Retained periorbital and intracranial air-gun pellets causing sclopetaria and visual loss

Three healthy males presented on separate occasions to the emergency room at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH) after sustaining trauma by air-gun pellets. Clinical examination indicated sclopetaria in all the cases. The foreign bodies (air-gun pellets) were imbedded in different locations (subconjunctival, intraorbital, and intracranial). All cases resulted in a profound and permanent visual loss. The management of this traumatic injury is discussed and concurs with the published literature.     

Lower eyelid swelling as a late complication of Bio-Alcamid filler into the malar area

PurposeTo report the late complications associated with permanent filler injections into the malar area for rejuvenation.MethodsA retrospective case series of three patients who presented with lower eyelid swelling several years following injection of polyalkylimide (Bio-Alcamid) into the malar area.ResultsAll patients presented with lower eyelid swelling which developed as a result of spontaneous migration of filler to the lower eyelid. Iatrogenic migration of the filler from the lower eyelid following a trial to remove resulted in an abscess formation which further complicated the removal.ConclusionsLower eyelid swelling may be one of the late complications associated with the permanent fillers into the malar area. An attempt at removal of filler by aspiration or bimanual expression may result in late migration of the product and the development of eyelid swelling.     

Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction and Their Correlation with Educational Standards among Dental Assistants

A disparity exists in the educational qualifications of dental assistants working in various public and private institutions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of professional and personal characteristics on job satisfaction among dental assistants. A cross-sectional survey was performed among dental assistants using a 24-item self-administered questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between overall job satisfaction and other variables. The overall response rate was 72.1%. Factor analysis suggested that five underlying factors were related to job satisfaction. The mean score for overall job satisfaction was 3.86 (satisfied) out of 5. Among the work environment factors, the highest mean score, 4.26 (satisfied), was obtained for quality of service, and the lowest mean score, 2.78 (neutral), was obtained for the perception of income. The income and general prospects of the profession was significantly associated with overall job satisfaction. This study suggests that for dental assistants, professional and personal life, quality of service, perception of income and prestige and self-respect are important factors for job satisfaction. Despite differences in professional formation standards, in general, the study participants were considerably satisfied with their jobs.     

Treatment of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis with dapsone, itraconazole, cryotherapy, and imiquimod, alone and in combination

Background  Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major public health problem. The currently available therapies are expensive, not freely available, toxic, and not always curative. A simple, effective, noninvasive therapeutic approach is required for the treatment of CL.
Aims  To determine the clinical patterns of CL and to report our experience in the management of CL.
Methods  One hundred and ten patients with CL seen between January 2005 and December 2007 were included in this study. The diagnosis was based on clinical features, parasitologic diagnosis, histopathology, and culture. Each patient was treated according to disease severity with either topical (cryotherapy or imiquimod) or systemic (itraconazole or dapsone) monotherapy, or a combination of these modalities.
Results  CL was more common in adult expatriate men, with the upper limbs as the most commonly affected site. Noduloulcerative CL was the most common presentation (84.6%). Atypical CL was found in 18 patients. Skin biopsy was the most common diagnostic technique (66.6%). Monotherapy showed an overall success rate of 56.41%, whereas combination therapy was successful in 69.56% of cases. Cryotherapy alone was successful in 68.18% of cases. Imiquimod alone was ineffective.
Conclusion  A stepwise approach represents a rational and practical way of confirming CL. A combination of itraconazole/dapsone and topically applied imiquimod is safe, simple, and effective for the treatment of CL. More studies are needed to establish the role of such an approach. Cryotherapy is also safe, simple and effective for the treatment of CL.     

Prevalence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome in 111 Royal Jordanian Air Force pilots

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome is associated with development of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes mellitus, conditions that are disabling for military aircrew members. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome varies in different geographic areas and is of concern in the Middle East. METHODS: Data were collected for 111 Royal Jordanian Air Force pilots (mean age 32.5 +/- 7.2 yr) during routine annual medical examinations, with an added assessment for metabolic syndrome according to the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) criteria. Measurements included height, weight, waist and hip circumference, and blood pressure. Blood was drawn in a fasting state for measurement of kidney function, liver function, lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar (FBS). RESULTS: There were 17 subjects who were found to have 3 or more components of metabolic syndrome. The crude prevalence was 15.3%; the age adjusted prevalence was 18.0%. Prevalence increased with age, from 11.5% for those younger than 30 yr to 26.7% for those over 40 yr of age. There were significant differences between metabolic syndrome and non-metabolic syndrome groups with respect to lipid profile, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and FBS. Subjects with metabolic syndrome had the following distribution of characteristics: 35.3% had waist circumference > or = 102cm; 71.4% were hypertensive (blood pressure > or = 130/85); 100% had triglyceride > or = 150 mg x dl(-1); 88.2% had high density lipoprotein < 40 mg x dl(-1); and 23.5% had FBS > or =110 mg x d(-1). DISCUSSION: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this population was sufficiently high to be a matter of medical concern, especially since military pilots are generally regarded as healthy and fit.     

308-nm Excimer Laser for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Children

Abstract:  Alopecia areata (AA) is a common skin disease which is characterized by nonscarring localized or diffused hair loss. In this study we assessed the efficacy of 308-nm Excimer laser in the treatment of alopecia areata in children. A total of 9 children with 30 recalcitrant patches alopecia areata and two children with alopecia areata totalis were enrolled in this study which included seven male and four female patients, aged between 4 and 14 years and the durations of their disease were between 7 and 25 months. All of these patients had more than one lesion of alopecia areata and at least one of them was left as a control for comparison. The lesions were treated with the 308-nm Excimer laser twice a week for a period of 12 weeks. Regrowth of hair was observed in 18 (60%) alopecia patches in the scalp, while there was no response in the control patches and over the extremities. Only four patients with scalp lesions showed a recurrence of alopecia after 6 months post laser therapy. So, 308-nm Excimer laser is considered an effective safe therapeutic option for patchy alopecia areata in children.