Barriers to follow-up for pediatric cataract surgery in Maharashtra, India: How regular follow-up is important for good outcome. The Miraj Pediatric Cataract Study II.

Background: Regular follow up and amblyopia treatment are essential for good outcomes after pediatric cataract surgery. Aim: To study the regularity of follow‑up after cataract surgery in children and to gauge the causes of poor compliance to follow up. Subjects: 262 children (393 cataracts) who underwent cataract surgery in 2004-8. Materials and Methods: The children were identified and examined in their homes and a “barriers to follow‑up” questionnaire completed. Demographic data collected, visual acuity estimated, and ocular examination performed. Statistical Analysis: SPSS version 19. Results: Of the 262 children, only 53 (20.6%) had been regularly following up with any hospital, 209 (79.4%) had not. A total of 150 (57.3%) were boys and the average age was 13.23 years (Std Dev 5 yrs). Poor follow up was associated with the older age group (P < 0.001), less education of mother (P = 0.012), father’s occupation (P = 0.031), how much money spent on travel (P = 0.033) and was it paid or free surgery (P = 0.001). It was not related to gender, numbers of children in family, ordinal status of child, and social strata. Distance and cost were major barriers, as was the inability of the eye care center to communicate the importance of follow up. A prospective follow‑up visit showed that 93 children needed Nd: YAG LASER capsulotomy, 5 needed low vision aids, 4 contact lens, and 162 a change of spectacles. The average visual acuity improved in 150 (38.8%) eyes >1 line with regular follow‑up. Conclusion: Regular follow‑up is important and improves vision; eye care practitioners need to take special efforts to ensure better follow‑up.

Vascular anatomy of strictured small bowel.

Aim: To investigate the role of ischemia in the pathogenesis of small bowel strictures. Methods: Vascular anatomy of 39 small bowel strictures was studied using modified Spalteholtz method. Ten normal small bowel segments were studied as controls. Results: 71.8% of small bowel strictures showed block in the mesenteric vessels (p=0.008). Subset analysis of tuberculous strictures showed block in the mesenteric vessels in 70.8% of strictures (p=0.0098). Conclusions: Ischemia plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of small bowel strictures. Mesenteric vasculopathy has a significant association with tuberculous strictures of the intestine.

Narrow band imaging cholangioscopy in hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Per oral cholangioscopy has been developed as a diagnostic modality for evaluation of bile duct lesions. Per oral cholangioscope with narrow band imaging (NBI) system can provide good quality images of bile duct lesions. There is limited data on per oral cholangioscopy using NBI in biliary tract diseases. We report our experience of NBI cholangioscopy in hilar strictures.

Status of pediatric eye care in India.

Purpose: To document the status of pediatric eye care in India. Materials and Methods: A list of institutions providing eye care was compiled from various sources, including government officials, professional bodies of ophthalmologists, and national and international non-governmental organizations (NGO) working in the field of eye care in India. A questionnaire on eye care services was sent to all known eye care institutions in the country. Workshops and regional meetings were organized to maximize response. Validity of data was ensured by observational visits to 10% of the institutions who responded. Results: Out of 1204 institutions contacted, 668 (55.5%) responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 192 (28.7%) reported that they provided pediatric eye care services. A higher proportion (48.3%) of NGO hospitals reported separate pediatric ophthalmology units compared to other providers (P Conclusion: Pediatric eye care services are not adequate in India.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary stent placement using Soehendra stent retriever.

Symptomatic bilary obstruction with duodenal nar-rowing requires either surgical or percutaneous biliary drainage procedure. We report a 54-year-old woman suffering from carcinoma of the head of pancreas, who had combined duodenal and bilary obstruction and underwent successful endoscopic ultrasound-guided transduodenal biliary stent placement.

Eosinophilic pancreatitis with pseudocyst.

Eosinophilic pancreatitis is a rare entity in patients having underlying systemic manifestations such as peripheral eosinophilia, elevated serum IgE levels and/ or eosinophilic infiltrates in other organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. We report a 38-year-old woman with peripheral eosinophilia in association with acute pancreatitis, pancreatic ascites and pseudocyst.

