/library/oar/handle/123456789/39529 2025-11-11T19:08:05Z 2025-11-11T19:08:05Z Savona-Ventura, Charles /library/oar/handle/123456789/986 2020-06-05T12:24:04Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Maltese medical Pauline traditions Authors: Savona-Ventura, Charles Abstract: The advent of the apostle Paul and evangelist Luke to the Maltese Islands in 60 AD led to the development of a number of pseudo-historic and medical beliefs that apparently saw their rise around the 12th century and reached a climax during the 17-18th centuries when an indigenous materia medica known as terra sigillata melitensis was being prepared and exported overseas. This eventually fell into disrepute by the latter half of the 19th century.

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z Lofaro, Thomas Falzon, Stephanie Ferry, Peter /library/oar/handle/123456789/985 2020-07-27T10:34:14Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome on withdrawal of benzhexol Authors: Lofaro, Thomas; Falzon, Stephanie; Ferry, Peter Abstract: The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare and potentially lethal reaction which is usually associated with the use of medications with antidopaminergic properties. This article describes the case of an elderly gentleman who developed the neuroleptic malignant syndrome after withdrawal of the anticholinergic agent benzhexol (trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride), which he was taking for Parkinson’s disease. The patient improved rapidly after treatment was restarted. This case adds to the evidence that antidopaminergic agents may not be necessary for the development of this syndrome, and increased awareness of this possibility is advisable in such circumstances.

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z Captur, Gabriella Micallef Grimaud, Lisa Betts, Alexandra DeGaetano, James Attard, Alex Vassallo, Josanne /library/oar/handle/123456789/984 2020-07-02T11:01:16Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Parathyroid carcinoma : clinical course, diagnosis and management Authors: Captur, Gabriella; Micallef Grimaud, Lisa; Betts, Alexandra; DeGaetano, James; Attard, Alex; Vassallo, Josanne Abstract: Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism often resulting in severe hypercalcaemia. It tends to follow a rather aggressive course with a high propensity for locoregional spread and distant metastasis. En bloc resection is the mainstay of treatment, with surgery also playing a role in the palliation of hypercalcaemia for recurrent and metastatic disease. While adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy have shown disappointing outcomes, bisphosphonates and calcimimetic agents are effective in the management of recalcitrant hypercalcaemia in parathyroid carcinoma. We report a case of parathyroid carcinoma in a lady who initially presented with a neck mass, severe hypercalcaemia, a bony swelling over the shin and elevated parathyroid hormone levels. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically following a thyroid lobectomy, isthmectomy and parathyroidectomy. In the three years which followed the patient received two courses of palliative radiotherapy, two thoracotomies for pulmonary metastatectomy, an extensive neck re-exploration and fashioning of a tracheostomy for aggressive local recurrence with invasion of the larynx.

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z Zammit, Valerie Zammit, Patrick Savona-Ventura, Charles Buhagiar, Anton Grech, Victor E. /library/oar/handle/123456789/983 2021-03-25T07:50:51Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Maltese national birth weight for gestational age centile values Authors: Zammit, Valerie; Zammit, Patrick; Savona-Ventura, Charles; Buhagiar, Anton; Grech, Victor E. Abstract: The relevance of using literature derived birth weight for gestational age centile charts for the Maltese population is debatable. The study set out to develop national weight for gestational age centile charts and compare these to other populations. Method: Anonymised birth weight for gestational age data with relevant maternal and neonatal observations over the period 1995-2009 were obtained from national statistics. The formats were standardised and imported into an SQL database that enabled filtration for single live births and grouping by sex. The data was scrutinized manually for obvious keying errors. The best estimate of gestational age from the last menstrual period (LMP) and expected date of delivery (EDD) was selected using established guidelines. A Box-Cox gamma transform was used to fit the model and generate separate centile charts. The data was compared to previous birth weight data reported in Maltese newborns in previous decades and to data from other countries. Results: A total of 58,899 neonates were included in the study and birth weight for gestational age centile charts were generated between 23 and 42 weeks of gestation using Revolution R with VGAM. There has been a statistically significant gradual fall in mean birth weight in Maltese newborns over the last four decades. There are also statistically significant differences between the Maltese data and those from other countries. Conclusion: The observed differences make the use of national birth weight for gestational age centile charts desirable both for routine clinical assessment and epidemiological studies.

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z