Association between gallstone disease and carotid intima-media thickness: a prospective observational cross-sectional study in a tertiary care center.

Background and objectives: Gallstone disease (GD) is a prevalent health issue globally, particularly in developed nations, and has notable associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This prospective observational cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between gallstone disease and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a marker of carotid atherosclerosis, in a tertiary care setting. Method: Conducted at a tertiary care center, the study included 96 participants (48 with gallstone disease and 48 age and sex-matched controls). Data collection involved demographic information, BMI calculation, abdominal ultrasonography for gallstone detection, and carotid ultrasonography for CIMT measurement. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Results: The study revealed higher CIMT values in GD patients compared to controls (P<0.001). Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between CIMT and age (r=0.450, P<0.001) and BMI (r=0.550, P<0.001). The Cohen's d-test indicated a clinically significant difference in CIMT between GD patients and controls (d=1.47). Conclusion: This study revealed a significant association between gallstone disease and elevated CIMT, correlating with higher BMI indicating a potential link between gallstone disease and increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis. These findings highlight the importance of assessing cardiovascular risk in patients with gallstone disease, highlighting the potential utility of carotid ultrasonography as a non-invasive screening tool. Early intervention strategies may be warranted to mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with gallstone disease.

Association of detrusor wall thickness (DWT) with lower urinary tract symptom severity in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a cross-sectional study.

Background and objective: Benign prostatic hyperplasia manifests as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and prostate gland enlargement, leading to bladder outlet obstruction with consequent structural and functional impacts on the bladder. Urodynamic studies are resource-intensive and invasive. Detrusor wall thickness (DWT) assessment offers a cost-effective, reproducible alternative for evaluating LUTS severity in males with bladder outlet obstruction, utilizing ultrasonographic examination. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study, conducted at a tertiary care center from May 2023 to January 2024, included 171 patients with LUTS who underwent transabdominal ultrasound for DWT measurements. LUTS severity, assessed using International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS) classified participants into mild and moderate-to-severe symptom groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient assessed the association between DWT and IPSS, and an independent sample t-test compared means, using a significance level of 5% (P-value ≤0.05). Results: This study involved participants aged 65.01±11.55 years with an IPSS score ranging from 1 to 35, with a mean for mild and moderate-to-severe symptom groups were 4±2.12 and 15.93±6.74, respectively. DWT mean of 1.64±0.38 mm for mild, and 2.4±0.43 mm for moderate to severe symptoms. Pearson's correlation (r=0.697, n=171, P<0.001) indicated a strong DWT-LUTS correlation and a significant DWT mean difference between mild and moderate-to-severe symptom groups was found via an independent t-test (P<0.001, 95% CI: -0.8970 to -0.6414). Conclusion: The study establishes the value of transabdominal ultrasound-detected DWT as a cost-effective, noninvasive, and reproducible tool for assessing LUTS severity in males with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Intracranial osteochondroma arising from the posterior clinoid process: a rare case report with diagnostic challenges and comprehensive literature review.

Introduction and importance: Intracranial osteochondroma is rare, presenting diagnostic challenges due to overlapping imaging findings with other pathologies. This case report highlights the significance of considering osteochondroma in calcified tumour differentials near bone. Case presentation: A 34-year-old man with vision deterioration and headaches had an MRI revealing a suprasellar lesion. Intraoperatively, a bony hard tumour was partially resected. Subsequent computed tomography (CT) confirmed a calcified mass contiguous with the posterior clinoid. Clinical discussion: Reviewing 28 cases, skull base osteochondromas were common, with differential diagnoses including craniopharyngioma and meningioma. Surgical decision-making involved balancing complete resection for convexity and falx cases versus partial resection for skull base tumours due to proximity to critical structures. Conclusion: Intracranial osteochondroma poses diagnostic challenges, especially near bone. Tailored surgical approaches are vital, with complete resection yielding good outcomes for convexity and falx cases. Close follow-up is crucial for monitoring recurrences and complications.

