Recurrent extradural hemangiopericytoma of thoracic spine: A case report.

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare tumor that arises from pericapillary cells or pericytes of Zimmerman. In the central nervous system, it accounts for less than 1% of tumors, and spinal involvement is very rare. Meningeal hemangiopericytomas show morphological similarities with meningiomas particularly with angiomatous meningioma, where one needs to take the help of immunohistochemistry (IHC) to delineate HPC from meningioma. Here, we report a case of recurrent extradural HPC in a 16 year-old girl, who 5 years back had a pathological diagnosis of angiomatous meningioma, for D5-D6 lesion. On evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large extradural tumor with a signifi cant cord compression involving D5-D6 body, pedicle and ribs. Excision of the lesion and spinal stabilization was performed. The histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry performed on tumor sections revealed features favoring HPC. To conclude, detailed IHC is helpful in avoiding misdiagnosis and in further management of the patient.

Distal calcarine fusiform aneurysm: a case report and review of literature.

A 50 year old female who was operated for atrial septal defect 8 years back, presented with clinical features suggestive of subarachnoid haemorrhage (grade I, Hunt and Hess). CT scan of brain revealed haemorrhage in all the supratentorial basal cisterns, sylvian cistern and small haematoma in the left occipital lobe. Conventional CT and MR angiography revealed aneurysm in relation to distal part of the calcarine branch of the left posterior cerebral artery (PCA). Left occipital craniotomy in prone position followed by deep dissection in the occipital lobe showed fusiform aneurysm of the distal part of the calcarine branch. PCA aneurysms constitute only 0.2 to 1% of all intracranial aneurysms and among them distal PCA aneurysms are most rare, constituting only 1.3%. They too are mostly seen at the bifurcation of the PCA. The present case however, is unique in the sense that it has developed as a fusiform aneurysm in the distal part of the calcarine branch. To the best of our knowledge this is rare among the rarest.

Coping with ageing.

Old age is the last stage in the life span and with the change from middle age to old age it envisages a series of adjustments, in behaviour and thinking to meet the demands of a waning existence punctuated by disease, disability and disbelief. Central to coping with personal ageing is the acceptance of its reality. Happy ageing consists of adjusting to the demands of the stage and using the time and resource available beneficially to oneself and others. The role of maintaining good physical and mental health and cultivating appropriate attitudes towards it, is a requirement that can hardly be overstressed. Empirical studies have shown the significant contribution of several variables to successful ageing.

Penicillic acid as Na+,K+ and Ca2+ channel blocker in isolated frog's heart at toxic levels.

The effect of penicillic acid on isolated frog's heart has been studied along with ions of Na+,K+ and Ca2+. Penicillic acid has been found to inhibit the entry of these ions into cardiac tissue thereby arresting the action of the heart. The blockage can be washed away by perfusion with Ringer's solution.