Publications by authors named "Alessa M"

This study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of TachoSil in controlling lymphatic leakage in breast cancer patients undergoing axillary dissection. By examining its ability to reduce postsurgical lymphatic drainage, the study will assess its impact on complications like seroma formation, recovery time, and overall patient outcomes, including quality of life and reduced healthcare costs. Breast cancer patients treated in the Department of Surgical Oncology at King Abdulaziz Medical City were enrolled to receive either TachoSil or undergo drain placement after axillary dissection.

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Background: Recent studies have suggested that high-dose tranexamic acid (TXA) may be an effective method for reducing blood loss during adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery. This study aims to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the outcomes of high-dose versus low-dose TXA for AIS surgery.

Methods: Searches were conducted in major databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library for relevant studies comparing high-dose and low-dose TXA outcomes in terms of blood loss, red blood cell transfusions, and hemoglobin changes.

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Traditional imaging techniques have limited efficacy in detecting occult cervical lymph node (LN) metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) has demonstrated potential for assessing HNSCC, but the literature on its efficacy for detecting cervical LN metastases is scarce and exhibits varied outcomes, hindering comparisons. To compare the efficacy of CT, MRI, PET-CT, and US for detecting LN metastasis in HNSCC with clinically negative neck lymph nodes.

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Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), commonly known as shin splints, is characterized by pain and inflammation in the shin caused by repetitive stress. While often associated with sports and physical activity, MTSS can significantly impact daily life, particularly in military recruits, making it a pertinent concern for this population. This narrative review synthesizes findings from a comprehensive search of databases to explore the prevalence, risk factors, and management of MTSS among military recruits.

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  • The study aimed to assess whether genetic variations in the EPHX1 gene are linked to lung cancer susceptibility among Jordanian patients.
  • A total of 218 individuals were analyzed, including 108 lung cancer patients and 110 matched controls, using PCR-RFLP to investigate specific polymorphisms in the gene.
  • The results indicated no significant differences in genotypes between patients and controls, suggesting that EPHX1 polymorphisms do not significantly influence lung cancer risk in this population.
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  • Calcitonin-negative medullary thyroid carcinoma (CNMTC) is a rare type of cancer that complicates diagnosis due to normal calcitonin levels, and this systematic review assesses its clinical and pathological features along with potential alternative biological markers.
  • The review analyzed 32 studies involving 101 patients, predominantly women (66%) with a mean age of 52.2 years, revealing that most had normal preoperative calcitonin levels and low recurrence rates after treatment.
  • The findings suggest that total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection is the main treatment for CNMTC, and using multiple markers for diagnosis may enhance detection and monitoring when traditional tests yield unclear results.
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Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) among primary healthcare (PHC) physicians in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study used an online-based questionnaire distributed to physicians in PHC facilities and hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire consisted of four sections that provided data on demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

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Introduction: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a condition characterized by discontinuity in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract's inner lining, often caused by factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection and NSAID consumption. PUD can lead to various symptoms, but up to 70% of patients may not experience any symptoms. Diagnosing PUD can be challenging due to the unreliability of individual symptoms and signs.

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  • Benign vocal fold lesions (BVFLs) affect vocal fold flexibility, and this study investigates how well ENT residents can identify these lesions based on factors like residency year and specialty focus.
  • An observational study surveyed 61 ENT residents in Saudi Arabia about their diagnostic skills using an online questionnaire with images of various vocal fold lesions.
  • Results showed that while residents diagnosed vocal fold nodules and polyps with high accuracy, their ability to diagnose vocal fold cysts was moderate, with senior residents performing better overall.
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  • * A case involving a 47-year-old male highlights the surgical management of MTC that had invaded surrounding structures, resulting in a total thyroidectomy, total laryngectomy, and bilateral neck dissection; he later faced and recovered from surgical complications.
  • * Although surgery is the primary treatment for MTC, there are few options for advanced cases, and monitoring for complications post-surgery is crucial to ensure better patient outcomes.
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Various physiological functions and reaction cascades, as well as disease progression in the living systems, are controlled by the activity of specific proteolytic enzymes. We conducted the study to evaluate protease activity by assessing peptide fragments from either conserved or labeled red blood cells (RBCs) with aminofluorescein (AF) in the reaction media. RBCs were incubated in media containing trypsin.

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Oropharyngocutaneous fistula following deep neck space infections is a rare entity. Patients can present with feeding difficulty and food leakage through the wound. The fistula is suspected to have formed not only due to the infectious process but also due to the combination of transoral and transcervical approach.

