Rare Presentation of Thyrotoxicosis Defying Methimazole Treatment: A Case Series.

Thyrotoxicosis, also known as hyperthyroidism, is a condition characterized by the excessive production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Besides Graves' disease, other common causes of thyrotoxicosis include toxic multinodular goiter, toxic adenoma, and subacute thyroiditis. The treatment of thyrotoxicosis depends on the underlying cause and may include medications (e.g., antithyroid drugs, beta-blockers), radioactive iodine therapy, or surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy). In this report, we present two instances of thyrotoxicosis where conventional high doses of antithyroid treatment failed to control the condition effectively. This failure prompted the exploration of alternative therapeutic interventions. These cases highlight the intricacies involved in managing thyrotoxic crises that do not respond to methimazole (MMI), emphasizing the necessity for innovative approaches such as plasmapheresis and thyroidectomy. Understanding such scenarios is vital for enhancing the care provided to patients encountering resistance to standard treatments. The distinct clinical pathways and treatment strategies adopted in these cases offer valuable insights into this disease management, particularly concerning resistance to MMI.

To B or not to B: the application of uterine compression sutures to reduce blood loss after myomectomy.

Introduction: The aim was to assess the hemostatic impact of B-Lynch sutures following an open myomectomy for efficacy. Material and methods: In this prospective clinical research, performed in Alazhar university hospitals (Al-Hussain, Damietta, Assiut) and Minia University Maternity Hospital, 250 women scheduled for open myomectomy between January 2021 and January 2023 had multiple fibroid uteri with uterine sizes corresponding to 12-22 weeks. There were two groups of women. Group I (125) underwent standard open myomectomy surgery, whereas Group II (125) underwent normal open laparotomy surgery followed by B-Lynch sutures. Certain inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to every patient. We recorded vital data, length of the procedure, complications (bleeding during the procedure, bleeding from multiple bites, bladder injury, fever, wound infection), complete blood count before and after surgery, need for blood transfusion, postoperative vital data, time until ambulation, passing flatus, and ability to eat and drink, as well as the amount of blood lost during and after the procedure. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in age, parity, weight, number of fibroids, or uterine size as measured by ultrasonography. Between groups I and II, there was a significant difference in the average intraoperative blood loss (Group I lost 562.6 ml, whereas Group II lost 411.3 ml) as well as the mean blood loss following surgery (205 ±82 ml in Group I and 117 ±41 ml in Group II). No significant difference was observed in the mean length of hospital stay between groups I and II (2 ±0.3 days and 2 ±0.6 days, respectively). Conclusions: Using a B-Lynch suture can help minimize blood loss during and after an open myomectomy. Therefore, if the uterus is large and has a lot of fibroids, it is recommended to be done frequently.

Evaluation of serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and its correlation with fetal ultrasound parameters in the prediction of threatened miscarriage in the first trimester.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy loss occurring before 20 weeks gestation is referred to as miscarriage. Various clinical presentations of miscarriage include threatened, inevitable, incomplete, complete, septic, and missed miscarriage. Early-stage threatened miscarriage may manifest with symptoms such as abdominal discomfort and vaginal bleeding. Threatened miscarriage is clinically defined as the manifestation of positive fetal heart sounds in pregnancies occurring before the 20th week of gestation, concomitant with vaginal bleeding and a closed cervix. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and fetal ultrasound findings in the prediction of threatened miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, a total of 100 pregnant women at 7-13 weeks of gestation were enrolled. All participants initially presented with a singleton embryo displaying cardiac activity on ultrasound. The study cohort was divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of 50 women with uncomplicated pregnancies, while Group 2 comprised 50 women experiencing symptoms indicative of threatened miscarriage. RESULTS: Notably, within Group 2, patients who eventually experienced miscarriage exhibited significantly elevated serum high-sensitivity CRP levels in comparison to those who maintained their pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Threatened miscarriage cases demonstrated a substantial increase in serum high-sensitivity CRP levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, CRP levels exhibited a correlation with the risk of miscarriage, suggesting their potential utility in conjunction with ultrasound parameters for prognosticating threatened miscarriage during the first trimester.

