Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Deep Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major public health concern and cause of mortality and morbidity. Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a debilitating complication of AUD, mitigated by abstinence from alcohol use. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is emerging as a potential treatment for AUD. However, its cost-effectiveness compared to the standard medical treatment is unclear. Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of DBS compared to medical management for patients with AUD and ALD. Methods: We utilized a decision analytic model based on published literature to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of costs and health outcomes for DBS and medical management in patients with AUD and ALD. We also carried out a threshold analysis to determine the probability of success necessary for DBS to be cost-effective. Costs were measured in 2024 US dollars and effectiveness in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). We used a time horizon of 1-2 years and adopted a societal perspective. Results: Our results show that for AUD patients in general, DBS is not cost-effective at any DBS success rate. However, for advanced ALD patients, defined as fibrosis stage 3 or beyond DBS becomes cost-effective. For these patients, DBS is cost-effective over a two-year period at a $100,000 willingness-to-pay threshold at DBS success rates greater than 53%. For advanced decompensated ALD patients, DBS is cost-effective over a one-year period at DBS success rate greater than 35%. Conclusion: Should it prove efficacious, DBS may be cost-effective for patients with AUD and ALD. Thus, future randomized controlled trials to evaluate its efficacy are warranted.

Interventional Radiology Awareness Among Family Physicians and General Practitioners in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background Interventional radiology (IR) utilizes minimally invasive procedures guided by imaging to diagnose and treat various conditions, offering less invasive alternatives to traditional surgery. Despite its importance, awareness among family medicine practitioners can vary, affecting patient care. While IR has advanced in Saudi Arabia, there are limited data on family medicine practitioners' understanding of IR. This study assesses awareness of IR procedures among family medicine doctors in Jazan and their perceived need for further education. Methods A cross-sectional interview-administered survey was conducted online among family medicine doctors in Jazan via social media. The survey assessed demographic data, awareness of IR procedures, self-rated knowledge, and attitudes towards IR. Participants' understanding of IR training, hospital privileges, outpatient clinics, and recognition by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS) was evaluated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results Out of 395 respondents, the age distribution was as follows: 20-29 years (44.3%), 30-39 years (32.9%), and 40 years or older (22.8%). Gender distribution was as follows: females (44.6%) and males (55.4%). Specialties included family medicine consultants (10.6%), residents (32.4%), specialists (22.8%), and general practitioners (34.2%). Awareness of IR procedures varied: uterine fibroid embolization (58.7%), coronary angiography (57.5%), vascular angioplasty (63.5%), radiofrequency ablation (61.3%), peripheral vascular bypass (61.8%), brain biopsy (56.2%), nephrostomy tube placement (59.5%), varicose veins treatment (63.0%), and cystoscopic tumor resection (54.7%). Self-rated knowledge was as follows: poor (46.8%), adequate (27.1%), good (15.7%), and excellent (10.4%). Most believed that interventional radiologists' training was in radiology (62.8%), with fewer attributing it to vascular surgery (20.5%) or a combination (16.7%). Regarding privileges and facilities, 248 (62.8%) reported hospital admitting privileges for IRs, 251 (63.5%) reported outpatient clinics, and 45 (11.4%) were unsure about admitting privileges. SCHS recognition was confirmed by 267 (67.6%). Referrals to IRs were made by 283 (71.6%), and 260 (65.8%) would increase referrals with more knowledge. The perceived benefit of additional education was as follows: no benefit (48.4%), some benefit (30.6%), and significant benefit (21.0%). Conclusion The study reveals gaps in awareness and knowledge of IR among family medicine doctors in Jazan. While there is recognition of IR's value and a willingness to refer patients, variations in knowledge highlight the need for targeted educational interventions. Improving education on IR could enhance integration into patient care and optimize outcomes.

Primary pelvic hydatid cyst an unusual cause of cystic adnexal image (mass).

Hydatid cyst is a parasitic human infection which is endemic in North Africa. It is more frequently localized in the liver and the lung. Involvement of others sites is usually secondary to these primary localizations. We report 2 exceptional cases of primary pelvic hydatid cyst diagnosed respectively in a 37-year-old and in a 48-year-old women. These cases will focus on the different characteristics of the infection, and the benefit of including epidemiologic arguments in using the diagnostical approach of adnexal masses.

