An Unusual Case of Resistant Hypokalaemia in a Patient with Large Bowel Obstruction Secondary to Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Prostate.

Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Prostate (NECP) is rare and only few cases have been reported, constituting less than 0.5% of prostatic malignancies. We report a rare case of large bowel obstruction from NECP posing a further challenge in management due to resistant hypokalaemia. A 70-year-old man presented with clinical signs of large bowel obstruction who was known to have prostatic carcinoma three years ago, treated initially with hormone therapy then chemoradiation. The blood profile showed a severe hypokalaemia and CT scan revealed liver and lung metastases apart from confirming large bowel obstruction from local invasion of NECP. Severe hypokalaemia was believed to be caused by paraneoplastic syndrome from tumor burden or by recent administration of Etoposide. Intensive potassium correction through a central venous access in maximal doses of 150 mmol/24 hours under cardiac monitoring finally raised serum potassium to 3.8 mmol/L. This safe period allowed us to perform a trephine colostomy at the left iliac fossa. The postoperative period was relatively uneventful. This first case report is presenting a rare cause of large bowel obstruction from a neuroendocrine carcinoma of prostate and highlights the importance of an early, intensive correction of electrolytes in patients with large tumor burden from NECP.

Estimation of Stature from Arm Span in Medical Students of Maharashtra, India.

BACKGROUND: Stature can be estimated from body parameters in dead and mutilated bodies using regression equation or multiplication factor. However, regression equations and multiplication factors are specific for the region only and can't be used in all population. AIM: To formulate regression equation and multiplication factor for the estimation of stature from arm span (AS) for a region in Maharashtra, India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study, did over a period of 2 years, from October 2011 to September 2013. Four hundred students of three Government medical colleges of Maharashtra, aged 18-24 years were enrolled in the study. Stature and AS were measured and subjected to statistical analysis. Unpaired t-test and simple linear regression were used. RESULTS: Stature and AS of 400 medical students (219 males and 181 females) were measured. Subjects were divided into six groups depending upon age. Simple regression equation and multiplication factor for male and female and for each age group were derived for estimation of stature. We found correlation coefficient (R) of 0.89 in male and 0.90 in female using simple regression, which shows strong correlation between stature and AS. CONCLUSION: Mean stature and AS of male were more than female with statistical significance. Stature can be accurately estimated from AS using simple regression equation or multiplication factor.

Primary hyperparathyroidism: an analysis of failure of parathyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative imaging in patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is used primarily to facilitate targeted parathyroidectomy. Failure of preoperative localisation mandates a bilateral exploration. It is thought that the results of imaging may also predict the success of surgery. The aims of this study were to assess whether the findings on preoperative localisation influenced outcomes following parathyroidectomy for PHPT and to explore factors underlying failure to cure at surgery. METHODS: We analysed outcomes of all patients who underwent first-time surgery for PHPT in two centres over a 5-year period to determine an association with demographic characteristics and findings on preoperative imaging. Records of patients not cured by initial surgery were reviewed to explore factors underlying failure to cure. RESULTS: The failure rate (persistent disease) in the entire cohort was 5 % (25/541) (bilateral neck explorations, 5 %; unilateral exploration, 7 %; targeted approach, 4 %), while two patients developed recurrent disease. In patients who had undergone dual imaging with an ultrasound scan and (99m)Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy, failure rates with "lateralised and concordant" imaging, "nonconcordant" imaging, and "dual-negative" imaging were 2, 9, and 11 %, respectively (p = 0.01). Of the 25 patients with persistent disease, multigland disease (MGD) was present in 52 % (13/25) and ectopic adenoma in 24 % (6/12). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PHPT who do not have lateralised and concordant dual imaging are at higher risk of persistent disease. A significant proportion of failures are due to the inability to recognise the presence and/or extent of MGD.

Morbidity pattern in hospitalized under five children with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Children with sickle cell disease require more frequent hospital care and younger children (<5 yr of age) are more vulnerable to mortality. There are limited data on the events leading to hospitalizations and death in younger children with sickle cell disease from India. This study was, therefore, undertaken to evaluate the morbidity pattern in hospitalized under five children with sickle cell disease in a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra, India. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study carried out from July 2007 to June 2009. Hospitalized children below five years of age with sickle cell disease were enrolled for the study and evaluated for morbid event/s leading to hospitalization. Haematological indices were noted at baseline (most recent past when patient was not acutely sick) and at the time of hospitalization. RESULTS: Eighty five children with sickle cell disease were hospitalized during the study period. Hospitalization with acute febrile illness (31%) was the most common morbid event followed by severe anaemia (30%) and acute painful events (20%). Majority (62%) of the events occurred between August and October. Forty five patients had foetal haemoglobin (HbF) more than 20 per cent (26.80 ± 4.81%) and morbidity was significantly less in these patients. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Acute febrile illness was the most common morbid event followed by severe anaemia and acute painful event hospitalized children with sickle cell disease. There was significant seasonal variation with maximum events occurring in the monsoon season.

