Medical Specialties Commons^™

Prevalence Of Brca1 And Brca2 Germline Mutations In Western Saudi Patients With Epithelial Tubo-Ovarian Carcinoma, Wala Mehros, Faisal Aldaheri, Anas Alqarni, Saif Aljehani, Abdulrahman Alnamlah, Alaa Althubaiti, Safaa Huneef, Hatim Jifree

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: Ovarian cancer represents the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, the epithelial type (EOC) being the most common. BRCA gene mutations are associated with ovarian cancer, younger age at presentation, strong family history of EOC, and multiple malignancies in a single patient. This study calculated the rate of BRCA-positive EOC and compared BRCA-mutated vs non-mutated EOC cases. Methods: This retrospective cohort study, conducted at Princess Noura Oncology Center between May 2016 and December 2023, explored outcomes in BRCA-positive EOC patients. The inclusion criteria covered all EOC cases. A total of 70 patients were selected. Results: Of the 70 …

The Nephroprotective Effects Of Dulaglutide In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes And Chronic Kidney Disease: A Multicenter Saudi Arabian Study, Maha H. Jamal, Hassan A. Alzahrani, Duaa M. Bakhshwin, Ranya A. Ghamri, Fatmah S. Binzomah, Wisam H. Jamal, Moaz W. Abulfaraj

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dulaglutide in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 212 patients with CKD (stages 1–4) and T2DM treated with once-weekly dulaglutide (1.5 mg) for either 12 or 24 months at three tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia from January 2021 to December 2023. Safety was assessed based on the presence of adverse events. Efficacy was measured using the changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and body mass index (BMI). Changes in efficacy outcomes were …

Combined Predictive Value Of Serum Ngal, Cysc, Urinary Nag, And Egfr For Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury In Patients In Icu, Yu Han, Wenna Ning, Jian Lu, Jinwei Zhu, Zhiliang Qin, Xiao Wang

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To evaluate critically ill patients who had sepsis and how various kidney-related measurements, including eGFR, NGAL, CysC, and the urinary enzyme NAG, predict the onset of sepsis-induced renal damage. Methods: The 135 individuals who were admitted to our sepsis intensive care within 2 years to the end of early 2024 were recruited on a prospective basis and were enrolled based on the predefined criteria. Upon admission, they were dichotomized into 2 groups of participants who developed septic-associated kidney injury (82) and without (53). A comparison of baseline laboratory analyses and blood and urine baseline examinations in the groups was …

Comparison Of Clinical Outcome Of Mushroom Poisonings With And Without Specific Treatment: A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis, Kamil Deveci, Necmi Baykan, Baycan Kus, Fatma Ünlü, Ömer Salt, Serhat Koyuncu

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To determine the demographic and clinical characteristics, potential specific antidote treatments, clinical outcomes, and organ failure (morbidity) rates of patients with mushroom poisoning admitted to our center. Methods: We included 425 patients admitted to the emergency department of Kayseri City Hospital complaining of mushroom poisoning, between May 2018 and December 2023, who met the study criteria. Results: The median age of the 425 patients admitted was 51 years (34–63); 49.5% were female (n = 211), and 75% (n = 319) were admitted by ambulance. According to the Poisoning Severity Score, 70.3% (n = 299) of cases were mild, 21.9% …

Ethnic Background As A Determinant Of Thyroid Cancer Risk: A Decade-Long National Cohort Study Reveals Divergent Epidemics In Saudi Arabia, Nizar A. Khamjan

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To analyze and compare temporal trends, demographic characteristics, and stage at diagnosis for thyroid cancer (TC) between Saudi and non-Saudi populations in order to identify potential population-specific etiological drivers. Methods: We conducted a national retrospective cohort study of TC cases in Saudi Arabia from 2013–2022. To assess population-level trends, we computed age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and multivariable Poisson regression alongside piecewise regression models for comparative analysis. Results: Among 14,159 total cases, TC incidence increased disproportionately in Saudi nationals, rising from 884 to 1,677 (90%), significantly outpacing the 184 to 275 (49%) increase observed in non-Saudis. The incidence rate ratio …

Comparison Of The Predictive Value Of Crp/Albumin, Crp/Prealbumin, And The Clinical Frailty Scale For Mortality In Geriatric Intensive Care Patients, Natali T. Aksoy, Bülent B. Güven, Sümeyya M. Soyalan, Dilek Metin Yamaç, Tuna Ertürk, Süheyla Abitağaoğlu

