Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as cholestatic jaundice: An unusual presentation of a rare disease

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare primary hepatic tumor that usually occurs in youth. The common presenting features are vague abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and weight loss. We present a case report of a young male who presented with cholestatic jaundice and on evaluation was diagnosed to have fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. He underwent successful surgical resection of the tumor. In young individuals presenting with unexplained cholestasis, fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma should be considered.

Unmet Need for Further LDL-C Lowering in India despite Statin Therapy: Lipid Association of India Recommendations for the Use of Bempedoic Acid

Lipid-lowering therapy plays a crucial role in reducing adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and familial hypercholesterolemia. Lifestyle interventions along with high-intensity statin therapy are the first-line management strategy followed by ezetimibe. Only about 20–30% of patients who are on maximally tolerated statins reach recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. Several factors contribute to the problem, including adherence issues, prescription of less than high-intensity statin therapy, and de-escalation of statin dosages, but in patients with very high baseline LDL-C levels, including those with familial hypercholesterolemia and those who are intolerant to statins, it is critical to expand our arsenal of LDL-C-lowering medications. Moreover, in the extreme risk group of patients with an LDL-C goal of ?30 mg/dL according to the Lipid Association of India (LAI) risk stratification algorithm, there is a significant residual risk requiring the addition of non-statin drugs to achieve LAI recommended targets. This makes bempedoic acid a welcome addition to the existing non-statin therapies such as ezetimibe, bile acid sequestrants, and PCSK9 inhibitors. A low frequency of muscle-related side effects, minimal drug interactions, a significant reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and a lower incidence of new-onset or worsening diabetes make it a useful adjunct for LDL-C lowering. However, the CV outcomes trial results are still pending. In this LAI consensus document, we discuss the pharmacology, indications, contraindications, advantages, and evidence-based recommendations for the use of bempedoic acid in clinical practice.

Type 2 DM An Independent Risk Factor For Poor Outcome In Moderate To Severe COVID-19

Background:Diabetes Mellitus has been shown to be a risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease. Few studies asse ssed effect of diabetes on the outcome exclusively in moderate to severe COVID 19 disease. Objective: To compare the clinical characteristics and outcome of hospitalized moderate and severe COVID-19 disease among patients with and without diabetes. Material And Methods:This retrospective study was conducted at Parul Sevashram Hospital from 1stApril 2021-30thApril 2021. Data on demographic profile, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, complications and clinical outcome was collected and compared between patients with and without diabetes.Result:Total 319 patients were included with mean age 54.81±11.72 years. 28.5% had diabetes. The most common symptoms were fever, cough and shortness of breath. As compared to patients without diabetes, these patients had significantly higher levels of leucocyte count, CRP, Ferritin, LDH and D-Dimer. They also had more complications like ARDS, secondary infection and stroke and higher need of respiratory support (92.3% vs. 69.7%, P < 0.001). We also observed significantly greater mortality in patients with diabetes compared to those without diabetes (29.7% vs. 13.6%; P = 0.0014). These findings held true even on comparingpatients with only diabetes as comorbidity to those without any comorbidity.Conclusion:The study confirms that diabetes is an independent risk factor for higher inflammatory markers, risk of complications and in hospital mortality during hospitalization with moderate to severe COVID 19. New strategies are needed for more aggressive management of COVID 19 cases with diabetes to improve prognosis in these cases.

Urinary tract infection by Chryseobacterium indologenes.

Chryseobacterium species is an uncommon human pathogen although recovered from various sources in the hospital environment. Most infections have been detected in hospitalized patients with severe underlying diseases and who had indwelling devices or implants. Despite their low virulence, chryseobacteria are inherently resistant to many antimicrobial agents. We report a rare case of urinary tract infection by Chryseobacterium indologenes in a young girl, operated for renal calculus and successfully treated with piperacillin-tazobactam combination.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever: A rare cause of pituitary tumor hemorrhage and reversible vision loss.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever leading to hemorrhage in pituitary adenoma is not reported till date: We herein report the first case of bilateral visual loss secondary to pituitary adenoma hemorrhage associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever. Urgent transnasal trans sphenoidal decompression of the macroadenoma prevented permanent visual loss in this patient. Pituitary apoplexy should be considered as differential diagnosis of visual deterioration apart from retinal hemorrhage, maculopathy, and optic neuropathy in cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever. Early decompression of optic nerves helped in the restoration of vision.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: report of 4 cases.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare, life endangering suppurative infection of the renal parenchyma and perirenal spaces. The disease is encountered mainly in patients with diabetes mellitus and is characterized by the production of intrarenal and, occasionally, perirenal gas. We present 4 cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis encountered in our hospital with review of the literature.

Economics of head injuries.

