ABSTRACT
Background: In Palestine, cervical cancer is the third most common gynaecological cancer, exhibiting higher mortality rates compared to regional counterparts. Late-stage diagnosis and limited awareness contribute to this disparity. This study aims to assess the awareness of Palestinian medical students regarding cervical cancer prevention. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey involving 532 medical students from various Palestinian universities was conducted between October 2023 and December 2023. The survey encompassed closed-ended quantitative and demographic questions distributed through social media. Results: The study was carried out on a group of 532 medical students (66.3% women and 33.6% men), (average age 21.7 years). Most students (77.7%) knew that the main risk factor for cervical cancer was human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Participants doing the internship had the greatest knowledge, whereas students from the first year had the poorest knowledge about the main risk factors for cancer of the cervix. Only about half, 50.2% of all students, knew that in Palestine, there is no screening program. 84.4% of students correctly indicated that the cervical cancer screening test is a pap smear test. 41.4% of respondents knew that microscopic evaluation of the exfoliated cells from the vaginal part of the cervix is the screening test for cervical cancer which is used. Only about half of the students (45.1%) knew that there were no specific early symptoms of cervical cancer. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for enhanced education, particularly regarding screening program awareness, among Palestinian medical students. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial for effective preventive strategies.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Variations in the branches of the abdominal aorta are relatively prevalent and can impact certain surgeries. The accurate identification and differentiation of these variations pre- and intraoperatively are crucial to avoid negative clinical sequelae. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of variations in some branches of the abdominal aorta and to identify the most frequent variants as well as any rare variants not previously classified in the existing classification systems. The study's findings may help improve the understanding and management of these variations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Radiology at An-Najah National University Hospital (NNUH) and included 550 abdominal computed tomography (CT) angiographic scans for patients (51.5% males, 48.5% females) performed between January 2017 and January 2023. RESULTS: Variations were most common in the hepatic arteries (34.7%), followed by the renal arteries (31.3%). Variations in the celiac trunk were the least frequent (9.8%). The gastro-splenic trunk (type V) was the most common celiac trunk variant. The most common hepatic artery variant was the replacement of the right hepatic artery (type III). Accessory renal arteries were more frequent on the left side and among males (P = 0.01). The celiac trunk variations had a significant association with the hepatic artery variations (P = 0.001) and the renal artery variations (P = 0.011), respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of anatomical variations in the described vessels, and it matches the results in the reported literature. Our findings also suggest the possible coexistence of variants. We have also encountered rare variants, especially in the hepatic arterial system. Some of the hepatic arterial system variants are not included in the older classification systems, calling for an extension of the old systems (Michel's and Hiatt classification systems) or replacement with the newer (CRL or EX-CRL classification systems) to account for rare variants not previously classified. Radiologists and surgeons should be proficient in identifying and differentiating these variations to take precautions and actions for each variant individually.
ABSTRACT
Arm wrestling is a popular recreational activity that involves intense and repetitive muscular contractions of the upper extremity. Arm wrestling can result in various musculoskeletal injuries, including bone fractures. Humeral shaft fractures, particularly spiral fractures, are the most common fractures resulting from arm wrestling. Here, we present a case of a 25-year-old male patient who sustained a distal humerus spiral fracture during an arm-wrestling competition. The patient was managed conservatively with external reduction, cast stabilization, and physiotherapy with good outcomes. Despite initial angulation and rotation, the fracture healed well, and the patient regained full function of his arm within eight weeks. This case highlights the biomechanical aspects and risk factors of this type of fracture during arm wrestling and the value of protective measures such as proper technique, training, and protective equipment. It also highlights the potential for conservative management in such cases.
ABSTRACT
Pseudo-pneumothorax refers to several conditions that can mimic pneumothorax on chest radiography, leading to diagnostic uncertainty and unnecessary interventions. These include skin folds, bed sheet folds, clothes, scapular borders, pleural cysts, and elevated hemidiaphragm. We report a case of a 64-year-old patient with pneumonia whose chest radiograph revealed, in addition to the typical pneumonia findings, what appeared similar to bilateral pleural lines raising the suspicion of bilateral pneumothorax, but this finding was not supported clinically. Careful reexamination and further imaging ruled out the possibility of pneumothorax and concluded that this was the result of artifacts produced by skin folds. The patient was admitted and received intravenous antibiotics and was discharged three days later in stable condition. Our case highlights the importance of careful examination of imaging findings before unnecessarily proceeding to tube thoracostomy, especially when the clinical suspicion of pneumothorax is low.
