ABSTRACT
Intersex people are viewed from the medicalised lens of having a “disorder” of sex development rather than a difference in sex development. This inherent indifference to diversity is also visible in LGBTQIA+ advocacy, as they were initially excluded from the Yogyakarta Principles promoting the human rights of sexual and gender minorities. This paper attempts to explore the issues of discrimination, social exclusion, and unnecessary medical treatments through the lens of the Human Rights in Patient Care framework to advance the human rights of the intersex community and highlight the need for the state to take responsibility. The discussion touches upon intersex people’s right to bodily integrity; the right to freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment; the right to the highest attainable standard of health; and the right to legal and social recognition. The concept of human rights in patient care moves beyond the traditional philosophical principles of bioethics as it applies legal norms in a patient care context derived from judicial interpretations and international conventions upholding human rights at the intersection of cure and care. As socially accountable health professionals, it is our duty to defend the human rights of intersex people who are marginalised within the marginalised community.
ABSTRACT
Clinico-radiological profile of 25 patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy due to tuberculosis, Hodgkin's lymphoma and metastases is presented. The main objective was to study the signal intensity pattern of the mediastinal lymph nodes both in plain and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and find out its potential value in the diagnosis. Fifteen patients of tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy, 5 patients of Hodgkin's lymphoma and 5 patients of metastatic lymphadenopathy were studied by 1.5 T Siemens, Magnetom. Both intensity and enhancement pattern were evaluated. Tuberculous lymph nodes appeared isointense in both T1WI and T2WI. On contrast administration multiple hypointense foci were seen in 14 out of 15 patients. The metastatic lymph nodes revealed solitary or multiple hyperintense central foci in T2WI, whereas the lymphomatous lymph nodes revealed heterogenous intensity. Though the lymphomatous nodes revealed mild to moderate type of enhancement, the metastatic nodes revealed dense enhancement of the multiple foci which were seen in noncontrast images. Hence, the MR characteristics of the mediastinal nodes may be useful index in evaluating the aetiology of the mediastinal lymphadenopathy.