[Intracranial hydatid cysts in children: a report of 9 cases]. / Kystes hydatiques cérébraux de l'enfant (à propos de 9 cas).

PURPOSE: To illustrate the value of cross-sectional imaging (CT, MRI) for the diagnosis and follow-up of intracranial hydatid cysts in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 9 cases of intracranial hydatid cysts in children seen over a period of 8 years. Precontrast and postcontrast 5 mm thick axial CT images were obtained in 7 cases. Noncontrast sagittal, axial and coronal T1W and T2W images were obtained in 2 cases. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 7.5 years. Intracranial hypertension was the main presenting clinical symptom. A single supratentorial cyst with significant mass effect upon the ventricular system and midline structures was observed in all cases. All patients underwent surgery with good outcome in all cases. CONCLUSION: CT is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of intracranial hydatid cysts in children. MRI is most helpful for further characterization when multiple or atypical cysts are present to optimize management.

[Giant cerebellar tuberculoma mimicking a malignant tumor]. / Tuberculome géant du cervelet simulant une tumeur maligne.

BACKGROUND: Isolated central nervous system (CNS) tuberculoma is rare. Central nervous system tuberculosis (TB) is associated with high morbidity and mortality despite modern methods of detection and treatment. The authors report a case of a giant cerebellar tuberculoma mimicking a malignant tumor and review the literature. OBSERVATION: A six-year-old girl, with no past medical history, vaccinated for her age, presented with a three-month history of occipitocervical cephalalgia, complicated by gait disturbances. The MRI showed a left cerebellar tumor suggestive of a medulloblastoma. At surgery, a nodular, avascular lesion was found and pathological examination confirmed tuberculoma. Intracranial tuberculoma is an uncommon variety of central nervous system tuberculosis. The prognosis is related to the rapidity of diagnosis, surgical resection and the complementary antituberculosis treatment. CONCLUSION: Intracranial tuberculoma is an uncommon variety of central nervous system infection. Prognosis is improved by a quick diagnosis, surgical removal, and associated antituberculoma therapy.

An internally controlled, one-step, real-time RT-PCR assay for norovirus detection and genogrouping.

BACKGROUND: Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for norovirus detection is prone to false-negative results due to inhibitory substances in faeces. An internal control is needed to monitor extraction efficiency and to detect inhibition. OBJECTIVES: To further develop a one-step RT-PCR assay for norovirus detection/genogrouping by addition of MS2 bacteriophage as an internal control. STUDY DESIGN: Our norovirus RT-PCR assay was modified by addition of MS2 phage to the extraction tray and primers/probe for MS2 detection to the reaction mix. The effect of addition of MS2 phage and MS2 primers/probe on the sensitivity/specificity of the PCR assay was examined. RESULTS: The addition of MS2 as an internal control showed no loss of sensitivity or specificity for norovirus detection. CONCLUSIONS: A triplex, one-step, type-specific, real-time RT-PCR with MS2 internal control has been developed for use in routine laboratory diagnosis of norovirus infection.

Molecular epidemiology of genital human papillomavirus and Chlamydia trachomatis among patients attending a genitourinary medicine clinic - will vaccines protect?

High-risk subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) are the main causative agents of cervical cancer, for which Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) may sometimes be a co-factor. Vaccines have been developed against some subtypes of human papillomavirus and a vaccine against CT is in development. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of the subtypes of HPV and CT in genitourinary (GU) medicine clinic attenders. In total, 1000 consecutive patients attending the GU clinic participated in this anonymized point-prevalence study. Urethral swabs from 437 men and urethral plus cervical swabs as a single specimen from 563 women were tested for the subtypes of both organisms. Nested major outer membrane protein (MOMP) polymerase chain reaction detected CT chromosomal DNA in 44/437 (10%) of the men and 73/563 (13%) of the women. Genotypes E, F, and D were the most common. In all, 55/437 (13%) of men and 244/563 (43%) of women were infected with at least one high-risk HPV type. In conclusion, the new HPV vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, would have protected against 58% and 45%, respectively, of the high-risk subtypes found in women in this population. The rate of high-risk HPV infection (43%) found in women in this study raises concern.

