scholarly journals Sonographic Appearance of Different Presentations of Ascariasis in a Tertiary Care Centre in West Bengal - A Case Series and Review of Imaging Features

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (18) ◽  
pp. 1206-1211
Author(s):  
Devpriyo Pal ◽  
Narayan Pandit

BACKGROUND Ascariasis is a type of roundworm infestation caused by the helminth Ascaris lumbricoides. In spite of advancements in the diagnosis and management of ascariasis, it remains one of the commonest infections in the world, especially in the tropical and subtropical countries, causing both acute and chronic illnesses. Ultrasound offers a quick and non-invasive way to diagnose ascariasis of the intestine and hepatobiliary system. In this study we have described the imaging appearance of ascariasis through a series of cases and demonstrated key imaging characteristics according to location. METHODS This is an institution based observational and descriptive study. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis of North Bengal Medical College & Hospital for a period of 15 months (Oct 2018 - Jan 2020). This study was conducted among the patients who were referred to the Department of Radiodiagnosis for evaluation of abdominal symptoms. RESULTS Intestinal and extra-intestinal ascaris worms have a typical appearance which is easily identifiable in on ultrasound, but diagnostic confidence is affected by several factors related to the patient, worms and the ultrasound technique. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound is a rapid, inexpensive and easily available modality with a high success rate in diagnosing ascariasis and its complications. It is important to be aware of the characteristic appearance of ascaris in the intestines and the hepatopancreato-biliary tree and it must be remembered that the typical appearance is grossly affected by several factors such as the number, whether living or not as well as the luminal distension of the organ. KEYWORDS Ultrasound, Ascariasis, Intestinal Obstruction, Cholecystitis, Cholangitis, Pancreatitis, Appendicitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola López Del-Tejo ◽  
Nadia Cubas-Vega ◽  
Cecilia Caraballo-Guerra ◽  
Bernardo Maia da Silva ◽  
Jefferson da Silva Valente ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Malaria and HIV are two important public health issues. However, evidence on HIV-Plasmodium vivax co-infection (HIV/PvCo) is scarce, with most of the available information related to Plasmodium falciparum on the African continent. It is unclear whether HIV can change the clinical course of vivax malaria and increase the risk of complications. In this study, a systematic review of HIV/PvCo studies was performed, and recent cases from the Brazilian Amazon were included. Methods Medical records from a tertiary care centre in the Western Brazilian Amazon (2009–2018) were reviewed to identify HIV/PvCo hospitalized patients. Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes are reported. Also, a systematic review of published studies on HIV/PvCo was conducted. Metadata, number of HIV/PvCo cases, demographic, clinical, and outcome data were extracted. Results A total of 1,048 vivax malaria patients were hospitalized in the 10-year period; 21 (2.0%) were HIV/PvCo cases, of which 9 (42.9%) had AIDS-defining illnesses. This was the first malaria episode in 11 (52.4%) patients. Seven (33.3%) patients were unaware of their HIV status and were diagnosed on hospitalization. Severe malaria was diagnosed in 5 (23.8%) patients. One patient died. The systematic review search provided 17 articles (12 cross-sectional or longitudinal studies and 5 case report studies). A higher prevalence of studies involved cases in African and Asian countries (35.3 and 29.4%, respectively), and the prevalence of reported co-infections ranged from 0.1 to 60%. Conclusion Reports of HIV/PvCo are scarce in the literature, with only a few studies describing clinical and laboratory outcomes. Systematic screening for both co-infections is not routinely performed, and therefore the real prevalence of HIV/PvCo is unknown. This study showed a low prevalence of HIV/PvCo despite the high prevalence of malaria and HIV locally. Even though relatively small, this is the largest case series to describe HIV/PvCo.


