Colloid cysts are benign lesions of the anterior part of the third ventricle. Surgery is the main line of treatment. Endoscopic treatment gained wide acceptance among neurosurgeons. However, open ...microsurgical approaches still recommended by many surgeons. Each approach had its own advantages and drawbacks. The current study designed to explore the outcome of endoscopic versus open colloid cystectomy for the colloid cyst of the third ventricle. This is a retrospective study of patients who submitted to third ventricle colloid cystectomy during a duration of 10 years. A total number of 41 patients were included (20 managed by endoscopic approach and 21 by open surgery). Files were reviewed for preoperative (clinical examination and radiological investigations), operative (e.g, operative time, the size of the cyst and additional interventions) and postoperative outcome. Both approaches were comparable regarding demographics, preoperative, operative and postoperative data, except significant reduction of operative time and total duration of hospital stay among endoscopy than open group (127.95±18.32, 5.30±1.69 vs 178.33±20.51 and 8.95±1.62 respectively). The recurrence was reported among 3 patients (7.3%) (2 in the endoscopy and 1 in the open group). Among 90.0% of endoscopy group, their neurological condition was improved compared to 95.2% of open group.
Background Despite recent progress in enhancing the accessibility of HIV-related health services worldwide, opportunities to diagnose patients are often missed due to genuine barriers at different ...levels. The aim of this study is to explore the factors that affect the uptake of HIV testing by young people in Saudi Arabia. Methods A sequential mixed methods design was used to reveal the factors that influenced HIV testing among young people aged 17-25 years. In terms of the quantitative strand of the study, a descriptive cross-sectional design was applied to identify the relevant and context-specific factors that influenced HIV testing among Umm- Al Qura University students. The students were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Self-completed online questionnaire was used. The questionnaire consisted of 52 items: 12 items for HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, 3 items for risk perception, and 37 items for attitudes toward HIV testing. For the qualitative strand of the study, semi-structured interviews were used to gather the perspectives of healthcare professionals working in the field of HIV/AIDS in the country. Results Three hundred and ninety four participants completed the questionnaire: 116 (29.4%) male and 278 (70%) female. 50.5% of the participants were aged from 20 to 22 years, 34.8% were 17-19 years and 14.7% were aged between 23-25 years. Only 20 (6%) participants had previously been tested for HIV. The main reasons for not being tested for HIV were: exposure to HIV was considered unlikely (48%), the HIV test was not offered (36%), and a lack of awareness of the locations of HIV testing centres (16%). With regard to HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, the male participants scored higher than the females as the mean score for males was (M = 6.4, SD = 2.4) while for females it was (M = 5.7, SD = 2.5); however, this difference was not significant. In terms of risk perception, female participants had lower levels of risk perception than male participants, with the mean score for males being (M = 11.7, SD = 2.5) and (M = 10.5, SD = 2.4) for females; this difference was statistically significant p < 0.01. The female participants showed slightly more positive attitudes towards HIV testing than male participants: the mean score for males was (M = 108.14, SD = 17.9) and was (M = 111.32, SD = 17.3) for females. However, this difference was not significant. Healthcare professionals who were interviewed indicated stigma, an HIV/AIDS knowledge gap and fear of the consequences of a positive result as the main factors hindering the uptake of the HIV test. Conclusions Knowledge, attitudes and HIV risk perception are critical factors that inform the decision to undertake HIV testing. However, socio-cultural constraints constitute a significant additional burden that hinders the efforts to scale up the HIV testing uptake in Saudi Arabia.
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