Diagnosis of pseudo-gout (calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease) clinched on cytology.

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease is a metabolic arthropathy which results from deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in and around joints especially the hyaline cartilage and disc material. This metabolic disease in uncommon in the smaller joints and multiple diagnostic modalities along with biochemical investigations would be necessary for definite diagnosis. We highlight the case of a 48 year old male who presented with a painful mass at the base of left thumb and was clinic-radiologically suspected as malignancy. Cytological examination (fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC]) showed numerous extracellular rods shaped and rhomboid blunt-ended crystals along with foreign body type of giant cells. The main emphasis here is on the pivotal role played by FNAC in accurately diagnosing the disease where other modalities like radiology and histopathology failed to do so. The exact categorization of crystals is important from treatment point of view to avoid any major deformities in the joints/systemic manifestation.

Oncogenic Osteomalacia: An Approach to Diagnosis with a Case Report.

Oncogenic osteomalacia, also known as tumour induced osteomalacia, is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by mesenchymal tumours secreting Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 (FGF-23). The characteristic biochemical findings include hypophosphatemia and low 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D. The differential diagnosis for hypophosphatemia are varied. We present a case of oncogenic osteomalacia in a 29-year-old female, who presented with complaints of generalized diffuse bone pain and walking difficulty for six months duration. Thus, we have discussed the approach to diagnosis in such a case.

A Confounding Case of Inherited Factor V Deficiency Complicated by Inhibitors at First Presentation.

INTRODUCTION: Inherited factor V deficiency / Owren's disease has varied clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic laboratory abnormalities to massive hemorrhage. The acquired form due to inhibitors following antibiotic therapy, infection, or surgery is less common, and spontaneous development of inhibitors is not known. CASE REPORT: An 18-year-old boy presented with bleeding axillary and groin ulcers. At the age of 15, due to recurrent epistaxis and gum bleed, he was diagnosed with acquired factor V deficiency with positive inhibitor screen and treated with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion and temporary azathioprine. Coagulation workup at his current presentation also revealed acquired factor V deficiency with presence of inhibitors. The tests were repeated after 6 weeks of intermittent FFP transfusion, and the differences observed included negative inhibitor screen and complete correction on mixing studies, but factor V level was 2%. DISCUSSION: Evidence of inhibitors at presentation favored acquired disease. However, younger age of onset, detection of inhibitors 1 year after first episode of self-regressing bleed, lack of identifiable triggers, and persistent bleeding with reduced factor levels after disappearance of inhibitors favored inherited factor V deficiency. CONCLUSION: In this case report, we have described an interesting case of severe inherited factor V deficiency with spontaneous appearance and disappearance of inhibitors exhibiting nonspecific factor inhibitory activity.

Non-pharmacological Interventions in Hypertension: A Community-based Cross-over Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the most prevalent non-communicable disease causing significant morbidity/mortality through cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal complications. OBJECTIVES: This community-based study tested the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions in preventing/controlling hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-over randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the earlier RCT (2007) of non-pharmacological interventions in hypertension, conducted in the urban service area of our Institute. The subjects, prehypertensive and hypertensive young adults (98 subjects: 25, 23, 25, 25 in four groups) were randomly allotted into a group that he/she had not belonged to in the earlier RCT: Control (New Group I), Physical Exercise (NG II)-brisk walking for 50 to 60 minutes, three to four days/week, Salt Intake Reduction (NG III) to at least half of their previous intake, Yoga (NG IV) for 30 to 45 minutes/day, five days/week. Blood pressure was measured before and after eight weeks of intervention. Analysis was by ANOVA with a Games-Howell post hoc test. RESULTS: Ninety-four participants (25, 23, 21, 25) completed the study. All three intervention groups showed significant reduction in BP (SBP/DBP mmHg: 5.3/6.0 in NG II, 2.5/2.0 in NG III, and 2.3/2.4 in NG IV, respectively), while the Control Group showed no significant difference. Persistence of significant reduction in BP in the three intervention groups after cross-over confirmed the biological plausibility of these non-pharmacological interventions. This study reconfirmed that physical exercise was more effective than Salt Reduction or Yoga. Salt Reduction, and Yoga were equally effective. CONCLUSION: Physical exercise, salt intake reduction, and yoga are effective non-pharmacological methods for reducing blood pressure in young pre-hypertensive and hypertensive adults.