Author(s):  
Arvind Sharma ◽  
Aditi Bharti ◽  
Tej Pratap Singh ◽  
Richa Sharma

Collate and interpret data on rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) infections admitted at the tertiary care centre and investigate the common contributing factors leading to such infections and highlighting the relationship of this upsurge seen in patients infected with COVID-19. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Central India, in the period of eleven days (from 9 May to 18 May). A total of ten patients with ROCM was investigated, admitted to the separate ward for mucormycosis in the tertiary care centre. A self-pre-designed questionnaire was used for the evaluation. Verbal consent was obtained from the patients before the start of the study and also ensured the confidentiality of their respective details. Among ten of the patients, six patients were known cases of diabetes mellitus, two of the patients were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus after the initiation of corticosteroid therapy during their treatment and two of them were non-diabetic. All the patients in this case series were on corticosteroid therapy and on oxygen supplementation. Majority of the patients showing mild to moderate disease with unilateral symptoms, although only 10% showed the severe disease with bilateral eye involvement. It is evident that the poor or impaired immune functioning is the leading cause of the upsurge in mucormycosis cases. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections can substantially reduce morbidity and mortality.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola López Del-Tejo ◽  
Nadia Cubas-Vega ◽  
Cecilia Caraballo-Guerra ◽  
Bernardo Maia da Silva ◽  
Jefferson da Silva Valente ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Malaria and HIV are two important public health issues. However, evidence on HIV-Plasmodium vivax co-infection (HIV/PvCo) is scarce, with most of the available information related to Plasmodium falciparum on the African continent. It is unclear whether HIV can change the clinical course of vivax malaria and increase the risk of complications. In this study, a systematic review of HIV/PvCo studies was performed, and recent cases from the Brazilian Amazon were included. Methods Medical records from a tertiary care centre in the Western Brazilian Amazon (2009-2018) were reviewed to identify HIV/PvCo hospitalized patients. Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes are reported. Also, a systematic review of published studies on HIV/PvCo was conducted. Metadata, number of HIV/PvCo cases, demographic, clinical, and outcome data were extracted. Results A total of 1,048 vivax malaria patients were hospitalized in the 10-year period; 21 (2.0%) were HIV/PvCo cases, of which 9 (42.9%) had AIDS-defining illnesses. This was the first malaria episode in 11 (52.4%) patients. Seven (33.3%) patients were unaware of their HIV status and were diagnosed on hospitalization. Severe malaria was diagnosed in 5 (23.8%) patients. One patient died. The systematic review search provided 17 articles (12 cross-sectional or longitudinal studies and 5 case report studies). A higher prevalence of studies involved cases in African and Asian countries (35.3 and 29.4%, respectively), and the prevalence of reported co-infections ranged from 0.1 to 60%. Conclusion Reports of HIV/PvCo are scarce in the literature, with only a few studies describing clinical and laboratory outcomes. Systematic screening for both co-infections is not routinely performed, and therefore the real prevalence of HIV/PvCo is unknown. This study showed a low prevalence of HIV/PvCo despite the high prevalence of malaria and HIV locally. Even though relatively small, this is the largest case series to describe HIV/PvCo.


Author(s):  
Deepak A. V. ◽  
K. J. Jacob ◽  
Sumi P. Maria

Background: Peripartum hysterectomy is a life-saving procedure resorted to when conservative measures fail to control obstetric haemorrhage. Several predisposing factors, suboptimal care and lack of infrastructure may lead to this emergency procedure. We wanted to find out factors associated with peripartum hysterectomy and the adverse maternal outcomes at our centre.Methods: A retrospective case series analysis of 40 cases of peripartum hysterectomy performed over a period of 5 years from January 2010 to December 2014 at Government Medical College Hospital, Thrissur, Kerala was done.Results: The incidence of peripartum hysterectomy was 0.29%. The most common indication for peripartum hysterectomy was hysterectomy was uterine atony (50%). Thirty-five women (88%) were between 20 and 35 years. Most of the subjects were unbooked. There were two maternal deaths (case fatality rate of 5%) following peripartum hysterectomy during this period. All the subjects required blood transfusion.Conclusions: Prompt performance hysterectomy before the patient’s clinical condition deteriorates is the key to success. The incidence of adherent placenta is increasing, so every effort should be taken to reduce the caesarean section rates globally. 


