Study of serum electrolytes in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and decreased quality of life. Due to lack of awareness of precipitating factors and predictors of prognosis in  acute exacerbation of  COPD in developing countries by most treating physicians, often leads to  fatal outcomes. Aim of the study was to study of serum electrolytes in acute exacerbation of COPD Patients.Methods: In our study, we assessed the levels of serum sodium and potassium in subjects with acute exacerbation of COPD and their healthy controls.Results: We found a significantly low level of serum sodium (132±5.65Meq/lit) and potassium (3.29±0.96 Meq/lit)) in subjects with acute exacerbation of COPD than their healthy controls (Na+ =140±2.28 Meq/lit and K+ = 4.51±0.02 Meq/lit (p<0.05).Conclusions: Our study findings suggest that, serum sodium and potassium levels may get deranged in subjects with acute exacerbations of COPD which should be routinely checked for to avoid fatal outcomes

Unilateral ulcerating clear-cell syringomas involving left groin in a non-diabetic woman - Report of a rare presentation

Clear-cell syringomas, a rare histologic variant of syringomas, frequently coexist with diabetes mellitus. Clinically, it presents as skin colored papules distributed symmetrically around periorbital region. However, asymmetrical distribution of syringomas is rare and much rarer is the ulceration in such syringomas. Ulceration in such asymmetrical syringomas has not been reported so far. Herein, we report ulceration of clear-cell syringomas involving left groin in a middle aged non-diabetic woman

Acquired lymphangiectasis following surgery and radiotherapy of breast cancer

Acquired lymphangiectasia (AL) is a significant and rare complication of surgery and radiotherapy. We report lymphangiectasia in a 40-year-old woman who had undergone radical mastectomy and radiotherapy. After 4 years of combined therapy, she developed multiple vesicles and bullae. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of lymphangiectasia. The case is unique as it is not associated with lymphedema, which is a usual accompaniment of lymphangiectasia following surgery and radiotherapy. AL is usually asymptomatic, but trauma may cause recurrent cellulitis. Treatment modalities include electrodessication, surgical excision, sclerotherapy and carbon dioxide laser ablation