Spontaneous nephrocutaneous fistula-2 unusual case reports with review of literature

We report two unusual cases of spontaneous nephrocutaneous fistulas. They were discovered to be the cases of neglected calculous disease in a poorly functioning kidney and tuberculous pyelonephritis respectively. A timely nephrectomy cured their debilitating condition and prevented further morbidity. We have discussed the etio-pathogenesis, clinical and diagnostic approach towards the cases of nephrocutaneous fistula. The literature regarding nephrocutaneous fistula has been reviewed and discussed. A stepwise algorithm has been proposed to manage cases of nephrocutaneous fistulas. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Clinical study of repigmentation patterns with different treatment modalities and their correlation with speed and stability of repigmentation in 352 vitiliginous patches

Because the etiopathogenesis of depigmentation in vitiligo is still obscure, the source of pigmentation in the repigmentating lesion and its stability is also not fully known. Several authors have shown on histopathology and electron microscopy predominantly a perifollicular spread of pigment. The aim of this study was to clinically assess the types of repigmentation patterns obtained with different treatment modalities and their correlation with speed and stability of repigmentation. A total of 125 patients with vitiligo on treatment with psoralens (topical and systemic psoralen-UVA [PUVA]), steroids (both topical and systemic), and topical calcipotriol, alone or in combination were enrolled. Representative lesions of vitiligo excluding mucosal sites were selected in each patient and photographed at baseline. Repigmentation was assessed and labeled as marginal, perifollicular, diffuse, or combined. The preselected patches were evaluated at 3 months to assess the speed of repigmentation. Retention of pigment (stability) was noted at 6 months, after the stoppage of active treatment. Of the 352 vitiligo patches selected, 194 (55%) showed predominant perifollicular repigmentation, of which a majority (127; 65.5%) were on systemic PUVA and 35 (18%) were on topical PUVA. Diffuse pigmentation was observed in 98 patches (27.8%) of which 66 (67.3%) were on topical steroids. Marginal repigmentation was seen in 15, of which the majority (80%) were on systemic PUVA and topical calcipotriol. Of the 28 total lesions showing marked repigmentation at 3 months, 22 lesions pigmented in a diffuse manner, 2 in a perifollicular pattern, and 4 showed a combined type of repigmentation. On follow-up, marginal repigmentation was the most stable (93.3%), followed by perifollicular (91.7%) and combined type (84.4%). Diffuse repigmentation was the least stable (78.5%). Psoralens predominantly exhibit a perifollicular pattern of repigmentation and steroids (topical/systemic), a diffuse type. The speed of repigmentation is much faster when initial repigmentation is of the diffuse type as compared with follicular repigmentation. The marginal and perifollicular repigmentation is more stable than the diffuse type of repigmentation.     

Rail traffic accidents: a retrospective study

One hundred and twenty-seven autopsy cases of rail traffic accidents received from South Delhi were studied during the period from 1996-2002. Data for the study was gathered from autopsy reports and hospital records. The cases represented approximately 1.41% of all autopsy cases received from South Delhi at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (India). Data was analysed with regard to the age and sex of the victim, the part of the body involved and the pattern of injuries in different body regions. Death occurred at the scene of the fatal event in twenty-eight cases; another twenty-eight cases were brought in dead to the hospital. Seventy-one cases died after being admitted to the hospital. Ethanol was detected in the blood of 17.4% of cases.     

Suicide by a transvestite or sexual asphyxia? A case report

Autoerotic asphyxial activity may at times result in unexpected death. Although the majority of deaths that occur during autoerotic asphyxial episodes are accidental, the possibility of suicide must always be entertained. In the case presented here, a 22-year-old married male was found hanging by his neck in his bedroom, which was locked from the inside. He was suspended by a 'lungi' (male wrap-around cloth) from the ceiling fan hook in his room, with his feet touching the ground. He was dressed in a brassiere, panties, and silver anklets. There was no evidence of previous perverse behaviour, and investigation disclosed no evidence of previous autoerotic sexual activity, homosexual behaviour, drug abuse or suicidal ideation.     

Priapism

Priapism is a relatively uncommon condition that may present as a medical emergency associated with significant pain and anxiety in the veno-occlusive or low-flow variant. Pharmacologic advances and, specifically, the availability of intracavemosal alpha-agonist therapy have dramatically improved the prospects of resolution for patients with low-flow priapism presenting within the first few hours of the acute episode. High-flow priapism is not considered an emergency and treatment measures are typically conservative aimed at preservation of potency. Urologists, radiologists, and other health care personnel caring for the patient with priapism must be familiar with various etiologic factors implicated in low-flow and high-flow priapism to formulate a logical step-care approach. Differentiation of the low-flow from the high-flow state is perhaps the most critical initial diagnostic challenge that determines the sequence of further interventions including surgical shunts in low-flow priapism refractory to medical therapy.     

