Normative data of retinal arteriolar and venular calibre measurements determined using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy system – Importance and implications for study of cardiometabolic disorders

Purpose: To determine and validate retinal vascular caliber measurements by using the confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy system. Retinal vasculature changes are often regarded as clinical markers for systemic disease. Methods: It was a prospective observational study conducted on 600 eyes of 300 normal subjects with no systemic or ocular illness from January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 in a tertiary referral eye center. Non?mydriatic infrared reflectance, blue reflectance, and blue peak blue autofluorescence fundus imaging were done on the confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy system. The dimensions of the retinal vessels were measured using inbuilt calipers at 1800 ?m from the center of the optic disc. Internal and external dimensions were measured. Observer variation and its comparison using Image J software were assessed. Results: The median age was 29 years (18–50 years). Mean internal and external diameters for arterioles were 85.1 ± 12.4 ?m and 105.0 ± 12.0 ?m, and for venules were 133.8 ± 16.6 ?m and 145.4 ± 16.1 ?m, respectively. The mean internal and external wall thicknesses were 19.7 ± 8.0 ?m and 11.0 ± 5.6 ?m, and wall thickness?to?lumen ratios were 0.3 ± 0.1 and 0.1 ± 0.1, respectively. Arteriolar?to?venular ratio for lumen and vessel was 0.66 ± 0.1 and 0.74 ± 0.1, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between age groups. Both inter? and intra?observer reproducibility was >95%. The Bland–Altman plot showed that the difference between measurements using both confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and Image J software lies within the limits of agreement approximately 95% of the time. Conclusion: This is the first effort to develop a normative database by using a simple non?invasive confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy system with high observer reproducibility

Patients presenting with stage IV uveal melanoma: Lessons learned

Challenges persist in identifying patients with stage IV uveal melanoma. While clinical, histopathologic, and genetic features of the primary tumor have been shown to provide prognostic value for assessing metastatic risk, biopsy?related genetic analyses are expensive and not universally available. Therefore, this review will focus on clinical characteristics. Initial staging and follow?up screening protocols have evolved for patients with uveal melanoma. The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) required a physical examination, chest X?ray, and hematologic survey (primarily liver function tests). Though these studies were found to have a high specificity, COMS investigators typically found late?stage metastases. More recently, protocols have concentrated on liver imaging (abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging). Though hepatic radiographic imaging has been found more likely to reveal earlier metastatic uveal melanoma, by definition it cannot detect most extrahepatic and multiorgan metastases. An international multicenter registry study recently focused on patients who were diagnosed with stage IV uveal melanoma simultaneously with their primary intraocular melanoma. Therein, utilizing center?specific diagnostic methods, stage IV was found to occur in about 2% of patients. However, subgroup analysis found that a disproportionate number of multi?organ metastases were discovered when whole?body positron emission tomography/computed tomography was used for staging. Herein, we review the literature on patients who present with stage IV uveal melanoma, how they were detected, and their outcomes.

Special emphasis on bone health management in prostate cancer patients: a prospective longitudinal study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in carcinoma prostate (CaP) has deleterious effect on bone mineral density (BMD) leading to increase incidence of osteoporosis and skeletal-related events. We evaluated bone health status and impact of bone-directed therapy (BDT) and ADT on BMD in these patients from Jan 2015-Dec 2018. Materials and Method: Baseline bone health was assessed using Tc-99 MDP Bone scan/ DEXA scan for patients on ADT. Monthly zoledronic acid (ZA) was given to high-risk candidates (T-score ≤2.5 or previous hip/vertebral fracture) or Skel et al. metastatic patients who were receiving ADT. Baseline and follow-up (at 12-months) BMD using DEXA scan at various sites (spine, femur total, femur neck and radius) and subjective improvement in bony pain using Numeric Pain Rating Score after administration of ZA were compared. Results: A total of 96-patients of locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer receiving ADT with or without BDT were included in the study cohort. Mean age of presentation was 68.4±15.61 years. Median serum PSA was 32.2±13.1ng/mL. There was significant improvement in mean BMD (T-score) in 64-patients post ZA therapy at 12-months (at femoral total, femoral neck and spine; 0.95, 0.79 and 0.68, respectively) (p <0.05) while there was significant deterioration in mean BMD at 12-months (at spine, femoral neck and femoral total; −0.77, −0.55 and −0.66, respectively) in 32 patients who did not receive ZA and were on ADT (p <0.05). Pain scores significantly decreased in patients after 12-months of ZA use (−2.92±2.16, p <0.01). Conclusion: Bone-directed therapy (Zoledronic acid) leads to both subjective and objective improvement in bone health of prostate cancer patients on ADT.

