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Biomedical subjects

A Jindal

Publications and source records attributed to A Jindal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

"Insignificant" mechanism of injury: not to be taken lightly.

BACKGROUND: Trauma resources should be spent rationally. The mechanism of trauma is used extensively to triage patients to appropriate levels of care. We examine the hypothesis that patients with "insignificant" mechanism of trauma may have major injuries that require expert trauma care. STUDY DESIGN: Over 9 months at a high-volume Level I trauma center, a prospective study was done on patients who sustained ground-level falls (GLF), low-level falls (LLF) from less than 10 feet, or were found down (FD) with no external evidence of significant trauma, and required evaluation by the trauma team. Of 301 patients included, 110 (37%) had GLF, 95 (31%) LLF, and 96 (32%) FD. Our main outcomes measure was significant injuries, defined as visceral or intracranial injuries, long-bone, pelvic, facial, or spinal fractures. RESULTS: One hundred ten patients (37%) had significant injuries, 20 (7%) were admitted to the ICU, 14 (5%) required an operation, and 4 (1%) died. The most common injuries were intracranial and skeletal. Almost all patients were evaluated by CT (95%), but only one-quarter had abnormal findings on it. LLF, age more than 55 years, and the absence of severe intoxication (blood alcohol level of less than 200 mg/dL) were independent risk factors for significant injuries. A statistical prediction model showed that, when all risk factors are present, the probability of significant injuries is 73%; when all risk factors are absent, there is still a 16% chance for significant injuries. Patients with significant injuries had more operations, longer hospital stays, and higher hospitalization costs compared with patients without significant injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Low-energy trauma may produce significant injuries, predominantly intracranial and skeletal. Trauma care providers should be cautious about dismissing such patients based on the trivial mechanism of injury. Patients with LLF who are older than 55 years and not severely intoxicated have a high likelihood for significant injuries. Resources should be spent rationally for patients who do not have these characteristics, because the probability of significant injuries among them is low, but not zero.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Transesophageal echocardiography in patients with ischemic stroke accurately detects significant coronary artery stenosis and often changes management.

OBJECTIVES: TEE is performed in many patients with ischemic stroke, and it is possible to examine the proximal coronaries by TEE in these patients. Our purpose was to (1) determine the accuracy of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the diagnosis of proximal coronary stenosis in patients with ischemic stroke and (2) show that TEE detection of proximal coronary stenosis changed management in a substantial number of patients. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with ischemic stroke undergoing TEE, in whom the proximal coronaries were examined and who had angiographic results available, were studied. RESULTS: Proximal coronaries were visualized as follows: left main (LM) in 31 (97%), left anterior descending (LAD) in 32 (100%), left circumflex (LCx) in 30 (94%) and right coronary artery (RCA) in 21 (66%). The sensitivity and specificity of TEE in diagnosing significant coronary stenosis in visualized vessels were as follows: LM 100% and 100%, LAD 100% and 95%, LCx 100% and 96%, and RCA 100% and 100%, respectively. When visualized and nonvisualized segments were considered, TEE detected significant stenosis as follows: 4 of 5 in the LM (80%), 13 of 13 in the LAD (100%), 2 of 3 in the LCx (66%), and 2 of 8 in the RCA (25%). Of the 32 patients, TEE results changed management in 17 patients (53%). Angiographic findings resulted in 10 of the 17 patients (59%) undergoing revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: TEE was very accurate in diagnosing significant coexisting coronary artery disease in patients with ischemic stroke. TEE diagnosis of these lesions prompted coronary angiography and subsequent revascularization in a substantial number of patients.

Adult↗

Clinically significant blunt cardiac trauma: role of serum troponin levels combined with electrocardiographic findings.

BACKGROUND: The true importance of blunt cardiac trauma (BCT) is related to the cardiac complications arising from it. Diagnostic tests that can predict accurately if such complications will develop or not may allow early and aggressive monitoring or early discharge. We investigated the role of two simple and convenient tests, serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and electrocardiogram (ECG), when used to identify patients at risk of cardiac complications after BCT. METHODS: Over a 10-month period, 115 patients with evidence of significant blunt thoracic trauma were prospectively followed to identify the presence of clinically significant BCT (Sig-BCT), defined as cardiogenic shock, arrhythmias requiring treatment, or structural cardiac abnormalities directly related to the cardiac trauma. An ECG was obtained at admission and at 8 hours. Cardiac troponin I was measured at admission, at 4 hours, and at 8 hours. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed when clinically indicated. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of ECG and cTnI to identify Sig-BCT were calculated. Clinical risk factors for Sig-BCT were examined by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (16.5%) were diagnosed with Sig-BCT and, in 18 of them, symptoms presented within 24 hours of admission. Abnormal electrocardiographic findings were detected in 58 patients (50%) and elevated cTnI levels in 27 (23.5%). Electrocardiography and cTnI had positive predictive values of 28% and 48% and negative predictive values of 95% and 93%, respectively. However, when both tests were abnormal (positive) or normal (negative), the positive and negative predictive values increased to 62% and 100%, respectively. Other independent risk factors for Sig-BCT were head injury, spinal injury, history of preexisting cardiac disease, and a chest Abbreviated Injury Score greater than 2. CONCLUSION: The combination of ECG and cTnI identifies reliably the presence or absence of Sig-BCT. Patients with an abnormal ECG and cTnI need close monitoring for at least 24 hours. Patients with a normal admission ECG and cTnI can be safely discharged in the absence of other injuries.

