Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma with and without nodal metastasis: A comparative analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the demographics and clinical factors of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients in Saudi Arabia and compared and analyzed the differences between the patients with and without lymph node metastasis (LNM). Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is a common thyroid cancer and is not usually detectable clinically but found incidentally after pathologic evaluation of thyroid tissue following surgery for benign thyroid disorders. However, these tumors have a significant risk of LNM. METHODS: All PTMC patients who underwent surgery at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Fahad Medical City, and King Abdulaziz Medical City from 2012 to 2022 were included. The incidence rate of LNM was 9.17%. The patients' average age was 44.05. Most of the patients were female. RESULTS: Prevalence of LNM among PTMC patients is 9.17% (n=31). The PTMC patients showed the following significant risk factors for LNM: higher Bethesda class, type of pathology, extrathyroidal extension, extracapsular extension, lymphovascular invasion, and residual tumors in patients who had received radioactive iodine. Presence of thyroiditis, multifocality, goitrous thyroid, neural invasion, and tumor size were unrelated to the LNM in the PTMC patients. CONCLUSION: Higher Bethesda class, pathology type, extrathyroidal extension, extracapsular extension, lymphovascular invasion, and RAI-treated residual tumors were strongly linked to LNM.

Alar Cartilage Hematoma: Case Report and Literature Review.

Nasal hematomas can occur after nasal trauma. It can involve the septal, alar, or all levels, with the septum being the most commonly affected site. We present a case of alar hematoma in a five-year-old boy after nasal trauma. The patient came to the emergency room complaining of nasal pain, epistaxis, and nasal deformity. A complete ear, nose, and throat examination was performed, and X-ray and computed tomography imaging of the facial bone were done to confirm the presence of a nasal alar hematoma. The alar hematoma was successfully treated via surgical evacuation. Alar cartilage hematoma is a rare entity that can lead to undesirable complications when missed.

Translation and cultural adaptation of an Arabic version of the patient scar assessment scale for thyroidectomy patients.

OBJECTIVES: To translate and validate an Arabic version of the patient scar assessment scale (PSAS). The cosmetic appearance of a thyroidectomy scar can critically influence a patient's self-esteem. Moreover, scar evaluation tools are necessary for an evidence-based approach to scar management. METHODS: This  quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted by administering an Arabic-translated version of the PSAS. The translation process included a forward translation into Arabic by 3 fluently bilingual otolaryngologists, a back-translation into English, and a comparison with the original items. The questionnaires were distributed to patients who underwent thyroidectomies. We included patients who underwent surgery at least 2 months previously. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were included in this research. The internal consistency was 0.89, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.88-0.90. The score distributions showed high correlations for all items. The Arabic-translated PSAS showed good test-retest reliability, and the Pearson correlation coefficient between the test and retest administrations was 0.84 (p<0.001). With a possible range of 6-60 points, the standard error of the mean was 5.14, and the minimal detectable change was 14.2. CONCLUSION: This Arabic version of the PSAS was reliable for use in Arabic-speaking communities. It will allow for comparisons between the results of investigations conducted in different countries, which aids in the exchange of information within the international scientific community.

Use of dietary and performance-enhancing supplements among male fitness center members in Riyadh: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to explore the health beliefs and patterns of dietary supplement usage among fitness center members. This cross-sectional study was conducted in four large indoor fitness centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This study involved male fitness center members aged ≥18 years with no speech or hearing disabilities. In-person interviews were conducted with fitness center members who agreed to participate using a newly developed questionnaire. Information on participants' sociodemographics (e.g., age and education), smoking status, health status, exercise frequency, average time spent exercising, different supplements used, used supplements sources, and health beliefs regarding dietary supplements were obtained. A total of 445 fitness center members agreed to participate, and 198 of them reported taking dietary supplements. Most participants were between the age of 18 and 25 years (66%), had a college degree (74%), non-smokers (77%), healthy (84%), and perform exercise at least thrice weekly (52%) for at least 1 hour (63%). The percentage of participants who had favorable health views on dietary supplements was significantly higher among the supplement users than among the non-users (P<0.0001). Proteins, multivitamins, amino acids, and omega 3 fatty acids were the most commonly reported supplements used. Almost 30% of the supplement users reported buying them overseas, 28% online, 25% from a pharmacy or supplement store, 19% from a medical clinic, and 17% from peddlers. Public health campaigns are needed to educate the public on the potential harmful effects of supplements if purchased from an unofficial seller or taken without seeking medical advice before using them.