Weight Loss Effect of GLP-1 RAs With Endoscopic Bariatric Therapy and Bariatric Surgeries.

Background: Different treatment modalities are available for obesity management, including lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, endoscopic interventions, and surgeries. Limited evidence is available on the weight loss effect of combining glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) with endoscopic bariatric therapy (EBT) and bariatric surgeries (BS). Objectives: In this systematic review, we compared the weight loss effect and metabolic changes of combining GLP-1 RAs with EBT and BS. Methods: Literature searches were performed in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, PubMed, Google Scholar, and PRISMA databases. Only randomized control trials and retrospective studies were included. Results: A total of 11 studies was included. Nine studies compared BS with and without liraglutide and 2 compared EBT with and without liraglutide. Adding liraglutide to EBT or BS provided significant weight loss when compared with EBT or BS alone. When changes in weight were compared across the studies, EBT with liraglutide showed a weight loss effect comparable to the net weight loss (ie, nadir weight loss after BS-regained weight) achieved following BS alone. Conclusion: This review showcases a promising approach for managing obesity that combines GLP-1 RAs with EBT. This approach is expected to achieve shorter hospital stays, fewer side effects, and longer term weight loss benefits than BS alone. However, additional prospective studies with higher quality, more consistent outcome measures for weight loss and metabolic changes are needed to further evaluate the approach.

Discrimination, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of metric-based assessment of an unstable pertrochanteric 31A2 intramedullary nailing procedure performed by experienced and novice surgeons.

INTRODUCTION: Identifying objective performance metrics for surgical training in orthopedic surgery is imperative for effective training and patient safety. The objective of this study was to determine if an internationally agreed, metric-based objective assessment of video recordings of an unstable pertrochanteric 31A2 intramedullary nailing procedure distinguished between the performance of experienced and novice orthopedic surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Previously agreed procedure metrics (i.e., 15 phases of the procedure, 75 steps, 88 errors, and 28 sentinel errors) for a closed reduction and standard cephalomedullary nail fixation with a single cephalic element of an unstable pertrochanteric 31A2 fracture. Experienced surgeons trained to assess the performance metrics with an interrater reliability (IRR) > 0.8 assessed 14 videos from 10 novice surgeons (orthopaedic residents/trainees) and 20 videos from 14 experienced surgeons (orthopaedic surgeons) blinded to group and procedure order. RESULTS: The mean IRR of procedure assessments was 0.97. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for Procedure Steps, Errors, Sentinel Errors, and Total Errors. A small number of Experienced surgeons made a similar number of Total Errors as the weakest performing Novices. When the scores of each group were divided at the median Total Error score, large differences were observed between the Experienced surgeons who made the fewest errors and the Novices making the most errors (p < 0.001). Experienced surgeons who made the most errors made significantly more than their Experienced peers (p < 0.003) and the best performing Novices (p < 0.001). Error metrics assessed with Area Under the Curve demonstrated good to excellent Sensitivity and Specificity (0.807-0.907). DISCUSSION: Binary performance metrics previously agreed by an international Delphi meeting discriminated between the objectively assessed video-recorded performance of Experienced and Novice orthopedic surgeons when group scores were sub-divided at the median for Total Errors. Error metrics discriminated best and also demonstrated good to excellent Sensitivity and Specificity. Some very experienced surgeons performed similar to the Novice group surgeons that made most errors. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure metrics used in this study reliably distinguish Novice and Experienced orthopaedic surgeons' performance and will underpin quality-assured novice training.

Traumatic sacralization of L5 vertebra with severe extension type spinopelvic dissociation: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Spinopelvic dissociation is considered a very complex orthopedic injury. The presence of intrapelvic displacement and L5 traumatic sacralization makes our report a very rare presentation. THE CASE: A 60-year-old gentleman presented with a rare traumatic fracture dislocation of the lumbosacral complex with intrapelvic displacement and L5 sacralization; treated with two surgical stages: 1) pelvic external fixation and posterior pelvic tension band plate, and 2) T10 to pelvis posterior fixation. CONCLUSION: Intrapelvic displacement of S1 in the presence of spinopelvic dissociation is very rare injury that requires high mechanism of injury, surgical management is important to improve functional outcome.

