ABSTRACT.Purpose: In 1992-94 a nation-wide survey in primary schools in the Sultanate of Oman for ocular disorders was conducted. This report focuses on the prevalence of visual acuity loss after injury. Methods and material: A random selection of 6292 children from Grades 1 and 6 from all primary schools in the country provided the research sample. Children who failed the visual acuity screening test received a complete ''on the spot'' eye examination by the pediatric ophthalmologist. Results: 12 children were found to have monocular low vision (VA ∞0.3 to amaurosis) caused by injury. Total prevalence for loss of vision in one eye was 0.19%, with 0.15% in 6-year-olds and 0.25% in 12-year-olds. Traumatic cataracts were noted in 4 children, 3 of these were in need of surgery. One child had aphakia after trauma surgery and needed a secondary lens implant. Conclusion: Altogether the prevalence of traumatic monocular visual damage in our study was 0.19%. Next to amblyopia, injury is the main reason for monocular loss of vision in childhood, however, both are preventable. Information about trauma prevention and the need for adequate ophthalmic care should be emphasized. Regular and repeated screening of visual acuity in children is essential.

We report a case of life-threatening nasal sinus zygomycosis that developed during remission induction therapy for a relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The patient was successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor followed by surgical reconstruction of the resultant cutaneous defect.

Superior herniation of normal mediastinal thymus is a rare cause of anterior neck swelling, and only a few cases are reported in the literature. It clinically presents as a suprasternal swelling in the neck that appears during increased intrathoracic pressure. It is a benign condition that requires clinical and radiological awareness to avoid unnecessary investigations and invasive procedures. Ultrasound is the imaging of choice for the diagnosis, and management is conservative. This is a case report of a three-week-old male neonate who presented with anterior neck swelling and stridor, diagnosed as a case of superior herniation of normal thymus and was managed conservatively.

Objectives: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a disorder affecting the structure and function of motile cilia. Transmission electron microscopy is one method that can be used to examine ciliary ultrastructure in airway biopsies. Although the role of ultrastructural findings in PCD has been described in the literature, this role has not been well studied in the Middle East or, by extension, Oman. This study aims to describe ultrastructural features in Omani patients with high suspicion of PCD. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 129 adequate airway biopsies obtained between 2010–2020 from Omani patients suspected of having PCD. Results: Ciliary ultrastructural abnormalities in our study population were outer dynein arm associated with inner dynein arm defects (8%), microtubular disorganisation associated with inner dynein arm defect (5%), and isolated outer dynein arm defect (2%). Most of the biopsies sowed normal ultrastructure (82%). Conclusion: In Omani patients suspected to have PCD, normal ultrastructure was the commonest feature. Keywords: Cilia; Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia; Airway Biopsy; Transmission Electron Microscopy; Ultrastructure; Oman.

Pulmonary artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms are rare vascular anomalies in children that can lead to massive hemoptysis resulting in severe morbidity and even mortality. High level of clinical suspicion, timely diagnosis, and prompt management are important for a better outcome. Here, we report a case of a 14-year-old adolescent with β-thalassemia major who presented with life-threatening hemoptysis due to pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm and was successfully treated with coil embolization.