Head injuries account for significant proportion of neurosurgical admissions and bed occupancy. Patients with head injuries also consume significant proportions of neurosurgical resources. A prospective 6-month study has been carried out to evaluate the expenditure incurred on head injury patients in a modern neurosurgical center equipped with state of the art infrastructure. Costing areas included wages / salaries of health care personnel, cost of medicines / surgical items / crystalloids, general store items, stationary, all investigation charges, equipment cost, overhead building cost, maintenance cost, electricity and water charges and cost of medical gases, air conditioning and operation theatre expenses. Expenditure in each area was calculated and apportioned to each bed. The statistical analysis was done using X2 test. The cost of stay in ward was found to be Rs. 1062 / bed / day and in neurosurgical ICU Rs. 3082 / bed / day. The operation theatre cost for each surgery was Rs. 11948. The cost of hospital stay per day for minor, moderate and severe head injury group was found to be Rs. 1921, Rs. 2569 and Rs. 2713 respectively. The patients who developed complications, the cost of stay per day in the hospital were Rs. 2867. In the operative group, the cost of hospital stay per day was Rs. 3804. The total expenditure in minor head injury was Rs. 7800 per patient, in moderate head injury was Rs. 22172 per patient, whereas in severe head injury, it was found to be Rs. 32852 per patient. Patients who underwent surgery, the total cost incurred was Rs. 33100 per operated patient.

Recurrent lymphocytic hypophysitis in a woman 27 years after subtotal adrenalectomy for hypercortisolism possibly of autoimmune origin.

Lymphocytic hypophysitis commonly occurs in females in peripartum period but several unusual presentations have been reported. Here we report a rare case of recurrent lymphocytic hypophysitis in a woman who had subtotal adrenalectomy for hypercortisolism 27 years back. Polyglandular autoimmune endocrinopathy with an uncommon combination of Cushing's syndrome and recurrent hypophysitis is a strong possibility in this case. Treatment with steroids has been found to have beneficial effect.

Role of shunt surgery in pediatric tubercular meningitis with hydrocephalus.

This study was designed to evaluate the indications for ventriculoperitoneal shunting in cases of children with tubercular meningitis, presenting with hydrocephalus. Thirty seven children (less than 18 years of age) of tubercular meningitis with hydrocephalus (TBMH) who underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting over a three year period (1999 to 2001) were included in the study. Sixteen (43%) children were Palur stage II, 15 (40%) stage III, and 6 (16%) stage IV. Fifteen (40%) children had received antitubercular therapy for less than 4 months and 17 (46%) received therapy for more than 4 months prior to presentation. Five (14%) children had not previously received antitubercular therapy. Shunt related complications occurred in 11 (30%) children and 3 children had undergone revision of the shunt multiple times. Good outcome was seen in 16 (43%) children. Thirteen (35%) had moderate disability and 6 (16%) had severe disability at 3 months of follow up. 62% (n =10) children in grade II had a good outcome compared to 40% (n = 6) in grade III. All six children in grade IV had a poor outcome. 2 children, both having multiple infarcts, died and the remaining 4 were left with severe disability. We recommend shunt placement in all children of grade II and III TBMH as this policy has yielded the best results. For grade IV children external ventricular drainage, followed by shunting if improvement occurs remains the most cost-effective procedure.

Giant intraparenchymal neurocysticercosis: unusual MRI findings.

We report a case of surgically proven giant neurocysticercosis (NCC). MR imaging revealed an unusually large solitary parenchymal cystic lesion showing signal intensity similar to CSF on all pulse sequences, with internal septations and a small nodule in the anterior aspect of this lesion compatible with this diagnosis. Identification of a scolex in a cystic lesion with CSF intensity plays a key role in the diagnosis of NCC. The presence of internal septations is an atypical feature.

Efficacy and results of expansive laminoplasty in patients with severe cervical myelopathy due to cervical canal stenosis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and results of expansive laminoplasty in advanced (Nurick's Grade III or greater) cervical myelopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed data in 24 patients who underwent cervical laminoplasty from January 1999 to December 2002. Nuricks grading was used for quantifying the neurological deficits and outcome analysis was done using Odom's criteria. A modified Hirabayashi's open door laminoplasty was done using Titanium miniplates and screws in 22 patients, autologous bone in one and hydroxyapatite spacer in one patient. OBSERVATIONS: There were 3 females and 21 males with a mean age of 56 years (range 39-72 years). Four patients presented in Nuricks Grade III, 15 in Grade IV and five in Grade V. MR imaging showed MSCS in 21 cases, OPLL in nine cases and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy in nine cases with cord signal changes being present in 19 cases. RESULTS: All patients with duration of symptoms less than three years, and 50 % with duration ranging from three to six years had improvement by at least one Nurick's grade following surgery. Eighty-seven per cent Grade IV patients (ambulatory with support) improved to Grade III (ambulatory without support) following laminoplasty. Using Odom's criteria, 23 patients (95.8%) had a good to fair outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Cord decompression with expansive laminoplasty using titanium miniplate fixation may improve the neurological outcome even in patients presenting late, and improvement by even one grade may have major 'quality of life' benefits for these patients.

