Clinico-pathophysiological considerations in coronary microvascular disorders

Around half of the patients undergoing an elective coronary angiogram to investigate typical stable angina symptoms are found to have non-obstructive coronary arteries (defined as < 50% stenosis). These patients are younger with a female predilection. While underlying mechanisms responsible for these presentations are heterogeneous, structural and functional abnormalities of the coronary microvasculature are highly prevalent. Thus, coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is increasingly recognised as an important consideration in patients with non-obstructive coronary arteries. This review will focus on primary coronary microvascular disorders and summarise the four common clinical presentation pictures which can be considered as endotypes - Microvascular Ischaemia (formerly “Syndrome X”), Microvascular Angina, Microvascular Spasm, and Coronary Slow Flow. Furthermore, the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with CMD are also heterogenous. CMD may arise from an increased microvascular resistance, impaired microvascular dilation, and/or inducible microvascular spasm, ultimately causing myocardial ischaemia and angina. Alternatively, chest pain may arise from hypersensitivity of myocardial pain receptors rather than myocardial ischaemia. These two major abnormalities should be considered when assessing an individual clinical picture, and ultimately, the question arises whether to target the heart or the pain perception to treat the anginal symptoms.

Clinico-Demographic Profile of Covid-19 Patients Admitted in COVID- HDU and its Association with Conjunctivitis

Introduction: The outbreak of coronavirus diseases 2019 (Covid-19) caused by SARS-COV-2 which started in Wuhan china led to an alarming level of spread and severity. In Nepal, the first case of COVID-19 was reported on 23.1.2020 and has become a global health crisis since then. The clinical presentation and outcome of patients with COVID-19 have been variable in different countries and therefore it is important to analyze as well as document the clinical behaviors of this disease in the local population so we have reported the clinic-epidemiological profile, outcome, and its association with conjunctivitis during the second wave of this pandemic which hit Nepal badly hoping this study will be helpful to tackle the future surges of COVID-19 as well. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, single-center study where the data regarding epidemiology, demography, common clinical presentation as well as management and outcome of COVID-19 Patients were retracted and analyzed. Results: A total of 238 COVID-Positive patients were admitted out of which 60% were male and 39.9% people belonged to Dang valley itself with dyspnea (67.2%) was the commonest symptoms followed by fever in 59.7% of patients. Out of these patients 9 patients presented with ocular symptom conjunctivitis. Conclusions: Mild conjunctivitis manifesting as conjunctival congestion is common and one of the major ocular manifestations in COVID -19 positive patients.

Psoriatic Onycho-Pachydermo-Periostitis

Psoriatic onycho-pachydermo-periostitis (POPP) is an unfamiliar and poorly recognised condition first described in 1989 by Fournie et al. It is a variant of psoriatic arthritis comprising the triad of onycholysis, soft tissue thickening and radiographically apparent periostitis. Whilst typically affecting the great toe, any of the digits of the hands and feet may be affected. A ‘drumstick’ appearance to the digits of the foot is the most common clinical presentation and can be extremely painful. Nail changes are another hallmark of POPP and can be mistakenly diagnosed as fungal infection leading to lengthy periods of incorrect treatment. In this article, we will outline the clinical presentation, imaging features, pathogenesis and treatment options for POPP. Currently, the existence of POPP is not widely known. Awareness of this unusual condition will allow early appropriate treatment and can aid in the diagnosis of indeterminate seronegative disease.

Protective and Pathogenic Immune Responses to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Leishmania (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites are known to cause a broad spectrum of clinical diseases in humans, collectively known as the leishmaniases. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common clinical presentation with varying degrees of severity largely driven by host immune responses, specifically the interplay between innate and adaptive immune response. The establishment of a T lymphocyte driven cell-mediated immune response, leading to activated phagocytic cells, leading to Leishmania parasite killing and control of infection. Alternatively, the Leishmania parasite manipulates the host immune system, enabling parasite proliferation and clinical disease. Here we review how the cumulative interactions of different aspects of the host immune response determines disease outcome, severity, and immunity to re-infection.

Portal Vein Thrombosis Might Develop by COVID-19 Infection or Vaccination: A Systematic Review of Case-Report Studies

Background and Objective: Infection by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with different types of thrombotic complications same as portal vein thrombosis (PVT). However, by emerging vaccines of COVID, the thrombosis did not seem to be concerning anymore. Until new findings showed that, the vaccine of COVID itself can cause PVT.Method: We performed an electronic search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences to evaluate the possibility of occurring PVT due to infection and vaccination of COVID-19. The results were reported in a narrative method and categorized into tables.Result: Overall, 40 cases of PVT from 34 studies were reviewed in this article. The prevalence of PVT following COVID-19 was more remarkable in males. However, it was more common in females after vaccinations of COVID-19 in the reviewed cases. Regardless of etiology, 20 of PVT cases reviewed in this article had at least one comorbidity. The most common clinical presentation was abdominal pain (AP). After anticoagulant therapies, most of the patients improved or discharged.Conclusion: As long as the laboratory findings are not appropriate enough to predict PVT, the diagnosis of this complication with whatever underlying reason is challengeable, while rapid diagnosis and treatment of that are vital. Therefore, by providing available data in an organized way, we aimed to prepare the information of infected patients for better and easier future diagnosis of PVT in new cases.

