Pulmonary carcinosarcoma (PCS) is an uncommon and aggressive cancer, characterized by a combination of epithelial and sarcomatous tissue components. It is responsible for less than 1% of all lung tumors and usually affects older male smokers. However, the clinicopathological features and biological behavior of PCS remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to shed light on these aspects. A total of eight patients with pathologically confirmed PCS were included in this retrospective study. The tumors varied in size, with diameters ranging from 3.5 cm to 21.5 cm. Six patients had central tumors, while the remaining two had peripheral lesions. Symptoms were largely dependent on the location of the tumor and included coughing, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis. Surgical resection was performed in seven patients, although PCS is known for its rapid progression and frequent metastasis, which results in a poor prognosis and limited survival, usually between 6 months and 1 year. The role of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy-radiotherapy remains controversial, and there is no consensus on its effectiveness. Surgical resection of the lung is still considered the most appropriate treatment, but even with this intervention, survival rates are generally low. Given the rarity and challenging nature of PCS, further studies are needed to explore more effective treatment options for this cancer.
Background: A hernia is an aponeurotic defect that allows an organ to protrude from its normal cavity. Despite advancements in hernia care, hernia patients' experiences with care, as well as recurrence and complication rates, are frequently suboptimal. Adequate knowledge of the risk factors of a hernia could lead to a significant reduction in the prevalence of hernia. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the awareness of the risk factors of abdominal hernias among adults in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: Our study is a cross-sectional analytic study to measure the level of knowledge, awareness, and practice of ventral and inguinal hernias in Saudi Arabia. The data was collected by using a valid pretested structured questionnaire taken from previous studies after getting writing approval. Results: In this study, we were able to collect data from 2611 individuals in different regions of Saudi Arabia, where 68.5% of the participants were females and 60.1% were aged between 18-29 years old. The prevalence of hernia among individuals in the current study was 9.2%, associated with participants older than 40 years old (19.1%), participants of the northern region (16.6%), illiterate individuals (30.0%), married (13.2%), and overweight or obese individuals (10.9% and 12.6%). In general, 53.7 % of the participants had a moderate level of knowledge, while 23.8% had a high level and 22.5% had a low level of knowledge. Conclusion: We found a moderate level of knowledge among adult individuals in Saudi Arabia about hernia. The prevalence of hernia was similar to those reported in previous studies; however, there is a higher incidence of risk factors in the current population.
Pulmonary carcinoids are included in the group of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and derive from pulmonary neuroendocrine cells. The incidence of these tumors is increasing, but disease awareness remains low among clinicians. The synchronous presentation of lung cancer and mycobacterial infection is well known but the combination of pulmonary carcinoid and mycobacterial infection is rare. We treated a 45-year-old female who presented with recurrent pneumonia. Chest X-ray showed a consolidation in the left upper lobe. The patient was treated with various courses of antibiotics without full recovery after six months. Computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a central mass in the left upper lobe. Bronchoscopy revealed an endobronchial, well-defined lesion that totally obstructed the left upper lobe bronchus. Bronchial biopsy showed typical carcinoid tumor. Rigid bronchoscopy with electrocautery was attempted, but we were unable to radically remove the tumor. Therefore lobectomy was performed. The surgical pathology specimen showed atypical bronchial carcinoid and consolidations in the lung parenchyma with granulomatous inflammation distally of the bronchial obstruction. Ziehl-Neelsen staining demonstrated acid fast bacilli indicative of mycobacterial infection. This case history illustrates the importance of careful surgical pathologic examination, not only of the resected tumor, but also of the postobstructive lung parenchyma. Specific postobstructive infections such as tuberculosis or nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can have clinical implications.
1 January 2020 in Respiratory Medicine Case Reports
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare subtype of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. PPFE mostly affects the upper lung zones and is characterized radiologically by pleural and subpleural fibrotic thickening with a reticular pattern. There is no established treatment for PPFE but lung transplantation can be considered for advanced stage. The gold standard for the diagnosis of PPFE is surgical lung biopsy (SLB) but the bronchoscopic transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) is a less invasive alternative. We report here two cases in which the diagnosis of PPFE was established with the help of TBCB. Bronchoscopy with TBCB was performed under sedation with spontaneous ventilation and the help of an uncuffed ET tube. Histopathology showed intra-alveolar fibroblastic proliferation with elastosis, which confirmed the diagnosis of PPFE. The current report demonstrates that TBCB can be a useful and safe tool to confirm the diagnosis of PPFE. According to our knowledge, this is one of few reports that shows successful diagnosis of PPFE by TBCB.
Bronchial asthma is a common chronic airway disease marked by reversible obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Effective management relies on patient understanding of the condition and available treatments. This study aimed to assess awareness of asthma risk factors, exacerbations, and disease severity among the population in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted through social media platforms, targeting individuals from various cities in the Jazan region. A total of 633 participants completed structured questionnaires designed to assess their knowledge of asthma and its environmental risk factors. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Out of the 633 participants, 506 (79.9%) demonstrated good awareness of the relationship between environmental risk factors and asthma exacerbations, while 127 (20.1%) exhibited poor awareness. Nearly all participants (99.2%) had prior knowledge of asthma, and 437 (69%) were aware of the link between environmental factors and exacerbations, making efforts to reduce exposure. House dust mites were identified as the most frequently reported cause of asthma exacerbations (69.5%), followed by respiratory infections (67.1%). A significant association was found between educational level and awareness of asthma’s environmental triggers (P = .020), with participants holding bachelor’s and diploma degrees showing higher levels of awareness compared to other educational groups. The overall level of awareness regarding environmental risk factors associated with asthma exacerbations was satisfactory, though gaps remain in understanding specific triggers such as respiratory infections, cold weather, and exercise. Educational attainment and a formal asthma diagnosis were significantly associated with greater awareness. Targeted educational interventions may help bridge these knowledge gaps, enhancing asthma management, and reducing exacerbations in the region.
1 December 2023 in Patient Preference and Adherence
Purpose: This study aimed to assess the perception of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and heart attack risk and its influence on the intention to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors among the general population in Jazan province, Saudi Arabia. SCD refers to an abrupt and unexpected loss of heart function resulting in death, and its incidence has been alarmingly increasing worldwide. Several factors, including smoking, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and specific medications, have been associated with an elevated risk of SCD. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a pretested questionnaire distributed among the general population in Jazan province. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and t-tests were employed for data analysis. Results: The study included 974 participants with a mean age of 27.90 ± 9.32 years, of whom 56% were female. More than half of the participants perceived themselves as highly susceptible to SCD, and all participants demonstrated a moderate willingness and readiness to modify their unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Age, gender, marital status, body mass index (BMI), history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, medication use, physical exercise, and family history of chronic diseases and SCD were statistically associated with the perception of SCD. Conclusion: The study revealed a high-risk perception and a moderate readiness to adopt lifestyle modifications. These findings can inform the development of effective strategies and support programs aimed at reducing the burden of SCD.