Medical Specialties Commons^™

Perioperative Steroids For Lumbar Disc Surgery: A Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Muhammad Waqas, Hussain Shallwani, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Khabir Ahmed

Department of Surgery Docs

Background: Our review question was "Does perioperative steroids administration, in comparison with other treatments or placebo, improve either postoperative pain control, length of hospital stay, or return to work in patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery?"
Methods: We searched PubMed, CINAHL PLUS, and Cochrane databases for randomized control trials (RCTs) studying the role of steroids for lumbar disc surgery. Studies that compared perioperative steroids with other treatments or placebo were included. Study outcomes included postoperative back pain, leg pain, length of hospital stay, and return to work. Data was extracted through a proforma. Means and mean differences were calculated for continuous …

Road Traffic Crash Related Injured And Fatal Victims In Karachi From 2007 To 2014: A Time-Series Analysis, Rashid Jooma, Masood Ali Shaikh

Section of Neurosurgery

Injuries and deaths due to road traffic crashes (RTC) are major public health concern. The Road Traffic Injury Research and Prevention Center, collects RTC data on injuries and fatalities from five emergency departments in Karachi. Data generating process (DGP) for RTC from 2007 to 2014, for monthly number of fatal and injured victims were analyzed using autoregressive integrated moving average and vector auto regression, time series models. Results provide strong evidence that the DGP for the current levels of the number of fatalities and injured owing to RTCs are significantly influenced by the own past history of the two series. …

Effect Of Early Tranexamic Acid Administration On Mortality, Hysterectomy, And Other Morbidities In Women With Post-Partum Haemorrhage (Woman): An International, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Haleema Shakur-Still, Ian Roberts, Rizwana Chaudhri, Bukola Fawole, Mohamed El-Sheikh, Adesina L. Akintan, Zahida Qureshi, Hussein Kidanto, Bellington Vwalika, Abdulfetah Abdulkadir

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage.

Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition …

Very Late Stent Thrombosis: Is There Any Limit, When To Stop Antiplatelet Therapy?, Muhammad Nasir Rahman, Ibrahim Gul, Amjad Nabi

Section of Cardiology

No abstract provided.

Enterobius Vermicularis In Tubo-Ovarian Abscess: A Rare And Interesting Incidental Finding - A Case Report, Faryal Saleem, Faizan Malik, Saira Fatima

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Enterobius vermicularis is a common intestinal nematode; however, rare extraintestinal Enterobius infections have been reported from different parts of the world. Here, we present a case of tubo-ovarian abscess in an otherwise healthy young sexually active female with no known comorbids with history of on and off lower abdominal pain for one year and high grade fever for one month. On the basis of further workup and radiological evaluation, a preoperative diagnosis of right sided tubo-ovarian abscess was made and salpingo-oophorectomy was performed laproscopically in July 2015. Histopathology of the resected tissue revealed necrosis and in one area Enterobius vermicularis …

Causal Pathways From Enteropathogens To Environmental Enteropathy: Findings From The Mal-Ed Birth Cohort Study, Margaret N. Kosek, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Anita K. M. Zaidi, Imran Ahmed, Syed Asad Ali, Muneera Rasheed, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Ali Turab, Didar Alam, Shahida Qureshi

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Environmental enteropathy (EE), the adverse impact of frequent and numerous enteric infections on the gut resulting in a state of persistent immune activation and altered permeability, has been proposed as a key determinant of growth failure in children in low- and middle-income populations. A theory-driven systems model to critically evaluate pathways through which enteropathogens, gut permeability, and intestinal and systemic inflammation affect child growth was conducted within the framework of the Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development (MAL-ED) birth cohort study that included children from eight countries. …

Unmet Need For Surgery In South Asia, Sanjay Nagral, Maharra Hussain, Sarder A Nayeem, Ranjan Dias, S. Ather Enam

Department of Surgery Docs

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of Plain X-Ray In Detection Of Fish And Chicken Bone Foreign Body In Upper Aerodigestive Tract, Talha Ahmed Qureshi, Mohammad Sohail Awan, Muntazir Hussain, Muhammad Wasif

Department of Surgery Docs

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the use of plain film radiology in the detection of fish and chicken bones in the upper aerodigestive tract.

METHODS:

This retrospective chart review was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised medical charts of patients who had undergone oesophagoscopy for removal of fish and chicken bone from 1990 to 2015.SPSS 19 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS:

Of the 24 patients, foreign body was detected on X-ray in 7(29.2%) and through fibre optic laryngoscopy in 13(54.2%).All the patients underwent surgical intervention for removal of the foreign body. Also, 19(79.2%) patients underwent direct …

Extensive Mediastinal Aspergillosis Presenting With Dyspnoea And Cardiac Tamponade Symptoms, Syed F. Mustafa, Hamza Ar Khan, Saulat Fatimi

Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery

No abstract provided.

