Ibne Ahmad

Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients of cardiovascular diseases and its association with hs-CRP and TNF-α

BACKGROUND There is increasing recognition of association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Metabolic syndrome is common in both NAFLD and cardiovascular diseases. Our study is designed to investigate the association of NAFLD with cardiovascular disease. METHODS Its a cross-sectional study which included 104 patients of coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease. Those patients having secondary causes of steatosis were excluded. Complete cardiovascular evaluation which included assessment of metabolic syndrome, routine biochemistries, viral markers, Ultrasonography (USG) abdomen, hs-CRP and TNF-α levels were obtained for all patients. RESULTS Of all patients with cardiovascular disease, 19.2% (20/104) had essential hypertension with hypertensive heart disease the remaining 80.8% (84/104) patients had ischemic heart disease (IHD). On USG 69.2% (72/104) had NAFLD, these 50% (36/72) had grade 1 NAFLD and the rest grade 2 NAFLD. The hs-CRP levels and TNF-α were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD (p-value <0.001) and within patients with NAFLD the levels were higher in patients with grade 2 NAFLD. Also, binary logistic regression showed that high body-mass index (BMI), raised serum triglyceride levels, increased waist circumference and hypertension were significantly associated with the presence of NAFLD. CONCLUSION Our data indicates that NALD is highly prevalent in patients of cardiovascular disease (69.2%) and is significantly associated with metabolic syndrome and its individual components. The levels of hs-CRP and TNF-α were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD and showed an increasing trend with the severity of fatty liver.

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa: four case reports

AimMacrodystrophia lipomatosa is a rare cause of gigantism of limb which can be confused with other common causes like congenital lymphedema. It presents usually with loss of function and cosmetic problems. Four cases are described with emphasis on clinical presentation, differential diagnoses, imaging and treatment options.Methods & ResultsFour patients of macrodystrophia lipomatosa were thoroughly examined and subjected to investigations.ConclusionBesides diligent clinical examination, imaging and histopathology are crucial in clinching the diagnosis.

Neoplastic and nonneoplastic ovarian masses: Diagnosis on cytology.

Objective: To evaluate the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the distinction between neoplastic and nonneoplastic ovarian masses. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with ovarian masses were studied. After detailed history and clinical examination, ultrasound (USG)-guided FNAC was performed in 92 clinical benign cases while FNAC and/or imprints of surgically resected ovarian masses was performed in 28 clinically suspected malignant cases. The smears were stained with Papanicolaou stain and histopathological sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain with inclusion of special stain whenever required. Serum β-human chorionic gonadotrophin and α-fetoprotein estimations were carried out in cytologically diagnosed germ cell tumors. Results: The overall sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of FNAC in diagnosing various ovarian masses were 79.2%, 90.6% and 89.9%, respectively. Conclusions: The clinical examination, pelvic ultrasound and FNAC were complementary and none of the methods was, in itself, diagnostic. However, USG-guided FNAC was found to be a fairly specific and accurate technique and should be employed as a routine, especially in young females with clinically benign ovarian lesions. The reasons for false diagnosis and limitations of USG and FNAC have been analyzed.

Atypical multifocal hydatid disease of cranial vault: simultaneous orbital and extradural meningeal involvement.

Hydatid disease is endemic in regions where livestock is raised. Liver and lungs are the most commonly affected organs by the disease. Cranial vault and orbital hydatid disease is extremely rare. Signs and symptoms along with serological investigation are often inconclusive in cranial hydatid, making radiological diagnosis extremely important. Surgical removal of the cyst is the mainstay of treatment. Postoperative medical therapy, along with regular follow-up, is the key to detect any recurrence. We report an unusual case of cranial hydatid which showed diffuse scalp infiltration along with oribital and extradural extension.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: Rare presentation of a rare disease

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a rare chronic renal infection of unknown pathogenesis characterized by replacement of renal parenchyma by lipid filled macrophages frequently associated with an enlarged, non-functioning kidney and an obstructing calculus. We report a case of a 45 year old non diabetic female who presented with gradually enlarging renal mass with extensive retroperitoneal involvement and a non-functioning kidney with no evidence of obstructing stone or fat density and simulating malignancy. She was diagnosed as stage III Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and managed with radical nephrectomy with favourable outcome.

