Uncommon Presentation of Gastric Duplication Cyst with Left-Sided Portal Hypertension: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Gastric duplication cysts (GDCs) in adults are exceedingly rare, with only a few documented cases in medical literature. The spectrum of clinical presentations varies widely, ranging from asymptomatic to severe symptoms such as hematemesis, vomiting or abdominal pain. Among the less common complications associated with GDCs, segmental portal hypertension is a notable rarity. We present a compelling case report of a patient exhibiting signs of segmental portal hypertension, where ultrasound and echo-endoscopy revealed a sizable gastric duplication cyst as the underlying etiology. Recognizing the scarcity of literature on GDCs in adult patients, we conducted a thorough review to underscore the diagnostic significance of ultrasonography and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in accurately identifying these congenital anomalies. This case report and comprehensive literature review emphasize the pivotal role of EUS and abdominal ultrasound in achieving an accurate diagnosis of GDCs. By shedding light on the diagnostic and therapeutic intricacies, we aim to raise awareness among clinicians regarding this rare pathology and the importance of multimodal imaging approaches for optimal patient management.

Controversies Regarding Mesh Utilisation and the Attitude towards the Appendix in Amyand's Hernia-A Systematic Review.

Inguinal hernia containing the vermiform appendix is a rare entity. It is more common in children than in adults. It can be discovered incidentally during the surgical intervention performed for the cure of the inguinal hernia or when the appendix shows inflammatory changes, a situation that can lead to diagnostic confusion with a number of other diseases. Imaging can guide the diagnosis, which often comes as an intraoperative surprise. The therapeutic approach is controversial both in terms of whether or not to perform an appendectomy in the case of an appendix without inflammatory changes and especially in terms of using a mesh during the hernia repair process. Since the pathology is not very frequent, there are no standardized stages in terms of surgical ethics that can guarantee good surgical practice. The study aimed to carry out a review of the specialized literature to obtain some conclusions or trends regarding the management of this pathology. The low frequency of this type of hernia did not allow the consultation of large-scale studies or extensive reviews focusing on case reports or case series communications. The obtained results were statistically analyzed and integrated in relation to the surgical attitude depending on the particularities of the condition.

Survival Analysis and Failure Modes of Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Cemented Semi-Retentive Acetabular Cup.

To reduce the incidence of total hip revisions, there have been continuous efforts to enhance prosthetic materials and designs to optimize implant survival. A primary implant with a constrained acetabular component is often used to minimize the risk of dislocations even though this approach has some drawbacks as reported in the literature. To address these concerns, this study aimed to assess the survivorship and dislocation rate of a semi-retentive cemented acetabular cup when used as a primary implant. The specific cemented cup that we studied was not present in any study that we consulted, so to fill this gap, we conducted a retrospective examination of 527 cemented hip prostheses that utilized the semi-retentive cup between the years 2005 and 2012. We employed Cox multiple regression models for our statistical analysis. The revision due to dislocation occurred in 12.8% of all cases, with a lower incidence of 5% (14 cases) in age groups >70 years than in age groups <70 years (14%-32 cases) (p < 0.001). The survival rates of the semi-retentive cemented acetabular cup were 98.6% (520 cases) at 5 years and 92.2% (487 cases) at 10 years. The survival rates were significantly lower in women than men, with 1.9% (7 cases) toward 0% at 5 years and 8.1% (30 cases) toward 5% (7 cases) at 10 years (p = 0.002). The difference in failure rates between age groups over 70 years (2.3%-10 cases) and age groups under 70 years (11.5%-34 cases) was also statistically significant (p < 0.001). Our study indicates that the semi-constrained design may cause frequent damage to the polyethylene liner due to impingement and wear, which are the primary factors for failure. Also, this implant has a similar risk of revision due to dislocation as reported in studies and may be beneficial as a primary implant in elderly patients with low-demanding lifestyles, muscular insufficiency, and low compliance regarding hip prosthetic behavior, without a major effect on survivorship.