Nuclear Medicine Imaging In Emergency Room And Priority Clinical Decision Making, Nosheen Fatima, Maseeh Uz Zaman

Department of Radiology

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Foeto-Maternal Outcome In Pregnant Women With Hepatitis E - A Review Of 12 Years., Tahira Naru, Farheen Yousuf, Ayesha Malik, Sumaira Naz, Humera Ismail

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Objective: To compare adverse maternal and foetal outcome in pregnant women with hepatitis E immunoglobulin M reactive versus non-reactive.
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised records of pregnant patients at any gestational age with clinical and biochemical evidence of hepatitis E from January 2002 and December 2014. . Maternal and perinatal outcome of the subjects were analysed. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis.
Results: Out of the 200 subjects, 168(84 %) were hepatitis E immunoglobulin M reactive and 32(16%) were non-reactive. The overall mean age was 26.7±4.5 years. Also, 12(7%) …

Giant Haemangioma Of Nasopharynx: A Rare Case Outcome., Haissan Iftikhar, Moghira Siddiqui

Department of Surgery Docs

Abstract

A 60-year-old female presented to us with a 5-year history of progressive right sided nasal obstruction and recurrent epistaxis. On examination lesion was seen in the right nostril which was firm and bled on probing. CT-scan paranasal sinuses showed a right sided lesion of nose and naso-pharnyx obstructing posterior nasal choanae. Dimensions were reported to be 9×4.1×3.8 cm. A punch biopsy was taken in operating room under general anaesthesia which resulted in profuse bleeding. Suction cautery was used to control bleeding and the nose was packed. The mass was firm to hard and provided resistance during the time of …

Outcomes Of Internal Hemipelvectomy For Pelvic Tumors: A Developing Country’S Prospective, Masood Umer, Rizwan Haroon Rashid, Yasir Mohib, Haroon Rashid

Department of Surgery Docs

Introduction: Previously, external hemipelvectomy was the mainstay of treatment for pelvic tumors. However, with technological advancements, limb salvage procedures such as internal hemipelvectomy have emerged as a viable alternative. However, there is limited literature available on long-term outcomes and complications of internal hemipelvectomy, especially from developing countries. Therefore, the objective of this study was to share our experience of internal hemipelvectomy at a tertiary care center in a developing country. Materials and methods: A retrospective review was conducted in which all 24 patients undergoing internal hemipelvectomy from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2015 at our institution were included. Medical …

Extensive Mediastinal Aspergillosis Presenting With Dyspnoea And Cardiac Tamponade Symptoms, Syed F Mustafa, Hamza Ar Khan, Saulat H. Fatimi

Department of Surgery Docs

No abstract provided.

A Case Series On Nutrition In Hip Fracture Patients: A Mismatch Between Needs And Dietary Intake, Njalalle Baraza, Eamon Ramhamadany, Thomas Laios

General Surgery, East Africa

Hip fractures are common in the United Kingdom with an overall estimated annual incidence of 100 fractures per 10,000 of the population for males and 81 per 10,000 for females [1], and with an ageing population this figure is set to rise [2]. From recent estimates, this costs the British tax payer over £750,000,000 a year, with over half this amount spent in social care of the patients recovering from the fracture [3]. Elderly hip fracture patients often have co-morbidities and mortality in the first year can be as high as 33% [4].

Bomb Blast In A Tertiary Care Hospital, The Challenges Faced During Management Of Victims In A Resource Limited Country, Rizwan Sultan, Hasnain Zafar, Umar B, Khabir Ahmed

Department of Surgery Docs

Abstract Introduction: A bomb blast in a hospital results in a many fold increase in the casualties. The affected health care in the region is the next challenge faced by the administration of the city. We discuss the challenges faced after a bomb blast in the civil hospital of Quetta, Pakistan on 8 August 2016. Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of patients who were transferred by air to the Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi over a period of 86 h after the blast in Quetta. Results: Seventy-five patients were received in three separate waves; those received in …

The Many Guises Of Primary Hyperparathyroidism… An Unchanged Scenario, Tasnim Ahsan, Uzma Erum, K. M. Inam Pal, Rukhshanda Jabeen, Saima Ghaus Qureeshi, Urooj Lal Rehman, Zeenat Banu

Department of Surgery Docs

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the causes, characteristics and outcome of treatment of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

METHODS:

This retrospective cohort analysis was conducted at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, and comprised data of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism between 2004 and 2014. .SPSS 17 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS:

