Estimation of Body Fat Mass from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Indian Adults Aged 23 to 81 Years: A Comparison with Dual Energy Xray Absorptiometry.

The purpose of this study was to validate a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) equation for prediction of body fat mass (FM) against dual energy Xray absorptiometry (DXA) in healthy Indian adults with large variations in body mass index and age. Healthy subjects (28 males and 85 females) were investigated by two methods: FM was measured by a dual energy Xray absorptiometry and segmental bioelectrical parameters at various frequencies were measured by a commercial segmental multifrequency BIA instrument. Total body parameters were derived from segmental bioelectrical parameters. As correlation was high and prediction error was low, a single equation was developed for FM as follows: FM = 15.45 + [0.0074 × (Rbody250)] - (3.89 × sex); men = 1, women = 0) + (0.844 × w) - [6938 × (h2/Zbody50)] - (22.22 × h) + [3 × (Xbody250 - Xbody5)/age)] + [1.53 × (Φbody5)] - [0.126 × (Xbody50/h)]. Fat mass predicted with dual energy Xray absorptiometry was 28.11 ± 9.30 kg. BIApredicted FM was 28.12 ± 9.11 kg (R = 0.9794, adjusted R2 = 0.9561, standard error of estimate = 1.95 kg, total error = 1.87 kg). In conclusion, the new developed BIA equation was valid for prediction of FM in healthy subjects aged 23 to 81 years with body mass indices between 15.62 and 39.98 kg.m-2. Inclusion of reactance in the kg.m-2 single prediction equation appeared to be essential for use of BIA equation in adults with large variations in body mass and age.

Ultrafast MRI in the prenatal diagnosis of Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis.

The purpose of this report is to highlight the utility of prenatal MRI as an adjunctive imaging modality in the diagnosis and prognosis of Tuberous Sclerosis (TS) (Bourneville's disease). We report a case of TS detected in utero at 30 weeks gestation. A routine ultrasonography at 26 weeks in a 28-year-old primigravida was followed by an ultrafast MRI examination at 30 weeks gestation. Ultrasound raised the possibility of TS based on the detection of multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas. Fetal MRI, subsequently performed, showed the presence of cortical tubers and subependymal nodules establishing the diagnosis. Fetal MRI in the appropriate clinical setting can be potentially invaluable and can have important prognostic implications.

Co-existing spinal cord and brain cavernous angiomas.

Cavernous angioma of spinal cord is an extremely rare vascular malformation. The association with brain cavernous angioma is even uncommon. There should be a high index of suspicion for a spinal cord lesion whenever a brain cavernous angioma is diagnosed, in cases with appropriate suggestive spinal symptoms. We present a case of cavernous angioma of the brain involving the genu of the corpus callosum, co-existing with spinal cord hemangioma. Involvement of the corpus callosum by a cavernous angioma is also uncommon. Intraventricular extension of this lesion was also detected.

Extensive gliomas of visual tract in a patient of neurofibromatosis-I.

Although bilateral optic nerve gliomas are commonly found in patients with neurofibromatosis I, extensive gliomas involving the entire visual tracts, bilaterally are relatively rare. Usually the optic radiations are spared. We report a case of a 2-year-old child with extensive disease of bilateral visual pathways with involvement of the hypothalamus manifesting as obesity.