A STUDY ON EFFECT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM ON LIPID PROFILE

Design: Observational study design.Background: Hypothyroidism is the clinical syndrome and associated with slowing down the metabolic process in the body. Thyroid function significantly affects lipoprotein metabolism as well as some cardiovascular disease.Objectives: To assess the correlation between of thyroid functions and lipid abnormalities. .Methods: 20 Hypothyroidism patients were selected through convenience random sampling for the study. Blood sample was withdrawn from patients of hypothyroidism after overnight fasting and used for biochemical analysis.Results: Results of the study revealed that there was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum TSH, LDL, statistically significant negative correlation between serum TSH, and HDL.Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction can have an important effect on lipid profile. Therefore, patients presenting with dyslipidemia are recommended to be investigated for hypothyroidism.  Article visualizations

Primary pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma with brain metastases in a paediatric patient: an unusual presentation

  Primary lung neoplasms are rare in children. The most common primary lung malignancies in children are pleuropulmonary blastoma and carcinoid tumour. Synovial sarcoma (SS) accounts for approximately 1% of all childhood malignancies. In absolute terms, the SS of the lungs and pleura are extremely rare and pose a diagnostic difficulty. Soft tissue sarcomas usually have a high potential for metastases, however, metastasis to the brain is rare, even in widely disseminated disease, and it has been described only in 3 case reports previously. Primary pleuropulmonary SS with brain metastases is even rarer. Here we present a case of an 11-year-old boy who presented with respiratory complaints, viz. fever and cough for 20 days. Initial impression was lung abscess, however, on histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular study, the disorder was diagnosed as synovial sarcoma. After a week from the first consult, the child developed neurological symptoms, viz., an episode of convulsion and gradually worsening power of the lower limb. Computed tomography scan and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy was suggestive of brain metastases. Given the rarity of primary lung neoplasms in children, clinical detection remains a challenge. Delayed diagnoses are common as respiratory symptoms may be attributed to inflammatory or infective processes. Primary pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma is a rare tumour and it is not known to commonly metastasise to the brain. Though rare, primary pleuropulmonary SS should be considered an important differential among peadiatric primary lung neoplasms due to its potential for curability if detected early, and more aggressive metastatic pattern, e.g. brain metastases making early detection imperative.

Pierwotny maziówczak opłucnej i płuca z przerzutami do mózgu u dziecka: nietypowe objawy