Paediatric open globe injuries. Visual outcome and risk factors for endophthalmitis

PURPOSE: To study the incidence of open globe injuries and the outcome in children, and to study the risk factors for post-traumatic endophthalmitis. METHODS: Paediatric patient population. Retrospective analysis of 72 consecutive cases of open globe injury over 3 years (January 1998 to December 2000). RESULTS: The cause of trauma was sports related (n = 18), home-made bow and arrow (n = 16), household kitchen injuries (n = 10), cracker injuries (n = 7) and other miscellaneous outdoor activities (n = 16). In 5 children the cause could not be ascertained. Visual acuity of > or = 3/60 in the injured eye at the last follow-up examination was recorded in 37 of 70 patients (52.86%) whose visual acuity could be tested. The final visual acuity was significantly poorer in eyes where primary repair was delayed beyond 24 hours of injury (P < 0.05). Post- traumatic endophthalmitis developed in 39 of 72 (54.16%) eyes. Bow and arrow and household injuries (P < 0.5) and eyes in which primary repair was delayed beyond 24 hours of injury (P < 0.01) had a higher risk of endophthalmitis in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis delayed repair was the only significant risk factor for the occurrence of endophthalmitis (P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Delayed repair, bow and arrow injuries and household injuries were associated with significantly higher risk of endophthalmitis. The incidence of endophthalmitis can be reduced by early referral of trauma cases and parental supervision.     

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma that express sodium-iodide symporter have a lower risk of recurrence for children and adolescents

The sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) is expressed by papillary (PTC) and follicular (FTC) thyroid carcinoma, and is essential for iodine uptake. We hypothesized that PTC and FTC with detectable NIS immunostaining would be more amenable to radioactive iodine ((131)I) treatment and follow a more benevolent course. To test this, we determined NIS expression by immunohistochemistry in 23 PTC, 9 FTC, and 12 benign thyroid lesions from children and adolescents. NIS expression was determined by two blinded examiners and graded as absent = 0, minimal = 1, moderate = 2, intense = 3, and very intense = 4. NIS was detected in 35% (eight of 23) of PTC, 44% (four of 9) of FTC, 25% (two of eight) of benign tumors, and 100% (four of four) of autoimmune lesions. The intensity of NIS expression was similar in PTC (0.61 +/- 0.24), FTC (0.56 +/- 0.24), and benign tumors (0.50 +/- 0.33) but was more intense in autoimmune lesions (3.0 +/- 0.7, p < 0.005). Distant metastases were found only among PTC with undetectable NIS (two of 15, 13%), and recurrence developed exclusively from PTC and FTC with undetectable NIS (four of 20, 20% versus zero of 12, p = 0.043). The dose of iodine 131 required to achieve remission in the five patients with PTC who had undetectable NIS (213.3 +/- 53 mCi) was greater than that required by patients with similar age and extent of disease for whom NIS expression is unknown (109 +/- 22 mCi, p = 0.06). We conclude that NIS expression is associated with a lower risk of recurrence for PTC and FTC of children and adolescents.     

Impact of primary tumour characteristics on the survival of patients with lymph node metastases in bladder cancer following radical cystectomy

Background and objective:Patients with carcinoma urinary bladder with metastasis to the lymph nodes have been believed to have a poor prognosis. The various factors affecting survival in this subset of patientsare not well understood. To analyze, thesefactors, we retrospectively analyzed patientswho had undergone radical cysytectomy at ourcenter in the last 10 years.Methods: From Jan. 199l to May 2001, 158patients underwent radical cysytectomy at ourcenter.38 of these were found to havemetastasis in the regional lymph nodes (i.e.stage D). A multivariate regression analysiswas done to look for factors, whichpredict a better survival in this group ofpatients. Patients were studied for age,sex, morphology of tumour (papillary ornodular), grade of tumour, local extent of thedisease (T1 T3A OR T3B), lymph nodalinvolvement, chemotherapy (whether received ornot) and no. of TUR resection before radicalcystectomy. SPSS software was used and theactuarial disease specific survival calculatedfor each variable.Results: There were 33 males and 5 females withan age range of 34–75 years (mean 56). Overallsurvival was 7 months to 84 months withmean of 32 months. Patients with polypoidaldisease had better survival (66 months vs l5months). Also patients with organ-confineddisease (T2, T3a) had better survival thanthose with perivesical spread (T3b). The meansurvival in N1 and N2 disease was 36 and 10months respectively. The benefits of adjuvantchemotherapy (methotrexate and cisplatin) couldnot be assesd as most of the patients receivedchemotherapy.Conclusion: Patients with positive lymph nodesfor metastases have fairly good survival withradical cystectomy especially those who have alower T stage (organ confined), papillarymorphology and N1 disease.     

Quality of life in patients with vitiligo

Vitiligo is an important skin disease having major impact on quality of life of patients, many of whom feel distressed and stigmatized by their condition. Society greets vitiligo patients in much the same way as it does any one else who appears to be different. They are started at or subjected to whispered comments, antagonism, insult or isolation. The chronic nature of disease, long term treatment, lack of uniform effective therapy and unpredictable course of disease is usually very demoralizing for patients suffering from vitiligo. It is important to recognize and deal with psychological components of this disease to improve their quality of life and to obtain a better treatment response.     

Programme planning and screening strategy in retinopathy of prematurity

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is one of the major emerging causes of childhood blindness. A well organised screening strategy and timely intervention can to a large extent prevent blindness due to ROP. This communication proposes a screening strategy and management plan to develop a model for the care of babies with ROP.