Combined occurrence of hyperthyroid Graves' and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

A 40 years old, married Govt. servant from Sadar upazila, Mymensingh was admitted in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital on 9(th) February, 2005 with the complaints of excessive sweating for 1 year, gradual loss of weight for 6 months, swelling in front of the neck for 1(1/2) months, and hoarseness of voice for 1 month. He was nervous, irritable, emotionally labile. Thyroid gland was symmetrically enlarged, firm in consistency with scalloped surface. Palms were warm and sweaty with fine tremor in outstretched hands. Lid lag, lid retraction and proptosis were the occular manifestations. All the reflexes were exaggerated. Radioactive iodine uptake showed enlarged gland with homogenously increased radiotracer concentration, ultrasonogram findings were enlarged gland with hypoechoic parenchyma with fibrous septa, T(3), T(4), TSH values were 6.56 nmol/L, 241.09 nmol/L and 0.14 mIU/L respectively. Thyroid microsomal antibody level was 32.87%. Thyroid FNAC findings were sheets of regular follicular cells, some large cells with granular basophilic cytoplasm, macrophages, a few inflammatory cells and giant cells. All the above findings were in favour of a diagnosis of hyperthyroid Graves' with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Serum IL-2 in chronic hepatitis B virus infected patients and its association with disease activity.

Association of serum Interleukin -2 (IL-2) levels with the activity of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was evaluated in this study. We studied 45 subjects in the Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka. They were divided into three groups. Group A consisted of 15 CHB patients with raised Alanine aminotrasferase (ALT) (> 80 iu/L), Group B consisted of 15 CHB carrier with normal ALT (< or =40 iu/L) and Group C consisted of 15 healthy subjects with normal ALT. Serum IL-2 level was measured in all groups. IL-2 level was detected in 14(93.33%) subjects in group A and 2(13.33%) subjects in group B. IL-2 level was undetectable in all the subjects in group C. The association between IL-2 level and activity of chronic hepatitis B was observed by statistical analysis (Z-test). There is significant difference between group A and group B (p<0.001) and also in group A and group C (p<0.001), but no significant difference between group B and group C (p>0.05). Our results support the observation that IL-2 level can be used as a marker of activity in CHB patients as IL-2 level was significantly detected in the patients of group A.

Budd-Chiari syndrome.

A 30 years old, non-alcoholic farmer from Trishal, Mymensingh was admitted in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital on 7 February, 2004 with the complaints of gradual swelling of abdomen, both legs and upper abdominal pain for 3 months. For the last 6 years, he was treated as a case of chronic liver disease (CLD) with spironolactone and frusemide. He was non-icteric, mildly anaemic with mild oedema, clubbing, gynaecomastia and engorged vein over anterior abdominal wall, flanks and back. Direction of venous flow was from below upward. There were mild hepatosplenomegaly, ascites and bilateral testicular atrophy. He was diagnosed as a case of Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS) on the basis of physical examination and it was confirmed by the findings of ultrasonography, liver scan and doppler study. The patient was managed by medical therapy alone.

A comparative study on effect of lamivudine in wild and precore mutant variety of chronic hepatitis B virus infected patients.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of lamivudine treatment in both precore mutant and wild type of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. The study was done on sixty CHB patients of both sexes seeking treatment in the Outpatient Department and admitted patients of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A included chronic hepatitis B patients with raised ALT (> 80 u/l ) with HBeAg positivity, and group B included precore mutant variety of CHB patients with raised ALT (> 80 u/l) with HBeAg negativity. In Group-A, after 1 year of completion of lamivudine therapy there was 86.67% normalization of ALT, 23.33% HBeAg loss, 16.67% anti-HBeAg development and 73.33% HBV DNA loss. In Group-B, there was 76.67% normalization of ALT and 73.33% HBV DNA loss after 1 year of completion of therapy. In the present study, it was observed that lamivudine is equally effective in both wild and precore mutant variety of CHB patients. This was reflected by normalization of ALT and loss of HBV DNA. This study also shows the reappearance of HBV DNA during the later half of Lamivudine therapy which is due to YMDD mutation.

Neurophysiology in clinical practice.

