Prevalence of human papilloma virus in Oman: Genotypes 82 and 68 are dominating

BACKGROUND

Persistent infection with high-risk (HR) HPV genotypes has been associated with cervical cancer, the third cancer affecting women in Oman with a crude incidence rate of 4.7 and mortality rate of 2.5 respectively. Other types of lower-risk (LR) HPV are associated with warts in both genders worldwide.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV and the risk factors among women with normal and abnormal cytology.

METHODS

A cross sectional study conducted between September 2014 and April 2015. 258 cervical samples were obtained from women aged 18-68 years attending the Gynaecology Out-patient Clinic. HPV genotyping was performed using a multiplex real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay.

RESULTS

22 different HPV genotypes were detected in 46 women (17.8%) and included 15 HR and 7 LR genotypes. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients (P = 0.052) and oral contraceptives users (P = 0.016) showed significant association with HPV infection.

CONCLUSION

The most frequently observed HPV types were HR HPV 82 and LR HPV 54. These findings show that the predominant HPV genotypes in Oman are different from those seen in worldwide studies. This finding is important to determine the potential impact of preventive measures especially new vaccines to reduce the burden of cervical cancer.

Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma of the vagina: a rare entity

Ewing sarcoma, a highly malignant neoplasm of the bone, usually occurs during childhood. About 15% are extraosseous. The Ewing family of tumors (EFTs) are extremely rare in the vagina. A 40-year literature review from 1970 to 2010 revealed only nine cases. A 32-year-old woman presented with a painless vaginal mass. A wide excision was performed. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry and molecular studies confirmed extraosseous vaginal Ewing sarcoma. Despite aggressive chemotherapy with a good initial response, she developed local recurrence and metastasis to the spine and pelvis and succumbed 22 months later. A previous infiltrating ductal breast cancer, treated and in remission complicated the picture. We present the tenth case of vaginal Ewing sarcoma and the fourth to be confirmed by molecular studies. We stress the importance of molecular techniques in definitely diagnosing EFTs, especially those arising at unusual sites, particularly in the context of a previous diagnosis of breast cancer.

VIPoma Crisis: Immediate and life saving reduction of massive stool volumes on starting treatment with octreotide

We report the case of a 57-year-old male physician who presented with a life threatening secretory and refractory diarrhoea of around 20 L/day. This was complicated by severe hypotension, hypokalaemia, hypercalcaemia, renal failure requiring dialysis, metabolic acidosis, cardiorespiratory arrest and ventilation for 12 days. His diarrhoea responded immediately to the first dose of a therapeutic trial of subcutaneous octreotide 100 mcg 8 hourly which was started on clinical grounds alone before any investigations were carried out. After one day he was extubated and his blood pressure returned to normal. When a functioning neuroendocrine tumour is suspected clinically, the use of octreotide can, as in this case, be life saving.

A case of gastric and duodenal strongyloidiasis

Strongyloides stercoralis is a nematode parasite which causes a protracted asymptomatic intestinal infection. It is considered a life threatening condition in immunocompromised patients when hyperinfection is associated with disseminated disease. The diagnosis by routine stool examination is very limited since the larval output in stools is very low. We present the case of a 52 year-old Omani man from Salalah, in the southern region of Oman, with a 15-year history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and recently discovered to have hairy cell leukaemia, who complained of nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and loss of weight. An oesophagogastroduodoscopic biopsy was obtained and histopathologic examination revealed gastrointestinal strongyloidiasis.

Multiple Bone Metastases in a Patient with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC): Complete resolution following thyroidectomy and four ablation doses of I-131

Multiple bone metastases from a differentiated thyroid cancer are usually incurable. We report the case of a young Omani woman who presented with 8 discrete skeletal lesions three years after a total thyroidectomy. Following four ablation doses of I-131 she has remained in clinical and biochemical remission for over five years. An extraordinary aspect of this case was the persistent refusal of her husband to use contraception either for himself or his wife. This resulted in her treatment being delayed for more than 6 years during which time the patient delivered and breastfed four additional healthy babies.

Metastatic Malignant Melanoma during Pregnancy: Case report and a Review of the literature

Malignant melanoma is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers and, when it occurs during pregnancy, it can frequently metastasise to the placenta and the foetus. Earlier reports suggested a rapid progress of the disease during pregnancy with a poor prognosis; however, recent controlled studies found that stage for stage, the prognosis of melanoma during pregnancy is similar to that in a non-pregnant state. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can avoid a tragic outcome.

Congenital lumbar hernia in association with carpus equina varus

A rare case of congenital lumbar hernia associated with carpus equina varus is described in a week old baby. The treatment is described with limited review of the literature.