Fatal Strongyloides stercoralis hyper-infection in a patient with multiple myeloma.

Strongyloides stercoralis (S.S.) is a human intestinal parasite, which may lead to complicated strongyloidiasis.

Acquired pure megakaryocytic aplasia successfully treated with cyclosporine.

Acquired pure megakaryocytic aplasia is a rare hematological disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia with absent or markedly reduced megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. We report a case of a 25-year-old male diagnosed as acquired pure megakaryocytic aplasia. Treatment with prednisone and intravenous immunoglobulin failed, but he was successfully treated with cyclosporine, with complete remission after 90 days and normal platelet count maintained thereafter.

Gender and risk of depression in Saudi Arabia, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Depression is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. In the year 2000 depression accounted for 4.4% of the global disability adjusted life years (DALYs).

Two Ocular Infections during Conventional Chemotherapy in a Patient with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case Report.

Viral retinitis due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is rare in patients with acute leukemia who did not receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We report a case of CMV retinitis that developed in a 49-year-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient was treated with salvage chemotherapy using a hyper-CVAD regimen and did not receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the ethmoid sinus: A case report.

Background: Aneurysmal bone cyst is an expansile bone lesion, non-neoplastic in nature, occurring most commonly in long bones. It is uncommon in facial bones and exceptionally rare in ethmoid bone. Ten cases of aneurysmal bone cysts of ethmoid bone have been reported so far.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Is there a new treatment?

The authors report a novel, alternative approach to treat malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM) targeting, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using anti-VEGF (bevacizumab) chemotherapy combination.

Rhino-orbital zygomycosis secondary to Rhizopus oryzae in a renal transplant recipient successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B.

Rhino-orbital zygomycosis is usually an aggressive, fulminant and, at times, fatal disease that requires urgent medical and surgical treatment. We report a case of rhino-orbital zygomycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae that developed in a 41-year-old male renal transplant recipient. He was diagnosed in the early post transplant period after anti-rejection therapy.

Problems with inpatient drug users in Jeddah.

Background: To identify problems associated with the treatment of inpatient drug users in Jeddah, and suggest ways of improving the delivery of health care service to these drug users.

Subjects And Methods: Three hundred and two subjects with substance dependence who were admitted to the Voluntary Detoxification Unit of Al Amal Hospital, Jeddah, between January and April 1997 (inclusive) were studied. A data gathering form was designed to collect relevant information.

Tetanus in i.v. heroin users.

Background: Tetanus is a toxic infectious state whose overall incidence is declining. In drug users who inject the drug, the incidence of tetanus may be on the rise. Contaminated heroin is the primary cause.

Diagnostic difficulties of pelvic splenosis: case report.

We report the case of a 38-year-old woman who presented with chronic lower abdominal pain. Her past medical history included a splenectomy due to abdominal trauma. Ultrasound examination revealed four pelvic tumors which, upon laparotomy, were found to be the result of splenosis.

Recoverable hearing loss with amphetamines and other drugs.

Prolonged and sustained consumption of alcohol, heroin and volatiles had been reported to impair hearing. Amphetamine related hearing loss is clinically different from the hearing loss seen with other agents. It seems that illicit drug use could result in two clinically different types of hearing losses.

High-risk relapse situations and self-efficacy: comparison between alcoholics and heroin addicts.

The main purpose of the present study is to investigate the differences between alcoholics and heroin addicts in some relapse dimensions and self-efficacy. The sample consisted of 180 inpatient males, who admitted to Al-Amal Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for treatment from substance abuse. The total sample was divided into two groups: 105 participants were heroin addicts and 75 were alcoholics.

Can a short-term training course improve the primary-care physicians' attitudes toward mental health problems?

Objective: To measure changes in the attitude of Primary Health Care (PHC) physicians towards mental illnesses after a short-term training course. In addition, to ascertain if this change would persist 6 months after the training course.

Method: This is an intervention type study.

Hearing loss in amphetamine users.

Sensory perceptions are modified by amphetamines. Prolonged and heavy use can lead to neuronal damage, neurotransmitter depletion and receptor supersensitivity. Sensorineural deafness had been reported in chronic users of volatile inhalants, alcohol and heroin.

Substance dependence. A hospital based survey.

Objective: To collect basic data on multiple and diverse issues such as drugs of dependence, smoking, initiation age, injection related harm, nutritional status, trauma, accidents, abnormal laboratory parameters and co-morbid conditions.

Method: Seven hundred and ninety nine subjects from a voluntary detoxification unit were studied. Four hundred and ninety seven charts from June 1995 to December 1995 were reviewed retrospectively.

Substance dependence. A hospital based survey.

Objective: To collect basic data on multiple and diverse issues such as drugs of dependence, smoking, initiation age, injection related harm, nutritional status, trauma, accidents, abnormal laboratory parameters and co-morbid conditions.

Methods: Seven hundred and ninety nine subjects from a voluntary detoxification unit were studied. Four hundred and ninety seven charts from June 1995 to December 1995 were reviewed retrospectively.