Patterns Of Clinical Presentation Research Articles

44 Spotting the clotting: a 3-year national surveillance study of paediatric pulmonary thromboembolism

Abstract Background Pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) is a rare event in the paediatric population but can be acutely life-threatening and result in chronic complications. Awareness of contemporary patterns of clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, and management may aid clinicians in ensuring that patients are promptly identified and treated. Objectives To describe the risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic modalities, therapeutic interventions, and short-term outcomes in paediatric patients (neonate up to 18 years) with PE through national surveillance. Design/Methods Between January 2020 and December 2022, monthly surveillance was conducted with over 2,800 paediatricians and sub-specialists through the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program. Voluntary reporting of cases meeting a standardized definition of PE was followed up with a detailed questionnaire. Results 58 confirmed cases were reported; 33 (57%) were females age 15 to 18 years. Detailed information was available for 31 (53%) of 58 cases. At least 1 risk factor was identified in 28 (90%) cases and 12 (39%) patients had 2 or more risk factors. The most common risk factors were oral contraceptive use (n=10 of 31; 32%) and obesity (n=9 of 31; 29%). Presentation was symptomatic in 28 (90%) cases; 24 (77%) patients presented with 2 or more symptoms. The most common symptoms were chest pain (n=18; 58%), dyspnea (n=13; 42%) and tachycardia (n=13; 42%). The most common diagnostic modality utilized was computed tomography pulmonary angiography (n=25; 81%). Initiation of systemic anticoagulation was reported for 24 (77%) of 31 cases; thrombolysis and surgical interventions were uncommon (< 5 cases). Treatment complications were common (n=8; 29%). Mortality was reported, but in fewer than 5 cases. Conclusion PE in children often presents with non-specific symptoms, but usually occurs in patients with known risk factors. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in symptomatic patients, particularly those with risk factors and in cases when other diagnoses that may explain symptoms have been excluded. Anticoagulation is the mainstay of treatment; complications can occur. Prompt recognition and management presumably reduce morbidity and mortality, but this cannot be inferred from our data.

Primary cervical malignant melanoma: A rare entity case report

Primary malignant melanoma of female genital tract is rare, and rarer are those arising from the cervix. Pathogenesis involving BRAF & RAS pathway whether holds true for these tumours as well is a question yet to be answered. Patients come with bleeding PV as their main complain. To reach at the diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of cervix it is important to have clinical examination with speculum assessment along with pathological evaluation of the lesion. Case presentation: We report a case of 49/F, Para 1, living 1 (P1L1), who was postmenopausal since 13 years with complains of white discharge and bleeding per vaginum since 1 week. Per vaginal examination revealed a greysih white brown growth in the cervix involving vagina. Biopsy and immunohistochemistry showed malignant melanoma (MM). Conclusion: Clinical presentation and spread pattern of primary MM of cervix is similar to that of cervical carcinoma and clinically diagnosing as melanoma is even more difficult when more than 50% tumours are amelanotic. But early diagnosis is need of the hour as these cases have poor prognosis with no standardize treatment protocol available. The FIGO staging system has been accepted by most researchers. Reporting of such cases is pertinent so as to allow the study of this extremely rare tumour for bringing up the correct and new therapies for early treatment.

A STUDY ON THE DIFFERENT CLINICAL PRESENTATION PATTERNS OF BLUNT THORACIC TRAUMA AND ASSOCIATED MORBIDITY FOLLOWING ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Introduction:Chest trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality following road traffic accidents (RTA). Given the significant potential for complications including respiratory failure and shock, blunt chest trauma following RTA remains a priority in trauma care and so this study aims to look into the clinical pattern of presentation of patients following chest trauma with/without associated injuries to other parts of body i.e. head/abdomen/extremities along with morbidity and mortality associated with it. Aims and objectives of the study : 1. To study the various clinical patterns of presentation of RTA patients with blunt chest trauma. 2. To study the disease burden and death rate of individuals with blunt chest trauma. Methodology: The study has been conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Silchar Medical College and Hospital from March 2024 to August 2024 after taking appropriate consent from 53 patients diagnosed with chest trauma following RTA with/without associated extra- thoracic injuries. Their data was analyzed and results published. Result and Analysis: Mean age in my study was 38.90 ± 6.57 years with male preponderance. Most patients had 3 rib fractures with pulmonary contusion being most common complication. Most common associated extra-thoracic trauma is abdominal injuries (24.5%) with mean ISS of 13.25 ± 7.73. most patients were managed conservatively with adequate pain control. Surgical intervention carried out were either tube thoracostomy (92.3%) or needle thoracostomy (7.2%). Most common secondary complication following blunt chest trauma is pneumonia (18.84%) while ARDS complication arose in 9.43% of the patients. Mortality rate was 5.6% and the most common cause that let to the demise was ARDS. Conclusion: To conclude, blunt thoracic injury is a major health problem as it carries significant mortality and morbidity more so, in case of RTA and association of other extra-thoracic injuries also play a pivotal role in the process of recovery of the patient. Presence of lung contusion, pneumothorax, hemothorax are to be dealt adequately with proper analgesia. Even though most cases of chest trauma can be dealt conservatively need for emergency surgical intervention needs to be assessed promptly. One must look for number of rib fractures as they may reflect the disease burden of the patient. Pneumonia and ARDS are a major mortality factor following chest trauma and its complications.

