https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/58982 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 10:31:17 GMT 2026-04-11T10:31:17Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/59078 Title: The longest ocular axial length ever recorded? Authors: Vassallo, James; Fenech, Thomas Abstract: A brief case report of extremely long ocular axial length (AL) is being reported. Contact a-scan ultrasound gave a mean AL of 38.34mm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest reported AL of a human eye. 15mls of silicone oil were needed to fill the vitreous cavity during surgery for retinal detachment. Wed, 01 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/59078 2020-07-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/59076 Title: Surgical admissions to intensive therapy unit at Mater Dei Hospital : a prospective 3 month study Authors: Dimech, Anthony Pio; Abela, Carmel J.; Caruana Dingli, Gordon Abstract: Introduction: Patient care in an acute hospital is divided into 4 levels, with level 0 being least demanding and level 3 comprising intensive care. A surgical high dependency unit (HDU) offers level 2 (intermediate) care and is indispensable when escalating or de-escalating from lower or higher levels of care respectively. Mater Dei Hospital lacks such a unit. -- Methods: Data was prospectively collected over a 3-month period and included all surgical patients admitted to the intensive therapy unit (ITU), including subspecialties. The duration and reasons for admission to hospital and ITU were documented. Hospital admissions were either planned or emergency. Reasons for ITU admission were either planned or unplanned after elective surgery, following emergency surgery, directly from the Emergency Department or following clinical deterioration in a level 0 ward. Number of organs supported, any surgical interventions during admission and the final outcome were noted. -- Results: There were 173 surgical patients admitted to ITU (116 males) with mean age 61.2 years. Most were post-surgery (71.7%, n=124) or after being stabilised at the Emergency Department (21.4%, n=37). Fewer required escalation from normal ward-based care (6.94%, n=12). Transfers from other hospitals occupied 3 ITU beds (1.73%). Mean ITU stay was 3.4 days per patient, with 6.5 beds being occupied by surgical cases on a daily basis. Forty-one percent of patients met the criteria for HDU. -- Conclusion: With an ever growing population, there is a need to set up a local surgical HDU. This will help relieve the recurrent shortage of ITU beds without compromising the level of healthcare delivered. Wed, 01 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/59076 2020-07-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/59075 Title: Beyond the stigma of methadone maintenance treatment : neurocognitive recovery in individuals with opiate use disorders Authors: Sant, Kristian; Camilleri, Aloisia; Dimech, Anthony Abstract: Background: Studies of cognitive functioning in drug addiction have shown consistent impairments among substance dependent populations. Several attempts to highlight the neurocognitive recovery of former opioid dependent individuals who are stabilised on methadone, have resulted in contradictory conclusions. The aim of this study is to compare the cognitive function of recovering opioid dependent individuals on methadone maintenance treatment to those who are not on methadone treatment, relative to healthy controls. -- Methods: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Tool was administered to three groups of participants: 22 former opioid dependents receiving methadone maintenance treatment, 21 former opioid dependents withdrawn from all opiates and 22 healthy controls without a history of illicit substance dependence. The specific cognitive domains tested include executive function, visuospatial skills, naming, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall and orientation. -- Results: Visuospatial skills and executive function were significantly improved with methadone. The language domain appears to be significantly impaired in both opioid dependent groups with a strong negative correlation to the duration of dependency. Participants who had stopped methadone were significantly impaired in all other aspects of cognition tested apart from naming and orientation when compared to healthy controls. Participants on methadone did not significantly differ in the other areas of cognition when compared to controls. -- Conclusions: Methadone treatment appears to be associated with an improvement in cognitive function in opioid dependent individuals. Thus, methadone may facilitate public health by ensuring compliance of opioid dependent individuals to their treatment plan with fewer relapse rates and mitigation of risky behaviours. Wed, 01 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/59075 2020-07-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/59074 Title: Ulcerated lesions as a risk factor for Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis Authors: Bondin, Ramon Ruben; Borg, Charles Joseph; Grech, Victor E.; Said Conti, Valerie Abstract: Objective: To determine the correlation between the severity of Henoch-Schonlein purpura skin manifestations and development of nephritis and to characterise the disease within the Maltese paediatric population. -- Design: A retrospective analysis of the 96 cases diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein purpura at Mater Dei Hospital between January 2008 and January 2016. Clinical notes were reviewed and anonymised data regarding the presentation, progression and follow-up of these cases was entered into a database. -- Results: 96 cases met the inclusion criteria with a male to female ratio of 1.35:1 and with a mean age at presentation of 6.4 years (interquartile range 3.5 years). 99% had the typical rash at presentation with 75% having other associated clinical findings. Renal involvement was found in 36.5%: isolated proteinuria in 19.8%, isolated haematuria in 13.5%, haematuria, proteinuria and hypertension in 3.1% and nephrotic range proteinuria in 2% of cases. A severe rash at presentation was shown to be a prognostic indicator for renal involvement. -- Conclusion: Henoch-Schonlein purpura in the Maltese paediatric population is similar in incidence to that quoted in the literature. The majority of cases are uncomplicated and the outcome is frequently favourable. The presence of a severe rash at presentation significantly increases the risk of renal involvement and long term complications. Wed, 01 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/59074 2020-07-01T00:00:00Z