WhatsApp-Based Record-Keeping System in a Private Neurosurgical Clinic Chain.

Background The demanding nature of neurosurgical practice requires a reliable system for documentation and record-keeping. The cost of electronic health record systems can limit their availability in low- and middle-income countries. That is why less expensive and easily accessible technological alternatives should be sought. In this article, we describe our adopted system for medical record-keeping based on WhatsApp (Meta Platforms, Inc., Menlo Park, CA). Methods In our chain of six clinics, each clinic has its record-keeping WhatsApp group dedicated to sharing medical data of outpatients following up in that specific clinic and of inpatients cared for in hospitals in its area. After each encounter, our surgeons share smartphone-captured pictures of their patients' medical data on the WhatsApp group of the related clinic. The medical data are then categorized and stored by the secretary on the clinic's computer to be accessed at any time for record retrieval. Discussion Our five years of experience with the WhatsApp-based record-keeping system with medical records of 11,729 patients proved to be reliable, cost-effective, user-friendly, and efficient, and it positively impacted patient care. Responsible behavior, security precautions, and regulating policies are essential to protect patient confidentiality. Conclusion Our system can be an inexpensive alternative to the electronic health record system in small healthcare facilities. It can help physicians practicing in low- and middle-income countries to improve medical records documentation, thereby improving patient care. There is a need for policies to regulate the use of instant messaging applications in professional medical communication.

A Report of Two Simultaneous Different Skull Vault Boney Pathologies: An Extremely Rare Clinical Scenario.

Primary calvarial boney tumors are generally rare in clinical practice. Multiple primary skull neoplasms are less frequent, typically associated with genetic disorders or familial syndromes. Sporadic cases of multiple skull tumors are exceptionally rare. We present a unique scenario of a 32-year-old female patient who had two right-sided skull vault lesions, one located over the right parietal area and the other in the right retro-auricular region. The lesions exhibited different behaviors over several years. The workup revealed that the two skull lesions were of two pathologies. The standard academic approach for clinical analysis attributes the symptoms often to one pathological process until proven otherwise. This case highlights the significance of expanding the differential diagnoses and incites clinicians to consider multiple pathologies in specific clinical settings.

Glioblastoma and ABO blood groups: further evidence of an association between the distribution of blood group antigens and brain tumours.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma is a highly malignant brain tumour that usually leads to death. Several studies have reported a link between the distribution of ABO blood group antigens and a risk of developing specific types of cancer, although no consensus has been reached. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the distribution of ABO blood group antigens and the incidence of glioblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 115 glioblastoma patients who were diagnosed at King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan, between 2004 and 2015. Three different patient populations made up three control groups and these were selected from among patients at the same institution between 2014 and 2015 as follows: 3,847 healthy blood donors, 654 accidental trauma patients admitted to the Departments of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics, and 230 age- and sex-matched control subjects recruited blindly from the Departments of Paediatrics and Internal Medicine. RESULTS: There was a significant association between the distribution of ABO blood group antigens and the incidence of glioblastoma. Post hoc residual analysis revealed that individuals with group A had a higher than expected chance of developing glioblastoma, while individuals with group O had a lower than expected chance. Furthermore, individuals with group A were found to be at a 1.62- to 2.28-fold increased risk of developing glioblastoma compared to individuals with group O. DISCUSSION: In the present study, we demonstrate that, in Jordan, individuals with group A have an increased risk of developing glioblastoma, while individuals with group O have a reduced risk. These findings suggest that the distribution of ABO blood group antigens is associated with a risk of brain tumours and may play an important role in their development. However, further clinical and experimental investigations are required to confirm this association.

Successful Management of Intraoperative Acute Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism in a High Grade Astrocytoma Patient.

BACKGROUND Intraoperative pulmonary embolism (PE) is a rare life-threatening complication in patients undergoing surgical intervention. Generally, cancer patients have a higher risk for developing this complication. Unfortunately, there is no standard procedure for its management. CASE REPORT We report the case of a 39-year-old woman with high-grade glioma in the right frontal lobe who was admitted to the surgical theater for craniotomy and excision of the tumor. During the general anesthesia procedure and just before inserting the central venous line, her end-tidal CO2 and O2 saturation dropped sharply. The anesthesiologist quickly responded with an aggressive resuscitation procedure that included aspiration through the central venous line, 100% O2, and IV administration of ephedrine 6 mg, colloid 500 mL, normal saline 500 mL, and heparin 5000 IU. The patient was extubated and remained in the supine position until she regained consciousness and her vital signs returned to normal. Subsequent radiological examination revealed a massive bilateral PE. A retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filter was inserted, and enoxaparin anticoagulant therapy was prescribed to stabilize the patient's condition. After 3 weeks, she underwent an uneventful craniotomy procedure and was discharged a week later under the enoxaparin therapy. CONCLUSIONS The successful management of intraoperative PE requires a quick, accurate diagnosis accompanied with an aggressive, fast response. Anesthesiologists are usually the ones who are held accountable for the diagnosis and early management of this complication. They must be aware of the possibility of such a complication and be ready to react properly and decisively in the operation theater.

Utilization of multidisciplinary surgical techniques to successfully manage 20 brain abscesses in a child.

PURPOSE: This study describes a case of multiple brain abscesses in a four-year-old boy who presented with a history of fever and disorientation. METHODS: Medical investigations revealed severe leukocytosis and the presence of 20 hypodense lesions in the boy's cerebrum. Initial medical treatment included intravenous antibiotics, antiepileptics, and dexamethasone. The boy underwent five surgical interventions within a period of 5 weeks that included frameless stereotactic craniotomies for aspiration and resection of the abscesses. RESULTS: At the 3-month follow-up, the boy displayed no neurological deficits and no lesions were detected in his brain. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the importance of instituting a standardized protocol to determine the urgency of surgical intervention in cases of brain abscess so that surgical treatment can be applied in the appropriate time period. This case also shows that rewarding results can be obtained in treating brain abscesses in children when the proper treatment method is initiated in the appropriate amount of time.