Clinical Profile and Histopathological Pattern of Major Salivary Gland Tumors in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Abstract Background: Varieties of tumors can arise from major salivary glands primarily or secondarily. Over 30 histological subtypes have been documented by the World Health Organization, serving as a guide in diagnosis and management. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical and histological pattern of presentation of major salivary gland tumors. Materials and Methods: This is a clinical retrospective study, done at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria, assessing records of patients with major salivary gland tumors seen between January 2018 and December 2022. Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26. The results were presented in tables and charts and comparisons were made using the Chi-squared test. Results: Out of the 57 patients with major salivary gland tumors studied, 30 (52.6%) were benign tumors, and 27 (47.4%) were malignant tumors. About 63.2% of patients were predominantly females, whereas 36.8% were males with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.7. The most common presenting symptom was swelling. The average duration of symptoms before presentation was 24 and 12 months for benign and malignant tumors, respectively. The parotid gland (61.4% total) was the most common site of tumor presentation for both benign and malignant tumors followed by the submandibular and sublingual the least. The most common histological variant was pleomorphic adenoma (40.4%) for benign and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (28.1%) for malignant. Surgery was the first line of treatment given. Conclusion: The observed pattern of clinical and histological presentation of major salivary gland tumors will guide clinicians on the approach for the management.

Comparison of Clinical, Etiological and Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns of UTI in CAKUT and Non CAKUT Children

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections in children. Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are a major cause of UTIs in this population. Objective: To compare clinical, etiological and antibiotic sensitivity patterns of UTIs in CAKUT and non-CAKUT children. Study Design: Prospective comparative study. Place and Duration: The study was conducted at the department of Pediatric Nephrology, The Children's Hospital Lahore from August 2023 to January 2024. Methods: 68 children with and without CAKUT having UTI were evaluated. Data regarding demographics, clinical presentation and antibiotic sensitivity pattern was collected. Susceptibility testing was done according to CLSI recommendations. Results: 34 patients with UTI in CAKUT group (Group A) had male predominance (73.5%) while children without CAKUT (Group B) were predominantly females (55.9%). Mean age in Group A (38.9 months) was less than that in Group B (53.9 months). The common presentations in both the groups were pyelonephritis and cystitis. Vesico-ureteric reflux (32.4%) and posterior urethral valves (29.4%) were the most common CAKUT findings. Majority of patients with CAKUT had Pseudomonas UTI (32.4%) while E. coli (35.3%) was common in children without CAKUT. Fosfomycin, Colistin, Linezolid and Polymyxin B had low resistance amongst both groups. The association between CAKUT and atypical uropathogens was not found to be statistically significant (p = 0.287). Conclusion: Differences exist in clinical presentation, etiology and antibiotic sensitivity patterns specific to UTI in CAKUT and non-CAKUT children. A high resistance pattern was found amongst common antibiotics.

Profile and healthcare utilisation patterns of adolescent frequent attenders in Singapore primary care: a retrospective study

ObjectivesFrequent attenders (FAs) visit healthcare settings at higher rates compared with the general population and use disproportionate amounts of healthcare resources. Frequent attendance (FA) has also been associated with greater...

