Devasenathipathy Kandasamy

A Retrospective Analysis of 334 Cases of Hemoptysis Treated by Bronchial Artery Embolization

OBJECTIVES To analyze the safety and efficacy of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in the management of hemoptysis. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of 334 patients who had undergone BAE for hemoptysis from January 2007 to July 2013. Our study included 255 (76.3%) males and 79 (23.7%) females with an age range from five to 81 years old. All relevant arteries were evaluated but only those arteries that showed hypertrophy and significant blush were targeted. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used in all patients and gel foam was used in combination with PVA where there was significant shunting. RESULTS Mild hemoptysis was seen in 70 patients, moderate in 195 patients, and severe in 69 patients. On imaging, right side disease was seen in 101 patients, left side involvement in 59 patients, and bilateral involvement in 174 patients. Post-tubercular changes were the predominant pathology seen in 248 patients. Among 334 patients (386 procedures), 42 patients underwent the procedure twice and five patients underwent the procedure thrice. A total of 485 arteries were attempted of which 440 arteries were successfully embolized. Right intercosto-bronchial was the most common culprit artery present in 157 patients, followed by common bronchial (n=97), left bronchial (n=55), and right bronchial (n=45). We embolized a maximum of four arteries in one session. Immediate complications such as dissection and rupture occurred in only nine sessions (2.3%). Twenty-five procedures (6.5%) were repeated within two months, which were due to technical or clinical failure and 27 procedures (7%) were repeated after two months. CONCLUSIONS BAE is a safe and effective procedure with a negligible complication rate. Our approach of targeting hypertrophied arteries was effective.

Pachydermoperiostosis: Incomplete form, mimicking acromegaly

Sir, Read with interest the article, prevalence of colonic polyp and its predictors in patients with acromegaly.[1] Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP) or primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is a rare disorder that is characterized by digital clubbing and subperiosteal new bone formation associated with pain, polyarthiritis, cutis verticis gyrata, seborrhea, and hyperhidrosis. It is important to the endocrinologist as it needs to be distinguished from acromegaly. Considering its rarity, here, we describe a man who was referred to our center for acromegaly but had PDP.

Rare association of insulin autoimmune syndrome with ankylosing spondylitis.

Summary Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is a rare cause of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia, which is known to occur in association with the use of sulfhydryl-containing drugs and autoimmune disorders. We describe a patient with hitherto an unreported association of IAS with ankylosing spondylitis. We have also performed and described a simplified method of polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation of an insulin bound antibody in the serum. Learning points IAS should be considered in differential diagnosis of endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia. Ankylosing spondylitis can be associated with IAS apart from several other autoimmune diseases. Very high serum insulin levels (100–10 000 μU/ml) are frequently seen in IAS. When faced with very high serum insulin before suspecting insulinoma, it is advisable that PEG precipitation of serum be done to identify antibody bound insulin. A clinical suspicion of IAS can avoid expensive imaging and unnecessary surgery in affected patients.

Hepatopulmonary fusion: a rare and potentially lethal association with right congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Hepatopulmonary fusion is an extremely rare accompaniment of right congenital diaphragmatic hernia. It is associated with abnormal systemic arterial supply and venous drainage of the right lung along with congenital heart disease. Children with this condition have a comparatively poor prognosis. We report a case of right congenital diaphragmatic hernia with hepatopulmonary fusion along with review of the literature with stress on diagnosis and management.

Neonatal and infantile spinal sonography: A useful investigation often underutilized

Sonography is an ideal, effective, noninvasive tool for evaluation of the spinal cord in neonatal and early infantile age groups owing to lack of ossification of the posterior elements of spine. Understanding normal anatomical appearances is a prerequisite for the interpretation of various pathologies of the spinal canal and its contents. This review elucidates normal appearances of the spinal cord in this age group, in both axial and sagittal planes. Usefulness of Doppler sonography is briefly discussed, and special emphasis is placed on normal anatomical variants that may mimic spinal abnormalities. Sonographic appearances of common intraspinal pathologies, both congenital and acquired, are exhaustively described. Key points regarding sonographic diagnosis of important spinal anomalies are emphasized and explained in detail. To conclude, spinal ultrasound is a reliable and widely available screening tool, albeit the usefulness of which is often underestimated.

Pediatric Interventional Radiology: Non-Vascular Interventions.

Pediatric interventional radiology (PIR), which includes variety of procedures done under image guidance has emerged as an essential adjunct to various surgical and medical conditions, plays a significant role in the delivery of safe and effective care by reducing surgical risks, decreasing the length of hospital stay and reducing costs. The application of interventional techniques in children has been delayed over years as compared to adults due to lack of special hardwares/equipments, lack of adequately trained physicians and also the lack of awareness among the pediatric practitioners. This situation is gradually changing now owing to the advancements in technology. In this review, authors will discuss various non-vascular interventional procedures undertaken in pediatric patients.