Does delay in surgical debridement increase the risk of infection in open tibia fractures in Saudi patients? A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Infection is the most common and devastating complication of open fractures, with a reported incidence of 3-40%. Tibia bone along its anteromedial surface has relatively thin soft tissue coverage; hence the open tibia fracture incidence rate ranges from 49.4% to 63.2%. Open fractures are usually classified based on the Gustilo & Anderson classification system, which is used by surgeons as an index for the severity of an injury and as a prognostic tool. Our current practice follows the 6-h rule of irrigation and debridement (I&D). Nevertheless, there is little support for this opinion in the literature. Our study concentrates on identifying the risk factors of infection in open tibia fractures and comparing the rate of infection if surgical irrigation and debridement was delayed. METHODS: The medical records of 389 patients with open fractures were reviewed. Of these cases, 113 patients with open tibia fracture who presented to our Hospital from the period 1997 to 2008 fit the inclusion criteria and were included in a retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: A total of 113 tibia fractures were reviewed, with an average patient age of 31.70 years; 87.1% of the fractures were high-energy fractures, and the most common mechanism of injury was a motor vehicle accident (62.4%). The data analysis revealed no difference in overall infectious outcome when comparing initial I&D performed within 6 h to when I&D was performed after 6 h (P = 0.201). The data analysis showed a significant relationship between infection and wound closure in first surgery in both univariate and multivariate analysis (P = 0.0003 and P = 0.014), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed no significant evidence to support the 6-h rule, but it did demonstrate a significant relationship between the Gustilo stage and infection, as well as an increased infection rate if external fixation was used or if the wound was left open during the initial irrigation and debridement. We believe that more studies are required to identify the relationship between infection and the delay in irrigation and debridement; a meta-analysis of the currently available data may provide an answer to this question.

AO international consensus panel for metrics on a closed reduction and fixation of a 31A2 pertrochanteric fracture.

BACKGROUND: The foundations of an effective and evidence-based training program are the metrics, which characterize optimal performance. PURPOSES: To develop, operationally define, and seek consensus from procedure experts on the metrics that best characterize a reference approach to the performance of a closed reduction and internal fixation of a 31A2 unstable pertrochanteric fracture with a cephalomedullary nail with distal locking through the proximal guide. METHODS: A Metrics Group consisting of 3 senior orthopaedic surgeons, a surgeon/medical scientist, an education expert and a behavioural scientist deconstructed the performance of the selected fixation procedure and defined performance metrics. At a modified Delphi meeting, 32 senior orthopaedic and trauma surgeons from 18 countries critiqued these metrics and their operational definitions before reaching consensus. RESULTS: Initially performance metrics consisting of 14 Phases with 62 Steps, 84 errors and 20 Sentinel errors were identified that characterize the safe and effective performance of the procedure. During the Delphi panel meeting these were modified and consensus was reached on 15 Phases (1 added, p = 0.967)) with 75 Steps (14 added and 1 deleted; p = 0.028), 88 errors (10 added and 6 deleted; p = 0.47), and 28 Sentinel errors (8 added; p = 0.107). Pre and Post Delphi characterizations were highly correlated (r = 0.81-0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical procedures can be broken down into constituent, essential, and elemental tasks necessary for the safe and effective completion of a reference approach to a specified procedure. Procedure experts from 18 countries reached consensus on performance metrics for the fixation procedure. This metric-based characterization should form the basis of more quantitative validation studies to guide the construction of a proficiency-based progression training curriculum.