Of the 25 patients,1(4%)was male and 24(96%) were female. The overall mean age was 41.72±15.9 years, with a mean duration of symptoms of 4.1±3.3 years. The mean pre-operative parathyroid hormone level was 879.48±793.51 pg/ml. Skeletal manifestations were reported in 17(68%) patients, whereas 4(16%) patients had renal stone disease. Besides, 2(8.0%) …

Lead Exposure Assessment Among Pregnant Women, Newborns, And Children: Case Study From Karachi, Pakistan., Zafar Fatmi, Ambreen Sahito, Akihiko Ikegami, Atsuko Mizuno, Xiaoyi Cui, Nathan Mise, Mai Takagi, Yayoi Kobayashi, Fujio Kayama

Community Health Sciences

Lead (Pb) in petrol has been banned in developed countries. Despite the control of Pb in petrol since 2001, high levels were reported in the blood of pregnant women and children in Pakistan. However, the identification of sources of Pb has been elusive due to its pervasiveness. In this study, we assessed the lead intake of pregnant women and one- to three-year-old children from food, water, house dust, respirable dust, and soil. In addition, we completed the fingerprinting of the Pb isotopic ratios (LIR) of petrol and secondary sources (food, house-dust, respirable dust, soil, surma (eye cosmetics)) of exposure within …

Comparison Of Multiple Obesity Indices For Cardiovascular Disease Risk Classification In South Asian Adults: The Carrs Study., Shivani A. Patel, Mohan Deepa, Roopa Shivashankar, Mohammed K. Ali, Deksha Kapoor, Ruby Gupta, Dorothy Lall, Nikhil Tandon, Viswanathan Mohan, Muhammad Masood Kadir, Zafar Fatmi, Dorairaj Prabhakaran, K. M. Venkat Narayan

Community Health Sciences

BACKGROUND:

We comparatively assessed the performance of six simple obesity indices to identify adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a diverse and contemporary South Asian population.

METHODS:

8,892 participants aged 20-60 years in 2010-2011 were analyzed. Six obesity indices were examined: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-height ratio (WHtR), waist-hip ratio (WHR), log of the sum of triceps and subscapular skin fold thickness (LTS), and percent body fat derived from bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). We estimated models with obesity indices specified as deciles and as continuous linear variables to predict prevalent hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol …

Repeat 24-Hour Recalls And Locally Developed Food Composition Databases: A Feasible Method To Estimate Dietary Adequacy In A Multi-Site Preconception Maternal Nutrition Rct., Rebecca L. Lander, K. Michael Hambidge, Nancy F. Krebs, Jamie E. Westcott, Ana Garces, Lester Figueroa, Gabriela Tejeda, Adrien Lokangaka, Tshilenge S. Diba, Manjunath S. Somannavar, Ranjitha Honnayya, Sumera Aziz Ali, Umber S. Khan, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Vanessa R. Thorsten, Kristen B. Stolka, For The Women First Preconception Nutrition Trial Group

Community Health Sciences

Background:

Our aim was to utilize a feasible quantitative methodology to estimate the dietary adequacy of >900 first-trimester pregnant women in poor rural areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, India and Pakistan. This paper outlines the dietary methods used.

Methods:

Local nutritionists were trained at the sites by the lead study nutritionist and received ongoing mentoring throughout the study. Training topics focused on the standardized conduct of repeat multiple-pass 24-hr dietary recalls, including interview techniques, estimation of portion sizes, and construction of a unique site-specific food composition database (FCDB). Each FCDB was based on 13 …

Increasing Usage Of Rapid Diagnostics For Dengue Virus Detection In Pakistan, Zahra Hasan, Saher Razzak, Muhammad Farhan, Maryam Rahim, Nazneen Islam, Azra Samreen, E. Khan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Atypical Teratoid/ Rhabdoid Tumor Of Brain: A Clinicopathologic Study Of Eleven Patients And Review Of Literature, Nasir Ud Din, Abrar Barakzai, Aisha Memon, Sheema Hasan, Zubair Ahmad

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Creative Commons Attribution LicenseBackground: Atypical teratoid/ rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a rare aggressive embryonal central nervous system(CNS) tumor of infancy and early childhood. Majority of the cases arise in the posterior fossa, and remaining in thecerebrum. Aims: To analyze the clinicopathologic features of AT/RT on a cohort of cases. Materials and methods:All reported cases of AT/RT at the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital(AKUH) from 2007 to 2016 were reviewed for clinical and pathological features. Immunohistochemical stain for INI-1was performed in all 11 cases. Follow up was obtained. Results: A total of 11 cases were identified. …

Selective Screening For Organic Acidurias And Amino Acidopathies In Pakistani Children, Noreen Abbas Sherazi, Aysha Habib Khan, Lena Jafri, Azeema Jamil, Nasir Ali Khan, Bushra Afroze

