Repeat deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for failed primary DALK

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of repeat deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in patients of previous failed DALK. Methods: A retrospective analysis of records of seven patients who had undergone repeat DALK following the failure of the primary DALK was done. The indications for repeat surgery, time elapsed since the first surgery, and pre? & postoperative best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were noted for all the patients. Results: The follow?up period ranged between one? to four?year post repeat DALK. The indication of primary DALK was keratoconus with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) (n = 3), corneal amyloidosis (n = 2), Salzman nodular keratopathy (n = 1), and healed keratitis (n = 1). The need for repeat surgery arose when the BSCVA dropped to less than 20/200. The time interval elapsed since the first surgery ranged from two months to four years. Postoperatively, the BSCVA improved from 20/120 to 20/30 at the end of one?year post repeat DALK in all except one patient. All regrafts were clear at the most recent examination, performed after a mean period of 18 months after the secondary graft. No complication was encountered during the resurgery. The dissection of the host bed was easier in the second surgery owing to weaker adhesions. Conclusion: The prognosis for repeat DALK for failed DALK is excellent, and the outcomes of secondary grafts were comparable to those of primary DALK grafts. Re DALK offers the advantage of an easier dissection and lower chances of graft rejection compared to penetrating keratoplasty.

Determination of a cut-off value for the serological diagnosis of scrub typhus by detecting anti-Orientia tsutsugamushi immunoglobulin M

Background & objectives: The diagnosis of scrub typhus (ST) is usually done using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) due to its ease of performance and reading objectivity. The cut-off value for ELISA needs to be calculated for each geographical location as it depends on zonal endemicity of the disease. This study was, therefore, undertaken to calculate the pan-India cut-off for anti-Orientia tsutsugamushi (OT) immunoglobulin M (IgM) by ELISA. Methods: Samples from cases (cases of ST) and controls (voluntary, consenting, healthy adults) were collected by a network of 29 laboratories across India and tested for anti-OT IgM by immunofluorescence assay (IFA), the considered gold standard test. These samples were retested by ELISA for anti-OT IgM and their optical densities (ODs) were used for cut-off estimation by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Anti-OT IgM ELISA ODs from 273 controls and 136 cases were used for the cut-off estimation. The ODs of the anti-OT IgM ELISA on healthy individuals and those of confirmed ST cases ranged from 0.1 to 0.75 and 0.5 to 4.718, respectively. ROC curve-based cut-off for ELISA was calculated as 0.554 at a sensitivity of 95.2 per cent and specificity of 95.1 per cent. A value of >1 was noted to have a specificity of 100 per cent in diagnosing ST. Interpretation & conclusions: The cut-off calculated for India was similar to the previous cut-off that was used until now.

Bilateral sequential non-arteritic optic neuropathy post-COVID-19

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID?19) has been documented to have a spectrum of neuro?ophthalmic manifestations. However, bilateral non?arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) post?COVID?19 has not been reported in the literature. We studied the case of a 45?year?old male who presented to our outpatient department (OPD) with bilateral blurring of vision following an episode of COVID?19, 1 month back. Examination and investigations were conclusive of a bilateral NAION. The patient was given a trial of oral steroids. However, the vision loss could not be recovered. Thus, through this case report, we would like to highlight the importance of a close follow?up of patients following COVID?19 infection to detect any sequelae

To Evaluate the Effectiveness of Magnesium Sulphate as an Agent to induce Hypotensive Anaesthesia in Lumbar Spine Surgery. A Prospective Randomized, Placebo-Control Study

Introduction: This randomized placebo controlled study wasdesigned to evaluate the effectiveness of magnesium sulphateas an agent to induce hypotensive anaesthesia in lumbar spinesurgery.Material and Methods: The study included 100 patients ofboth sexes who were equally distributed in two groups, theGroup Mg(Magnesium sulphate group) and Group C (controlgroup). The Magnesium group received magnesium sulphate40mg/kg administered as a slow IV bolus over a period of 10minutes before induction and 15mg/kg/hr by continuous IVinfusion during surgery. The same volume of isotonic salinewas administered to the control group. Surgical time, heartrate and mean arterial blood pressure was measured.Results: In the magnesium group there was reduction insurgical time (103.54 mins vs 117.34 mins), although theanaesthestic time was 9 minutes longer in the Magnesiumgroup denoting a longer emergence time. The mean arterialpressure and heart rate were significantly reduced inMagnesium group(p<0.005). Postoperative shivering was alsoless in Magnesium group.Conclusion: Magnesium infusion resulted in a steady andsmooth reduction in mean blood pressure and reduced heartrate, with no episodes of severe hypotension. Furthermoremagnesium causes reduction in duration of surgical time andpostoperative shivering

Observation on dengue cases from a virus diagnostic laboratory of a tertiary care hospital in north India.

Background & objectives: The epidemiology of dengue fever (DF) is complex in the Indian subcontinent as all the four serotypes are circulating. This study reports observations on dengue cases from a virus diagnostic laboratory of a north Indian tertiary care hospital catering to areas in and around Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from suspected cases of dengue referred to the virus diagnostic laboratory during 2011 to 2013, and detailed history was taken on a pre-structured datasheet. All samples were tested for anti-dengue virus (DV) IgM antibodies and DV-non structural protein 1 antigen (NS1Ag) by ELISA. NS1Ag positive samples were tested further by conventional RT-PCR for DV-RNA detection and serotyping. Results: Of the 4019 suspected patients of dengue, 886 (22%) showed laboratory evidence of dengue virus infection. Of these, 19, 17 and 27 per cent were positive in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Children and adults were similarly affected by dengue in all the three years. Males were more commonly affected than females. The predominant DV serotype detected was DV-2, DV-1 and DV-3 in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. DV-4 serotype was not detected. About half the cases positive for DV infection, showed symptoms of dengue with warning signs/ severe dengue. A distinct seasonality with increase in number of dengue cases in the post monsoon period was seen. Interpretation & conclusions: Change in circulating serotype of dengue virus; a distinct adult dengue involvement; and a remarkable number of cases presenting with severe dengue manifestations are the main findings of this study.

Primary intracardiac malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor: A rare case report.

Myxomas are the most common benign cardiac tumors constituting approximately 75% of all the cardiac tumors. Rest 25% are malignant and sarcomas being the commonest. Among the sarcomas primary cardiac malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are extremely rare. They usually arise in relation to the branches of vagus or phrenic nerves, 5‑42% being associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. Clinical signs and symptoms depend on the location and extent of involvement. Complete resection is the treatment of choice but local recurrence is common.