Clinical neurophysiology is concerned with the recording of generation and propagation of electrical potentials of nerve and muscle cells. It can provide important information about brain and neuromuscular disorders. Electro encephalogram (EEG), Evoked potentials (EP), Nerve conduction study (NCS) and electromyogram (EMG) are the four main techniques used in clinical neurophysiology. EEG reflects the electrical activity arising from the cerebral cortex. Evoked Potentials are measurements of classic stimulus response. VEP, SSEP and BSAEP are most useful in diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis, Plexus lesions and 8(th) cranial nerve tumor, CP angle tumor respectively. Nerve conduction studies are the measurement of velocity of nerve impulse. It gives information about the lesion of a myelinated nerve. Electromyogram gives information about the integrity of innervations, condition of neuromuscular junctions and also condition of the muscle fiber itself.

A case report on Klinefelter syndrome.

An 18 year old boy presented with small genitalia, failure of eruption of secondary sex hairs, female like voice with eunachoid body habitus, bilateral gynecomastia, infantile external genitalia, small testes and poorly developed musculature. He was diagnosed as a case of 47XXY Klinefelter syndrome on the basis of hormone assay and karyotyping. He has given androgen replacement therapy with the aim to relieve symptoms of androgen deficiency, to reproduce physiological levels of plasma testosterone and to prevent long term consequences of androgen deficiency.

Histopathological types of malignant lesions of esophagus and stomach.

Upper part of gastrointestinal tract is common site of malignancy. Histological types of malignancy of esophagus and stomach may vary in different countries and also in different regions in the same countries. To find out the frequencies of different histological malignancies in Mymensingh region of Bangladesh, we analyzed the histopathological reports of 259 biopsy specimens examined in one pathology laboratory in Mymensingh town during the period from 6th January 2002 to 29th April 2004. Endoscopic biopsies were 234 (90.35%) and surgical biopsy specimens were 25 (9.35%). Male patients were 193 (72.52%) and female patients were 66 (25.48%). Specimens of esophagus were 73 (28.19%) and of stomach were 186 (71.81%). Out of 69 (94.53%) adequate samples of esophagus 46 (74.19%) were squamous cell carcinoma and 16 (25.81%) were adenocarcinoma. Adequate samples of stomach were 177 (95.16%) in which malignancies were found in 119 (67.23%). All the malignant tumor of stomach were in adenocarcinoma of which 82 (68.91%) were intestinal type, 17 (14.29%) were diffuse type and 20 (16.81%) mixed type. Intestinal type of gastric adenocarcinoma was found to be significantly associated with male patients (p < 0.005). From the present study it is suggested that in the Mymensingh region the common form of malignant lesion of esophagus may be squamous cell carcinoma followed by adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of gastric malignancy of which intestinal type is more common

Sensitivity of splenic and bone marrow aspirate study for diagnosis of kala-azar.

Fifty adult patients of kala-azar were included in this prospective study from Medicine Unit-I of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Splenic and bone marrow aspiration were done simultaneously to compare the sensitivity and other related merits and demerits of each procedure. Splenic aspiration appeared to be more sensitive procedure than bone marrow aspiration. Leishman - Donovan (LD) bodies were found in 90 percent and 72 percent of the spleen and bone marrow aspirates respectively. Splenic aspiration was found more acceptable to patients (96%) as it was less painful. Both the procedures were hazardless. There was no major complication except mild pain after splenic aspiration; even a few patients had history of epistaxis. Splenic aspiration was also more acceptable by the physicians because of an easy and reliable diagnostic procedure.

Advances in treatment and prevention of hepatorenal syndrome.

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) remains one of the major therapeutic challenges in clinical medicine today. The pathogenesis is complex, but the final common pathway seems to be that sinusoidal portal hypertension, in the presence of severe hepatic decompensation, leads to splanchnic and systemic vasodilatation and decreased effective arterial blood volume. Renal vasoconstriction increases concomitantly, renal haemodynamics worsens, and renal failure occurs. About 15 years ago it was shown that the renal failure is potentially reversible after liver transplantation. This potential reversibility together with increased understanding of the pathogenesis has led to successful preliminary attempts to reverse HRS nonsurgically with combinations of splanchnic vasoconstrictors and colloid volume expansion, insertion of trans-jugular intrahepatic portovenous shunt radiologically, and improved forms of dialysis. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the advances in the therapy of patients with HRS

Ketosis resistance in under thirty diabetic subjects.

