Observational retrospective study of subaxial cervical spine trauma at tertiary care centre

The aim of this study is to compare between various treatment modalities available for treatment of subaxial cervical spine injuries due to trauma A total of 172 patients of subaxial cervical spine injuries were assessed retrospectively about their mode of injury, clinical course, definitive treatment given and its outcome. As the study was Descriptive and retrospective in nature involving only patient case files, statistical test is not applied to the study In our study 44 patients suffered from vertebral body fracture while 108 patients had spinal canal compromise due to other injuries. 16 patients had quadriplegia, 24 patients had grade 4 power in upper and lower extremities, and roots were involved in 46 patients. In 44 patients complete corpectomy was performed with placement of tricorticate graft taken from fibula, this graft was fixed in place with titanium plate and four screws.From this study it can be concluded that Patients treated with anterior approach had better outcome in relation to the fixation and fusion of the spine, reconstruction is more better in anterior approach.

The study about mindset of COVID-19 vaccination among health care employees and general population at tertiary care hospital

Background: Definitive treatment and vaccination are basic necessity to bring down the burden of COVID-19 disease. Due to rapid development of vaccine against COVID-19, associated anxiety and mistrust raises hesitancy for vaccination. We aim to study about the mindset of COVID-19 vaccination among health care employees (HCE) and general population at tertiary care hospital in north east India.Methods: This was a cross sectional and observational study; questionnaires were distributed among 200 HCE and 400 general populations visiting at different OPD regarding their mindset for vaccination. Questionnaires consisted of parameter such as history of previous COVID-19 infection or hospitalization, co-morbidities, job status during pandemic and educational qualification and contained specific questions for causes of vaccine hesitancy.Results: In the survey participants from general population were more hesitant for vaccination as compared to HCE (p<0.001). Most common cause for hesitancy among HCE was pregnancy/lactation followed by concern regarding adverse effects. Doubted efficiency and adverse effects were leading concerns (67%) for vaccine hesitancy among general population. Past history of infection or hospitalization due to COVID-19 did not affect the attitude for getting vaccinated (p>0.05). Among general population, 25% had their job affected during pandemic of which 78% were in favour of vaccination.Conclusions: Increased awareness and high risk of getting infected with COVID-19 makes HCE less hesitant for vaccination. It is important to increase awareness among the general population to bring down the concerns regarding adverse effect and potency of vaccine to reduce the hesitancy for vaccination.

Two Decades of Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer in a Single-Center Cohort: Favorable Outcomes after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

Objective: To report the outcomes of active surveillance (AS) for low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) in a single-center cohort. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective, single-center, observational study. The cohort included all patients who underwent AS for PCa between December 1999 and December 2020 at our institution. Follow-up appointments (FU) ended in February 2021. Results: A total of 413 men were enrolled in the study, and 391 had at least one FU. Of those who followed up, 267 had PCa diagnosed by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy (T1c: 68.3%), while 124 were diagnosed after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) (T1a/b: 31.7%). Median FU was 46 months (IQR 25–90). Cancer specific survival was 99.7% and overall survival was 92.3%. Median reclassification time was 11.2 years. After 20 years, 25% of patients were reclassified within 4.58 years, 6.6% opted to switch to watchful waiting, 4.1% died, 17.4% were lost to FU, and 46.8% remained on AS. Those diagnosed by TRUS had a significantly higher reclassification rate than those diagnosed by TURP (p < 0.0001). Men diagnosed by targeted MRI/TRUS fusion biopsy tended to have a higher reclassification probability than those diagnosed by conventional template biopsies (p = 0.083). Conclusions: Our single-center cohort spanning over two decades revealed that AS remains a safe option for low-risk PCa even in the long term. Approximately half of AS enrollees will eventually require definitive treatment due to disease progression. Men with incidental prostate cancer were significantly less likely to have disease progression.

