Pseudo-aneurysm of mitral aortic intervalvular fibrosa: Two case reports

The fibrous body between the mitral and aortic valve, known as mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF) is prone to infection and injury resulting in pseudo-aneurysm formation. Because of its relative rarity, we are far from making any conclusion regarding the natural history and appropriate therapeutic strategy for this condition. We report two cases of this condition with two different and rare etiologies with strikingly different natural courses, providing insight into the natural course and timing of surgery in this rare entity.     

Vitamin D status and its relationship with bone mineral density in healthy Asian Indians

Synthesis of vitamin D takes place in the skin under the effect of sunlight. The Indian subcontinent is situated between 8.4° N and 37.6° N latitudes and has adequate sunshine throughout the year. Thus, it has been presumed that Indians are vitamin D sufficient. We measured serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] (n=92) and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D [1, 25(OH)₂D] (n=65) levels in healthy hospital staff, using ¹²⁵I radioimmunoassay. Serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration was estimated by immunoradiometric assay. Bone mineral density was estimated using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometer (Hologic^R QDR 4500A). Using a serum 25(OH)D level of 15 ng/ml as a cutoff, 66.3% (61/92) of the subjects were found to be vitamin D deficient. Of these, 20.6% (19/92) subjects had severe vitamin D deficiency (<5 ng/ml), 27.2% (25/92) had moderate vitamin D deficiency (5–9.9 ng/ml), while 18.5% (17/92) had mild vitamin D deficiency (10–14.9 ng/ml). When a serum 25(OH)D level of 20 ng/ml was used as a cutoff, 78.3% subjects were diagnosed to be vitamin D deficient/insufficient. The serum 1,25(OH)₂D level was within the normal range (40.6±20.1 pg/ml; mean ± SD). Mean (±SD) serum intact PTH, estimated in a limited number of subjects (n=15), was 72.3 (±21.0) pg/ml (range 36–100 pg/ml). There was a significant correlation between daily sun exposure and 25(OH)D levels (r=0.731, P<0.001). The serum 25(OH)D level correlated with BMD at the femoral neck and Ward's triangle (r=0.50, P=0.020 and r=0.46, P=0.037, respectively). Our findings show that vitamin D deficiency is common in urban north Indian hospital staff. The possible reasons include inadequate sunlight exposure and skin pigmentation in Indians. The serum 1,25(OH)₂D level is not a good indicator of vitamin D deficiency. A low serum 25(OH)D level is possibly one of the reasons for lower bone mineral density among Indians.     

Perioperative risk factors in patients with liver disease undergoing non-hepatic surgery

The patients with liver disease present for various surgical interventions. Surgery may lead to complications in a significant proportion of these patients. These complications may result in considerable morbidity and mortality. Preoperative assessment can predict survival to some extent in patients with liver disease undergoing surgical procedures. A review of literature suggests nature and the type of surgery in these patients determines the peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Optimization of premorbid factors may help to reduce perioperative mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this review is to discuss the effect of liver disease on perioperative outcome; to understand various risk scoring systems and their prognostic significance; to delineate different preoperative variables implicated in postoperative complications and morbidity; to establish the effect of nature and type of surgery on postoperative outcome in patients with liver disease and to discuss optimal anaesthesia strategy in patients with liver disease.     

Renal and vestibular toxicity due to inhaled tobramycin in a lung transplant recipient.

Chronic rejection is the major hurdle to long-term survival after lung transplantation. Endobronchial infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is common in patients with chronic rejection and this may further contribute to deterioration of the allograft. Inhaled tobramycin is commonly used to treat P aeruginosa airways infection in patients with cystic fibrosis. The safety of inhaled tobramycin in transplant recipients, however, has not been established. We describe the first report of a lung transplant recipient who developed renal failure and vestibular injury after receiving inhaled tobramycin. We review the literature regarding the safety of inhaled tobramycin and discuss potential mechanisms that may promote systemic toxicity in transplant recipients.     

The pelvic digit ��eleventh finger��

Described as asymptomatic and an incidental finding on a plain x-ray film, the “pelvic digit” is a rare congenital anomaly. A 35-year-old man is of a rare symptomatic pelvic digit that warranted surgical excision. Its importance lies in its differentiation from acquired abnormalities due to trauma such as myositis ossificans and avulsion injuries of pelvis. If this entity is kept in mind, unnecessary investigations or interventions can be avoided.     

Actinomycosis of the sigmoid colon: A case report

Abdominal actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative infection caused by Actinomyces species. The ileo-cecal region is most commonly affected, while the left side of the colon is more rarely involved. The infection has a tendency to infiltrate adjacent tissues and is therefore rarely confined to a single organ. Presentation may vary from non specific symptoms and signs to an acute abdomen. A computed tomography scan is helpful in identifying the inflammatory process and the organs involved. It also allows visual guidance for percutaneous drainage of abscesses, thus aiding diagnosis. Culture is difficult because of the anaerobic character and slow growth of actinomycetes. Colonoscopy is usually normal, but may shows signs of external compression. Preoperative diagnosis is rare and is established only in less than 10% of cases. In uncomplicated disease, high dose antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment. Surgery is often performed because of a difficulty in diagnosis. Surgery and antibiotics are required in the case of complicated disease. Combined medical and surgical treatment achieves a cure in about 90% of cases. The authors report a case of sigmoid actinomycosis where diagnosis was made from the histology, and a review of the literature is presented.