Medical Specialties Commons^™

Role Of Metastasectomy And Chemotherapy In Carcinoma Of Uterine Cervix, Nasir Ali, Muhammad Atif Mansha, Ahmed Nadeem Abbasi, Bilal Mazhar Qureshi

Department of Radiation Oncology

Squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix is potentially a curable disease; however, many patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy develop distant metastases, with few of them having a single metastatic deposit. There are no guidelines for the treatment of patients with oligometastatic cervical cancer.We present a case of a patient with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage IIB squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix. She was successfully treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy with definitive intent. One year later, she developed a solitary pulmonary nodule for which she underwent resection followed by chemotherapy. She is free of any local or distant …

Proximal Femur Locking Plate For Sub-Trochanteric Femur Fractures: Factors Associated With Failure, Akbar Zubairi, Rizwan Haroon Rashid, Marij Zahid, Pervaiz Mahmood Hashmi, Shahryar Noordin

Section of Orthopaedic Surgery

Introduction: Proximal femur locking compression plates (PF-LCP) have gained popularity since their inception due to superior biomechanical stability and durability but clinical experience has shown conflicting results including implant failure.
Objective: To study the incidence of implant failure in patients with sub-trochanteric fractures managed with proximal femoral locking compression plate and identify potential risk factors associated with the failure.
Materials & Methods: Fifty patients with sub-trochanteric fractures, operated upon with titanium PF-LCP were included in the study from January 2012 to December 2014. These plates were of two designs including one five 5.0 mm proximal locking screws (implant A) and …

Diabetes In Sub-Saharan Africa: From Clinical Care To Health Policy., Rifat Atun, Justine I. Davies, Edwin A.M. Gal, Till Bärnighausen, David Beran, Andre Pascal Kengne, Naomi S. Levitt, Florence Mangugu, Moffat J. Nyirenda, Graham D. Ogle, Kaushik Ramaiya

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Rapid demographic, sociocultural, and economic transitions are driving increases in the risk and prevalence of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa. The impacts of these transitions and their health and economic consequences are evident. Whereas, in 1990, the leading causes of death in sub-Saharan Africa were HIV/AIDS, lower respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, malaria, and vaccine-preventable diseases in children, in more recent years, cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors are replacing infectious diseases as the leading causes of death in this region, and rates of increase of cardiovascular risk factors are predicted to be greater in sub-Saharan Africa …

A Retrospective Review Of Paediatric Head Injuries In Asia - A Pan Asian Trauma Outcomes Study (Patos) Collaboration, Shu-Ling Chong, Uzma R. Khan, Indumathy Santhanam, Jun Seok Seo, Quan Wang, Sabariah Faizah Jamaluddin,, Quoc Ai Hoang Quoc, Su Yah Chew, Marcus Eng Hock Ong

Department of Emergency Medicine

Objective: We aim to examine the mechanisms of head-injured children presenting to participating centres in the Pan Asian Trauma Outcomes Study (PATOS) and to evaluate the association between mechanism of injury and severe outcomes.
Design and Setting: We performed a retrospective review of medical records among emergency departments (EDs) of eight PATOS centres, from September 2014 - August 2015.
Participants: We included children <16 years old who presented within 24 hours of head injury and were admitted for observation or required a computed tomography (CT) of the brain from the ED. We excluded children with known coagulopathies, neurological co-morbidities or prior neurosurgery. We reviewed the mechanism, intent, location and object involved in each injury, and the patients' physical findings on presentation.
Outcomes: Primary outcomes were death, endotracheal intubation or neurosurgical intervention. Secondary outcomes included hospital and ED length of stay.
Results: 1438 children were analysed. 953 children (66.3%) were male and the median age was 5.0 years (IQR …

Effect Of Provision Of Home-Based Curative Health Services By Public Sector Health-Care Providers On Neonatal Survival: A Community-Based Cluster-Randomised Trial In Rural Pakistan, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Simon Cousens, Ali Turab, Yaqub Wasan, Shah Mohammed, Shabina Arif, Zaid Ahmad Bhatti, Imran Ahmed, Steve Wall, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background : Although the effectiveness of community mobilisation and promotive care delivered by community health workers in reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality is well established, evidence in support of home-based neonatal resuscitation and infection management is mixed. We assessed the effectiveness of adding training in neonatal bag and mask resuscitation and oral antibiotic therapy for suspected neonatal infections to a basic preventive and promotive interventions package delivered by public sector community-based lady health workers (LHWs) in rural Pakistan.

