Soft tissue aneurysmal bone cyst of left hemithorax: An extremely rare case

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign expansile cystic lesion that can affect any bone of the skeleton, especially the femur, tibia, and humerus. Lesions with histologic features of an ABC can be originated within soft tissue in exceedingly rare cases. Extra-skeletal ABC may mimic a variety of benign and malignant lesions and can be confused with other common or rare giant cell-rich tumors of soft tissue. Clinical, radiological and histologic correlation are crucial in reaching the correct diagnosis. Here we report a case of an extra-skeletal ABC arising in left hemithorax in a 13-year-old girl and discuss the common differential diagnosis of this rare entity.

Vitamin D: role of vitamin D in human health beyond skeleton

Deficiency of vitamin D is now considered as epidemic in Indian subcontinent, with a prevalence of 70-94% in the general population. Like in US, Indian dairy products are rarely fortified with vitamin D. Socioreligious and cultural practices followed in India do not facilitate adequate sun exposure, thereby negating potential benefits of plentiful sunshine resulting in vitamin D deficiency. Deficiency is highly prevalent in both urban and rural settings. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and infections. In present review authors have revisited the details pertaining to vitamin D to increase the awareness on Vitamin D efficiency.

Seasonal Variation in Serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D and its Association with Clinical Morbidity in Healthy Infants from Northern India

Objective: To evaluate the seasonal change in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) level inhealthy infants and to relate it to common childhood morbidities. Methods: 72 healthybreastfed infants residing in Delhi were enrolled at the end of summer and followed till the endof winter [mean (SD) duration 200 (10) d]. Serum 25-OHD was estimated at baseline andfollow-up. Infants were monitored for common childhood diseases. Results: Mean (SD)serum 25-OHD level was lower at the end of winter (20.7 (8.02) ng/mL) than summer (22.9(8.70) ng/mL) [mean difference (95% CI) –2.14 ng/mL (–3.36, –1.06), P<0.001). Theseasonal distribution of children according to vitamin D status in summer and winter -Deficient(15.3%, 12.5%), Insufficient (19.4%, 30.6%) and Sufficient(65.3%, 56.9%),respectively was comparable P=0.17). The morbidity profile remained unaffected by changein vitamin D status from summer to winter. Conclusions: Seasonal changes in vitamin Dlevels do not have significant clinical effect or effect on overall vitamin D status in apparentlyhealthy infants from North India. This may have implications for results of population surveysfor vitamin D status, irrespective of the season when they are conducted.