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: Tailoring Approaches for the Optimal Resection of Adrenal Tumors.

In this study, we investigated the outcomes of laparoscopic approaches for adrenal tumor resection in 67 patients from a single center with a median age of 51 (range 40-79). Predominantly comprising women, the majority of patients were overweight or obese. Adrenal tumors larger than 6 cm were mostly treated using the laparoscopic transperitoneal method (p < 0.001). Our results revealed that patients subjected to the retroperitoneal approach exhibited quicker recovery, as evidenced by faster resumption of oral intake and ambulation, along with reduced intraoperative blood loss and shorter hospitalization (p-value < 0.05). In contrast, patients subjected to the transperitoneal approach experienced minimal complications, though not statistically significant, despite the technique's intricacy and slower recovery. These findings emphasize the significance of tailoring the surgical approach to individual patient characteristics, with particular emphasis on the tumor size. The choice between the retroperitoneal and transperitoneal methods should be informed by patient-specific attributes to optimize surgical outcomes. This study underscores the need for a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as tumor characteristics and postoperative recovery when determining the most suitable laparoscopic approach for adrenal tumor resection. Ultimately, the pursuit of individualized treatment strategies will contribute to improved patient outcomes in adrenal tumor surgery.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Maternal and Neonatal Outcome in Correlation with Sociodemographic Aspects: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, concerns grew about its impact on pregnant women. This study aimed to determine how SARS-CoV-2 affects pregnancy, birth, and newborns, in order to identify vulnerable individuals and provide proper care. METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study of 398 pregnant women who delivered at the Emergency Clinical County Hospital in Sibiu, Romania from 1 February 2020 to 31 March 2022. Patients were initially grouped and compared based on their RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 test results into the COVID group (cases) (N = 199) and non-COVID group (control) (N = 199). The COVID cases were further divided and compared according to the pre-Delta (N = 105) and Delta/Omicron (N = 94) SARS-CoV-2 variants. COVID cases and control groups were compared to identify correlations between sociodemographic factors, pregnancy outcomes, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The same comparisons were performed between pre-Delta and Delta/Omicron groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences concerning maternal residence, while educational level and employment proportion were higher among the positively tested patients. No significant differences were found for neonatal and pregnancy complications between COVID cases and control groups. Except for a lower mean gestational age, no significant differences were found between pre-Delta and Delta/Omicron periods. The maternal mortality in the infected group was 0.5% (1 case). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection at birth did not significantly affect maternal and neonatal outcomes, not even considering the SARS-CoV-2 strain.

Severe Acute Ischemia of Glans Penis after Achieving Treatment with Only Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: A Rare Case Report and Systematic Literature Review.

Acute ischemia of the glands is a severe complication after circumcision. We outline the challenging case of a seventeen-year-old boy with glandular ischemia (GI) that appeared shortly after circumcision. Methods: We present a case report and literature review related to glans ischemia, and the complications of circumcision are reviewed. We note that there are very few cases described in the literature. Our patient was successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) after four days of no positive effect after all medical and surgical treatments written in the literature: Subcutaneous enoxaparin, local application of a glyceryl trinitrate, continuous epidural perfusion, intravenous pentoxifylline, alprostadil, intraoperative drainage, and aspiration with saline solution and epinephrine. Clinical improvement was noted at the first session of HBOT. A number of days after the operation, the penis looked normal and was healing. Complete healing of the penile glans was successfully realized one month after surgery. Conclusion: Based on the review and the case presented, we conclude that HBOT is the treatment of choice for acute ischemia of the penile glans, especially when other treatments do not work.

Therapeutic Perspectives for Microbiota Transplantation in Digestive Diseases and Neoplasia-A Literature Review.