Giant Ovarian Cysts Treated by Single-Port Laparoscopic Surgery: A Case Series

BackgroundOvarian cysts are very common diseases of the female reproductive system. Giant ovarian cysts refer to the tumors with diameters greater than 10 cm. In recent years, due to the development of clinical diagnosis, imaging modalities, and the improvement of patients’ cognition of the diseases, the occurrence of giant ovarian cysts has become rare. The purpose of this study was to show a new operation method of single-port laparoscopy to treat giant ovarian cysts.MethodsWe report a case series of five patients with giant ovarian cysts who underwent single-port laparoscopic surgery in the gynecology department of the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University between June 2020 and March 2021. The inclusion criteria were ovarian cysts at least 20 cm in diameter, and cases when the tumor might be malignant were excluded.ResultsThe patients’ mean age was 26.2years. The most common clinical presentation was progressive abdominal distension. Median size of the cysts at imaging was 39.2 cm (range 21–63 cm). All patients underwent single-port laparoscopic surgery, and none of them converted to laparotomy. On final pathological reports, two cysts were serous cystadenomas, and three were mucinous cystadenomas. All patients recovered well and were discharged on time.ConclusionGiant ovarian cysts can be treated by single-port laparoscopic surgery. In addition to the well-known advantages of laparoscopic surgery (e.g., small pelvic interference, fast postoperative recovery), it can also play the role of perfect cosmetic results, which has more advantages for young women.

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria in the Context of a Myeloproliferative Neoplasm: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by intravascular hemolytic anemia and thrombosis and is notoriously associated with aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. Rarer associations include myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), which are also burdened by increased thrombotic tendency. The therapeutic management of this rare combination has not been defined so far. Here, we describe a 62-year-old man who developed a highly hemolytic PNH more than 10 years after the diagnosis of MPN. The patient started eculizumab, obtaining good control of intravascular hemolysis but without amelioration of transfusion-dependent anemia. Moreover, we performed a review of the literature regarding the clinical and pathogenetic significance of the association of PNH and MPN. The prevalence of PNH clones in MPN patients is about 10%, mostly in association with JAK2V617F-positive myelofibrosis. Thrombotic events were a common clinical presentation (35% of subjects), sometimes refractory to combined treatment with cytoreductive agents, anticoagulants, and complement inhibitors. The latter showed only partial effectiveness in controlling hemolytic anemia and, due to the paucity of data, should be taken in consideration after a careful risk/benefit evaluation in this peculiar setting.

P.074 Management, timing of anticoagulation and outcomes of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a single centre chart review

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) accounts for <1% of all strokes. Our objectives were to describe the clinical features and examine the association between timing of anticoagulation therapy and outcomes in CVST patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients admitted to Hamilton Health Sciences from 2015 – 2020 with imaging confirmed CVST. Results: We included 96 patients, mean age of 47.9 (SD 18.1). The most common clinical presentation was headache (43.8%). Brain trauma was the most common identified risk factor (15.6%), while 27% of individuals had no identified cause. Most patients (57.3%) received anticoagulation within 24hrs of identified CVST, while 26% had a delay (≥48hrs) and 16.7% were not anti-coagulated. The rationale for delaying or not starting anticoagulation included traumatic brain injury (31.8%), neurosurgical procedure (9.1%), presence of venous infarct and/or haemorrhage (27.1%) and unclear rationale (31.8%). At a median of 8 days, more patients without clear indications for delayed or no anticoagulation were disabled (defined by modified Rankin Scale, mRS, score ≥ 2) or dead (mRS 6), compared to those anti-coagulated in 24hrs (87.5% versus 31.8%; RR 2.75; 95% CI 1.74 – 4.35). Conclusions: Unjustified delay in anticoagulation may result in poorer clinical outcomes in CVST patients.

Primary osteosarcoma of the uterus: a report of two cases

Primary extraskeletal osteosarcoma is an uncommon disease and has been reported to affect the uterus only rarely. Less than 20 cases have so far been reported in the English literature. The common clinical presentation is heavy bleeding per vaginam, and in virtually all cases, the diagnosis has been made at an advanced stage of the disease. Various authors have recommended adjuvant chemotherapy, but outcomes have so far been uniformly poor, with survival extended by months rather than years. We present two cases of this rare condition, which were diagnosed four months apart within our histopathology laboratory andconfirmed the very late presentation of the disease in one and the poor survival of both patients.

Fulminant hepatic failure during pregnancy.

Objective: To observe clinical characteristics, etiology and maternal outcome in fulminant hepatic failure during pregnancy. Study Design: Descriptive Case Series. Setting: Department of Medicine, Nishtar Hospital Multan. Period: January 2013 to December 2017. Material & Methods: Twenty nine consecutive patients with fulminant hepatic failure during pregnancy were included in the study. Results: Mean age of patients was 27.06±6.92 years. 65.51% patients were from urban areas. Mean duration of gestation was 24.80±6.03 weeks. Jaundice and altered consciousness were observed in 100% cases, pallor in 79.31%, hepatomegaly in 20.68%, flapping tremors in 10.34%, ascites in 10.34% and splenomegaly in 6.89% cases. Complications observed were cerebral edema in 44.82%, renal failure in 24.13%, bleeding in 20.68% and hypoglycemia in 3.44%. Most common cause was acute hepatitis E (75.86%) followed by hepatitis B (13.79%) and hepatitis A (3.44%). No cause was found in 6.89% cases. Overall maternal mortality was 37.93% and fetal mortality was 72.41%. In 17.24% cases pregnancy was terminated therapeutically, 44.82% cases had spontaneous expulsion and in 37.93 % cases pregnancy continued. Maternal mortality was highest (45.45%) in patients who remained pregnant as compared to 20% when pregnancy was terminated therapeutically. Conclusion: Jaundice and altered conscious level is the most common clinical presentation. Hepatitis E is the most common cause of FHF in pregnancy. Maternal mortality in FHF during pregnancy is very high.