Methods: We did a cluster-randomised controlled trial in two subdistricts of Naushahro Feroze in rural Sindh, Pakistan, between April 15, 2009, …

Gamma Power In Pakistani Children: Links To Executive Function And Verbal Ability, Amanda R. Tarullo, Jelena Obradovic, Brandon Keehn, Muneera Rasheed, Saima Siyal, Charles A. Nelson, Aisha K. Yousafzai

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Children in low- and middle-income countries are at high risk of cognitive deficits due to environmental deprivation that compromises brain development. Despite the high prevalence of unrealized cognitive potential, very little is known about neural correlates of cognition in this population. We assessed resting EEG power and cognitive ability in 105 highly disadvantaged 48-month-old children in rural Pakistan. An increase in EEG power in gamma frequency bands (21-30Hz and 31-45Hz) was associated with better executive function. For girls, EEG gamma power also related to higher verbal IQ. This study identifies EEG gamma power as a neural marker of cognitive function …

Body Composition At Birth And Its Relationship With Neonatal Anthropometric Ratios: The Newborn Body Composition Study Of The Intergrowth-21st Project, José Villar, Fabien A. Puglia, Tanis R. Fenton, Leila Cheikh Ismail, Eleonora Staines-Urias, Francesca Giuliani, Eric O. Ohuma, Cesar G. Victora, Peter Sullivan, Fernando C. Barros, Ann Lambert, Aris T. Papageorghiou, R. Ochieng, Yasmin A. Jaffer, Douglas G. Altman, Alison J. Noble, Michael G. Gravett, Manorama Purwar, Ruyan Pang, Ricardo Uauy, Stephen H. Kennedy, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background: We aimed to describe newborn body composition and identify which anthropometric ratio (weight/length; BMI; or ponderal index, PI) best predicts fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM).

Methods: Air-displacement plethysmography (PEA POD) was used to estimate FM, FFM, and body fat percentage (BF%). Associations between FFM, FM, and BF% and weight/length, BMI, and PI were evaluated in 1,019 newborns using multivariate regression analysis. Charts for FM, FFM, and BF% were generated using a prescriptive subsample (n = 247). Standards for the best-predicting anthropometric ratio were calculated utilizing the same population used for the INTERGROWTH-21st Newborn Size Standards (n = …

Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality (Sciwora) In Adults: A Report Of Two Cases, Adil Aziz Khan, Shafaq Mahmood, Tayyaba Saif, Aleesha Gul

Section of Internal Medicine

Spinal cord injury without any radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) is rare in adults. We describe here two case reports of adult patients, who presented to us with quadriplegia, following a road traffic accident. Plain radiography and computed tomography (CT) of cervical spine were normal. Hence the patients were diagnosed as cases of adult SCIWORA. However, subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the two patients revealed cervical cord injury in the form of cord contusion and disc protrusion, respectively. Patient with cord contusion was managed medically, whereas the patient with disc lesion was treated with discectomy. Patient treated with discectomy showed marked …

Short-Term Outcomes After Hepatic Resection : Perspective From A Developing Country, Saleema Begum, Muhammad Rizwan Khan

Department of Surgery Docs

Abstract Objective: To review the early outcomes of hepatic resection at our hospital. Methods: This study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2008 to December 2015, and comprised patients who underwent hepatic resection. We analysed the pathology, magnitude of hepatic resection and short-term outcomes in the patients. Mean and standard deviations were used to describe categorical data whereas frequencies and proportions to describe quantitative data. Univariate analysis was done to look at the factors associated with morbidity, mortality and blood loss during surgery. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis. Results: Of the 75 participants, …

Role Of Surgery In Brain Metastases, Altaf Ali Laghari, Syed Ijlal Ahmed, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Department of Surgery Docs

Abstract Brain metastases remain the commonest type of brain tumour, being four times more common than primary brain tumours. Although surgical intervention may be recommended for one of various reasons in the management of these tumours, including but not limited to conformation of diagnosis, relief of mass effect, improvement of neurological status and prolongation of survival, the guidelines for management of brain metastases remain largely subjective and therefore controversial. Herein the authors have attempted to review some of the existing evidence on role of surgery in the management of brain metastases and have presented their selected guidelines for the readers.