Pain management in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: a review.

The management of postoperative pain is a key to patient early recovery, in particular, where the surgery was performed to benefit another human being. In recent years it has been recognized that multimodal analgesic methods are superior for postoperative pain relief. It is also imperative to remember that inadequately managed acute postoperative pain opens the doorway to possible suffering from chronic postoperative pain later. Although the laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has reduced the disincentives associated with open surgery, still significant percentage of donors suffers from postoperative pain. In the UK, patient-controlled analgesic system (PCAS) using morphine for postoperative pain relief is being used in majority of the transplant centres. Though opioids provide good analgesia, they are far from being an ideal analgesic due to their adverse effects. This paper pragmatically looks in depth on different modalities of pain management in patients undergoing laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy.

Role of human leukocyte antigen, donor-specific antibodies, and their impact in renal transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical significance of the presence of antibody against human leukocyte antigen (HLAb) and donor-specific antibodies (DSAb) prior to renal transplantation remains unclear. This study was done to assess the impact of HLAb and DSAb on graft function, rejection episodes, and graft survival in renal transplantation. METHODS: The Luminex (Luminex, Austin, Texas, United States) is a solid-phase assay using micro-spheres and it is more sensitive at detecting human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies than conventional tests. This retrospective analysis involved 141 consecutive renal transplant recipients between May 2007 and 2009 and with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Luminex was positive for HLA class I in 35 and negative in 106; similarly class II positivity was noted in 23 and negative in 118. The DSAb were positive in 33 and negative in 108 recipients. The HLA class I, class II, and DSA-positive groups showed no difference in renal function assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 2 years (52 ± 29 vs 52 ± 22; 56 ± 29 vs 51 ± 29; 48 ± 18 vs 53 ± 19; P = not significant [NS]). But rejection episodes at 1 year were significantly high in HLA class I and DSAb-positive group (17/35 vs 27/106; P = .019 and 16/33 vs 29/108; P = .035). The rejection episodes in the HLA class II-positive group did not show any difference when compared with the negative group (9/23 vs 40/118; P = .63). Graft survival was not affected by positivity to any of these antibodies at 2 years. CONCLUSION: Having HLA class I, class II, and DSAb does not have any influence on early and intermediate graft function. The HLA class I and DSAb positivity increases rejection episodes within 1 year in renal transplantation. Graft survival was not affected by class I, class II, and DSAb at 2 years.

Use of internal iliac artery as a side-to-end anastomosis in renal transplantation.

The internal iliac artery is less commonly used in renal transplantation in comparison to the external iliac artery due to its size and the risk of compromising distal vascular supply to the pelvis. We report a cadaveric renal transplant in which we performed a side-to-end anastomosis using the internal iliac artery. This technique can provide adequate perfusion to the transplant kidney without the associated risks and complications in the patient whose internal iliac artery is of a good diameter and quality.

Post-biopsy renal allograft compartment syndrome: Addressing the problem, illustrated with a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Renal allograft compartment syndrome (RACS) has recently been coined to describe early allograft dysfunction secondary to raised pressure in the retroperitoneal space. This may be caused by direct compression of the renal vessels or by a diffuse renal parenchymal compression. Herein, we report a renal allograft compartment syndrome secondary to a needle core transplant biopsy and discuss the management strategies in line with an updated literature review. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A retrospective case-note review was carried out where a 45-year-old male had a transplant renal biopsy at 4-weeks after transplant for raising creatinine. Following biopsy patient developed abdominal discomfort and had haematuria. DISCUSSION: Doppler ultrasound scanning of graft demonstrated good perfusion but a small haematoma (2 × 2 × 2 cm) in the upper pole of the kidney at the site of the biopsy. Patient was thereafter assessed conservatively with serial ultrasound monitoring. After 24 h, significant deterioration of graft function was observed. The third scan, demonstrated reversed flow in diastole in the upper pole of the kidney with a resistive index of 1.0 in the main renal vessel. With the above findings the kidney transplant was explored immediately and the transplant released from a 300 ml of liquefied haematoma, which was under considerable pressure. In the next 24-h, the patient showed an immediate return of graft function. CONCLUSION: We recommend sequential ultrasound Doppler scanning as an invaluable tool to help identify early RACS. The surgical exploration and adequate heamostasis with surgical glue should be sought out in all RACS.

