1.Facial Nerve Outcomes Following Microsurgical Resection of Large Cerebellopontine Angle Tumors: Experience From a Tertiary Care Center in Pakistan
Shah KHALID ; Salaar AHMED ; Komal NAEEM ; Ahmad HASSAN ; Mehar MASROOR ; Altaf Ali LAGHARI ; Syed Ather ENAM
Brain Tumor Research and Treatment 2026;14(1):12-19
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.
2.The Effects of Tirzepatide on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Muhammad Umar MAHAR ; Omar MAHMUD ; Salaar AHMED ; Saleha Ahmed QURESHI ; Wasila Gul KAKAR ; Syeda Sadia FATIMA
Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome 2024;33(4):348-359
Background:
Tirzepatide is a novel dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP)-glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist being evaluated for the treatment of various metabolic disorders. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized data on the effects of tirzepatide on serum lipid levels.
Methods:
We systematically searched the PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for relevant data from randomized controlled clinical trials. All articles were screened, reviewed, and extracted by at least two independent authors, with conflicts resolved by consensus. Four hundred and thirty-three records were identified in the initial literature search; 18 of them were identified for full-text review, and 14 of those were systematically reviewed and included in the analysis. The meta-analysis was performed using an inverse variance random-effects model.
Results:
Fourteen articles that reported data from 13 randomized controlled clinical trials were included in the review. Nine trials had a low risk of bias, two had a moderate risk, and two had a high risk of bias. The pooled analysis showed that tirzepatide was efficacious at improving all lipid markers, including cholesterol and triglycerides.Moreover, a clear dose response trend was visible across results from groups taking 5, 10, and 15 mg of tirzepatide.
Conclusion
There is growing evidence to support the use of tirzepatide in patients with metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Our results demonstrate that tirzepatide significantly improves all aspects of patient metabolism and might be superior in this regard to conventional agents such as insulin formulations or traditional GLP-1 agonists.
3.The Effects of Tirzepatide on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Muhammad Umar MAHAR ; Omar MAHMUD ; Salaar AHMED ; Saleha Ahmed QURESHI ; Wasila Gul KAKAR ; Syeda Sadia FATIMA
Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome 2024;33(4):348-359
Background:
Tirzepatide is a novel dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP)-glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist being evaluated for the treatment of various metabolic disorders. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized data on the effects of tirzepatide on serum lipid levels.
Methods:
We systematically searched the PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for relevant data from randomized controlled clinical trials. All articles were screened, reviewed, and extracted by at least two independent authors, with conflicts resolved by consensus. Four hundred and thirty-three records were identified in the initial literature search; 18 of them were identified for full-text review, and 14 of those were systematically reviewed and included in the analysis. The meta-analysis was performed using an inverse variance random-effects model.
Results:
Fourteen articles that reported data from 13 randomized controlled clinical trials were included in the review. Nine trials had a low risk of bias, two had a moderate risk, and two had a high risk of bias. The pooled analysis showed that tirzepatide was efficacious at improving all lipid markers, including cholesterol and triglycerides.Moreover, a clear dose response trend was visible across results from groups taking 5, 10, and 15 mg of tirzepatide.
Conclusion
There is growing evidence to support the use of tirzepatide in patients with metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Our results demonstrate that tirzepatide significantly improves all aspects of patient metabolism and might be superior in this regard to conventional agents such as insulin formulations or traditional GLP-1 agonists.
4.The Effects of Tirzepatide on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Muhammad Umar MAHAR ; Omar MAHMUD ; Salaar AHMED ; Saleha Ahmed QURESHI ; Wasila Gul KAKAR ; Syeda Sadia FATIMA
Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome 2024;33(4):348-359
Background:
Tirzepatide is a novel dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP)-glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist being evaluated for the treatment of various metabolic disorders. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized data on the effects of tirzepatide on serum lipid levels.
Methods:
We systematically searched the PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for relevant data from randomized controlled clinical trials. All articles were screened, reviewed, and extracted by at least two independent authors, with conflicts resolved by consensus. Four hundred and thirty-three records were identified in the initial literature search; 18 of them were identified for full-text review, and 14 of those were systematically reviewed and included in the analysis. The meta-analysis was performed using an inverse variance random-effects model.
Results:
Fourteen articles that reported data from 13 randomized controlled clinical trials were included in the review. Nine trials had a low risk of bias, two had a moderate risk, and two had a high risk of bias. The pooled analysis showed that tirzepatide was efficacious at improving all lipid markers, including cholesterol and triglycerides.Moreover, a clear dose response trend was visible across results from groups taking 5, 10, and 15 mg of tirzepatide.
Conclusion
There is growing evidence to support the use of tirzepatide in patients with metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Our results demonstrate that tirzepatide significantly improves all aspects of patient metabolism and might be superior in this regard to conventional agents such as insulin formulations or traditional GLP-1 agonists.

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