Evaluation of Role of Tru-Cut Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Clinically Palpable Breast Lumps

Many diseases affect the breast that range from inflammatory conditions, benign lesions to malignant lesions, most of which present as lumps in the breast. Breast lumps are one of the frequent complaints that we come across in surgical OPDs. Breast lumps not only create apprehension but also can cause unacceptable pain and impairment if they are found to be malignant. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC), Tru-Cut biopsy, incision biopsy and excision biopsy are the pathological investigations available for the diagnosis of breast lesions. This study is done to evaluate the role of Tru-Cut biopsy in diagnosing the breast lesions and compare it with FNAC and histopathology.METHODSThis prospective study is conducted in the Department of General Surgery at a tertiary care centre from September 2015 to November 2016 among patients attending surgical OPD and admitted in general surgical wards with clinically palpable breast lumps.RESULTSThe sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy of FNAC were 86.36%, 93.75%, 90.47%, 90.90% and 90.74 % respectively. For Tru-Cut biopsy the values were 95.45%, 100%, 100%, 96.96 % and 98.14 % respectively.CONCLUSIONSTru-Cut biopsy has better efficacy over FNAC in our study. The superiority of Tru-Cut biopsy is particularly seen in Sclerosing, papillary, fibro-epithelial lesions and malignancies with inconclusive and suspicious FNAC results.

Prospective, non-randomized, parallel group, comparative observational study to compare maternal and neonatal outcome after regional and general anesthesia for Lower Segment Caesarean Section

Background: LSCS is a routine obstetric procedure performed under general anesthesia (GA) or regional anesthesia (RA). Choice of anesthesia depends on factors like gestational age, parity, co-morbidities, urgency of situation, etc. Both GA and RA involve the use of various medications which may influence maternal and neonatal outcome. As there are few studies comparing maternal and fetal outcome in RA and GA for LSCS in Indian population, the present study was taken up. Objectives of the study was to compare the maternal and neonatal outcome after RA and GA for LSCS.Methods: 60 subjects with indications for LSCS were assigned non-randomly into two groups, 30 for GA and 30 for RA, at the discretion of anesthesiologist. The demographic, anthropometric and clinical data was recorded for all subjects. The maternal outcome after RA and GA for LSCS was assessed by parameters like maternal blood loss, postoperative pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, maternal satisfaction and neonatal outcome by parameters like birth weight, APGAR scores and NICU admissions. The maternal and neonatal outcome between the two groups was compared.Results: All subjects had clear indications for CS. In most of the subjects it was undertaken as an emergency procedure. GA was preferred in high risk subjects. Maternal blood loss, postoperative pain, NICU admissions, need for resuscitation was less under RA compared to GA. There was no difference in PONV, maternal satisfaction, birth weight and need for intubation.Conclusions: LSCS under RA showed a more favourable maternal and neonatal outcome.