Pathological study of non-neoplastic skin lesions by punch biopsy.

Background: Accurate diagnosis of skin disorders is of utmost importance as treatment is varied for different skin disorders presenting with the similar clinical lesions. Thus biopsy becomes inevitable in various skin disorders to confirm diagnosis and initiate treatment. The present study was to analyse the age and sex distribution of dermatological disorders presenting to Bhaskar Medical College & Hospital (tertiary care centre), Telangana and assess their histo-pathological profile. The objective was to analyse the histo-pathological profile of skin disorders presenting to the Dermatology department of the hospital, determine the age and sex distribution of various skin diseases and to classify the most common disorders into their subtypes and thus assess the most common subtypes prevalent in the surrounding community. Methods: This was a prospective study carried out at the department of Pathology and department of Dermatology, Bhaskar Medical College & Hospital for a period of three years. Necessary clinical details were obtained in a proforma, punch biopsy taken and sent to the histopathology section for final report. Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded sections were prepared & slides were routinely stained with H & E and special stains applied wherever necessary. Data obtained was tabulated and analysed. Results: Total number of cases analysed were 92. The age group of 21-30 years constituted 31.5% of the total cases. There was a male predominance. Hyperpigmented patch/plaque was the most common clinical lesion (36.9%). Lichenoid lesions was the most common histopathological diagnosis reported (26%) followed by Hansen’s disease(23.9%). Lichen planus was the most common histopathological subtype of lichenoid lesion s(58.3%).

Aetiological, clinical and metabolic profile of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in adults: a single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Hypokalaemic periodic paralysis constitutes a heterogeneous group of disorders that present with acute muscular weakness. In this analysis, we discuss the aetiological factors that appear to be more common in the Indian population. METHODS: From 1995 to 2001, 31 patients presented with periodic paralysis (mean age 34.5 years, range 11-68 years). Of the 31 patients, 19 were men. The clinical and laboratory data of these patients were analysed. Patients were investigated for possible secondary causes of hypokalaemla. RESULTS: There were 13 patients (42%) with renal tubular acidosis, 13 with primary hyperaldosteronism (42%), 2 each with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis and sporadic periodic paralysis, and I with Gitelman syndrome. Of the 13 patients with renal tubular acidosis, 10 had proximal and 3 distal renal tubular acidosis. Three of these patients with renal tubular acidosis had Sjogren syndrome. The patients diagnosed to have renal tubular acidosis had significantly lower serum bicarbonate (18.7 [14.6] v. 29.6 [5.0] mEq/L; p < 0.05) and higher levels of chloride (107.5 [6.0] v. 99.5 [3.4] mEq/L; p < 0.05) compared with those who had primary hyperaldosteronism, although the potassium values were similar (2.4 [0.65] v. 2.26 [0.48] mEq/L; p = 0.43). All patients with primary hyperaldosteronism had hypertension at presentation and were proven to have adrenal adenomas. CONCLUSION: A significant number of patients in this study had secondary and potentially reversible causes of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis. The common causes were renal tubular acidosis and primary hyperaldosteronism. A detailed work-up for secondary causes should be undertaken in Indian patients with hypokalaemic periodic paralysis.

Sindrome de pontos brancos evanescentes

A síndrome de pontos brancos evanescentes (SPBE) é uma entidade clínica reconhecida apenas nos últimos anos, que presumivelmente acomete o epitélio pigmentar da retina. Os autores apresentam uma revisäo da literatura publicada sobre tal doença e relatam um de seus casos, ilustrando com retinografías. Comentam também a etiologia, clínica, propedêutica e diagnóstico diferencial