Variations of arsenic in groundwater from a transect in Van Phuc village, Hanoi

In this study, the author report detailed results of the variation of arsenic in groundwater along a transect in an area near the Hanoi city centre. The results showed that 64% of collected samples exceeded the WHO guideline value for arsenic concentration in drinking water. The arsenic concentration varied in a wide range, strongly depending on the sediment characteristics of each zone along the transect. Aside from As, groundwater in this area also was contaminated by elevated concentrations of Fe, Mn, and ammonium. The study also pointed out a positive correlation between As and reductive chemical species, namely DOC, NH4+, and CH4 in groundwater. Although there is no clear trend in the correlation between As and Fe, Mn, it can be concluded that the formation of arsenic in groundwater in the study area was due to the reductive dissolution of As-bearing iron minerals under the presence of organic matter.

Congenital absence of penis (Aphallia) – A rare occurrence

Congenital absence of penis is a very rare congenital anomaly occurring once in 30 million births. Author report his experience with one such case.

Myelitis Presenting Anti-Yo Antibody in a Patient with Prostatic Adenocarcinoma

Antineuronal antibody-associated paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes result from tumor-stimulated autoimmune attacks against components of the nervous system. Paraneoplastic myelopathy associated with Purkinje-cell cytoplasmic autoantibody type 1 (anti-Yo) is extremely rare disorder. It is almost exclusively reported in women with gynecological tumors. Even though few cases of anti-Yo-associated paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome related to other cancers are reported, it is a very uncommon condition, especially in males. The author report here the first case of anti-Yo myelopathy with prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Dapsone induced DRESS syndrome: a rare fatal complication

DRESS syndrome is a serious life threatening condition characterized by skin eruption, haematological abnormalities and multi organ involvement that can be fatal if unrecognized especially in patients with liver failure. Diagnosis may be difficult because it is rarely seen in children and it can mimic many different conditions. Author report a case of 12 year old female presented to this emergency department with moderate grade fever, skin rash and jaundice following dapsone ingestion. She was evaluated and was diagnosed as DRESS syndrome and successfully treated with steroids.

An extensive exfoliative dermatitis: a rare complication

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is an extensive exfoliative dermatitis that occurs primarily in newborns and in previously healthy children. It is a rare complication of Staphylococcal infection. Author report a case of 1year old male child with Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome diagnosed clinically and microbiological reports confirmed the diagnosis. The child responded to appropriate antibiotic therapy and was discharged after 14 days of antibiotics.

Streptococcus pseudoporcinus: a rare cause of bacteraemia in an immune-compromised patient

Streptococcus pseudoporcinus, a ß-haemolytic Streptococcus is known to cause genital infections. Author report a rare case of Streptococcus pseudoporcinus bacteremia in an immune-compromised male patient diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia eight months back. The organism was identified as a beta hemolytic bacterium which was catalase negative, oxidase positive and bacitracin resistant. Automated methods (VITEK-2) confirmed the organism to be Streptococcus pseudoporcinus.

Hereditary myoclonus dystonia - rare entity diagnosed in younger children: report of a sporadic case with atypical features

Hereditary myoclonus dystonia is a rare movement disorder characterized with combination of myoclonic jerks with mild to moderate dystonia. Mostly caused due to changes in SGCE gene. Author report case of a 3 years old girl with atypical features of lower limb onset, mild dystonia, upper limb and neck myoclonic jerks and younger onset. She was detected to have pathogenic variant of SGCE gene. A diagnosis of myoclonus dystonia should be considered at an early age also like in our case so that treatment is initiated early for better results and improved quality of life and development.

Parapagus dicephalus conjoined twin: a case report

A conjoined twin is a rare event. As per recent literature, 60% of conjoined twins are aborted spontaneously and hence true incidence of conjoined twin is approximately 1 in 200,000 live births. Classification is based upon site of attachment out of which parapagus with dicephalic variety is extremely rare (0.5% amongst reported cases). Author report a case of dicephalic twin born at 36 weeks of gestation to a multigravida mother in central India.

Case report of a male child with lupus nephritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of unknown etiology that affects various organs, most frequently the skin, joints, kidneys, nervous, hematologic and cardiovascular systems. It affects females more often as compared to males. The kidneys are one of the most serious organs involved. Lupus nephritis may present as hypertension, proteinuria, and renal failure or it may also be asymptomatic. The recent reports suggest that childhood-onset lupus nephritis could be more severe than the late-onset disease. The occurrence of SLE in pediatric patients is very rare, especially in a male child. Here author report a case of an 8-year-old male child clinically misdiagnosed as a case of henoch schonlein purpura, who was thoroughly investigated and finally confirmed as a case of lupus nephritis.

Priapism: a rare presentation in chronic myeloid leukemia

Priapism is a rare presenting feature of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). It is an urological emergency which requires urgent treatment to prevent long term complications, in particular erectile dysfunction. Author report a case of 18 year old male presenting with persistent painful erection of penis for around 14 hours. The patient underwent immediate irrigation and decompression of priapism in emergency and was started on cytoreductive therapy. During hospitalization, peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspiration confirmed the diagnosis of CML.