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: To determine the frequency of organic acidurais (OA) and amino acidopathies (AA) in selected high-risk patients screened in two years.
Study Design: Retrospective Observational study.
Place and Duration of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, from January 2013 to December 2014.
Methodology: Patients with OA and AA were included in the study and patients with IMDs other than OA and AA were excluded. Amino acids and organic acids were analyzed on high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry respectively. Clinical data and chromatograms of patients screened for IMDs were reviewed by chemical pathologist and metabolic physician. …

Thyroid Ultrasound: State Of The Art. Part 2 - Focal Thyroid Lesions., Manjiri Dighe, Richard Barr, Jörg Bojunga, Vito Cantisani, Maria Cristina Chammas, David Cosgrove,, Xin Wu Cui, Yi Dong, Franziska Fenner, Maija Radzina, Sudhir Vinayak, Jun Mei Xu, Christoph F Dietrich

Department of Radiology

Abstract

Accurate differentiation of focal thyroid nodules (FTL) and thyroid abnormalities is pivotal for proper diagnostic and therapeutic work-up. In these two part articles, the role of ultrasound techniques in the characterization of FTL and evaluation of diffuse thyroid diseases is described to expand on the recently published World Federation in Ultrasound and Medicine (WFUMB) thyroid elastography guidelines and review how this guideline fits into a complete thyroid ultrasound exam.

Using Mobile Health (Mhealth) Technology In The Management Of Diabetes Mellitus, Physical Inactivity, And Smoking, Hasan Rehman, Ayeesha Kamran Kamal, Saleem Sayani, Pamela B. Morris, Anwar T. Merchant, Salim S. Virani

Department of Medicine

Purpose of Review: Cardiovascular mortality remains high due to insufficient progress made in managing cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity, and smoking. Healthy lifestyle choices play an important role in the management of these modifiable risk factors. Mobile health or mHealth is defined as the use of mobile computing and communication technologies (i.e., mobile phones, wearable sensors) for the delivery of health services and healthrelated information. In this review, we examine some recent studies that utilized mHealth tools to improve management of these risk factors, with examples from developing countries where available.
Recent Findings: The mHealth …

Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access: An Evolving Standard Of Care Clinical Practice, Which Is Extremely Under-Utilized In Pakistan, Mohammad Irfan Akhtar, Mohammad Hamid, Fauzia Minai

Department of Anaesthesia

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Mobile Phone-Based Interventions To Improve Routine Childhood Immunisation Coverage, Abdul Momin Kazi

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Perception Of Pathology As A Future Career Choice Among Medical Students From Karachi, Pakistan: Experience From A Private Medical School, Najia Bano Ghanchi, Raabia Nizamuddin Nizamuddin, Amna Qasim, Zahra Nur Khaled, Ahmed Buksh Raheem, Natasha Bahadur Ali, Naila Kayani, Mohammad Asim Beg

Medical College Documents

To determine the perception of pathology as a future career choice among medical students of a private medical school from Karachi, Pakistan. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 201 students participated in this study. All Students were approached randomly to participate. A total of 201 students participant survey forms were evaluated in this study. The overall satisfaction level with pathology was observed in 61.8% ofthe students. Majority of the students understood subspecialties which were a part of clinical medicine. Over half of the students thought pathology as a specialty should …

Low Cost Quality Initiatives For Management Of Neurosurgical Patients In Developing Nations: Perspective From A Tertiary Care Centre In Pakistan, Hamid Hussain Rai, Muhammad Waqas, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: Targeting resources on cost-effective care strategies is pertinent for developing nations, specifically for already burdened specialties such as neurosurgery, where without state support and insurance companies, expenses are borne by the patient themselves.
Methods: This was a descriptive review of literary work published by the section of neurosurgery at Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan. We searched PubMed and CiNAHL databases to identify articles, which were then critically analyzed and discussed from a perspective of low-cost quality care.
Results: We demonstrate the cost effectiveness of three initiatives, namely, blood ordering protocol for elective spine arthrodesis, nonoperative management being superior to …

Outpatient Percutaneous Release Of Trigger Finger: A Cost Effective And Safe Procedure, Marij Zahid, Aurangzeb Qureshi, Rizwan H. R, Haroon Rashid, Pervaiz M. Hashmi

Section of Orthopaedic Surgery

Introduction: Trigger finger is a common cause of pain and disability of the hand. Percutaneous release results in earlier functional recovery and patient satisfaction. This is a rapid and cost-effective method which saves a surgical procedure and results in better functional outcome.
Materials and Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted on fifty-two fingers and thumbs in 52 patients treated from 1st July 2014 till 31st December 2014, in the Orthopaedic Section, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. All the baseline characteristics of the patients, like demographics, symptoms, Quinell's criteria and functional outcome were recorded. The …