ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma being the most common. There is under-utilization of the basic tools of inhalation therapy technique(s) in their management. Implementation of a personalized educational and demonstrational intervention by the attending physician during regular follow-up visits of these patients will substantially improve the treatment outcome.Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted on 239 diagnosed cases of asthma and COPD. Inhaler technique was assessed in accordance to standard checklist and errors were corrected by a practical demonstration. A follow-up assessment was conducted for the same after 2 weeks. Data thus collected was evaluated.Results: Out of 239 patients, 47.6% (n=114) reported for follow-up assessment. Average reporting time for follow-up assessment was 27.4 days. Amongst them, an improvement of at least one step was found in 86.8% (n= 99) and about 28% (n=32) patients performed all steps correctly. Average number of steps improved was 2.1.Conclusions: Majority of the patients showed an improvement in the inhaler technique during follow-up assessment after an educational intervention and practical demonstration. Near perfection was achieved by about more than quarter of the patients. Regular practical demonstration of the inhalation technique during subsequent follow-up sessions unequivocally improves results.
ABSTRACT
Background: The articular processes of thoracolumbar vertebral column play an important role in weight transmission and determining the range and direction of movements between any two vertebrae. Size of these facets has been correlated with the magnitude of stress imposed on them. Purpose of study: The present study has been conducted on the articular processes of 510 vertebrae (thoracic: 360; lumbar:150) with the aim to provide high quality data sets for constructing the models of spine to study mechanics of spinal instrumentation. The length , width and the distance between the right & left superior & inferior articular processes have been measured with the vernier callipers. The presence/ absence of mamillary tubercle has been observed in the present study. Results: The length of thoracic SAFs was almost same at all levels whereas that of the lumbar SAFs increased gradually from L1-L5. However the width showed a variable trend. In case of thoracic IAFs both these parameters showed a variable trend. Whereas in lumbar region, these increased gradually from L1-L5. The distance between two inferior articular processes was more than that between two superior articular processes at almost all levels except T1-T3 & L1-L4 where reverse was true. The mamillary tubercle/process was altogether absent from T-1 to T-8. From T-9 to T-11, the number of vertebral column showing mamillary tubercle increased from 4-19. However at T-12, it was seen in 29 Vertebral columns. In lumbar region, it was well developed in all vertebrae and termed as mamillary process. Conclusion: The measurements obtained by present study reveals the importance of articular facets in understanding basic spinal mechanics and its application with respect to weight transmission.
ABSTRACT
The azygos venous system vary greatly in theirmode of origin, course,tributaries, anastomoses and termination which resulst predominantly due to its complex embryological development. Azygos venous system develops as right and left azygos venous lines. Right azygos venous line develops into vertical part of azygos vein whereas the left one develops into accessory hemiazygos and inferior hemiazygos veins. These are connected by subcentral/ transvertebral veins. In the present case, we found an atypic drainage pattern of posterior intercostal veins into azygos venous system, left being more variable. Right superior intercostal vein formed by 2nd and 3rd posterior intercostal veins whereas left superior intercostal vein was found to be absent. 2nd, 3rd, 4th& 5th left posterior intercostal veins thus drained into accessory hemiazygos vein. Sixth and seventh left PICVs formed a common trunkwith accessory hemiazygous vein and drained into the azygous vein at T6 level. Eighth one united with the hemiazygos vein and formed a common trunkwhich drained into azygos vein at T8 level. Such variations of the azygos venous system are important for a clinician during mediastinal surgeries to prevent inadvertent hemorrhagic complications.
ABSTRACT
Background: Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes are disorders of Mitochondrial DNA maintenance causing varied manifestations, including fulminant liver failure. Case characteristics: Two infants, presenting with severe fatal hepatopathy. Observation: Raised serum lactate, positive family history (in first case), and absence of other causes of acute liver failure. Outcome: Case 1 with homozygous mutation, c.3286C>T (p.Arg1096Cys) in POLG gene and case 2 with compound heterozygous mutations, novel c.408T>G (p.Tyr136X) and previously reported c.293C>T (p.Pro98Leu), in MPV17 gene. Message: Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome is a rare cause of severe acute liver failure in children.