth of the study participants (19.5%) reported that they suffer from some form of allergy and have family history of allergy (21.8%). Eczema was the most common type of allergy among the study participants accounting for 32.4%. A total of 116 participants (16.6%) reported that they have personal history of hand eczema or other skin disease on the hands. Cleaning and sterilization materials were reported as the most common cause of dryness and irritation of eczema (62.1%). Around 41.0% of the participants reported that they noticed a worsening of their symptoms after the pandemic, of which dryness was the most commonly reported sign noticed getting worse by 68.1% of the participants. The vast majority of the participants (89.7%) reported that new skin symptoms emerged on their hands after the beginning of the pandemic, of which dryness was reported by all the participants. CONCLUSION: A considerable proportion of participants, particularly those with a history of hand eczema, experienced dermatological difficulties, including skin damage, due to the usage of COVID-19 preventive strategies. Thus, we recommend increasing the use of innovative infection prevention approaches and skin protection measures, such as regular hand hydration and maybe the use of less toxic skin disinfectants.

Sacrococcygeal Meningocele Antenatally Misdiagnosed as Teratoma: A Case Report.

Sacrococcygeal masses encompass a diverse range of pathologies. Prenatal ultrasound facilitates early detection of congenital sacrococcygeal masses. We present the case of a newborn of a 22-year-old woman who was identified to have a sacrococcygeal mass by prenatal ultrasound that was initially diagnosed as sacrococcygeal teratoma. On examination after delivery, a large midline mass in the sacrococcygeal region was observed, which was globular in shape and had smooth, thin skin with bluish discoloration. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic lesion that protruded through a caudal sacral defect, consistent with a sacrococcygeal meningocele. The patient underwent surgical repair of the meningocele without any intraoperative complications and had preserved motor function in the lower extremities after the procedure. This case underscores the challenge of distinguishing sacrococcygeal teratoma from meningocele based on clinical presentation and prenatal ultrasound findings. An accurate preoperative diagnosis is essential for effective surgical planning.

Spontaneous Rupture of Arachnoid Cyst in a Child: A Rare Case Report.

An arachnoid cyst is a benign lesion filled with cerebrospinal fluid that usually develops in the middle cranial fossa. The arachnoid cyst may become symptomatic if it has a large size or when it gets ruptured. Spontaneous rupture of an arachnoid cyst is a very rare complication. We report the case of an 11-year-old girl who was brought to the emergency department with a complaint of a progressive headache that was associated with vomiting. On examination, she was found to have papilledema. Subsequently, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed to exclude any space-occupying lesion. The scan demonstrated a right extra-axial temporal lesion, measuring 7.8 x 5.4 x 4.9 cm on maximum dimensions, along with an extension to the right cerebral convexity in a crescentic shape. The lesion follows the signal intensity of cerebrospinal fluid on all sequences and exhibited no post-contrast enhancement or restricted diffusion. The lesion exerted a mass effect in the form of compression of the right temporal lobe. These findings were consistent with an arachnoid cyst with subdural hygroma. The patient was referred to the neurosurgery team. Then, the right temporal arachnoid cyst was drained through the right temporal craniotomy and the subdural hygroma was drained through a frontal Burr hole. The patient was seen after one month in the pediatrics clinic and was completely asymptomatic.

The psychosocial burden of androgenetic alopecia in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The most prevalent cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia. Improved therapeutic modalities may result from knowing how stress affects hair growth, incorporating stress-coping methods into the treatment of hair loss disorders, and developing new pharmacotherapeutic approaches. This study aimed to examine the psychosocial burden of androgenetic alopecia in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey study was conducted among patients with androgenetic alopecia in Saudi Arabia in February 2023. A previously developed questionnaire was adapted from a previously published tool and used in this study. This association between patients' characteristics and the level of psychosocial disease was identified using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: This study included 1230 patients. The majority of the patients (78.0%) reported that they felt embarrassed by their androgenetic alopecia. The median score of the psychosocial impact of androgenetic alopecia on the patients was 1.00 (0.00-2.00), which is equal to 10.0%, reflecting a low level of psychosocial burden on the patients by their condition. Binary logistic regression analysis identified that patients without a family history of androgenetic alopecia were 36.0% less likely to be affected psychosocially by their condition (P < 0.01). Conclusions: A low-level psychosocial effect was seen in our study among individuals with androgenetic alopecia. Further research should be done to determine how the type of alopecia affects patients' psychological results, as well as the influence of the disease's duration on those outcomes. Dermatologists are recommended to raise patients' knowledge of their disease and lessen stigmatization in the meantime.

Factors Shaping Medical Students' Intentions Toward Neurosurgery: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Choosing a medical specialty poses a significant challenge for students, with initial fascinations often evolving during their academic journey. Despite its inherent appeal, neurosurgery faces hesitancy among undergraduate students, potentially due to perceived difficulties and time demands. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing medical students' intentions toward neurosurgery at two institutions in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing a validated, anonymous questionnaire distributed electronically to medical students and interns in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire comprised two sections, namely, demographic and academic profiles, and participants' intentions, knowledge, and attitudes toward neurosurgery. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, and chi-square tests to explore relationships and identify significant predictors. Results Of the participants, 197 (34.1%) expressed interest in neurosurgery, but only 94 (16.3%) had a comprehensive understanding of the field. Motivations included high income, specialty prestige, and positive impact on patients, while stress and work-life balance were common deterring factors. Age and academic years were associated with a gradual decrease in interest, except for initial medical school students. Participants were attracted to innovative technological aspects, while high competition and neurophobia were deterring factors. Conclusions This study provides a comprehensive analysis of determinants influencing medical students' and interns' interest in neurosurgery. Early exposure, clinical training, and personal motivations play significant roles in shaping career preferences. Challenges, such as perceived difficulties and concerns related to work-life balance, need targeted interventions to enhance neurosurgery's attractiveness. Considerations extend beyond technical and academic facets to encompass personal and lifestyle dimensions.

Pituitary ​​​​Apoplexy​​ With Pituitary Macroadenoma in a Patient With ​​Asymptomatic ​​​COVID-19: ​​A Case ​​​Report.

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that usually occurs in the setting of a pre-existing pituitary tumor, which may be undiagnosed. There are a growing number of reports describing the pituitary apoplexy associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We present the case of a 41-year-old man who presented with a gradually worsening headache for four days. It was a bilateral frontal headache of sharp quality with no radiation. He scored the headache as 9 out of 10 on the 10-point severity scale. He had no previous episodes of similar headaches. Fundoscopic examination revealed bilateral optic disc blurring suggestive of papilledema and cranial nerves examination revealed bilateral hemianopia. The patient was admitted for further investigation and management. As part of the admission protocol, the patent underwent a nasopharyngeal swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which yielded positive results. Computed tomography demonstrated a large solid intrasellar mass with areas of high density suggesting hemorrhage along with a small amount of subarachnoid hemorrhage space in the left parietal lobe. The findings were consistent with pituitary apoplexy in the setting of pituitary macroadenoma. Intravenous hydrocortisone was administered. The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgical resection of the pituitary tumor, which resulted in significant improvement in the patient's symptoms. Pituitary apoplexy is a rare condition. The case suggests that COVID-19 may predispose to the development of pituitary apoplexy.