Branchial Cleft Anomalies: Embryogenesis, Clinical Features, Diagnosis, and Management

Branchial cleft anomalies are congenital head and neck lesions that arise from incomplete maturation of the branchial apparatus during fetal development. The branchial arches are the precursors of the face, neck and pharynx, and disturbances in embryogenesis can present clinically as cysts, sinus tracts, and fistulas in predictable anatomic locations. However, there remains controversy regarding the precise embryogenesis of branchial cleft anomalies with several competing theories. These lesions often evade diagnosis in early childhood and may present in a delayed fashion after multiple failed interventions. Various diagnostic modalities have been described to facilitate clinical workup. Definitive treatment is complete surgical excision of the lesion. We present a comprehensive review of the literature along with several illustrative cases that highlight the unique challenges of diagnosis and surgical management of branchial cleft anomalies.

Nanoparticulate strategies for the delivery of miRNA mimics and inhibitors in anticancer therapy and its potential utility in oral submucous fibrosis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are naturally occurring noncoding RNAs with multiple functionalities. They are dysregulated in several conditions and can serve as disease biomarkers, therapeutic targets and therapeutic agents. Translation of miRNA therapeutics to the clinic poses several challenges related to the safe and effective delivery of these agents to the site of action. Nanoparticulate carriers hold promise in this area by enhancing targeting efficiency and reducing off-target effects. This paper reviews recent advances in the delivery strategies of miRNAs in anticancer therapy, with a focus on lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic platforms, cell membrane-derived vesicles and bacterial minicells. Additionally, this review explores the potentiality of miRNAs in the treatment of oral submucous fibrosis, a potentially premalignant condition of the oral cavity with no definitive treatment to date.

Rhabdophis tigrinus (Yamakagashi) Bites in Japan Over the Last 50 Years: A Retrospective Survey

Introduction:Rhabdophis snakes, which include 27 species, are rear-fanged venomous snakes that are widely distributed from India to East Asia and Russia. Severe envenomation by R. tigrinus (Yamakagashi snake) in Japan and R. subminiatus in Southeast Asia has been reported. The epidemiology of R. tigrinus bites, such as geographical features, the incidence, and changes in the number of bites over time have not been comprehensively examined. Hence, we intended to clarify the epidemiological features of R. tigrinus bites through a careful review of scientific data over the last 50 years in Japan.Methods: Patient records of R. tigrinus bites between 1971 and 2020 at the Japan Snake Institute were examined retrospectively. The following were ascertained: patient characteristics, clinical symptoms, laboratory data, treatment-related factors, and hospital mortality. These variables were compared in the antivenom and the without-antivenom groups.Results: Over the 50-year study period, 43 R. tigrinus bites, including five fatal cases, were encountered. Severe cases of R. tigrinus bites have been treated with antivenom since 1985; however, fatalities occurred in 2006 and 2020. R. tigrinus bite cases have been well-distributed in the western part of Japan since 2000. The mortality rate in the antivenom group was significantly lower in the patient group that was not administered the antivenom (0 vs. 23.8%, p = 0.048).Conclusion: This study clarified the epidemiology of R. tigrinus bites in Japan over a 50-year period. Almost all severe cases of R. tigrinus bites have been treated with the antivenom in the current situation, and fatalities occurred in cases not treated with the antivenom. It is important to diagnose R. tigrinus bites in the early phase of the clinical course. The antivenom, the definitive treatment for R. tigrinus bites, is an unapproved drug. Hence, approval needs to be obtained for the drug.

Genital Prolapse in Pregnant Woman as a Presentation of Aggressive Angiomyxoma: Case Report and Literature Review

Background: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare entity within mesenchymal cell neoplasms, especially in pregnant women. Its main characteristic is the ability to infiltrate neighboring structures and to recur. Case Presentation: We present the case of a pregnant woman who debuted with a genital prolapse in the second trimester of pregnancy. She was diagnosed with bilateral ovarian teratomas and a pelvic mass of which the diagnosis could not be established until delivery. The route of delivery used was cesarean section since the genital prolapse behaved as a previous tumor. After the puerperium, the patient was referred for consultation to complete the study of the mass. The extension study was carried out with a negative result. The patient underwent surgery for tumor exeresis. Hormonal treatment was not administered according to the patient’s preferences. Conclusions: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a benign neoplasm that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pelvic tumors in women. In pregnant women, the vaginal route of delivery is not contraindicated as long as the tumor does not obstruct the birth canal. The definitive treatment is surgery, preferably performed in a second stage after delivery.

