Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)最新文献

{"title":"Innovative Approach to Chronic Rhinitis: a Vietnamese Experience with Microdebrider - Enhanced Inferior Turbinectomy.","authors":"Hung Quang Nguyen, Ha Ngoc Nguyen, Truong Quang Nguyen, Thuan Duc Nghiem, Thuc Minh T Vu","doi":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.135-141","DOIUrl":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.135-141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic rhinitis, including the specific condition of inferior turbinate hypertrophy, represents a significant challenge within the field of otolaryngology. This condition, characterized by the hyperplastic enlargement of the turbinates, severely impacts nasal airflow and overall quality of life.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the effectiveness of endoscopic inferior turbinectomy using a microdebrider in treating chronic rhinitis in a Vietnamese hospital setting.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective case series was conducted at Viet-Tiep Hospital, involving 31 patients with chronic rhinitis and inferior turbinate hypertrophy who underwent endoscopic inferior turbinectomy using a microdebrider from 2017 to 2019. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were analyzed, including nasal airflow, surgical duration, and symptom improvement. Key outcomes, such as pain, nasal crusting, and airflow changes, were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale and Glatzel scale, alongside endoscopic findings and CT imaging for turbinate morphology.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study included 31 patients (mean age: 42 years, 64.5% male) undergoing endoscopic inferior turbinectomy using a microdebrider. All patients had nasal congestion, with 83.9% experiencing bilateral symptoms. Preoperatively, 80.6% had severe nasal obstruction, and 87.1% showed no response to vasoconstrictors. Common symptoms included rhinorrhea (64.5%), snoring (67.7%), and headache (71%). Postoperative outcomes were favorable, with 90.3% reporting good results. Mild nasal obstruction persisted in 12.9% after one month. Nasal crusting was minimal in 51.6%, and 93.3% showed turbinate reduction. Mild postoperative bleeding occurred in 6.5%, and pain levels were mostly mild.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Endoscopic inferior turbinectomy with a microdebrider is an effective, minimally invasive option for chronic rhinitis, offering significant symptom relief and low complication rates. Its short operative time and minimal postoperative pain support its broader adoption.</p>","PeriodicalId":94135,"journal":{"name":"Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)","volume":"79 2","pages":"135-141"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12269754/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144677066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Otolaryngological Manifestations and Associated Biochemical, Hematological, and Immunological Profiles in HIV-Positive Patients in Vietnam.","authors":"Truong Quang Nguyen, Nguyen Quang Hung","doi":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.220-226","DOIUrl":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.220-226","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The global HIV/AIDS epidemic, with its significant presence in Vietnam by the early 2000s, often linked to injecting drug use, prompted concern at the National Otorhinolaryngology Hospital due to a rising prevalence of HIV among ENT patients. This highlighted a need to understand their specific clinical and laboratory profiles.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to systematically evaluate selected biochemical, hematological, and immunological parameters in these HIV-positive ENT patients to characterize their infection and identify significant laboratory alterations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective-prospective cohort study included 104 HIV-positive ENT patients from January 2010 to August 2014. HIV diagnoses were confirmed via a multi-test approach. Demographic, risk behavior, and ENT diagnosis data were collected from medical records. Biochemical, hematological, and immunological (CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio) parameters were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The cohort was predominantly young adult males (85.55%), with injecting drug use as the main risk factor (79.04%). Over half (53.60%) had HIV-related ENT conditions; 46.40% were incidentally diagnosed. Biochemical analysis showed significantly elevated total protein/globulin and reduced albumin/A/G ratio (p < 0.05). Hematologically, leukopenia (7.4% males) and mild/moderate anemia (20.4% males, 33.3% females) were observed. Immunological profiling revealed significantly decreased CD4 counts (264±89.57 cells/mm³) and CD4/CD8 ratios, alongside increased CD8 counts (all p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HIV-positive ENT patients in Vietnam exhibit typical demographic/risk profiles and frequent HIV-related ENT manifestations. Significant biochemical, hematological, and profound immunological abnormalities underscore HIV's systemic impact. ENT clinics are crucial for early HIV detection, necessitating comprehensive laboratory monitoring for effective disease management.</p>","PeriodicalId":94135,"journal":{"name":"Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)","volume":"79 3","pages":"220-226"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12253605/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144628392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.","authors":"Allen Popovic-Beganovic, Vladislav Dzinic","doi":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.241-248","DOIUrl":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.241-248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is the most common maternally inherited disease linked to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The patients present with subacute asymmetric bilateral vision loss. It is a rare disease that typically affects young adults-men more than women-and is a relatively common cause of blindness. The majority (more than 95%) of patients have one of three mtDNA point mutations: m.14484T→C, m.3460G→A, or m.11778G→ A.The hallmark of hereditary optic neuropathies determined by mitochondrial dysfunction is the vulnerability and degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGC). Due to its low prevalence in the population (1:50,000), this diagnosis is often overlooked, misdiagnosed, and mismanaged, which may exacerbate symptoms.