Pierwotny nowotwór płuc rzadko występuje u dzieci. Najczęściej spotykane pierwotne złośliwe nowotwory płuc u dzieci to blastoma opłucnej i płuc oraz rakowiak. Maziówczak stanowi około 1% wszystkich nowotworów złośliwych występujących u dzieci. Maziówczak opłucnej i płuca jest zjawiskiem rzadkim i trudnym do rozpoznania. Mięsaki tkanek miękkich zazwyczaj posiadają dużą skłonność do przerzutów, jednak przerzuty do mózgu występują sporadycznie, nawet w zaawansowanych postaciach rozsianej choroby. Taki przebieg choroby został przedstawiony zaledwie w 3 opisach przypadków. Pierwotny maziówczak opłucnej i płuc z przerzutami do mózgu jest jeszcze rzadziej spotykany. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono przypadek 11-letniego chłopca, u którego pojawiły się gorączka i trwający od 20 dni kaszel. Początkowo sądzono, że przyczyną jest ropień płuc, lecz po wykonaniu badań histopatologicznego, immunohistochemicznego i molekularnego rozpoznano maziówczaka. Po upływie tygodnia od pierwszej wizyty u dziecka pojawiły się objawy neurologiczne, tj. drgawki i stopniowo postępujące osłabienie siły kończyny dolnej. Wyniki tomografii komputerowej i rezonansu magnetycznego wskazywały na istnienie przerzutów do mózgu. Biorąc pod uwagę rzadkość występowania nowotworów płuc u dzieci, rozpoznanie kliniczne choroby pozostaje prawdziwym wyzwaniem. Często zdarza się, że rozpoznanie jest opóźnione, ponieważ objawy ze strony układu oddechowego mogą być przypisywane stanom zapalnym lub chorobom zakaźnym. Pierwotny maziówczak płuc i opłucnej występuje rzadko i sporadycznie wywołuje przerzuty do mózgu. Powinien być jednak brany pod uwagę przy rozpoznaniu różnicowym pierwotnych nowotworów płuc u dzieci, ponieważ przy wczesnym rozpoznaniu może być uleczalny, zaś w przypadku agresywnego przebiegu z przerzutami na przykład do mózgu, wczesne rozpoznanie jest szczególnie ważne.Pierwotny nowotwór płuc rzadko występuje u dzieci. Najczęściej spotykane pierwotne złośliwe nowotwory płuc u dzieci to blastoma opłucnej i płuc oraz rakowiak. Maziówczak stanowi około 1% wszystkich nowotworów złośliwych występujących u dzieci. Maziówczak opłucnej i płuca jest zjawiskiem rzadkim i trudnym do rozpoznania. Mięsaki tkanek miękkich zazwyczaj posiadają dużą skłonność do przerzutów, jednak przerzuty do mózgu występują sporadycznie, nawet w zaawansowanych postaciach rozsianej choroby. Taki przebieg choroby został przedstawiony zaledwie w 3 opisach przypadków. Pierwotny maziówczak opłucnej i płuc z przerzutami do mózgu jest jeszcze rzadziej spotykany. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono przypadek 11-letniego chłopca, u którego pojawiły się gorączka i trwający od 20 dni kaszel. Początkowo sądzono, że przyczyną jest ropień płuc, lecz po wykonaniu badań histopatologicznego, immunohistochemicznego i molekularnego rozpoznano maziówczaka. Po upływie tygodnia od pierwszej wizyty u dziecka pojawiły się objawy neurologiczne, tj. drgawki i stopniowo postępujące osłabienie siły kończyny dolnej. Wyniki tomografii komputerowej i rezonansu magnetycznego wskazywały na istnienie przerzutów do mózgu. Biorąc pod uwagę rzadkość występowania nowotworów płuc u dzieci, rozpoznanie kliniczne choroby pozostaje prawdziwym wyzwaniem. Często zdarza się, że rozpoznanie jest opóźnione, ponieważ objawy ze strony układu oddechowego mogą być przypisywane stanom zapalnym lub chorobom zakaźnym. Pierwotny maziówczak płuc i opłucnej występuje rzadko i sporadycznie wywołuje przerzuty do mózgu. Powinien być jednak brany pod uwagę przy rozpoznaniu różnicowym pierwotnych nowotworów płuc u dzieci, ponieważ przy wczesnym rozpoznaniu może być uleczalny, zaś w przypadku agresywnego przebiegu z przerzutami na przykład do mózgu, wczesne rozpoznanie jest szczególnie ważne

Educational needs and preferences of young European clinicians and physician researchers working in the field of rheumatology

Funding Information: CB: Grant BE 5191/1-1 of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.Objectives: To understand the educational needs and preferences of young clinicians and physician researchers in the field of rheumatology in Europe. Methods: An international online survey was performed as a joint venture of ESCET and EMEUNET. The survey assessed the acceptance of and the access to the current European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) educational portfolio, as well as the unmet educational needs and learning preferences among individuals below the age of 40 years working in rheumatology in Europe. Results: Among 568 European clinicians and physician researchers, 65% indicated that the existing EULAR educational portfolio adequately covers their educational needs. Within the EULAR portfolio, the online course on rheumatic diseases and the postgraduate course were the most appreciated. Participants were very much in favour of new educational courses on imaging techniques, and 63% of participants indicated a particular interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound. A strong interest in refresher (60%) and general review (55%) courses was observed. Lack of funding was considered the major obstacle to participating in existing EULAR programmes. Finally, participants showed diverse preferences regarding learning modalities with common interests in live courses and conferences. Conclusions: EULAR's training opportunities are well appreciated among young clinicians and physician researchers in rheumatology. The results from this survey will help to develop EULAR's future educational portfolio.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Rheumatology training experience across Europe : Analysis of core competences

