A descriptive study on prevalence of arm/shoulder problems and its impact on quality of life in breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for breast cancer and adjuvant radiotherapy are frequently associated with impairment of arm/shoulder function and development of lymphedema. However, most of the studies in Indian breast cancer survivors (BCSs) have focused on the development of lymphedema even though restriction of shoulder movement and pain are even more prevalent and adversely affect the quality of life (QOL). Hence, this study was conducted with the objectives to (1) study the prevalence of arm/shoulder problems (ASPs) including restricted shoulder mobility (ROM), lymphedema and arm/shoulder pain (2) assessment of the QOL in BCSs (3) to study the impact of ASPs on QOL. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted on BCSs at an academic center in Delhi These patients underwent a mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection with adjuvant therapies and were within 6 months to 5 years of follow-up. Assessment of ASPs was done using Kwan's arm problem scale (KAPS), and survivors with scores of more than 21.5 were considered to have significant ASPs. Assessment of shoulder movements was done by using a goniometer, lymphedema by measuring arm circumference at multiple points and arm/shoulder pain by using a numerical pain rating scale (NPRS). QOL was assessed using short form (SF-36) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 212 BCSs were studied with a mean duration of follow-up of 2.7 years (range = 6 months - 60 months). The prevalence of ASPs was 49% on KAPS. Prevalence of ROM, lymphedema, and arm/shoulder pain was found to be 51%, 27%, and 12% respectively. Patients with ASPs had poorer QOL scores on SF-36, significantly affecting both physical and mental component summary score. Among ASPs, worst scores were reported for limb swelling. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of ASPs in BCSs. Survivorship care plans should appropriately address these issues.

Avulsion Injuries of Right Hemidiaphragm: Report of Two Case Scenarios with Different Outcomes.

Avulsion injuries of domes of the diaphragm are rare injuries and may occur following lateral thoracoabdominal trauma. We share our experience of two cases of avulsion injuries of the right dome of the diaphragm. Our first case presented within a week following blunt trauma to the abdomen, and on thoracotomy, an effective repair was performed by restoring attachment of the diaphragm to the parietes. Our second case presented with severe respiratory distress, 1½ months after sustaining blunt injury chest and abdomen in a road traffic accident and on thoracotomy was found to have a completely necrosed right hemidiaphragm, and hence, no repair could be performed. However, the patient could not be weaned off ventilator and died after 3 months of primary injury. These cases highlight the importance of early diagnosis and repair of diaphragmatic injuries for a favorable outcome.

Biliary ascariasis presenting with gangrenous perforation of the gall bladder: report of a case and brief review of literature.

The most common cause of gallbladder perforation is calculous cholecystitis. Rarer causes include trauma, iatrogenic injuries, biliary stasis and gall bladder ischemia. We report a case of gall bladder gangrene with perforation, secondary to extensive ascariasis. A 45-year-old woman presented with acute intestinal obstruction and jaundice. She had abdominal distension and right hypochondrial tenderness. Abdominal radiography showed dilated bowel loops and ultrasonogram showed worms in the small intestine and biliary tree. On exploration, a bolus of worms 2 feet proximal to the ileocaecal junction was found causing obstruction. Worms were also present in the bile duct and gallbladder causing gangrene and perforation. She underwent cholecystectomy, bile-duct exploration and enterotomy. However, she died on the third postoperative day of overwhelming sepsis. Enteric complications of ascaris leading to bowel obstruction are well-known. Hepatobiliary complications such as cholangitis and obstructive jaundice are rare. However, such an extreme degree of infestation leading to gangrene and perforation of the gall bladder is extremely rare.