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP)/prealbumin and CRP/albumin ratios, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) scores, and short-term (first 3 days) and long-term (28 days) mortality in geriatric patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Methods: After obtaining ethical approval and informed consent, 213 patients aged 65 years and older were included. Patients discharged within 24 hours, those discharged and readmitted during the study period, those receiving routine albumin replacement, and patients with cirrhosis or undergoing chronic dialysis were excluded. Demographic characteristics, admission diagnoses, chronic comorbidities, frailty scores at admission, and laboratory values, including albumin, prealbumin, and CRP …

Tumor-Associated Neutrophils In Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Predicted By Clinicopathologic Characteristics And Peripheral Blood Markers, Weiwei Hong, Xie Xiong, Chen Fang, Chuanhong Luo, Xiaoying Qian, Xinyuan Yao, Xin Ye, Biao Yu, Bingbiao Zhou, Dengying Chen, Chengsi Shu, Yong Wang, Yong Li

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: The process of analyzing tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) types is complex. This study explored the relationships among clinicopathological characteristics, peripheral blood markers, and TANs. Methods: Clinical information was retrospective gathered for 115 patients in our hospital from May 2019 to May 2021, and multiplex immunofluorescence staining was utilized to access the expression of TANs and analyze the potential relationship between TANs and clinicopathological features or peripheral blood markers. Results: Among the 115 patients, the proportion of female patients within the neutrophils (N1)-low group was notably greater compared to the N1-high group (87.5% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.022). In nonsmoking patients, …

Clinical Role Of Hematologic Inflammatory Markers In The Diagnosis Of Missed Abortion, Mustafa Bakırcı, Çağlayan Ateş, Ethem S. Yalvaç

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic value of hematological and biochemical inflammatory markers in distinguishing missed abortions from healthy pregnancies during the first trimester. Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted between May 2022 and May 2024, included 61 women diagnosed with missed abortion by ultrasound and 100 healthy pregnant women who acted as controls. The following inflammatory markers were calculated from routine blood and biochemistry results: neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and C-reactive protein-albumin ratio (CAR). Intergroup comparisons and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed. Results: The …

Concurrent Appendectomy In Patients Undergoing Surgery For Gynecological Malignancies: A Retrospective Analysis From A Tertiary Referral Center, Gazi Güner, Can Tercan, Emrah Dağdeviren, Ali Selçuk Yeniocak, Ceylin Elbistanli, Sure Nur Erdoğmuş, Ayşe Hazirbulan, Yiğit Mert Bayrak, Neçirvan Çağdaş Çaltek, Gözde Şahin, Ergun Tercan, Figen Efe Çamili, Nazlıaylin Vural, Hüseyin Karatay, Saniye Merve Gül Kara, İlkbal Temel Yüksel

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate appendectomy specimen findings and their association with tumor type and stage. Concurrent appendectomy is frequently performed during gynecologic oncology surgery to prevent postoperative appendicitis and detect occult pathology, yet its value remains debated. Methods: In this study, we reviewed the medical records of 300 women who underwent gynecologic oncologic surgery accompanied by appendectomy at Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital (Istanbul, Türkiye) over the period from July 2020 to April 2025. Clinical, surgical, andhistopathologic data were collected. Appendiceal pathologies were categorized as reactive hyperplasia, chronic inflammation, benign neoplasms, metastatic tumors, or primary. Statistical analyses included chi-square, t-test, …

Reliability And Validity Of The Arabic Version Of The Nose-Perf Scale, Rayan M. Alfallaj, Abdullah I. Binghaith, Mohammed Y. Alyoussef, Ahmed S. Alsaleh, Saad A. Alsaleh, Abdulaziz A. Alqahtani, Ahmad S. Alroqi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess the psychometric validity of the Arabic adaptation of the nasal obstruction symptom evaluation–perforation (NOSE-Perf) scale. To assess how reliable and valid the Arabic adaptation of the NOSE-Perf questionnaire is. Patients with septal perforations, particularly Arabic speakers, lack validated self-assessment tools for subjective symptom evaluation. Methods: Conducted between May 2024 and June 2025, the study included 100 participants—20 patients with septal perforation and 80 controls. Participants filled out a questionnaire consisting of demographic data as well as the Arabic forms of the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22), NOSE, and NOSE-Perf scales. Cronbach's alpha was applied to determine internal consistency, …