Prevalence, clinical features and quantification of genital non-viral infections.

We conducted a study of the prevalence, clinical features and microscopy findings, by retrospective case-notes survey, of six non-viral organisms, among 1718 attendees at a genitourinary (GU) medicine clinic in England. An in-house assay for six non-viral infections was used and quantitation of ureaplasmas performed. The prevalences of the six organisms were: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), 7.1%; Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), 0.6%; Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), 1.0%; Trichomonas vaginalis, 0.2%; Ureaplasma urealyticum, 16.1%; Ureaplasma parvum, 35.6%. Among men (but not women) there were significantly raised odds ratios compared with that for U. parvum, for the symptom of discharge with CT, 7.30; MG, 6.43; NG 19.29; dysuria with CT, 5.89 and MG, 5.95; and the microscopy finding of >4 pus cells per high power field with: CT, 7.22; MG, 4.58 and NG 22.31. Evaluation of a possible link between quantitation of U. urealyticum and urethritis did not confirm research findings elsewhere.

[Unusual presentation of hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis in a child]. / Présentation inhabituelle d'une pancréatite aiguë hypertriglycéridémique chez un enfant.

Acute pancreatitis in children is rare and is characterized by clinical, biological, and etiological polymorphism. We report the case of a 6-year-old child who underwent surgery for intestinal obstruction. The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was made after the surgical exploration. Initial laboratory tests showed hyperlipasemia and mild hypertriglyceridemia. After 2 weeks of hospitalization, we found severe hypertriglyceridemia, which was considered the cause of acute pancreatitis. Based on a review of the literature, we emphasize the importance of considering acute pancreatitis in the diagnosis of abdominal pain in children. Hypertriglyceridemia is one of its rare causes and must be detected because specific treatments are needed. Blood triglyceride concentration in the initial phase can be misleading and the assay should be repeated after the acute episode.

Mesenteric appendicitis strangulating small bowel: an exceptional internal herniation.

Primitive internal hernias are a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. They are often paraduodenal even transmesocolic, but only rarely transomental. We present a rare case of an internal abdominal hernia in a young man. The small bowel was strangulated by an intra mesenteric appendicitis. This hernia was revealed by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Plain X-ray of the abdomen showed dilated jejunal and ileal loops with multiple air-fluid levels. The diagnosis of appendicitis was suggested by ultrasound but the internal hernia was found only upon surgical exploration. An appendicectomy and adhesiolysis were performed. The patient recovered fully after 3 days, and had an uneventful postoperative course. The authors discuss the possible cause of this rare intestinal obstruction.

[Acute myocardial infarction revealing a pheochromocytoma: a case report]. / Infarctus du myocarde révélant un phéochromocytome : à propos d'un cas.

We report a case of a 38-year-old woman with pheochromocytoma admitted to our department for an acute myocardial infarction. The diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was evoked in view of the major pressure variations that appeared secondarily. Pheochromocytoma is mainly medullosurrenal tumour with clinical polymorphism; it can lead to severe cardiovascular disorders. Nevertheless, cardiac involvement is rarely in the foreground. Our clinical case illustrates the importance to evoke the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in front of atypical manifestations of acute coronary syndrome so as to reduce mortality.

[Benign sacrococcygeal teratoma in a child: a case report with a review of the literature]. / Tératome sacrococcygien bénin chez l'enfant : revue de littérature à propos d'un cas.

Sacrococcygeal teratomas are rare congenital tumors, generally discovered at birth. These tumors are seldom observed in children. Radical resection must be performed to avoid potentially malignant recurrence even if the primary lesion is benign. We report a case in an 8-year-old girl who did not have a past medical history. Since the age of 2 years, she presented a progressive sacral tumefaction with no neurological deficit. The MRI showed a large sacrococcygeal cyst in hypointense-signal T1-weighted imaging with no contrast enhancement, and a hyperintense signal in T2-weighted imaging. At surgery, the tumor was totally removed. The intraoperative aspect was that of a viscous cyst. The histological study showed a sacrococcygeal teratoma.

