No abstract available.
Biopsy ; Liver

BACKGROUND: The celiac plexus and splanchnic nerves are targets for neurolytic blocks for pain relief from pain caused by upper gastrointestinal tumors. Therefore, we investigated the analgesic effect of a celiac plexus block versus a splanchnic nerve block and the effects of these blocks on the quality of life six months post-intervention for patients with upper GIT tumors. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with inoperable upper GIT tumors and with severe uncontrolled visceral pain were randomized into two groups. These were Group I, for whom a celiac plexus block was used with a bilateral needle retrocrural technique, and Group II, for whom a splanchnic nerve block with a bilateral needle technique was used. The visual analogue scale for pain (0 to 100), the quality of life via the QLQ-C30 questionnaire, and survival rates were assessed. RESULTS: Pain scores were comparable in both groups in the first week after the block. Significantly more patients retained good analgesia with tramadol in the splanchnic group from 16 weeks onwards (P = 0.005, 0.001, 0.005, 0.001, 0.01). Social and cognitive scales improved significantly from the second week onwards in the splanchnic group. Survival of both groups was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that the efficacy of the splanchnic nerve block technique appears to be clinically comparable to a celiac block. All statistically significant differences are of little clinical value.
Abdominal Pain ; Analgesia ; Autonomic Nerve Block ; Celiac Plexus* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Needles ; Nerve Block ; Pain Measurement ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Splanchnic Nerves* ; Survival Rate ; Tramadol ; Treatment Outcome ; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract* ; Visceral Pain ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: To determine the socio-economic impact of gluten free diet (GFD) on Saudi children and their families. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which an online questionnaire was sent to all families registered in the Saudi celiac patients support group. We included only children (age 18 years of age and younger) with biopsy-confirmed celiac disease (CD). RESULTS: A total of 113 children were included in the final analysis, the median age was 9.9 years; 62.8% were females. One hundred (88.5%) of the participating families reported that GFD food was not easily available in their areas, 17% of them reported that it was not available at all in their area. One hundred and six (93.8%) reported that the price of GFD food was very expensive and 70 (61.9%) families that the diet was heavily affecting their family budget. Significant social difficulties were reported among the participating families and their children including interference with the child's interaction with other children (49.6%), the families' ability to attend social gatherings (60.2%), the families' ability to eat in restaurants (73.5%), and the families' ability to travel (58.4%). CONCLUSION: There is significant negative socio-economic impact of GFD on children with CD & their families. Health care providers should be aware of these psycho-social difficulties and be well trained to provide a proper education and psychological support for these patients and their families.
Budgets ; Celiac Disease* ; Child* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet ; Diet, Gluten-Free* ; Education ; Female ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Only Child ; Restaurants ; Saudi Arabia ; Self-Help Groups

The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine had great potential for clinical applications. However, cell delivery strategies have critical importance in stimulating the differentiation of stem cells and enhancing their potential to regenerate damaged tissues. Different strategies have been used to investigate the osteogenic potential of dental stem cells in conjunction with biomaterials through in vitro and in vivo studies. Osteogenesis has a broad implication in regenerative medicine, particularly for maxillofacial defects. This review summarizes some of the most recent developments in the field of tissue engineering using dental stem cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) remains the most common EUS-guided tissue acquisition technique. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a new Franseen tip fine needle biopsy (FNB) device for EUSguided sampling of solid lesions and compare it with the historical FNA technique. METHODS: Acquire® 22 G FNB needle (Boston Scientific Co., Natick, MA, USA) was used for solid tumor sampling (Study group). Tissue was collected for rapid on-site evaluation, and touch and crush preparations were made. Historical EUS-FNA samples obtained using Expect® 22 G FNA needle (Boston Scientific Co.) were used as controls (Control group). All specimens were independently evaluated by two cytopathologists blinded to the formal cytopathological diagnosis. RESULTS: Mean cell block histology scores were significantly higher (p=0.046) in the FNB group (51 samples) despite a significantly lower (p < 0.001) mean number of passes compared to the FNA group (50 specimens). The overall diagnostic yields for the FNB vs. FNA groups were 96% vs. 88%. The degree of tumor differentiation was adequately assessed in all cell block qualifying lesions in the FNB group. Two patients developed post-FNB abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS: The new Franseen tip FNB device provides histologically superior and cytologically comparable specimens to those obtained by FNA, but with fewer passes.
Abdominal Pain ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration ; Humans ; Needles ; Prospective Studies*

