Robert’s uterus: a rare mullerian anomaly mystery unfolded

Anomalies of female genital tract may not be detected until after menarche when they present a cyclical pain due to outlet obstruction. Mullerian anomalies represent a vast array of structural abnormalities resulting from improper development and fusion of embryological mullerian ducts. 19-year-old girl attained menarche at the age of 14, had progressive dysmenorrhoea and diagnosed as right haemotosalphinx and ovarian endometrioma which were removed in 2008. As pain progressed, she underwent laparoscopic adhesiolysis in 2013. Since, pain persisted, diagnosed as right haematometra, and drainage done by laparotomy. Left adnexa were normal. She was given depot provera till she completed schooling. She developed recurrent dysmenorrhoea after stopping depot provera. USG and MRI revealed recurrent haematometra on right side with normal left horn. The possibility of atypical septum was thought about and hystero laparoscopy was done. It showed right side haemetometra with absent right adnexa. Left adnexa normal. Hysteroscopy showed normal left horn with septum with a bulge towards the left side. Hence, proceeded with hysteroscopic septostomy and haemetometra was drained to the left horn. Later patient was free from dysmenorrhea and repeat hysteroscopy was found to be normal. This case highlighting mullerian anomalies have to be considered when young girls present with severe progressive dysmenorrhoea and diagnosis remains a challenge most of the clinicians. This rare entity has to be kept in mind while evaluating such patients. Prompt diagnosis and early surgical correction are essential to avoid future morbidity in the form of repeated unnecessary surgeries

Umbilical endometriosis along with peritoneal endometriosis: a case report

Incidence of endometriosis is around 10 to 15% in women of reproductive age group. Umbilical endometriosis is a very rare entity. Extra genital endometriosis accounts to 3% of endometriosis. Incidence of umbilical endometriosis is 0.5%-4% of extra genital endometriosis. 30 years old multi gravida was referred to our hospital with c/o periodic bleeding from the umbilicus for the past 3 months. She was also having dysmenorrhoea for about 3 months. On examination, patient had a small bluish nodule in the umbilicus around 1.5x1.2 cm in size. Clinically there was suspicion of pelvic endometriosis as the uterus was retroverted and fixed. CT abdomen showed a small hypo-echoeic area in the umbilicus and uterus was adenomyotic with normal ovaries. Patient was given the option of laparoscopy and excision of umbilicus, as there was suspicion of peritoneal endometriosis and the patient also insisted upon laparoscopic sterilization. Laparoscopy showed early peritoneal endometriosis with pelvic adhesions and the same adhesiolysis was done along with cauterization of endometriosis. Sterilization was also done as per the patient’s request. Umbilical excision and layer closure was done. Umbilical endometriosis is a rare entity. This patient had associated early pelvic endometriosis. Umbilical endometriosis could be secondary to the lympho vascular spread from the pelvic endometriosis or primary umbilical endometriosis. History, clinical and imaging were pointing towards umbilical endometriosis. Surgical excision of umbilical endometriosis and cauterisation of early pelvic endometriosis were done. Patient needs follow up. Umbilical endometriosis may be primary or secondary which needs total excision and follow up

Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a common cause of mortality and morbidity among the women of reproductive age group. Tubal pregnancy is the commonest.  It can occur in cervix, ovaries, previous caesarean scar, interstitial portion of the tube and abdominal cavity. Here we report a case of caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy which was managed conservatively. 31 yrs old gravid 3 previous 1 LSCS and 1 tubal ectopic come for antenatal consultation at 35 days of gestation. UPT was Positive. USG showed no evidence of intra uterine sac. Repeat scan after 10 days showed a gestational sac at the lower uterine segment scar. Hence it was decided for conservative management, injection methotrexate 50 mgm X 2 doses given. This was followed by misoprost vaginal insertion. Since patient did not expel the sac, injection PG F2 alpha 125 mg x 2 doses were given. Patient expelled the products of conception partially. This was followed by hysteroscopic guided evacuation.Caesarean scar ectopic was reported in 1978. Early diagnosis is by TV USG / MRI. Early ectopic can be treated medically. In delayed diagnosis, laparoscopic excision of the scar has to be done. In rupture of the scar site ectopic pregnancy laparotomy is indicated. In the event of heavy bleeding, hysterectomy has to be done. After conservative management and excision of the scar, fertility is not altered. Caesarean section scar pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy which can lead to life threatening complications leading to mortality and morbidity. Treatment has to be individualized according to the gestational age, haemodynamic stability and desire for future fertility

Evaluation of immunoglobulin G complexed form of thyroid stimulating hormone [MACRO TSH] as interference in TSH assay