A Multi-Centre Study: Quantitative Evaluation Of Radiation Dose For Adults Head Computed Tomography, Abdulaziz A. Qurashi, Shrooq T. Aldahery

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To determine regional radiation dose in adults head computed tomography (CT) examinations in Jeddah by assessing the volume computed tomography dose index (CTDI_vol) and dose length product (DLP) values. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from February to April 2025 across 10 CT scanners from 5 governmental hospitals in Jeddah. Data for 20 head CT examinations per scanner were collected. Dose metrics including CTDI_vol and DLP (mGy·cm), were extracted from digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) images. Mean values per scanner and the 75^th percentile were calculated across centres to identify the regional DRL. …

The Role Of The Delta Neutrophil Index In Determining The Severity Of Intrahepatic Cholestasis Of Pregnancy, Selçuk Atalay, Melike Çaltekin, Nihal Çallıoğlu, Fırat Ersan, Verda Alpay, Yasin Anasız, Ipek Geyikoğlu

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical utility of the delta neutrophil index (DNI) in distinguishing patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) from healthy pregnant women, and to assess its potential role in evaluating disease severity. Methods: This retrospective analysis included data from 249 pregnant women. Among them, 131 were identified with ICP, based on clinical symptoms and total bile acid levels ≥ 10 μ mol/L. The remaining 118 participants served as healthy controls. The ICP cases were categorized into mild (TBA 10–39 μ mol/L; n = 90) and severe (TBA ≥ 40 μ mol/L; n = 41) …

Integrative Approaches To Gut Microbiota: Biomarkers, Dysbiosis, And Therapeutic Potential, Zeyad M. Alharbi

Saudi Medical Journal

The human gut contains bacteria, viruses, and archaea that influence health depending on age, diet, and location. An individual harbours about 150 bacterial species. An imbalance of these microorganisms, known as dysbiosis, can negatively impact health. Commensal bacteria maintain microbial homeostasis by building short chain fatty acids. The 2-way communication channel that connects the gut and the brain is referred to as the gut-brain axis. Dysbiosis of the gut leads to some autoimmune diseases. A decline of beneficial bacteria causes the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Gut dysbiosis increases intestinal permeability, allowing toxins and cytokines to enter the bloodstream and damage …

Emerging Nanotherapy Applications In Cancer Treatment: A Comprehensive Review, Waleed H. Mahallawi

Saudi Medical Journal

This comprehensive review synthesizes recent advances in cancer nanotherapy, focusing on 6 emerging categories: immunomodulation, gene/RNA delivery, theranostics, radiosensitization, biomimetic carriers, and artificial intelligence (AI)-guided formulations. These innovative platforms demonstrate transformative potential by overcoming key limitations of conventional cancer treatments. Immunomodulatory nanoparticles reprogram tumor microenvironments and convert immunologically ``cold'' tumors to ``hot'' responsive states. Gene delivery systems enable precise editing with >50% efficiency, while theranostic platforms integrate real-time imaging with targeted therapy. Radiosensitizers amplify local radiation dose by twofold, and biomimetic carriers achieve prolonged circulation through immune evasion. An AI-driven approaches optimize personalized formulations based on patient-specific biomarkers. Clinical evidence …

Treatment Of Odontogenic Sinusitis With Oroantral Communication And Fistula: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Rana R. Alharbi, Omar F. Alnajar, Reham E. Almahdi, Salman A. Alrougi, Remas A. Alshehri, Ruyuf A. Alotaibi, Shahad S. Alharbi, Manal A Eltahir, Yahya A. Fageeh

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To assess the available data regarding medicinal, surgical, and combination therapy approaches for odontogenic sinusitis linked to OAC and OAF. Oroantral communication (OAC), an atypical connection between the oral cavity and maxillary sinus, commonly arises following upper jaw procedures, trauma, or infection. Chronic odontogenic maxillary sinusitis may result from OAC developing into an oroantral fistula (OAF) if treatment is not received. Recurrent infections and functional difficulties can be avoided by managing these illnesses effectively. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in National Library of Medicine's (PubMed [MEDLINE]) and Google Scholar for studies published between 2000 and 2024. A total …

