SELF-INFLICTED FIREARM INJURIES AS COMPARED TO THE ACCIDENTAL FIREARM INJURY; A COMPARATIVE ANALYTICAL STUDY TO DETERMINE THE COMMONEST SITE OF NON-SUICIDAL SELF-INFLICTED INJURIES

Objective: To determine the commonest site of non-suicidal self-inflicted firearm wound in comparison with accidental firearm wounds. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospitals Jhelum, Bannu & Kharian, from Nov 2014 to Nov 2018. Methodology: Sixty-four patients with firearm injuries were observed. All the participants were males between the ages of 18- 60 years. The injuries were determined to be either self-inflicted or accidental by an independent committee. The participants’ replies and responses were assessed by dividing them into five main domains by using quantitative software SPSS version 20. Variables involving demographic characteristics of participants such as age, occupation, marital and socioeconomic status, were associated with mental health variables such as psychological stress, previous history of self-harm and clinical psychiatric illness. Result: Fifteen subjects were found to have self-inflicted injuries and 50 had accidental injuries. There was a marked preference for left foot and left lower limb as a site for non-suicidal self-inflicted injuries (94.6%) as compared to other sites (left upper extremity 1.8%, chest 1.8% and right lower extremity 1.8%). Conclusions: Left lower limb and left foot was a more common site for self-injury as compared to the other sites.

A comparative assessment of flexibility of backline and strength of lower limb in bharatnatyam dancers and non-dancers

Background: Bharatnatyam is an Indian classical dance form which have been practiced for a long period of time and is equivalent to any sporting activity. The postures attained during this dance form require good amount of muscle strength and flexibility among the dancers. There is lack of research on flexibility of backline and lower limb strength in bharatnatyam dancers. The overall function of the superficial backline is to support the body in full upright extension and impacts musculoskeletal dynamics. The lumbar lordosis angle and the pelvic inclination angle in bharatnatyam dancers is more than the non-dancers which can affect the backline flexibility. This study analysed if there is any difference, in the lower limb strength and flexibility of backline as compared to participants of same age group.Methods: 10 bharatnatyam dancers and 10 non-dancers between 15 to 30 years participated in this study. Triple hop distance test for both sides and toe touch test was used to check the strength of lower limb and flexibility of backline respectively.Results: There was significant difference in the triple hop distance of right lower limb between bharatnataym dancers and non-dancers. There was no significant difference in the triple hop distance of left lower limb between the two groups. There was not quite significant difference in the toe touch test of between the two groups.Conclusions: There was significant difference in the strength and power of right lower limb of dancers as compared to right lower limb of non-dancers. There was no statistical difference in the left lower limb of both the groups. There was no statistical difference between the flexibility of backline of bharatnatyam dancers and non-dancers.

Spinal Cord Ischemia Secondary to Aortic Dissection: Case Report with Literature Review for Different Clinical Presentations, Risk Factors, Radiological Findings, Therapeutic Modalities, and Outcome

Aortic dissection (AD) is a serious condition that causes transient or permanent neurological problems that include spinal cord ischemia (SCI), which occurs when AD extends into the descending aorta resulting in insufficient perfusion of segmental arteries that supplies the spinal cord. We report a 64-year-old male, presented with severe back pain, asymmetrical paresthesia, and weakness of both limbs, more in the left lower limb with loss of pinprick, temperature, and fine touch sensation on the lower left lower limb below the level of T5 with preserved proprioception and vibration and urine hesitancy. Computed tomography showed AD, Stanford type A, and spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed hyperintense owl’s eye sign at T5. The patient was diagnosed as anterior spinal artery syndrome secondary to an AD and referred for aortic surgical repair with good functional outcome. In our review to cases of SCI due to AD, it was more common in males above 55 years, pain only found in 47.8% of patients, with anterior cord syndrome on top of the clinical presentations, and hypertension is the most common risk factor. MRI spine showed thoracic location predominance. Surgical or endovascular repair especially for type A and complicated type B should be considered to avoid complications, and cerebrospinal fluid drainage is a very useful tool in reversing SCI specially if done early with favorable outcome. Only the old age is associated with increased risk of mortality. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial for better outcome.

Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens: A Life- and Limb-threatening Disease

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a rare syndrome caused by venous thrombosis and characterised by a triad of limb oedema, cyanosis and pain. It requires early recognition as delay of treatment can cause gangrene, limb amputation and in extreme cases, death. A 67- year-old Chinese lady, with underlying hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia presented to the emergency department with a 2 days history of pain, oedema and bluish discoloration over the entire left leg. She had a history of fall 6 months prior and since then she used a walking stick for mobilization. This patient underwent ultrasound doppler left lower limb , which showed features suggestive of long-segment left lower limb deep vein thrombosis. A diagnosis of PCD was made. Subsequently, she went for a CT angiogram and venography of the left lower limb which confirmed thrombosis of the left calf vein extending to the long segment of the left common iliac vein. She was commenced on intravenous heparin infusion and then underwent inferior vena cava filter insertion and catheter directed thrombolysis. Repeat venogram showed successful catheter directed thrombolysis of the left lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Treatment should be initiated as soon as the diagnosis of PCD is suspected. Currently, guidelines for treatment are lacking however 3 therapeutic options are advocated alone or in combination: anticoagulants, thrombolytic therapy, and venous thrombectomy. An early recognition of PCD and appropriate decision regarding the treatment is essential to preserve the limb.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue-2: 2021 Page: S16

Spinal Myoclonus – A rare complication of spinal anaesthesia

Spinal segmental myoclonus is a rare type of myoclonic disorder that may occur during spinal anaesthesia. A few cases of spinal myoclonus have been reported after administration of intrathecal bupivacaine. The exact cause and pathophysiology of spinal myoclonus is unknown. We report a case of a 28-year-old female who underwent caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. Myoclonic movements appeared in the early postoperative period in the left lower limb. The myoclonus was acute and transient. The patient recovered completely without any neurological complications. After ruling out all the possible causes, spinal myoclonus diagnosis was made, and the patient was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day. Keywords: Spinal anaesthesia, Spinal myoclonus, Myoclonus

A neonate with Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome: a case report

Background Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome is a rare congenital capillary–lymphatic–venous condition characterized by the clinical triad of capillary malformations (port wine stains), varicose veins with or without venous malformations, and bony and/or soft-tissue hypertrophy. It has a very low incidence of about 1:100,000. Case presentation We report the case of 21-day-old neonate Black African female (born in Uganda) with Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome who presented with macrodactyly and ectrodactyly on the left foot, as well as numerous port wine stains on the left thoracoabdominal region and anteroposterior left lower limb. Color Doppler ultrasound examination of the left lower limb and abdomen revealed varicose veins without signs of arteriovenous fistula. Conclusion The report presents the case of a neonate with a rare congenital vascular disorder type Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome.

Discarded old antibiotics as a new arsenal for multi-resistant isolates in diabetic foot ulcer infections: Therapeutic value of parenteral Colistin versus multi-resistant Pseudomonas speciesisolate strains. Case Report

Background Antimicrobial resistance to current novel antibiotics is posing a major threat to both human and zoonotic life. This poses a serious potential of rolling back to pre-antibiotic era clinical settings. Antimicrobial discovery pipeline has dried up as major pharmaceutical brands have shifted to long term chronic illness drugs production. In the absence of new novel antibiotics molecules, clinicians have resorted into a desperate last resort to review and re-introduce prior discarded antibiotics as their new weaponry in the fight against multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Case presentation: We report a case of a 77 years old bed ridden diabetic and hypertensive with renal impairment diagnosed with bilateral lower limbs wet gangrene. She underwent transfemoral on her right and transtibial amputation on her left lower limb. She developed Surgical site infection on her right stump and wet gangrene on her left stump. Surgical toilet, debridement and stump revision was done on her right stump and a transfemoral amputation on her left lower limb. Pus swab on her right stump revealed carbapenem resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. She was instituted on parenteral colistin and showed no bacterial growth 7 days post treatment. She suffered an ischaemic cerebral vaso-occlusive stroke during her hospital stay. CT angiography revealed distal infra-renal abdominal aorta multiple calcified plaques, multiple calcified plaques and completely obstructing thrombus both on common and external iliac arteries, seen downstream to both superficial femoral arteries with multiple collaterals in both thighs. The included portion of the lower lung fields showed a large filling defect in the right main pulmonary artery extending to the lower lobe branches suggestive of right-sided pulmonary embolism. She developed hypostatic pneumonia, bed sores and her condition deteriorated and she unfortunately succumbed from her comorbidities. Despite our patient succumbing to her multiple co-morbidities we report this case to highlight the isolation of carbapenem resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the efficacy and safety of colistin as a salvage antibiotic in renal impaired patients. Conclusions Colistin can be safely used as a last reserve antibiotic for multi-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection even in patients with renal impairment.