Pancreatitis-Panniculitis-Polyarthritis (PPP) syndrome is rare and its physiopathology unclear. A 6-year old boy suffered of traumatic pancreatitis complicated by PPP syndrome. Extensive investigations demonstrated high levels of pancreatic lipase and fatty acids in the affected peripheral tissues. These findings support the sequence of peripheral lipolysis and fatty acid accumulation inducing tissue inflammation.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is a recently identified auto-immune disorder characterised by severe memory deficit, a decreased level of consciousness, seizures, autonomic dysfunction and movement disorders. Three girls with the disorder are reported; they were aged 4 years, 5 years and 10 months. The 10-month-old infant who is one of the youngest patients reported with anti-NMDAR encephalitis worldwide, had MRI features suggestive of herpes simplex encephalitis (known to trigger anti-NMDAR encephalitis), but CSF PCR for herpes simplex was negative. All the patients presented with seizures, behavioural change, regression of speech, dystonia and choreo-athetosis. Anti-NMDAR antibodies were detected in all patients' sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Intravenous immunoglobulin, corticosteroids and rituximab were administered at different intervals. Cases 1 and 2 made a full recovery, but case 3 has mild motor and speech delay. Patients who present with encephalopathy, seizures and movement disorders should be tested for anti-NMDAR antibodies in serum and CSF in addition to being screened for herpes simplex encephalitis.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered as a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder which ischaracterized by some non-specific symptoms, such as altered bowel habits and abdominal pain. There is no recognized organic pathology associated with IBS. The prevalence of IBS is different in different communities. Its etiology remains uncertain or obscure, perhaps multifactorial. The predestined objective was the determination of prevalence, associated factors and impact of IBS on medical student studying in Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. A cross-sectional study was carried out among male medical students enrolled in Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University during the academic year 2013 to 2014. All male medical students of second to sixth year were invited for participation in the study by filling study questionnaire. A validated, reliable, confidential, and self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Rome III Criteria was used for the diagnosis of irritable bowed syndrome. The IBS prevalence was 21% with profiles characterized by constipation (20.0%), diarrhea (34.3%), and other alternating symptoms (45.7%). Students who having history of chronic health problems were about three times more prone to develop IBS (OR=2.93). Those reported having stress was at 2.63 times more risk to develop IBS. Those having food hypersensitivity as compared to others were more liable to develop IBS (OR=3.29). IBS was not significantly associated with academic performance. IBS prevailed among medical students. Thus, screening of these students for psychological problems, IBS and stress management strategies are recommended for these students.

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