ABSTRACT
Background: Liver functions tests suggest the underlying cause, estimate the severity, assess prognosis and monitor efficacy of therapy. Severity of liver dysfunction when performed serially may predict prognosis and may be helpful in assessing response to medical therapy or a surgical intervention.Methods: The data was collected in thirty cases of surgical obstructive jaundice in terms of age, sex, etiology, clinical presentation, surgical intervention for biliary drainage and the laboratory liver biochemical and coagulation profiles on a day prior to surgical intervention and post-operatively on 1st week and 4th week were recorded.Results: Of total 30 patients 56.66% were females. Patients with 73.68% of benign disease and 100% of malignant disease were of age more than 40 years. 63.33% of patients had benign cause for biliary obstruction. Choledochoithiasis and periampullary carcinoma were two most common causes of obstructive jaundice. The commonest complaints were; yellowish discolouration of sclera and skin, high colored urine (100%) and acholic stool (70%). Hepatomegaly, palpable gallbladder and ascites were observed in only malignant conditions. Serum bilirubin and transaminases were significantly higher in patients with malignant lesions on pre-operative and postoperative assessment. After decompression the rate of fall of serum bilirubin, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and SGPT were almost identical in both benign and malignant biliary obstructions. However, a better biochemical recovery profile was observed in patients with benign lesions, as they returned to normal by 4 weeks but remained at 2 to 3 times of the normal in malignant lesions.Conclusions: Sequential biochemical assessment of liver functions has diagnostic as well as prognostic value in surgical obstructive jaundice.
ABSTRACT
Somatization disorder is a common cause of chronic non-cancer pain. The use of opioids in such conditions carries a risk of their potential abuse. Lax regulations coupled with sub-optimal medical training in India lead to the rampant use of prescription opioids. We present a case of somatization disorder along with injection pentazocine dependence in a woman, in whom use of pentazocine was initiated by a registered medical practitioner for somatoform pain management, followed by self-injection because of its easy availability in local pharmacy shops. We highlight the need for education of medical practitioners on appropriate use of pharmaceutical opioids, need for regulation of local pharmacy shops, and development of guidelines for use of opioids in chronic non-cancer pain. Natl Med J India 2015;28:284–5
ABSTRACT
Catatonia is common in clinical practice, though prevalence of affected patients has decreased over time. It is a syndrome with varies etiologies. Causative factors range from schizophrenia, depression, drug induced adverse effects to organic causes. It may present in two forms: stuporous and excited. Schizophrenia is thought to the most common cause, however, evidence suggest that it is more common in depression. Successful treatment of catatonia with lorazepam supports it.