Pigmented skin lesions: are they all of melanocytic origin? a histopathological perspective

To study the pattern of pigmented skin lesions in Manipur. This was a retrospective analysis of pigmented skin lesions received at the Department of Pathology, RIMS, Imphal Manipur. Pigmented skin lesions which were histologically reported from January 2005 to December 2012 were reviewed and analysed according to age, gender, site of occurrence and histological types. A total of 183 pigmented skin lesions were histologically reported during the period under review in 57 male and 126 female patients with a male to female ratio of 1: 2.21. Maximum of the cases were seen in the age group of 21 to 30 years, with the youngest patient being 4 years and the oldest being 77 years. It was found that the most common site was the face [51.4%] followed by the arms [8.9%]. Melanocytic nevi were the most common pigmentary lesion which accounted for 74.3% of the cases followed by melanoma [9.8%] and seborrheic keratosis[6%]. In this study the commonest benign pigmented lesion was melanocytic nevi and melanoma had the highest incidence from among the malignant lesions.

Heavy metal accumulation in certain marine animals along the East Coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Heavy metals disposed through anthropogenic activities find their way into the oceans and seas through the rivers or through direct fall out from factory effluents. These heavy metals resuspend back into the water column along with the sediments and are known to affect the marine animals. Marine animals like fish, prawn, crab and mussel were collected along the East Coast (off Pulicat lake to Chennai Harbour) to evaluate trace metal concentrations in various tissues. The above specimens accumulated heavy metals such as Zn, Pb, Cu, Co, Cr, Ni and Cd. Fish, prawn, crab and mussel revealed higher concentration of heavy metals such as Zn, Pb, Cr Co, Cu and Ni and Cd in low levels. The results revealed that the heavy metal concentrations in the marine animals are below the threshold levels associated with the toxicological effects and the regulatory limits. The bioconcentration factors revealed that the animals have accumulated heavy metals along the food chain rather than from the water column and sediment.

Electro convulsive therapy in a pre-pubertal child with severe depression.

Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) in pre-pubertal children is a controversial and underreported treatment. Even though the effectiveness and side effects of ECT in adolescents are comparable with those in adults, there is a pervasive reluctance to use ECT in children and adolescents. We report the case of a pre-pubertal child in an episode of severe depression with catatonic features, where a protracted course of ECT proved life-saving in spite of prolonged duration of seizures and delayed response to treatment. The case illustrates the safety and efficacy of ECT in children. Relevant literature is also reviewed along with the case report.