In a mutually beneficial connection with its host, the gut microbiota affects the host's nutrition, immunity, and metabolism. An increasing number of studies have shown links between certain types of disease and gut dysbiosis or specific microorganisms. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is strongly advised for the treatment of recurrent or resistant Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) due to its outstanding clinical effectiveness against CDI. The therapeutic potential of FMT for other disorders, particularly inflammatory bowel diseases and malignancies, is currently gaining more and more attention. We summarized the most recent preclinical and clinical evidence to show the promise of FMT in the management of cancer as well as complications related to cancer treatment after reviewing the most recent research on the gut microbiota and its relationship to cancer.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Management of Mental Health Services for Hospitalized Patients in Sibiu County-Central Region, Romania.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic brought a burden and represented a challenge for the Romanian medical system. This study explored the consequences that COVID epidemiological measures had on the quality of the mental health care provided to hospitalized patients in a regional psychiatric hospital in Romania. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both patient-level and hospital-level indicators were considered for this comparative retrospective study. On the one hand, we extracted patient-level indicators, such as sociodemographics, diagnosis, admission, and discharge dates for 7026 hospitalized patients (3701 women, average age = 55.14) from hospital records. On the other hand, for the hospital-level indicators, we included indicators referring to the aggregated concept of mental health services, such as case mix index, length of stay, bed occupancy rate and patients' degree of satisfaction. Data extracted covered a period of two years (1 March 2019-28 February 2021) before and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: We found that, compared to the pre-pandemic period, the pandemic period was marked by a drastic decrease in hospitalized patient admissions, coupled with an increase in emergency-based admissions. Other management indicators, such as the case mix index, the number of cases contracted/performed, and the degree of patient satisfaction, decreased. In contrast, the average length of stay and bed occupancy rate increased. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the first year, raised multiple difficult issues for the management of psychiatric hospitals. It imposed an application of strict measures designed to face these new and unprecedented challenges. Our findings offer a detailed snapshot of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of its impact on mental health services and suggest some future directions. Implications for hospital management are discussed.

Bilateral Serous Retinal Detachment as a Complication of HELLP Syndrome.

HELLP syndrome is a pregnancy complication, putting at risk the life of mother and child, characterized by high blood pressure, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets. Serous retinal detachment is a rare complication of pregnancy and may be associated with HELLP syndrome. One of the most common symptoms is a decrease in visual acuity. A rare case of bilateral exudative retinal detachment associated with HELLP syndrome is described in a 38-year-old woman a few hours after delivery. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed an amount of subretinal fluid and macular edema. Use of systemic corticosteroids and careful management of blood pressure led to early resolution of subretinal fluid and a good recovery of vision. Her final best corrected visual acuity was 1 (decimal notation) in both eyes at 2 weeks after delivery. These types of cases are rarely reported and highlight the importance of increasing awareness of this pathology among ophthalmologists.

Post-Traumatic Cilia Remaining Inert in the Posterior Chamber for 50 Years.

Intraocular foreign body injuries (IOFB) can lead to a number of intraocular pathologies; the visual results depend on the mechanism of the injury, the type of foreign body and the subsequent complications. The presence of intraocular cilia (eye lashes) following penetrating injury or surgical intervention is uncommon. In the present paper, we present a case of a 58-year-old woman with a history of eye trauma and a perforated corneal wound in the left eye that occurred 50 years ago. On the ophthalmological exam we noticed in the anterior chamber a straight linear extension, resembling cilia, extending behind the iris. The patient reports that it appeared during COVID-19 infection, after repeated episodes of coughing. After a follow-up period, we decided to remove the eyelash; 24 h after surgery, the patient complained of severe eye pain. Intraocular pressure (IOP) in LE was 54 mmHg. The slit-lamp examination showed perikeratic congestion, corneal edema and mydriasis. Eye hypotensive treatment was started immediately and the patient's general condition slightly improved. Intraocular cilia can be tolerated for many years without causing any ocular reaction. The decision for surgical intervention must be taken according to the individual needs of the patient and his ocular characteristics with careful pre- and post-operative follow up.