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of the paper is to present the complexity and challenge of making the correct diagnosis in patients with progressive vision loss.</p><p><strong>Case report: </strong>A 42-year-old patient, female, complains of a bilateral decrease in visual acuity after surgery performed under general anaesthesia. The visual acuity value at the first ophthalmological examination was 0.8 bilaterally and could not be corrected. The OCT finding was within the ''reference values'', while the visual field finding showed non-specific changes. Further examinations by a neurologist and psychiatrist do not lead to a correct diagnosis. After a long time, genetic testing reveals a genetic mutation and a diagnosis of LHON is made.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although still uncommon, the presentation of LHON in middle-aged women is possible and should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in a patient when painless vision loss occurs.</p>","PeriodicalId":94135,"journal":{"name":"Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)","volume":"79 3","pages":"241-248"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12253580/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144628390","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating Children's Drawings as a Means of Expression in Children with Chronic Diseases.","authors":"Georgios Manomenidis, Polyxeni Liamopoulou, Pinelopi Vlotinou, Anna Tsiakiri, Dimitrios Cassimos, Maria Amanatidou, Ioannis Koutelekos, Vasiliki Georgousopoulou","doi":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.159-163","DOIUrl":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.159-163","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Children's drawings are considered an important tool for detecting emotions and experiences that a child may be unable or unwilling to express verbally.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess the emotional state, psychological development, and adjustment mechanisms of children with chronic diseases using projective drawing tests, and to compare their responses with those of healthy children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional design was implemented in one region of Greece, involving 100 children aged 6-12 years. The sample included 50 children with chronic diseases (25 with type 1 diabetes and 25 with cystic fibrosis) and 50 healthy children serving as a control group, selected from pediatric clinics and schools. Data collection took place between January and June 2023. Participants completed three projective tests: the Kinetic Family Drawing Test (KFD), Tree Drawing Test, and House Drawing Test, which assessed emotional expression and psychological functioning.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Children with chronic diseases expressed emotions differently compared to healthy peers. In the KFD, they depicted fewer smiling faces, indicating higher emotional distress and a more negative perception of their family environment. In the tree drawings, symbolic elements such as birds-representing freedom or hope - were more common among children with chronic diseases, while healthy children more often drew roots, suggesting emotional stability. The House Drawing Test revealed no significant differences between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Projective tests such as the KFD and Tree Drawing Test appear to be effective in identifying emotional issues in children with chronic illnesses, unlike the House Drawing Test. These findings support the integration of such tools into psychological assessments and therapeutic interventions for pediatric chronic disease populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":94135,"journal":{"name":"Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)","volume":"79 2","pages":"159-163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12269769/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144677108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinicopathological Analysis of Mediastinal Masses: a Single-Institute Experience.","authors":"Zeead M Alghamdi, Sharifah A Othman, Dhuha N Boumarah, Mohammed Sabry Abdelmotaleb, Farouk Alrashaid, Yasser Aljehani, Hatem Y Elbawab","doi":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.15-19","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/medarh.2025.79.15-19","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The centrally located portion of the thoracic cavity is called the mediastinum and consists of several essential organs. In the presence of various outcomes and prognostic indicators of mediastinal masses, meticulous diagnosis of these masses is considered crucial.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>In this study, we analyzed all mediastinal masses observed clinically and pathologically at one institution over a period of ten years.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a retrospective, single-institution review of 94 patients with mediastinal masses, drawing on existing data recorded by the hospital. The study was carried out at the King Fahd University Hospital, Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected from 2009 to 2019. Participants were all patients with malignant or benign mediastinal masses admitted to the hospital, or diagnosed incidentally to have mediastinal masses during investigations for other reasons.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age for developing a mediastinal mass was 33.89 ± 18.91 years of age. Most of the patients (69.1%) were symptomatic at presentation. Overall, (49.23%) of patients who were symptomatic at diagnosis had a malignant mass. Concerning pathologic diagnosis and presentation of the patient (symptomatic versus asymptomatic), there was a significant positive relationship between pathologic diagnosis and symptoms with a P value of 0.020. In our study, only 5.15% of cases experienced recurrence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides a great understanding of mediastinal tumor biology and the role of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy in increasing the survival rates of patients suffering from similar malignant conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":94135,"journal":{"name":"Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)","volume":"79 1","pages":"15-19"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12045592/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144065552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Correlation Between Plasma Bilirubin Concentrations and Glomerular Filtration Rate and Creatinine in Type 2 Diabetes with Renal Damage.","authors":"Nguyen Tien Dung, Hoang Thi Ngoc Tram, Vu Thi Thu Hang, Pham Thi Thuy","doi":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.52-55","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/medarh.2025.79.52-55","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diabetic nephropathy is one of the causes of chronic kidney disease with a very complex mechanism, in which oxidative stress plays an important role and bilirubin acts as an effective antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by oxidative stress.