Mental Health In Relation To Parental Absence: A Systematic Review, Mohammed Barry, Abdulaziz Alyahyawi, Heba Jafar Sabbagh

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To evaluate the literature based on the relationship between orphaned children and mental health, compared to non-orphaned children. Mental well-being of orphaned children is a profound intricate topic that connects with broader concerns of childcare. This systematic review aims to evaluate the literature regarding the relationship between mental health and parental absence. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Science Direct in October 2025, with 1017 screened studies. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Independent reviewers performed quality assessments using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Subsequently, a meta-analysis was performed when possible. Results: Findings indicate that orphaned …

Hypoxemia Following Surgical Repair Of Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection With Interrupted Inferior Vena Cava:Insights From Cardiac Ct, Mahmoud F Elshahat, Ahmed Goha, Naif S. Alghasab, Ahmad Alomrani

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Preoperative understanding of complex congenital heart disease is crucial for proper management. Surgical direction of partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage and atrial septal defect closure when combined by the rare azygos continuation of interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC) may be associated with anomalous systemic to pulmonary venous connection, causing right-to-left shunt. We report a 44-year-old male with a history of congenital heart disease repaired in early childhood. Diagnostic imaging revealed an interrupted IVC with azygos continuation draining into the right upper pulmonary vein to the left atrium. CT play an essential role in recognition of venous anomalies with unexplained cyanosis.

Outcomes Of Deep Peroneal Neurectomy: A Scoping Review Of Complications, Postoperative Recovery, And Patient-Reported Satisfaction, Krista Elizabeth Samreth, James Hughes, Amayrani Sanchez, Nicholas Obias, Madeleine Mehaffey, Stephanie Campbell Dpm, Aacfas

School of Podiatric Medicine - Student Research

Background: Deep peroneal neurectomy (DPN) evolved as a surgical treatment alternative for patients with painful midfoot arthritis who may not tolerate more invasive surgery such as arthrodesis. This scoping review aims to display current evidence of postoperative recovery complications and patient-reported outcomes specific to alternative surgical treatment of DPN.

Methods: A scoping review was completed using PRISMA-ScR reporting standards. Investigators searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Foot & Ankle Orthopedics, and Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery for studies from 2002 to 2025 with search terms: “deep peroneal neurectomy,” OR “deep peroneal nerve excision,” OR “peroneal neurectomies” AND “midfoot arthritis”. Exclusion criteria …

High Concordance Of Physician-Attestation With Manual Data Abstraction For Sickle Cell Type: An Ash Rc Data Hub Study, Alexis Thompson, Ashima Singh, Donna Neuberg, Amanda Brandow, Allison King, Sophie Lanzkron, Emily Semmel, Sam Walters, Susan Rogers, Kathleen Torres, William Wood

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. The American Society of Hematology Research Collaborative (ASH RC) has built an SCD Data Hub (DH) to facilitate research and quality improvement using real-world data. To our knowledge, we report here the first analyses from the DH, focusing on cohort demographics and accurate identification of SCD diagnosis type. DH sites have data use agreements with ASH RC to extract and transfer electronic health record (EHR) data at least quarterly. Principal investigators (PI) provided additional attestation of SCD diagnosis based on existing local data sources deemed …

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention And Vascular Access Complications: A Contemporary Review, Hafeez Ul Hassan Virk, Mahboob Alam, Ian C Gilchrist, Chayakrit Krittanawong

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Transradial approach (TRA) is preferred over transfemoral approach (TFA) for percutaneous coronary interventions due to lower bleeding, vascular complications, and mortality, particularly in acute coronary syndrome. Radial access complications included intraprocedural events (spasm, dissection, and perforation) and postprocedural events (radial artery occlusion, hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, nerve injury, and infection). TFA remains necessary in certain settings but carries higher complication risk. Optimizing patient selection and procedural planning is essential to minimize vascular complications.

Age-Associated Hematopoietic Variants In The Rhesus Macaque, Muthuswamy Raveendran, Giovanne B Diniz, John H Morrison, Jeffrey Rogers, Margaret A Goodell

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Comparative Analysis Of Rectal Dose In Two-Arc Versus Three-Arc Vmat Prostate Cancer Using Spaceoar, Amanda Bookout

Masters Projects

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the dosimetric impact on rectal dose by comparing two arc versus three arc VMAT plans on prostate patients who have received SpaceOAR.