BACKGROUND: Macrocomplexes can cause elevation of serum hormone concentrations which may lead to diagnostic confusion. It is well recognized for hormones like prolactin for which polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation is commonly used as screening test. This phenomenon and screening method is less familiar with respect to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Isolated elevation of TSH in clinically euthyroid patient can be caused by a macrocomplex formed between TSH and Ig (macro-TSH), confounding the interpretation of thyroid function test results. METHOD: Samples sent to the laboratory for routine analysis of thyroid function and found to have a TSH >10mU/L and Free T4 within normal limits [0.8 -2.7ng/dl] were subjected for evaluation of macro-TSH in the Roche Elecsys assay, using PEG precipitation with confirmation by protein G addition test. RESULTS: A cut-off <25% of recovery was determined for identifying the samples which require further investigation for the presence of macro-TSH.Of 200 samples tested, 9 were found to have a cut-off <25% recovery with PEG precipitation test. These samples were further subjected to protein G addition test for confirming the presence of TSH and Ig complexed macroTSH. CONCLUSION: Macro-TSH is an underrecognized laboratory interference. It is important to identify a macro-thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in a patient with an unexplained elevated TSH concentration, which would prevent further unnecessary investigationsand management. Laboratories should be aware of this cause of assay interference

Preliminary phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of Samanea saman

Samanea saman is a tropically distributed medicinal plant. Antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of this plant was investigated by Well-diffusion method against three organisms: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The plant extract showed inhibitory activity against all the tested organisms. Five mg/ml inhibited the growth of E. coli but slightly higher concentration of 10 mg/mL was necessary to show inhibition against S. aureus and C. albicans. Phytochemical screening of the plant revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoides, saponins, steroids, cardiac glycosides and terpenoids. The study scientifically validates the use of plant in traditional medicine

Bronchiectasis in India:results from the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) and Respiratory Research Network of India Registry

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is a common but neglected chronic lung disease. Most epidemiological data are limited to cohorts from Europe and the USA, with few data from low-income and middle-income countries. We therefore aimed to describe the characteristics, severity of disease, microbiology, and treatment of patients with bronchiectasis in India. METHODS: The Indian bronchiectasis registry is a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study. Adult patients ( 6518 years) with CT-confirmed bronchiectasis were enrolled from 31 centres across India. Patients with bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis or traction bronchiectasis associated with another respiratory disorder were excluded. Data were collected at baseline (recruitment) with follow-up visits taking place once per year. Comprehensive clinical data were collected through the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration registry platform. Underlying aetiology of bronchiectasis, as well as treatment and risk factors for bronchiectasis were analysed in the Indian bronchiectasis registry. Comparisons of demographics were made with published European and US registries, and quality of care was benchmarked against the 2017 European Respiratory Society guidelines. FINDINGS: From June 1, 2015, to Sept 1, 2017, 2195 patients were enrolled. Marked differences were observed between India, Europe, and the USA. Patients in India were younger (median age 56 years [IQR 41-66] vs the European and US registries; p&lt;0\ub70001]) and more likely to be men (1249 [56\ub79%] of 2195). Previous tuberculosis (780 [35\ub75%] of 2195) was the most frequent underlying cause of bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common organism in sputum culture (301 [13\ub77%]) in India. Risk factors for exacerbations included being of the male sex (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1\ub717, 95% CI 1\ub703-1\ub732; p=0\ub7015), P aeruginosa infection (1\ub729, 1\ub710-1\ub750; p=0\ub7001), a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (1\ub720, 1\ub707-1\ub734; p=0\ub7002), modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea score (1\ub732, 1\ub725-1\ub739; p&lt;0\ub70001), daily sputum production (1\ub716, 1\ub703-1\ub730; p=0\ub7013), and radiological severity of disease (1\ub703, 1\ub701-1\ub704; p&lt;0\ub70001). Low adherence to guideline-recommended care was observed; only 388 patients were tested for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and 82 patients had been tested for immunoglobulins. INTERPRETATION: Patients with bronchiectasis in India have more severe disease and have distinct characteristics from those reported in other countries. This study provides a benchmark to improve quality of care for patients with bronchiectasis in India. FUNDING: EU/European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations Innovative Medicines Initiative inhaled Antibiotics in Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis Consortium, European Respiratory Society, and the British Lung Foundation

Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a common cause of mortality and morbidity among the women of reproductive age group. Tubal pregnancy is the commonest.  It can occur in cervix, ovaries, previous caesarean scar, interstitial portion of the tube and abdominal cavity. Here we report a case of caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy which was managed conservatively. 31 yrs old gravid 3 previous 1 LSCS and 1 tubal ectopic come for antenatal consultation at 35 days of gestation. UPT was Positive. USG showed no evidence of intra uterine sac. Repeat scan after 10 days showed a gestational sac at the lower uterine segment scar. Hence it was decided for conservative management, injection methotrexate 50 mgm X 2 doses given. This was followed by misoprost vaginal insertion. Since patient did not expel the sac, injection PG F2 alpha 125 mg x 2 doses were given. Patient expelled the products of conception partially. This was followed by hysteroscopic guided evacuation.Caesarean scar ectopic was reported in 1978. Early diagnosis is by TV USG / MRI. Early ectopic can be treated medically. In delayed diagnosis, laparoscopic excision of the scar has to be done. In rupture of the scar site ectopic pregnancy laparotomy is indicated. In the event of heavy bleeding, hysterectomy has to be done. After conservative management and excision of the scar, fertility is not altered. Caesarean section scar pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy which can lead to life threatening complications leading to mortality and morbidity. Treatment has to be individualized according to the gestational age, haemodynamic stability and desire for future fertility