Background: Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors present surgical challenges due to their proxim-ity to the facial nerve. Despite preservation efforts, facial nerve paresis is a major issue. This study aims to identify key factors affecting facial nerve preservation during microsurgical resection of large CPA tumors in a low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) setting. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study, conducted at Aga Khan University, includedpatients who underwent microsurgical resection of large (>3 cm) CPA tumors with House-Brackmann (HB) grades 1–4. Postoperative facial nerve function was assessed using the HB grading system. Data was extracted from medical records and analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: This study analyzed 95 patients (M:F=1:1.16, mean age 44.24±13.71 years) withCPA tumors who underwent microsurgical resection. Common presenting complaints included a complete hearing loss (57.9%), headache (52.6%), and abnormal gait (40%). Preoperative facial nerve function was normal (HB grade I) in 75%, with 19%, 7%, and 2% having HB grades II, III, and IV, respectively. Schwannoma (69.5%), meningioma (16.8%), and epidermoid cyst (10.5%) were the most common diagnoses. Postoperative preservation of facial nerve function was achieved in 73.7% of patients. At six months, HB grades I and II were observed in 64% and 11.5%, respectively, while none had complete facial nerve palsy. On univariate analysis, larger tumor size and higher HB grade correlated with worse facial nerve outcomes (p=0.02). Complications were more frequent in patients with worsened outcomes (72% vs. 38.6%, p=0.004). However, in multivariate analysis, only preoperative HB grade was identified as a predictor. Conclusion Facial nerve preservation during CPA tumor resection is influenced by intrinsic tumorcharacteristics, surgical complexity, and patient-specific factors. Detailed preoperative counseling is crucial to set realistic expectations.

COVID-19/virology* ; Cities ; Environmental Monitoring ; Genome, Viral ; Humans ; Infection Control/methods* ; Pakistan ; RNA, Viral/genetics* ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; Sewage/virology*

Background/Aims: This study aimed to study the endoscopic yield, appropriateness, and complications of pediatric endoscopy performed by adult gastroenterologists in an adult endoscopic suite. Methods: This a retrospective study in which records of all the patients less than 18 years of age who underwent endoscopy in the last 5 years were studied. The indications of endoscopy in children were categorized as appropriate or inappropriate per the latest guidelines by American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Positive endoscopic yield was defined as the presence of any abnormality on endoscopy. Results: Among the total of 822 children (age <18 years), the most common indications were variceal surveillance/eradication in 157 (19.1%), followed by dyspepsia in 143 (17.4%), upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding in 136 (16.5%), recurrent abdominal pain in 94 (11.4%), unexplained anemia in 74 (9%), recurrent vomiting in 50 (6.08%), chronic refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease in 34 (4.1%) and others; 780 out of 822 endoscopic procedures (94.9%) done in children were appropriate as per the guidelines. The endoscopic yield was 45.8%, highest in patients with UGI bleeding (71.3%), followed by variceal surveillance (54.8%), recurrent vomiting (38%), dyspepsia (37.8%), and recurrent abdominal pain (36%). Minor adverse events occurred in 7.3% of children. Conclusions Pediatric endoscopy performed by an experienced adult gastroenterologist may be acceptable if done in cooperation with a pediatrician.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of clinical factors on the outcome of arthrocentesis in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with TMJ internal derangement underwent arthrocentesis using ringer's lactate. The present study evaluated the contribution of the clinical variables of age, time since onset, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain level, and range of motion (ROM) on the outcomes of TMJ arthrocentesis: age (≤25 years, >25 and ≤40 years, >40 and ≤60 years), VAS pain level (≤5, >5 and ≤7, >7 and ≤10), and ROM ( < 25 and ≥25 mm). Odds ratios (ORs) were used to describe the proportional benefit of each variable the on successful outcome of arthrocentesis. For the OR to be clinically relevant or even clinically noticeable, we assumed that the OR would need to be larger than 2. RESULTS: Mean preoperative pain score was 6.49±1.560 and at 6 months postoperative was 0.46±1.147 with an average decrease of pain score 6 (P < 0.001). The mean preoperactive maximum mouth opening was 26.14±4.969 mm and mean maximum mouth opening at 6-month inerval was 38.92±3.392 mm. The mean increase in the mouth opening was a mean difference of 12.78 mm (P < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that the maximum benefit occurred in patients aged < 25 years (OR, 12.01; P=0.012), a VAS pain level of >7 (OR, 11.25; P=0.039), and a maximum vertical opening of < 25 mm (OR, 7.70; P=0.038). CONCLUSION: Lavage of the superior joint space with ringer's lactate resulted in significant reduction in pain and improvement in mouth opening. Patients with a greater inflammatory component and younger patients benefitted more from arthrocentesis. Evaluation of these clinical variables helped in predictive modelling, which may provide clinicians with the opportunity to identify “at-benefit” patients early and initiate specific treatment.
Arthrocentesis ; Humans ; Joints ; Lactic Acid ; Logistic Models ; Mouth ; Odds Ratio ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Therapeutic Irrigation

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of clinical factors on the outcome of arthrocentesis in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with TMJ internal derangement underwent arthrocentesis using ringer's lactate. The present study evaluated the contribution of the clinical variables of age, time since onset, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain level, and range of motion (ROM) on the outcomes of TMJ arthrocentesis: age (≤25 years, >25 and ≤40 years, >40 and ≤60 years), VAS pain level (≤5, >5 and ≤7, >7 and ≤10), and ROM ( < 25 and ≥25 mm). Odds ratios (ORs) were used to describe the proportional benefit of each variable the on successful outcome of arthrocentesis. For the OR to be clinically relevant or even clinically noticeable, we assumed that the OR would need to be larger than 2. RESULTS: Mean preoperative pain score was 6.49±1.560 and at 6 months postoperative was 0.46±1.147 with an average decrease of pain score 6 (P < 0.001). The mean preoperactive maximum mouth opening was 26.14±4.969 mm and mean maximum mouth opening at 6-month inerval was 38.92±3.392 mm. The mean increase in the mouth opening was a mean difference of 12.78 mm (P < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that the maximum benefit occurred in patients aged < 25 years (OR, 12.01; P=0.012), a VAS pain level of >7 (OR, 11.25; P=0.039), and a maximum vertical opening of < 25 mm (OR, 7.70; P=0.038). CONCLUSION Lavage of the superior joint space with ringer's lactate resulted in significant reduction in pain and improvement in mouth opening. Patients with a greater inflammatory component and younger patients benefitted more from arthrocentesis. Evaluation of these clinical variables helped in predictive modelling, which may provide clinicians with the opportunity to identify “at-benefit” patients early and initiate specific treatment.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy has become a standard staging tool in the surgical management of breast cancer. The positive impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy on postoperative negative outcomes in breast cancer patients, without compromising the oncological outcomes, is its major advantage. It has evolved over the last few decades and has proven its utility beyond early breast cancer. Its applicability and efficacy in patients with clinically positive axilla who have had a complete clinical response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is being aggressively evaluated at present. This article discusses how sentinel lymph node biopsy has evolved and is becoming a useful tool in new clinical scenarios of breast cancer management.
Axilla ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy*