[A qualitative study of shared decision making related to psychotropic drugs in adolescence]

BACKGROUND

Shared decision making (SDM) is an evidence-based model that involves the collaborative development of a treatment plan. SDM in adolescents with mental health problems is complex. Most mental health problems arise in adolescence and psychotropic drugs are an important part of treatment. Previous research focuses primarily on caregivers’ experience with SDM.

AIM

This research has the main objective to gain insight into the adolescents’ experience with shared decision making related to psychotropic drugs.

METHODS

Qualitative research through semi-structured interviews with 12 adolescents (12-18 years old) between June and October 2021, followed by thematic analysis of the data using the systematic text condensation (Malterud).

RESULTS

Four themes were identified in the analysis: 1) the adolescent wants to feel heard, 2) the adolescent needs support in forming and expressing his/her opinion, 3) SDM in adolescents is a complex trialogue, and 4) the decision-making process affects treatment and adherence.

CONCLUSION

When we ask adolescents about their experience with SDM, we can learn the following:- Involve parents, but always tailor this to the individual adolescent and his context. – Put the adolescent at the center. – Dwell on the adolescent’s view on psychotropic drugs.

Early reperfusion rates with IV tPA are determined by CTA clot characteristics

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

An ability to predict early reperfusion with IV tPA in patients with acute ischemic stroke and intracranial clots can help clinicians decide if additional intra-arterial therapy is needed or not. We explored the association between novel clot characteristics on baseline CTA and early reperfusion with IV tPA in patients with acute ischemic stroke by using classification and regression tree analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data are from patients with acute ischemic stroke and proximal anterior circulation occlusions from the Calgary CTA data base (2003-2012) and the Keimyung Stroke Registry (2005-2009). Patients receiving IV tPA followed by intra-arterial therapy were included. Clot location, length, residual flow within the clot, ratio of contrast Hounsfield units pre- and postclot, and the M1 segment origin to the proximal clot interface distance were assessed on baseline CTA. Early reperfusion (TICI 2a and above) with IV tPA was assessed on the first angiogram.

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-eight patients (50.4% men; median age, 69 years; median baseline NIHSS score, 17) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Median symptom onset to IV tPA time was 120 minutes (interquartile range = 70 minutes); median IV tPA to first angiography time was 70.5 minutes (interquartile range = 62 minutes). Patients with residual flow within the clot were 5 times more likely to reperfuse than those without it. Patients with residual flow and a shorter clot length (≤15 mm) were most likely to reperfuse (70.6%). Patients with clots in the M1 MCA without residual flow reperfused more if clots were distal and had a clot interface ratio in Hounsfield units of <2 (36.8%). Patients with proximal M1 clots without residual flow reperfused 8% of the time. Carotid-T/-L occlusions rarely reperfused (1.7%). Interrater reliability for these clot characteristics was good.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that clot characteristics on CTA help physicians estimate a range of early reperfusion rates with IV tPA.

Alkyl Triphenylphosphonium Bromide Surfactant Mediated Reactions of p-Nitrophenyl Acetate

Kinetic measurements were performed for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate as a model compound in micellar media. This reaction was studied both in the presence and absence of various α-effect nucleophiles, and in depth analyses were performed using acetohydroxamic acid (AHA). Rate surfactant profiles were obtained in the absence and presence of the AHA nucleophile for the alkyl triphenylphosphonium bromides (CnPPh3Br) surfactant series. All rate surfactant profiles were analyzed using the pseudophase model and modified pseudophase model (In the presence of nucleophile) in order to obtain the regression parameters, including binding constants and rate constants in the micellar pseudophase. Studies in the presence of acetohydroxamic acid and the alkyl triphenylphosphonium surfactants were also conducted as a function of pH to obtain the pKa value of the acetohydroxamic acid in the micellar media.

Origin of a prenatal mosaic supernumerary neocentromeric derivative chromosome 13 determined by QF-PCR

Neocentromeres are mitotically stable human derivative centromeres without alpha-satellite DNA which are able to provide stability to rearranged chromosome fragments that would otherwise be acentric and rapidly lost. A female fetus was found to be mosaic for a supernumerary marker chromosome: 47,XX,+mar[3]/46,XX[36]. The marker was identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization and G-band as an inversion duplication of 13q21→13qter, with a neocentromere present at 13q21, in approximately 9% of colonies examined. Parental blood karyotypes were normal. QF-PCR performed on blood samples from both parents and the second amniotic fluid sample showed evidence of a second maternal allele at markers D13S258 (13q21) and D13S628 (13q31-q32), indicating formation at maternal meiosis I/II. This is the first reported case where the detection and origin of a low-level mosaic prenatal neo(13) were confirmed by QF-PCR.

Array comparative genomic hybridization and cytogenetic analysis in pediatric acute leukemias

Most patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (all) are reported to have acquired chromosomal abnormalities in their leukemic bone marrow cells. Many established chromosome rearrangements have been described, and their associations with specific clinical, biologic, and prognostic features are well defined. However, approximately 30% of pediatric and 50% of adult patients with all do not have cytogenetic abnormalities of clinical significance. Despite significant improvements in outcome for pediatric all, therapy fails in approximately 25% of patients, and these failures often occur unpredictably in patients with a favorable prognosis and "good" cytogenetics at diagnosis.It is well known that karyotype analysis in hematologic malignancies, although genome-wide, is limited because of altered cell kinetics (mitotic rate), a propensity of leukemic blasts to undergo apoptosis in culture, overgrowth by normal cells, and chromosomes of poor quality in the abnormal clone. Array comparative genomic hybridization (acgh-"microarray") has a greatly increased genomic resolution over classical cytogenetics. Cytogenetic microarray, which uses genomic dna, is a powerful tool in the analysis of unbalanced chromosome rearrangements, such as copy number gains and losses, and it is the method of choice when the mitotic index is low and the quality of metaphases is suboptimal. The copy number profile obtained by microarray is often called a "molecular karyotype."In the present study, microarray was applied to 9 retrospective cases of pediatric all either with initial high-risk features or with at least 1 relapse. The conventional karyotype was compared to the "molecular karyotype" to assess abnormalities as interpreted by classical cytogenetics. Not only were previously undetected chromosome losses and gains identified by microarray, but several karyotypes interpreted by classical cytogenetics were shown to be discordant with the microarray results. The complementary use of microarray and conventional cytogenetics would allow for more sensitive, comprehensive, and accurate analysis of the underlying genetic profile, with concomitant improvement in prognosis and treatment, not only for pediatric all, but for neoplastic disorders in general.

[Narcolepsy in children with a psychiatric disorder]

Children with a psychiatric disorder often have sleep problems. To interpret these problems correctly one needs to conduct a multimodal investigation at three levels: internal, psychiatric and neurological. On the basis of a case study we discuss the differential diagnostic considerations for narcolepsy and a diagnostic protocol for children.

Idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia presenting as refractory cryptococcal meningitis

Idiopathic CD4 T-lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a syndrome characterized by depletion of CD4 T-cells without evidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. There are a few reported cases of ICL associated with different diseases and clinical conditions, most commonly the opportunistic infections like Tuberculosis, fungal and parasitic diseases which are also seen in HIV-positive patients. We report a case without risk factors or laboratory evidence of HIV infection who presented with refractory cryptococcal meningitis and was found to have ICL.

Comparison of graded compression ultrasonography and unenhanced spiral computed tomography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis

INTRODUCTION

To compare the accuracy of graded compression ultrasonography (US) and unenhanced spiral computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

METHODS

This prospective study comprised 58 consecutive patients with high clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis. After careful clinical assessment and laboratory investigations, all the patients were independently evaluated by graded compression US followed by unenhanced spiral CT, in order to establish the diagnosis. CT was performed from the level of the third lumbar vertebral body to the pubic symphysis, and no patient was given oral, rectal or intravenous contrast agents. The results were compared with operative findings and clinical follow-up.

RESULTS

Out of the 58 patients evaluated, surgical confirmation was obtained in 52 patients and the remaining six patients were managed conservatively. Statistical analysis was based on the 52 patients who were surgically confirmed. 48 of the operated patients had evidence of appendicitis and four patients had negative findings. In our study, 90 percent of patients were adults and the following results were more applicable to the adult age group. Analysis of the data for US and CT, respectively, revealed a sensitivity of 67.3 percent versus 95.8 percent, specificity of 100 percent versus 75 percent, accuracy of 71.2 percent versus 90.3 percent, positive predictive value of 100 percent versus 97.8 percent, and negative predictive value of 15.8 percent versus 60 percent. Out of the operated patients, four patients did not have acute appendicitis and alternative diagnosis was suggested by US and CT in one patient. Of the six patients managed conservatively, an alternative diagnosis was reached both by US and CT in two patients.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that unenhanced spiral CT is more sensitive than US in detecting appendicitis, especially in adult patients.

Bovine tuberculosis in India: potential basis for zoonosis

Our laboratory has designed a specific nested-PCR (N-PCR) assay, based on the hupB gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Rv2986c) and Mycobacterium bovis (Mb3010c) as a method to differentiate these closely related species. The present paper deciphers the utility of this assay for identification of pathogenic Mycobacteria in clinical samples. Extra-pulmonary clinical samples obtained from cattle and humans were investigated. Pre-dominance of M. tuberculosis (15.7%) and M. bovis (26.8%) was seen in humans and cattle, respectively. However, more importantly, both mycobacterial pathogens (mixed infection) were identified in a number of samples. In humans 8.7% of the samples and 35.7% in cattle were classified as mixed infection. The detection of mixed infection with the mycobacterial pathogenic duo in humans and bovines denotes the prospect of potential transmission of these pathogens from humans to cattle (zoonosis) and vice versa (reverse zoonosis).

Effect of preoperative short course famotidine on TILs and survival in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Histamine receptor antagonists have been shown to induce tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in colonic cancers and improve survival. The role of histamine receptor anatagonists in breast cancer is unclarified.

AIM

To evaluate the role of histamine receptor antagonists in inducing (TILs) in breast cancer.

METHOD

Forty-five patients with operable breast cancers (25 cases who received preoperative famotidine and 20 controls) were studied for the effect of famotidine in inducing TILs and survival in breast cancer.

RESULTS

Significant TILs were seen in 75% (18/24) of cases as opposed to 35% (7/20) controls. In logistic regression analysis the only variable found to be predictive of TILs was famotidine, odds ratio 7.324 (1.693-31.686) P=0.008. In Cox's regression presence of TILs was favorably associated with improved disease free survival at a median follow up of 35.56 months. The hazard ratio for disease relapse was 3.327 (1.174-9.426) P=0.024 in TIL negative as compared to TIL positive patients. Famotidine use alone was not significant in the original model, however, on incorporation of quadrant of involvement in addition to other established prognostic factors in the above multivariate model, it assumed borderline significance with a hazard ratio for disease free survival 3.404 (1.005-11.531, P=0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative short course famotidine induces TILs in breast cancer. Patients with TILs demonstrable in tumor specimens had an improved disease free survival. Famotidine may improve disease free survival in breast cancer and these findings need validation in larger population subsets.

Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): current status and future prospects

The incidence of lung cancer is rising dramatically and it is now the commonest cause of mortality and morbidity not only in the industrialised countries, but in developing nations like India as well. Tobacco smoking has consistently been demonstrated to be an important aetiological factor, though lung cancer occurs in non-smokers also. In spite of great advances in radiological and molecular diagnostic techniques, the ideal screening marker for early detection of lung cancer has still not been found. Histological diagnosis and staging is essential for selecting the mode of therapy in patients with lung cancer. Stages I and II are amenable to surgery. However, advanced stage III and IV need an individualised combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. With a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms operating in carcinogenesis, newer target specific modalities are being developed and tested in order to stem this disease, which threatens to assume epidemic proportions.

Processing of grain-size functionally gradient bioceramics for implant applications

This paper reports work on the processing of functionally gradient alumina bioceramics with a continuously decreasing grain size across the thickness, with the view of ultimately utilizing high-quality nano/ultrafine powders only at the surface of an implant to provide superior wear and mechanical properties. A model of disc geometry is used to examine the feasibility of producing this brand of materials. Wet processing/ball milling and sequential slip casting procedures were used to de-agglomerate alumina powders and deposit green layers of varying particle sizes from 50 to 250 nm. Both pressure-less sintering and hot pressing were evaluated as high temperature sintering/consolidation processes. The results indicate that pressure-less sintering may not be suitable. Hot pressing, however, achieved very promising results producing near fully dense product with a grain size that gradually changes across its thickness.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia: a reappraisal

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia, a rare cause of hernia, has a confusing clinical picture and requires a high index of suspicion for prompt diagnosis and management. Such hernias, if missed, can result in high morbidity and may prove fatal. Distinction from a pre-existing hernia is important as well. We report our experience in two such cases, which had presented in a span of 9 months, and submit a brief analysis of 50 reviewed cases.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication; results of a prospective pilot study

Laparoscopic fundoplication is rapidly becoming the surgical procedure of choice in western countries for the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Experience with this technique is limited in India. Most operations continue to be performed through the traditional open technique, thus denying the advantage of a minimal invasive approach to patients. This study was done to evaluate the feasibility and short term results of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Between June 2000 and March 2002, a total of 10 patients with GERD refractory to medical therapy or requiring daily treatment underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. Preoperative evaluation included scoring of symptoms, oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, barium swallow and nuclear scan. The intraoperative and post-operative course of the patients was recorded. At 3 months post-surgery, patients were re-evaluated using pre-operative symptom scores and investigations to assess the benefit of and complications associated with surgery. Laparoscopic nissen fundoplication was successfully completed in all the patients. Follow up ranged from 3 to 18 months with a mean of 5.9 months. The mean symptom score decreased from 10.1 pre-operatively to 1.7 (p value < 0.001). Eight out of 9 patients (88%) had endoscopic resolution of oesophagitis. Seven patients (70%) were off medication following surgery while the remaining 3 (30%) were taking medication intermittently. Overall, 80% of the patients were satisfied with the surgery. One patient required re-exploration due to bleeding from a short gastric vessel. The most frequent post-operative complication was temporary dysphagia in 60% of patients, which improved with conservative management over 2 to 3 weeks. We concluded that laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a safe and effective procedure to treat patients with GERD.

Feasibility and safety of day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a developing country

BACKGROUND

Although day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DCLC) has been shown to be safe in centres with adequate infrastructure for day care surgery, its feasibility and safety in developing countries has never been studied. Because of differences in the quality of health care delivery, western guidelines for day care surgery cannot be universally applied to developing countries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients less than 65 years who were graded I and II on the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score, irrespective of their educational status, living within 20 km, and willing to make their own arrangements for a return to hospital in case of problems were selected for DCLC. Follow up was done by patients calling the hospital the morning after surgery.

RESULTS

50% of the eligibility criteria were new; 313/383 patients were suitable for DCLC. The commonest cause for rejection was that the patient lived out of the defined area (50%). Altogether 92% were discharged within eight hours of surgery. The reasons for failure to discharge were the presence of abdominal drains in four (2%), nausea and vomiting in nine (3%), and conversion to open surgery in five (2%). Ten patients (3%) were readmitted; of these only two (<1%) had complications needing re-exploration. Analysis of results showed that the inclusion and discharge criteria were valid and that the readmission and complication rates as well as the ease and accuracy of follow up were comparable to published data. DCLC reduced waiting times and increased patient turnover and may have a positive impact on resident training.

CONCLUSIONS

DCLC is safe, feasible, and has potential benefits for health care delivery in developing countries. Each surgical service needs to develop their own guidelines based on local patient demography.

In vitro evaluation of apical microleakage following canal filling with a coated carrier system compared with lateral and thermomechanical Gutta-Percha condensation techniques

AIM

The apical sealing ability of a coated carrier system was evaluated in extracted human teeth and compared with lateral and thermomechanical condensation techniques using dye penetration.

METHODOLOGY

Sixty-four extracted single-rooted teeth were instrumented to an apical size 30 using 4% taper Hero 642 trade mark instruments (Micromega, Besançon, France). The sample was divided into three experimental groups. Twenty teeth were randomly obturated with lateral condensation, 20 with thermomechanical compaction and 20 teeth with the Herofill trade mark Soft-Core system. Four teeth were used as positive and negative controls. The teeth were covered with nail varnish up to 2 mm from the apical foramen and immersed in a 2% aqueous methylene blue dye solution for 1 week and then washed, dehydrated and embedded in resin. The apical 1 mm of each tooth was removed to reveal the apical limit of the preparation. Transverse sections of the teeth were taken at 500, 1000 and 1500 micro m from this point and evaluated for apical leakage. Significant differences between the preparations were analysed with a semiautomatic analyser and the ratio of the dye-penetrated surface to the total dentinal surface was calculated.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated significantly less leakage for the Herofill trade mark Soft-Core system compared to lateral condensation in terms of total mean dentinal surface and at the 500 micro m level. No other differences were noted between Herofill trade mark Soft-Core and thermomechanical or lateral condensation, either for the total mean value or at each level.

CONCLUSIONS

The Herofill trade mark Soft-Core system was a reliable obturation system in the apical portion and compared favourably with other gutta-percha filling techniques.

Lung volume reduction surgery – a comparison of the long term outcome of unilateral vs. bilateral approaches

OBJECTIVE

Bilateral lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is thought to be preferable to unilateral surgery due to greater initial benefit but the subsequent rate of decline may also be greater. We compared the long term physiological and health status outcome of LVRS performed on one or simultaneously on both lungs.

METHODS

Prospective data were collected on a consecutive series of 65 patients undergoing LVRS who were all suitable for bilateral surgery. Twenty-six patients: age 59 (8) years underwent bilateral LVRS by video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT) or sternotomy and 39 patients: age 60 (6) years underwent unilateral VAT. The perioperative effects of LVRS on spirometry were prospectively recorded at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months.

RESULTS

The unilateral group had similar preoperative lung volumes to the bilateral patients: forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV(1)) 26 vs. 30% predicted, RV 275 vs. 246% predicted and total lung capacity (TLC) 148 vs. 142% predicted. Unilateral LVRS was associated with significantly lower weight of lung resected: 80 (31) vs. 118 (46) g; hospital stay: 16 (10) days vs. 28 (22) days. Thirty-day mortality was 3% in the unilateral and 8% in the bilateral group (P=0.34). Postoperative ventilation occurred in 5% in the unilateral and in 42% in the bilateral group (P=0.0002). The decline of FEV(1) during the first postoperative year was significant in the bilateral group (-313 ml/y, P=0.04) but not significant in the unilateral group (-50 ml/y, P=0.18). SF 36 scores in all eight domains were similar in both groups preoperatively and at any postoperative interval.

CONCLUSION

We have found no benefit from bilateral simultaneous LVRS and prefer unilateral LVRS because of the lower morbidity, resulting in earlier discharge, and slower decline in physiological benefit.

Primary malignant melanoma in ovarian cystic teratoma

BACKGROUND

Malignant degeneration of benign cystic teratoma of the ovary is rare. Occurrence of melanoma in an ovarian cystic primary teratoma in the absence of a demonstrable extraovarian primary is even rarer. We describe here one such case.

CASE

A 42-year-old nulliparous woman underwent laparotomy for a cyst in the right ovary. Histopathological examination of the specimen revealed malignant cystic teratoma with the presence of a melanoma component. There was no evidence of extraovarian primary melanoma on clinical examination. Two years later, she presented with lung metastasis and underwent left pneumonectomy. Histopathology confirmed metastatic melanoma. Postoperatively, she received combination chemotherapy using cisplatin and dacarbazine. She is on regular follow-up and continues to be disease-free, 18 months after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Primary malignant melanoma in cystic teratoma of the ovary is extremely rare. We could find only 19 such cases on review of the literature. Clinical presentation is similar to that of primary epithelial ovarian cancer. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. Use of cisplatin and dacarbazine may be considered in a patient with metastatic disease.

Omentum autotransplantation in thromboangiitis obliterans: report of three cases

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), also known as Buerger's disease, is an important cause in India of chronic arterial occlusion of the limbs. The current modalities of therapy do not provide adequate relief to a large number of these patients. An omentum autotransplantation to the lower limbs was performed in three patients as a limb salvage procedure. The initial results with up to a year of follow-up are so far encouraging.

Retrieval of lost Copper-T from the rectum

A case of lost Copper-T lying partly in the rectal lumen and its removal through the rectal route is described. This case emphasises the importance of rectal examination in the case of lost intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD) and highlights the possibility of safe retrieval of an IUCD through the rectal route even when it is partly embedded in the rectal wall.

Laparoscopic hernia repair--what are the results?

The two widely practised laparoscopic groin hernia repairs are: a) trans-abdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and b) trans-extraperitoneal preperitoneal (TEPP) approaches. Early results are encouraging with both the techniques being associated with low recurrence rates (0% to 2%) comparable to the best, reported for standard open repair (Shouldice and Lichtenstein's). Other complications are higher in the beginning following laparoscopic hernia repair compared to the conventional method. These complications are related to the learning curve and expected to come down significantly with increasing experience of surgeons. Laparoscopic repair of recurrent groin hernia appears to be considerably superior to the conventional technique. The recurrence rates following conventional repair of recurrent groin hernias are between 1.5% and 35% (Table I) compared to none for laparoscopic repair of recurrent inguinal hernias. The disadvantages of laparoscopic repair include greater technical difficulty, higher incidence of serious complications and increased cost. Sutured open repair is associated with high postoperative discomfort, greater difficulty of repairing recurrent hernia with higher societal cost (due to prolonged time-off from work for 12% to 57% of patients operated for various open technique-Table II). The techniques of laparoscopic hernia repairs are nearly standardised today. Laparoscopic surgeons have an obligation to offer the new alternative and to ensure that it is safely used. Laparoscopic repair is another technique used for the repair of inguinal hernias, which is going to stay as a safe and effective alternative to open repair as the learning curve is over. There is an urgent need to have well-designed prospective randomised trials in the near future.

