Cause of death in exhumed bodies: an experience in upper Sindh, Pakistan

Exhumation is conducted around the globe when foul play is suspected. In developed world and in some developing countries this procedure is also carried out for identification purposes as well as in insurance claims, and some other civil suits. To determine the cause of death in exhumed bodies. Prospective, descriptive. The Study was conducted in the department of Forensic Medicine, Chandka Medical College, Larkana [CMCL] from Jan:2001 to Dec:2010. A total of 125 bodies were exhumed in various districts of upper Sindh by exhumation board, constituted by Director General Health Services Hyderabad. At the site of graveyard, bodies were digged out. After identification of deceased by near relatives, the bodies were thoroughly examined, viscerae taken for histopathological and chemical analysis, and cause of death determined by consensus in almost all cases. The most common cause of death was firearm injuries 37 [29.6%], followed by blunt trauma 15 [12%], sharp weapon injuries 09 [7.2%], drowning 09 [7.2%], poisoning 07 [5.6%] strangulation 06 [4.8%], infanticide 06 [4.8%]. In about 1/3 of cases cause of death could not be decided due to advanced stage of decomposition. Majority of victims were young males and firearm injury was the commonest cause of death

Pattern of haemotological disorders diagnosed by bone marrow examination at a paediatric hospital in Larkana Pakistan

Bone marrow examination is an integral part for establishing the diagnosis of haematological disorders in association with clinical and other routine laboratory tests. To evaluate the frequency and pattern of haematological disorders in children at a tertiary care hospital in Larkana. Descriptive study. The study was conducted at children hospital and pathology department of Chandka Medical College Larkana from Jan: 2008 to Dec: 2010. Marrow aspirates were collected from children under the age of 15 years as per guidelines recommended by international council for standardization in haematology [ICSH]. Smears obtained were stained with Romanowsky stains and examined under light microscope. Bone marrow examination reports of 271 patients ranged from 2 months to 15 years, with male /female ratio of 1.6:1 were analyzed. Malignant disorders were seen in 36.5% and non malignant disorders in 59.8% of ratio 1.6:1 were analyzed. Malignant disorders were seen in 36.5% and non malignant disorders in 59.8% of children. Amongst the malignant haematological disorders, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia [ALL] cases were 64 [23.65] and was found to be most common disorder, followed by lymphoma 7 [2.6%] cases and acute myeloid leukaemia [AML] 6 cases [2.2%]. In non malignant disorder, aplastic anaemia was the most common 40 [14.8%] cases, followed by iron deficiency anaemia 30 [11%] cases. The megaloblastic anaemia was least common seen only in 8 [3.0%] cases. Other non malignant disorders were idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP] 71 [26.2%] cases and malaria 4 [1.5%] cases. Appropriate diagnosis can not be made in haemotological disorders of childhood without bone marrow examination

Hydatid cyst of unusual sites, an experience at Chandka medical college Larkana

Hydatid cyst occurs throughout world but more in endemic areas where human beings live in close contact with cattle and dogs. Common organs affected by hydatid cyst are liver and lung but rarely occurs in other organs as well. To evaluate the unusual sites of hydatid cyst in human beings, this will help the clinicians in early diagnosis and management. Observational. The study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Chandka Medical College Larkana from January 1995 to December 2009. Total of 191 patients, admitted in various hospitals of Larkana, and operated for hydatid cyst or incidental findings at hisptopatholgical examination were included. All the fixed biopsies were cut into representative tissue blocks, processed, stained for haematoxylin and eosin and examined under light microscope. Total of 191 cases of hydatid cyst were received in 15 years, out of which 119 [62.3%] cases occurred in liver with mean age 41.27 years +/- 16.27 SD, 44 [23%] in lung with mean age 44.04 +/- 15.81 SD and remaining 28 [14.7%] in other uncommon organs. The presence of hydatid cyst in uncommon sites in Larkana is 14.7%, hence possibility of hydatid cyst in almost every organ of the body should be suspected

Neonatal disease profile in Larnaka before and after establishment of neonatal ward

This is a study of 2050 neonatal admissions excluding neonatal tetanus in children hospital CMC Larkana from December, 1988 to July, 1993. Six hundred and eighty-nine cases were admitted in General Paediatrics Ward before establishment of neonatal unit and 1361 cases were admitted in neonatal ward. The aim of study was to compare the disease pattern and mortality rates before and after establishment of a neonatal unit in the same hospital. Number of admissions significantly increased after the establishment of neonatal unit but there was no decline in the mortality. Changes in disease pattern were observed particularly for Gastroenteritis and miscellaneous [undetermined] category. Seventy percent of admissions were males in 1st week of their life. Commonest cause of admission and mortality was birth anoxia