The applicability of Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire as a screening tool for carpal tunnel syndrome among potential high-risk female population in the West Bank: a cross-sectional study.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an entrapment neuropathy with a high level of morbidity if neglected. Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) was designed to track patients' progress after diagnosis. However, few studies showed that this questionnaire might be applicable as a screening tool for CTS. Objective: This study aims to identify the ability of BCTQ to detect symptoms and functional limitations of CTS among the potential high-risk population. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study involving 366 females, aged 30-60 years, residents of the West Bank, Palestine. Data was collected using BCTQ to assess participants' symptoms severity and functional limitations. Results: Symptoms were reported in 72.4% of participants, while functional limitations were reported in 64.2%. Very severe symptoms were found in 1.1% of the study population, and very severe functional limitations were reported in 1.4% only. BCTQ reliability testing via Cronbach alpha showed a score of 0.937 and 0.922 for symptom severity and functional limitations scales, respectively. The most common reported symptom was pain during the daytime, while the 'household chores' was the most common functional limitation. Conclusion: This study showed that many participants reported symptoms and functional limitations of CTS without a prior diagnosis. The BCTQ can potentially be used as a screening tool for middle-aged females in the West Bank, Palestine, as it showed strong applicability. However, this study could not compute the actual prevalence of CTS due to the lack of access to clinical and electrophysiological confirmation.

Double Magnet Ingestion Causing Intestinal Perforation with Peritonitis: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Foreign body ingestion is a common pediatric complain, and most can be passed spontaneously; however, magnetic object ingestion is rather rare, and they can cause severe complications when multiple magnets are ingested, as they lead to entrapment of bowel walls between them, causing ischemia, pressure necrosis, perforation, and fistula formation. Case Presentation. Herein, we present a case of a 16-month-old female patient presented to our department complaining of continuous vomiting for two days along with fever and irritability. X-ray revealed dilated bowel loops with a radioopaque foreign body in the right lower quadrant. After discussing with the parents, exploratory laparotomy was done, showing two bowel perforations at the site of the magnets. Affected bowel was resected with anastomosis. The patient was discharged after 3 days with an uneventful recovery. Discussion. The diagnosis and management of magnet ingestion differ from those of small foreign bodies, which are usually managed conservatively by watchful waiting. Usually, the diagnosis is done due to complications such as peritonitis and death. On the other hand, management depends on the number, size, magnetic field, and shape of the magnet, and whether it has passed the pylorus or not. CONCLUSION: It is important to establish the diagnosis of this condition as early as possible to prevent complications. Despite the efforts that were made to try to prevent and minimize the risk of magnet ingestion, more investigations are required to reach a common and united strategy for management of such conditions.