Resting-state frontal, frontlateral, and parietal alpha asymmetry:A pilot study examining relations with depressive disorder type and severity.

Introduction: The search for biomarkers has been central to efforts of improving clinical diagnosis and prognosis in psychopathology in the last decades. The main approach has been to validate biomarkers that could accurately discriminate between clinical diagnoses of very prevalent forms of psychopathology. One of the most popular electrophysiological markers proposed for discrimination in depressive disorders is the electroencephalography (EEG)-derived frontal alpha asymmetry. However, the validity, reliability and predictive value of this biomarker have been questioned in recent years, mainly due to conceptual and methodological heterogeneity. Methods: In the current non-experimental, correlational study we investigated relationship of resting-state EEG alpha asymmetry from multiple sites (frontal, frontolateral, and parietal) with different forms of depressive disorders (varying in type or severity), in a clinical sample. Results: Results showed that alpha asymmetry in the parietal (P3-P4) was significantly higher than in the frontal (F3-F4) and frontolateral sites (F7-F8). However, we did not find significant relations between alpha asymmetry indices and our depressive disorder measures, except for a moderate positive association between frontolateral alpha asymmetry (eyes-closed only) and depressive disorder severity (determined through clinical structured interview). We also found no significant differences in alpha asymmetry between participants, depending on their depression type. Discussion: Based on results, we propose the parietal and frontolateral asymmetry indices to form hypotheses that should not be abandoned in the depression markers research, but worth for further experimental research. Methodological and clinical implications of the current findings are discussed.

Cognitive and Behavioral Factors Predicting the Decision to Vaccinate against COVID-19 in Clinical Psychiatric Population-A Cross-Sectional Survey.

The spread of the COVID-19 virus created more than a medical crisis, while it also negatively affected the mental health of the general population. This context increased the vulnerability of the psychiatric population. While research interest highly targeted vaccine hesitancy and acceptance, many studies focused on trust issues-both in vaccine efficacy and in communication with authorities. Less is known about the psychological underpinnings of the COVID vaccination decision, specifically in the high-uncertainty circumstances due to the novelty of the virus. In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the predictive value of several cognitive (perceived risk, vulnerability, uncertainty, and trust in one's decision) and behavioral (previous vaccinations, social media use, and practicing preventive behavior) factors, for the vaccination decision against COVID-19, for 252 psychiatric inpatients (data collected between September 2021 and February 2022). Demographics and diagnostics were also considered. We found a significant relationship between the "Perceived risk of vaccination" and the choice of vaccination (χ2(2, N = 252) = 58.59, p ≤ 0.001), and between the "Trust in own decision to vaccinate" and the decision to vaccinate (χ2(2, N = 252) = 31,5, p ≤ 0.001). The overall regression model was statistically significant (χ2 (9, N = 252) = 97.1, p < 0.001), with between 30% and 45% of the variance in the odds of a positive decision explained by the predictor set. The model coefficients analysis showed that an individual with a psychiatric disorder but with higher confidence in their decision had significant (p < 0.001) increased odds of the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19 by 893%. A former voluntary vaccination did not significantly associate with the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19 (χ2(1, N = 252) = 2.74, p > 0.05) in this special population. No other behavioral factors, diagnosis, or demographics were significant as predictors, for the clinical psychiatric population surveyed, except the educational level. Implications for future vaccination acceptance of this special population are discussed.

Orbital Metastases of Breast Cancer in Males.

We report a case of orbital metastasis of infiltrative breast carcinoma in a 65-year-old man. The patient was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer one year before, for which a mastectomy was performed. He refused postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy at that time. He had a history of lung, liver, and mediastinal metastases. At admission, he presented with blurred vision, diplopia, ocular pain, and mild swelling of the upper lid of the left eye (LE). Computed tomography (CT) of the brain and orbit revealed a front-ethmoidal tissue mass with left orbital and frontal intracranial extension. Ophthalmologic examination revealed exophthalmos on the LE with a downward and outward deviation of the eyeball, proptosis, and intraocular pressure (IOP) of 40 mmHg. The patient's treatment started with topical maximal anti-glaucomatous drops and radiotherapy sessions. After three weeks of follow-up, there was a gradual improvement of local symptoms and signs and a normal IOP.

