Miniarthrotomy assisted percutaneous screw fixation for displaced medial malleolus fractures – A novel technique

Aim

To describe here a technique of miniarthrotomy assisted percutaneous screw insertion for displaced Herscovici type B and C medial malleolar fractures.

Method

Incision was made centred over the superomedial angle of the ankle mortise, about half a cm medial to tibialis anterior. Arthrotomy was done and reduction obtained. Percuntaneously, two 4 mm cancellous cannulated screws were inserted through medial malleolus.

Results and conclusion

This approach allows direct visualization of reduction, removal of entrapped soft tissue and preservation of saphenous vein and nerve.     

External stenting of pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis and pancreatic duct after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Pancreatic fistula is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. External drainage of pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis with a stent is used to reduce the rate of pancreatic fistula. This study compares the rates of pancreatic fistula between external stent drainage versus no-stent drainage for pancreaticojejunal anastomosis following pancreaticoduodenectomy. A total of 53 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for various benign and malignant pathologies were included in the study. An external stent was inserted across the anastomosis to drain the pancreatic duct in 26 patients and 27 patients received no stent. The primary end point was pancreatic fistula. All surgeries were done by a single surgeon with expertise in hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery at a single institute. The two groups were comparable in demographic data, underlying pathologies, presenting complaints, presence of comorbid illnesses and proportion of patients with preoperative biliary drainage, pancreatic consistency and duct diameter. The pancreatic fistula rates were similar in both the groups (11.5 vs. 14.8?%, P?=?0.725). The morbidity and surgical re-exploration rate were statistically not significant between the two groups (65.4 vs. 51.9?%, P?=?0.318 and 11.5 vs. 7.4?%, P?=?0.60). Postoperative stay was also similar with a mean of 14?days in both the groups (P?=?0.66). The mortality rate was statistically not significant in the two groups (3.8 vs. 7.4?%, P?=?0.575). External drainage of pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis and the pancreatic duct with a stent does not decrease the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

Urinary incontinence in familial dysautonomia

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence in women with familial dysautonomia (FD). A telephone survey was conducted on 68 known surviving female FD patients over 13 years of age registered with the Dysautonomia Centers in the USA and Israel. The mean age of the surveyed group was 27.1+/-9.8 years and 99% of the patients were nulliparous. The overall reported prevalence of urinary incontinence was 82% (n=56). Of the patients with incontinence, 59% (n=33) reported stress incontinence, 11% (n=6) reported urge incontinence, and 30% (n=17) reported symptoms of both, or mixed incontinence. In most women urinary loss was both small and infrequent, but 36% of women (n=20) with incontinence experienced a loss sufficient to necessitate the use of protection (panty liners, pads or diapers); in 7% (n=4) such loss occurred daily. Twelve per cent of all women with FD surveyed experienced primary nocturnal enuresis and 26% experienced nocturia. The prevalence of urinary incontinence is high in young female patients with familial dysautonomia. Neurophysiologic testing in this population may provide a better understanding of the role of the autonomic nervous system in urinary incontinence.Abbreviations FD familial dysautonomia - MI mixed incontinence - MRI magnetic resonance imaging - SI stress incontinence - UI urge incontinence Editorial Comment: The authors report the prevalence of urinary incontinence in familial dysautonomia. This is fertile area for investigation, given the paucity of information currently available. The subtypes of incontinence bear further comparison to populations without dysautonomia. Additional investigators may wish to study this fascinating area further.     

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome and the overactive bladder: The inflammatory link

Although the causes of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis, and overactive bladder remain unclear, inflammation may explain some of the causative and propagating features. Cytokines may play a role by recruiting inflammatory cells and ultimately in inducing symptoms. This paper reviews the role of cytokines in the pathophysiology of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, overactive bladder, and painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis.     

Management of Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor of the Kidney with Inferior Vena Cava Thrombus

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) are an aggressive group of small round cell tumors usually arising in the nervous system and affecting children. They have a tendency for local invasion, distant spread and formation of tumor thrombi. The kidney is a rare primary location for these tumors. Outcomes are frequently poor due to late diagnosis (Wilms tumor is a more common tumor in this population) and early spread. Immunohistochemistry is invaluable in making the diagnosis of PNET. We report a case of a primary renal PNET with extensive tumor thrombus into the inferior vena cava, and lung metastasis in a pediatric patient, and its successful management. Our 14-year-old patient with renal PNET was managed with radical nephrectomy, thrombectomy and chemotherapy and remains disease free to date. The diagnosis of renal PNETs should be considered in young adult patients who present with aggressive renal masses at initial presentations. Despite its aggressive nature, good outcomes can be achieved by a multimodality therapeutic strategy.Key Words: Primitive neuroectodermal tumors, Kidney cancer, Immunohistochemistry, Thrombosis     

Effect of vitamin D administration during pregnancy on neonatal growth in the rat

Groups of rats on commercial diet were injected 3,000 IU (group 2) and 7,500 IU (group 3) of vitamin D3 on the 10th day of pregnancy. Compared to control pups (group 1), the pups in group 2 and 3 weighed significantly more on the 10th, 20th and 28th day of age. At 28th day of age, study of the gastrocnemius muscle revealed significantly greater organ weight, protein, DNA and RNA contents, protein/DNA and RNA/DNA ratios in group 2 and 3 pups than in controls. In the liver, whereas all these indices were significantly increased in group 3 pups, only protein/DNA and RNA/DNA ratios were significantly increased in group 2 pups. Brain weight, its RNA content and RNA/DNA ratio were significantly greater in group 2 and 3 pups than in controls. The results suggest that vitamin D administration in pregnancy promotes soft tissue growth in the pups by enhancing cellular proliferation and hypertrophy.     

Long-term sequelae of herpes simplex virus encephalitis–related white matter injury: correlation of neuropsychological outcome and diffusion tensor imaging

Journal of NeuroVirology - The pathophysiology of the memory impairment following Herpes Simplex virus encephalitis is not yet established and understood. This study attempts to elucidate the role...