Cavernoscopic evacuation of aspergilloma: an alternative method of palliation for haemoptysis in high risk patients

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Hydatid disease in Pondicherry

An analysis of hospital and laboratory records for the period of 1971-1979 revealed 45 confirmed cases of hydatid disease. The majority were young adult (21-30 years) labourers. The commonest site of lesion was lower lobe of the left lung with the liver occupying second place. A few uncommon sites of involvement were also observed. Casoni's test was positive in 48% of cases. Eosinophilia was a usual associated finding. This report shows Pondicherry to be endemic for hydatid disease.

Blood pressure levels of Rellis (India) with special reference to variations with age

The paper presents a survey of arterial blood pressures measured in 193 adult males and females of Relli community, selected at random from Visakhapatnam City, Andhra Pradesh. Age shows more influence on the rise of systolic than diastolic blood pressure. Females show a higher rate of rise in both pressures with advancing age. The incidence of hypertension is also found to be higher in females than in males.

Changes with age in the number and size of myelinated axons in the rat L4 dorsal spinal root

The number and size of myelinated axons in the L4 dorsal spinal root were determined in young rats and compared to those in the adult (older than 1 year) and in the old rats (older than 2 years). While the total number of myelinated axons was about the same at all ages, the average overall axon diameter showed a growth-related increase in adult animals, followed by a decrease reflecting senile atrophy in old rats. It is suggested that in aging laboratory rats the extent of axon shrinkage could account for the occurrence of secondary radicular demyelination.

Serum Thyroglobulin Levels in Patients with Bone Metastases from an Unknown Primary Site

Four cases with metastatic spread to bones and with primary site unknown are reported. The histopathologic examination on the bone biopsy material in 3 cases was adenocarcinoma. One case was suspected radiologically as primary bone tumor. The usefulness of estimation of serum thyroglobulin for detection of involved primary site is discussed.

A study of drug resistance among Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi A in an endemic area, 1977-79

Tests for antibiotic resistance were carried out on 198 strains of Salmonella typhi and S. paratyphi A isolated from cases of enteric fevers. Their minimal inhibitory concentrations for streptomycin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, furazolidine and co-trimoxazole were estimated by plate dilution technique. Four strains of S. typhi and one strain of S. paratyphi A were found to show multiple resistance with a set pattern of resistance to chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulphonamide, tetracycline and spectinomycin. All the five strains carried R-factors. Three of the resistant S. typhi belonged to Phage type 'O' and one was in Phage type 'A'. The single resistant S. paratyphi A belonged to Phage type '2'.

Blood pressure in relation to age and sex in a semi-urban population

The paper presents a survey of arterial blood pressures measured in 509 adult males and females selcted at random from a semi-urban population of 8333. The casual blood pressure levels have been analysed in relation to age and sex and compared with other rural and urban populations in India.

Chronic haemolysis after Lillehei-Kaster valve replacement. Comparison with the findings after Björk-shiley and Starr-Edwards mitral valve replacement

Nineteen female and sixteen male patients who have had their heart valves replaced with Lillehei-Kaster valves were investigated for haemolysis four to 18 months after operation. Investigation included serum lactic dehydrogenase, serum haptoglobins, and urine haemosiderin. Red cells survival, using autologous red cells labelled with 51Cr, was measured in 12 patients. No patient showed manifest anaemia. The serum lactic dehydrogenase levels were raised in 66% of the mitral valve patients, 81% of the aortic valve patients, and in all the double valve patients. The serum haptoglobins were decreased in 66% of mitral patients, 68% of aortic valve patients, and in 75% of the double valve patients. All the 12 patients studied had lower than normal red cell survivals. No correlation was found between the incidence of haemolysis and the size of the valve. In isolated mitral valve replacement 66% showed compensated haemolysis compared with 42% in Björk-Shiley valves (p less than 0.05), 85% in Starr-Edwards valves (composite seat) (p less than 0.01), and none in frame-mounted irradiated homografts (previous study) (p less than 0.001).

Clinical experience with intraaortic balloon pump support in 728 patients

From November, 1968, through December, 1976, intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) circulatory support was used 747 times in 728 patients. Overall in-hospital survival was 413/747 (56.9%). Survival with IABP since 1974 has been 65% (286/440) compared to 24% (18/75) in 1968-1971 (P < 0.001). Two practical changes have been associated with this improvement: 1) broadened indications for, and earlier insertion of, IABP; and 2) more aggressive surgical treatment of the primary cardiac lesion. Cardiogenic shock or chronic ischemic ventricular failure accounted for 78.7% (59/75) of IABP in 1968-1971; during 1974-1976 only 26.4% (116/440) of IABP-supported patients were in these categories (P < 0.001). Since 1974, 58.2% (153/263) of IABP patients had an operative procedure following IABP insertion compared to 37.7% (23/611 prior to 1971 (P < 0.01). The major complication rate has remained unchanged at 8.5%. IABP-related mortality rate was 0.8% (6/728). Earlier, more liberal, use of IABP hemodynamic support has led to increased survival in a large number of patients with complications of acute myocardial ischemia. The low mortality associated with its use vindicates earlier institution of IABP support in cardiogenic shock.

Prognostic significance of the regional lymph nodes in osteosarcoma

This study was undertaken to find out if there are any factors of prognostic significance that can help the surgeon in the management of osteogenic sarcoma. One hundred and thirty-nine cases of osteogenic sacrocma were treated during a 30-year period and their survival figures have been analysed with respect to age, sex, extent of disease, previous treatment, and value of lymphadenectomy. We found that patients in whom the lymph nodes were preserved had a better survival as compared to patients in whom the lymph nodes were removed en bloc with the primary tumour. This further supports our contention that the regional lymph nodes have an important role to play in the immune response against osteosarcoma. The experimental work of the cytotoxic action of regional lymph node cells against osteosarcoma cell lines has been studied in our laboratory. The results of this study stimulated us to undertake this retrospective analysis.

Histopathological study of regional lymph nodes in osteosarcoma

This paper presents the histological appearance of the lymph nodes in cases of osteogenic sarcoma of the limb bones. The nodes were studied for the degree of sinus histiocytosis. Cases with no sinus histiocytosis showed a poor prognosis while cases with moderate to marked sinus histiocytosis showed a better rate of survival. Since the regional lymph nodes play an important part in the immunological process, preservation of regional nodes is suggested.