Decreased total antioxidants status in the plasma of patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate total antioxidant status (TAS) in the plasma of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG) patients and to compare this level with a matching control group. Additionally, we aim to investigate the effect of the combined action of the lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) mutation status with TAS level on the development of PEG.

Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from 54 PEG patients and 54 controls of matching age, sex, and ethnicity.

Hypothenar hammer syndrome in a 22-year-old male patient: a case report and review of literature.

Hypothenar hammer syndrome is a rare condition with a peculiar presentation that aids in making a clinical diagnosis. We present a 22-year-old male patient who presented with critical hand ischemia secondary to a distal ulnar aneurysm with distal embolization. The patient was treated with an aneurysmectomy with cephalic vein interposition graft, which resulted in complete reversal of his hand ischemia.

The profile of glaucoma in a Tertiary Ophthalmic University Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: To report the pattern of glaucoma among Saudi patients who were presented to King Abdul Aziz University Hospital (KAUH).

Methods: All glaucoma or glaucoma suspect patients who were presented to KAUH from 2006 to 2008 were included; medical files of all patients were retrieved and evaluated through standardized international guidelines. Collected data included: age, sex, laterality, intraocular pressure, and cup/disk ratio.

Factor XIIIA transglutaminase expression and secretion by osteoblasts is regulated by extracellular matrix collagen and the MAP kinase signaling pathway.

Osteoblast differentiation is regulated by the presence of collagen type I (COL I) extracellular matrix (ECM). We have recently demonstrated that Factor XIIIA (FXIIIA) transglutaminase (TG) is required by osteoblasts for COL I secretion and extracellular deposition, and thus also for osteoblast differentiation. In this study we have further investigated the link between COL I and FXIIIA, and demonstrate that COL I matrix increases FXIIIA levels in osteoblast cultures and that FXIIIA is found as cellular (cFXIIIA) and extacellular matrix (ecmFXIIIA) forms.

Shunting during carotid endarterectomy.

Background: The use of shunting during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is controversial. While some surgeons advocate routine shunting, others prefer selective shunting or no shunting. Several large series have documented excellent results of CEA with routine shunting or without shunts.

Degenerative (true) superficial temporal artery aneurysm: a case report with review of literature.

This is a case report of a 72-year-old female who presented to our clinic with right temple mass that was found incidentally on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her head about 2 years ago, as part of a stroke workup. However, it was thought to be a sebaceous cyst and left as such. The patient then experienced a rapid increase in the size of the mass about 2 weeks prior to her presentation to us.

Management of unilateral versus bilateral lacrimal drainage system dysfunction in Down syndrome.

Purpose: To evaluate treatment outcomes of unilateral versus bilateral congenital nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction in patients with Down syndrome and highlight the effect of associated features that could result in poor outcomes.

Methods: A total of 34 lacrimal drainage systems (LDSs) were treated in 22 patients with Down syndrome who had a mean age of 47 (± 41.8) months.

Plasma levels of resistin and ghrelin before and after treatment in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Objective: To investigate ghrelin and resistin concentrations in patients with hyperthyroidism before and after restoration to a euthyroid state and to correlate the 2 peptides with anthropometric and insulin resistance parameters.

Methods: The study included hyperthyroid patients and euthyroid healthy participants as a control group. Hyperthyroid patients were evaluated at the start of the study and after normalization of thyroid function with appropriate antithyroid drugs.

Correlation of intraoperative collateral perfusion pressure during carotid endarterectomy and status of the contralateral carotid artery and collateral cerebral blood flow.

Background: The optimal method for predicting when carotid shunting is not necessary during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is controversial. This study will analyze the correlation of collateral perfusion pressure and the status of contralateral carotid/cerebral collaterals and determine whether preoperative duplex ultrasound/cerebral angiography can predict when CEA can be done without shunting.

Methods: Ninety-eight patients were randomized into routine shunting and 102 into selective shunting when the collateral perfusion pressure (systolic carotid stump pressure) was <40 mm Hg during CEA.

Role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in characterization of renal tumors.

Objective: To evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the characterization of renal tumors.

Materials And Methods: Prospective study was conducted on 52 consecutive patients (24 males and 28 females) with renal tumor. They underwent diffusion-weighted echo planar MR imaging of the abdomen with b-factor of 0 and 800 seconds/mm².

A 10-year experience of infection following carotid endarterectomy with patch angioplasty.

Objective: Although infection following carotid endarterectomy is rare, consequences of this seldom seen complication can be devastating. Polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and vein patches have all been used by many institutions for patch angioplasty, each with reported cases of infection following surgery. Our institution has preferentially used PTFE for the majority of cases, and here, we report our experience with postoperative infection following endarterectomy over the last decade.

The relationship of preoperative thrombus load and location to the development of type II endoleak and sac regression.

