Effect of short-term Psychiatric Intervention in Cancer Patients

A total of 50 patients undergoing cancer treatment at Malignant Disease Treatment Centre were included in the present study aimed at evaluating the psychological status of cancer patients. All patients filled a specially designed proforma and the following psychological questionnaires : General Health Questionnaire, Carroll Rating Scale for Depression, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, PGI General Well-being Scale and Quality of Life Scale. Analysis of the results showed that 22 (44%) of the cancer patients had psychiatric disorders and this number had reduced to 12 (24%) after therapy. The difference was statistically significant. Psychiatric treatment also resulted in a statistically significant reduction in level of depression as measured by Carroll Rating Scale for depression. Short term psychiatric treatment was found to be very useful in treating psychiatric morbidity and depression in cancer patients.Key Words: Cancer, Depression, Psychiatric morbidity     

Laparoscopic Management of Adnexal Masses

Retrospective study of 121 cases of adnexal masses which were managed laparoscopically was carried out. The aim of study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic management of adnexal masses. In 120 cases, procedure was completed safely with minimum morbidity. In one case laparotomy had to be done to complete the procedure. In 76 cases cystectomy was done, 26 required salpingo-oophorectomy and 19 required only salpingectomy. Histologic evaluation revealed 30 functional cysts, 36 endometriotic cysts, 11 dermoids, 9 serous cystadenomas, 3 mucinous cystadenomas, 11 parovarian cysts, 19 cases of hydrosalpinx and 2 cases of tuberculosis.Key Words: Adnexal mass, Laparoscopy, Ovarian cyst     

The cytoprotective role of a low-molecular-weight heparin fragment studied in an experimental model of glomerulotoxicity

Abnormal glomerular glycosaminoglycan metabolism is involved in the onset of the morphological and functional aberrations of glomerulopathies. In the present study, a heparin derivative, low-molecular-weight heparin, was tested for its ability to afford renoprotection in an established model of experimental glomerulopathy. Two groups of male albino rats of the Wistar strain (140 +/- 10 g) received a single intravenous injection of adriamycin (7.5 mg/kg) to induce glomerulopathy, and one of them received low-molecular-weight heparin (Certoparin Sodium, Troparin; 300 microg/day/rat s.c.) treatment, commencing on day 8, for a week. Urinary protein/creatinine ratio, serum albumin, urea, uric acid and creatinine clearance were evaluated. Renal cell injury was assessed in terms of renal tissue lactate dehydrogenase, aminotransferases (aspartate and alanine transaminases) and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as renal antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, vitamins E and C). The kidney tissue was subjected to histopathologic examination. Low-molecular-weight heparin significantly reduced proteinuria and improved creatinine clearance and serum albumin levels in the rats with glomerulopathy. The significant rise in serum uric acid in the rats with glomerulopathy was reversed by low-molecular-weight heparin. Altered tissue enzyme activities in response to injury, oxidative stress challenged renal antioxidant system and abnormal renal histology were observed in the untreated nephrotic rats, while low-molecular-weight heparin treatment protected the nephrotic rats against these changes. Thus, in this study, low-molecular-weight heparin was evaluated for its role in combating glomerular injury, on the basis of some salient biochemical parameters, oxidative injury indices and histologic picture. The ability of low-molecular-weight heparin to restore glomerular anatamo-functional features in this nephrotoxic condition illuminates its multi-faceted renoprotective role.     

Use of pulse oximeter for determining distal perfusion in neonates &; infants with suspected vascular compromise

Conclusion The use of a pulse oximeter, which is readily available in the ICU, can be of immense benefit to determine the status of distal limb perfusion in neonates and children who are suspected of having a vascular compromise, and the pulsations cannot be appreciated due to the presence of limb edema. Limb warmth and capillary filling are the primary indicators of vascularity but may be misleading in some patients. The presence of poor quality tracings or absent tracings is a definite indicator of significant ischemia. The use of a pulse oximeter, for determination of oxygen saturation, was declared by Severinghaus and Astrup to be “arguably the most significant technologic advance ever made in monitoring the well being of patients during anaesthesia, recovery and critical care. Perhaps the use of the pulse oximeter for determination of distal perfusion can further augment the statement. Editor Note The authors are to be congratulated for their observations which are clinically relevant. However we urge them to continue their study and obtain meaningful data, with proper statistical analysis. For the time being these observations may be considered preliminary.     

A Training Aid for IV Access

Starting intravenous drip is one of the first steps in the treatment of a patient. Training is the key to attain proficiency to get intravenous access.Key Words: Intravenous access, Training aid     

Giant dentigerous cyst

Dentigerous cyst - a cyst of dental origin, though common in lower jaw is relatively uncommon in upper jaw. Here a 14 years, F, presented with huge swelling of unilateral maxilla and clinicoradiologically diagnosed as dentigerous cyst is being reported along with brief review of literature.     

Mucoid presentation of acute enterocolitis in children: a hospital-based case-control study

A hospital-based case-control study was carried out to clarify the characteristics of mucoid presentation of acute enterocolitis in children. One hundred sixty-eight cases of acute mucoid enterocolitis (study population) were compared with 200 cases of watery diarrhoea and 118 cases of blood dysentery (control groups) on the basis of clinical characteristics and findings on stool examination. Study and control groups were comparable with respect to age, body weight and nutritional status. There was no significant difference in clinical characteristics (duration of diarrhoea, stool frequency, presence of vomiting, fever and dehydration) between patients suffering from mucoid enterocolitis and blood dysentery. However, watery diarrhoea patients had significantly high frequencies of vomiting (p = 0.00001) and dehydration (p