Socioeconomic determinants of very frequent presentations to emergency departments in New South Wales, Australia: A state wide data linkage study

ObjectivesTo describe the clinical and longitudinal patterns of presentation, and to understand the underlying socioeconomic characteristics of different modes of presentation. DesignRetrospective state-wide data linkage analysis of emergency department (ED) presentations. Patients were included if they were 18 years of age or over and presented to the ED over twenty times within any consecutive 365-day period between January 2015 and December 2020. This analysis used routinely collected data from the Emergency Department Data Collection and Admitted Patient Data Collection. The quintile of Socioeconomic Indexes for Area (SEIFA) defined by Australian Bureau of Statistics was used for equity considerations. Main outcome measuresThe main outcomes of interest included patients’ clinical presentation, demographic information and SEIFA score as represented by Index of Relative Socioeconomic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) quintiles. ResultsThere were 417,154 presentations and 5,244 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the presentations were from SEIFA groups 1 (28.2 %) and 2 (35.6 %). The most common presentations were for drug and alcohol (17.5 %), followed by abdominal pathology (11.8 %) and mental health (11.5 %). In the lowest SEIFA group, the main presenting complaints were for drug and alcohol and administrative presentations. While in the highest SEIFA group, the main presentations were for mental health then abdominal pain, followed by drug and alcohol presentations. ConclusionPatients in the lower SEIFA groups tended to be older with lower acuity presentations and were more likely to present to the same facility, more regularly. Patients in the lower SEIFA group were also more likely to present with drug and alcohol and administrative presentations while those in the higher SEIFA groups were more likely to present with mental health presentations. System wide interventions are needed to address the needs of both groups, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, who would benefit from improved access to primary care either through access to General Practice or Urgent Care Centres.

Patterns of clinical and imaging presentations in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension due to spinal cerebrospinal fluid venous fistula: A single-center retrospective cross-sectional study.

To identify distinct clinical or imaging subtypes of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) due to spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) venous fistula (CVF). Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is classically understood to present clinically with an orthostatic headache and stereotyped brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings; however, most prior literature examining clinical and brain MRI features of SIH has focused on all types of spinal CSF leaks concurrently. This study aimed to evaluate whether data support the possibility of internally consistent subtypes based on brain imaging features and clinical symptoms analogous to those seen in primary headache syndromes. This retrospective cross-sectional single-institution study included 48 consecutive patients meeting the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition criteria for SIH due to CVF. Clinical symptoms, pre-treatment brain MRI, and symptom duration were analyzed. Clinical and MRI data were analyzed to identify patterns and associations between symptoms and imaging findings. A total of 20 males and 28 females were evaluated, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 61 (10) years. In all, 44/48 (92%) patients experienced headaches, though 18/48 (40%) did not endorse relief when flat, including six of the 48 (13%) with worsening symptoms when flat. In all, 19/48 (40%) patients reported at least one migraine symptom, and six of the 48 (13%) presented with at least one migraine symptom and had no relief when flat. Clinical symptoms clustered primarily into a "classic" presentation consisting of relief when flat, occipital head pain, comorbid neck pain, a pressure/throbbing headache quality, and an "atypical" presentation that was characterized by having several differences: less relief when flat (nine of 22 (41%) vs. 20/23 (87.0%), p = 0.002; odds ratio [OR] 0.110, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.016-0.53), more frontal head pain (14/22 (64%) vs. one of 23 (4%), p < 0.001; OR 35.0, 95% CI 4.2-1681.0), less neck pain (two of 21 (4.5%) vs. nine of 13 (69.6%), p < 0.001; OR 0.023, 95% CI 0.0005-0.196), and more stabbing/sharp headache quality (nine of 22 (41%) vs. two of 23 (9%), p = 0.017; OR 7.0, 95% CI 1.18-75.9). Brain MRI findings clustered into three groups: those presenting with most imaging findings of SIH concurrently, those with brain sag but less pachymeningeal/venous engorgement, and those with pachymeningeal/venous engorgement but less brain sag. This study highlights the clinical and imaging diversity among patients with SIH due to CVF, challenging the reliance on classic orthostatic headache alone for diagnosis. The findings suggest the existence of distinct SIH subtypes based on clinical and imaging presentations, underscoring the need for comprehensive evaluation in patients with suspected CVF. Future research should further elucidate the relationship between clinical symptoms and imaging findings, aiming to refine diagnostic criteria and enhance understanding of SIH's pathophysiology.

Pattern of Clinical Presentation, Staging and Surgical Treatment of Lung cancer in 250 Consecutive Patients.

