Intussusception - A common entity but seldom diagnosed (lesson learnt from case series for family physicians).

Intussusception is one of the common causes of acute abdomen in paediatric age bracket with ileocolic type being the most prevalent. This happens when a proximal segment of bowel (intussusceptum) telescopes into the lumen of the adjacent distal segment (intussuscepiens). Here we report six cases of intussusception in which five were in paediatric age group and one was adult. All children were admitted, resuscitated well, USG abdomen was done to confirm the diagnosis, written and informed consent for surgery and anaesthesia, was taken from parents. However, all were managed successfully by hydrostatic saline reduction under sedation. Only one child had recurrence after one year who was again treated conservatively. Adult case was managed by means of laparotomy by excision of benign polyp being the pathological lead point. We present this case series to analyse the spectrum of presentation, diagnostic and therapeutic options available with review of literature. Since primary care providers and family physicians are first responders, this case series would help them for differential diagnosis and prompt referrals for further management.

Distribution of temoporfin, a new photosensitizer for the photodynamic therapy of cancer, in a murine tumor model.

The biodistribution of temoporfin (tetra[m-hydroxyphenyl]chlorin, m-THPC), a recently developed photosensitizer, was investigated in BALB/c mice. The drug was administered intravenously (0.35-0.75 mumol/kg) to tumor-free mice or to mice implanted with the Colo 26 colorectal carcinoma. Blood and tissue samples were collected for up to 96 h post-dose. Drug concentrations were determined by HPLC coupled to photometric detection at 423 nm. Concentrations in blood and liver fell relatively rapidly such that blood concentrations at later time points were below the limit of detection. Tumor concentrations rose at first and then remained constant from 24 h. Temoporfin concentrations in some tissues, notably heart and skeletal muscle, declined only slowly when compared to blood. The tumor: tissue ratios for those organs that showed a more rapid decline in temoporfin concentrations were higher at later times, whereas in tissues such as muscle the ratio remained relatively constant. The organs with the highest tumor:tissue ratios were small intestine (8.6), liver (6.9) and skeletal muscle (5.0).