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We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated glutamine efficacy in preventing and alleviating radiation‐induced oral mucositis (OM) among patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer. We screened five databases from inception till February 4, 2021 and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We included 11 RCTs, comprising 922 patients (458 and 464 patients were assigned to glutamine and control group, respectively). The incidence and onset of radiation‐induced OM of any grade did not substantially differ between both groups. However, glutamine substantially reduced the severity of radiation‐induced OM, as reflected by the reduced incidence of severe OM and reduced mean maximal OM grade score. Additionally, glutamine significantly decreased the rates of analgesic opioid use, nasogastric tube feeding, and therapy interruptions. Oral glutamine supplementation demonstrated various therapeutic benefits in preventing and ameliorating radiation‐induced OM among patients with H&N cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saudi Medical Journal is the property of Saudi Medical Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Saudi Medical Journal is the property of Saudi Medical Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A young male patient was diagnosed to have laryngeal papillomas at the age of 3 years for which he underwent permanent tracheostomy and also multiple surgical and laser excision procedures. Then, later in life, the patient had progressive breathlessness and dysphagia. On examination, he had supraclavicular lymphadenopathy showing squamous carcinoma pathology. Since laryngeal papillomas have a high propensity to transform into laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, he was first evaluated for laryngeal carcinoma which was negative. Esophagoscopy showed a growth in the esophagus, the biopsy of which was positive for squamous malignant cells. Patient was then started on palliative chemotherapy with combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin, and at progression with weekly nanoxel with stable disease. This is a rare case of childhood laryngeal papillomatosis progressing to metastatic esophageal carcinoma. This case has been presented to highlight the fact that patients with laryngeal papillomas are not only at high risk of progressing to laryngeal carcinoma but can also have other malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract and lung. Most of them have been correlated to human papilloma virus (HPV), but in our patient HPV DNA was negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: and Objectives: Hypocalcemia is a commonly reported complication after thyroid surgery. Many possible risk factors have been identified. The purpose of this study is to analyze various risk factors possibly associated with development of postoperative hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery by dividing the sample population into postoperative hypocalcemia and normal calcium groups., Design: Retrospective., Setting: Multiple centers in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia., Patients and Methods: Risk factors for postoperative hypocalcemia that were obtained for analysis include patient factors, perioperative blood parameters factors, disease-related factors, and surgical factors. Postoperative hypocalcemia was defined as a reduction of the total calcium level to <8.0 mg/dL. Hypocalcemic and normocalcemic patients were compared by multivariate logistic regression., Main Outcome Measures: Distinguish independent risk factors for postoperative hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy., Sample Size: 215 patients., Results: The incidence of hypocalcemia was 52.1% (112 of 215 patients). According to multivariate analysis, statistically significant risk factors for predicting postoperative hypocalcemia included postoperative parathyroid hormone level <10 pg/dL, inadvertent parathyroid gland resection, and neck dissection surgeries., Conclusion: The causes of postoperative hypocalcemia are multi-factorial. Because many of these factors are modifiable, they should be identified postoperatively to distinguish high-risk groups and implement early preventive measures., Limitations: Retrospective with a relatively small size. We encourage additional prospective studies with a larger sample size in multiple regions of the country, which might reveal further significant results., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

A vibrant health research industry is an indispensible asset for societal development. Health research focus and output in India is sadly not at par with the magnitude and distribution of the prevalent disease burden. In the current scenario of the ever evolving Indian public health sector, the balancing of research efforts between different competing fields, especially when resources are meagre, is a delicate one and quite typical of the problems anticipated in developing countries. To progress, the nation's clinical health research needs good quality, authentic and relevant research in the varied aspect of public health. Rhetoric or theoretical concepts alone cannot move the health status and research forward in this country. Evidence and evidence based medicine have revitalised the academic aspects of the public health sector. But, its up to the Indian policy makers, administrators and medical professionals to assure that the vast research opportunity this country offers is exploited to its maximum potential.

Myoepithelioma is a rare benign neoplasm. Pure accounting for less than 1% of all salivary gland tumors. Only three cases of sinonasal myoepithelioma have been reported in the literature. Diagnosis of myoepithelioma through light microscopy is possible and immunohistochemistry is done to facilitate the diagnosis. The lesion is so rare that there are no specific indications/guidelines for its treatment. We report to you a rare case of sinonasal myoepithelioma in a 57 year old Asian female.Myoepitheliomas are rare tumours that account for only about 1% of all salivary gland tumors. Most are benign, but some can be malignant. Only three cases of sinonasal myoepithelioma have been reported in the literature so far.