Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder which has various treatment options, however, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the gold standard. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the current first-line treatment of OSA, i.e., the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) with mandibular advancement devices (MADs) in mild to severe OSA.Objective: This meta-analysis is a comparison of the efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure vs mandibular advancement devices in patients with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The primary objective of the meta-analysis is to compare the efficacy of CPAP vs MADs in the treatment of OSA. This meta-analysis includes randomized control and cross-over studies that compare the efficacy of CPAP and MAD and outcomes are reported in terms of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation, and Epworth sleepiness scale both pre-and post-treatment.Data sources and study selection: A PubMed and Cochrane database search was conducted in May 2021 and study bibliographies were reviewed. Randomized clinical trials comparing the effect of CPAP and MAD on AHI, lowest oxygen saturation, and ESS in patients with obstructive sleep apnea were selected. Of the 436 studies initially identified, eight were selected for analysis after screening. The quantitative measures used for comparing the efficacy of CPAP and MAD were post-treatment apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation, and post-treatment Epworth score scale (ESS).Data extraction and synthesis: A network of meta-analyses was performed using RevMan (Copenhagen, Denmark: Nordic Cochrane Center) where multivariate random-effects models were used to generate pooled estimates. Data were analyzed using generic inverse variance method and P < 0.05 is regarded as statistically significant. Combined summary statistics of standardized (STD) paired difference in mean for individual studies and combined studies was calculated. A chi-square-based test of homogeneity was performed and the inconsistency index (I 2 ) statistic was determined.Results: Compared the AHI, lowest oxygen saturation, and ESS from baseline to follow-up pre-and posttreatment in both CPAP and MAD groups; after the database search 436 records were identified, eight studies were included in the RCT, and three were RCT crossover studies. The duration of treatment varies in each group. AHI, ESS, and lowest oxygen saturation are calculated pre-and post-treatment. Compared with MAD, CPAP was associated with decrease in AHI with a mean difference of -5.83 (95% CI, -8.85, -2.81, P < 0.01). The lowest oxygen saturation was also decreased in CPAP group compared to MAD group with a mean difference of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.51, 0.94, P < 0.01). However, there was no statistically significant difference in ESS between CPAP and MAD group with a mean difference of 0.23 (95% CI, -0.24, 0.70, P = 0.34). The metaanalysis states that among patients with obstructive sleep apnea, both CPAP and MADs are effecti...

Bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion (BICAO) is a rare disease leading to serious cerebrovascular disease and complications including recurrent ischemic stroke or death. There are very few cases reported on BICAO, especially among young adults. The clinical presentation can range from asymptomatic to fatal ischemic stroke depending upon the presence of adequate collateral blood flow. Here we report a case of BICAO in a 31-year-old female who presented with intermittent left-sided hemiparesis for one day and was subsequently found to have complete occlusion of the bilateral intracranial internal carotid arteries on CT angiography (CTA). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain showed sub-acute right middle cerebral artery (MCA), acute left middle cerebral artery, and anterior cerebral artery infarcts (ACA). Being outside the window for thrombolysis, she was successfully treated with balloon angioplasty of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) and started on dual antiplatelet therapy. The case illustrates the importance of evaluating for cerebrovascular disease when someone presents with stroke-like symptoms even in the young adult population, as prompt treatment can be lifesaving.

Purpose: The effect of comorbid obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) on hospitalized patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has not been studied so far. This study elucidates the outcomes of DKA patients with OHS compared to those without OHS. Methods: Patients above 18 years of age were included in the study. The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database of 2017 and 2018 was used and data were extracted using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes; OHS ICD-10 code being “E66.2” and DKA ICD-10 codes being “E08.1, E09.1, E10.1, E11.1, and E13.1.” The comorbid medical conditions were also identified using the ICD-10 codes. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the impact of OHS on in-hospital outcomes of DKA patients. Results: OHS was prevalent in 0.61% of the general population, as per the NIS database in the years 2017 and 2018. Primary outcomes of the study were in-hospital mortality, whereas secondary outcomes included acute kidney failure, the requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation, length of stay, and cost of hospitalization. OHS in DKA patients was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio (OR): 4.35 (2.63-7.20), p < 0.00001; adjusted OR (aOR): 1.79 (1.01-3.15), p < 0.044), acute kidney failure (OR: 2.44 (1.79-3.33), p < 0.00001; aOR: 1.43 (1.03-2.00), p < 0.031), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR: 4.17 (2.90-5.98), p < 0.00001; aOR: 1.62 (1.08-2.41), p < 0.017), increased length of stay (10.02 ± 12.42 vs. 4.70 ± 6.31, p < 0.00001), and cost of care (132314 ± 197111.8 vs. 54245.06 ± 98079.89, p < 0.00001). All-cause mortality of patients with DKA and OHS using the Cox proportional hazards ratio was 1.70 (1.02-2.84, p < 0.024) after adjusting for age, race, sex, smoking, obesity, and comorbidities such as heart failure, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, and cerebral infarction. Conclusion: OHS is an independent risk factor for mortality in DKA, irrespective of the degree of obesity. Further prospective studies are recommended to study the effects of different treatment modalities of OHS such as identification of the need for early non-invasive ventilation or for early invasive mechanical ventilation to improve outcomes in DKA patients.

Granular cell tumor arises from Schwann cells. It is common in females than males. It affects the age group from 10 to 50 years of age. It can arise anywhere in the body but commonly involves the oral cavity, skin, and subcutaneous tissue. Granular cell tumor involving the cecum is very rare. Here, we report a case of Granular cell tumor involving the cecum in a 58-year-old male.

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