Intramedullary Cavernoma With Extralesional Haemorrhage, Naureen Farhan Ahmed, Fatima Mubarak, Nida Sajjad

Department of Radiology

Intramedullary cavernomas are rare lesions constituting 5 to 12% of all intramedullary tumours. They are more recognized after introduction of magnetic resonance imaging and detection rates have improved by advance techniques. They may be solitary or multiple or may have associated cranial lesions. They may present with gradual neurological decline or with acute loss of spinal function. In addition neurological deficit depends on the location of the lesion within the spinal cord. We are reporting the case of a 45 year old male who presented with neck pain and progressive right arm weakness with numbness. MRI cervical spine with contrast …

Development Of A Comprehensive And Sustainable Gynecologic Oncology Training Program In Western Kenya, A Low Resource Setting, Barry Rosen, Peter Itsura, Philip Kipkirui Tonui, Allan L. Covens, Luc Van Lonkhuijzen, Elkanah Omenge

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

To provide information on the development of a gynecologic oncology training program in a low-resource setting in Kenya.

This is a review of a collaboration between Kenyan and North American physicians who worked together to develop a gynecologic oncology training in Kenya. We review the published data on the increase of cancer incidence in sub-Saharan Africa and outline the steps that were taken to develop this program.

The incidence of cervical cancer in Kenya is very high and is the leading cause of cancer mortality in Kenya. WHO identifies cancer as a new epidemic affecting countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In …

Knowledge, Attitude And Perceptions Of Muslim Cancer Patients Regarding Cancer Treatment During Ramadan: Results From A Tertiary Care Hospital Karachi, Afshan Asghar Rasheed, Yasmin Abdul Rashid, Farah Tahir Pirzada, Fawad Haroon, Adnan Jabbar, Ahmed Raheem Buksh

Department of Radiation Oncology

Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of Muslim cancer patients regarding cancer treatment during Ramadan.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from July to August 2015, and comprised cancer patients. .Adult Muslim cancer patients receiving active oncological treatment or on surveillance were included. Patients on only supportive treatment were excluded. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis.
Results: Of the 265 patients, 87(32.8%) were males and 178(67.2%) were females. The overall mean age was 49±13.87 years. Besides, 184(70.9%) patients belonged to the middle class. Breast cancer was the most common cancer 106(40.6%). …

Radiologic Surveillance Of Patients With Viral Hepatitis, Saba Sohail

Department of Radiology

No abstract provided.

How Canada Can Help Global Adolescent Health Mature, Ashley Vandermorris, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: There is an emerging focus on adolescent health within the global health community as we come to recognize that the adolescent years are formative in determining health and health-related behaviours across the life-course. Such attention is not only relevant on the global scale but is imperative in Canada as well.

Main body: This commentary provides a brief review of recent investments targeting global adolescent health and presents five potential avenues for action which emerged out of the recent Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) Global Adolescent Health conference. These avenues are: (1) Demand data; (2) Embrace complexity; …

Emergence Of Fluoroquinolone Resistance Among Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients At A Tertiary Care Facility In Karachi, Pakistan, Syed Mohammad Asad Zaidi, Abdul Haseeb, Shifa Salman Habib, Amyn Malik, Saira Khowaja, Nausheen Saifullah, Nadeem Rizvi

Community Health Sciences

Background: Pakistan is classified as one of the high multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) burden countries. A poorly regulated private sector, over-prescription of antibiotics and self-medication has led to augmented rates of drug-resistance in the country. Pakistan's first national anti-tuberculosis drug resistance survey identified high prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance among MDR-TB patients. Further institutional evidence of fluoroquinolone drug-resistance can support re-evaluation of treatment regimens as well as invigorate efforts to control antibiotic resistance in the country.
Findings: In this study, data for drug-susceptibility testing (DST) was retrospectively analyzed for a total of 133 patients receiving MDR-TB treatment at the Chest Department …

Constructing A Reference Framework For Ecep Evaluation: A Constructive Grounded Theory, Shelina Bhamani, Nasreen Husain

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

The purpose of this research study, which is a thesis investigation, was to develop a reference framework that can help program staff to evaluate quality in Early Childhood Education (ECE) settings. The study was approached with three questions. This paper presents the first question of the study that enables practitioners to understand what are the variables that best define quality in early childhood education. The grounded theory, design was approached to explore the experiences of 20 ECE experts in the field. The data analysis revealed eight main indicators, that are, holistic development, interactive teaching, trained practitioners, conducive learning environment, safe …

Ruptured Mycotic Aneurysms: Report And Outcomes Of Two Surgically Managed Patients, Aleena Khan, Muhammad Waqas, Waseem Mehmood Nizamani, Muhammad Ehsan Bari