Endometriosis in the canal of Nuck hydrocele: An unusual presentation.

The authors describe an unusual rare presentation of endometriosis in a hydrocoele of the canal of Nuck. A 43-year-old lady presented with a swelling in her right groin associated with mild discomfort. Examination revealed a cystic swelling in the groin for which she underwent an exploration and excision of the swelling. Surgery revealed a hydrocele of the canal of Nuck which was confirmed histologically. The unusual presentation of endometriosis in the sac was confirmed immunocytochemically.

Hypothermic machine perfusion after static cold storage does not improve the preservation condition in an experimental porcine kidney model.

BACKGROUND: Combining hypothermic techniques, as a more practical approach to preservation, may enhance the condition of kidneys donated after cardiac death. METHODS: Porcine kidneys were retrieved after 10 min in situ warm ischaemia, then preserved by either 18 h static cold storage (CS), hypothermic machine perfusion for 18 h (HMP) or 14 h static CS followed by 4 h HMP (4HMP). Kidneys were reperfused for 3 h with oxygenated autologous blood on an isolated organ perfusion system to assess renal function and injury. RESULTS: Intrarenal resistance was significantly higher in the 4HMP group than in the CS and HMP groups: mean(s.d.) area under the curve (AUC) 8·48(2·97), 3·41(1·80) and 3·78(1·68) mmHg/min.h respectively (P = 0·011). Creatinine clearance was lower after 4HMP and CS: AUC 2·3(0·6) and 2·2(1·7) ml per min per 100g.h respectively versus 9·8(7·3) ml per min per 100g.h in the HMP group (P = 0·022). Levels of endothelin 1 were higher in the 4HMP and CS groups: mean(s.d.) 21·6(4·0) and 24·2(2·3) pg/ml respectively versus 11·4(4·6) pg/ml in the HMP group (P = 0·002). Morphological damage was increased in the 4HMP group. CONCLUSION: This porcine kidney study demonstrated no advantage to the addition of 4 h of HMP after CS.

Randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic versus open donor nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: This randomized controlled trial was designed to determine the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) in comparison with short-incision open donor nephrectomy (ODN). METHODS: Eighty-four live kidney donors were randomized in a 2 : 1 ratio to LDN (56 patients) or short-incision ODN without rib resection (28). Primary endpoints were pain relief and duration of inpatient stay. RESULTS: There was no donor death or allograft thrombosis in either group. The first warm ischaemic time median (range) 4 (2-7) versus 2 (1-5) min; P = 0.001) and the duration of operation (160 (110-250) versus 150 (90-200); P = 0.004) were longer for LDN. LDN led to a reduction in parenteral morphine requirement 59 (6-136) versus 90 (35-312) mg; P = 0.001) and hospital stay (4 (2-6) versus 6 (2-9) days; P = 0.001), and earlier return to employment (42 (14-84) versus 66.5 (14-112) days; P = 0.004). Postoperative respiratory function was improved after LDN. There were more postoperative complications per donor in the ODN group (0.6(0.7) versus 0.3(0.5); P = 0.033). At a median follow-up of 74 months, there were no differences in renal function or allograft survival between the groups. CONCLUSION: LDN removes some of the disincentives to live donation without compromising the outcome of the recipient transplant.

Comparison of preservation solutions in an experimental model of organ cooling in kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Viscous preservation solutions such as University of Wisconsin solution (UW) may be less effective at rapid removal of blood from an organ so that cooling takes longer. This study assessed the temperature changes of kidneys flushed with UW and hyperosmolar citrate (HOC). METHODS: Porcine kidneys were retrieved and flushed with 500 ml UW or HOC at 4 degrees C while monitoring kidney temperature at depths of 5 and 20 mm. Renal function was measured on an isolated organ preservation system. RESULTS: The mean(s.d.) rate of temperature fall was slower with UW (at 20 mm: 0.64(0.11) versus 1.01(0.56) degrees C per min per 100 g; P = 0.016). The perfusion flow rate required to reduce the temperature to less than 10 degrees C at a depth of 20 mm was lower in the UW group (P = 0.002). Kidneys flushed with HOC gained more weight than those flushed with UW (mean(s.d.) 50(8) versus 7(13) per cent; P = 0.002). Flushing with UW was associated with less histological injury but there were no significant differences in renal function parameters between the groups. CONCLUSION: UW cooled kidneys more slowly than HOC, but with no adverse effect on renal function. UW resulted in less oedema and histological injury than HOC.