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Transverse myelitis (TM) is an inflammatory process involving a restricted area of the spinal cord. The usual dramatic presentation makes TM a medical emergency. Early detection and aggressive therapy are required in order to improve the prognosis. The association of this unique clinical phenotype and autoantibody provides circumstantial evidence that an autoimmune aetiology might be involved. We describe two cases of TM associated with anti-Ro (SSA) autoantibodies without connective tissue disease manifestations. The two patients were treated successfully with IV steroids and cyclophosphamide.
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Popliteal cysts are swellings in the popliteal fossa due to enlargement of the gastrocnemius semimembranous bursa. These cysts might burst, and they usually rupture posteriorly and inferiorly with severe pain in the calf. We describe a patient with popliteal cyst that dissected proximally and ruptured in the soft tissue of the thigh.
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Glomus tumors are rare tumors that often include hands and feet; they present characteristically with paroxysmal pain, exquisite point tenderness, and cold sensitivity. Such diagnosis needs to be confirmed by imaging like ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for glomus tumors. There are only few case reports of glomus tumors in association with Raynaud's phenomenon; this is considered to be the 4th case.
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Background and Objectives. The human leukocyte antigen HLA-B27 is a class 1 antigen of the major histocompatibility complex and is strongly associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The purpose of the present study is to investigate the distribution of HLA-B27 in patients with AS of different ethnic groups in Qatar. Design and Setting. Study design was cross-sectional and the setting was rheumatology clinics of Hamad General Hospital in Qatar where most of ankylosing spondylitis patients are followed up. Patients and Methods. Patients with diagnosis of AS who met the New York modified criteria for AS were tested for HLA-B27. 119 patients were tested for HLA-B27: 66 Arabs, 52 Asians (Indians, Pakistanis, Bengalis, and Iranians), and one Western (Irish). Results. Of all the individuals, 82 were positive (69%) for HLA-B27. Among the Arabs, 49/66 were positive (74%). Among the Asians, 32/52 were positive (61%). Furthermore, Qatari patients (10 males and one female) 9 were positive (82%), 14/19 Jordanians/Palestinians were positive, and 9/10 (90%) Egyptians were positive. Among the Asians, 19/26 Indians were positive (73%), which was similar to the Arabs. Conclusion. HLA-B27 in our small group of Arabs is present in 74%. Comparison with other data will be presented in detail.