Electrocardiography↗

Spinal congenital dermal sinus: an experience of 23 cases over 7 years.

Spinal congenital dermal sinus is a rare entity, which supposedly results from the failure of neuroectoderm to separate from the cutaneous ectoderm during the process of neurulation. The present study was undertaken to know the clinical profile of these patients, to study associated anomalies and to assess the results of surgical intervention. We had 23 patients with male : female ratio of 9:16. Only 2 patients were below 2 years of age and most cases (16) were between 2-16 years (mean age =10.2 years). Lumbar region (17 cases) was most frequently involved, followed by lumbosacral and thoracic region in 3 patients each. Only three patients were asymptomatic at the time of presentation. Most of the cases presented with evidence of neural compression or tethered cord syndrome. Only one case presented with spinal abscess. The motor, sensory and autonomic deficits were seen in 20, 11 and 12 patients respectively. Scoliosis and CTEV (congenital talipus equino varus) were the common associated anomalies. MRI revealed associated dysraphic state of spinal cord in 21(>90%) cases. All patients underwent surgical exploration and repair of dysraphic state and excision of the sinus. None of the asymptomatic patients deteriorated. Overall 8 patients improved, 14 got their neurological status stabilized, including 3 asymptomatic cases. Only one patient deteriorated. Postoperative wound infection was seen in 2 cases. As age advances, the chance of developing neurological deficit increases. Associated dysraphic state should be looked for and treated simultaneously, using microsurgical technique, whenever possible. It is better to treat all these cases with aggressive surgical intervention before the neurological deficits appear.

Adolescent↗

Spinal lipomatous malformations.

Spinal lipomatous malformations (SLM) include all the closed neural tube defects (NTD) with excessive lipomatous tissue in the spinal cord or filum terminale. We evaluated 65 cases of SLM seen & operated at our department in the last 7 years. Of these only 9 were asymptomatic and 8 were below 2 years of age. There were more males than females. In addition to subcutaneous lipoma many patients also had hypertrichiosis and dermal sinus as cutaneous makes. Twenty patients had foot deformity and 5 had unilateral limb shortening. Sixty-two patients had MRI and 3 had CT myelogram for evaluation. These revealed 7 patients with Chiari malformations, 10 with focal syrinx and 2 patients underwent VP shunt for hydrocephalus. Sacral agenesis was seen in 5 patients. Clinical features were similar to other cases of spinal dysraphism except that sensory loss and trophic ulcer were more frequent. Intradural lipoma and tethering was seen in 18 cases whereas intramedullary lipoma & conus lipoma was seen in 40 & 7 cases respectively. Additional tethering lesion was seen in 1/3 cases and was treated simultaneously. Preoperative deficits improved in 28 cases and stabilized in 33 cases. Three patients developed fresh deficits after surgery. We observed 8 CSF leaks and 4 wound infections in postoperative period. It is very clear from our data that a patient has about 95% chances that his neurological status may improve or stabilize following surgery and the risk of developing fresh deficits is about 5%. We, therefore, suggest that all patients of SLM should be treated with aggressive surgical management for best results.

Adolescent↗

Split cord malformation with partial eventration of the diaphragm. Case report.

The authors describe the case of a 3-year-old girl who presented with a dorsal split cord malformation (SCM) and was found to have eventration of the diaphragm. Although the child did not undergo surgery for eventration, its presence suggests a need for careful preoperative planning and clinical evaluation to rule out or confirm the anomalies associated with spinal dysraphism or SCM.

Child, Preschool↗

Split cord malformations--a clinical study of 48 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical profile of split cord malformations and to evaluate the results of surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective. SUBJECTS: Forty-eight patients of split cord malformation operated during a six years period were studied clinically and radiologically. RESULTS: The mean age of symptomatic patients was more than that of asymptomatic ones (6.85 years vs 2.03 years). The dorsolumbar and lumbar regions were most frequently involved and in three cases the cervical spine was affected. Weakness of lower limbs (n=37), muscle atrophy (n=23) and gait disturbance were the most common indicators of motor system involvement. The sensory complaints were mainly hypoesthesia (n=16), trophic ulcer (n=4) and autoamputation (n=3). Hypertrichiosis was the most common cutaneous marker present alone or in combination with other markers in 21 cases. MRI, done in all cases, correctly established the diagnosis. Additional lesions causing tethering were seen in 50% cases and were simultaneously treated. Associated Chiari malformation was seen in 12%. Of the 42 symptomatic patients, 21 improved, in 17 (40%) the neurological deficits stabilized and 4 showed deterioration. CSF leak occurred in 4 patients and 3 had wound infections. Among the asymptomatic patients none had neurological deterioration postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Split cord malformations are rare spinal cord disorders. Complete neural axis should be scanned at the first instance to determine associated lesions. Good results can be expected in about 90% patients with minimal complications.

