Clin. Pract., Volume 7, Issue 1 (January 2017) – 11 articles

Intraosseous schwannoma of the hamate bone presented in this case is a very rare benign tumor, and its diagnosis combined with clinical, imaging and needle biopsy is important to guide further therapy. The diagnosis of schwannoma of the hamate was proved histologically following its surgical treatment by curettage. Full article

Two cases of calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT) of the dental follicle in an impacted third molar without clinical and radiological evidence are reported during routine histopathological examination. In both the cases left mandibular third molar was mesioangularly impacted with pericoronal radiolucency of less than 2.5 mm, which was not indicative of any pathology. As a routine protocol (which is not practiced widely) of our institution, dental follicles associated with extracted molars were sent for histopathological examination. Histopathological features were consistent with CCOT with pathognomonic ghost cell transformation of odontogenic epithelium. The patients were followed for one year with no recurrence. This paper emphasizes the importance of routine histopathological examination of dental follicles associated with asymptomatic impacted teeth without any clinical or radiographic evidence of follicular lesion. Full article

Even though highly vascularized, the thyroid gland rarely has spontaneous bleeding. Bleeding into the thyroid gland can result in potentially lethal acute airway compromise. This case report describes an elderly patient on warfarin for atrial fibrillation, who presented with swelling on the right side of her neck causing acute airway obstruction. An urgent computed tomography of the neck showed an enlarging hemorrhage into the right lobe of the thyroid gland. She was initially intubated for airway protection and her anticoagulation was reversed to stop the bleeding. She was closely monitored in the intensive care unit. After an uncomplicated tracheal extubation and recovery, she was discharged and scheduled for an elective total thyroidectomy. We desire that physicians be aware of this rare, potentially lethal bleeding complication. Full article

The aim of this cross sectional anatomical study is to determine the distribution of the defined anatomical variations of the Sylvian fissure (SF) in a normal population and to analyze its bilateral superposable presentation. Furthermore, we examined the course of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the division of the MCA branches in relation to the SF types. A total of 300 cranial CT scans - 100 CT angiography datasets and 86 MRIs of patients without intracranial pathologies - were reviewed. The SF was categorized in five types based on Yasargils description and our previous publication. The length, diameter and branches of the MCA were measured and compared to the SF types. SPSS 23.0 for Windows® was used for statistical analysis. We analyzed data of 300 patients (171 male, 129 female; mean age 51.6years). Symmetric and mirror-imaged coherence of the SF was found in 266 patients (88.7%, χ2(8)=3.04, p=0.932). The distribution of the SF types showed significant differences in patients younger than 60 years compared to older patients. A bifurcation was observed in 72.0%. A trifurcation was observed in 12.0% and a false bifurcation in 16.0% of patients. There was no significant difference of the measured diameters or length of the M1 segments according to the SF types. In this CT and MRI based anatomical study we could show that a twisted and narrow SF occurred more frequently in patients younger than 60 years of age. The SF has a high congruence intra-individually. The anatomical condition might influence the size and configuration of the proximal MCA, which in turn might influence the surgeon’s choice of the approach to the SF. Preoperative evaluation on the basis of the presented data, may help to decide for an appropriate approach to the SF. Full article

Most patients complaining of pharyngeal pain have an upper respiratory tract infection or other local explanation for their pain. Here we show 3 rare cases of patients visiting our Otorhinolaryngology Department who had an initial symptom of pharyngeal pain caused by acute coronary syndrome (ACS). An electrocardiogram and a cardiac biomarker test are recommended to exclude ACS with atypical presentation in cases without pharyngolaryngeal findings comparable to pharyngeal pain. Full article

Ischemic stroke is the most common complication of atrial fibrillation (AF). Anticoagulation therapy reduces the risk of systemic embolization in almost all patients with AF irrespective of the type of AF (paroxysmal, persistent or permanent). But, all patients are not suitable candidates for systemic anticoagulation mainly due to the risk of bleeding. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) devices have been found to be very effective non-pharmacologic alternative therapy for such patients. There are various types of LAAC devices but United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) have approved only Watchman device. Initially, bigger medical centers in the US had started the insertion of Watchman device but with improving procedural techniques and exciting outcomes, even the community-based hospitals have started to embrace this therapy. We have presented the first three cases of Watchman device placement performed in our hospital and discussed about the indications for placement of LAAC devices .We have also reviewed their efficacy individually. Full article

