Sonographic measurement of splenic size and its correlation with body parameters.

There are controversies regarding the normal size of the adult spleen and its correlation with age, sex and body parameters. The present study aimed to establish a reference value of splenic dimensions, volume and their correlations with different body parameters. The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 healthy adult volunteers of both sexes. Age, sex, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. The ultrasound measurements of spleen parameters included length, thickness and width. The spleen volume was calculated using the standard prolate ellipsoid formula (length x thickness x width x0.523). The mean ± SD age was 38.7±14 years, the mean height was 166±9.9 cm, the mean weight was 74.7±15.8 kg and the mean BMI was 27±5 kg/m2. The mean spleen length, thickness, width and volume were 10.68±1.28 cm, 4.1±0.58 cm, 7.3±0.9 cm and 174.4±52.4 ml, respectively. Males had larger spleen parameters than females. Spleen volume significantly correlated with the subjects' height (r=0.655, P<0.001) and weight (r=0.643, P<0.001). However, weaker correlations were detected between age (r=-0.238, P<0.001) and BMI (r=0.299, P<0.001) with spleen volume. A higher significant correlation was found between spleen volume and spleen length rather than with its thickness and width. In the present study, the normative data of splenic dimensions and volume have been provided and may be used in certain clinical situations.

Myocardial infarction following COVID-19 vaccine administration; a systematic review.

Introduction: Covid-19 vaccines have been assessed in randomized trials, which are designed to establish efficacy and safety, but are insufficient in power to detect rare adverse outcomes. Among the adverse cardiac events associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are inflammations (e.g., pericarditis or myocarditis), thrombosis, and ischemia. Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate the reported cases of myocardial infarction (MI) after COVID-19 vaccinations. Method: Web of Science, MEDLINE on OVID, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched for English-language papers published until March 25, 2022. Results: This study included 15 papers (10 case reports and 5 case series). In total, 20 individuals were included who had received COVID-19 vaccines and experienced MI. Males (55%) reported more adverse occurrences than females (45%) across the majority of event categories. The mean time from the administration of the vaccine to the onset of symptoms was 2 days (0-10 days). The AstraZeneca vaccine was responsible for more than half of the reported events. In the majority of cases, the event developed after receiving the first dose of vaccination. Conclusion: MI related to COVID19 vaccination is a rare, but serious and life-threatening condition. Chest discomfort should be regarded as a warning sign, particularly in people who have been administered a dose of the vaccine within the previous two days.

Pattern of facial nerve palsy during parotidectomy: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to report and analyze the prevalence of permanent facial nerve paralysis following parotidectomy for various benign and malignant lesions in a single center. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included all patients who underwent parotidectomy (total and superficial) for benign and malignant tumors and chronic inflammatory diseases during a 6-year period. Patients who had previously undergone an operation of the parotid gland and those with preoperative facial weakness were excluded. RESULTS: The study included 127 patients ranging in age from 14 to 83 years (median, 45.89 years). Most patients were female (n = 83, 65.4%). The most prevalent procedure was superficial parotidectomy (n = 117, 92.1%), followed by total parotidectomy (n = 6, 4.7%). The average operative duration was 138 minutes (range, 80-400 minutes). Histopathology revealed that 109 (85.8%) patients had benign tumors, 14 (11.0%) had malignant tumors, and 4 (3.1%) had chronic sialadenitis. Only two patients sustained an injury to the cervical branch of the facial nerve. CONCLUSION: In this single-center experience of parotid surgery, the rates of transient and permanent facial paralysis were acceptably low at 9.0% and 1.6%, respectively, for all pathologies.

Multiple angiolipoma of the hand, back, and abdomen; a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Angiolipoma is a rare and benign variant of lipoma that usually occurs as single or multiple entities. The aim of this study is to present a case of multiple angiolipoma located in the hand, back, and abdomen. CASE REPORT: A 38-year-old male presented with multiple swellings in his body for a 6-year duration. Physical examination revealed 3 painless masses in the hands, back, and abdomen. Laboratory findings were normal and ultrasound (US) examination suggested multiple body lipoma. The patient was managed with total excision and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of benign angiolipoma. No reoccurrence was observed upon follow-up. DISCUSSION: Angiolipoma mainly composed of a mixture of proliferating blood vessels and mature adipose tissues, with a degree of vascularity much higher than that of a normal lipoma. It has a slow growing nature that it can be presented as single or multiple neoplasia. It is reported to be more common in the young adult population with male predominance. CONCLUSION: Angiolipoma is a rare variant of lipoma. It rarely occurs in the hands, especially as a painless mass. Histopathology is required for definitive diagnosis.

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath in a 5-year-old child; A case report.