Background/Aims: We aim to assess the influence of obesity on gastroparesis (GP) hospitalizations in the United States (US). Methods: The National Inpatient Sample was analyzed from 2007-2017 to identify all adult hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of GP. They were subdivided based on the presence or absence of obesity (body mass index > 30). Hospitalization characteristics, procedural differences, all-cause inpatient mortality, mean length of stay (LOS), and mean total hospital charge (THC) were identified and compared. Results: From 2007-2017, there were 140 293 obese GP hospitalizations accounting for 13.75% of all GP hospitalizations in the US. Obese GP hospitalizations were predominantly female (76.11% vs 64.36%, P < 0.001) and slightly older (51.9 years vs 50.8 years, P < 0.001) compared to the non-obese cohort. Racial disparities were noted as Blacks (25.49% vs 22%, P < 0.001) had higher proportions of GP hospitalizations with obesity compared to the non-obese cohort. Furthermore, we noted higher rates of inpatient upper endoscopy utilization (6.05% vs 5.42%, P < 0.001), longer mean LOS (5.71 days vs 5.32 days, P < 0.001), and higher mean THC ($53 373 vs $45 040, P < 0.001) for obese GP hospitalizations compared to the non-obese group. However, obese GP hospitalizations had lower rates of inpatient mortality (0.92% vs 1.33%, P < 0.001), and need for nutritional support with endoscopic jejunostomy (0.25 vs 0.56%, P < 0.001) and total parenteral nutrition (1.46% vs 2.33%, P < 0.001) compared to the non-obese cohort. Conclusions In the US, compared to non-obese, a higher proportion of obese GP hospitalizations were female and Blacks. Obese GP hospitalizations also had higher THC, LOS, and rates of upper endoscopy.

Background: s/Aims: The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols has demonstrated significant advantages for patients by mitigating surgical stress and expediting recovery across a spectrum of surgical procedures worldwide. This investigation seeks to assess the effectiveness of the ERAS protocol specifically in the context of major liver resections within our geographical region. Methods: Our department conducted retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, gathered from consenting individuals who underwent liver resections from January 2018 to December 2023. The assessment encompassed baseline characteristics, preoperative indications, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications among patients undergoing liver surgery. Results: Among the included 184 patients (73 standard care, 111 ERAS program), the baseline characteristics were similar. Median postoperative hospital stay differed significantly: 5 days (range: 3–13 days) in ERAS, and 11 days (range: 6–22 days) in standard care (p < 0.001). Prophylactic abdominal drainage was less in ERAS (54.9%) than in standard care (86.3%, p < 0.001). Notably, in ERAS, 88.2% initiated enteral feeding orally on postoperative day 1, significantly higher than in standard care (47.9%, p < 0.001). Early postoperative mobilization was more common in ERAS (84.6%) than in standard care (36.9%, p < 0.001). Overall complication rates were 21.9% in standard care, and 8.1% in ERAS (p = 0.004). Conclusions Our investigation highlights the merits of ERAS protocol; adherence to its diverse components results in significant reduction in hospital length of stay, and reduced occurrence of postoperative complications, improving short-term recovery post liver resection

Background: s/Aims: The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols has demonstrated significant advantages for patients by mitigating surgical stress and expediting recovery across a spectrum of surgical procedures worldwide. This investigation seeks to assess the effectiveness of the ERAS protocol specifically in the context of major liver resections within our geographical region. Methods: Our department conducted retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, gathered from consenting individuals who underwent liver resections from January 2018 to December 2023. The assessment encompassed baseline characteristics, preoperative indications, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications among patients undergoing liver surgery. Results: Among the included 184 patients (73 standard care, 111 ERAS program), the baseline characteristics were similar. Median postoperative hospital stay differed significantly: 5 days (range: 3–13 days) in ERAS, and 11 days (range: 6–22 days) in standard care (p < 0.001). Prophylactic abdominal drainage was less in ERAS (54.9%) than in standard care (86.3%, p < 0.001). Notably, in ERAS, 88.2% initiated enteral feeding orally on postoperative day 1, significantly higher than in standard care (47.9%, p < 0.001). Early postoperative mobilization was more common in ERAS (84.6%) than in standard care (36.9%, p < 0.001). Overall complication rates were 21.9% in standard care, and 8.1% in ERAS (p = 0.004). Conclusions Our investigation highlights the merits of ERAS protocol; adherence to its diverse components results in significant reduction in hospital length of stay, and reduced occurrence of postoperative complications, improving short-term recovery post liver resection

A 35-year-old female presented with episodes of frequent dizziness, ear fullness, and right ear tinnitus for 12 months. Head imaging revealed a right glomus tympanicum tumor. She underwent pre-operative endovascular embolization of the glomus tympanicum tumor with surgical, cyanoacrylate-based glue. Immediately after the procedure, she developed drowsiness and severe pain in the right temporal region. Further investigations revealed a right cerebellar stroke in the posterior inferior cerebellar artery territory. She was treated with intravenous heparin, followed by one year of oral anticoagulation. With rehabilitation, she significantly recovered from her post embolization stroke. However, the tumor was resected at another institution. Ten years later, follow-up imaging indicated a gradual increase in the size of the glomus jugulare tumor compressing the nearby critical vascular structures. She subsequently received radiation therapy to treat the residual tumor. Currently, she has no neurological deficit, but her mild dizziness, right ear tinnitus, and hearing impairment persist.