Atrial fibrillation and hyperthyroidism: A literature review.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia worldwide with increasing frequency noted with age. Hyperthyroidism is a well-known cause of atrial fibrillation with a 16%-60% prevalence of atrial fibrillation in patients with known hyperthyroidism Ross et al. (2016). While hyperthyroidism as a causative factor of atrial fibrillation is well established, this literature review aims to answer several questions on this topic including: 1. The relationship of atrial fibrillation to hyperthyroidism 2. Atrial fibrillation as a predictor of hyperthyroidism 3. The pathophysiology of thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation 4. Subclinical hyperthyroidism and the relationship with atrial fibrillation 5. Cardioversion and Catheter ablation of hyperthyroid patients with atrial fibrillation 6. Thrombotic risk of hyperthyroid patients with atrial fibrillation 7. Management of Thyrotoxic Atrial fibrillation 8. Pharmacological rhythm control in patients with hyperthyroidism and atrial fibrillation 9. Treatment of Hyperthyroidism to prevent atrial fibrillation 10. Clinical Implications of Hyperthyroidism and Atrial Fibrillation.

International needs analysis in orthopaedic trauma for practising surgeons with a 3-year review of resulting actions.

Introduction: To ensure best-quality education in orthopaedic trauma, the AOTrauma Education Commission conducted a Global Needs Analysis with practising surgeons worldwide. Material and methods: During July to November 2012, an email invitation to complete an online set of 30 questions in eight languages was sent to our members and associates in all countries through AOTrauma's regional networks. Non-members were invited to participate through collaboration with orthopaedic societies. Results: A total of 3,790 surgeons practising orthopaedic trauma (49%), orthopaedic (15%), general trauma (15%) and specialty orthopaedic (13%) surgeons responded worldwide. Seventy per cent completed all questions, and the top 10 countries accounted for half the responses. The top 3 areas of educational need were orthopaedic trauma, joint replacement and preservation, and pelvis and acetabulum. Aspects influencing likelihood to attend face-to-face courses were: expert faculty, focus on a specific topic, clear objectives, and discussion and feedback from experts. Barriers to attending courses were time away from practice, cost and lack of availability or access. Conclusion: The Global Needs Analysis helped our educational committees to identify short- and mid-term priorities over recent years. Adjustments in our planning have helped meet the needs of our audience on a global, regional and national level.

Low urine calcium excretion in African American patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of low urine calcium excretion in African American patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), a common disorder associated with bone and renal complications, and to assess the distinction between PHPT and familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH), a rare benign genetic disease. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on a cohort of 1,297 patients in whom a 24-hour urine study was performed for measurement of urine calcium and creatinine. PHPT was diagnosed if the serum calcium concentration was ≥10.5 mg/dL and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) was ≥40 pg/mL. Patients receiving medications that affect urine calcium or with glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL/min were excluded. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients satisfied the diagnostic criteria for PHPT. The African American (n = 70) and non-African American (n = 26) patients did not differ in their mean age, body mass index, glomerular filtration rate, serum PTH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and 24-hour urine creatinine values. Median values of urine calcium/creatinine (mg/g) were 122 for African American versus 214 for non-African American patients (P = .006). Thirty-one of 70 African American patients (44%) had a urine calcium/creatinine ratio ≤100 mg/g, whereas only 2 of 26 non-African American patients (8%) had this value (P = .001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of low urine calcium excretion among African American patients with PHPT is unexpectedly high. A threshold of 100 mg/g urine calcium/creatinine identified 44% of such patients with PHPT as having FHH in this cohort. Therefore, other clinical criteria and laboratory variables should be used to distinguish PHPT from FHH in African American patients with PTH-dependent hypercalcemia.

Traumatic brain injury: neuroprotective anaesthetic techniques, an update.

Traumatic brain injuries remain an area of great challenge to both neurosurgeons and neuroanaesthesiologists. The management of these injuries starts at the scene of the accident. However, strategies for preventing secondary brain injury and its sequelae are continuing to evolve. These strategies include the use of pharmacological and nonpharmacological techniques. Preventing hypoxia and the use of hypertonic saline have been shown to have favourable results on the outcome of these injuries. The use of isoflurane has been shown to have a neuronprotective effect. Propofol is thought to be the future drug of choice because of its neuroprotective properties, although these still need to be further proven through research. In this review an understanding of the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury will be outlined in order to understand the effects of pharmacological and nonpharmacological agents on secondary brain injury.