This paper presents an analysis of data collected from 242 cases of acute and chronic leukemia observed during a 10-year period. The incidence of childhood leukemia was 26.45%. In the present series, it was 35.95% for ALL, 21.9% AML, 38.4% CML and 2.89% CLL. The incidences of ALL and CML were found comparable to other series from Bombay. The geographical variations in the pattern of leukemias as observed in India are discussed.

A study of socio-demographic features of 680 cannabis and heroin addicts showed that the factors like, age, religion, family structure, peer groups and the easy availability of these drugs contribute to the problem of addiction.

The hypothesis that macrophages appear to play a pivotal role in the development of intraperitoneal adhesions and that modulation of macrophage activity, therefore, is likely to provide a tool for prevention of adhesions, was tested in the present study. Effect of Asparagus racemosus, an indigenous agent with immunostimulant properties, was evaluated in an animal model of intraperitoneal adhesions induced by caecal rubbing. Animals were sacrificed 15 days following surgery. The peritoneal macrophages were collected to assess their activity. At the same time, peritoneal cavity was examined for the presence of adhesions, which were graded. A significant decrease was observed in the adhesion scores attained by animals receiving Asparagus racemosus. This was associated with significant increase in the activity of macrophages (70.1 +/- 2.52), compared to that in surgical controls (53.77 +/- 10.8). These findings support our hypothesis and provide a novel approach for the prevention and management of post-operative adhesions.

This is a study of 43 knees in 42 patients, in whom a continuous passive motion was used to prevent stiffness of the knee and to assist restoration of a range of motion for a variety of disorders of the knee joint. CPM was given for an average of 6 hours daily in split sessions for a total duration of 3 weeks. Various clinical parameters were maintained and a scoring system was designed. It was observed that CPM caused little or no pain and elicited excellent patient compliance. There was a rapid subsidence of edema and effusion and a shorter hospital stay. 83% of cases had excellent or good results. There were no adverse effects, but there were a few minor complications. The study revealed that CPM is a valuable component of the therapeutic programme for preventing knee stiffness and aiding the speedy restoration of joint function without compromising healing of tissues.

The clinico-pathological features of 15 patients with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) are described and the probable histogenesis is discussed. Based on our data and the review of literature, we believe that XGP should be regarded as a destructive and at times tumefactive inflammatory process that may complicate chronic pyelonephritis. The initiation of this process remains obscure, but the features commonly associated with XGP are pelvi-calyceal obstruction, ulceration of the pelvic urothelium with collection of necrotic material and bacterial infection.

A case of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (Stage-I: Nephric) with ureteral involvement is described. The patient had undergone right nephrectomy with the working diagnosis of calculus pyonephrosis and non-functioning kidney. Histopathological examination of the nephrectomy specimen revealed xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis confined to the kidney and non-contiguous involvement of ureter. Post-operative recovery was uneventful and there had been no evidence of disease recurrence till one year's follow-up.

Peritoneal encapsulation is a rare congenital anomaly. Its occurrence in a female and association with intestinal obstruction are even rarer features which were present in the reported case.

Passage of menstrual blood only in the urine is termed as menouria, which is due to a supraisthmic utero-vesical fistula. Passage of lochia in the urine, instead of through the cervix has not been described in the literature. A case is described, and has been labelled lochiauria.

Hydatid disease of the thyroid gland, presenting as a solitary thyroid nodule, is being reported below. Pre-operative investigations, including thyroid isotope scanning and aspiration of the nodule, did not help in establishing the diagnosis which was later confirmed by histological examination. Post-operative investigations revealed it to be an isolated involvement of the thyroid gland.

An unusual case of postero-superior periarticular irritation of the hip joint of six months' duration due to an extension of a pre-sacral foreign body granuloma in an 18 year old unmarried girl is presented. Two wooden sticks which probably were inserted pervaginally by a village midwife to induce an abortion for an unwanted pregnancy had found its way to presacral region. The scanning of the vaginal fornix indicated a possible route through which the sticks might have been migrated.

A rare case of paratesticular myxoliposarcoma spreading to the inguinal region forming satellite nodules, hence clinically mimicking a metastatising testicular malignancy is reported. Its prognostic factors are discussed.