Role of magnification endoscopy in the diagnosis and evaluation of suspected celiac disease: correlation with histology.

BACKGROUND: Magnification endoscopy (ME), with 115-fold magnification, allows visualization of duodenal villi. We assessed the efficacy of ME for evaluation of villous atrophy. METHODS: ME and duodenal biopsy were done in 16 patients with suspected celiac disease and 16 control subjects undergoing endoscopy for reflux symptoms. The pathologist was unaware of the ME findings. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for villous atrophy (partial or total) were 100%, 91%, 83% and 100%, respectively. Corresponding values for normal villous structure were 91%, 100%, 100% and 83%, respectively. There was significant concordance between the ME and histology findings. CONCLUSION: ME is a reliable technique to diagnose villous atrophy.

Benign biliary stricture--should they be dilated or treated surgically?

Management of benign biliary stricture remains a challenge for both surgeons and therapeutic endoscopists. Traditionally, surgery is considered the mainstay of treatment, but it is associated with significant morbidity and variable long-term outcome. With advances in endoscopic techniques and accessories, endoscopic management is emerging as an effective option. Outcome of endoscopic management depends on both the etiology and location of stricture. Current data suggest that long-term results with multiple plastic stents are superior to those with single plastic stent. Removable covered metal stents are a good alternative. The role of bio-absorbable self-expanding stents needs to be evaluated further.

Capsule endoscopy in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding--an Indian experience.

BACKGROUND: Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is a common indication for capsule endoscopy (CE). Reports on diagnostic yield of CE in this situation show a wide variation. We evaluated the diagnostic yield and clinical impact of CE in patients with OGIB. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients with OGIB who underwent CE at our institution between June 2002 and October 2005. RESULTS: 154 patients (mean age 47 [SD 17] years; 117 men), including 74 with overt OGIB and 80 with occult OGIB, underwent CE. CE yielded positive findings in 57 of 74 patients (77%) with overt OGIB and 22 of 80 (27%) of those with occult OGIB (p < 0.0001); the overall positive diagnostic yield was 52%. NSAID-induced lesions (15%), angiodysplasias (14%) and aphthous ulcers (12%) were the most frequent findings. CE helped in planning further management in 79% of patients with overt OGIB and 26% of those with occult OGIB. CONCLUSION: CE is a useful diagnostic technique in patients with OGIB, especially those with overt OGIB.

Rome I criteria are more sensitive than Rome II for diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome in Indian patients.

AIM: To assess the utility and efficacy of Rome I and Rome II criteria for the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in India. METHODS: Patients referred with a diagnosis of IBS by general practitioners answered a questionnaire about clinical features, including those listed in the Rome I and Rome II criteria. All patients underwent investigations to determine the cause of their symptoms. Sensitivity, positive predictive value and percent agreement of final diagnosis with Rome I and II criteria were calculated. RESULTS: Among 138 patients studied, 6 patients had organic disease . Amongst 132 patients with functional bowel disease, Rome I criteria diagnosed more patients as IBS than Rome II criteria (110 [83.3%] vs. 41 [31.1%]); 36 patients fulfilled both the criteria. Of the patients positive by Rome I, 32.7% fulfilled Rome II criteria, and of those diagnosed by Rome II criteria, 87.8% fulfilled Rome I criteria. Seventeen patients did not fulfill either Rome I or Rome II criteria, and were classified as functional abdominal bloating, functional diarrhea or functional constipation. CONCLUSION: Rome I criteria are more sensitive than Rome II criteria for the diagnosis of IBS in the Indian population.

Safety of therapeutic ERCP in pregnancy - an Indian experience.