Are There Any Changes in the Causative Microorganisms Isolated in the Last Years from Hip and Knee Periprosthetic Joint Infections? Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test Results Analysis.

BACKGROUND: PJIs following total hip and knee arthroplasty represent severe complications with broad implications, and with significant disability, morbidity, and mortality. To be able to provide correct and effective management of these cases, an accurate diagnosis is needed. Classically, acute PJIs are characterized by a preponderance of virulent microorganisms, and chronic PJIs are characterized by a preponderance of less-virulent pathogens like coagulase-negative staphylococci or Cutibacterium species. This paper aims to analyze if there are any changes in the causative microorganisms isolated in the last years, as well as to provide a subanalysis of the types of PJIs. METHODS: In this single-center study, we prospectively included all retrospectively consecutive collected data from patients aged over 18 years that were hospitalized from 2016 through 2022, and patients that underwent a joint arthroplasty revision surgery. A standardized diagnostic protocol was used in all cases, and the 2021 EBJIS definition criteria for PJIs was used. RESULTS: 114 patients were included in our analysis; of them, 67 were diagnosed with PJIs, 12 were acute/acute hematogenous, and 55 were chronic PJIs. 49 strains of gram-positive aerobic or microaerophilic cocci and 35 gram-negative aerobic bacilli were isolated. Overall, Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolated pathogen, followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). All cases of acute/acute hematogenous PJIs were caused by gram-positive aerobic or microaerophilic cocci pathogens. Both Staphylococcus epidermidis and methicillin-resistant S. aureus were involved in 91.66% of the acute/acute hematogenous PJIs cases. 21.8% of the chronic PJIs cases were caused by pathogens belonging to the Enterobacterales group of bacteria, followed by the gram-negative nonfermenting bacilli group of bacteria, which were involved in 18.4% of the cases. 12 chronic cases were polymicrobial. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy in acute PJIs could be focused on the bacteria belonging to the gram-positive aerobic or microaerophilic cocci, but the results should be analyzed carefully, and the local resistance of the pathogens should be taken into consideration.

Failure in Medical Practice: Human Error, System Failure, or Case Severity?

The success rate in medical practice will probably never reach 100%. Success rates depend on many factors. Defining the success rate is both a technical and a philosophical issue. In opposition to the concept of success, medical failure should also be discussed. Its causality is multifactorial and extremely complex. Its actual rate and its real impact are unknown. In medical practice, failure depends not only on the human factor but also on the medical system and has at its center a very important variable-the patient. To combat errors, capturing, tracking, and analyzing them at an institutional level are important. Barriers such as the fear of consequences or a specific work climate or culture can affect this process. Although important data regarding medical errors and their consequences can be extracted by analyzing patient outcomes or using quality indicators, patient stories (clinical cases) seem to have the greatest impact on our subconscious as medical doctors and nurses and these may generate the corresponding and necessary reactions. Every clinical case has its own story. In this study, three different cases are presented to illustrate how human error, the limits of the system, and the particularities of the patient's condition (severity of the disease), alone or in combination, may lead to tragic outcomes There is a need to talk openly and in a balanced way about failure, regardless of its cause, to look at things as they are, without hiding the inconvenient truth. The common goal is not to find culprits but to find solutions and create a culture of safety.

A Rare Case of Polysplenia Syndrome Associated with Severe Cardiac Malformations and Congenital Alveolar Dysplasia in a One-Month-Old Infant: A Complete Macroscopic and Histopathologic Study.

