An unusual aetiology of unilateral vagal palsy: A case report

Vagal palsy is often a diagnostic challenge because the nerve can be affected anywhere along its course, from the point of exit from cranial vault through the jugular foramen upto its destination. This is a case report of a 78 year old lady who presented to our department with clinical features suggestive of unilateral vagal palsy and whose diagnostic evaluation revealed a Lateral Mass Fracture of Atlas vertebra with displacement of the fragment.

Rare case of orbital tumor

Most common malignancy involving orbit is secondary deposits. Orbital metastasis from thyroid malignancy is rare (3.6%) and is usually from follicular and medullary carcinoma thyroid. Here we are presenting the case report of a lady who presented with loss of vision and on evaluation was found to have orbital metastasis from papillary carcinoma thyroid.

Screening for HIV infection by health professionals in India

BACKGROUND

Stigma and discrimination, particularly in access to healthcare, remains a major problem for people Infected with HIV in most parts of India.

METHODS

We did a multicentre study (n = 10) with a cross-sectional survey design using a standardized, interviewer-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 2200 healthcare providers participated. The knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) related to HIV service delivery were very poor with a mean overall KAP score of only 49.7% (CI: 49.1-50.3). Only 5%, 5% and 1% of the participants scored more than 75% separately for the dimensions of knowledge, attitude and practice, respectively. Only 24.4% and 36.7% of responders knew that HIV screening was not recommended prior to surgery and pre-employment check-up. Many doctors (19.4%) had refused treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) at least some of the time and nearly half (47.2%) identified and labelled them; 23.9% isolated them in separate care areas and 13.3% postponed or changed treatment based on the patient's HIV status. Screening for HIV prior to elective surgery was done by 67% of providers. While 64.7% of responders were aware of the existence of national guidelines on and recommendations for HIV testing, only 38.4% had read the policy document.

CONCLUSION

There is a growing need to provide care, support and treatment to a large number of PLHA. The capacity of healthcare providers must be urgently built up so as to improve their knowledge of and attitude to HIV to enable them to deliver evidence-based and compassionate care to PLHA in various healthcare settings.