Spondylolysis among Patients Without Low Back Pain in a Diagnostic Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Spondylolysis can either be asymptomatic or can cause significant low back pain. It is sometimes associated with the translation of one vertebra over another and is termed spondylolisthesis. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of spondylolysis among patients without low back pain in a diagnostic centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a referral diagnostic centre from 15 December 2018 to 14 December 2021 . Ethical approval was obtained from the Nepal Health Research Council (Reference number: 2903). Images of a computed tomography scan of the abdomen performed for other abdominal causes and without low back pain were reconstructed in the sagittal and coronal plane and evaluated for the presence of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine. Demographic data were taken from the hospital records. Convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 768 patients without low back pain, spondylolysis was found in 59 (7.68%) (5.80-9.56, 95% Confidence Interval). Spondylolisthesis was found in only 16 (27.1%) individuals with spondylolysis. The majority of spondylolysis cases were encountered in L5 level in 54 (91.53%). The mean age of patients with spondylolysis was 41.9±14.46 years. Male to female ratio was 1:1.18. Conclusions: The prevalence of spondylolysis in our study was found to be similar to other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: low back pain; spondylolisthesis; spondylolysis.

Assessment of Direct Signs of Localization of Central Sulcus in Normal Axial Computed Tomography Scan of Brain.

BACKGROUND: Central sulcus is relatively constant in anatomy and provides an important landmark in lesion localization in high convexity-parasagittal region. The purpose of this study was to evaluate various direct signs of localization of central sulcus in normal axial computed tomography scan of brain. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 377 patients with normal findings in computed tomography scan of brain. Anatomic relationships of high convexity-parasagittal gyri and sulci that form the base for signs used for localization of central sulcus were assessed. The frequency of visualization of each sign was noted. RESULTS: Sigmoid shape "hook" of central sulcus (87%) was the most frequent sign followed by pars bracket sign (85%), thin postcentral gyrus sign (84.5%) and superior frontal sulcus-precentral sulcus sign (81.3%). Most of the central sulcus signs showed significant positive correlations with the increasing age. Pars bracket sign was the second most common sign and did not show correlation with age. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of anatomic distortion, computed tomography anatomic techniques usually allow identification of the central sulcus on axial section with most useful sign being the sigmoid shape "hook" sign. Application of these signs in combination rather than in isolation helps to identify with near certainty the location of the central sulcus in axial plane.

Acute appendicitis secondary to hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis: A case report.

Hypertriglyceridemia led acute pancreatitis secreted exudative fluid tacked to the right iliac fossa may cause irritation of retroperitoneum leading to acute periappendicular inflammation and acute appendicitis.

Curative intent treatment of late presented extragastrointestinal stromal tumor: two identical case reports with literature review.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) occurring outside the gastrointestinal tract are known as extragastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGIST). They share some common histopathologic and molecular characteristics. This report describes two female patients who were suspected of having a mesenteric GIST, but opted for surveillance rather than definitive treatment. Upon reassessment, both patients demonstrated increased tumor mass with no evidence of distant metastasis. The intraoperative findings confirmed the conclusion of clinical and imaging studies performed preoperatively and radical excisions were performed. Histopathological examination (spindle cell neoplasm) and immunohistochemistry (CD117) confirmed EGIST. Both patients underwent Imatinib therapy following surgery with no evidence of disease recurrence or metastasis upon follow up. Although sharing histologic features with GIST, EGIST frequently demonstrates distinct characteristics that facilitate the proper diagnosis and management of EGIST. Since it is a rare and aggressive disease with a poor outcome, early detection and curative surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment.

A neglected case of chronic abdominal pain due to Lapsi seeds: A unique foreign body at unusual location.

INTRODUCTION: Foreign body ingestion is less common in healthy adult population. Obstructive symptom caused by foreign body at unusual site of gastrointestinal (GI) tract is even rarer. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 60-year-old female presented to the surgery outpatient department (SOPD) with 40-years of non-specific abdominal pain. Over the years, at various health facilities, multiple abdominal and pelvic ultrasounds were performed. No etiology was identified. A contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the abdomen found a short segment stricture in distal jejunum and dilated proximal jejunum with multiple hyper dense foreign bodies within the distal part of dilated jejunum. An exploratory laparotomy revealed multiple seed stones of Nepali Hog Plum (Scientific name: Choerospondias axillaris; Nepali Language: Lapsi) resided freely within the dilated and inflamed distal jejunum along with two marked strictures and a narrowed lumen at 7 cm apart at the terminal part of unhealthy jejunum. The seeds were successfully removed and a jejunoileal bypass was performed. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. DISCUSSION: Lapsi seeds could reside in human gastrointestinal tract for prolonged period and are indigestible in human digestive system that could lead to various inflammatory changes in gastrointestinal tracts causing obstructive symptoms. Widely consumed fruits in Nepal, lapsi seeds when swallowed even by healthy individuals, could effect in gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSION: Lapsi seeds could act as foreign body and obstruct human gastrointestinal tract. Healthcare professionals must approach mystery cases with diligence and thoroughness and timely referral to well equipped center could prevent significant morbidity.