Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (Ackerman's syndrome) in SLE presenting with the 'rope sign'

A 50-yr-old man presented with synovitis of the metacarpophalangealjoints, Raynaud's phenomenon, recurrent pericarditis and a linearpalpable rash in both axillae.     

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy of a staghorn stone in thoracic ectopic kidney

Congenital thoracic ectopic kidney is a very rare developmental anomaly and the rarest form of all ectopic kidneys. It is usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on routine chest radiography. Herein we reported the first case of staghorn stone in a thoracic kidney managed successfully by percutaneous nephrolithotomy.     

The synthesis and localization of alternatively spliced fibronectin EIIIB in resting and thrombin-treated megakaryocytes

There are several species of alternatively spliced fibronectin (FN). One of these, FN EIIIB, is primarily present in embryonic and in proliferating and migrating cells and is believed to be important for cell maturation. We have studied the synthesis, localization, and secretion of this FN isoform in isolated guinea pig megakaryocytes, nonmegakaryocytic bone marrow cells, and platelets. There was 7.5 times more general FN in megakaryocytes than in nonmegakaryocytic cells based on the analysis of equivalent amounts of protein. FN EIIIB was detected by Western blotting in megakaryocytes but not in nonmegakaryocytic cells present in bone marrow. Neither megakaryocytes nor platelets secreted FN EIIIB, while megakaryocytes secreted 25.3% +/- 4.6% general FN and platelets secreted about 61% general FN in response to thrombin. Analysis of immunostained cells by confocal microscopy revealed that FN EIIIB had been redistributed to the surface of megakaryocytes in response to thrombin. Synthesis was studied by metabolic labeling, and megakaryocytes were shown to synthesize FN and FN EIIIB. Thus, megakaryocytes and platelets are among a small number of adult cells and tissues that synthesize and contain FN EIIIB. The expression of FN EIIIB on the megakaryocyte surface may influence migration and maturation.     

A case of Sturge-Weber syndrome in association with phacomatosis pigmentovascularis and developmental glaucoma.

Sturge-Weber syndrome is a rare neurocutaneous disorder characterized by a facial nevus flammeus and extensive angiomatous changes involving the leptomeninges, the dura, and vessels of the gray and white matter. Oculodermal melanocytosis is characterized by hyperpigmentation of the facial skin in the distribution of the ophthalmic, maxillary, and occasionally mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.     

Preoperative assessment of parapharyngeal tumour

Due to deep seated location and presence of vital structures, the tumours of the parapharyngeal space poses difficulty in its early diagnosis, histological nature and surgical extirpation. Modes of radiological assessment in pre-computed tomography (GT) scan era were sialography of the parotid gland to see whether the tumour is of salivary origin and angiography to note the vascularity of the tumour. Post CT scan era has changed the assessment protocol. In this article, the authors have tried to make a comparative evalua?tion between non-contrast GT, GT with systemic contrast and GT sialogram in 14 cases of parapharyngeal tumours. Angiography was done only when the tumours showed marked enhancement with systemic contrast. Subsequently, 13 patients underwent surgery for removal of the mass. Application of high-resolution GT helped in not only to see the extent of the tumour but also to pinpoint the probable histologic nature.