Introduction: GLOBOCAN 2022 showed lung cancer to be leading cancer in Nepal accounting for about 11% (2431) of all new cancer cases and about 15% (2207) of all cancer deaths. We reviewed the pattern, clinical presentation, stage and multimodality treatment of lung cancer results in Nepal. Methods: Two hundred fifty consecutive patients with clinical stages of I-IIIA, who were considered for lung resectional surgery were studied. Bronchoscopy and Computed Tomography were used for diagnosis and staging. Results: Surgery alone was done in 36% cases, rest of the patients (64%) underwent multimodality approach. Lobectomy, bilobectomy, pneumonectomy, sub lobar resection and sleeve resection were done in 85.6%, 4%, 6.4%, 2% and 2% respectively. Final histology revealed squamous cell carcinoma, adeno carcinoma, and others in 72.4%, 18.4%, 9.2% respectively. Final pathological report showed stage I, II, and III in 14.8%, 30% and 55.2% cases. Thirty-day mortality was observed in 1.6% of cases. Air leak was most common post operative complication (8.4%). Conclusion: Squamous cell carcinoma still remains the commonest pathological variant of lung cancer in Nepal. Lobectomy remains the most commonly performed surgical procedure

Characterizing Chronic Pelvic Pain: The Relationship Between Extrapelvic Muscle Stiffness, Pain Level, Health History, and Pelvic Floor Symptoms in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the association of extrapelvic muscular stiffness measures with pelvic floor symptoms and clinical impairments in women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP). In addition to bivariate correlations, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify multivariate clinical presentation patterns of CPP. Methods: Muscle stiffness measurements of 11 extrapelvic muscles were taken in 149 women with CPP. Associations between muscle stiffness and clinical measures such as pelvic floor function, pain, psychosocial status, and urogynecology history were calculated. In addition, variables were assessed using EFA to identify patterns of CPP. Results: There were small but significant correlations between muscle stiffness measurements and clinical measures. Three categorizations of CPP symptoms and impairments emerged from the 25 continuous variables chosen for EFA. These could be classified as follows: (1) pelvic floor dysfunction and psychosocial involvement; (2) muscle stiffness of the hips and thighs; and (3) muscle stiffness of the low back and abdomen, collectively making up 49.1% of the variance. Discussion: Stiffness of commonly treated extrapelvic muscles was not strongly correlated to pain level or health history of women with CPP. The first EFA component is consistent with patients routinely seen by pelvic health physical therapists, and the latter components are consistent with those who may benefit initially from orthopedic physical therapy. Further research looking at the relationship of muscle stiffness, pelvic floor function, and movement impairments is needed. EFA may be a starting point to better understand who may be appropriate for orthopedic physical therapy treatment versus specialized pelvic health physical therapy care.

Pattern of Clinical Presentation in Patients With Lymphoma.

Introduction Lymphomas take place when cells of the lymphatic system divide and re-divide in an uncontrolled fashion, and lymphomas have been termed as a "diverse group" of cancer, playing a major role in the area of oncology. The clinical behavior and manifestations of lymphomas in the head and neck region usually lack specific characteristics that would enable attribution to a specific lymphoma entity without biopsy and histological evidence. This study aimed to determine the frequency of common clinical features among patients with lymphoma. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of General Medicine, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from October 28, 2021 to April 28, 2022. The inclusion criteria consisted of individuals who were recently diagnosed with lymphoma and were between the ages of 10 and 50, regardless of their gender. This study enrolled a total of 186 patients diagnosed with lymphoma and assessed for common signs and symptoms. The data-gathering process included in-depth interviews, evaluations of medical history, physical exams, and initial investigations. The data analysis was done using IBMSPSSStatistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (Released 2011; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results The mean age of the patients was 34.5±9.6 years. Out of the total, 115 (61.8%) were men and 71 (38.2%) were women. With regard to symptoms, 134 (72%) had a fever, 80 (43%) had abdominal pain, 102 (54.8%) had vomiting, 49 (26.3%) had a headache, 111 (59.7%) had weight loss, and 17 (9.1%) had a cough. With regardto signs, 33 (17.7%) had painless lymphadenopathy, 58 (31.2%) had jaundice, 157 (84.4%) had anemia, 147 (79%) had hepatomegaly, 160 (86%) had splenomegaly, 24 (12.9%) had ascites, and 16 (8.6%) had abdominal tenderness. Conclusion The varied clinical appearance of lymphoma makes treatment difficult. In severe cases of lymphoma, early and timely diagnosis is crucial for proper and prompt treatment. The signs and symptoms, along with demographic information of patients, thorough medical history, imaging testing, andclinical examination,may indicate lymphoma.

