Qatar Medical Journal - Volume 2003, Issue 1

We present a case of facial nerve palsy induced by recurrent cholesteatoma in a quiescent ear; 17 years after initial mastoidectomy. The pathogenesis, clinical and radiological findings and the management strategies are discussed with an emphasis on regular long-term follow up.

SARS is a term used to describe a serious respiratory illness. Its main symptoms are high fever (>38° C), dry cough, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing. Changes in chest X-rays indicative of pneumonia also occur. SARS appears to be less infectious than influenza. The incubation period is believed to be short, around three to six days (maximum 10 days). The global death rate for probable SARS cases is 4%. The cause of SARS has now been documented by WHO to be USARS coronavirus” (SARS CoV) a new member of the coronavirus family. Most patients identified up to date have been previously healthy adults aged 25—70 years. Based on currently available evidence, close contact with an infected person poses the highest risk of the infective agent spreading from one person to another. SARS is a new disease which has its origins in Guangdong Province, China. The earliest known cases were identified in mid-November 2002.Since then, probable cases of SARS have been reported in at least 28 countries.

One month after renal transplantation, a 60-year-old man developed acute allograft dysfunction associated with gross hematuria and dysuria. Urinary cytological examination showed viral inclusion-bearing epithelial cells. A renal transplant biopsy specimen showed granulomatous interstitial nephritis, tubular necrosis, and ground glass-like intranuclear viral inclusion bodies in tubular cells caused by an adenovirus (ADV) infection. A reduction in baseline immunosuppressive therapy resulted in rapid normalization of allograft function and ultimately viral clearance. We report this case not only to illustrate an exceptional manifestation of an ADV infection in a renal allograft, but also to highlight the beneficial effect of reduction in immunosuppressive therapy on viral replication and clinical outcome.

Peripheral nerve injuries are one of the usual spotter cases in international exams. They are fun to diagnose and can be easily identified by knowing many of the characteristic signs and tests. A few basic concepts in the anatomy, course and branches of the peripheral nerves makes it possible to diagnose the level of lesion with ease.

Single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO-sb). This test is also sometimes referred to as the Transfer Factor for Carbon Monoxide. It reflects the ability of the lung to transfer gas across the alveolar / capillary interface.

Our daily food contains:

• 3 – major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium)

• 6 – minor nutrients (calcium, chloride, magnesium, iron, sodium, sulphur)

• 5 – trace elements as monitored and maintained in agricultural soils (boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, zinc)

• 3 – trace elements as added at other stages of our nutrition (iodine in table salt; cobalt in salt licks for cattle & sheep; and selenium in fortified chicken feed)

Definition:

Brain death is the cessation and irreversibility of all brain function, including brain stem.