Pediatric Interventional Radiology: Vascular Interventions.

Pediatric interventional radiology (PIR) comprises a range of minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that are performed using image guidance. PIR has emerged as an essential adjunct to various surgical and medical conditions. Over the years, technology has undergone dramatic and continuous evolution, making this speciality grow. In this review, the authors will discuss various vascular interventional procedures undertaken in pediatric patients. It is challenging for the interventional radiologist to accomplish a successful interventional procedure. There are many vascular interventional radiology procedures which are being performed and have changed the way the diseases are managed. Some of the procedures are life saving and have become the treatment of choice in those patients. The future is indeed bright for the practice and practitioners of pediatric vascular and non-vascular interventions. As more and more of the procedures that are currently being performed in adults get gradually adapted for use in the pediatric population, it may be possible to perform safe and successful interventions in many of the pediatric vascular lesions that are otherwise being referred for surgery.

Pediatric Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a radiation-free imaging modality with excellent contrast resolution and multiplanar capabilities. Since ionizing radiation is an important concern in the pediatric population, MRI serves as a useful alternative to computed tomography (CT) and also provides additional clues to diagnosis, not discernible on other investigations. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), urography, angiography, enterography, dynamic multiphasic imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging provide wealth of information. The main limitations include, long scan time, need for sedation/anesthesia, cost and lack of widespread availability. With the emergence of newer sequences and variety of contrast agents, MRI has become a robust modality and may serve as a one-stop shop for both anatomical and functional information.

Evolving management of insulinoma: Experience at a tertiary care centre

Background & objectives: Since our previous study in 2006, several new modalities for localization of cause of endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia such as multiphasic computed tomography (CT), multiphasic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), intraoperative ultrasound, and intra-arterial calcium infusion with arterial stimulation venous sampling (ASVS) have become available. Therefore, to evaluate the relative usefulness of various imaging modalities to guide future management in terms of diagnosis and patient care, we analyzed presentation and management of patients of endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia. Methods: In this retrospective study, medical records of patients admitted with endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia were retrieved. Data pertaining to clinical features, diagnosis, imaging, surgery and patient outcome were extracted. The localization of insulinoma by preoperative imaging techniques was compared with the findings at surgery to assess the accuracy of localization. Results: Fasting hypoglycaemia was present in all, and post-prandial hypoglycaemia (plasma glucose ≤50 mg/dl within four hours of meal) in 25.8 per cent. Mean duration of symptoms before reaching a diagnosis of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia was 3.9 years. Mean duration of provocative fast was 21.8 h (range 6-48 h). Among the currently used imaging modalities, the sensitivity of localizing tumour was 79.3 per cent for multiphasic CT, 85 per cent for multiphasic MRI and 95 per cent for EUS. EUS detected tumour missed by both CT and MRI. All, except one of the operated patients, were cured by surgery. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results suggest that patients with insulinoma have a varied presentation. Multiphasic contrast-enhanced MRI/CT scan, EUS and ASVS may be complimentary in pre-operative localization.

Clinical, hormonal and radiological profile of 46XY disorders of sexual development.

Background and Objectives: 46 XY disorders of sexual development (DSD) cover a wide spectrum of phenotypes ranging from unambiguous female genitalia to ambiguous male genitalia with hypospadias or dysgenetic gonads. Management of these patients depends on the cause of DSD, degree of feminization, age at presentation, and gender orientation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presentation and management of patients with 46XY DSD at our center. Patients and Methods: All new and old patients of 46XY DSD attending the endocrine OPD in a period of 16 months were included in this study. Clinical, cytogenetic, hormonal, and radiological evaluation were done to identify the cause of DSD. Results: Among 19 patients, eight were diagnosed with disorders of gonadal development (one with complete gonadal dysgenesis, four with partial gonadal dysgenesis, two with congenital bilateral anorchia, and one with ovotesticular DSD) and eight with disorders of androgen synthesis and action (one with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome [AIS], three with partial AIS and four with 5α reductase deficiency). In three patients, a definitive diagnosis could not be made. Conclusions: Management of patients with DSD depends on etiology, gender assignment, gender orientation, hormonal treatment, genital surgery, and consequent psychosocial implications. Due to the overlapping clinical and biochemical parameters in different subsets of DSD, only a preliminary etiological diagnosis can be made in some cases. Genetic studies with long-term follow-up are required for an accurate diagnosis.