Methods

A retrospective planning technique was performed on eight prostate cancer patients who had been previously treated with three-arc VMAT plans. For each plan, a two-arc plan was generated by removing the third arc and re-optimizing the plans using identical constraints and objectives. Dosimetric parameters were analyzed using dose volume histogram (DVH) analysis, including rectal dose metrics, V60 Gy, V65 Gy, V70 Gy, target coverage, PTV V95%, conformity …

Yap Induces A Prorenewal Metabolic State In Cardiomyocytes, Fansen Meng, Yuka Morikawa, Yi Zhao, Sandra Carmichael, Xiao Li, James F Martin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Cardiomyocytes, as highly specialized and differentiated somatic cells, possess a limited capacity for renewal. Neonatal rodents possess the ability to regenerate cardiomyocytes after injury; however, this regenerative capacity declines rapidly with cardiomyocyte maturation, suggesting an inhibitory network between cellular maturation and cardiomyocyte proliferation. Maturing cardiomyocytes undergo a metabolic shift from predominantly glycolysis in the neonatal state to increased fatty acid oxidation in the mature state, which poses a barrier to cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac regenerative repair. YAP, a transcriptional cofactor regulated by the Hippo signaling pathway, promotes cardiac regenerative repair. We investigated the role of YAP in mediating metabolic …

Feasibility Of Nationwide Remote Chronic Neural Data Collection From Recording-Enabled Deep Brain Stimulation Systems, Kalman A Katlowitz, Danika L Paulo, Nisha Giridharan, Mohammed A Hasen, Tommy B Liu, Zain U Naqvi, Sarah S Soubra, Thomas A Hamre, Rick R Hanish, Eric A Storch, Wayne K Goodman, Sameer A Sheth, Nicole R Provenza

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Bidirectional deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices can continuously record neural activity while delivering stimulation. Due to memory limitations on the implanted device on which data are stored, frequent data downloads are required to prevent data loss. In this study, we present a novel collaborative data collection method utilizing a nationwide network of device representatives to allow frequent data transfer that reduces data loss without imposing travel burden on patients.

Methods: We collected chronic neural data from nine patients with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder who received ventral capsule/ventral striatum DBS treatment between May 2023 and August 2024. We included patients implanted …

Changes In Clinician Time Expenditure And Visit Quantity With Adoption Of Artificial Intelligence-Powered Scribes: A Multisite Study, Aditi Sriram, Reema H Dbouk, Melissa Jost, Debbie Aizenberg, Scott Macdonald, Naga Kanaparthy, Brian Williams, Allen Hsiao, Lee Schwamm, Sara Murray, Maria Byron, Jacqueline G You, Amanda J Centi, Christine Iannaccone, Michelle Frits, Adam B Landman, Karandeep Singh, Ming Tai-Seale, Jie Cao, Katharine Lawrence, Devin Mann, Christopher Holland, Bryan Blanchette, Jesse Ehrenfeld, Edward R Melnick, David W Bates, Julia Adler-Milstein, Rebecca G Mishuris

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Importance: Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled scribes have been proposed to reduce electronic health record (EHR) burden and improve clinician satisfaction. There is limited evidence about their associated results across multiple sites and relative benefits for different clinician groups.

Objective: To assess the association of AI scribe adoption with changes in EHR time expenditure and visit volume and how associations vary by clinician characteristics.

Design, setting, and participants: Multisite, longitudinal cohort study of AI scribe adoption conducted at 5 US academic health care institutions that introduced AI scribes to their clinicians between June 2023 and August 2025. Participants were ambulatory clinicians.