Foramen magnum tumors: a series of 30 cases.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Foramen magnum tumors, especially those located ventrally, are surgically challenging. We studied clinical and surgical details of extramedullary tumors located in the region of the foramen magnum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A series of 30 cases of extramedullary tumors at the foramen magnum, operated over a period of 8 years is presented. RESULTS: There were 10 neurofibromas, 8 meningiomas, 6 chordomas, 2 tuberculomas and 4 miscellaneous tumors. The clinical profile consisted of sensory symptoms in all the patients, quadriparesis in 24, lower cranial nerve affection in 8 and sphincter disturbances in 6 patients. The surgical approaches consisted of an extreme lateral approach in 10, a posterior or posterolateral approach in 18 and a per-oral route in 2 cases. Total excision of the tumor was performed in 24 and a subtotal excision of the tumor was done in 6 cases. Two patients died, one due to meningitis and the other due to chest infection. Eight other patients had complications like CSF leak, meningitis, pseudomeningocele, laryngeal edema, and transient worsening of neurological deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Foramen magnum tumors have long been regarded as difficult lesions both in terms of diagnosis and management. However, with the availability of MR imaging, newer surgical techniques and skull basal exposures, the excision of these lesions is becoming easier and safer.

Fenestration of the posterior communicating artery.

A 21-year-old male presented with sudden onset of right-sided third nerve paresis. Angiogram showed a fenestrated posterior communication artery on the right side and no other vascular anomalies. There was no other lesion that could suggest a cause for the third nerve weakness. Fenestration of the posterior communicating artery has not been reported till date. The case is discussed and the literature on the subject is reviewed.

Giant vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms: unusual cases.

Giant vertebrobasilar (VB) junction aneurysms are uncommon aneurysms, especially those associated with multiple aneurysms of the posterior circulation. We report two cases, one with a small and a giant aneurysm of the VB junction which were surgically clipped; and the other with a small left anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysm which resolved spontaneously. The patient, however, developed a de-novo giant VB junction aneurysm, which was detected on a follow-up angiogram. This aneurysm was treated by surgical clipping. The clinical features, angiographic considerations and surgical treatment of such rare conditions are discussed and the relevant literature reviewed.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracereebral hematoma following lumboperitoneal shunt for pseudotumor cerebri: a rare complication.

Placement of lumboperitoneal (LP) shunt as a surgical treatment for benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is generally a safe procedure, with complications like mechanical failure, overdrainage and infections. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hematoma were seen after lumboperitoneal shunt in a patient having BIH. These complications were the cause of the patient's deterioration. After removal of the hematoma and performing a decompressive procedure, patient's neurological condition improved. The clinical features, investigations and clinical course are described and the literature reviewed.

Obstetric brachial plexus palsy: a clinical and electrophysiologic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) occurs as sequelae of birth-related trauma, antenatal and parturition related complications. It is associated with varying degrees of functional disability. Electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) are an adjunctive tool and help to localise and prognosticate the outcome of OBPP. METHODS: Fourteen children, presenting with OBPP to the Clinical Neurophysiology Lab, were analyzed. Details of birth history were obtained, and EDS were performed to characterize the lesion. RESULTS: The age ranged from one month to one year. Ten had unilateral and four bilateral brachial palsy. On EDS, five had pan-plexus, six predominantly upper plexus and three lower plexus involvement. A poor re-innervation pattern on EMG correlated with inadequate recovery. CONCLUSION: OBPP, a condition associated with considerable disability, needs to be prevented. Electrodiagnostic studies are a useful adjunctive tool for characterizing the site of injury and prognostication.

Microneural anastomosis with fibrin glue: an experimental study.

An experimental study was designed to compare the histological analysis of nerve anastomosis with 10-0 microsurgical sutures and fibrin adhesive. Wistar albino rats' sciatic nerves were transected and repaired either with fibrin adhesive-Beriplast P (M/s Centeon-Cadila Health Care) or with 10-0 monofilament microsutures. Histological assessment was performed at 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 days after surgery. Functional recovery of the sciatic nerves started at two months and was near normal by three months. Separation of the stumps did not occur in any of the glued nerves. Histological evaluation showed no appreciable difference in the outcome of nerve regeneration after microsurgical repair using sutures or fibrin tissue adhesive. However, inflammation and granuloma formation were appreciated at the suture site, which presented a focal hindrance to myelin and axonal regeneration. Fibrin glueing is attractive for clinical purposes, since it is simpler and less time consuming than suturing.