Description of a concurrent thyroid haemangioma and a follicular adenoma.

Unlabelled: Thyroid gland vascular proliferations pose a challenge to pathologists, radiologists and surgeons. This is illustrated in the case of a 36-year-old woman who underwent a diagnostic thyroid lobectomy for a suspected follicular neoplasm according to cytology. Histological diagnosis confirmed a follicular adenoma as well as a cavernous haemangioma or venous malformation.

Development and evaluation of a simple treatment eligibility score (HEPSANET) to decentralise hepatitis B care in Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) elimination requires expanding and decentralising HBV care services. However, peripheral health facilities lack access to diagnostic tools to assess eligibility for antiviral therapy. Through the Hepatitis B in Africa Collaborative Network (HEPSANET), we aimed to develop and evaluate a score using tests generally available at lower-level facilities, to simplify the evaluation of antiviral therapy eligibility in people living with HBV.

Cerebellar Volume and Disease Staging in Parkinson's Disease: An ENIGMA-PD Study.

Background: Increasing evidence points to a pathophysiological role for the cerebellum in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, regional cerebellar changes associated with motor and non-motor functioning remain to be elucidated.

Objective: To quantify cross-sectional regional cerebellar lobule volumes using three dimensional T1-weighted anatomical brain magnetic resonance imaging from the global ENIGMA-PD working group.

Radiation Planning Assistant - A Web-based Tool to Support High-quality Radiotherapy in Clinics with Limited Resources.

Access to radiotherapy worldwide is limited. The Radiation Planning Assistant (RPA) is a fully automated, web-based tool that is being developed to offer fully automated radiotherapy treatment planning tools to clinics with limited resources. The goal is to help clinical teams scale their efforts, thus reaching more patients with cancer.

Evaluation of a new technique using artificial intelligence for quantification of plasma cells on CD138 immunohistochemistry.

Introduction: The diagnosis of plasma cell neoplasms depends on the accurate quantification of plasma cells, traditionally done by immunohistochemical CD138 staining of bone marrow biopsies. Currently, there is no fully satisfactory reference method for this quantification. In our previous study, we compared the commonly used overview estimation method (method A) with a novel method for counting plasma cells in three representative areas (method B).

Protocol for clinical diagnosis and empiric treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in severely burned patients: observations and literature review.

Introduction: Reactivation of pulmonary tuberculosis is a prevalent concomitant infection and cause for mortality in burns patients in Sub-Saharan Africa. First line laboratory diagnostic studies for pulmonary tuberculosis are often negative in these patients and if relied on, result in high mortality. The purpose of this report is to share our experience with a novel protocol of empiric treatment of clinically suspected pulmonary tuberculosis in severely burned patients with negative GeneXpert tests in a tertiary burns centre and to present a brief literature review on the topic.

Practitioner's knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices towards urinary incontinence.

Background: One in three women in South Africa suffer from urinary incontinence. Effective management is influenced by patients help-seeking behaviour and services offered by healthcare professionals within the healthcare system. Current practice towards urinary incontinence management in South Africa is unknown.

Science diplomacy in medical physics - an international perspective.

Purpose: Science diplomacy in medical physics is a relatively young research field and translational practice that focuses on establishing international collaborations to address some of the questions biomedical professionals face globally. This paper aims to present an overview of science diplomacy in medical physics, from an international perspective, illustrating the ways collaborations within and across continents can lead to scientific and professional achievements that advance scientific growth and improve patients care.

Methods: Science diplomacy actions were sought that promote collaborations in medical physics across the continents, related to professional and scientific aspects alike.

Clinical Presentation and Outcome of Acute Respiratory Illnesses in South African Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) show higher morbidity and mortality in children with acute respiratory illness (ARI) from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, whether SARS-CoV-2 infection is distinct from other causes of ARI in this regard is unclear. We describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of South African children with SARS-CoV-2 and non-SARS-CoV-2 ARIs.

Hepatitis B in Africa Collaborative Network: cohort profile and analysis of baseline data.

Approximately 80 million people live with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the WHO Africa Region. The natural history of HBV infection in this population is poorly characterised, and may differ from patterns observed elsewhere due to differences in prevailing genotypes, environmental exposures, co-infections, and host genetics. Existing research is largely drawn from small, single-centre cohorts, with limited follow-up time.

Decreased Hepatic Steatosis in South African Adolescents With Perinatal HIV Switching to Dolutegravir-containing Regimens.

Background: Although dolutegravir (DTG) has a favorable metabolic profile, it has been linked to excess weight gain. We evaluated changes in hepatic steatosis in adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV switching to DTG-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: Virologically suppressed adolescents switched to dolutegravir for a minimum of 4 months or on unchanged ART (84% protease inhibitor) were assessed prospectively with anthropometry, transient elastography with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and fasting metabolic profiles.

Omecamtiv Mecarbil in Black Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction: Insights From GALACTIC-HF.

Background: Omecamtiv mecarbil improves cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (EF). Consistency of drug benefit across race is a key public health topic.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of omecamtiv mecarbil among self-identified Black patients.

2022 SASCI/SCTSSA joint consensus statement and guideline on transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in South Africa.

Patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) have traditionally been treated with surgical aortic valve replacement (sAVR). Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a percutaneous option that has been shown to be at least as effective as sAVR in numerous subgroups of patients with severe AS. This is an update on the previous joint consensus statement and guideline on transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in South Africa, published in 2016.

A Killian-Jamieson diverticulum potentially mimicking a thyroid nodule: A case report highlighting the cytology of a pharyngoesophageal diverticulum.

The authors highlight the important contribution of rapid on-site evaluation by the cytopathologist of a pharyngoesophageal diverticulum in a mass initially interpreted clinically as thyroidal in origin. They discuss pitfalls in avoiding interpretive diagnostic error and inappropriate thyroid Bethesda reporting.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatic Steatosis in Children With Perinatal HIV on Early Antiretroviral Therapy Compared to HIV-Exposed Uninfected and HIV-Unexposed Children.

Objectives: We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for hepatic steatosis in South African children with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) who started treatment early and remain on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared to HIV-uninfected children.

Design: A cross-sectional study from April 2019 to October 2021. PHIV, HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed (HU) children were enrolled from an ongoing cohort study.

Effect of Molnupiravir on Biomarkers, Respiratory Interventions, and Medical Services in COVID-19 : A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: In the MOVe-OUT trial, molnupiravir showed a clinically meaningful reduction in the risk for hospitalization or death in adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 and risk factors for progression to severe disease.

Objective: To identify other potential clinical benefits of molnupiravir versus placebo.

Design: Secondary analysis of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 component of MOVe-OUT.

Reporting ChAracteristics of cadaver training and sUrgical studies: The CACTUS guidelines.

Introduction: Recent systematic reviews highlighted increasing use of cadaveric models in the surgical training, but reports on the characteristics of the models and their impact on training are lacking, as well as standardized recommendations on how to ensure the quality of surgical studies. The aim of our survey was to provide an easy guideline that would improve the quality of the studies involving cadavers for surgical training and research.

Methods: After accurate literature review regarding surgical training on cadaveric models, a draft of the CACTUS guidelines involving 10 different items was drawn.

Paediatric admissions to a TB hospital: reasons for admission, clinical profile and outcomes.

Brooklyn Chest Hospital (BCH) is a specialised TB hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. We describe reasons for admission, patient profiles and hospital-discharge outcomes in children admitted to BCH. This was compared to a previous study (2000-2001).