Background: Over the past few years, five domains of importance about the current state of bioethics in Saudi Arabia have shaped the perspective of most research: doctor-patient relationship, informed consent, do-not-resuscitate, organ donation, and transplantation, medical students’ knowledge and attitudes about medical ethics curriculum. This systematic review aimed to systematically identify, compile, describe and discuss ethical arguments and concepts in the best-studied domains of bioethics in Saudi Arabia and to present cultural, social, educational, and humane perspectives.Methods: Six databases were searched using Boolean operators (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Google Scholar) from December 2020–June 2021. The search and report process followed the statement and flowchart of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA).Resutls: The search resulted in 1651 articles, of which 82 studies were selected for a final review and assessment. There is a gradual increase in research, whereby a substantial increase was observed from 2017. Most of the published articles focused on ‘Organ Donation & Transplantation’ with 33 articles, followed by ‘Doctor-Patient Relations’ with 18 publications. Most of the published articles were from Central Province (33), followed by Western Province (16). The authorship pattern showed a collaborative approach among researchers. The thematic analysis of keywords analysis showed that ‘Saudi Arabia,’ ‘attitude PHC,’ ‘organ donation,’ ‘knowledge and education,’ and ‘donation’ have been used the most commonly.Conclusion: This systematic quantitative synthesis is expected to guide researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers about the strengths and gaps in knowledge and attitudes regarding medical ethics in Saudi Arabia, both among the general public and health professionals.

Diagnostic accuracy of Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma for blunt abdominal trauma in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is a serious cause of perianal disease and the incidence is increasing in Saudi Arabia. MR imaging may document specific features that may help to foresee ...

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome in patients presenting with abdominal pains, and to evaluate computed tomographic (CT) findings needed for its diagnosis. Methods: This retrospective record-based study was carried out at the radiology department, from January 2016 to January 2021. All young patients (aged under 25) who underwent CT scans for abdominal pains were reviewed. Post-surgery, tumor, and trauma cases were excluded. Imaging findings for SMA syndrome were recorded as ‘suggestive’ (reduced aortomesenteric angle and distance with proximal duodenal dilatation), ‘possible’ (reduced angle and distance without proximal duodenal dilatation) and ‘probable’ (reduction of either angle or distance). Two radiologists interpreted the findings and consensus reporting was made. Diagnoses were confirmed on clinical grounds (symptomatic improvement by specific treatment and exclusion of other diagnoses), or barium studies. Imaging findings were compared to final diagnoses. McNemar’s Chi-square test was used to determine association. Results: Out of 141 patients (mean age=10.8, standard deviation=4), 7 (4.9%) patients mostly females were having SMA syndromes based on ‘suggestive’ imaging criteria (p=0.0005), and one patient underwent surgery. Conclusion: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is not an uncommon condition and should be considered in differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in young patients after excluding other diagnoses.

Hysterosalpingographic findings in primary and secondary infertility patients

BACKGROUND: Pan-scan (whole-body) computed tomography (CT) has a paramount role in the diagnosis of injuries in road traffic accidents (RTA). OBJECTIVE: Identify patterns of injuries on pan-CT scans. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of all RTA patients who presented to the radiology department at King Fahad Military Medical Complex (KFMMC) in Dhahran for the 3-year period from July 2014 to July 2017 and underwent pan-CT were retrospectively reviewed. Drivers and front-seat passengers with complete clinical information on seating, safety and mechanism of injury were selected. Children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and back-seat passengers were excluded. Patterns of injuries were categorized as 'no abnormality detected' (NAD), isolated or combined head, face and neck (H), isolated or combined chest, abdomen and pelvis (C) or both regions of the body (B). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Injury patterns on pan-CT scans. SAMPLE SIZE: 305 RESULTS: Most patients were males (n= 287, 94.1%). The median age was 26 years for males (IQR, 22-33 years) and 30 years for females (IQR, 28-39). More than two-thirds were drivers (all males); the remainder were front-seat passengers. Young males were most often involved. The most common type of accident was a roll-over. Of those who sustained injuries, 273 (89.5%) were not wearing a seat belt (unrestrained). The patterns of injuries were NAD (87, 28%), H (27, 9%), C (93, 30.5%), B (98, 32%). CONCLUSION: When abnormalities were detected, most high-speed vehicular injuries affected the torso. Unrestrained young male drivers are most often involved in RTAs in Saudi Arabia. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study with a small sample size. Types and severity of injuries on pan-CT were not documented.