Introduction of a teaching module on intravenous drug administration and communication skills in pharmacology

Background: Pharmacology practicals mainly focus on increasing the knowledge component but teaching on psychomotor and soft skills is largely lacking. Teaching correct method of intravenous drug administration and the communication skills about drug therapy in Pharmacology practical classes can help in minimizing the errors in drug administration and improving the patient compliance and adherence to the therapy. Objectives of this study were teaching module on intravenous drug administration and communication skills to undergraduate students in Pharmacology and to evaluate the perceptions of students and teachers towards the new teaching module.Methods: Correct methods of intravenous drug administration were demonstrated in practical classes. Role play was done to teach about communication skills regarding right method of using an inhaler and also about prescribing the correct dosage regimens. Perceptions of students and teaching staff members were collected on the teaching module.Results: Almost all of the students (>96 %) were of the opinion that learning correct drug administration methods and communication skills was relevant to the future practice and 95% students felt that after the role play sessions, they were better equipped in communicating with the patients about the medication use and were in favour of teaching these to all the medical students.Conclusions: Our study concludes that the teaching module on intravenous drug administration and communication skills was well accepted by both the teaching staff and the students and was found feasible and relevant to be introduced in the curriculum by both of them.

Role of Iliolumbar Ligament in Identification of L5 Vertebra on MRI in Lumbosacral Transitional Anomalies

Labeling a transitional vertebra (lumbarization or sacralization) as "LSTV" helps in simplifying the reporting process but leads to mis-numbering and must be avoided, as reliable identification of vertebral levels is essential for surgical interventions and image guided interventions. Many parameters have been described to identify the vertebral level; however, there are contradictory results in literature regarding their usefulness. Objective: To determine the role of iliolumbar ligament (ILL) on MRI as an identifier of the L5 vertebra in cases of LSTV anomalies. Methods: 200 patients with confirmed L5 level (identified on MRI screening of whole spine) were included in the study. These were further divided into group I (159 patients), II (31 patients) and III (10 patients) consisting of normal spine, spine with sacralization and with lumbarization respectively. The level(s) of origin of the ILL was documented in all of them and analysis was done. Results: ILL was found bilaterally in all patients. All patients with normal lumbosacral junction had ILL arising from L5 bilaterally. Among sacralization group, 23 patients had ILL arising from L4, 2 patients had ILL arising from L5 and 6 patients had ILL arising from L4 on sacralized side and from L5 contralaterally. Among Lumbarization group 2 patients had ILL arising from S1, 5 patients had ILL arising from L5 and 3 patients had ILL arising from S1 on side of lumbarization and from L5 contralaterally. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that ILL is not a reliable identifier of the L5 vertebra in the setting of LSTV anomalies. It rather identifies the lowest lumbar-type vertebral segment only.

Evaluation of echocardiographic variables in patients of chronic renal failure: pre and post hemodialysis-a single center prospective study

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality at each stage of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) around 30%-45% of patients of stage 5 CKD have advanced cardiovascular complications. Congestive Heart Failure is responsible for approximately 15% death in hemodialysis patients. Hence this study was done with the aim to evaluate the effects of Hemodialysis on various Cardiac parameters detected by 2D Echocardiography in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 54 patients with Stage 4 and 5 CKD were evaluated for various cardiac parameters by 2D Echocardiography before and after Hemodialysis and detailed characteristics of the patients were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and paired student t-test.Results: Among 54 patients with CKD, 9% (5/54) patients had stage 4 CKD while 91% (49/54) had stage 5 CKD. Hypertension was present in 81.48% (44/54) of patients and Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 77.77% (42/54). 6 (11%) patients had associated pericardial effusion. Mean Pre and Post Hemodialysis Left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVIDed) and Left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVIDes) was 50.38±4.16mm and 48.91±4.14mm; 33.54±3.29 mm and 32.58±2.80 mm respectively which was statistically significant (p <0.001). Pre-HD Left atrial diameter was 34.20±3.81mm and it became 33.19±3.30mm Post-HD (p <0.001). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 136.70±35.91 g/m2 pre-HD and 125.54±29.35 g/m2 post-HD which is significant. Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction was 47.34±5.72% before HD and it became 48.82±4.56% after 6 session of Hemodialysis over 3 weeks which is statistically significant (p<0.038).Conclusions: The present findings suggest patients with Stage 4 and 5 CKD who were on hemodialysis there was significant improvement in various cardiac parameters apart from increase in left ventricular ejection fraction, which may lead to decrease morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Cerebellar infarct following orchidopexy under spinal anesthesia / Infarto cerebelar após orquidopexia sob raquianestesia

Abstract The report describes a case of peri-operative stroke that presented as diplopia and gait difficulty on 2nd post-operative day after routine orchidopexy under spinal anesthesia in an otherwise healthy young boy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed acute infarct in bilateral cerebellar hemispheres, left half of medulla and left thalamus. A diagnosis of acute stroke (infarct) was made and patient was started on oral aspirin 75 mg.day-1, following which his vision started improving after 2 weeks. Possible mechanisms of development of stroke in the peri-operative period are discussed, but, even after extensive investigations, the etiology of infarct may be difficult to determine. Acute infarct after elective non-cardiac, non-neurological surgery is rare; it may not be possible to identify the etiology in all cases. Clinicians must have a high index of suspicion to diagnose such unexpected complications even after routine surgical procedures in order to decrease the morbidity and long term sequelae.

