Balwinder Kaur

Endometrial evaluation by ultrasonography, hysteroscopy and histopathology in cases of breast carcinoma on Tamoxifen therapy

Introduction: Tamoxifen, a nonsteroidal antiestrogenic agent, is used widely as adjunctive therapy for women with breast cancer. Most studies have found that the increased relative risk of developing endometrial cancer for women taking Tamoxifen is two to three times higher than that of an age-matched population. So we designed this study to assess the endometrial status in patients taking Tamoxifen for breast carcinoma. Material and Methods: The study was conducted at Govt. Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, India. A total of 50 patients of Ca Breast taking Tamoxifen were selected as per study criterion and TVS performed. If endometrial thickness was more than 5 mm hysteroscopy and endometrial HPE was done and data analysed. Results: On ultrasonography 35 patients (70%) had an endometrial thickness up to 5 mm. 15 patients (30%) had an endometrial thickness more than 5mm. Out of these, 11 patients, i.e. 22% of total, had an endometrial thickness of 5.1 to 10 mm and 2 patients, i.e. 4% of total had an endometrial thickness of more than 20 mm. Hysteroscopy was done on 11 patients. Out of these 8 patients had a normal hysteroscopic appearance whereas 3 patients had an abnormal hysteroscopic picture. Endometrial HPE of these 11 patients revealed 2 patients had secretory changes, 1 had polyp change, 1 had atrophic endometrium, 3 had simple endometrial hyperplasia, 1 had endometrial adenocarcinoma and 4 patients were reported to have scanty curetting. Conclusion: The duration of Tamoxifen therapy turned out to have a relationship with the incidence of endometrial carcinoma (P < 0.0001). Also, a relationship was observed between the duration of Tamoxifen therapy and symptom status of the patients (P < 0.0001). This correlation did not extend to duration of Tamoxifen therapy and endometrial thickness. (P = 0.190). This correlation did not extend to duration of Tamoxifen therapy and endometrial thickness. (P = 0.190).

Miliary nodules: An unusual presentation of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease caused by hypersensitivity to Aspergillus fumigatus. A wide spectrum of plain radiographic appearances has been described in ABPA, though none are pathognomonic of ABPA. The common radiological abnormalities encountered are fleeting pulmonary opacities, bronchiectasis, and mucoid impaction. Uncommon radiological findings encountered in ABPA include pulmonary masses, perihilar opacities simulating hilar adenopathy, and pleural effusions. However, miliary nodules as a radiological presentation of ABPA are very rare and only one case has been reported in literature. It is often misdiagnosed and mismanaged as tuberculosis; thus, the clinician should be vigilant enough to diagnose this very rare entity.

A study of maternal near miss cases in tertiary health centre in north India

Maternal near miss is defined as woman who nearly died but survived a complication that occurred during pregnancy, childbirth or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy. Maternal mortality is one of the most important indicators used for assessing maternal health. According to WHO, a maternal death is defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes. Despite being caused by pregnancy related events, these deaths do not count as maternal deaths in routine civil registration system. An alternative concept of the maternal death was included in ICD-10, in order to capture these delayed deaths that occur between 6 weeks and 1-year post-partum.

Morbidly Adherent Placenta managed Conservatively: A Case Series

Placenta accreta refers to any abnormally invasive placental implantation. Diagnosis is suspected postpartum with failed delivery of a retained placenta. Massive obstetrical hemorrhage is a known complication often requiring peripartum hysterectomy. We report a series of cases of placenta accreta in patients desiring future fertility who were managed conservatively.