Anupam Lal

Imaging of esophageal tuberculosis: A review of 23 cases:

Purpose: To evaluate the various radiological abnormalities in patients with proven esophageal tuberculosis. Material and Methods: The case records of 23 patients with proven esophageal tuberculosis were evaluated retrospectively for various radiological abnormalities. Twenty-two patients had secondary involvement of esophagus in the form of direct extension of mediastinal and pulmonary tuberculosis or spinal tuberculosis. Only 1 patient had primary involvement of the esophagus with no evidence of disease elsewhere. The diagnosis was confirmed by endoscopic and CT-guided biopsy/aspiration cytology in 7 and 6 cases, respectively. Diagnosis was made on the basis of surgical biopsy of lymph node and autopsy in 1 patient each. In the remaining 8 patients the diagnosis was based on radiological and endoscopic findings and the response to antituberculous treatment. Results: Chest radiography (CXR) was abnormal in 65% patients. While the findings were non-conclusive for esophageal tuberculosis, characteristic lesions of tuberculosis in lungs or spine were suggestive of tuberculous etiology. In 15 patients, CT of the chest confirmed the corresponding CXR findings and also showed additional findings of mediastinal lymphadenopathy when CXR was normal. Fourteen patients showed mediastinal lymphadenopathy on CT of the chest. In all these patients, more than one group of lymph nodes was involved. The characteristic hypodense center of lymph nodes suggestive of tuberculosis was seen in 12 patients. Radiological abnormalities seen in barium swallow examination were extrinsic compression, traction diverticula, strictures, sinus/fistulous tracts, kinking and pseudotumor mass of esophagus in decreasing order of frequency. The middle third of the esophagus was found to be the most frequent site of involvement.

Amoebic liver abscess in the medical emergency of a North Indian hospital.

BackgroundAmoebic Liver abscess although fairly common in developing countries, yet, there is limited data on the clinical presentation to the emergency department. A retrospective analysis of 86 indoor cases of Amoebic Liver Abscess presenting to the emergency department over a 5-year period was carried out.FindingsThe mean age of patients was 40.5 ± 2.1 years (male-female ratio = 7:1). Fever, pain abdomen and diarrhea were seen in 94%, 90% and 10.5% respectively. Duration of symptoms less than 2 weeks was seen in 48% cases. Hepatomegaly was present in 16% cases only, a right sided pleural effusion in 14% cases and ascites in 5.7%. On ultrasound, a right lobe abscess was seen in 65%, a left lobe abscess in 13% and multiple abscesses in both the lobes in 22% cases. Seventy one cases underwent per-cutaneous pigtail catheter drainage for a mean period of 13.4 ± 0.8 days. The mortality rate was 5.8%. On multivariate regression and correlation analysis, a higher number of inserted pigtail catheters correlated to mortality.ConclusionsAmoebic liver abscess presents commonly to the emergency department and should be suspected in persons with prolonged fever and pain abdomen. Conservative management for uncomplicated amoebic liver abscess and insertion of single per-cutaneous pigtail catheter drainage for complicated amoebic liver abscess are efficacious as treatment modalities.

A Randomized Trial of Vitamin D Supplementation on Vascular Function in CKD

Vitamin D deficiency associates with mortality in patients with CKD, and vitamin D supplementation might mitigate cardiovascular disease risk in CKD. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we investigated the effect of cholecalciferol supplementation on vascular function in 120 patients of either sex, aged 18-70 years, with nondiabetic CKD stage 3-4 and vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D ≤20 ng/ml). We randomized patients using a 1:1 ratio to receive either two directly observed oral doses of cholecalciferol (300,000 IU) or matching placebo at baseline and 8 weeks. The primary outcome was change in endothelium-dependent brachial artery flow-mediated dilation at 16 weeks. Secondary outcome measures included changes in pulse wave velocity and circulating biomarkers. Cholecalciferol supplementation significantly increased endothelium-dependent brachial artery flow-mediated dilation at 16 weeks, whereas placebo did not (between-group difference in mean change: 5.49%; 95% confidence interval, 4.34% to 6.64%; P<0.001). Intervention also led to significant favorable changes in pulse wave velocity and circulating IL-6 levels. Thus, in nondiabetic patients with stage 3-4 CKD and vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation may improve vascular function. This study is registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (no.: CTRI/2013/05/003648).