Polysplenia syndrome represents a type of left atrial isomerism characterized by multiple small spleens, often associated with cardiac malformations and with situs ambiguus of the abdominal organs. The case presented is of a one-month-old male infant, weighing approximately 3000 g, born at the County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Sibiu, who was hospitalized from birth until death. The patient suffered cardio-respiratory arrest due to severe hypoxia and septicemia on the background of a series of complex cardiac malformations associated with congenital abdominal organ anomalies. Examination of the body revealed a common atrium with complete atrioventricular canal defect, left ventricular hypertrophy, right ventricle hypoplasia, truncus arteriosus, superior vena cava duplication, bilobation of the lungs, situs ambiguous of the abdominal organs with right-sided stomach, a midline liver, gall bladder agenesis, multiple right-sided spleens and complete inversion of the intestines and pancreas. Histopathology concluded that the patient suffered cardiac lesions consistent with infantile lactic acidosis, as well as pulmonary modifications suggesting congenital alveolar dysplasia and altered hepatic architecture compatible with fibrosis.

Effect of patella resurfacing on functional outcome and revision rate in primary total knee arthroplasty (Review).

Anterior knee pain, as well as patellofemoral disorders, after total knee arthroplasty are important reasons for revision in total knee arthroplasty. Current prosthesis designs include patellar components for patella replacement, and together with improved rational design of the prosthesis and advancement in knee alignment these appear to reduce the incidence of anterior knee pain following total knee replacement, even if the etiology of anterior knee pain remains unclear. However, new complications related to patella resurfacing emerge with this approach. At present, there are three strategies involving patella replacement in total knee arthroplasty: There are surgeons who always replace the patella, others who never resurface the patella and a third group of surgeons who usually do not resurface the patella but replace the patella in particular situations. There are arguments to support each of these viewpoints regarding patella resurfacing but no strong arguments to favor any of them. Finally, the decision to resurface the patella or not should be based on the practice, training and experience of individual surgeons. The aim of this review was to analyze the results of different strategies for patella resurfacing in terms of functional outcome and revision rate following primary total knee arthroplasty.

Outcomes in revision total knee arthroplasty (Review).

Revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a challenging surgical procedure. Although good results are presented, the outcomes are worse in comparison with those of primary TKA, with a higher failure rate. The main reasons for the failure of revision TKA include: sepsis, loosening and instability. There are multiple variables linked to these results, and it is difficult to determinate the exact cause as it is often a multifactorial issue. These variables may be related to the quality of the index-procedure (TKA), to the revision procedure or to patient characteristics. The purpose of this review was to highlight the outcomes of revision knee arthroplasty and main factors that may influence the results. Considerable progress has been made during the last 30 years regarding infection treatment and prevention, complex revision prosthetic design and surgical technique development. Although the outcomes have improved over time, patients who undergo revision TKA may need further re-operations in the future.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Patients Co-Infected with SARS-CoV2 and Clostridioides difficile.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the treatment of Clostridioides Difficile (CD)-infected patients given the increasing number of co-infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this context, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) shows promise in modulating the immune system's function and alleviating the burdens associated with this condition. Methods: To achieve this goal, we performed a comparative, retrospective, single-center study on 86 patients (admitted between January 2020 and March 2022). We based our approach on specific inclusion criteria: 1. The study group included 46 co-infected patients (COVID-19 and CD) receiving antibiotics and FMT; 2. In the control group, 40 co-infected patients received antibiotics only. Our results showed no significant group differences in terms of gender, age, risk factors such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (p > 0.05), or in pre-treatment inflammatory status, evaluated by white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. We report a significant decrease in inflammatory syndrome (CRP, WBC) in coinfected patients receiving FMT in addition to antibiotics (p < 0.05), with a lower relapse rate and mitigation of cramping and abdominal pain (91.3%). In addition, a higher level of fibrinogen, persistent moderate abdominal pain (82.5%), and a significantly higher CD infection relapse rate (42.5%) were recorded in co-infected patients treated only with antibiotics (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study provides new data to support the multiple benefits of FMT in the case of COVID-19 and CD co-infection by improving patients' quality of life and inflammatory syndrome.