A PSYCHODEMOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE PATIENTS OF A DEADDICTION CENTRE IN PUNE

One hundred and twelve patients who reported to a de-addiction centre were investigated with regard to their psychodemographic profile, 66.07% of them turned out to be exclusive alcohol dependent. Six (5.35%) of them turned out be exclusively dependent on brown sugar. About 28.57% of patients were dependent on more than one drug in various combinations. The mean age of onset of drug use was 26.8 years and mean age of reporting for treatment was 36.6 years. 66% of the drug dependents started first with alcohol as the initial drug followed by 26.78% of drug dependents with nicotine in the form of smoking bidi/cigarette or taking gutka. Other than the withdrawal syndrome the other associated psychiatric disorders were anxiety, depression, suicidal attempts, sleeplessness, drug induced psychosis and antisocial personality disorder.KEY WORDS: Drug dependence, Psychiatric disorders, Psychodemographic profile     

Functioning oncocytic adenoma of the pituitary

A case of a functioning invasive pituitary oncocytoma in a 50-year-old man is reported. The serum prolactin was increased and immunocytochemical staining was positive for prolactin. In addition to numerous mitochondria within the neoplastic cells, structurally abnormal mitochondria with crystalline inclusions were also present. Another interesting feature was the presence of about 10 to 15% of non-oncocytic cells which showed prominent RER and Golgi apparatus as found in functioning pituitary adenomas. It is likely that these secretorily active cells were responsible for the functional activity of the tumour.     

Cervical internal carotid artery dissecting hemorrhage: diagnosis using MR

Two men underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the internal carotid artery (ICA) 12 and 16 days after spontaneous dissection of this vessel. One underwent follow-up MR imaging 7 weeks later. T1-weighted images were obtained in both cases, and T2-weighted images were obtained in one patient. In both cases, the MR findings corresponded to the angiographic abnormalities. On both the T1- and T2-weighted images, there was a hyperintense lesion expanding the wall and narrowing the lumen of the ICAs. Follow-up MR imaging showed complete resolution of the mural lesion. Axial images best demonstrated the anatomic and MR signal alterations. The hyperintensity of the lesion on both T1- and T2-weighted images indicated a short T1 and a long T2 as expected in a subacute hematoma. High-resolution MR imaging, therefore, can specifically demonstrate a thrombosed carotid dissection noninvasively at least as early as 12 days. The potential to diagnose carotid dissection in the acute phase using high-field-strength MR imaging and its importance for the prevention of embolic strokes are also discussed.     

Renal artery stenosis: evaluation with intravenous digital subtraction angiography

The ability of diagnostic intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IVDSA) to demonstrate the degree of renal artery stenosis was compared with that of intraarterial angiography in 45 patients with 92 arteries. Stenotic lesions on both IVDSA and intraarterial studies were classified as normal (0% stenosis), minor (less than 50%), low grade (50%-80%), and high grade (80%-99%). There was agreement about the degree of stenosis in 90% of the cases. IVDSA grading was correct in 94% of atheromatous lesions and in 56% of the fibromuscular dysplastic lesions. In the high-grade atheromatous lesions, the degree of stenosis was slightly overestimated on IVDSA studies in 22.5% of the cases. In fibromuscular dysplasia, stenosis was underestimated in 33% of the cases.     

The highest battlefield of the world : Medical problems and solutions

The Indian Armed Forces Medical Services has been engaged in providing medical to the soldiers serving on Siachen Glacier for the last 25 years. This paper attempts to highlight the medical problems faced by troops on the world's highest battlefield as perceived by a medical officer located on the forward most medical echelon on Siachen Glacier. The medical problems on the glacier include high altitude pulmonary oedema, acute mountain sickness, frost bite chilblains, hypothermia, snow blindness, injury non enemy action due to avalanches, crevasses and fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and problems in disposal of nightsoil. A large number of problems are taken care of by following a well documented acclimatisation drill. However under such conditions providing medical support is a difficult task and requires innovations and improvisations entailing a high degree of mental mobility on the part of medical commanders and the Regimental Medical Officers located on the forward posts.