Mid-term Safety and Efficacy of Transcatheter Closure of Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect under Transthoracic Echocardiographic Guidance in Children Weighing Less than 15 Kg

Background: Transcatheter device closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect is a safe & effective intervention in older children, & is usually done under transesophageal echocardiography guidance. However, the procedure under transthoracic echocardiography guidance, especially in smaller children, is done only at few centers, the data of which is scarce. Methods: A prospective study was undertaken to assess the mid-term efficacy and outcome of transcatheter device closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect under transthoracic echocardiographic guidance, in children <15 Kg. Results: Eighty three children with ostium secundum atrial septal defect were included in the study. Median age of the study population was 3.5 years (1.9-5.6 years), and median weight of 11.6 Kg (7.6 - 14.9 Kg). The primary and secondary procedural success rates were 94% and 96.4% respectively. Post procedure patients were followed up for 12-30 months. Device related major complications were encountered in 4 (4.8%) cases. The total occlusion rates of the defect at 24 hours, 1 month and 3 months post procedure were 94%, 98.8% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: The transcatheter device closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect under transthoracic echocardiography guidance, in children <15 Kg, has a high short and mid-term safety and efficacy.

Rare double fracture-dislocation of the thumb: a case report and review of the literature / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Simultaneous fracture/dislocation of the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint and dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint is considered as a rare injury pattern. We report an unusual case of dorsal dislocation of MCP joint of the thumb associated with extraarticular fracture of the base of the first metacarpal in a 28-year-old man. The dislocation of MCP joint had been missed during initial presentation at a peripheral centre. The patient made an uneventful recovery following open reduction and fixation with 1.25 mm Kirschner wire of the MCP joint along with repair of the ulnar collateral ligament. This injury pattern has not been previously reported to the best of our knowledge in the English-language based medical literature.

The study of hyperostosic variants: significance of hyperostotic variants of human skulls in anthropology / 대한해부학회지

Minor variations in the ossicles, foramina and ridges of the cranium have aroused the curiosity of anatomists for many decades. These non-metric variants help us to study the genetic relationships among ancient populations. Since these traits show considerable frequency differences in different populations, they can be used as anthropological characters in epidemiological studies. These variants indirectly reflect the part of underlying genotype of a given population thus implying their usefulness in biological comparisons of related groups. They can be used for the assessment of the existence of the parental structures within a community or as taxonomic indicators. For anthropological studies, the traits should be genetically determined, vary in frequency between different populations and should not show age, sex, and side dependency. The present study was conducted on hundred dry adult human skulls from Northern India. They were sexed and studied for the presence of hyperostotic traits (double hypoglossal canal, jugular foramen bridging, and paracondylar process). Sexual and side dimorphism was observed. None of the traits had shown statistically significant side and sexual dimorphism. Since the dimorphism is exhibited by none of them, it can be postulated that these traits are predominantly under genetic control and can be effectively used for population studies.

Prevalence of Major Rheumatic Disorders in Jammu

A study was undertaken to detennine the point prevalence rates of major rheumatic disorders in Jammu (J&K). WHO-ILAR COPCORD CCQ (World Health Organisation-International League Against Rhewnatism Community Oriented PrograImne for the Control of Rhewnatic Diseases Core Questionnaire) was used followed by clinical examination for the diagnostic purposes. About one-fourth of the population surveyed in this study had rheumatic complaints. LBA was the most frequently encountered rheumatic ailment.