Young onset diabetic subjects in tropical developing countries include a group of subjects who exhibits a characteristic ketosis resistance termed as Malnutrition Related Diabetes Mellitus (MRDM) by the WHO Study Group. The mechanism for this resistance to ketosis is still uncertain. To understand this mechanism we have studied the serum responses of glucose, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and triglyceride (TG) to intravenous fat emulsion in newly diagnosed 8 fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) and 11 low insulin secretory (LIS) subjects under 30 years of age along with 27 age-matched Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) subjects. Overnight fasting subjects were given a 90 min infusion of intralipos 10% (2.5 mg/kg body weight/min) and serum was collected at 0, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min. The fasting NEFA in the 3 groups were almost similar (micromol/l, M +/- SEM: 486 +/- 58, 564 +/- 76 and 559 +/- 34 in FCPD, LIS and NIDDM respectively). Fasting TG also showed a close similarity among 3 groups (mg/dl, M+/-SEM: 117 +/- 11, 110 +/- 22 and 123 +/- 4 in FCPD, LIS and NIDDM respectively). Intravenous fat caused a steady rise of NEFA as well as TG in all groups during the 90 minutes of infusion followed by a gradual fall. No two groups significantly differed regarding NEFA and TG at any time point. Fasting glucose was markedly higher in FCPD (22.9 +/- 2.5, mmol/l, M+/-SEM) and LIS (20.8 +/- 1.6) than NIDDM (11.0 +/- 1.0). In all the 3 groups glucose showed a slow but steady fall. Fasting C-peptide was very low in FCPD (0.42 +/- 0.08, ng/ml, M +/- SEM) and LIS (0.55 +/- 0.09) whereas it was within normal range in NIDDM patients (2.99 +/- 0.24). The results suggest the following: (a) Depleted body fat store do not lead to a decreased supply of NEFA in FCPD and LIS subjects at the fasting state; (b) Increased supply of NEFA in these subjects lead to a normal esterification response as evidenced by a parallel rise of TG; (c) Inspite of markedly low level of the antilipolytic hormone insulin, FCPD and LIS subjects are capable to maintain NEFA and TG responses similar to NIDDM subjects. This may indicate that factor (s) other than substrate and esterification is (are) probably involved in the ketosis resistance of FCPD and LIS subjects; and (d) Although FCPD and LIS differ regarding generalized pancreatic damage (which raises the possibility of involvement of glucagon producing alpha-cells in the FCPD group) the two groups do not differ regarding the ketogenic substrate and esterfication responses.

A case of molluscum contagiosum.

Molluscum contagiosum is a benign contagious disease caused by a poxvirus. The virus proliferates within keratinocytes and forms intracytoplasmic Molluscum bodies. Though it is a common clinical condition, histologically is not yet reported from this region of Mymensingh. We received a skin biopsy specimen in a pathology laboratory for histological examination. The Haematoxylin and Eosin stained sections revealed typical intracytoplasmic Molluscum bodies in keratinocytes. The lesions were in the trunk, which is a common site for Molluscum Contagiosum (MC). As the diagnosis of Molluscum contagiosum is easy by histological examination, every patient suspected to be this disease is recommended to be examined histologically to exclude other similar types of lesions.

Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology for diagnosis of mass lesions of liver.

The therapeutic and prognostic evaluation of malignant neoplasia of liver depends mostly on morphologic diagnosis. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of liver has been proved to be a rapid, reliable and cost-effective method for cytological diagnosis of hepatic mass lesions. This study was undertaken to find out the frequency of different benign and malignant space occupying lesions (SOL) of liver from patients attending for FNAC in Mymensingh. Ultrasound guided FNAC was performed on 108 patients with hepatic mass lesions from September 2, 2001 to August 19, 2003. There were 67 (62.0%) males and 41 (37.96%) females with a mean age 53 year (SD +/- 14) ranging from 2 to 83 years. Samples were adequate in 101 (93.5%) and inadequate in 7 (6.5%). Out of 101 adequate samples only one was benign (liver abscess) and 100 were malignant. Of the malignant lesions hepatoblastoma was in 1 (1%), hepatocellular carcinomas in 8 (8%), metastatic adenocarcinomas in 73 (73%) and unclassified malignancies were in 18 (18%). Most of the hepatocellular carcinomas occurred in males (7 in 8). The frequency of metastatic adenocarcinoma was more in males (39 vs. 34) but the difference is not significant (p > 0.05). Ultrasound guided FNAC of liver is a rapid, reliable and cost-effective diagnostic method. It can be practice in any centres where ultrasound facility and specialist pathologists are available.

Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions.