INTRODUCTION: and importance: Giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath in children have rarely been reported in the literature. This study aims to present a case of giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath on the big toe of a 5-year-old child. CASE PRESENTATION: A 5-year-old girl presented with a painless swelling over the dorsal aspect of right big toe for 2 weeks. Physical examination revealed non-tender rubbery like swelling over the dorsal aspect of the right big toe. Ultrasound scan of the swelling showed a 17 × 7 mm oval-shaped subcutaneous hypoechoic lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging showed evidence of 20× 8 mm well-defined fusiform soft tissue lesion scalloping the bone. Under general anesthesia, the mass was totally excised. Microscopic sectioning showed a mixture of fibroblasts and histiocyte like cells associated with multinucleated giant cells in the vascular connective tissue stroma with the definite diagnosis of the giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath. DISCUSSION: These tumors mostly compose of several types of cell like synovial, siderophages, foam, inflammatory and multinucleate giant cells. The major etiological factors that induce development of this tumor could be traumatic, inflammatory, metabolic or neoplastic disease. CONCLUSION: although it is a sporadic finding, giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath might affect the lower limb in children. Complete excision is the main modality of treatment.

Scarf pin inhalation; presentation and management; a case series.

BACKGROUND: Pin inhalation is an accidental entry of a pin into the respiratory passages. This study aims to shed the light on pin inhalation as a hazard and show the magnitude of such preventable thoracic problem and determine the safest method of management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective single center case series, conducted during 18 month period from January 2016 to April 2017, All patients with pin inhalation had been collected and analyzed according to the age, gender, time between aspiration to presentation and symptoms and signs, number of attempts, bronchoscopic or open removal of the pins with complications. RESULTS: The total number of patients in this study was 162. The mean age was 11years. Pin inhalation accident was more common in patients less than 10 years in males and less than 20 years in females. The most common gender was female (73%). The most common presenting symptom was cough (54%). The left tracheobronchial tree was the most common site for pin lodgment 107 (67.3%) followed by the right side 23 (14.4%). The majority of the pins were extracted in one piece (94%). Thoracotomy was done in one patient, no death reported. CONCLUSION: Sharp pin inhalation is a serious hazard and can have lethal outcome. History is the major parameter to start the diagnosis of pin inhalation and radiography is the gold standard to confirm the diagnosis.

One for two, ipsilateral reduction and contralateral reconstruction mammoplasty: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this paper is to introduce a novel procedure for concomitant contralateral reduction and ipsilateral reconstruction mammoplasty by dividing the contralateral breast and creating a pectoralis myocutaneous flap for reconstruction. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 34-year-old female, with a history of left side mastectomy presented for reconstruction. Under general anesthesia, the scar of the previous operation was resected in an elliptical shaped incision, the right breast was divided in middle, leaving the flap (pectoralis myocutaneous flap) with pectoralis branch of thoracoacromial artery. The superiomedial part of right breast (the flap) was rotated under the bridge of intermammary skin into the left incision. Ten days after the operation, the flap was viable and healthy. DISCUSSION: The aim of breast reconstruction is to provide psychosocial support and improve quality of life in the long term by restoring the shape of the breast surgically. New techniques have emerged constantly, and each comes with its list of advantages and risks. The benefits of reconstruction are clear, yet often it is not found as a part of breast cancer treatment routinely. CONCLUSION: In single session reduction mammoplasty in one breast and using the resected piece as a flap to reconstruct the contralateral breast is possible whenever indication.

Hydatid cyst of the thigh: A case report with literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatid diseases are cystic parasitic infestation caused by Echinococci. The most frequently affected organs are liver and lung. The aim of this study is to report a rare case of hydatid disease of the thigh. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 34-year-old female presented with mild, continuous lower abdominal pain. Concomitantly, she was complaining of gradually increasing swelling of the left thigh for about 9 month duration. On examination, there was tender, 3 × 4 cm, suprapubic mass with firm non-tender 10 × 17 cm swelling at the lateral aspect of left thigh. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis thigh hydatid cyst. It was managed by surgical resection. DISCUSSION: In endemic regions, hydatidosis can be controlled by several preventive mechanisms including regular medication of definitive hosts by praziquantel, vaccinating sheep, preventing dog's access to intermediate hosts, boiling or safe disposal of offal. The current case reported positive history of animal contact without fulfilling any preventive measure. CONCLUSION: Hydatid cyst of the thigh is a very rare parasitic manifestation presenting as a painless swelling, diagnosed typically by MRI and managed with en bloc resection.

Intermammary pilonidal sinus: The first case series.

INTRODUCTION: Pilonidal sinus (PNS) is an inflammatory condition caused by hair penetration into the epidermis. It occurs usually in sacro-coccygeal area. Intermammary pilonidal sinus is a very rare variant with a few case reports in literature. The aim of this study is to highlight the presentation and management of intermammary pilonidal sinus. METHOD: A retrospective multicenter case series. Including all cases of intermammary PNS admitted to either of 5 major tertiary hospitals in Kurdistan region of Iraq. Inclusion criteria were any case of intermammary PNS diagnosed by histopathological examination. The data were taken from the medical records and direct interview with the patients. RESULTS: The case series included 12 patients, all case were female. The age range was from 13 to 29. All of cases were obese with body mass index (BMI) ranged between 30.1-32.2kg/m2. All of them presented with discharge for a long time ranging between four weeks to two years. Nine cases (75) were diagnosed preoperatively as cases of infected sebaceous cysts. Resection and direct closure without flap were done for nine (75%) of them and in other three cases (25%), the PNS were resected and left for secondary healing. Three of the patients (25%) developed recurrence. CONCLUSION: Intermammary PNS occurs in young, obese ladies with large breasts which are kept in tight brassieres. Resection and primary closure is the main method of management.