Osteomalacia--fifty five patients seen in a teaching institution over a 4 year period.

A retrospective analysis of 55 cases of osteomalacia shows that poor calcium intake and poor sunlight exposure are the most common causes for osteomalacia. However, in patients with normal nutritional history, other disorders such as renal tubular acidosis and tumour induced osteomalacia should be looked for. A careful drug history, particularly anticonvulsant use is essential. In 4 patients there was an association between anti-tuberculous drug use and osteomalacia. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the relationship between Rifamicin use and osteomalacia.

Colposcopy in the diagnosis of cervical neoplasia.

Two hundred and ninety one women were evaluated for cervical cancer by cytology and colposcopy. Of these, 152 patients underwent colposcopically directed biopsy for histological evaluation. Colposcopy and cytology were in agreement in 88 per cent of cases whereas colposcopy and histopathology were in agreement in 79 per cent of cases. Cytology underestimated the severity of the lesion in nine per cent while colposcopy underestimated the lesion in 7.2 per cent (False negative rate). In 13.8 per cent of cases colposcopy overestimated the lesion (False positive rate). The cone biopsy rate in this series was 30 per cent. We conclude that since colposcopy shows excellent correlation with histopathology, it will be a useful tool to reduce cone biopsy rates, particularly in younger women in the child-bearing age group.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a south Indian Hospital--our experience with the International Working Formulation.

There were 836 biopsy cases of Malignant Lymphomas over a seven year period, among which Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (70 percent) predominated over Hodgkin's Disease (30 percent). Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas could be easily classified using the IWF. The Diffuse variety was much commoner than the Follicular variety. The Diffuse Large cell type was the commonest histologic type. The Gastrointestinal tract was the commonest site for extranodal lymphomas. Though sophisticated immunological methods are available for lymphoma analysis, histologic classification will continue to remain the principal method of lymphoma typing in our country.

Cellularity of bone marrow--a comparison of trephine biopsies and aspirate smears.

The estimation of cellularity of bone marrow was done on 212 trephine biopsies and their corresponding aspirate smears by a single observer using the visual scanning method. On applying the statistical test of agreement, it was found that the trephine biopsies and the aspirate smears were equally reliable in assessing marrow cellularity.