Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Adrenalectomy for Large Adrenal Masses: A Multi-Centre Experience in Saudi Arabia

Introduction Advancements in radiological imaging technology have increased the discovery of adrenal incidentalomas. Large adrenal tumors (LATs) are not common, and the likelihood of malignancy increases with tumor size. LATs were defined as tumors larger than four centimeters (cm) with various pathologic diagnoses. Traditionally, open adrenalectomy was considered the gold standard for LATs, but with recent advancements in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), optimum perioperative and long-term outcomes are achievable by the MIS approach. The findings presented in this paper show that even large adrenal masses measuring up to 21 centimeters can be safely removed using a minimally invasive approach. Methodology After Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, we reviewed medical records of adult patients who had adrenalectomies at two Saudi Arabian centers from January 2013 to February 2023. Inclusion criteria were laparoscopic or robotic adrenalectomy and adrenal lesions ≥5cm. Pediatric patients and those with open adrenalectomies were excluded. Pre-surgery, patients had imaging studies to assess mass characteristics. Pheochromocytoma patients received a 2-week adrenergic blocker treatment. Perioperative data including demographics, comorbidities, mass characteristics, surgery details, and follow-up were analyzed using SPSS-23. Patients provided informed consent and had follow-up appointments and imaging. Results Our experience involved 35 patients, 29 of whom received laparoscopic treatment and six of whom underwent robotic surgery. Of the 35 patients, more than half were females (57.1%), with a mean age of 41.7±14.9 years, the youngest and oldest participants being 16 and 73 years of age, respectively. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the participants was in the overweight range (26±6.0 kg/m2). The most common mode of presentation was incidental (42.9%), followed by hypertension (17.1%). Most patients had right-sided adrenal gland involvement (48.6%), with only four patients showing bilateral involvement. Most of the patients were classified as American Society of Anesthesiology score (ASA) 2 (40.0%) or ASA 3 (40.0%). Most of the patients were diagnosed with myelolipoma or adenoma (22.9% each) followed by pheochromocytoma (17.1%). The average estimated blood loss (EBL) was 189.3±354.6 ml for patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery and 80.0 ±34.6 ml for patients who underwent robotic surgery. The average operative room time (ORT) was 220.1±98.7 minutes (min) for laparoscopic surgery and 188.3±10.3 min for robotic surgery. One patient had to be converted from laparoscopic to open surgery due to aortic injury. The average length of stay (LOS) was 9.5±6.7 days for laparoscopic treatment and 5.5±1.9 days for robotic surgery. The mean tumor size in the greatest dimension was 8.0±4.4 cm. Only one patient who underwent unilateral laparoscopy experienced perioperative complications and converted to open surgery; nine patients who underwent unilateral laparoscopy required blood transfusion, and none of the patients who underwent robotic surgery required transfusion. None of the 35 patients experienced a recurrence of their adrenal disease during the mean follow-up period which lasted around 58 months. Conclusion MIS in Saudi Arabia is growing and is a safe method for LATs, with satisfactory surgical results compared to the traditional open surgery approach. It offers advantages in terms of EBL, complications, and disease recurrence.

Thermoexpandable Memokath stent: Usage and efficacy in ureteral and urethral strictures in Saudi Arabia

Objectives

Double J (DJ) stent is widely used in cases of ureteric strictures as a temporary solution; however, it has certain limitations, such as the need for frequent exchange. Alternatively, a long-lasting thermoexpandable stent (Memokath™ 051) has been used to relieve ureteral obstructions in comorbid patients with multiple reported advantages, such as longer durability which avoids the need of frequent exchanges. In addition, it can be used in certain cases of urethral strictures. Our study is the first in the region to report the experience and outcome of Memokath stent with ureteral and urethral strictures.

Materials and Methods

After local IRB approval, we retrospectively reviewed records of 21 patients who underwent insertion of Memokath 051 stent in the ureter and Memokath 045 in the urethra between 2013 and 2021. Indications of insertion, indwelling duration, and causes of removal were collected and analyzed by SPSS.