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a rapid, reliable and cost-effective method in the diagnosis of lung lesions. Cells are collected from the lesions usually under fluoroscopic or CT-guidance for cytological examination. Due to lack of these highly sophisticated radiologic imaging techniques in our institute we performed this test under X-Ray film guidance. This study was carried out in 59 patients, who underwent FNAC of lung lesions in the department of Pathology, Mymensingh Medical College, Bangladesh to find out the specimen adequacy and frequency of both benign and malignant lesions of the lungs in our areas. Out of 59 cases 54 were males and 5 were females with age ranged from 20 to 82 years. Adequate samples were obtained in 50 (84.75%) cases of which 35 (70%) were malignant, 10 (20%) were benign and 5 (10%) were suspicious for malignancy. Malignant lesions comprised of squamous cell carcinoma in 20 (57.14%), adenocarcinoma in 1(2.86%), large cell carcinoma in 8 (22.86%) and small cell carcinoma in 6 (17.14%) cases. All the benign lesions were inflammatory in nature, which included abscess in 6 (60%), tuberculosis in 3 (30%) and chronic non-specific inflammation in 1 (10%) case. Majority of the malignant lung lesions were encountered in the 6th decade of life. As the method is simple, rapid, cost-effective and without major complications, so it can be practiced in any centres in our country where specialised radiologists and pathologists are available.

Management of dengue by the WHO guided national guidelines.

A total of 90 adult patients of Dengue admitted in Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka during the period from July 2002 to December 2002 were studied to see the presentation, spectrum of disease and outcome of management. Majority (52%) of cases was in the age group 21-30 years. Out of 90 patients 74 patients (82.22%) were male and 16 (17.78%) were female. Maximum number of cases (43%) was found in the month of August. Most of the cases (77%) were from Dhaka City. Classical type of Dengue fever was the commonest (80%) variety. Thrombocytopenia was found in 80% cases. Platelet count came down below 10000/cumm only in 1.1% of the patients. The patients were diagnosed mainly by clinical criteria. Serological tests were done only in selected cases. Majority (80%) of the patients was managed by sponging, paracetamol and Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS). Blood transfusion was required in 18% cases and platelet concentrate was given only in 1.1% cases. There was no mortality in this study.

Thoracic actinomycosis.

Thoracic actinomycosis represents about one-fourth of all cases of the disease. Isolated pleural effusion due to Actinomycosis is rare. We report a case of right sided pleural effusion with discharging sinus in the right anterior chest wall. Actinomycosis was suspected and confirmed by microscopic identification of "sulfur granules" in the discharge of the sinus tract and also identification of gram-positive filamentous bacteria in the specimen of discharging sinus. The patient improved clinically and radiologically after treatment with intravenous penicillin G followed by oral penicillin and aspiration of pleural fluid.

Immunochromatographic (rK39) strip test in the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in Bangladesh.

Immunochromatographic strip test (ICT strip test) for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis was evaluated in this study in the context of a case-control study. A total sixty consecutive cases of kala-azar admitted in all four Medicine Units of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital during the period of May 2002 to February 2003 was included here. Parasitological confirmation was done by demonstration of leishmania donovani bodies in bone marrow or splenic aspiration in all cases. A total 120 controls was taken of which sixty were asymptomatic endemic controls with no previous history of kala-azar and sixty were admitted patients suffering from diseases other than kala-azar (malaria, tuberculosis, enteric fever and chronic liver disease). ICT strip test for kala-azar was done in all cases and controls. Only 2 of the confirmed kala-azar cases were negative and the remaining 58 cases were positive for ICT strip test which gives the sensitivity of this test 96.6%. Among the controls, 118 were negative for ICT strip test and two of the asymptomatic controls were positive for this test with no clinical evidence of kala-azar. So, the estimated specificity of ICT strip test is 98.3%. The predictive value for a negative result was 98.3% and for a positive result was 96.6%. The ICT strip test is easy, quick, requires no technical facilities with higher sensitivity and specificity entails it to be the ideal test for the diagnosis of kala-azar in field level.

Hairy cell leukaemia with advanced treatment - a case report.

A case of hairy cell leukaemia (HCL), a rare leukaemia, is reported here. The patient was presented with high grade continuous fever with left upper abdominal discomfort for 6 days. He was moderately anaemic, had no peripheral lymphadenopathy with mild hepatosplenomegaly. He was anaemic (Hb-7.8 gm/dl), total leukocyte count was 20 x 109/L. Peripheral blood film showed lymphocytosis (92%) with neutropenia (8%) and absolute neutophil count (ANC) was 1 x 109/L. On review, 88% of the peripheral cells had peripheral hairy projections resembling hairy cell (HC). Bone marrow examination was consistent with HCL (morrow hairy cell = 52%) including marker studies. Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase test (TRAP) was also positive. He had opportunistic mycobecterial infection giving a positive bronchial lavage for acid fast bacilli. After controlling the infection he was advised a single dose chemotherapy of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CDA). After that he was in partial remission and after 25 months clinical and pathological relapses occurred and a second dose of 2-CDA was given and the patient went into complete remission.

