Glomus tumor of the stomach.

Gastric glomus tumors are rare neoplasms. We report here a case of gastric glomus tumor in a 25-year-old female who presented with exsanguinating gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Clinically and on gross examination, the tumor was suspected to be a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation revealed it to be a glomus tumor.

Emerging role of vasopressin.

Ionotropic agents are frequently used in vasodilatory shock like conditions of septic or nonseptic origin. Conventional catecholamines such as norepinephrine are used at a very high dose with possibility of adverse effects in many patients. One often encounters refractoriness to these drugs. Infusion of vasopressin (VP) which is detectable at inappropriately low level in advanced phase of septic shock might allow withdrawal of catecholamines, as it maintains adequate mean arterial pressure (MAP), improves urine output and leaves perfusion of vital organs unhindered. Vasopressin has been found to be superior to epinephrine in animal models and some human trials, especially in patients with resistant ventricular fibrillation (VF) while doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Analogues of VP have also been used for diuresis in patients of hepatorenal syndrome.

Significance of haematological manifestations in patients with tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in India. Haematological changes associated with tuberculosis have been incompletely investigated. To the best of our knowledge, there is no comprehensive study assessing the haematological abnormalities in these patients from the Indian subcontinent. In the present study, we have compared peripheral blood and bone marrow findings in patients with disseminated/miliary tuberculosis (DTB/MTB) as well as pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). An attempt has also been made to assess the effect of antituberculosis therapy on the haematologic abnormalities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty two patients with disseminated/miliary tuberculosis and 23 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were prospectively studied to determine the various haematological manifestations in tuberculosis and the effect of antituberculosis therapy. All patients received standard antituberculosis treatment. They were subjected to a detailed haemogram including peripheral blood examination, which was repeated on completion of antituberculosis therapy. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy was also done in all patients before starting antituberculosis treatment. RESULTS: Normocytic normochromic anaemia was the most common abnormality observed in all the groups and subgroups (DTB/MTB 84%, PTB 86%). Other haematological abnormalities of the white blood cells include leucopenia (DTB/MTB 25%, PTB 0%; p < 0.02), neutropenia (DTB/MTB 22%, PTB 0%; p < 0.04), lymphocytopenia, monocytopenia, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphocytosis and monocytosis. Pancytopenia was observed only in patients with disseminated/miliary tuberculosis (p < 0.05). Thrombocytopenia was more common in patients with disseminated/miliary tuberculosis (p < 0.007), whereas thrombocytosis was more common in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (p < 0.04). The patients of disseminated/miliary tuberculosis with granulomas in the bone marrow had certain significant differences as compared to patients without granulomas. These patients showed severe anaemia, peripheral monocytopenia and bone marrow histiomonocytosis. The haemogram reverted to normal with antituberculosis therapy in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the varied haematological abnormalities observed in patients with tuberculosis in this part of the world, it is concluded that the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis should be entertained in patients with varied haematological disorders.

Influence of education and occupation on knowledge about diabetes control.

BACKGROUND: A global epidemic of diabetes has been predicted during the first quarter of the twenty-first century, with a substantial increase in its prevalence in India. Good management of diabetes is a necessary step towards its control and blood glucose testing forms an integral part of this. This study was undertaken to assess the importance of education and occupation in relation to knowledge about good control of diabetes. METHODS: Perception patterns regarding methods for testing blood glucose and metabolic control were assessed by the direct interview method in 793 patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients' knowledge levels were compared for different educational and occupational categories using the Normal test (z-test) and the Student's t-test. RESULTS: The difference between the mean ages of men and women diabetics was not significant (p > 0.1). It was found that 46.7% of the subjects were aware of the importance of blood glucose testing. Awareness regarding the importance of microalbuminuria, lipid profile and glycosylated haemoglobin was observed in 24.1%, 15.5% and 7.6% of patients, respectively. A positive impact of education on overall knowledge levels was observed. However, no definite relationship was found between knowledge and occupation. CONCLUSION: There was a total lack of knowledge regarding self-care of diabetes in all educational and occupational categories (including patients who were qualified doctors). This calls for an urgent need to create greater public awareness. This study may serve as a guideline for developing an educational package for different subsections of the community.

Spider angiomas are not found in the retina of patients with cirrhosis.

To determine the prevalence of spider angiomata in patients with cirrhosis, the factors influencing them and whether or not they are present in the retina of patients with cirrhosis, 93 cirrhotics were studied. Cutaneous spider angioma were seen in 19 (20%) patients. All patients with spiders had at least one episode of variceal bleeding and had grade III or IV oesophageal varices. Spiders were seen more commonly in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis than in those with non-alcoholic cirrhosis (53.5% vs 6%, p < 0.001), in patients with Child's C cirrhosis than those with Child's A and B cirrhosis (67% vs 4%, p < 0.001). However, although spiders were seen more often in patients undergoing sclerotherapy than those not, the difference was statistically not significant (23% vs 19%, p = NS). Spiders had no association with presence or absence of portal hypertensive gastropathy or gastric varices. None of the patients showed any abnormality or presence of spiders in the retina. It is concluded that spider angiomas are seen more commonly in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, those with more severe liver disease and patients having large oesophageal varices and they are not seen in the retina of patients with cirrhosis.

Visual evoked responses in ethambutol induced optic neuritis.

Pattern evoked responses were recorded in 46 patients of tuberculosis on ethambutol and 16 healthy subjects. Deterioration in visual acuity was documented in two patients (4.3%). P100 latency was delayed in 16 cases (34.8%), while in 12 patients (26.1%) both latency and amplitude were affected. A cut off latency value of > or = 140 ms was associated with ophthalmological findings. The incidence of subclinical toxicity as detected by visual evoked response (VER) was higher in older subjects, patients on higher doses of ethambutol (> or = 20 mg/kg/day) and longer duration of treatment. Of two cases with objective ocular signs, one who reported for follow up after two months had recovered completely after stopping ethambutol. Recording of VER is an extremely useful objective test for subclinical optic nerve damage.

Maternal and neonatal anthropometric and hematological parameters in Manipuri population.

One hundred and sixty five women admitted in the Regional Medical College Hospital, Manipur, for delivery and their newborns were studied for some anthropometric and hematological parameters. The mean weights of mothers and infants were 50.94 +/- 0.86 kg and 2.86 +/- 0.07 kg, respectively. The mean hemoglobin levels were 11.05 +/- 1.57 g/dl in mothers and 15.05 +/- 0.27 g/dl in cord blood. Statistically no correlation existed between hemoglobin levels and between weights of mothers and infants.