Spontaneous rupture of spleen in viral hepatitis A

A twenty-five year old man presented with history of fever, malaise and jaundice and developed a spontaneous rupture of the spleen during hospital admission. Investigations revealed deranged liver function tests and positive serology for hepatitis A.

Role of hepatobiliary scintigraphy in management of postoperative bile leak into the lesser sac

A case with bile leak into the lesser sac of peritoneum is reported. Although bile leak following biliary surgery or trauma is not uncommon, isolated bile leak into the lesser sac is rare. This information may be vital for appropriate placement of the drainage tube in the abdomen. A hepatobiliary study, as reflected in this report, is extremely useful in guiding the surgeon in this respect.

Cyclical mastalgia--is it a manifestation of aberration in lipid metabolism?

Several therapeutic and investigative studies suggest the possibility of the role of lipid profile aberrations in the pathophysiology of cyclical mastalgia. This prospective study is aimed to look for such aberrations. Fifty-seven patients of benign breast disease were included in this study who were symptomatic for at least 6 months prior to presentation. Detailed serum lipid profile work up was performed on day 1, 15 and 25 of menstrual cycle. The patients with symptoms of maximal severity (or limited to) during leuteal phase of menstrual cycle were included in group I (n = 32). Those who had mastalgia, but did not have above mentioned cyclical variation, were included in group II (n = 25). Since noncyclical mastalgia is a group of heterogeneous disorders of varied etiology, the patients in group II were treated as controls. At day 25, there was an elevation in mean values of HDL-C (P = 0.03) and HDL-C/LDL-C ratio (P = 0.01), and reduction in TC/HDL-C ratio (P < 0.03), in group I. This has not been the case with group II patients. When the patients of mastalgia were treated with low fat dietary regimen, there was a significant difference in the responses of these two groups (P value < 0.0001). Based on the results of lipid profile study and dietary intervention, we conclude that cyclical mastalgia is an entity which is distinctly different from noncyclical mastalgia and needs a different therapeutic approach. Our data, both investigative and therapeutic, suggests that cyclical mastalgia may be a result of cyclical aberrations in lipid metabolism, and the physiological treatment in the form of an appropriate dietary regimen holds a considerable promise.

Current practice in biliary surgery: the Indian scenario

OBJECTIVE

Documentation of current biliary surgical practices of surgeons in India.

METHODS

A postal questionnaire survey of the consultants in surgery in all the medical colleges in India was done to establish their current practice regarding cholecystectomy and to assess the influence of recent studies on their practice.

RESULTS

The response rate was 23% (264/1127). About half of the surgeons did both ultrasonography and oral cholecystography for the diagnosis of cholelithiasis. Acute cholecystitis was managed conservatively by 80% of surgeons. Antibiotics were used by all surgeons but 87% of them used antibiotics for more than one day. Peroperative cholangiography was done in all cases by 20% of those who had the facilities available. Incidental appendectomy was done by 26% of surgeons. Drain was used in all cases by 78% of surgeons. Patients were discharged after suture removal by 77% of surgeons.

CONCLUSIONS

The practices of the Indian surgeon surveyed were against the recommendations in current literature which did not seem to have had much impact on them regarding their practice of biliary surgery.

Efficacy of low fat diet in the treatment of benign breast disease

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that lipid abnormalities have a role in the pathogenesis of benign breast disease. However, few investigators have tried to reduce dietary fat to treat this disorder.

METHODS

Between 1990 and 1993, we conducted a prospective cohort study to find out the efficacy of a low fat diet (less than 15% fat-derived calories) in the treatment of benign breast disease in patients who had been symptomatic for 6 months or more. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase 36 patients were alternately assigned to control and treatment groups for 6 months and in the second phase 121 patients (including all those in phase I) were given treatment (median follow up 25 months, range 3 to 39 months). Detailed lipid profiles were studied at the time of presentation and at 4 and 5 months.