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Background: Patient safety remains an area of global concern, and patient safety culture among healthcare staff is one of its most important determinants. Saudi Arabia is investing much effort in enhancing patient safety. Assessment of patient safety culture is enlightening about the impact of such efforts and invaluable in informing policy makers about future directions.

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Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) holds the promise to revolutionize the field of medicine and enhance the well-being of countless patients. Its capabilities span various areas, including disease prevention, accurate diagnosis, and the development of innovative treatments. Moreover, AI has the potential to streamline health-care delivery and lower expenses.

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Background and objective Saudi Arabia's rapid medical education expansion has posed unique challenges for its students, particularly concerning specialty selection. Having broad exposure to medical specialties is crucial for making informed decisions. This study explores how the size of students' hometowns influences their exposure to their preferred specialty, thereby affecting their choice.

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To provide a comprehensive review of nonsurgical approaches for the management of Warthin's tumors (WTs) and evaluate their safety and efficacy as alternatives to surgical intervention. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases using specific keywords related to WT and nonsurgical treatments. Studies published before 2012, non-English publications, and mixed methodology articles were excluded.

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This study aimed to determine the prevalence of complications after parotidectomy and identify factors associated with these complications. Data from patients who underwent parotidectomy for neoplasms in 2 tertiary centers were analyzed. Patient characteristics and postoperative complications were collected.

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  • The 2023 Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah saw over two million pilgrims participating in rituals, raising concerns about musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries due to the physically demanding nature of the event.
  • A study involving 463 pilgrims found that muscular injuries were the most common, followed by bony and joint injuries, with fatigue identified as the primary cause for many injuries.
  • The findings highlight a significant public health issue, indicating a need for increased awareness and intervention by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health to address these injuries among pilgrims.
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Background: Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) have emerged as a transformative approach to treating immature permanent teeth with necrotic pulp tissue.

Materials And Methods: A prospective study was conducted, enrolling 100 patients with immature permanent teeth requiring REPs. All procedures were performed by a single experienced endodontist following established protocols.

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Background: Orthodontic treatment is a common dental procedure aimed at correcting malocclusions and improving dental aesthetics. However, one of the potential side effects of orthodontic treatment is root resorption, which can lead to permanent damage to the tooth's root structure.

Materials And Methods: In this comparative study, 60 orthodontic patients were divided into three groups, each receiving a different orthodontic treatment approach: Group A-conventional fixed orthodontic appliances, Group B-self-ligating orthodontic appliances, and Group C-clear aligners.

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Objective: To assess the prevalence of various learning styles and their correlation with academic performance and mental health of medical students.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the King Faisal University, Houfof, Saudi Arabia, from January to June 2019, and comprised medical students regardless of gender or the academic year. Data was collected using the Visual Aural Read/write Kinesthetic questionnaire.

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Aims: Micellar systems have the advantage of being easily prepared, cheap, and readily loadable with bioactive molecular cargo. However, their fundamental pitfall is poor stability, particularly under dilution conditions. We propose to use simple quaternary ammonium surfactants, namely, hexadecylamine (HDA) and hexadecylpyridinium (HDAP), together with tripolyphosphate (TPP) anion, to generate ionotropically stabilized micelles capable of drug delivery into cancer cells.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accuracy in assessing the depth of invasion (DOI) compared to pathological DOI in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to determine whether MRI-measured DOI can predict lymph node metastasis in the cervical region.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study comprised 36 patients diagnosed with oral tongue SCC who underwent head and neck MRI 1-30 days before surgery and were surgically treated at King Fahad Medical City between January 2017 and November 2022. Relevant information was collected from the patients' records, and the data were analyzed to determine the radiological-histopathological correlations for the DOI and ascertain the cutoff point for nodal metastasis.

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Introduction:  Surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using the facetectomy technique with the utilization of segmental pedicle screws aims to achieve correction of coronal and sagittal imbalances and preserve normal neurological function. In this study, we aimed to certify the effectiveness of the facetectomy technique in the correction of AIS by analyzing technique outcomes.

Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center study.

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Objectives: To assess the demographics and clinical factors of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients in Saudi Arabia and compared and analyzed the differences between the patients with and without lymph node metastasis (LNM). Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is a common thyroid cancer and is not usually detectable clinically but found incidentally after pathologic evaluation of thyroid tissue following surgery for benign thyroid disorders. However, these tumors have a significant risk of LNM.

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