Results

Twenty-one patients received 21 Memokath stents for 11 ureteral strictures and 10 urethral strictures. Fifty-five percent of ureteral strictures were malignant, and 27.3% of the benign ureteric strictures were transplant ureters. Ureteric memokath stents remained functioning for a mean of 16.1 months. Mean indwelling time for transplant ureteric memokath stents was 24.3 months. Total 4 ureteric stents had migrated, 4 stents blocked, and 2 stents were removed as planned and 1 stent removed due to febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Ten urethral stents remained in place for mean of 14 months. Three stents were removed as planned with resolution of stricture, two were removed due to blockage, three stents had UTI, one was removed due to pain, and one stent remained functioning until the patient expired.

Conclusion

Our outcome is comparable to other published studies, suggesting that ureteric Memokath stent is a better option with adequate indwelling time, especially in transplant ureters, in comparison with DJ stents. In addition, Memokath stents can be used in selected recurrent urethral strictures where surgical reconstruction is not feasible.

Chylous Ascites Following Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy: A Case Report

Chylous ascites is a form of peritoneal fluid accumulation that can arise from trauma or lymphatic obstruction. In this report, we present the first case of chylous ascites following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in our high-volume kidney transplant center. The patient presented to the emergency department three weeks post-procedure with complaints of abdominal distention and discomfort, accompanied by constipation and nausea. Radiological confirmation of ascites was followed by paracentesis, which yielded 20 mL of milky fluid that was analyzed and confirmed as chylous ascites. A subsequent pigtail drain was inserted, resulting in a total drainage of 4 L of fluid. Chylous ascites is a rare complication of abdominal surgeries, with higher body mass index and the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score system being significant risk factors. Conservative management involving diet modification is the initial therapy, with percutaneous drainage or more aggressive surgical interventions considered if conservative measures are not effective, with high success rates reported for these interventions. Here, we report a case of chylous ascites following donor nephrectomy as the first case reported from our region.

Health-related quality of life in Welsh adults: psychometric properties of the SF-36v2 and normative data

OBJECTIVES

The use of normative data has become well-accepted and a common strategy to interpret individual's health outcome scores, which can help in making decisions. The objectives of this study were to obtain population normative data for the domains and component summaries of the 36-item SF-36® Health Survey (SF-36), and to evaluate its reliability and construct validity.

METHODS

This study was conducted using population-based data from the Welsh Health Survey (WHS; 2011-2015). This study used version 2 of the SF-36 (SF-36v2® Health Survey). The descriptive statistics and normative data for the eight domains and two summaries, physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS), were calculated. Reliability assessment used internal consistency methods and construct validity assessment used known group comparisons and item-scale correlations.

STUDY DESIGN AND SAMPLE

We performed a secondary analyses of data from the Welsh Health Survey (WHS).

RESULTS

This study included 74,578 participants aged 16 years or older (53.6% were women). Participants aged 16-24 years scored higher on SF-36 scale than older groups on all domains. The SF-36 profiles by age group demonstrated lower scores for older age groups, with the most pronounced differences shown on the physical-related scales. Across the age groups, men had higher PCS and MCS scores than women. All SF-36 domains and PCS and MCS achieved a good to excellent internal consistency reliability exceeding 0.7. The scales demonstrated construct validity by showing associations with a range of factors known to be related to health.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides SF-36 normative data for Wales based on a representative data and confirms the construct validity and reliability of the SF-36.

POS1389 IDIOPATHIC, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND DIABETES MELLITUS ASSOCIATED CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: EVALUATION OF THE DEPTH OF THE CARPAL TUNNEL BY ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Background:

The depth of the carpal tunnel is a relatively new sonographic parameter for evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). It showed a sensitivity and specificity comparable to cross-sectional area measurement. So far it is not clear how the depth can changes with different types of CTS [1, 2].

Objectives:

is to assess the depth in 3 different types of CTS including idiopathic, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus associated CTS and to compare it with other sonographic and electro-physiologic scales.

Methods:

We included a total number of 360 participants; including 289 with CTS (60 idiopathic, 106 diabetes associated, and 123 rheumatoid arthritis associated CTS), all fulfilled the criteria for electro-physiologic diagnosis according to the American Association of Electro Diagnostic Medicine; along with 71 non-CTS cases (20 healthy controls, 20 RA and 31 diabetic patients). Median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA); flattening ratio (FR); and depth of the carpal tunnel (DCT) were measured for all participants.