Publisher Copyright: © 2016 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: The aim of this project was to analyze and compare the educational experience in rheumatology specialty training programs across European countries, with a focus on self-reported ability. Method: An electronic survey was designed to assess the training experience in terms of self-reported ability, existence of formal education, number of patients managed and assessments performed during rheumatology training in 21 core competences including managing specific diseases, generic competences and procedures. The target population consisted of rheumatology trainees and recently certified rheumatologists across Europe. The relationship between the country of training and the self-reported ability or training methods for each competence was analyzed through linear or logistic regression, as appropriate. Results: In total 1079 questionnaires from 41 countries were gathered. Self-reported ability was high for most competences, range 7.5-9.4 (0-10 scale) for clinical competences, 5.8-9.0 for technical procedures and 7.8-8.9 for generic competences. Competences with lower self-reported ability included managing patients with vasculitis, identifying crystals and performing an ultrasound. Between 53 and 91 % of the trainees received formal education and between 7 and 61 % of the trainees reported limited practical experience (managing ≤10 patients) in each competence. Evaluation of each competence was reported by 29-60 % of the respondents. In adjusted multivariable analysis, the country of training was associated with significant differences in self-reported ability for all individual competences. Conclusion: Even though self-reported ability is generally high, there are significant differences amongst European countries, including differences in the learning structure and assessment of competences. This suggests that educational outcomes may also differ. Efforts to promote European harmonization in rheumatology training should be encouraged and supported.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Choroidal Confusions: A look into Pachychoroid Spectrum of Diseases

ABSTRACT  A 59-year-old African American male presented for a comprehensive eye examination. His pertinent ocular history was extensive and included a past occurrence of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSCR) in the left eye (OS), presumed macular toxicity of the right eye (OD) due to Plaquenil therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis, and presumed Advanced-stage Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) of both eyes. Stargardt’s Disease was also listed as a differential diagnosis for the patient under his ocular history. Upon clinical review and additional ancillary testing, we determined the patient did not have Macular Degeneration, Stargardt’s, or Plaquenil toxicity, and rather, fell into the category of a pachychoroid disease. Pachychoroid spectrum is often overlooked by clinicians as it is a group of conditions and therefore can masquerade several commonly thought of diseases, such as ARMD, Bull’s eye maculopathy, and Stargardt’s Disease. The use of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Fundus Autoflourescent (FAF) photography helps in distinguishing between these differentials to rule-in a pachychoroid disease. Understanding these conditions can help avoid misdiagnoses  and allow for more appropriate management of our patients.&nbsp

Confusion choroïdienne : Le spectre des pathologies associées à la pachychoroïde

Un Afro-Américain de 59 ans s’est présenté à la clinique pour passer un examen oculaire complet. Ses antécédents oculaires pertinents étaient nombreux et comprenaient une occurrence antérieure de choriorétinopathie séreuse centrale (CRSC) dans l’œil gauche (OS), une toxicité maculaire présumée de l’œil droit (OD) due à un traitement au Plaquenil pour la polyarthrite rhumatoïde, et une dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge (DMLA) sèche présumée à un stade avancé dans les deux yeux. La maladie de Stargardt figurait également parmi les diagnostics différentiels dans ses antécédents oculaires. Après un examen clinique et des tests auxiliaires supplémentaires, nous avons déterminé que le patient ne souffrait pas de dégénérescence maculaire, de maladie de Stargardt ou de toxicité due au Plaquenil, et qu’il présentait plutôt une maladie pachychoroïde. Le spectre des pathologies associées à la pachychoroïde est souvent négligé par les cliniciens, car il s’agit d’un groupe d’affections qui peuvent se faire passer pour plusieurs maladies courantes, comme la DMLA, la maculopathie en œil de bœuf et la maladie de Stargardt. L’utilisation de la tomographie par cohérence optique (TCO) et de la photographie en autofluorescence du fond de l’œil (FAF) permet de distinguer ces différentiels pour exclure une maladie pachychoroïdienne. La compréhension de ces affections peut contribuer à éviter les erreurs de diagnostic et permettre une prise en charge plus appropriée de ces patients

