Qatar Medical Journal - Volume 2007, Issue 1

The Miswak (Miswaak, Siwak) is a natural toothbrush made from the twigs of the Salvadora persica tree. Other tree types that are used are the arak tree, peelo tree, olive, walnut, and other trees with bitter roots. Pomegranate twigs are never used for miswak

Papers considered for publication in Qatar Medical Journal are those reporting original work, review articles and case reports that are particularly relevant to medicine in the broad sense. Editorials and Review articles are by invitation

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a chronic and complex disease involving anatomical enlargement of the gland, real urinary obstruction and non-specific lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). LUTS are age-related lower urinary tract symptoms that affect 30-60% of men over the age of 40 years. LUTS could be due to causes related to the prostate, bladder or the central nervous system. Because the term “LUTS” is broader, it has repla Read More

Objective: In the past 20 years, breast cancer incidence in the world has a dramatic increase of 50-100%, which strongly supports the need for breast cancer prevention, and screening programs.The purpose of this study was to identify and investigate the knowledge and practice of breast self examination (BSE) with the influencing factors on the compliance of (BSE) among female nurses. Methods: A study was conducted between J Read More

Childhood obesity is associated with significant health problems in the age group and is also an important early risk factor for much of adult morbidity and mortality. It is a problem that is increasing. To asses the prevalence of overweight and obesity in primary school children (7-13 years of age) in Baghdad City a random sample of 5361 primary schoolchildren from different schools in Baghdad city was studied for obesity. Risk factors we Read More

Assisted reproductive technology (ART), employing in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques, has been established as the most effective form of treatment for human infertility but despite its potential ART is regarded by many as undermining some important ethical issues and advocates of medical ethics and moralists worldwide have proposed legislative measures to regulate the practice. This paper attempts to explore any possible rules and regul Read More

Records of patients attending the Andrology Clinic, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar; over a period often years were analyzed to determine the demographic features, contributory risk factors, and best methods of treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Of1,245patients with ages ranging from 19-78 years (mean 49 years) 45% were Qataris. Most complained of weak erections, a few reported ejaculatory dysfunction. Diabetes mellitu Read More

Thirty sound human upper premolars were used to evaluate the in vitro effect of collagen removal from the acid-etched dentin surface on the penetration depth of three types of dental adhesive systems. Standardised buccal and lingual class V cavities were made and the teeth were then subdivided randomly into six groups five teeth each. Three types of dental adhesive systems were used (syntac sprint, Vivadent-Liechtenstein Read More

Objective: The purpose of this study is to review the maternal and neonatal outcome in pregnant diabetic women given a trial of labor and delivered macrosomic infants (>4000 grams) and to assess the accuracy of birth weight prediction by ultrasound examination at term. Methods: One hundred and twenty-nine charts of pregnant diabetic women were reviewed, sixty eight women were given a trial of labor and delivered macrosomic fetus Read More

Background: Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is the most common optic neuropathy in patients over the age of 50 years. It has variable clinical features, prognosis and associated risk factors. As far as we know there are no published data about ION from other Arabic countries. Objective: We describe the clinical presentation, associated risk factors and the prognosis in patients presenting to our hospital and compare our findings with USA studi Read More

Background: this work aims at determining the efficacy of modified CHOP combination in which Vinorelbine (Navelbine) replaces Vincristine for the treatment of aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL). Patients and methods: This open label pilot study included 19 patients with aggressive NHL and one patient with low grade NHL who were treated with the new combination which we abbreviated as P-CAN (Prednisolone 100 mg/day P Read More

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder for which obesity is a major risk factor. It has been suggested that the circumference of the neck (NC) is more predictive of OS A than general obesity assessed by the Body Mass Index (BMI). In the National Tertiary Center for Sleep Study, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar; 187 patients were studied to evaluate the usefulness of NC and BMI in diagnosing OSA and in selecting patients f Read More

Osteonecrosis (ON) is a disease with significant morbidity, it is associated with multiple diseases. The aim of this study was to find out the characteristics of ON in Qatar. Methods: this is a retrospective study done at Hamad Medical Corporation, which is the main hospital in Qatar (Arabian Gulf) with 1300- bed capacity. Inpatients records from 1993 to 2003 with the diagnosis of ON and avascular necrosis (AVN) were reviewed. Patients’ character Read More

To study the demographical pattern of Iraqi children with Down's syndrome (DS) and congenital heart disease (CHD) forty-five children with DS were examined clinically, radiologic ally and by 2D color Doppler echocardiography. In eight with CHD (six female, two male) chromosomal analysis was used to investigate the possible relationship between chromosomal patterns and the type of CHD. All had a 47,+21 chromosomal pattern. Three h Read More

A Charcot joint or neurogenic arthropathy is seen in conditions where proprioceptive afferents from the joint (ire altered or destroyed. In many cases a definite cause for developing a Charcot joint can be identified but there (ire some cases (the idiopathic variant) where the etiology remains obscure. Few have been reported. We present such a case and discuss the treatment involved.

A child with a left non-palpable testis underwent surgery for an incarcerated right inguinal hernia. During the operation a left crossed ectopic testis was found at the internal ring and was brought down into the left hemiscrotum through a suprapubic tunnel. The literature is reviewed and this approach of orchidopexy of crossed testis is discussed.

Congenital anomalies of the liver are rare. Agenesis of the right lobe of liver is a rare anomaly with 43 cases reported so far in the English literature. Hypoplasia and agenesis occur more on left side. Agenesis of right lobe of liver is presented in this case report. Role of multislice computed tomography is highlighted in diagnosis. A brief literature review is made along with discussions on differential diagnosis.