2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P127-P128
Author(s):  
Robert L Harris ◽  
Grundy Alan ◽  
Tunde A Odutoye

Objectives Radiological balloon dilatation of lower oesophageal strictures is common practice. Other than some early reports from our own centre, there is little published regarding radiological dilatation of pharyngeal and upper oesophageal strictures and less still on radiological balloon dilatation of post-total laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy neo-pharyngeal strictures. Standard practise is bouginage under general anaesthaesia. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of radiological balloon dilatation for the treatment of dysphagia secondary to neopharyngeal strictures in patients who have undergone laryngectomy. Methods A tertiary care centre case series of 20 consecutive patients (17 males and 3 females aged 40 to 84) with pharyngeal stricture and dysphagia post-total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy who underwent balloon dilatation of the stricture under radiological guidance. Maintenance of swallowing was the main outcome measure. Results 5 patients gained relief of their dysphagia with 1 balloon dilatation only. 9 patients required more than 1 dilatation to maintain swallowing. 2 patients had balloon dilatation procedures and stent insertion for palliative relief of dysphagia from known recurrent malignant disease. 3 patients failed to maintain swallowing with repeat dilatations. No patients suffered any significant complications such as perforation. Conclusions Balloon dilatation is minimally invasive and less traumatic than rigid pharyngoscopy with bouginage dilatation. It is well tolerated. It may be repeated frequently and can successfully relieve strictures of the pharynx in patients who have undergone total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 61-64
Author(s):  
Santosh Kumar Prasad ◽  
Nupur Nupur ◽  
Akshit Pathak ◽  
Indra Shekhar Thakur ◽  
Vijay Shankar Prasad

INTRODUCTION: Jaundice means yellow due to the yellowish discolouration of skin, sclera, and mucous membrane seen in jaundice caused by bilirubin pigment. It is divided in to two forms obstructive(surgical) and non- obstructive (non-surgical). AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patients of obstructive jaundice by sonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and compare the reporting and ndings by both the modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross sectional observational study done from November 2018 to October 2020 and consists of 32 patients who had clinical jaundice and consented to being subjected to both ultrasound and MRCP. OBSERVATIONS:Both USG and MRCP were able to detect extrahepatic CBD dilatation equally in 25 patients. In 5(15.6%) patients USG and MRI both demonstrated intrahepatic mass causing obstruction at the level of conuence of right and left hepatic duct or CHD. Ultrasonography was able to detect the intrinsic mass of the extrahepatic common bile duct in 2(6.2%) patients out of 32 patients in our study population. MRCP could detect the same in 6(18.7%) patients. In our study narrowing of CBD with stricture formation and upstream dilatation of biliary tree was identied in 10(31.2%) patients on MRCP. Ultrasound could diagnose the same in one patient. Both USG and MRCP were able to detect pancreatic head mass as well as pseudocyst. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of MRCP was found to be comparable to that of ERCP for diagnosis of etiology for obstructive jaundice. MRCP allows better lesion characterization and assessment. However, the patchy availability of MR machines become the main achilles heel for the surgeons as well as the radiologists. Hence the valuable role of the omnipresent ultrasonography become immense.


2010 ◽  
Vol 124 (9) ◽  
pp. 999-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Guinand ◽  
T Just ◽  
N W Stow ◽  
H Cao Van ◽  
B N Landis