RESULTS

Phase I results showed that after 6 months none of the patients in the control group had experienced any alteration in their symptoms and signs but in the treatment group 12 out of 17 improved. In phase II improvement in pain (68 out of 97; 70%), nodularity (51 out of 79; 64%) and discharge (15 out of 19; 80%) was seen. There was a significant decline in the mean values of total cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins at the end of 5 months of treatment.

CONCLUSION

A low fat diet improves the symptoms as well as the lipid profile in patients with benign breast disease.

Thoracoscopic management of malignant pleural effusion

The results of thoracoscopic biopsy and talc pleurodesis in the management of malignant pleural effusions, is analysed. The study population consisted of 213 patients. Pre-operative cytology was positive in only 27% of patients; the diagnostic yield using thoracoscopic biopsy was 91.5%. (Sensitivity 99%; specificity 100%; positive predicted value 100%; negative predicted value 88%). Talc pleurodesis at thoracoscopy produced symptomatic improvement in 93% of patients. Post-operative complications occurred in 3.7% and there was a 2.3% mortality. Recurrent effusion was not a significant clinical problem. Thoracoscopy enhances the accuracy of diagnosis of pleural effusions; simultaneous talc pleurodesis has a high therapeutic success.

Malignant insulinoma presenting with recurrent episodic loss of consciousness

A 57 year old male presented with episodic behavioural abnormalities and loss of consciousness for 2 years. His fasting blood glucose was 20 mg/dl and corresponding insulin level 119 uU/ml. His EEG showed intermittent rhythmic delta activity. Abdominal CT scan revealed an enhancing mass in the tail of the pancreas and secondaries in the liver. After distal pancreatectomy, resection of the left lobe of the liver and chemotherapy, the hypoglycaemic spells subsided. Histopathology revealed an islet cell tumour with metastases in the liver. Episodic neurobehavioural dysfunction should alert towards the possibility of hypoglycaemia.

A case of follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma with t(14;18) and t(8;11)

Follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma is a common B-cell lymphoma exhibiting a t(14;18)(q32;q21) chromosomal translocation, which has been found in most cases studied. In our case of follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma, the chromosome translocation 14;18 was observed. This case also exhibits a second consistent chromosomal translocation, t(8;11)(p21;q13), along with t(14;18).

The drinking habits of Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and white men in the West Midlands: a community survey

Men born in India but living in Britain have higher than expected treated prevalence rates of alcohol-related disorders. A community survey of random samples of 200 each of Sikh, Muslim and Hindu men and 200 white English-born men, matched for age, were interviewed using a structural questionnaire containing a retrospective drinking diary. Sikhs were most likely to be regular drinkers followed by whites and Hindus. The very few Muslim men who drank consumed the most alcohol on average. The frequently reported pattern of an inverse relationship between drinking and age was found for white men but not among Sikhs and Hindus. In both these groups older men reported consuming more alcohol than did young men. However, age was confounded with generation: heavier levels of consumption were reported by Sikhs and Hindus born in India than by Sikhs and Hindus born in Britain. Among regular drinkers Sikhs had higher average Alcohol Problem Scale Scores than did white men or Hindus. The highest average scores were recorded for the (few) Muslim regular drinkers (who also consumed the most alcohol). A clear association with religious observance was found for all three Asian groups and for the white men. No religious Muslims drank at all, and a relatively small proportion of the other groups who were regular church/Temple attenders drank regularly.

Fine needle aspiration cytology as a preliminary diagnostic procedure for asymptomatic cervical lymphadenopathy

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was used as a preliminary diagnostic procedure in evaluating discrete, asymptomatic cervical lymphadenopathy of more than four weeks duration. Benign pathologies were encountered in 294/359 patients (82%); of these 86% had tuberculosis. Even in the elderly, a large number of patients (25/78) harboured tubercular lymph glands. FNAC obtained adequate material for cytologic diagnosis in 97.5% and had an overall accuracy rate of 97%. Malignancy was correctly diagnosed in 100%; in tuberculosis the accuracy rate of 96% with a 3.5% false negative results. FNAC is reliable as the initial evaluating procedure even in benign disorders; it is also cheap, speedy and easy to perform, with no complications, making it suitable for wider application in developing countries with scant resources.