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: Mycotic aneurysm is a rare potentially life-threatening complication of infective endocarditis (IE). Little data is available on the management and outcomes of ruptured mycotic aneurysms with large intracerebral hematoma. Few cases have been described on the management of mycotic aneurysm in the presence of life-threatening hematoma and mass effect.
Case description: We are presenting two cases of ruptured mycotic aneurysm with intracerebral hematoma and impending brain herniation. Both patients had signs of high intracranial pressure and required urgent surgical evacuation of clot. One patient survived while the other patient expired soon after surgery.
Conclusion: Mycotic aneurysm of middle cerebral …

One Year Symptom Severity And Health-Related Quality Of Life Changes Among Black African Patients Undergoing Uterine Fibroid Embolisation, Charles Mariara, Timona Obura, Nigel Hacking, William Stones

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: The main aim in the treatment of symptomatic fibroids by various modalities including uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) is to alleviate symptoms and ultimately improve the quality of life. The efficacy of this modality of treatment in Black African women with significant fibroid burden and large uterine volumes is not clear. The main objective of the study was to examine potential changes in symptom severity among Black African patients 1 year following UFE for symptomatic uterine fibroids in a resource-constrained setting, rated using a validated questionnaire (UFS-QOL). Secondary outcomes examined were changes in quality of life and potential associations with …

Prevalence Of Cytotoxin Associated Gene-A Positive Strains In Children With Symptomatic H. Pylori Infection, Patricia Mumbi Muriithi

Master of Medicine in Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori is a common bacterial infection in humans with early acquisition in childhood. It is adapted to the gastric environment and has been associated with chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcers, atrophic gastritis, gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. H. pylori strains bearing the Cytotoxin Associated Gene-A (CagA) gene have enhanced pathogenicity and have been strongly linked with increased risk for gastric carcinoma in adulthood. Objectives: The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of CagA positive strains in children with H. pylori infection. The secondary objectives were to compare CagA status and endoscopy findings and …

Role Of Intra-Operative Mri (Imri) In Improving Extent Of Resection And Survival In Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme, Inamullah Khan, Muhammad Waqas, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Section of Neurosurgery

Multiple intraoperative aids have been introduced to improve the extent of resection (EOR) in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) patients, avoiding any new neurological deficits. Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) has been debated for its utility and cost for nearly two decades in neurosurgical literature. Review of literature suggests improved EOR in GBM patients who underwent iMRI assisted surgical resections leading to higher overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). iMRI provides real time intraoperative imaging with reasonable quality. Higher risk for new postoperative deficits with increased EOR is not reported in any study using iMRI. The level of evidence regarding prognostic benefits …

Diabetic Ketoacidosis Characteristics And Differences In Type 1 Versus Type 2 Diabetes Patients, Muhammad Owais Rashid, Aisha Sheikh, Abdus Salam, Saad Farooq, Zareen Kiran, Najmul Islam

Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism

Background: Diabetes is undoubtedly one of the most challenging health problems of the 21st century. It is well known that diabetes once develop can lead to several complications. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the life-threatening complications of diabetes. This study was designed to determine the frequency of DKA in diabetes patients and find out the clinical and biochemical determinants of DKA.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Karachi, Pakistan from January 2010 to February 2016. All known or newly diagnosed diabetic patients of >16 years of age irrespective of gender and type of …

Is Biological Repair Of Heart On The Horizon?, H R. Ahmad, Satwat Hashmi

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

The stem cells keep us young by endogenously repairing us upon need. They do so bysmartly one step forward towards differentiation while another step backward to nurturethe undifferentiated stem cells. They are building blocks for every organ witha differential rate of repair of worn out tissues. Since stem cells can be cultured with a normal karyo type, they could be the ideal source for heart repair after myocardial infarction. As opposed to lower vertebrates and neonatal mice, cardiac regeneration in adult mammalian heart seems to be difficult to assess with a solid evidence of cytokinesis. It becomes more difficult to …

Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Poisoning In Fish Garbage Room: A Report Of A Fisherman, Sadaf Sheikh, Muhammad Akbar Baig, Noman Ali, Nadeemullah Khan

Department of Emergency Medicine

We report the case of a fisherman who was exposed to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas from the fish garbage room. The patient survived and was discharged with full recovery from the hospital. H2S is a colourless, foul smelling and highly toxic gas next to carbon monoxide, which causes inhalation death. It is a by-product of various industrial processes particularly involves exposure from agriculture, petrochemical industry and organic matter decomposition from sewage processing. It is a by-product of H2S has been referred as the "knock down gas" because inhalation of high concentrations can cause immediate loss of consciousness …