AbstractIntroduction:Chorda tympani injury as a complication of middle-ear surgery has been extensively studied with regard to its effects upon taste. However, the chorda tympani also carries parasympathetic fibres to the salivary glands of the oral cavity. To date, little has been reported about the effect of chorda tympani section upon salivary function.Setting:Tertiary care centre.Material and methods:We report a case series of three patients with bilateral chorda tympani lesions. Chorda tympani function was assessed using ‘taste strips’ and unstimulated sialometry. A careful history of oral symptoms was taken.Results:All patients showed transient or permanent bilateral ageusia of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, and a decreased resting salivary flow rate. In addition, all patients suffered from transient or persistent, distressing xerostomia.Conclusion:Taste disorders may occur after middle-ear surgery but they are mostly transient, even when the chorda tympani nerves are sectioned bilaterally. In contrast, bilateral chorda tympani lesions may lead to severe, persistent and distressing xerostomia. Based on this neglected aspect of chorda tympani function, we emphasise the importance of preserving the chorda tympani whenever possible.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-157
Author(s):  
A Risal ◽  
H Tharoor

Background Alcohol Dependence exists in different spectrums at different settings and associated with various medical morbidities, disability and health care utilization costs. Objectives To study the drinking patterns, alcohol use disorders and alcohol related medical morbidities in patients diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) and attending out / in-patient psychiatry services at secondary and tertiary care centre. Methods A cross-sectional comparative study was done among the patients diagnosed with ADS attending psychiatry services at District hospital, Udupi and Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. Serial sampling was done. Patients having any other psychiatric illnesses were excluded. The two groups were compared in relation to socio-demographic variables, drinking related variables, patterns of drinking and alcohol related medical morbidities identified. Results Significant differences in some socio-demographic parameters among the patients from the two different treatment centers were found with secondary level hospital (N=50) having more illiterate, laborers and below the poverty line population in comparison to the tertiary level hospital (N=75). Maximum frequency of gastro-intestinal morbidities was seen in both the hospital population, irrespective of the patterns of drinking. Conclusion Alcohol use disorders and alcohol related medical morbidities show some variations in their presentations in the different treatment centers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v11i2.12492 Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.11(2) 2013: 152-157


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (27) ◽  
pp. 2001-2006
Author(s):  
John Britto Augustin ◽  
Sureshbaboo Variamkandi

BACKGROUND Corneal ulcer is the leading cause of ocular morbidity and monocular blindness worldwide. To effectively prevent blindness in patients with corneal ulcer, a proper understanding of the risk factors predisposing to ulceration, its clinical and microbiological characteristics are essential. Timely identification of aetiological agents causing corneal ulcers and their prompt treatment helps to save the vision. We wanted to detect aetiological agents of corneal ulcer with special references to fungal causes and characterize the fungal aetiological agents to species level. METHODS This is a cross sectional study, conducted in Government Medical college, Kozhikode, between January 2016 and June 2017. All patients who were clinically diagnosed as cases of infectious corneal ulcer in the Ophthalmology department, Government Medical College, Kozhikode were included in the study. Corneal scrapings collected from the infected eye were subjected to microbiological examination and culture. A total of 120 cases were analysed. Each patient was examined with the slit lamp bio microscope after staining with fluorescein. Scrapings from cornea at the site of corneal ulcer were collected by ophthalmologist after a detailed clinical history and examination of the affected eye. The laboratory procedures used in the diagnosis of infectious keratitis were based on direct visualization of organisms by subjecting corneal scrapings to Gram stain and KOH wet mount and inoculation of material on to blood agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar. RESULTS Among the 120 cases, a total of 49 cases were culture positive. Twenty-one [17.5 %] were bacterial, twenty-two [18.34 %] were fungal and six [5.0 %] were poly microbial [bacteria and fungus]. Among the fungal aetiology, fusarium species was most common [32.14 %], followed by aspergillus species - 25.0 %. Trauma was the major risk factor. Diabetes mellitus, exposure keratitis were the other comorbidities / risk factors. CONCLUSIONS This study shows majority of infected corneal ulcers are associated with risk factors and the aetiology are mainly fungi. Microscopy, culture, and clinical correlation helped in adequate management. Thus, prognosis and outcome of corneal ulcers rely on timely identification of their aetiology and prompt treatment. KEY WORDS Corneal ulcer, Fungal Keratitis


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