Resumo O presente relato descreve um caso de acidente vascular cerebral perioperatório que resultou em diplopia e dificuldade de marcha no segundo dia após orquidopexia de rotina sob raquianestesia em um jovem, em outros aspectos, saudável. Ressonância magnética cerebral revelou infarto agudo em hemisférios cerebelares bilaterais, metade esquerda do bulbo e tálamo esquerdo. Um diagnóstico de acidente vascular cerebral agudo (infarto) foi feito e o paciente começou a receber tratamento com aspirina oral (75 mg.dia-1), após o qual sua visão começou a melhorar após duas semanas. Possíveis mecanismos de desenvolvimento de acidente vascular cerebral no período perioperatório são discutidos, mas, mesmo após extensas investigações, a etiologia do infarto pode ser difícil de determinar. O infarto agudo após cirurgia eletiva não cardíaca e não neurológica é raro; talvez não seja possível identificar a etiologia em todos os casos. Os médicos devem ter um elevado grau de suspeita para diagnosticar essas complicações inesperadas, mesmo após procedimentos cirúrgicos de rotina, para diminuir a morbidade e as sequelas em longo prazo.

Stenting of patent ductus arteriosus in low birth weight newborns less than 2 kg- procedural safety, feasibility and results in a retrospective study

Objective Retrospective analysis of the feasibility, safety and results of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stenting in low birth weight babies weighing < 2 kg. Background: Stenting of patent ductus arteriosus is a well known palliative technique for several years as an alternative to shunt surgery in babies weighing > 2.5–3 kg. Ductal stenting in babies weighing less than 2 kg is not done routinely all around the world due to limited experience and concerns regarding its feasibility and safety in such small subset. Methods Records of patients who underwent PDA stenting at our institution from June 2014 to December 2016 were reviewed. In this period, we attempted to do PDA stenting using femoral artery approach in babies weighing < 2 kg. Echocardiography and colour Doppler were used for patient selection and assessment of procedural outcome. Results PDA stenting using femoral artery approach was successful in all 5 patients weighing < 2 kg. In this group, patient age ranged from 2 days to 16 days and weighed 1.8 kg to 1.97 kg. All patients had good post-procedure outcome. One patient had stent malposition from aortic end towards main pulmonary artery which was managed by an additional stent. Conclusion PDA stenting is feasible and safe with good end results in carefully selected low birth weight babies weighing < 2 kg.

Childhood granulomatous periorificial dermatitis in children with extra-facial involvement.

Childhood granulomatous periorificial dermatitis (CGPD) is a self-limiting and well-recognized entity. A six-year-old male child, a known case of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) presented with multiple red raised and yellowish lesions over the face, neck, trunk and upper extremities since one month with occasional itching. Cutaneous examination revealed multiple erythematous scaly papules of size up to 5 mm around the mouth, nose and periorbital areas, neck, trunk and upper extremities with few excoriations. Lesional skin biopsy was pathognomic of CGPD. We report a six-year-old Indian male child with extra-facial involvement and healing with small atrophic pigmented scars in a known case of JRA.

Ethionamide-induced pellagroid dermatitis resembling lichen simplex chronicus: A report of two cases.

Pellagra is a niacin deficiency disorder characterized clinically by diarrhea, dermatitis, and dementia. However, few drugs also cause pellagroid dermatitis. Recently, we encountered two cases of pellagroid dermatitis; both were on second line of antituberculosis drugs. Case 1 was of multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. Patient was on ethionamide since one year before developing pellagroid dermatitis. Case 2 was of central nervous system tuberculoma and was on second line of antitubercular drugs. This patient was on ethionamide and isoniazid (INH) since six months before developing pellagroid dermatitis. This patient had previously taken first line of antituberculous therapy, inclusive of INH, for 1 year without any dermatitis. The skin lesions in both patients were symmetric hyperpigmented thickened plaques with prominent skin markings resembling lichen simplex chronicus. Nicotinamide 300 mg in three divided doses healed the lesions completely within 4 weeks and 3 weeks in first and second patient, respectively.