The Use of Prophylaxis Antibiotics to Prevent Acute Pancreatitis Complications: Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammation of the pancreas, a serious emergency with no definitive treatment. It may progress to infected necrosis, non-pancreatitis infection, also death that may occur within the first 1 to 2 weeks. The use of prophylactic antibiotics in AP to prevent complications remains a controversy. The objective of this meta-analysis is to assess the benefit of prophylaxis antibiotics administration to prevent the complication.Method: Trials were identified by searching the medical database. Literature range is within the year 1975 to 2021. Review Manager 5.4.1 was used to analyse data extraction and risk of bias of included studies were elaborated. Risk ratio (RR) was calculated with 95% confidence interval (CI). P 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Twenty trials with a total of 1.287 patients of AP were analysed; 646 patients treated with antibiotic prophylaxis and 641 patients treated with placebo. Prophylaxis antibiotics were found to have significant difference between the two groups. The administration of prophylaxis antibiotics lower the risk of non-pancreatic infections (RR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.62–0.95; p 0.05) and infected pancreatic necrosis (RR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.94; p 0.05). Meanwhile, prophylaxis antibiotics were found to be insignificant to lower the risk of mortality (RR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.54-1.03; p 0.05). Conclusion: Prophylaxis antibiotics lower the risk of non-pancreatic infections and infected pancreatic necrosis, but did not lower the risk of mortality.

Perioperative Management of a Rare Pancreatic Insulinoma Resection: Anaesthetic Challenge!

Insulinoma is a rare, mostly benign and solitary neuroendocrine tumour of the β-cells of islets of langerhans of pancreas. Clinically it presents with a classical ‘Whipple Triad’ encompassing symptomatic hypoglycemia, fasting hypoglycemia (<50 mg/dl) and immediate relief of symptoms after glucose administration. Definitive treatment is laparoscopic or open surgical excision of the tumour. We report and discuss the distinctive anaesthetic considerations and implications during perioperative period. A comprehensive approach including preoperative optimization of blood glucose levels with various drugs and dietary modifications, scrupulous hemodynamic and blood sugar monitoring with prompt initiation of dextrose infusion during surgical handling of tumour and meticulous management of rebound hyperglycemia with insulin infusion in postoperative period remains the essence for better outcome in these subset of patients.

Gallbladder Cryoablation: Clinical and Technical Considerations

As many as 500,000 cholecystectomies are performed per year in the United States. Frail patients are at higher risk from cholecystectomy, with reported postoperative complication and mortality rates as high as 31 and 5% in patients older than 75 years. Percutaneous cholecystostomy drainage is commonly employed in high-risk patients with cholecystitis, with over 12,000 cases performed annually. Cholecystostomy, however, is not a definitive treatment, with up to 30% of patients having a recurrent episode of cholecystitis within 4 months after tube removal. Gallbladder cryoablation has emerged as a minimally invasive procedure that achieves transmural gallbladder wall necrosis in a single session resulting in gallbladder fibrosis and involution. Early clinical data have been promising, with reported technical success of 86% and clinical success of 100% at up to 500 days of follow-up. Several challenges and unknowns remain, however, including optimal patient selection and procedural technique, the potential need for adjunct procedures to occlude the cystic duct, the implications of the immunostimulatory effects of cryoablation, and the impact of the presence of gallstones on outcomes. This article reviews the rationale behind gallbladder cryoablation, updates early clinical outcomes, and discusses the challenges that remain for the adoption of the technique for the treatment of benign gallbladder disease.