Patterns of Clinical Presentation and In-Hospital Outcome of Adult Patient with Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Patterns of Clinical Presentation and In-Hospital Outcome of Adult Patient with Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Real-world effectiveness and safety of dabrafenib-trametinib as first-line of treatment for BRAF mutated metastatic melanoma: Results of the study GEM1801.

e21515 Background: Dabrafenib-Trametinib (DT) is included in the therapeutic arsenal for BRAFV600-mutant metastatic melanoma. However, detailed effectiveness results for dabrafenib and trametinib depending on patient prognostic profile in the real-world are limited. Methods: GEM1801 is a prospective observational study that analyzes the clinical and pathological disease presentation patterns, the different lines of treatment choices and the health outcomes derived from treatments in patients with melanoma in Spain. Here we focus on patients receiving DT as first-line treatment in the metastatic melanoma. Based on previous studies, we defined 3 subgroups: good prognosis (normal LDH and &lt; 3 metastatic sites), poor prognosis (high LDH and ≥3 metastatic sites), and intermediate prognosis (neither of good or poor prognosis). Results: From August 2018 to December 2022, 140 patients receiving DT were enrolled; 45 (32.1%) with good, 42 (30%) with intermediate and 34 (24.3%) with poor prognosis. Subgroup allocation was not possible for 19 patients due to missing info on LDH or metastatic sites. Overall survival (OS) was longer in patients with good versus poor prognosis (median 26.2 vs 10 months; p = 0.024), while those with intermediate prognosis showed a mixed profile with a median OS of 17.4 months. Response to treatment also showed correlation with OS (3-years OS rate: 57.1% vs 23% vs 46.9% vs 26.8% for CR, PR, SD and PD, respectively; p &lt; 0.001). In patients who had a complete response, the 5-year OS rate was 58.3% (95% CI: 31.3-100) while the median overall survival was not reached. In patients with intermediate prognosis, the ECOG-PS was the main prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio: 4.6; 95% CI: 1.8-1.7; p = 0.002). The reported grade 3-5 toxicity was less than 5%. Treatment-related adverse events were reported in 5 (3.6%) patients, consisting of fever, mucositis, pneumonitis, neutropenia, ocular toxicity and retinal detachment. There were no differences across prognostic subgroups ( p = 0.741). Conclusions: DT in the Real-World has an acceptable effectiveness and safety profile. Prognostic groups could help in the selection of patients who could achieve a complete response, since it is the most important prognostic biomarker. Clinical trial information: NCT03605771 . [Table: see text]

Characterization of Clinical Presentation, Etiology, and Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns in Neonatal Septicemia: A Comprehensive Analysis of Bacterial Isolates.

Neonatal septicemia remains a significant healthcare challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings, with both early-onset neonatal septicemia (EONS) and late-onset neonatal septicemia (LONS) presentations contributing to morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to characterize the clinico-etiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of neonatal septicemia in a tertiary care setting in north India. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022, encompassing neonates admitted to the Department of Pediatrics with suspected neonatal septicemia, confirmed by positive blood cultures. A total of 96 neonates were included, predominantly male (71.9%). Gram-negative bacteria constituted 61.6% of isolates, and the most common organism isolated was non-lactose fermenter group (38.4%) followed by coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (33.4%). Non-lactose fermenter group bacteria were prominent in EONS cases (44.6%), while CoNS predominated in LONS cases (51.6%). Birthplace, birth weight, and perinatal score were significantly associated with both EONS and LONS. Linezolid exhibited high efficacy against gram-positive bacteria, while ciprofloxacin and meropenem demonstrated effectiveness against various gram-negative pathogens. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains exhibited resistance to all the antibiotics used in the study except for linezolid. These findings underscore the importance of tailored empirical therapy guided by local epidemiological data to optimize clinical outcomes and mitigate antimicrobial resistance.

Imaging-Based Deep Learning for Predicting Desmoid Tumor Progression.

