BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN THE STORED WHOLE BLOOD ASSESSED AT PERIODIC INTERVALS IN CPDA-1 ANTICOAGULANT CONTAINING BLOOD BAGS: A STUDY AT THE BLOOD BANK OF TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF SOUTHERN RAJASTHAN

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to study the various biochemical changes occurring in a stored whole blood unit at day 0, day 17th, and the 35th day in full blood bag containing citrate phosphate dextrose adenine-1 anticoagulant. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study had been carried out among 110 healthy volunteer donors in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, RNT Medical College, Udaipur, between August 2019 and July 2020. A 10 mL blood sample from each bag containing anti-coagulated blood being collected, and the level of sodium, potassium, chloride, total protein, and albumin were measured on days 0, 17th, and the 35th. Mean and standard deviation had been calculated for the parameters, a one-way analysis of variance test was applied to compare the differences, and a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A higher proportion of males in the age group 18–27 years, and a generally steady increase in serum potassium level with a steady decrease in serum sodium, chloride, total protein, and albumin levels over the 35-day storage period. Conclusions: In this study, stored whole blood undergoing changes in its biochemical parameters had been studied and found to be significant. The study also recommends transfusion of fresh blood for high-risk patients

CECT IN THE ADRENOCORTICAL CARCINOMAS: RECOGNIZING THE TYPICAL MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES

Objectives: This study was characterization of adrenal masses on computer tomography (CT) using shape, size, and enhancement patterns. Methods: It is a retrospective study of 86 adrenal masses with morphological differences in the appearance and enhancement patterns (histopathologically proven 36 pheochromocytoma [PCCs], 26 adrenal cortical carcinoma [ACCs], one lymphoma, 22 metastases, and one schwannoma). Two experienced radiologists who were unaware of the histopathological diagnosis reviewed the computed tomography scans, morphological parameters had been noted, along with attenuations measured in Hounsfield units for all the phases of contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Results: Necrosis had been seen in all the cases of ACCs with a loss of adeniform shape. ACCs were significantly less enhancing in arterial phase and venous phase than PCC; however, no significant difference was seen with lymphomas, metastasis, and schwannoma. 25/33 (75.5%) ACC showed heterogeneous enhancement (due to the presence of necrosis) in the VP. Conclusion: Heterogenous architecture with a size of more than 5 cm is relatively specific for diagnosing ACC. No specific enhancement pattern could well differentiate ACC from lymphoma, metastases, and schwannoma

Evaluation of spinopelvic parameters in lumbar prolapsed intervertebral disc

Background: Sacro-pelvic morphology and orientation are usually described in terms of pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS). Orientation and morphology of pelvis can affect degenerative changes in the lumbar spine. Thus, here we investigated the relationships between various sagittal spinopelvic parameters and the degree of disc degeneration in young adults. Material and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study with a total of 60 cases was done. Patients presenting with back or leg pain having prolapsed disc on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included in the study. A standing X-ray of LS spine from dorso-lumbar junction to mid-thigh was taken. Various spinopelvic parameters were assessed from the scannogram using the software. Results: The mean age was 39.27 years. L5S1 was the most common level. Mean SS, PT, PI, and LL were 37.78°, 13.52°, 51.33°, and 41.01°. Disc pathologies at L1L2, L2L3, and L4L5 level showed a positive correlation with PT, PI, and LL. Disc pathology at the L5S1 level shows a positive correlation with PT and LL. A statistically significant correlation between SS and degenerative spondylolisthesis at L4L5 was found from data with P = 0.023. Discussion: An increase in SS statistically significantly increases the chance of development of degenerative spondylolisthesis at L4L5. An increase in PT, PI, and LL will cause an increase in disc pathology at L1L2. An increase in SS, PT, PI, and LL will cause an increase in disc pathology at L2L3. An increase in SS, PT, PI, and LL will cause an increase in disc pathology at L4L5. An increase in PT and LL will cause an increase in disc pathology at L5S1. Conclusion: Standing lateral view radiograph from dorso-lumbar junction to the mid-thigh is as good as standing whole spine radiograph for measurement of spinopelvic parameters. Degenerative spondylolisthesis at L4L5 has a statistically significant correlation with an increase in SS