Results:

We found the mean age 35.6±9.48 years. The female-to-male ratio was 47:13. The sensitivities for CSA, FR and DCT were 74.7%, 68.9%, and 75.1%; respectively, and the specificities were 91.6%, 63.4% and 87.3%; respectively. DCT was the best sonographic parameter with rheumatoid arthritis associated CTS (giving an accuracy of 88.6%) and CSA was the best in the other two types (giving an accuracy of 87.5% for idiopathic CTS and 83.4% for diabetes associated CTS). Table 1 summarizes the sensitivity statistics among each of the three groups and all over the study participants.

Conclusion:

The depth of the CTS showed the best accuracy in rheumatoid arthritis associated CTS followed by idiopathic CTS and finally diabetes mellitus associated CTS.

References:

[1]Elsaman AM, Thabit MN, Radwan AR, Ohrndorf S. Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Evaluation of the Depth of the Carpal Tunnel by Ultrasonography. Ultrasound in medicine & biology 2015; 41: 2827-35.

[2]AM E, Hamed A, Borai A, Radwan A. Carpal tunnel syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis patients: evaluation of the depth by ultrasonography.

[3]Elsaman AM, Thabit MN, Radwan AR, Ohrndorf S. Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Evaluation of the Depth of the Carpal Tunnel by Ultrasonography. Ultrasound in medicine & biology 2015; 41: 2827-35.

Table 1.

Sensitivity statistics for different US measures for CTS

IdiopathicRADiabeticAllNumber of the CTS cases60123106289Number of the controls20203171CSASensitivity80%70.7%76.4%74.7%Specificity95%90%90.3%91.6%Accuracy87.5%80.4%83.4%83.1%FRSensitivity75%61.8%73.6%68.9%Specificity60%65%64.5%63.4%Accuracy67.5%63.4%69.1%66.1%DCTSensitivity75%82.1%67%75.1%Specificity85%95%83.9%87.3%Accuracy80%88.6%75.4%81.2%

CSA: cross sectional area, FR: flattening ratio, DCT: Depth of the carpal tunnel

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0720 HIP INVOLVEMENT IN A COHORT OF EGYPTIAN JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Background:

The hip joint is frequently involved in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). It is more common with polyarticular, systemic and enthesitis-related forms and with severe uncontrolled disease. Chronic hip arthritis leads to irreversible joint damage with marked impairment of quality of life and functional limitation [1]. Unilateral or bilateral hip arthritis occurs in 30- 50% of children with JIA [2].

Objectives:

The aim of this study is to assess the pattern of hip involvement in a cohort of Egyptian JIA patients in terms of epidemiological aspects, JIA pattern, bilateralism, associated extra-articular manifestations, radiological features, treatment and prognosis.

Methods:

We included 179 patients who fulfilled the International league against rheumatism criteria for JIA. Epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and therapeutic parameters were assembled and analyzed. Hip involvement was assessed using a semi-quantitative score of pain and tenderness for the hip, CARSH radiographic score of the hip, and Harris functional hip score. JADAS-27 was used for assessment of disease activity.

Results:

We included 113 girls and 66 boys; with a female: male ratio of nearly 2:1. The age at onset mean was 8.8±3 years (8.9±2.9 for females and 8.6±3.1 for males). The mean age at the study time was 13.3±4.1 years. The disease duration mean was 4.5±2.9 years.

Clinically; 20.1% of the cases had hip involvement (12.8% unilateral and 7.3% bilateral), while by imaging, around 30.7% of the cases have hip involvement (19.6% unilateral and 11.2% bilateral). The mean age for cases with hip involvement was 14.1±4.3, compared to 12.9±4 among those with no hip involvement. The mean disease duration for those with hip arthritis (either clinical or by imaging) was 5.5±2.9 years, compared to 4.1±2.9 among those with no hip involvement (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Difference between JIA cases with and without hip involvement.

