Introduction Hemorrhoids (engorged anal fibrovascular cushions) are the common causes of anal pathology, necessitating a visit to colon and rectal surgeons. The ancient evidence of hemorrhoids can be traced as far back to 1700 BC in the Egyptian papyrus which recounts the cases of symptomatic hemorrhoids being treated with acacia leave ointment. However, despite being a common condition diagnosed in clinical practice, its true prevalence is difficult to ascertain, since a significant proportion of hemorrhoid patients rely on self-treatment, remain asymptomatic, or are embarrassed to report it. Nevertheless, the limited statistical data available indicates these rates to vary from 4.4% to 36.4% in the general practice, with the peak prevalence being reported between 45- 65 years of age and subsequent decline thereafter; it is rare before the age of 20. Since constant and abnormal distension of anal cushions and weakening/fragmentation of the connective tissues supporting these vascular cushions are the…
Introduction: Global trends in prevalence of urolithiasis in children Although considered relatively rare in the past; the rising incidence and prevalence of urolithiasis makes it an increasingly important clinical problem in current pediatric urology practice.1-4Knoll T, Humke U. Urolithiasis in childhood. Urologe A. 2013 Aug;52(8):1084- 91.Copelovitch L. Urolithiasis in Children. Medical Approach. Pediatr Clin North Am. Aug 2012; 59(4): 881-896.Gnessin E, Chertin L, Chertin B. Current management of paediatric urolithiasis. Pediatr Surg Int. 2012 Jul;28(7):659-65.Sharma AP, Filler G. Epidemiology of pediatric urolithiasis. Indian J Urol. 2010;26(4):516-522. A 3-5 fold increase in this incidence has been observed in last few decades, substantiating the common theme, in that children are a high-risk population with regards to both stone formation and recurrence5-9Dwyer ME, Krambeck AE, Bergstralh EJ, Milliner DS, Lieske JC, Rule AD. Temporal trends in incidence of kidney stones among children: a 25-year population based study. J Urol. 2012 Jul;188(1):247-52.VanDervoort K, Wiesen…
