Comment on “The effect of omalizumab on hematological and inflammatory parameters in patients with chronic spontaneous urticarial”: reply from authors

Abstract

We read Cosansu’s commentary entitled “Effectiveness of the new inflammatory parameters in patients with chronic spontaneous urticarial” to our study with great interest. The author remarked that a limited number of patients had C-reactive protein levels and it was not specified whether there were any other drugs used by the patients and no information was given about the severity of the disease in our study.     

Study of Surgical Emergencies of Tubercular Abdomen in Developing Countries

To study the various modes of presentation, diagnosis, and management of surgical emergencies of tubercular abdomen. This prospective study of surgical emergencies of tubercular abdomen was conducted in 50 patients who attended our surgical emergency from 2006 to 2008. Patients were evaluated thoroughly with history, physical examination, routine investigations, and special investigations such as ELISA, PCR, barium studies of gastrointestinal tract, and diagnostic laparoscopy as required and managed with medical and surgical treatment as necessary. The most of patients were from rural areas, in the third to sixth decades with slight male preponderance. Abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation were commonest presenting symptoms. About 20 % patients had history of pulmonary tuberculosis and 16 % patients presented with ascites. PCR for blood and ascitic fluid was positive in 72 and 87.5 % patients, respectively. About 24 % patients were managed nonoperatively and responded to ATT. About 76 % patients needed surgery among which one-fifth of patients were operated in emergency. Procedures like adhesiolysis of gut (47.3 %), strictureplasty (10.5 %), resection anastomosis (5.2 %), right hemicolectomy (5.2 %), and ileotransverse anastomosis (7.8 %) were performed in 30 patients and peritoneal biopsy and lymph node biopsy in the remaining 8 patients. Both medically and surgically managed patients were put on antitubercular therapy. Abdominal tuberculosis is a disease of middle-aged rural people, presenting commonly with abdominal pain and vomiting with right lower abdominal tenderness. PCR (blood and ascites) for tuberculosis is much more sensitive than IgM ELISA (blood and ascites). The most of patients required surgical procedures and all patients responded dramatically to antitubercular therapy symptomatically with increase in the hemoglobin level and decrease in ESR.     

Periodontal health and its relationship with salivary factors among different age groups in a Saudi population

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe the periodontal condition of children, adolescents and young Saudi adults and to investigate its relationship with salivary variables and oral hygiene status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 114 children, 99 adolescents and 99 young adults were randomly selected from patients attending dental clinics at the school of dentistry. Clinical examination of oral health status included using WHO Community Periodontal Index and Green and Vermillion oral hygiene index. In addition, salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity and microbial flora were measured. RESULTS: A healthy periodontal condition was found in 6.7% of the sample. Calculus was the most frequently encountered periodontal disease. Children had better periodontal condition than adolescents and adults. Males had higher plaque and gingival scores than females. The salivary flow rate and pH were significantly higher in individuals with good periodontal condition. The salivary level of fluoride and buffering capacity was not related to the periodontal condition. Yeast was the only microorganism related to periodontal condition. The relationship between poor periodontal condition and high plaque score was highly significant. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal disease increased with age and was strongly related to salivary flow rate, pH value and yeast level, as well as plaque accumulation. Preventive efforts must be increased in order to achieve the WHO goal for the year 2010 of no more than one sextant showing bleeding or calculus at the age of 15.     

Neonatal osteofibrous dysplasia associated with pathological tibia fracture: a case report and review of the literature

Osteofibrous dysplasia is a rare and benign disease that originates from the tibia or fibula. The symptoms of osteofibrous dysplasia include painless enlargement and bowing of the tibia and pain occurring in the presence of pathological fracture. Herein a male infant who was admitted with redness and swelling on the right leg and diagnosed as pathological tibia fracture due to left tibia osteofibrous dysplasia on the third day of life was presented. To our knowledge, this is the earliest presentation of osteofibrous dysplasia with a pathological fracture in a neonate. Therefore, it must be suspected in neonatal bone fractures.