Role of speckle tracking echocardiography in detecting early left atrial dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

Background: Arterial hypertension adversely affects left atrial (LA) size and function, effect on function may precede effect on size. Many techniques were used to assess LA function but with pitfalls.

Objectives: Early detection of left atrial dysfunction with speckle tracking echocardiography in hypertensive patients with normal left atrial size.

Assessment of right ventricular function by echocardiography in patients with chronic heart failure.

Background: The main focus of most of the studies in heart failure (HF) is the assessment of the left ventricular functions, while the right ventricle was much less studied. Much of this neglect is due to the complexity of anatomy and physiology of the right ventricle which are considered challenges during assessment of RV.

Objective: [1] To review the alterations of right ventricular dimensions & function associated with chronic heart failure.

Adipose tissue, fillers, and skin tightening.

The role of adipose tissue has long been underestimated in esthetic dermatology. With the development of liposculpture and lipolysis, subcutaneous adipose tissue has gained an increasing interest. Harvested tissue has been used for lipofilling.

Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis) ova: An incidental finding in testicular tissue of an obstructive azoospermic man.

Congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) results in obstructive azoospermia in which testicular function, such as spermatogenesis, is preserved. Bilateral testicular biopsy is not only diagnostic but also therapeutic as retrieved spermatozoa are usually cryopreserved for assisted reproduction. In this case report, CBAVD was confirmed in a 24-year-old azoospermic man on the basis of persistent azoospermia associated with low semen volume, absent fructose and normal hormonal levels, ultrasonographically (absent seminal vesicles) and histologically (intact spermatogenesis).

Thoracoscopic management of early stages of empyema: is this the golden standard?

Background: Empyema is a well-known disease that significantly increases the morbidity and mortality associated with pneumonia. There are a number of treatment modalities available but recently video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been suggested as a reliable tool in management of empyema; particularly in early stages. The aim of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of using initial VATS for all surgically fit patients with early stages of empyema.

Biplanar fixation of acromio-clavicular joint dislocation associated with coracoid process fracture: Case report.

Introduction: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury associated with coracoid process (CP) fracture is a rare injury and only case reports had been published in the literature. Although AC joint injury is not uncommon, there is controversy as regard the best stabilization method whether to use wires, hook plate, arthroscopic reconstruction or the recently described techniques of anatomic restoration of both the coracoclavicular (CC) and acromioclavicular (AC) ligaments to add stability in both the vertical as well as the horizontal plane for the AC joint. Isolated CP fracture rarely necessitates surgical intervention; but in association with AC joint injury; a controversy as regard best management, surgical approach, technique of stabilization and implant used is present due to paucity of literature.

Surgical Treatment for Extramammary Paget's Disease.

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare, slow growing non-melanoma skin cancer.Diagnosis is often significantly delayed, since clinical presentation may resemble common benign dermatoses. Treatment is characterized by high recurrence rates.

Predictors of intravenous amiodarone induced liver injury.

Background: Intravenous (IV) amiodarone may be associated with liver injury that may necessitate drug discontinuation. The prediction of amiodarone induced liver injury (AILI) and its severity may help careful patient monitoring or the choice of other measures alternative to amiodarone in high risk patients. Little is known regarding predictors of AILI.

Clinical Outcomes After Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of Giant Pituitary Adenomas.

Background: Giant pituitary adenomas represent a surgical challenge. We present the results of the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for giant pituitary adenomas.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 55 patients with giant pituitary adenomas (>4 cm in maximum diameter) who underwent surgery with an EEA between 2008 and 2016.

Is mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy a safe alternative to extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy in pediatric age group in borderline stones? a randomized prospective study.

Purpose: The extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) remains the most common first line of treatment for renal stones in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the outcomes of the ESWL and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL).

Patients And Methods: A total of 108 patients younger than 12 years of age with 1-2 cm single renal stone (pelvic or calyceal) were randomized into two groups, each containing 54 patients.

Limberg flap in management of pilonidal sinus disease: systematic review and a local experience.

Objectives: To review published evidence of Limberg flap (LF) use in pilonidal sinus disease (PSD). We also included our local experience of LF.

Methods: Medline and Embase database were searched for the words 'pilonidal, sinus, Limberg, flap'.

Systemic lupus erythematosus with inflammatory bowel disease-ulcerative colitis: case report.

A 30-year-old female presented to the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the Internal Medicine Department, Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, complaining of a large right leg ulcer consistent with pyoderma gangrenosum. There was history of recurrent attacks of bleeding per rectum of one-year duration. During hospitalization she noticed blurring of vision in the left eye with diffuse blackish discoloration of the feet and toes, consistent with small-vessel vasculitis.