Background: Few studies have specifically correlated the amount of thrombus in the aneurysm sac and the presence of type II endoleaks (TIIE). This study examined the correlation of preoperative thrombus load and location to the incidence of TIIE and late sac regression.

Methods: Prospectively collected data from 266 endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) patients were analyzed.

Older children at the time of the Norwood operation have ongoing mortality vulnerability that continues after cavopulmonary connection.

Objectives: Delayed first-stage palliation of children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and related pathologies can be associated with poor outcomes because of development of progressive pulmonary vascular disease and volume load effects on the systemic ventricle and atrioventricular valve. We examine the current era's survival in this subgroup.

Methods: Fifty-five infants older than 2 weeks underwent the Norwood operation (2003-2007).

The utilization of the double-bubble aortic configuration to seal infra-renal aortic aneurysms: a case report and review of literature.

An 80-year-old Caucasian female with a symptomatic pararenal aortic aneurysm (AAA) presented with severe abdominal pain radiating to the back, which was associated with a significantly tender pulsating abdominal mass. The patient was deemed unfit for open repair, secondary to her significant multiple comorbidities. Her preoperative computed tomography (CT) angiography showed a 6 cm pararenal AAA with a short hostile neck; however, her aneurysm had a double-bubble sign, which we utilized as an adjunct for sealing zones.

Clinical outcomes for hostile versus favorable aortic neck anatomy in endovascular aortic aneurysm repair using modular devices.

Background: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is not generally recommended for patients with hostile neck anatomy. This study analyzed the clinical implications of various clinical features of proximal aortic neck anatomy.

Methods: Prospectively collected data from 258 EVAR patients using modular devices were analyzed.

Differentiation between benign and malignant orbital tumors at 3-T diffusion MR-imaging.

Introduction: To differentiate between malignant and benign orbital tumors at 3-T diffusion MR imaging.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 47 patients (34 males and 13 females aged 4-74 years) with orbital masses. They underwent echo-planar diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the orbit with b-factor of 0, 500, and 1,000 s/mm(2) at 3-T MR unit.

Elevated serum neutrophil elastase is related to prehypertension and airflow limitation in obese women.

Background: Neutrophil elastase level/activity is elevated in a variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis, systolic hypertension and obstructive pulmonary disease. It is unknown whether obese individuals with prehypertension also have elevated neutrophil elastase, and if so, whether it has a deleterious effect on pulmonary function.

Objectives: To determine neutrophil elastase levels in obese prehypertensive women and investigate correlations with pulmonary function tests.

Trimodality treatment for bladder cancer: does modern radiotherapy improve the end results?

With the advancement in endoscopic surgery, radiation treatment planning and execution, as well as the use of new chemotherapeutic regimens, bladder conservation has evolved into a competing alternative to radical cystectomy. Trimodality treatment has the great advantage of preserving a normally functioning urinary bladder. Despite the absence of direct randomized trials comparing both modalities, trimodality treatment comprising maximal transuretheral resection of bladder tumors followed by different regimens of combined radiochemotherapy achieved comparable results to radical cystectomy in many trials.

MRI in diagnosis of orbital masses.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in diagnosis of different orbital masses and their advantages over conventional magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: The study included 32 patients presenting with proptosis. Every patient was subjected to a clinical examination; conventional MRI "T1 weighted, T2 weighted, and post-contrast T1 weighted if needed;" diffusion-weighted MRI; and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Critical appraisal of the Carotid Duplex Consensus criteria in the diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis.

Background: Clinicians have relied on published institutional experience for interpreting carotid duplex ultrasound studies (CDUS). This study will validate the ultrasound imaging consensus criteria published in 2003.

Methods: The CDUS and angiography results of 376 carotid arteries were analyzed.

Comparison of electronic portal imaging and cone beam computed tomography for position verification in children.

Aim: To compare the accuracy of radiotherapy set-up using an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) versus megavoltage cone beam computed tomography (MV-CBCT) in paediatric patients.

Materials And Methods: In total, 204 pairs of EPID and MV-CBCT were carried out for 72 patients in the first 3 treatment days and weekly thereafter.

Results: For the whole group, the mean systematic EPID set-up errors were 1.

Diagnosis and treatment of subclavian artery occlusive disease.

Atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic vessels is uncommon in comparison to the prevalence of disease in the extracranial carotid arteries. Prior to 1980, occlusive disease of this vascular bed had been treated primarily with surgical intervention, which carried a significant rate of morbidity and mortality. In the last 30 years, however, minimally invasive endovascular techniques have become an important tool in the management of symptomatic patients.

Thoracic aortic trauma: outcomes and hospital resource utilization after endovascular and open repair.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has evolved as a treatment option for the management of thoracic aortic trauma as an alternative to open thoracic aortic repair (OTAR). Population-level outcomes are not known and were evaluated. Secondary data analysis of the 2005-2006 Nationwide Inpatient Sample data was performed, and 1,561 patients with thoracic aortic injury (mean age 44.