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between plasma bilirubin concentration with glomerular filtration rate and creatinine in patients with type 2 diabetes with renal damage.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Total amount of 60 patients with type 2 diabetes with renal damage. Study design was descriptive.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean age 64.1±4.76. The rate of decreased glomerular filtration rate was 86.7% and increased albuminuria accounted for 96.7%. The concentration of total bilirubin in plasma decreased correspondingly to the decrease in glomerular filtration rate. The concentration of total, free and conjugated bilirubin was negatively correlated with creatinine concentration (r=-0.48), (r=-0.37), (r=-0.34) and positively correlated with glomerular filtration rate (r=0.54), (r=0.45), (r=0.41) with p<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of total bilirubin concentration was 0.7, lower than the area under the curve (AUC) of creatinine concentration 0.8, uric acid 0.74.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Plasma bilirubin concentration is inversely correlated with creatinine concentration and positively correlated with glomerular filtration rate.</p>","PeriodicalId":94135,"journal":{"name":"Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)","volume":"79 1","pages":"52-55"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12045591/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144052556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of Body Dysmorphia in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Patients.","authors":"Fatima Sabri Al-Ali, Mohammed Al-Shujaie, John Flood","doi":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.27-33","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/medarh.2025.79.27-33","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a significant hormonal disorder that primarily affects young women, has a substantial impact on both their health-related quality of life and their mental well-being.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the prevalence and patterns of body dysmorphia in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients in Kingdom of Bahrain and to reach a consensus regarding the relationship between body dysmorphia and PCOS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>There were 132 participants involved in the study: 66 were control cases, 66 were PCOS cases. Each was given a survey form. The scoring was based on the Głębocka's self-perception scale and modified Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism scale were used to assess about own perception to appearance, and pressure to change body shape.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most of the PCOS patients in the Kingdom of Bahrain who are above 30 years old experienced body dysmorphia along with other physical changes in appearance and psychological disorders such as social anxiety and depression. About 86% of them have hirsutism which significantly affects their self-esteem and self-confidence within themselves. However, the average hair distribution volume ranges only from 1.82 to 2.53 in the different parts of the body.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Body dysmorphia is prevalent in patients diagnosed with PCOS. It is important to understand that these manifestations of PCOS in women significantly impact their quality of life..</p>","PeriodicalId":94135,"journal":{"name":"Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)","volume":"79 1","pages":"27-33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12045581/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144059496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Door-to-Balloon Time and Clinical Outcome of Patients Presenting with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction During on and off Hours: a Single Center Study.","authors":"Faisal Alkhadra, Sarah Bohaligah, Zahraa Alhashim, Farah AlZahrani, Maryam Alkhalifa, Fatimah Alsaihati, Hussam Khader, Nisreen Maghraby, Mohammed Al-Hariri","doi":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.172-180","DOIUrl":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.172-180","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Timely reperfusion is crucial in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), with door-to-balloon time often considered a key metric for assessing quality of care. However, the impact of door-to-balloon time on clinical outcomes during off-hours remains uncertain.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare clinical outcome and door-to-balloon time of patients with STEMI in off-hours versus on-hours in King Fahad Uni-versity Hospital (KFHU).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mixed-method, qualitative and quantitative retrospective cohort study was conducted at KFUH in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, including adults diagnosed with STEMI and managed with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between May 2023 to February 2024. The sample was divided into two groups based on-duty hours. The first group comprised patients presenting during duty hours, including weekdays (Sunday to Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.), while the second group included patients presenting during off-duty hours, which consisted of weekdays (Sunday to Thursday, 4:01 pm to 7:59 am), weekends (Friday to Saturday), national holidays, and Eid holidays.