Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm of the Pancreas in a Pregnant Woman: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are rare tumors that represent 10% of cystic pancreatic tumors. They are potentially sex hormone-sensitive. However, mucinous cystic neoplasms occurring during pregnancy are relatively uncommon. A 33-year-old woman in her ninth week of gestation was referred to us due to abdominal pain for two months. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined unilocular cystic lesion at the tail of the pancreas, measuring 7x6.4 cm. The patient underwent tumor resection with distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy during the second trimester to prevent the potential risk of rupture of the neoplasm, rapid growth, and/or intrauterine growth restriction. Histopathological examination revealed a mucinous cystadenoma with no atypia or malignancy. The patient completely recovered from the surgery and had a healthy full-term baby. This case shows the benefit of performing the surgery during the second trimester compared to the potential risk of delaying the surgery.

Effect of bariatric surgery on cardiac function in obese patients: An echocardiographic assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical and echocardiographic changes in individuals with morbid obesity who underwent bariatric surgery. METHODS: In total, 59 obese patients with body mass index >35 kg/m2 were prospectively enrolled. We assessed baseline pre-operative and a 6-month post-operative lipid profile, hemoglobin A1c, echocardiography, lifetime, and a 10-year risks of atherosclerotic disease for all patients. RESULTS: The mean patients' age was 37±12 years, with 40 (67.8%) women. We found that the pre-operative total cholesterol (4.2±1.1 vs. 4.4±1.1, p=0.014) and triglyceride levels (1.4±0.7 vs. 1.8±0.8, p<0.0001) were significantly lower than post-operative levels, while post-operative high-density lipoprotein levels were significantly higher (1.5±0.5 vs. 1.2±0.3, p<0.0001). The calculated 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was significantly lower post-operatively (1.1±1.6% vs. 1.6±1.8%, p<0.0001). Echocardiography follow-up revealed that diastolic dysfunction was more prevalent pre-operatively than that post-operatively (41% vs. 10%, p<0.0001). Post-operative left ventricular (LV) mass was significantly lesser than the pre-operative mass (168±252 g vs. 187±255 g, p=0.019), whereas the post-operative LV diastolic (46.5±7 mm vs. 38.5±18 mm, p=0.002) and systolic dimensions (31±5 mm vs. 25±11 mm, p=0.001) were significantly smaller. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery resulted in a significant amelioration in lipid profile, reduction in LV mass, and LV cavity dimensions.

Toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent Saudi women: Correlation with vitamin D.

OBJECTIVE: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a life-threatening parasite particularly infecting the immunocompromised women. Deficiency of vitamin D is well reported in several infectious disorders. This study was undertaken to investigate a correlation of vitamin D deficiency with the onset of T. gondii infection in immunocompetent women from the central of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 304 Saudi women from the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Specific immunoassays were used to determine the levels of T. gondii immunoglobulin G and vitamin D. The SPSS and the Prism Graph Pad statistical software were used for the data analysis. RESULTS: Out of 304 women, 18.8% were found to be positive for toxoplasmosis. Interestingly, the serum levels of vitamin D in toxoplasma positive cases were found to be significantly low as compared with the levels of vitamin D in toxoplasma negative cases. Moreover, sociodemographic risk factors such as age, residence location, and consumption of fruits/vegetables were also found to be associated with vitamin D deficiency and with the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis. CONCLUSION: This study investigated a direct correlation of vitamin D deficiency with the severity of the toxoplasmosis in Saudi women. Therefore, it is predicted that vitamin D supplementation may provide protection against toxoplasma infection.