Background Over the past few years, five domains of importance about the current state of bioethics in Saudi Arabia have shaped the perspective of most research: doctor-patient relationship, informed consent, do-not-resuscitate, organ donation, and transplantation, medical students’ knowledge and attitudes about medical ethics curriculum. This systematic review aimed to systematically identify, compile, describe and discuss ethical arguments and concepts in the best-studied domains of bioethics in Saudi Arabia and to present cultural, social, educational, and humane perspectives. Methods Six databases were searched using Boolean operators (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Google Scholar) from December 2020–June 2021. The search and report process followed the statement and flowchart of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Resutls The search resulted in 1651 articles, of which 82 studies were selected for a final review and assessment. There is a gradual increase in research, whereby a substantial increase was observed from 2017. Most of the published articles focused on ‘Organ Donation & Transplantation’ with 33 articles, followed by ‘Doctor-Patient Relations’ with 18 publications. Most of the published articles were from Central Province (33), followed by Western Province (16). The authorship pattern showed a collaborative approach among researchers. The thematic analysis of keywords analysis showed that ‘Saudi Arabia,’ ‘attitude PHC,’ ‘organ donation,’ ‘knowledge and education,’ and ‘donation’ have been used the most commonly. Conclusion This systematic quantitative synthesis is expected to guide researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers about the strengths and gaps in knowledge and attitudes regarding medical ethics in Saudi Arabia, both among the general public and health professionals.

Objectives:To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) in blunt abdominal trauma caused by motor vehicle accidents at our Hospital in Dhahran city.Methods:This descriptive, observational study was conducted in the Radiology Department at King Fahad Military Medical Complex Dhahran, Saudi Arabia between September 2016 and September 2017. All adult patients (n=105) involved in motor vehicle accidents with blunt abdominal injury on presentation were retrospectively reviewed for FAST and CT scans for detection of free fluid. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma studies were conducted or supervised by senior registrar of general surgery (trauma team leader). Computed tomography findings were reviewed by 2 experienced radiologists. High and low-grade solid abdominal visceral (liver, spleen, kidney) injuries were identified on CT scans. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma and CT scan findings were identified as ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ for presence and absence of free fluid respectively. Outcomes of FAST were presented on a 2x2 contingency table.Results:Sensitivity of FAST in detecting intraperitoneal free fluid was calculated as 76.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.14-85.69%), specificity 84.2% (95% CI, 68.75-93.98%) and accuracy 79% (95% CI, 70.01-86.38%). Focused assessment with sonography for trauma detected free fluid in most cases of high-grade solid visceral injuries. Nearly half of true-negative cases were having low grade visceral or other injuries.Conclusion:Focused assessment with sonography for trauma is an important tool in initial assessment of suspected blunt abdominal injury patients with high sensitivity and specificity. A negative FAST does not exclude low grade solid visceral or other injuries.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome in patients presenting with abdominal pains, and to evaluate computed tomographic (CT) findings needed for its diagnosis.Methods: This retrospective record-based study was carried out at the radiology department, from January 2016 to January 2021. All young patients (aged under 25) who underwent CT scans for abdominal pains were reviewed. Post-surgery, tumor, and trauma cases were excluded. Imaging findings for SMA syndrome were recorded as 'suggestive' (reduced aortomesenteric angle and distance with proximal duodenal dilatation), 'possible' (reduced angle and distance without proximal duodenal dilatation) and 'probable' (reduction of either angle or distance). Two radiologists interpreted the findings and consensus reporting was made. Diagnoses were confirmed on clinical grounds (symptomatic improvement by specific treatment and exclusion of other diagnoses), or barium studies. Imaging findings were compared to final diagnoses. McNemar's Chi-square test was used to determine association.Results: Out of 141 patients (mean age=10.8, standard deviation=4), 7 (4.9%) patients mostly females were having SMA syndromes based on 'suggestive' imaging criteria (p=0.0005), and one patient underwent surgery. Conclusion:Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is not an uncommon condition and should be considered in differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in young patients after excluding other diagnoses.

