Cardiac MRI for Iron Overload in pediatric thalassemia patients- Right Age to Start in a Resource Constrained Environment.

The aim of this article is to assess the prevalence and severity of myocardial iron overload in thalassemia patients who present for the first time for cardiac MRI and to define the right age to start screening, in a resource-constrained environment. All MRI scans done at our institute for myocardial iron overload assessment in thalassemia patients, between 2015 and 2018 were analysed. Patients up to the age of 30 years were included. There were a total of 600 patients, (Age group between 2 and 30 years). All these scans were retrospectively analysed and severity of myocardial iron overload was categorized as normal, mild, moderate and severe based on the bright blood T2* equivalent values at 1.5 T. Overall prevalence of myocardial iron overload was 32.3%, while the prevalence of myocardial iron overload in patients in the age group 0-10 was 10.2%.There were 40 patients in the age group 0-6 years, of whom, only 2 had myocardial iron overload. In patients less than or equal to 6 years of age, the number of patients with iron overload was very small and this may be used to decide the optimal age for scanning.

Role of MRI in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a review article.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a rare heterogeneous group of chronic, autoimmune conditions characterized by the slow, progressive weakness of the skeletal muscles and inflammatory infiltrates in the muscle tissue. The predominant role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in myositis imaging is to assess disease activity and to identify the target site for biopsy. Its role in phenotyping the disease is less explored. The aim of the present review was to examine the role of MRI in differentiating between the common inflammatory myopathies, i.e. dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and sporadic inclusion body myositis, and to describe the specific spectrum of MRI findings in various inflammatory myopathies.

Survival predictors of interstitial lung disease in India: Follow-up of Interstitial Lung Disease India registry.

BACKGROUND: Predictors of survival for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in the Indian population have not been studied. The primary objective of the study was to assess the Modified-Gender Age and Physiology (M-GAP) score to predict survival in patients with ILD seen in clinical practice. We also analyzed the role of demographic and radiological characteristics in predicting the survival of patients with ILD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the ILD India registry, data were collected from 27 centers across 19 cities in India between March 2012 and June 2015. A single follow-up was conducted at 18 centers who agreed to participate in the follow-up in 2017. M-GAP score (range 0-5) was calculated with the following variables: age (≤60 years 0, 61-65 years 1, and >65 years 2), gender (female 0, male 1), and forced vital capacity% (>75% 0, 50%-75% 1, and >75% 2). A score of 0-3 and score of 4 and 5 were classified into Stage 1 and 2, respectively. Other predictors of survival, such as the history of tuberculosis, smoking, and the presence of honeycombing on computed tomography scan, were also evaluated. RESULTS: Nine hundred and seven patients were contacted in 2017. Among them, 309 patients were lost to follow-up; 399 were alive and 199 had died. M-GAP was significantly associated with survival. Similarly, other predictors of survival were ability to perform spirometry (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34-0.72), past history of tuberculosis (HR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.07-2.29), current or past history of smoking (HR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06-2.16), honeycombing (HR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.29-2.55), a diagnosis of connective tissue disease -ILD (HR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22-0.76), and sarcoidosis (HR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.08-0.77). CONCLUSION: In a subgroup of patients with newly diagnosed ILD enrolled in ILD India registry and who were available for follow-up, M-GAP score predicted survival. Honeycombing at the time of diagnosis, along with accurate history of smoking, and previous history of tuberculosis were useful indices for predicting survival.

Management of interstitial lung diseases: A consensus statement of the Indian Chest Society (ICS) and National College of Chest Physicians (NCCP).

BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a complex and heterogeneous group of acute and chronic lung diseases of several known and unknown causes. While clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been recently updated, CPG for ILD other than IPF are needed. METHODS: A working group of multidisciplinary clinicians familiar with clinical management of ILD (pulmonologists, radiologist, pathologist, and rheumatologist) and three epidemiologists selected by the leaderships of Indian Chest Society and National College of Chest Physicians, India, posed questions to address the clinically relevant situation. A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. A modified GRADE approach was used to grade the evidence. The working group discussed the evidence and reached a consensus of opinions for each question following face-to-face discussions. RESULTS: Statements have been made for each specific question and the grade of evidence has been provided after performing a systematic review of literature. For most of the questions addressed, the available evidence was insufficient and of low to very low quality. The consensus of the opinions of the working group has been presented as statements for the questions and not as an evidence-based CPG for the management of ILD. CONCLUSION: This document provides the guidelines made by consensus of opinions among experts following discussion of systematic review of evidence pertaining to the specific questions for management of ILD other than IPF. It is hoped that this document will help the clinician understand the accumulated evidence and help better management of idiopathic and nonidiopathic interstitial pneumonias.

Management of interstitial lung diseases: A consensus statement of the Indian Chest Society (ICS) and National College of Chest Physicians (NCCP)

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a complex and heterogeneous group of acute and chronic lung diseases of several known and unknown causes. While clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been recently updated, CPG for ILD other than IPF are needed. Methods: A working group of multidisciplinary clinicians familiar with clinical management of ILD (pulmonologists, radiologist, pathologist, and rheumatologist) and three epidemiologists selected by the leaderships of Indian Chest Society and National College of Chest Physicians, India, posed questions to address the clinically relevant situation. A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. A modified GRADE approach was used to grade the evidence. The working group discussed the evidence and reached a consensus of opinions for each question following face-to-face discussions. Results: Statements have been made for each specific question and the grade of evidence has been provided after performing a systematic review of literature. For most of the questions addressed, the available evidence was insufficient and of low to very low quality. The consensus of the opinions of the working group has been presented as statements for the questions and not as an evidence-based CPG for the management of ILD. Conclusion: This document provides the guidelines made by consensus of opinions among experts following discussion of systematic review of evidence pertaining to the specific questions for management of ILD other than IPF. It is hoped that this document will help the clinician understand the accumulated evidence and help better management of idiopathic and nonidiopathic interstitial pneumonias.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: Clinical manifestations - Prospective data from the interstitial lung disease-India registry.

CONTEXT: Multiple environmental factors are associated with development of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), and diagnostic algorithms for the diagnosis of HP have been proposed in recent perspectives. AIMS: We analyzed the data of patients with HP from interstitial lung disease (ILD)-India registry. The analysis was performed to (1) find the prevalence of HP, (2) reclassify HP as per a recently proposed classification criterion to assess the level of diagnostic certainty, and (3) identify the causative agents for HP. SETTING AND DESIGNS: This was a prospective multicenter study of consecutive, consenting adult patients with new-onset ILD from 27 centers across India (March 2012-April 2015). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The diagnoses were based on prespecified working clinical criteria and multidisciplinary discussions. To assess strength of diagnosis based on available clinical information, patients with HP were subclassified into definite HP, HP with high level of confidence, and HP with low level of confidence using a recent classification scheme. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirteen of 1084 patients with new-onset ILD were clinically diagnosed with HP and subclassified as HP with high level of confidence (380, 74.1%), HP with low level of confidence (106, 20.7%), and definite HP (27, 5.3%). Exposures among patients with HP were birds (odds ratios [OR]: 3.52, P < 0.001), air-conditioners (OR: 2.23, P < 0.001), molds (OR: 1.79, P < 0.001), rural residence (OR: 1.64, P < 0.05), and air-coolers (OR: 1.45, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: About 47.3% of patients with new-onset ILD in India were diagnosed with HP, the majority of whom were diagnosed as HP with a high level of confidence. The most common exposures were birds, cooling devices, and visible molds.

Fibroma of the patellar tendon sheath-a rare case in a young boy.

Fibroma of the tendon sheath is a rare benign fibrocollagenous soft tissue tumor, arising predominantly from the synovium of tendon sheath. Fibromas occur most commonly in relation to the tendons of the fingers, hand, and the wrist. Fibromas related to large joints are rather rare and though amongst the large joints, the knee is a common site. Fibromas of the patellar tendon sheath, specifically, are very rare. To the best of our knowledge, only three cases of fibromas arising from the patellar tendon sheath have been reported in the relevant English medical literature. Herein we describe the fourth biopsy-proven case of fibroma of patellar tendon sheath in a 6-year-old boy.