Desmoid tumors (DTs) are non-metastasizing and locally aggressive soft-tissue mesenchymal neoplasms. Those that become enlarged often become locally invasive and cause significant morbidity. DTs have a varied pattern of clinical presentation, with up to 50-60% not growing after diagnosis and 20-30% shrinking or even disappearing after initial progression. Enlarging tumors are considered unstable and progressive. The management of symptomatic and enlarging DTs is challenging, and primarily consists of chemotherapy. Despite wide surgical resection, DTs carry a rate of local recurrence as high as 50%. There is a consensus that contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or, alternatively, computerized tomography (CT) is the preferred modality for monitoring DTs. Each uses Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1), which measures the largest diameter on axial, sagittal, or coronal series. This approach, however, reportedly lacks accuracy in detecting response to therapy and fails to detect tumor progression, thus calling for more sophisticated methods. The objective of this study was to detect unique features identified by deep learning that correlate with the future clinical course of the disease. Between 2006 and 2019, 51 patients (mean age 41.22 ± 15.5 years) who had a tissue diagnosis of DT were included in this retrospective single-center study. Each had undergone at least three MRI examinations (including a pretreatment baseline study), and each was followed by orthopedic oncology specialists for a median of 38.83 months (IQR 44.38). Tumor segmentations were performed on a T2 fat-suppressed treatment-naive MRI sequence, after which the segmented lesion was extracted to a three-dimensional file together with its DICOM file and run through deep learning software. The results of the algorithm were then compared to clinical data collected from the patients' medical files. There were 28 males (13 stable) and 23 females (15 stable) whose ages ranged from 19.07 to 83.33 years. The model was able to independently predict clinical progression as measured from the baseline MRI with an overall accuracy of 93% (93 ± 0.04) and ROC of 0.89 ± 0.08. Artificial intelligence may contribute to risk stratification and clinical decision-making in patients with DT by predicting which patients are likely to progress.

Skin Deep: Insights into Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a substantial clinical challenge due to its chronic nature and profound impact on patient's quality of life. This review offers a thorough examination of AD, covering its historical background, clinical presentation, etiology, and epidemiological patterns. By delving into the intricate histopathological aspects, it elucidates the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms driving AD. Additionally, it assesses the effectiveness of phototherapy and diverse treatment options in addressing this multifaceted condition. By consolidating existing knowledge, this review aims to deepen our understanding and guide future strategies for managing AD effectively.

CMV-Related Anterior Uveitis in a Mediterranean European Population: Clinical Features, Prognosis, and Long-Term Treatment Outcomes

ABSTRACT Purpose To describe the spectrum of clinical features of cytomegalovirus-related anterior uveitis (CMV-AU) along with potential comorbidities, to calculate complication rates, and to determine risk factors and biomarkers affecting prognosis in a cohort of a Southern European Mediterranean population. Materials and methods It is a retrospective, multicenter case series of consecutive patients with persisting hypertensive AU, unresponsive to topical steroids therapy, and CMV-positive essays from two uveitis referral centers were collected and analyzed. Results Fifty-seven eyes of 53 patients with polymerase chain reaction-verified CMV-AU over a period of 8 years were included with a mean age of 48 ± 18. Four presentation patterns were identified: 26.3% as Posner–Schlossman-like, 31.6% as chronic AU, 19.3% as presumed herpetic uveitis, 12.3% as Fuchs uveitis syndrome-like, and 10.5% without specific initial classification. About 15.8% received oral valganciclovir, 22.8% received topical valganciclovir, and 61.4% received both, for a mean duration of treatment of 44 months. AU recurrences were observed in 23 eyes with a mean of 1.5 (±1.5) recurrences per year. The only finding significantly associated with recurrence was the presence of posterior synechiae (PS) (p = 0.034). Fewer keratic precipitates (KPs) were indicative for the need of longer treatment, and endotheliitis was strongly associated with the need for filtration surgery. Conclusion In this immunocompetent southern European population, four distinct clinical presentation patterns were further confirmed, and possible biomarkers such as PS, KPs, and endotheliitis were newly reported to influence treatment outcomes. Large-scale studies could provide a more effective customized treatment protocol.

Role of upper airway evaluation in the multidisciplinary management of obstructive sleep apnea in children below two years of age.

Diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in infants and young children is challenging because of its clinical heterogeneity and lack of age-specific guidelines. We report the management and treatment outcome of OSA in children below 2 years of age. Treatment decisions were based upon the pattern of upper airway (UA) obstruction, clinical presentation and OSA severity. Retrospective, non-randomized observational cohort study at a tertiary center. Children with OSA who underwent an UA evaluation (drug-induced sleep endoscopy or direct laryngoscopy) were included. We studied 100 patients, 57 boys and 43 girls, age 0.72 years (0.0-2.0) and OSA confirmed by polysomnography. Multilevel UA collapse was present in 26%, (adeno)tonsillar hypertrophy in 31% and 21% had laryngomalacia. Laryngomalacia was more common in children below 6 months of age and adenotonsillar hypertrophy was observed mainly in children >1.5 year of age. Surgical and nonsurgical treatment guided by UA findings, improved OSA severity at group level with a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in obstructive apnea/hypopnea index from 10.8/h (2.1-99.1) to 1.7/h (0.0-73.0), an improvement in mean oxygen saturation from 96.9% (88.9-98.4) to 97.4% (92.3-99.0), in minimal oxygen saturation from 85.4% (37.0-96.0) to 88.8% (51.0-95.5) and oxygen desaturation index from 5.1/h (0.2-52.0) to 1.3/h (0.0-47.8). Multidisciplinary management of young children with OSA guided by the pattern of UA obstruction and OSA severity, reduces OSA severity. The pattern of UA obstruction changes in the first 2 years of life from a dynamic collapse to structural abnormalities.

Patterns of Referral and Clinical Presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children at Al Jalila Children Specialty Hospital: A Retrospective Descriptive Study

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is gradually gaining popularity. However, there is minimal scientific research exploring the clinical presentation of this highly complex disorder and the general understanding of such varying presentations by general practitioners and pediatric physicians. Objective: This study aims to explore the patterns of referral of patients with ASD to a tertiary hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and to understand better and analyze the general knowledge of referring physicians through their impression of the patient’s clinical presentation Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study where all the data were collected electronically from past medical records and referral documents taken from Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital (AJCH). Patients who were referred were later assessed by the neurodevelopmental specialists using the NICE Guidelines. The data were analyzed statistically and described using different statistical tools. These results were then considered in light of the local clinician's needs for diagnostic support and the possibility of developing a national screening program for ASD. Results: Within a sample of 90 referrals, 69 (76.7%) were predominantly male, 73 (81.1%) were Emirati nationals, and the majority fell within the age group of 0 to 5 years old. Of the 90 referred patients, 53 (58.9%) were diagnosed with ASD by neurodevelopmental specialists using the NICE Guidelines. Physicians were keen on picking up features of speech and language deficits, hyperactivity, and inappropriate or atypical behavior. However, they seemed hesitant and required further assessment when interpreting and reporting features revolving around social communicative skills, interaction and rapport, and evaluating patients’ ideas and imagination. Conclusion: Physicians practicing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are advised to assess the full range of clinical symptoms of ASD according to their respective categories as listed in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Furthermore, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has published the first edition document titled “Dubai Clinical Practice Guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Children and Adolescents,” designed to align physician recognition and practice with the government's objectives toward all individuals with ASD. Their achievement aligns with the goals of our study as it will make the clinical recognition of ASD clinically more sound and prevent misdiagnosis. Finally, the authors hope that this study aids in developing a national screening program dedicated to general practitioners and pediatric physicians in providing a structured assessment for ASD, which in return will result in early intervention by neurodevelopmental specialists for further diagnosis and management, ultimately improving the quality of life of the patients and their families.

Clinical presentation and management outcome of pediatric intussusception at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

To assess the pattern of clinical presentations and factors associated with the management outcome of pediatric intussusception among children treated at Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. This retrospective cross-sectional study included the medical records of 103 children treated for intussusception from 2018 to 2020. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). In total, 84 (81.6%) patients were released with a favorable outcome. Ileocolic intussusception was a positive predictor, with a nine-fold higher likelihood of a favorable outcome than other types of intussusception [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 9.16; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.39-21.2]. Additionally, a favorable outcome was three times more likely in patients who did than did not undergo manual reduction (AOR, 3.08; 95% CI, 3.05-5.48). Patients aged <1 year were 96% less likely to have a positive outcome than those aged >4 years (AOR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.03-0.57). Most patients were discharged with favorable outcomes. Having ileocolic intussusception and undergoing manual reduction were associated with significantly more favorable outcomes of pediatric intussusception. Therefore, nonsurgical management such as hydrostatic enema and pneumatic reduction is recommended to reduce hospital discharge of patients with unfavorable outcomes.