Adolescent↗

Effect of craniopharyngioma fluid on femoral vessels of rat.

Craniopharyngioma fluid spillage during surgery is reported to cause aseptic meningitis, but effects of the spillage on vessels have not yet been studied. Therefore we experimentally studied the effect of external contact on femoral vessels of the rat to assess its possible role in the cerebral vascular complications. The major direct effect of the craniopharyngioma fluid on the femoral vessels was vasospasm, appearing on the fourth day after instillation. The vasospasm was observed in 83% of femoral vessels studied between 4-15 days and one of the vessels showed intra-luminal thrombus. The difference in the vessel diameter after instillation (4-15 days) was compared with the controls and was statistically significant (p < 0.01). These findings correspond well with the observed deterioration on post-operative days 5-7, due to vascular complications. No histopathologic (light-microscopic) changes of inflammation or necrosis were found in the femoral vessels. Our study shows that contact of craniopharyngioma fluid to arteries leads to vasospasm, and spillage during surgical excision may contribute to vascular complications encountered in the post-operative period. Prevention of spillage of this fluid and the routine use of cerebral vasodilators to prevent ischemic complications after craniopharyngioma surgery needs further evaluation.

Animals↗

Correlation of ventricular size and transcranial Doppler findings before and after ventricular peritoneal shunt in patients with hydrocephalus: prospective study of 35 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cerebral blood flow velocity and pulsatility index in patients with hydrocephalus and to correlate the blood flow velocity to shunt function and size of ventricles in CT. METHODS: The study comprised 16 children and 19 adults, preoperative (transcranial Doppler, TCD) disclosed normal pulsatility index in six and raised pulsatility index in 29 patients. Preoperative CT showed moderate hydrocephalus in 32 and severe hydrocephalus in three patients. All patients had CT and TCD 36-48 hours after their shunt operation. RESULTS: A marked reduction in pulsatility index occurred postoperatively in 28 patients, all of them showed a significant decrease in ventricular size on postoperative CT done simultaneously. Mild or no reduction of pulsatility index was recorded in seven patients and none of them showed decreased ventricular size on postoperative CT. In two patients subsequent shunt blockage was accompanied by appropriate changes in both pulsatility index and CT, which reversed after successful shunt revision. CONCLUSION: Fall in pulsatility index correlated well with decrease in ventricle size. Thus TCD can be used as a simple, bedside test for the assessment of shunt function.

Adolescent↗

Primary lymphoma of the esophagus.

Primary esophageal lymphoma is very rare. We report a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involving the lower one-third of the esophagus. Presenting with dysphagia, he was treated successfully by transhiatal esophagectomy along with combination chemotherapy. We review the relevant literature.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

Genetic marker profile of primitive Kutia Kondh tribal population of Phulbani district (Orissa).

Blood samples from 330 Kutia Kondhs (a primitive tribal population of Orissa) were subjected to a battery of tests for genetic markers to find out the incidence of various blood group polymorphisms (ABO, MN, Duffy, JKa), serum proteins, sickling and G-6-PD deficiency. Predominance of O (39.09%) blood group for ABO, N blood group (53.44) for MN and Fya+b+ (55.72) for Duffy blood group, were observed. High incidence of Hp2-1 (39.33), SS (70.43) and CC (96.65) for haptoglobulin, C3 and transferrin respectively were seen. The overall frequency of sickling was observed to be 16.36 per cent. The sex-wise distribution of G-6-PD was 13.71 per cent for males and 1.84 for females.

Blood Group Antigens↗

Red cell enzyme deficiencies in the tribal population groups of the Bastar District, Madhya Pradesh, India.

A total of 958 blood samples from Muria, Maria, Bhattra and Halba from the Bastar District in Madhya Pradesh (India) was collected and analyzed for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, pyruvate kinase, hexokinase, and adenylate kinase red cell enzyme deficiency using flourescent technique. The implications of findings of the presence of rare enzyme deficiencies are discussed.

Adenylate Kinase↗

Splenic arterial hemorrhage in pancreatitis: report of three cases.

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage is a rare complication of pancreatitis and can involve any of the peripancreatic vessels. The three cases reported herein illustrate the involvement of the splenic artery in diverse forms of pancreatitis: chronic pancreatitis, a pancreatic pseudocyst, and necrotizing pancreatitis. Bleeding was controlled in all cases by a bipolar ligation of the bleeding vessel at surgery.

Adult↗