The superiority of polymerase chain reaction over an amplified enzyme immunoassay for the detection of genital chlamydial infections.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The polymer conjugate enhanced enzyme immunoassay (IDEIA) and Cobas Amplicor polymerase chain reaction Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) (Amplicor PCR) are two commonly used assays for the diagnosis of CT infection. The performance of these assays was compared for the diagnosis of genital CT infection among 1000 consecutive patients attending a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. Confirmation of positive results and the clinical significance of the absence of cryptic plasmid in chlamydia on the diagnosis of infection by Amplicor PCR were also investigated. METHODS: IDEIA, Amplicor PCR, and two nested in-house PCR assays targeting cryptic plasmid and omp1 gene were performed on all samples. DNA from Amplicor PCR negative samples was pooled for in-house PCR assays. Each pool contained DNA from seven Amplicor PCR negative samples. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and efficiency of IDEIA in the diagnosis of genital CT infection were 80%, 97%, 80%, 97%, and 95%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and efficiency of Amplicor PCR were 99%, 98%, 89%, 100%, and 98%, respectively. 16 (11%) of 144 Amplicor PCR positive results were identified as false positive by in-house PCR assays. No isolate of plasmid free CT was detected among the study population. CONCLUSIONS: IDEIA should not be used for the diagnosis of CT infection because of its poor sensitivity. Although the analytic specificity of Amplicor PCR was 98%, because of the adverse medical, social, and psychological impact of false positive results for patients, confirmation of Amplicor PCR positive results by a different assay with comparable sensitivity is essential. Amplification assays targeting cryptic plasmid are appropriate for the diagnosis of genital CT infections.

The use of the polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of B-cell lymphomas from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue.

In this study the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect monoclonality in B-cell lymphoid proliferations in archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue was assessed. Using consensus primers against the framework 3 (FR 3) region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IgH), PCR analysis was performed on 29 low grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Cases of benign lymphoid hyperplasia served as polyclonal controls. Sequenced cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia served as positive controls. In the lymphomas, monoclonality could be demonstrated in 18 of 29 (62%) cases. Only five of 11 (45%) follicle centre cell lymphomas were positive by this method whilst the success rate for the remainder was 13 of 18 (72%). None of the polyclonal controls gave false positive results although occasional non-specific dominant bands were present which disappeared on repeating the experiments. These results show that this method will identify monoclonality in 62% of low grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in archival material. The success rate is increased to 72% if follicle centre cell lymphomas are excluded. Thus, this method is a useful adjunctive test to aid diagnosis in lymphoid infiltrates when standard morphology and immunohistochemistry are equivocal.

Absence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA can be detected in synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: The polymerase chain reaction was applied to cellular components of synovial fluid. RESULTS: No evidence of M tuberculosis DNA was found in synovial fluid from 31 patients with RA and 13 control patients. CONCLUSION: The findings do not support a role for persistent M tuberculosis infection in the pathogenesis of RA.

Mumps epididymo-orchitis with prolonged detection of virus in semen and the development of anti-sperm antibodies.

Epididymo-orchitis is the most common complication of mumps in post-pubertal men. A case of MMR vaccine failure, in whom mumps and mumps-associated unilateral epididymo-orchitis developed, is presented in this article. Mumps virus was isolated from the semen 14 days after onset and mumps RNA was detected in semen for up to 40 days using RT-PCR. Epididymo-orchitis was associated with transient but significant reduction in sperm count and severe abnormalities in sperm morphology. It also led to the appearance of anti-sperm antibodies, which may have potential long-term adverse effects on the patient's fertility. Sequencing of the SH gene of the virus showed this to be a new mumps genotype distinct from the virus circulating currently in the UK.

Rapid discrimination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis.

Investigations of the epidemiology of tuberculosis have been hampered by the lack of strain-specific markers that can be used to differentiate isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We report the development of a rapid protocol for random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis which included the use of a commercially available DNA extraction kit (GeneReleaser). This was applied to 14 strains of M. tuberculosis, including strains associated with temporal and geographical clusters of tuberculosis in the United Kingdom and those from India, Africa, and Saudi Arabia. Strains of M. tuberculosis could be discriminated in about 8 h by this method, which is therefore a rapid and simple alternative to restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.