Validation of a Patient-Completed Caprini Risk Assessment Tool for Spanish, Arabic, and Polish Speakers.

Targeted prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) using the Caprini risk score (CRS) is effective reducing postoperative VTE. Despite its availability as preventive strategy, risk scoring remains underutilized. Critics to the CRS contend the time it takes to complete, and its limitation to English language.

Role of adipose tissue in facial aging.

Age-dependent modification of the facial subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) connected with reduction of its volume, modification of collagen content and adhesion between dermal and adipose layers can significantly influence mechanical stability of the skin and cause the development of aging symptoms such as wrinkles. Typical aging appearance in facial skin is at least partly connected with special phenotypical features of facial preadipocytes and mature adipocytes. In this paper, we have discussed the possible roles of local inflammation, compartmental structure of facial sWAT and trans-differentiation processes such as beiging of white adipocytes and adipocyte-myofibroblast transition in facial skin aging.

Echocardiographic predictors of coil vs device closure in patients undergoing percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus closure.

Aim: To determine anatomic and hemodynamic echocardiographic predictors for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) device vs coil closure.

Methods: Seventy-six patients who were referred for elective transcatheter PDA closure were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent full echocardiogram including measurement of the PDA pulmonary end diameter, color flow width and extent, peak and end-diastolic Doppler gradients across the duct, diastolic flow reversal, left atrial dimensions and volume, left ventricular sphericity index, and volumes.

Bilateral bidirectional Glenn: outcome of off-pump technique.

Objectives: Off-pump bilateral bidirectional Glenn (b-BDG) poses a surgical challenge and may add complexity to the postoperative outcome especially regarding uniformity of the anastomosis and central pulmonary artery growth. Herein, we report early- and mid-term outcomes after off-pump b-BDG without using superior vena cava decompression techniques.

Methods: Ninety-seven consecutive patients, between 2009 and 2014, were included in this prospective study.

Clinical Outcome after Endoscopic Endonasal Resection of Tuberculum Sella Meningiomas.

Background: In select cases, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has distinct advantages for resection of tuberculum sella meningiomas (TSM).

Objective: To report the extent of resection (EOR), complication rates, and outcomes in a large series of TSM treated by the EEA.

Methods: Twenty-five consecutive TSM cases treated by EEA from 2008 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.

Study of Irisin Hormone Level in Type 2 Diabetic Patients and Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy.

Background: Type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy are associated with multifactorial abnormal energy metabolism. Irisin has been recently introduced as a hormone that is exercise-induced and is secreted by skeletal muscles. It is hypothesized that patients with chronic kidney disease usually have abnormal irisin levels.

On-X versus St Jude Medical Mechanical Prosthesis in mitral position: are we moving forward in design technology?

Background: Continuous effort is still provided in designing optimal artificial heart valves with better hemodynamic function and reduced thromboembolic potential. The question is do we have moved forward toward this goal or not.

Methods: A prospective, randomized comparative study was done on 360 patients scheduled for elective mitral valve replacement.

Combined Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant And Micropulse Yellow Laser For Treatment Of Anti-VEGF Resistant Diabetic Macular Edema.

Purpose: To report the efficacy and safety of combined intravitreal dexamethasone implant and micropulse laser for anti-VEGF resistant diabetic macular edema.

Patients And Methods: Prospective, non-controlled study that was conducted for twenty eyes with center-involved diabetic macular edema not responding to anti-VEGF therapy. Ozurdex intravitreal implant was injected to all eyes with subsequent micropulse yellow laser one month after the injection.

Association of sex hormones with metabolic syndrome among Egyptian males.

Background: Studies have shown that testosterone and estradiol (E2) are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). To our knowledge, few studies, if any about the association of endogenous sex hormones with MetS have been done in Egypt.

Aim: To study the relation between endogenous sex hormones and MetS among Egyptian males.

A Randomized Comparison Between Staple-Line Oversewing Versus No Reinforcement During Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Background: Varieties of intraoperative methods such as oversewing of staple lines or other reinforcement products are used for preventing the laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the complication rates of the gastric stapling alone versus stapling with oversewing invagination of the staple line in the LSG.

Methods: This is a single-center randomized study, Patients were randomized to two groups, 200 patients underwent LSG without reinforcement of the staple line and 200 patients underwent LSG with oversewing of the staple line.

Independent predictors of developing pulmonary hypertension in heart failure with reduced versus preserved ejection fraction.

Objectives: To investigate the different clinical and echocardiographic predictors of evolving PH in patients with heart failure with and without reduced ejection fraction.

Methods And Results: The study included 153 heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) ( = 89) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) ( = 64) both of which were subdivided into 2 subgroups according to the presence of PH. All patients were subjected to detailed clinical assessment and full transthoracic echocardiogram.