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 79 patients (57 off-hours and 22 in-hours) diagnosed with STEMI who underwent primary PCI. The mean age of the participants was 55.0 years (±10.8), 89.9% were males, 36.7% were Saudi, and 41.8% were smokers. Off-hours presentation did not significantly impact mortality rates or complications compared to on-hours presentation (p > 0.05), Similarly, no significant association was found between door-to-balloon time and 48-hour or 30-day mortality rates (p > 0.05). The mean time was statistically significant across the on- and off-duty time groups (65.2±18.0 vs 107.4±44.5, p<0.0001). Hypotension was the only complication signifi-cantly associated with mortality at 30 days (p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results revealed that neither door-to-balloon time nor off-hours presentation significantly affected mortality rates or complications in pa-tients with STEMI undergoing Primary PCI, with the exception of hypotension being significantly associat-ed with 30-day mortality. Further research is warranted to explore other factors that may influence STEMI outcomes beyond door-to-balloon time and presentation hours. Additionally, investigating the specific rela-tionship between hypotension and 30-day mortality could lead to improved risk stratification and manage-ment strategies for STEMI patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":94135,"journal":{"name":"Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)","volume":"79 3","pages":"172-180"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12253598/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144628371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Thoracolumbar Pott's Disease in the Immunocompetent; Institutional Experience Over a Decade and Comprehensive Literature Review.","authors":"Yasser Aljehani, Naif ALkhaldi, Lama Althunayyan, Rahaf Alghamdi, Sadeem Aljamaan, Marwan Alwazzeh, Farouk Alreshaid","doi":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.41-46","DOIUrl":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.41-46","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The presentation of Pott's has a wide variation and an insidious onset, which makes timely accurate diagnosis quite challenging.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To review Pott's cases to enhance the disease management and fill the literature gap regarding the approach to Pott's disease.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive observational retrospective hospital-based study conducted from 2007 to 2022 at KFHU. 346 patients who were diagnosed with TB were reviewed thoroughly. Only 13 cases were labeled as Pott's disease based on imaging or microbiology testing and hence were included in this study, and other TB pulmonary and extrapulmonary cases were excluded.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In our analysis of 13 cases of Pott's disease, we observed a significant male predominance (69.23%) and diverse symptoms, with back pain (69.2%) being most prevalent among our patients. Lumbar involvement was the most frequently observed site (38.4%), and diagnoses were made through microbiology (69.2%) or clinical/radiological means (30.8%). Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) culture testing exhibited a positivity rate of 61.5%, while TB-PCR showed positive results in 57.1%. Imaging studies revealed vertebral lesions (90.9% CT, 81.8% MRI), abscesses (54.5% CT, 81.8% MRI), and spondylodiscitis (18.2% CT, 54.5% MRI). Treatment, administered in 92.3% of cases, involved the use of Isoniazid, Rifampicin, and Ethambutol. Surgical interventions, though less frequent, encompassed various procedures. Outcomes demonstrated a notable high cure rate of 84.9%, with a 15.4% incidence of cases experiencing loss of follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The high cure rate of 84.9% accentuates the effectiveness of early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment strategies that combine medical and surgical interventions when necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":94135,"journal":{"name":"Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)","volume":"79 1","pages":"41-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12045595/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144059089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Institutional Capacity and Governance in Oral Health: Insights From Managers in Kosovo's Oral Healthcare Facilities.","authors":"Shqipe Buleshkaj, Naser Rugova, Doncho Donev","doi":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.274-279","DOIUrl":"10.5455/medarh.2025.79.274-279","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Effective and equitable oral healthcare delivery relies on robust institutional capacity and good governance. In transitional health systems such as Kosovo's, the voices of managerial personnel are often overlooked in health system evaluations, particularly in the oral health sector.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to assess the institutional and governance capacities of oral healthcare facilities in Kosovo by analyzing insights from facility managers across public and private sectors..</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 40 managers of oral health institutions. Participants were purposively sampled to ensure geographical and institutional diversity across the Kosovo's seven regions. Survey topics included organizational communication, workforce issues, and policy coordination. Interview discussions explored institutional strategies, infrastructure challenges, and leadership dynamics. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Managers identified inadequate infrastructure, constrained financial flexibility, and unclear governance structures as major impediments to institutional effectiveness. Responses underscored disparities between urban and rural services and the absence of a coherent national oral health strategy. Concerns were also raised regarding fragmented responsibilities between central and municipal health authorities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Kosovo's oral health institutions face considerable governance and infrastructure limitations that hinder effective service delivery. Addressing these structural and managerial deficiencies is essential for strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing strategic planning, and improving resource allocation. These findings offer relevant lessons for other transitional health systems aiming to build sustainable and responsive oral healthcare frameworks.</p>","PeriodicalId":94135,"journal":{"name":"Medical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina)","volume":"79 4","pages":"274-279"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12503627/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145254218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}