BACKGROUNDPan-scan (whole-body) computed tomography (CT) has a paramount role in the diagnosis of injuries in road traffic accidents (RTA).OBJECTIVEIdentify patterns of injuries on pan-CT scans.DESIGNRetrospective medical record review.SETTINGTertiary care center.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe records of all RTA patients who presented to the radiology department at King Fahad Military Medical Complex (KFMMC) in Dhahran for the 3-year period from July 2014 to July 2017 and underwent pan-CT were retrospectively reviewed. Drivers and front-seat passengers with complete clinical information on seating, safety and mechanism of injury were selected. Children under 5 years of age, pregnant women and back-seat passengers were excluded. Patterns of injuries were categorized as ‘no abnormality detected’ (NAD), isolated or combined head, face and neck (H), isolated or combined chest, abdomen and pelvis (C) or both regions of the body (B).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESInjury patterns on pan-CT scans.SAMPLE SIZE305RESULTSMost patients were males (n=287, 94.1%). The median age was 26 years for males (IQR, 22–33 years) and 30 years for females (IQR, 28–39). More than two-thirds were drivers (all males); the remainder were front-seat passengers. Young males were most often involved. The most common type of accident was a roll-over. Of those who sustained injuries, 273 (89.5%) were not wearing a seat belt (unrestrained). The patterns of injuries were NAD (87, 28%), H (27, 9%), C (93, 30.5%), B (98, 32%).CONCLUSIONWhen abnormalities were detected, most high-speed vehicular injuries affected the torso. Unrestrained young male drivers are most often involved in RTAs in Saudi Arabia.LIMITATIONSRetrospective study with a small sample size. Types and severity of injuries on pan-CT were not documented.

patients)n=178(who underwent duplex carotid sonography prior to CABG were retrospectively reviewed for essential morphologic and hemodynamic information to estimate severity of extra-cranial internal carotid artery)ICA(stenosis. Patients with combined CABG and cardiac surgery, and those with limited carotid studies were excluded. Advancing age)65 years or above(, gender, smoking, obesity, diabetes)DM(, hypertension)HTN(, dyslipidemia, coronary vessel disease, cardiac disease and previous stroke were recorded. Post-coronary artery bypass graft neurologic event)namely, transient ischemic attack [TIA] or stroke(was recorded. Chi-square test was used to determine association of stenosis degree with post-CABG neurologic event. Results: One hundred twenty eight patients)72%(were having ICA disease, while significant carotid artery stenosis)>70%(was seen in 11 patients)6.2%(. Post-coronary artery bypass graft neurologic event was seen in 4.5% of patients. Advancing age, significant ICA stenosis and multi-vessel coronary disease were seen associated with a post-CABG event. Conclusion: Significant ICA stenosis on duplex screening in elderly patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease or certain risk factors may predict post-CABG stroke.

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Objectives: To compare use of ultra-fast high-pitch dual-source free-breathing computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) with conventional standard-pitch single-source breath-hold CTPA. Methods: This retrospective comparative study was conducted in Radiology Department at King Fahad Military Medical Complex Dhahran, Saudi Arabia from July 2016 to December 2017. Patients (N=130) were divided into 2 groups, each having 65 consecutive patients; Group-1 (single-source CT) and Group-2 (dual-source CT). Previously treated pulmonary embolism cases, pregnant patients and those with incomplete data were excluded. Image quality was subjectively assessed by 2 readers for adequacy of contrast opacification and pulmonary vessel outline, and presence of artifacts (breathing motion, cardiac pulsation, and contrast related). Scan acquisition times and radiation doses were also compared. Chi-square and t-test were used to determine association. Results: Improved image quality (optimal studies without artifacts 91%) was seen in Group-2 compared to Group-1 (optimal studies without artifacts 75.4%). Also, reduced scan time (1-2 sec.) and radiation dose (mean dose length product (DLP)-248 mGy-cm) were observed in Group-2 compared to Group-1 (scan time- 6.5 sec, mean DLP-375). Results were found significant ( p <0.05). Conclusion: High-pitch dual-source CT with free-breathing yields better image quality, reduces image acquisition time and radiation doses.

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