Surgicel Granuloma: Unusual Cause of “Recurrent” Mass Lesion After Laparoscopic Nephron-sparing Surgery for Renal Cell Carcinoma

We present the first clinical report of Surgicel granuloma after laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery and present the characteristics of this radiological image mimicking local recurrence. A 47-year-old man underwent laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery for left renal interpolar incidentaloma; Surgicel bolsters were used for hemostasis. Histological examination revealed conventional clear-cell renal cell carcinoma with negative surgical margins. Magnetic resonance imaging at 3 months revealed a 2.5-cm enhancing mass in the region of nephron-sparing surgery. Computed tomography-guided core biopsy revealed foreign-body granuloma. Serial magnetic resonance imaging showed a decrease in the size/enhancement of the lesion during 12 months. To conclude, Surgicel may invoke foreign-body reaction leading to formation of pseudotumor, which leads to diagnostic dilemma.

Vitamin D deficiency, CD4+CD28null cells and accelerated atherosclerosis in chronic kidney disease

Aim:  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The role of vitamin D remains controversial in this process. We evaluated the relationship between 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, abnormal T helper cells (CD4+CD28null cells), systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis in CKD patients.

Case series: Diffusion weighted MRI appearance in prostatic abscess.

Diffusion: weighted MRI (DWI) is a novel technique that analyzes the diffusion of water molecules in vivo. DWI has been used extensively in the central nervous system. Its use in body imaging is on the rise. In the prostate, it has been used in the evaluation of prostatic carcinoma. We present DWI findings in two patients of prostatic abscess.

Laparoscopic Management of Genitourinary Hydatid Cyst Disease

Hydatid disease is endemic in parts of India. Genitourinary involvement is rare. Laparoscopic management of such cases is uncommonly reported. We present our experience of laparoscopic management of two cases of retrovesical hydatid cyst treated by laparoscopic aspiration, instillation, and suction and two cases of renal hydatid cyst treated by partial nephrectomy and cystopericystectomy with preservation of renal parenchyma.

Aspergillosis with pulmonary echinococcosis

Pulmonary echinococcal hydatid cysts have been reported coexistent with cryptococcosis and other saprophytic mycosis on histopathological examination of the affected lung tissues. Similar findings have not been reported in FNA samples. The authors describe a similar case diagnosed on fine needle aspiration (FNA) material.

Percutaneous cyanoacrylate glue injection into the renal pseudoaneurysm to control intractable hematuria after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

We report a case of a 43-year-old man who developed intractable hematuria after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Angiography detected a pseudoaneurysm arising from the lower polar artery; however, embolization could not be performed because of unfavorable vascular anatomy. A percutaneous thrombin injection under ultrasound guidance initially controlled the bleeding, but hematuria subsequently recurred as a result of recanalization of the aneurysm. The case was successfully managed with ultrasound- and fluoroscopic-guided direct injection of cyanoacrylate glue into the pseudoaneurysm.

Fine‐needle aspiration cytology of orbital and eyelid lesions

Fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of orbital lesions is now increasingly popular. Because of its unique location and the occurrence of varieties of lesions, diagnosis of orbital lesion is a challenge to the cytopathologists. FNAC of orbital and eyelid tumors is a suitable diagnostic technique that necessitates close co‐operation between the ophthalmologist and pathologist. No radical procedure should be planned on the basis of FNAC, but it allows the diagnosis of a new primary lesion or the recurrence or metastasis of a tumor and can be done to identify lesions that require either specific medical therapy, as in nonresectable, inflammatory, and lymphoid tumors, or limited surgery for benign resectable neoplasms. With the help of various ancillary techniques a definitive diagnosis is possible on orbital and adnexal lesions. It is essential to have a detailed knowledge on the FNAC of these lesions and their potential pitfalls. In this present review, we have discussed various orbital lesions, their clinical presentations, cytomorphology, and ancillary techniques to confirm the diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013;41:1000–1011.