Role of the weight-bearing cone-beam CT in evaluation of flatfoot deformity.

INTRODUCTION: Till date, weight-bearing radiographs have been the cornerstone for planning surgeries on flatfoot. The technique, however, has limitations due to the superimposition of the bones and the lack of reproducibility. Weight-bearing CT with its unique design overcomes these limitations and enables cross-sectional imaging of the foot to be done in the natural weight-bearing position. In this paper, we report our initial experience in weight-bearing cross-sectional imaging of the foot for assessment of flatfoot deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Around 19 known cases of flatfoot were scanned on the weight-bearing CT. Each foot was then assessed for the various angles and also for the presence/absence of extra-articular talocalcaneal impingement and subfibular impingement. Other associated abnormalities like secondary osteoarthritic changes, were also noted. RESULTS: The Meary, as well as the calcaneal angles, were abnormal, in all but one separate foot. Forefoot abduction was seen in 7 of the 19 feet. The hind foot valgus angle was greater than 10° in all patients. Extra-articular talocalcaneal impingement was seen in 13 of 19 feet. Secondary osteoarthritic changes were seen in 14 feet. CONCLUSION: Weight-bearing CT scan is a very useful technique for evaluation of flatfoot and associated complications. It overcomes the limitations of the radiographs by providing multiplanar three-dimensional assessment of the foot in the natural weight-bearing position and at the same time being easily reproducible and consistent for the measurements around the foot. The definite advantage over the conventional cross-sectional scanners is the weight-bearing capability.

Longitudinal Followup of Incidentally Detected Pseudotumors in Patients with Metal on Metal Implants: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: This study describes the significance and temporal evolution of incidentally detected, presumed, metal-induced reactive periprosthetic masses in patients with metal on metal (MoM) hip arthroplasty and its management. The literature concerning the temporal evolution of these lesions is meagre and so it is still unclear, whether asymptomatic patients with periprosthetic collections should undergo revision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with MoM hip replacements fitted with a recalled implant (ASR, DuPuy) often undergo magnetic resonance imaging with metal artifact reduction sequences to look for complications. From a cohort of 136 asymptomatic patients, with 181 MoM hips, hips with a mention of periprosthetic masses in their reports at first presentation, and a repeat scan within 6 months to 3 years were selected for this retrospective study. Patients with complications such as loosening, osteomyelitis, and muscle/tendon tears were excluded from the study, and the final study cohort consisted of 55 MoM hips and 61 periprosthetic masses. Ethics committee approval is not required in our institution for retrospective studies. The followup scans of each patient were compared, and the periprosthetic masses were described to have progressed, regressed, or remained unchanged. RESULTS: Comparison revealed that 29 of the 61 reactive masses remained unchanged, 20 regressed, while only 12 showed progression. The study, therefore, has maximum power as the outcome of interest, i.e., regression or unchanged status of the pseudotumors, was seen in approximately 80% (more than half) of the study group. The P value of the study was < 0.005. CONCLUSION: Periprosthetic soft tissue masses are not uncommon in patients with MoM hips. The majority of them in asymptomatic individuals remain stable or regress in the short to medium term, and close followup or decisions on revision surgery may not be warranted in asymptomatic patients.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of complications following hip replacement: A pictorial review.

Hip replacement surgery helps millions of people worldwide walk painlessly each year. With increasing life spans and decreased clinical threshold for surgery, this number will continue to rise. With the increase in the number of surgeries and the longevity of implants, the need for early and prompt diagnosis of complications is also rising. This essay underlines the fact that magnetic resonance imaging on a 1.5T scanner with specialized metal artefact reduction sequences is a viable technique to image the post-arthroplasty hip and has vast potential in the prompt and early diagnosis of complications in these patients.