INTRODUCTION: Only limited data are available regarding the safety of therapeutic ERCP in pregnancy. We report our experience with therapeutic ERCP in pregnant women. METHODS: Medical records of 18 pregnant women (first trimester 4, second 6, third 8) who underwent ERCP between July 1994 and December 2004 were reviewed. Patients and their families were contacted to assess the well being of mother and baby. RESULTS: All the women underwent therapeutic ERCP and biliary sphincterotomy for common bile duct (CBD) stones. In 4 patients, 10-Fr CBD stents were inserted; three of these four cases required mechanical lithotripsy after delivery. Median procedure time was 17 min and median fluoroscopy time was 8 seconds. One patient each developed mild post ERCP pancreatitis and post sphincterotomy bleed. One woman had a preterm delivery. At follow up after a median of 6 years, all the babies were healthy. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic ERCP can be performed safely in all the trimesters of pregnancy provided appropriate precautions are taken.

Button battery ingestion.

Button batteries represent a special category of pediatric ingested foreign body because of the possibility of serious complications particularly if impacted in the esophagus. We report a case of a 3-year-old girl with severe mid esophageal burns due to a lodged battery. More awareness is required amongst physicians to avert such dangers and ensure prompt removal.

Efficacy and safety of oral sodium phosphate versus polyethylene glycol solution for bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the acceptability, safety and effectiveness of an oral sodium phosphate solution (Exelyte) for colon preparation prior to colonoscopy, compared with a polyethylene glycol solution (Peglec). METHOD: A colonoscopist-blinded, prospective, randomized, observational clinical study. PATIENTS: One hundred patients undergoing colonoscopy for various indications were randomized (n = 50 each) to receive either 90 mL of oral sodium phosphate mixed with 300 mL clear liquid and then consume about 4-5 glasses of water, or 2 liters of polyethylene glycol solution. RESULT: Sodium phosphate showed a safety profile similar to that of polyethylene glycol. However, patients tolerated it better. The colonoscopist reported similar cleansing of bowel in both groups. CONCLUSION: Oral sodium phosphate is well tolerated, is safe and provides bowel cleansing similar to that with a polyethylene glycol solution.

Gall bladder agenesis, pancreas divisum and undescended testes: a rare association.

Gall bladder agenesis is a rare congenital biliary anomaly that may be associated with other biliary and extrabiliary congenital anomalies. We report the association of gall bladder agenesis with pancreas divisum and undescended testes.

Demographic and cytogenetic study in recurrent spontaneous aborters.

Chromosomal analysis was performed in a series of 30 women with repeated spontaneous abortions and their husbands. Out of the 30 women, one woman of age 28 years with history of spontaneous abortions was detected to be a chromosomal mosaic 46,XX/47,XXX and with corresponding sex chromatin positive picture C +ve / ++ve. She had normal phenotype and spontaneous abortions that occurred in the second/third months of pregnancy. Her husband was normal and has normal karyotype (46,XY).

Perceptions on effects of environmental pollutants in Hyderabad City.

Five hundred twenty adults were interviewed on the perceptions of effects of the environmental pollutants in Hyderabad city of Andhra Pradesh. The information was gathered on polluted water, polluted air, solid wastes, food contamination and readiness to participate in corrective actions. Both initial response and response after probing were recorded. Analysis was done basing on the level of literacy. The correct initial responses on effects of pollutants ranged from 28.3 to 35.4% while responses after probing ranged from 79.2 to 88.1%. 45.8% were ready to participate manually in the corrective actions while 24.6% were eager to contribute financially in remedial actions. The study reveals the need for the initiation of aggressive environmental education.

Triplet repeat polymorphism & fragile X syndrome in the Indian context.

Mental retardation due to fragile X syndrome is one of the genetic disorders caused by triplet repeat expansion. CGG repeat involved in this disease is known to exhibit polymorphism even among normal individuals. Here we describe the development of suitable probes for detection of polymorphism in CGG repeat at FMR1 locus as well as the diagnosis of fragile X syndrome. Using these methods polymorphism at the FMR1 locus has been examined in 161 individuals. Ninety eight patients with unclassified mental retardation were examined, of whom 7 were found to have the expanded (CGG) allele at the FMR1 locus. The hybridization pattern for two patients has been presented as representative data.