Indian studies on lipid profile abnormalities in chronic renal failure (CRF) have varied from no abnormalities at all to significant abnormality (hypertriglyceridemia and reduced HDL) as described in the Western literature. Moreover, there is no Indian study on the effect of renal transplantation on the abnormal lipid profile of CRF. The aim of our study was to determine the lipid profile of CRF patients on conservative treatment, end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) treatment and renal transplant patients. We also looked at the effect of fish oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (Max-EPA) on hypertriglyceridemia of CRF. The study included 4 groups; Gp I: control subjects (n = 9, age = 30 +/- 5 yrs), Gp II: CRF patients on conservative treatment (n = 9, age = 49 +/- 17 yrs), Gp III: ESRD patients on HD for at least 3 months (n = 19, age = 53 +/- 9 yrs), Gp IV: 3 months post-renal transplant patients (n = 9, age 31 +/- 11 yrs). The lipids and lipoproteins analysed include total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, Apo A1 and Apo B. It was observed that in Gp II patients triglycerides were significantly elevated (p < .05) and Apo A1/Apo B significantly abnormally lower (p < .001) compared to Gp I. In Gp IV patients, there was no significant difference in lipid profile compared to Gp I. With the use of Max-EPA in 5 patients with hypertriglyceridemia, there was a significant improvement in hypertriglyceridemia (p < .05). Our study suggests: 1) significant hypertriglyceridemia does develop in a majority of CRF patients. The abnormality probably improves with dialysis treatment and renal transplantation. 2) A lower Apo A1/Apo B ratio in CRF patients may account for higher risk of atherosclerosis. 3) Fish oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids improves hypertriglyceridemia of CRF.

Eighty-five paediatric patients (age range: 6 mths-12yrs) undergoing lower abdominal surgery were studied for post-operative pain relief following either caudal bupivacaine (GpI: n = 43) or buprenorphine (GpII: n = 42). Bupivacaine was administered as 0.5ml/kg body weight of 0.25% solution and buprenorphine as 4 micrograms/ml and volume of 0.5 ml/Kg body weight in normal saline. Post-operatively pain was graded on a 4-point scale and behaviour on a 5-point scale. Any post-operative complications and need for additional analgesia were also noted. Bupivacaine provided good pain relief in the early post-operative hours but buprenorphine provided pain relief lasting for 24 hrs or more post-operatively. Post-operative behaviour of 10 patients receiving buprenorphine was graded as cheerful as compared to 2 from bupivacaine group. Till the end of observation period (i.e. 8 hr post-operatively), majority of patients receiving buprenorphine remained cheerful.

Kupffer cells are major determinants of outcome of liver injury. Their activity was therefore studied in a model of chronic liver disease. The effect of Tinospora cordifolia, an indigenous agent with proven hepatoprotective activity, was evaluated on Kupffer cell function, using carbon clearance test as a parameter. Rats were divided into two major groups. In Gp I which served as normal control t1/2 of carbon was 9.48 +/- 4.14 min. GpII received horse-serum in a dose of 0.5 ml/100 gm b.w. i.p. for a period of 12 weeks and was divided into three sub-groups. In Gp IIA at the end of 12 weeks half-life of carbon was found to be significantly increased to 19.86 +/- 7.95 min (p < 0.01). Indicating suppressed Kupffer cell function in chronic liver damage. In Gp IIB treated with vehicle for 4 more weeks there was significant prolongation of half-life to 38.32 +/- 10.61 min (p < 0.01), indicating perpetuation of damage in absence of damaging agent. Whereas in Gp IIc, treated with Tinospora cordifolia t 1/2 was decreased to 14.24 7.74 min (p < .01), as compared to vehicle control indicating a significant improvement in Kupffer cell function and a trend towards normalization.

The present study based on WHO histologic typing of testicular tumours deals with 100 cases recorded in the files of the Department of Pathology from 1969 to 1987. These tumours accounted for 2.57% malignancies of male genital system. Maximum number of tumours were recorded in the third and fourth decades. Right testis was affected in 60% cases. Scrotal swelling was the predominant presenting feature, followed by pain. Five cases of testicular tumours were observed in undescended testis. Germ cell tumour of one histologic type constituted 76% of testicular tumors. Germ cell tumors of more than one histologic type were 23%. One case (1%) belonged to lymphoid and haemopoietic system and was of large cell lymphocytic lymphoma. Amongst the germ cell tumors with one histologic type, seminoma (34%) and embryonal carcinoma (28%) were predominant while teratocarcinoma was a predominant tumour in combination group.