Exposures: …

Disordered Differentiation And Cellular Senescence In Pediatric Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg Cells, Jessica Velazquez, Sandra Andrea Salinas, Harshal A Abhyankar, Brooks P Scull, Ryan Fleischmann, M Tarek Elghetany, Andrea N Marcogliese, Choladda V Curry, Jyotinder N Punia, Nmazuo W Ozuah, Olive S Eckstein, Nader K El-Mallawany, Nitya Gulati, Joseph Lubega, Terzah M Horton, Kala Y Kamdar, Kenneth L Mcclain, Tsz-Kwong Man, Carl E Allen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is characterized by inflammatory lesions with relatively few (typically < 1%) pathogenic Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells. The scarcity of malignant HRS cells in HL has historically limited characterization of these disease drivers, and pathogenic mechanisms underlying HL are incompletely defined. Using multiparameter flow cytometry to purify HRS cells and immune cell populations from pediatric HL lesions and control tonsils, we sought to define transcriptional programs in pediatric HRS cells. HRS cells are thought to arise from transformed germinal center B cells. Interestingly, transcriptomic analysis of HRS cells compared to control tonsil CD30+ cells revealed disordered differentiation with multilineage gene expression patterns, and primary HRS cells had distinct transcriptomes compared to HL cell lines. Further, transcriptomic analysis revealed increased expression of senescence-related genes and downregulation of proapoptotic/mitosis-related genes. Gene expression findings were validated by immunohistochemistry and single-cell imaging. In vitro treatment of primary HRS cells with B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitor, venetoclax, augmented the induction of apoptosis in HRS cells and other cells of the HL immune microenvironment. These findings support the further study of targeting apoptosis resistance as a potential approach to eliminate malignant HRS cells and dismantle inflammatory lesion formation in pediatric HL.

Pediatric Cardiac Imaging With Second- And Third-Generation Dual Source Ct Scanners: Radiation Dose, And Diagnostic Accuracy In Comparison With Echocardiography And Mri—A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Lamia Ghazi Jamjoom, Razan Kamal Daghistani

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, imaging speed, radiation dose, and clinical utility of second- and third-generation dual source computed tomography scanners, in comparison with echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing congenital heart disease in paediatric patients.

Material and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from 1 January 2006 to 30 April 2025.  Eligible studies included pediatric populations undergoing cardiac imaging with modern computed tomography scanners and compared outcomes against echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging. Study selection followed PRISMA guidelines. …

Early Neurologic Red Flags In Pediatrics: What Primary Care Providers Need To Know, Bob Underwood, Justin Coogle

Pediatrics in Practice: A CME Podcast

Subtle neurologic symptoms can be easy to miss in primary care. Pediatric neurologist Justin Coogle, MD, reviews early red flags, age‑specific warning signs and referral considerations to help pediatricians identify neurologic disorders earlier and optimize care.

Click here to stream the podcast episode.

Response Of Reticulocyte And Red Blood Cell Indices To Single-Dose Intravenous Iron In Pregnant Women With Moderate Iron Deficiency Anemia: Secondary Analysis Of The Rapidiron Trial, Manjunath S. Somannavar, Sudhir Mehta, Dharmesh Kumar Sharma, Seema Mehta, Yogeshkumar S, Umesh Charantimath, Benjamin E. Leiby, Michael K. Georgieff, Zubair H. Aghai, Ashalata Mallapur, Umesh Ramadurg, Radha Sangavi, Praveen Patil, J. P. Akshaykirthan, Rupsa C. Boelig, Mrutyunjaya B. Bellad, Richard J. Derman

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy is a significant health concern. Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He) and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) are emerging as early markers, yet their response to different iron therapies in pregnancy is underexplored.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether intravenous single-dose iron administration produces a more favorable effect on reticulocyte indices than oral iron therapy in anemic pregnant women.

METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the RAPIDIRON Trial, a multicenter, three-arm randomized controlled trial comparing ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), ferric derisomaltose (FDM) and standard oral ferrous sulfate. Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He), Immature Reticulocyte Fraction (IRF) and other red blood …

High-Precision Automated Bone Age: A Clinically Useful Tool In Monitoring Of Treatment Effects In Children And Adolescents, Hans Henrik Thodberg, Lise Aksglaede, Anders Juul, Shanlee M. Davis, Judith L. Ross

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

The clinical value of serial bone age (BA) determinations in children during growth is limited by the manual rater variability (precision 0.63 years). The objective of this work was to determine the precision of automated bone age and bone health index (BHI) measurements by BoneXpert and to establish the time interval at which the automated method can detect a significant treatment effect. The data were from a case-control trial (oxandrolone/placebo) following 90 boys with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) with five visits over 2 years, recording X-rays of both hands. The precision of BA was 0.08 years [0.07; 0.09] 95% CI, leading …