Musical obsession or pseudohallucination: Electrophysiological standpoint

Reported herein is a case of obsessive–compulsive disorder with persistent and distressing musical obsessions along with other symptoms. Advanced source analysis of electroencephalographic data indicated high spectral power over the bifrontal region. The musical symptoms were resistant to pharmacotherapy but there was some reduction in frequency and duration of musical obsessions with thought-stopping technique.     

Spontaneous gall bladder perforation: a rare entity in infants.

Spontaneous gall bladder perforation in infants is rare. We report a 3-month-old male infant who presented with progressive abdominal distension, low-grade fever, bilateral hydrocele and acholic stools. Ultrasonography showed free fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which was bile-stained on paracentesis. Surgical exploration revealed sterile biliary peritonitis and a gangrenous gall bladder. Partial cholecystectomy with external biliary drainage resulted in satisfactory recovery.     

Insulin resistance Type A and short 5th metacarpals.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Insulin resistance is associated with a number genetic syndromes and a variety of defects of insulin action. METHODS: We describe three members of an extended family spanning two generations with insulin resistance Type A and short 5th metacarpals. The proband had secondary amenorrhoea, male pattern hair distribution, acne, hirsutism, deep voice, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovaries, diabetes, features of acromegaly, raised creatine kinase and triglyceride levels and short 5th metacarpals. Her growth hormone, adrenal steroid and testosterone levels were normal. The proband's daughter had severe acne, hirsutism, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovaries, raised triglyceride, glucose and testosterone level short metacarpals and normal insulin receptor gene. The proband's son had a muscular build, raised creatine kinase, hypertriglyceridaemia and short 5th metacarpals. His fasting insulin levels were normal but pro-insulin was raised. RESULT/CONCLUSION: There are many familial and genetic syndromes associated with insulin resistance. This family was diagnosed as having insulin resistance Type A. This family does not conform entirely to any of the previously described syndromes and a number of family members have the phenotype of short 5th metacarpals, which appears to be associated with the features of insulin resistance Type A.     

Radiofrequency tissue ablation: an early Indian experience.

INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency (RF) tissue ablation has been tried safely and effectively in the West as percutaneous local tissue ablation therapy. We present our experience with this technique in malignant lesions. METHODS: RF tumor ablation was done using an RF generator (Berchtold; Germany) generating 35-50 RF watts of power output. The RF needle was placed in the tumor under image guidance (n = 22) or at open surgery (n = 1). Around 1500 watts/cm3 RF energy was delivered to the tumor. Over 21 months, 23 patients underwent the procedure for 73 lesions, including metastatic liver lesions (n = 21) and locally advanced inoperable carcinoma of pancreas (n = 2). RESULTS: All lesions less than 3 cm in size (n = 15) and 39% of lesions 3-4 cm in size (17/44) had complete necrosis. Residual tumor was seen in 27/44 lesions (61%) 3-4 cm in size and in all 14 lesions more than 4 cm in size. There was no mortality or major morbidity. There were two minor complications (ascites 1, pleural effusion 1). Of 21 patients treated for liver metastases, 10 are still alive (6-month survival 19/21 [90%] and 12-month survival 11/17 [64.7%]). Only 2 of 32 (6.2%) lesions with complete necrosis had local recurrence. CONCLUSION: RF tumor ablation is a safe and effective local tissue ablative method in Indian patients.     

Syringomyelia-like manifestation of subacute combined degeneration.

A 32-year-old male presented with progressive weakness and numbness of both upper limbs of one-month duration. The patient had weakness and wasting of small muscles of both hands with weak grip. Sensory system revealed graded sensory loss to pain, temperature and touch in C5 to T1 distribution and vibration and joint position sense from C5 to C8 in the both upper limbs. There was areflexia in the upper limbs while there was no motor or sensory deficit in the lower limbs. The cortical potential on stimulation of posterior tibial nerve was prolonged on both sides. On MR imaging of the cervical spine there was iso to low intense lesion which was hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging along the dorsal aspect of the cord extending from C2 to C6 level. The axial images showed involvement of the posterior column. The serum vitamin B12 level was found to be low. The patient responded to parenteral cyanocobalamine therapy and the radiological lesion subsequently resolved.     

Model Features of a Cardiac lontophoretic Drug Delivery Implant

Pharmaceutical Research -