Epidemiological characteristics of sixty five cases of Kala-azar attending to a laboratory in Mymensingh.

To find out the epidemiological characteristics of the patients with Kala-azar attending to a pathology laboratory at Mymensingh we studied retrospectively in a total of 65 patients. These patients were suspected to be Kala-azar as they were suffering from usually chronic fever, anaemia and splenomegaly. They were referred for serological detection of anti-k39 Leishmanial antibody by Immunochromatographic test (ICT) method. ICT positive cases were included for study. Majority cases were suffering from fever of more than 3 months (40%). Out of 65 patients 43 (66.15%) were males and 22 (33.85%) were females with a M:F ratio 2:1. Patients of 10 or less then 10 years of age were 17 (26.15%), in 11-20 years 23 (35.38%), in 21-30 years 13 (20.00%), in 31-40 years 5 (7.69%), in 41-50 years (6.15%) and in more than 50 years 3 (4.62%). Distribution of patients in different districts were: Mymensingh 54 (83.08%), Tangail 5 (7.69%), Jamalpur (4.62%), Netrokona 1 (1.54%) and Kishorgonj 1 (1.54%). In Mymensingh district patients were distributed as following Upazilla:Trishal 22 (40.74%), Fulbaria 11 (20.37%), Mymensingh Sadar 7 (12.96%), Gaforgaon 7 (12.96%),Bhaluka 5 (9.96%), Fulpur 1 (1.85%) and Nandail 1 (1.85%). Patients were found to scattered among different Unions of the affected Upazillas. The details addresses of the Kala-azar patients are recorded in authors computer databases. This may help in the further study regarding pathogenesis, reservoir and vectors of Leishmania in endemic areas. It may also helps in the community based study of Kala-azar. Present study supports that Kala-azar is still prevailing in the south-western region of greater Mymensingh in Bangladesh of which males and the adolescents are more affected.

A case report on Wilson's disease.

A case of Wilson's disease, a rare autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism is reported here. The patient was presented with the difficulty in speech and writing for 4 years and also on walking for 1 year. He also noticed difficulty to perform any work by hands for 6 months. He had splenomegaly and bilateral gynaecomastia. His speech was low volume slurred and monotonous, muscle tone was mildly increased, and gait was limping. Slit lamp examination of eye revealed bilateral Kayser-Fleischer ring with normal visual acuity. Investigations revealed low serum albumin(26 gram/L), increased alanine trans-aminase ( A.L.T=57 U/L). Ultrasonogram of hepatobiliary system revealed coarse hepatic tissue echotexture with splenomegaly. Liver scan showed slightly nonuniform radiotracer distribution in the liver, there was slight increased bony uptake. Serum caeruloplasmin level was 11.51 mg/dl. 24 hours urinary copper excretion was 150 microgram per day. Liver biopsy revealed cirrhotic change. Now he was advised for taking copper chelating agent (penicillamine) in a dose of 1 gram/day.

Clinical profile of Kala-azar in adults: as seen in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

A total of eighty-one consecutive cases of Kala-azar admitted in all four medicine units of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital during the period from January 2002 to mid August 2002 were included in this study. The number of the patients clearly indicates that the burden of Kala-azar in this region is significant and expanding, which constituted 1.90% of total admission in all 4 medicine units during this period. Majority of the patients were of 20-29 years of age. Male to female ratio was 1.38:1. Maximum number of the patients were of poor socio-economic group with history of housing made up of mud and having close proximity with cattle house. Fever and splenomegaly (100%) were the predominant features. Hepatomegaly was found in 91.36% of the cases. Other clinical manifestations were weight loss (79.01%), normal or increased appetite (65.43%), generalized weakness (72.84%), pallor (69.13%), cough (25.92%), jaundice (17.28%), abdominal Pain (12.34%), hyperpigmentation (9.88%), ascites (4.94%) and bleeding manifestations (4.94%). Notable concomitant illnesses were urinary tract infection (7.40%), pulmonary tuberculosis (3.70%), malaria (1.23%), scabies (4.94%), heart failure (3.70%) and chronic liver disease (2.47%). Due to wide diversity of clinical presentations, clinical features of kala-azar should be evaluated in details which will pave the hidden cases into light.