One hundred and twenty-six patients underwent fine needle aspiration (FNA) and/or core biopsies of the prostate in a rurally located, non-oncospecialised organisational setting. The procedures were performed by the residents of varying seniority and experience. While a simple core biopsy alone had a greater diagnostic potential, (37/45) FNA was found to be a rapidly interpretable sampling methodology with consequent reduction of waiting period for diagnosis and institution of treatment. The two techniques taken together complemented each other by avoiding repeat biopsies, delaying diagnosis and therapy. In case FNA turned out to be inconclusive, the report on core biopsy would follow soon, unlike in a situation where they are done asynchronously.

Seventy patients of bilateral chronic simple glaucoma with a mean age of 59.7 years, an intra-ocular pressure over 25 mmg Hg, optic disc cupping, and without visual field loss were selected. The eye with higher intra-ocular pressure or the larger optic disc cup was treated by early trabeculectomy while the other eye of the same patient was subjected to medical therapy with topical beta blockers for 3 years (without any surgical treatment). Both the eyes of 70 patients were compared after 3 years. Eyes which had undergone trabeculectomy had a mean intra-ocular pressure of 11.7 mm Hg against 18 mm Hg in the medically treated eyes. Surgically treated eyes had decrease in the mean cup : disc ratio (from 0.54 : 1 to 0.48 : 1) whereas medically treated eyes showed an increase from 0.41:1 to 0.51: 1. Visual field loss occurred in 3/70 operated eyes and in 27/70 medically treated eyes. Twenty-one of 70 treated eyes developed cataract and 12 of these required cataract surgery. Only 18/70 medically treated eyes developed cataracts but none of these required cataract surgery. Early trabeculectomy in cases of chronic simple glaucoma resulted in a large reduction of intra-ocular pressure and consequently reduced the size of optic disc cup and the chances of visual field loss.

Acquired tracheo-oesophageal fistula is rare. The most common causes are tuberculosis and malignancy. Here we report a patient who had come with dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia with paratracheal lymphnodes on X-ray chest and was diagnosed to have a tracheo-bronchial fistula on barium studies. Transtumoral intubation by pull-through method was carried out.

In a patient with the clinical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, the localization of the tumor is essential for planning treatment. Recently, we have performed I-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) adrenal scintigraphy in a patient presenting with a history of paroxysmal hypertension. Scintigraphy accurately located an ectopic unilateral pheochromocytoma. The scintigraphic diagnosis was confirmed by surgery and a diagnosis of ectopic unilateral pheochromocytoma was made by histopathological examination. This case report illustrates the specific diagnosis of pheochromocytoma by I-123 MIBG scintigraphy which is especially useful when other diagnostic procedures are equivocal.

Onychomycosis caused by mould infection is rare. A 40 year old male patient presented with dystrophic finger nails and multiple, erythematous lesions with slightly raised borders and scaling all over the body. The patient was a known diabetic. He did not respond to griseofulvin. Samples from nails and skin scales were cultured. From the nails, Penicillium species and from the skin scales. Trichophyton rubrum were isolated. Ketoconazole therapy (200 mg twice daily x 4 mths) led to complete cure with negative cultures and normalization of nails.

This report describes a dual isolation technique adopted to isolate the lungs from one another at the time of right pneumonectomy in a child (age: 5 yrs, 10 kg weight) with evidence of infective lung disease associated with copious purulent secretion and compromised respiratory function. The isolation of right lung from left was achieved by placing Fogarty embolectomy catheter in right main bronchus and a plain polyvinylchloride endotracheal tube (which was aseptically preshaped to have a distal 45 degrees angulation towards left) in left main bronchus. No soiling of left lung occurred during surgery and patient remained hemodynamically stable. In the same child, post-thoracotomy pain was relieved for five days with buprenorphine, administered through a lumbar epidural catheter. The child had an uneventful post-operative course and cooperated for physiotherapy.

Glomerular extracapillary cellular proliferation with crescent formation initially presenting as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis is a rare clinical manifestation of multiple myeloma. We report here a case of a 58 year old female who initially presented with haematuria, loss of weight and appetite and history of febrile episodes and was diagnosed following renal biopsy as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Haemodialysis was carried out a month later because of uremic symptoms and maintained with monitoring of serum, calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, albumin and iPTH levels. After 6 months, she complained of bone pains over anterior chest wall which persisted even with low calcium haemodialysis. Serum protein electrophoresis and bone marrow aspiration revealed multiple myeloma. On starting chemotherapy, bone pain subsided but the patient expired within 15 days of therapy.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix is a rare disease. It usually occurs in an elderly age group. A case who presented at a younger age (30 years) is being reported. The chief complaint was excessive vaginal bleeding for 2 months. Per vaginum examination revealed a growth. She was staged FIGO IIIb. She was treated with radical radiotherapy. Disease regressed slowly and complete local response appeared after six months of treatment. Presentation of adenoid cystic carcinoma in younger age group and effect of radiotherapy in advanced stage is reviewed.