Liver abscesses are an uncommon disease that can present with vague symptoms. Fusobacterium necrophorum causing liver abscesses is a rare condition and only a few cases have been reported. An 88-year-old female presented to her primary care physician with one week of fevers, night sweats, chills, fatigue and vague right upper quadrant abdominal pain. She denied nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea and unintentional weight loss. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed two liver abscesses in the right lobe as well as extensive diverticulosis. Percutaneous drainage was performed and draining catheters were placed in the abscesses. Culture of the abscess fluid grew Fusobacterium necrophorum. She was treated with ceftriaxone and metronidazole as per sensitivities. Rare cases of F. necrophorum hepatic abscesses have been published. The source of infection described in reported cases included hematogenous spread from dental caries/peritonsillar abscess and those involving the gastrointestinal tract resulting from inflammation of the bowel wall or from inflamed diverticuli via the portal circulation. In one study, thirteen cases of liver abscess due to F. necrophorum were studied, and two of these cases had diverticular disease without inflammation. Full article

There are few papers on the combination therapy of deferiprone (DFP) and deferasirox (DFX) in iron-overloaded patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia major (β-TM). A total of 6 patients with β-TM (5 males and 1 female) with a mean age of 23.8±5.8 years (ranging from 17 to 31) used this treatment regimen. The mean doses of DFP and DFX were 53.9±22.2 and 29.3±6.8 mg/kg/day, respectively. The duration of treatment was 11.5±4.6 months. Their serum ferritin levels were measured to be 2800±1900 and 3400±1600 ng/mL before and after treatment, respectively (p<0.6). Their cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2* values were 16.69±15.35 vs 17.38±5.74 millisecond (ms) before and after treatment, respectively (p < 0.9). Although there was no significant difference between their cardiac MRI T2* values before and after treatment statistically, the values improved after combination therapy with DFP and DFX in most of the patients. Liver MRI T2 * values were changed from 2.12±0.98 to 3.03±1.51 ms after treatment (p < 0.01); Further, their liver T2* values and liver iron concentration (LIC) were improved after treatment. Our study found that cardiac MRI T2* values, liver MRI T2* values, and LIC were improved after combination therapy with DFP and DFX in β-TM patients and that DFP and DFX combination therapy could be used to alleviate cardiac and liver iron loading. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiographic outcomes obtained in a sample of patients treated with a chiropractic scoliosis-specific exercise program for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Patients were treated and subsequently followed through skeletal maturity, and their results were reported in accordance with the SOSORT Consensus Guidelines. A total of 60 patient charts were consecutively selected when they met inclusion criteria. Cobb angle measurements and Risser staging were collected on all images. Using SOSORT criteria, 51.7% of patients achieved curve correction and 38.3% achieved stabilization. In the curve correction group, average total correction was 12.75°. A small number of sampled patients’ curves progressed, with a 13% failure rate based upon patients who dropped out before skeletal maturity combined with those who had progressed at skeletal maturity. Future studies are needed to corroborate these observations. Full article

Interventricular membranous septal (IVMS) aneurysm is a rare condition with no accurate incidence. It is known to be associated with 0.3 % of congenital heart disease and 19 % of ventricular septal defects. IVMS aneurysm is often asymptomatic but can be complicated with right ventricular obstruction, rupture, thromboembolism, and conduction defects. Clinicians and radiologist should be aware about this rare clinical entity and evaluation of any possible underlying cardiac abnormalities should be performed. Conservative management with close follow up is the mainstay of management in the absence of complication. Full article

Trimester specific reference ranges of hematological indices were described in several populations; however, comparable reports among Sudanese women with normal pregnancy are lacking. To evaluate trimester pattern of change and reference ranges of hematological profile among Sudanese women with normal pregnancy, we followed 143 women with singleton gestation since early pregnancy until the third trimester in Saad Abu-Alela Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan, during the period of January-December 2015. Obstetrics and medical history was gathered using questionnaire and hematological profile was investigated using hemo-analyser. The first, second and third trimester mean (SD) [5^th- 95^th centile] of hematological profile were as follow: RBC counts 4.30 (0.36) [3.69- 4.93], 4.35 (0.36) [3.69-4.93], 4.08 (0.44) [3.44-4.78] ×10⁶/mm³; hemoglobin concentration 10.81 (1.22) [8.92-12.74], 10.62 (0.93) [9.00-12.10], 10.83 (1.13) [8.82- 12.60] g/dL; hematocrit 35.38 (3.52) [30.12-40.30], 34.43 (2.51) [30.58-38.23], 35.17 (3.18) 29.66-40.04] %; WBC counts 7.69 (1.96) [4.36-11.20], 8.45 (1.97) [5.48- 12.13], 8.36 (2.11) [5.00-11.96] ×10³/mm³; platelet counts 278.02 (66.93) [182.6- 418.0], 251.96 (64.17) [163.8-381.8], 238.36 (57.10) [150.4-346.2] ×10³/mm³. The present study is the first to establish trimester specific, reference range for hematological profile among Sudanese women with normal pregnancy. The trimester reference range of RBC, WBC and platelets and other hematological indices are mostly parallel to international records. Full article