Prevalence And Characteristics Of Resistant Hypertensive Patients In An Asian Population, Rabia Naseem, Arsalan Majeed Adam, Fiza Khan, Adiya Dossal, Ibrahim Khan, Ammara Khan, Hannah Paul, Hafsa Jawed, Aisha Aslam, Faez Muhammad Syed, Muhammad Ahsen Niazi, Shehzeen Nadeem, Aruba Khan, Amber Zia, Mohammad Hussham Arshad

Department of Medicine

Background: Resistant hypertension is a well-recognized clinical challenge yet there are no reported data on its prevalence in Pakistan. These patients are subjected to a higher risk of developing hypertensive complications. The objective of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and determinants of resistant hypertension in an Asian cohort of hypertensive patients.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among hypertensive patients visiting a tertiary care hospital in Karachi from September-December 2015. Patient data and characteristics were recorded using a pre-coded questionnaire. Morisky and Berlin questionnaires were used to assess compliance to medications and determine the risk of developing …

Tumor Response Evaluation Criteria: Standardization Ensures Success, Maseeh Uz Zaman, Nosheen Fatima, Mahwish Sajid

Department of Radiology

No abstract provided.

Spectrum Of Interstitial Lung Disease From A Tertiary Care Hospital In Karachi, Ali Bin Sarwar Zubairi, Maryam Hassan, Talha Shahzad, Sajjad Sarwar, Aamir Abbas, Huzaifa Ahmad, Muhammad Irfan

Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care

Objective: To determine the clinical features and patterns of interstitial lung disease.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised record of patients diagnosed with interstitial lung disease from January 2005 to December 2015. All patients aged 16 years and above diagnosed with interstitial lung disease on the basis of clinical features, radiological features on high-resolution computed tomography of the chest, and lung biopsies were included. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis.
Results: Of the 537 patients, 324(60.3%) of the participants were females. The overall mean age was 60.5±14.9 years. The most …

Age And Sex Normalization Of Intestinal Permeability Measures For The Improved Assessment Of Enteropathy In Infancy And Early Childhood: Results From The Mal-Ed Study, Margaret N. Kosek, Gwenyth O. Lee, Richard L. Guerrant, Rashidul Haque, Gagandeep Kang, Tahmeed Ahmed, Pascal Bessong, Syed Asad Ali, Shahida Qureshi, Anita K. M. Zaidi

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe changes in intestinal permeability in early childhood in diverse epidemiologic settings.
Methods: In a birth cohort study, the lactulose:mannitol (L:M) test was administered to 1980 children at 4 time points in the first 24 months of life in 8 countries. Data from the Brazil site with an incidence of diarrhea similar to that seen in the United States and no growth faltering was used as an internal study reference to derive age- and sex-specific z scores for mannitol and lactulose recoveries and the L:M ratio.
Results: A total of 6602 tests …

Evaluation Of 'Ckd-Epi Pakistan' Equation For Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (Egfr): A Comparison Of Egfr Prediction Equations In Pakistani Population, Sibtain Ahmed, Lena Jafri, Ayesha Habib Khan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: To evaluate the results of 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance (CrCl) with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI), CKD-EPI Pakistan (CKD-EPI Pak), Cockcroft Gault (CG) and 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equations.
Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Section of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, from June to October 2013. Methodology: Laboratory data of subjects ≥18 years ordering 24-hour urinary CrCl from June to October 2013 was retrieved. Statistical comparison of eGFR using CKD-EPI, CKD-EPI Pak, CG and …

Intimate Partner Violence Among Hiv Infected And Uninfected Pregnant Women Delivering At A National Hospital In Tanzania: Using A Modified Screening Tool, Hussein Kidanto, Andrew H. Mgaya, Birgitta Essen

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Worldwide Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a major public health problem, affecting all women and vulnerable groups such as HIV-infected women. This study aimed to test the applicability of assessment of IPV using a simple screening tool, among women giving birth at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania, to estimate the prevalence and severity of IPV among HIV-infected and uninfected pregnant women, and to assess the odds of IPV among both groups of women.

Methods: A questionnaire including screening questions was applied to women delivered at Muhimbili National Hospital to identify those that experienced IPV. Demographics, HIV status, male partner’s …