The Mean JADAS-27 was 13.5±6.2 and for those with hip involvement was 16.3±6.3. The commonest pattern of JIA with hip arthritis was polyarticular followed by enthesitis-related arthritis. There was a strong significant correlation between JADAS-27 and hip involvement at one hand and Harris score, semi-quantitative score for pain and tenderness at the other hand. Further, disease duration was significantly correlated with hip involvement as well. Among cases with hip involvement, 25% demonstrated destructive changes and 30% showed growth abnormalities.

Conclusion:

Hip arthritis in JIA is related to polyarticular and enthesitis-related pattern. Longer disease duration, seropositive polyarticular pattern were related to poor prognosis for hip arthritis.

References:

[1]Singh JA, Cleveland JD. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is associated with higher healthcare utilization after total knee or hip replacement. Scandinavian journal of rheumatology 2021; 50: 34-9.

[2]Rostom S, Amine B, Bensabbah R, Abouqal R, Hajjaj-Hassouni N. Hip involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Clinical rheumatology 2008; 27: 791-4.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Evaluation of eltrombopag in thrombocytopenia post Hematopoietic cell transplantation: Rertrospective observational trial

BACKGROUND

Thrombocytopenia remains a life-threatening late complication of HCT with an incidence of 5-20%. Currently, there is no approved drug for the treatment of persistent thrombocytopenia post HCT and platelet transfusion is the maintain stay of treatment. Eltrombopag is approved for the treatment of thrombocytopenia associated with different diseases, however; data on eltrombopag treatment post HCT are limited.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study evaluating the effect of eltrombopag on platelet recovery in patients with persistent thrombocytopenia post HCT. The primary endpoint was platelet recovery to ≥ 20,000/μL for 7 consecutive days without transfusion support after starting eltrombopag. Secondary endpoint was platelet recovery to ≥ 50,000/μL for 7 consecutive days.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients were included. Twelve (75%) of 16 patients became independent from platelet transfusions. Median time from starting eltrombopag to last transfusion was 60 days (range, 9-226 days). Ten (63%) of 16 transfusion dependent patients with platelet count < 20,000/μL achieved the primary endpoint. Seven (33%) patients of 21 included had successful platelet recovery (ie, ≥50,000/μL without transfusion support) and the median time to platelet recovery in patients who achieved it was 32 days (range, 13-265 days). Ten patients (48%) were able to successfully discontinue eltrombopag without recurrence of thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated that eltrombopag appears to have a clinically significant impact on platelet recovery in persistent thrombocytopenic patients post HCT.

Intracranial hypertension secondary to high dose cytosine arabinoside - A case study

We report a rare case of intracranial hypertension following high dose cytosine arabinoside (HiDAC) in a 20-year-old man, with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A five drug induction protocol for ALL was initiated; post induction consolidation was with HiDAC (3 g/m² IV every 12 h on days 1, 3 and 5). Post consolidation, cytogenetic remission was attained and he received an intensification and maintenance regimen for ALL, for a period of approximately 24 months. Four months following the completion of his treatment, the patient relapsed within the central nervous system (CNS). Intravenous salvage chemotherapy was initiated using a combination of fludarabine 30 mg/m², followed by cytarabine 2 g/m² 4 h later on days 1 through 5 (FA). On day # 23 of FA, he developed a severe headache. A gadolinium-enhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed increased intracranial pressure. On day # 25, ophthalmology examination suggested bilateral papilledema. He was started on acetazolamide 250 mg twice daily. He had spontaneous resolution of his symptoms. The patient had no recurrence of papilledema or any other neurological symptoms. Intracranial hypertension secondary to HiDAC, is an exceedingly rare complication and is not regularly associated as a common side effect of cytarabine administration. Prompt action in diagnosing and treating intracranial hypertension will save the patient from consequences, such as loss of vision, that are prevalent in this condition.

P- and S-wave delineation of the Horseshoe Atoll, Diamond-M Field, Texas, USA

This paper presents an applied workflow for displaying seismic multi-attributes and integrating the results into the interpretation of a carbonate reservoir. This analysis compares the processed volume of the conventional P-wave data (PP) with the S-wave data (SH-SH) over the same extended area to improve understanding of the morphology of the reef “build-up” structure within the Canyon Reef Formation. The final goal is to identify bypassed compartments in the reservoir.