Chronic graft-versus-host disease in 52 patients: adverse natural course and successful treatment with combination immunosuppression

Fifty-two of 175 (30%) survivors of allogeneic marrow transplantation developed chronic graft-versus-hose diseases (GVHD). Five with limited chronic GVHD had an indolent clinical course with involvement of only the skin and liver. Forty-seven with extensive chronic GVHD had an unfavorable multiorgan disorder that resembled several autoimmune diseases. Thirteen patients with extensive disease (group I) were not treated and only 2 survive with Karnofsky scores >- 70%. Mortality resulted from infections and morbidity from sica syndrome, pulmonary and hepatic insufficiency, scleroderma-like skin disease, and contractures. Another 13 (group II) received a median of 8 mo prednisone and/or a brief course of antithymocyte globulin, and 3 survive without disability. The other 21 (group III) were treated with a combination of prednisone (1.0 mg/kg/q.o.d.) and either cyclophosphamide, procarbazine, or azathioprine (all 1.5 mg/kg/day) for a median of 13 mo. Combination therapy was well tolerated with only modest myelotoxicity. Fifteen in group III had a good and 4 a fair response to treatment while 2 with no response died. Azathioprine and prednisone was the most effective regimen. All therapy has been discontinued in 12 group III patients: GVHD returned in 5 (including 2 who died in spite of retreatment) while 7 remain free of GVHD for a median of 11 (range 6-30) mo observation. Only I group III survivor is disabled and 16 of the original 21 are alive 2-4 yr after transplant with Karnofsky scores of 70%-100%. Thus, combination immmunosuppression appears to favorably affect and, in some cases, premanently arrest the adverse natural course of extensive chronic GVHD.     

An experience with measles vaccine

A study was conducted in Simla town to know the effectiveness and reactions of measles vaccine. One hundred and eight children in the age group of 9–23 months were immunized with measles vaccine and followed over a period of 2 years. Eighty nine children were also followed up as controls. The difference in the attack rate of measles in these two groups was highly significant. Mild fever was found to be a significant side effect. No other reaction like rash or convulsions was observed.     

The analgesic effects of intraperitoneal and incisional bupivacaine with epinephrine after total abdominal hysterectomy

The objective of our study was to see if incisional and intraperitoneal bupivacaine with epinephrine produces analgesia after total abdominal hysterectomy. Forty-six ASA physical status I and II patients received a standardized anesthetic, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine, and rectal paracetamol 1 g every 6 h. Patients were randomized to receive 50 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% with epinephrine 5 microg/mL or 50 mL of normal saline. Thirty milliliters and 20 mL of treatment solution were administered into the peritoneum and incision, respectively, before wound closure. Seventeen and 16 patients in the Placebo and Bupivacaine groups, respectively, completed the study. The reasons for withdrawal were PCA malfunction, PCA discontinued too early, nausea, chest infection, intraabdominal drain insertion, and protocol violation. There were no significant differences between the Bupivacaine and Placebo groups in age, height, weight, or duration of surgery. Pain on movement was significantly more intense in the Placebo group than in the Bupivacaine group on awakening. Morphine consumption (interquartile range) over 24 h was 62 mg (53-85 mg) in the Placebo group compared with 44 mg (33-56 mg) in the Bupivacaine group (P < 0.01). This significant difference was attributable to the larger morphine consumption in the Placebo group in the first 4 postoperative h. We conclude that a combination of intraperitoneal and incisional bupivacaine with epinephrine provides significant morphine-sparing analgesia for 4 h after total abdominal hysterectomy. IMPLICATIONS: A combination of intraperitoneal and incisional bupivacaine with epinephrine may be recommended because it provides significant morphine-sparing analgesia for 4 h after total abdominal hysterectomy.     

Trisomy 21 with XYY

A case of double aneuploidy involving chromosome 21 and Y is reported in an eight-month-old infant with developmental delay and failure to thrive. Patient had all classical phenotypical features of trisomy 21 except, absence of epicanthal folds. The diagnosis was confirmed by cytogenetic study performed on peripheral blood leucocyte culture using G-banding. Literature review revealed only 17 cases of XYY and trisomy 21 reported so far. No such case is reported in Indian literature. Relevant literature is reviwed and possible effects of trisomy 21 on XYY and that of XYY on trisomy 21 has been discussed. A routine chromosomal study even in patient with classical features of Down syndrome has been advocated. Interestingly, our patient also had left to right shunts at atrial and ductal level and tricuspid regurgitation. Given the rarity of the disorder and scanty published data the incidence, phenotype and recurrence risk are difficult to establish.     

Retrobulbar hydatid cyst: Assessment of two cases

A 54-year-old man with a unilocular hydatid cyst within the infero-posterior angle of the orbit and a 6-year-old male child with a unilocular hydatid cyst within the supero-medial angle of the orbit are presented. The retrobulbar cysts were diagnosed with computed tomography and ultrasonography and were treated after serologic confirmation.