A Study of Use of “PORT” Catheter in Patients with Cancer: A Single-Center Experience

Background: Effective and reliable venous access is one of the cornerstones of modern medical therapy in oncology. Materials and methods: This is a prospective observational study, which collected data of patients who require “PORT” catheter insertion for any cancer, at a tertiary care oncology hospital in Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India, during a 2-year period. Aims and objectives: The main objective of this study was to study the various complications and outcomes related to “PORT” catheters. Results: “PORT” catheter was inserted in 100 patients and was most commonly used in solid malignancies (n = 86, 86%), followed by hematologic malignancies (n = 14, 14%). Among the solid malignancies, breast cancer (38, 38%) was the most common underlying disease, whereas among the hematologic malignancies, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (6, 6%) was the most common underlying disease for “PORT” catheter insertion. Chemotherapy was started on the first day of “PORT” catheter in 74% of patients in the “PORT” study group. The various complications developed in the “PORT” study group in the descending order are as follows: 4 patients (4%) developed early infection (⩽30 days after “PORT” placement), 4 (4%) late infection (⩾30 days after “PORT” placement), 4 (4%) bloodstream infection, 2 (2%) local skin infection at the “PORT” insertion site, 2 (2%) dislodgment of the “PORT” catheter, 2 (2%) fracture of the “PORT” catheter, and 1 recurrent pleural effusion. One patient (1%) developed thrombosis as the complication of “PORT” catheter insertion. Conclusions: The most disturbing aspect of treatment for a patient with cancer is multiple painful venipunctures made for administration of cytotoxic agents, antibiotics, blood products, and nutritional supplements. The focus of this prospective observational research is to study the various underlying diseases for which “PORT” catheter is needed in different solid and hematologic malignancies and the various complications and outcomes in pediatric and adult patients with cancer

Pulmonary toxicity following bleomycin use: A single-center experience

Background: Bleomycin-induced pulmonary (BIP) toxicity is a notorious entity and cropped up in roughly 10% of cases. The aim of the study is to evaluate BIP at our tertiary care cancer center. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective, analytical study conducted at a tertiary care center from January 1998 to December 2012. Records of all the patients who were offered bleomycin chemotherapy as an integral part of adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine or bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin regimen in Hodgkin disease (HD) or germ cell tumor (GCT) were studied for the study inclusion criteria. Twenty-two patients treated with bleomycin who had respiratory symptoms and/or abnormal high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings, suggestive of bleomycin-induced lung injury were included in this study. Results and Statistical Analysis: A total of 22 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study cohort. Of 22 patients, 8 were of HD and 14 were of GCT (nonseminomatous GCT [NSGCT] = 10 and seminomatous GCT = 4). Of 22 patients, 14 had symptoms of nonproductive cough, dyspnea and showed HRCT findings of ground glass opacities, diffuse alveolar damage, extensive reticular markings, traction bronchiectasis, and/or nodular densities. Two patients had fever and pleuritic pain. Eight patients were asymptomatic. Symptomatic patients were treated with prednisone at the dose of 0.75–1 mg/kg 4–8 weeks then gradually tapered. Four patients required noninvasive ventilatory support and managed with oxygen, nebulization, and antibiotics. Two patients required mechanical ventilatory support (HD = 1 and NSGCT = 1) and developed multiorgan failure subsequently succumbed to death. Conclusion: BIP is noteworthy lung toxicity as subsequent mortality ranges from 10% to 20% and shrinks survival rate in patients with highly curable malignant conditions. Physicians should be vigilant concerning this impending side effect