Diagnostic difficulties in differentiating sarcoidosis from tuberculosis.

Distinguishing sarcoidosis from pulmonary tuberculosis can sometimes be a great challenge to physicians, especially in developing countries where there is high prevalence of tuberculosis. Both tuberculosis and sarcoidosis are granulomatous diseases, however, tuberculosis has a caseating granuloma as opposed to sarcoidosis, which present with non-caseating epithelioid cell granuloma. Due to the marked clinico-radiological similarity of these entities and high prevalence of tuberculosis, these patients receive repeated courses of anti-tubercular therapy (ATT) while lung damage continues to progress.

Isolated intramedullary spinal cysticercosis in a 10-year-old female showing dramatic response with albendazole.

Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system caused by larvae of Taenia solium. Spinal cysticercosis is an uncommon site of cysticercal infection, and isolated intramedullary involvement is even rarer. We present a case of 10-year-old girl who presented with gradual onset paraparesis with sensory loss and bowel and bladder incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of spine revealed a cystic lesion with mural nodule (scolex) which was diagnostic for cysticercosis. Patient was treated with antihelminthic, which led to marked clinico-radiological improvement.

Bilateral Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous: A Close Mimic of Retinoblastoma

Bilateral persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) is a rare disorder of eye. It is one of the most important differential diagnoses of retinoblastoma, hence early and accurate diagnosis is important. We here report a case of an 11-month-old child which was referred to ocular OPD with complaints of bilateral leukocoria. Examination revealed greyish-white masses posterior to both lenses, raising the clinical suspicion of retinoblastoma. Ultrasonography demonstrated echogenic masses extending from the posterior surface of the lens to the optic disc with reduced axial lengths. These masses demonstrated flow on color Doppler evaluation. CT scan revealed hyperdense masses behind the lens without any evidence of intralesional calcification. Clinical features and imaging findings point towards the diagnosis of bilateral PHPV. PHPV is a developmental disorder of the globe in which the hyaloid vasculature fails to regress normally. While unilateral PHPV is common, bilateral PHPV is a rare entity. It is one of the most important conditions mimicking retinoblastoma; hence early and accurate diagnosis is required. Ophthalmological examination is still the best way to confirm the diagnosis. However, if the diagnosis remain unclear, further evaluation using ultrasonography, Color Doppler, and CT scan is useful.

A rare case of partial diaphragmatic agenesis with thoracic liver herniation and anteriorly displaced intrathoracic kidney in an adult diagnosed by displaced diaphragmatic crus

Diaphragmatic agenesis is a rare anomaly and usually occurs in the early neonatal period. Its exact pathogenesis from the embryologic viewpoint is still unknown. Its presentation in adulthood is extremely rare, with only 7 cases of hemidiaphragmatic agenesis reported in adults. They are usually associated with herniation of abdominal contents and are predominantly left sided. We present a case of right hemidiaphragmatic agenesis with anteriorly displaced crus and intrathoracic herniation of kidney, which is anterior and rotated along the horizontal plane, with herniation of liver and colon. The position of the crus was instrumental in making a diagnosis of diaphragmatic agenesis and for which the patient was operated upon and the defect was repaired.

Image-guided fine-needle aspiration of retroperitoneal masses: The role of the cytopathologist

Background: Retroperitoneal tumors constitute a difficult diagnostic category as they are not easily accessible. The advent of image-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has resolved this problem significantly. Aims: We present a short study based on guided aspiration of retroperitoneal tumors, in which we have tried to assess the role of image-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology as a tool for pre-operative diagnosis. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on patients diagnosed with retroperitoneal masses. FNA was performed under image guidance with the help of ultrasonography and/or computed tomography; smears were prepared and meticulously screened according to a fixed protocol. The results were analyzed to determine sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic efficacy of cytopathological diagnosis using image-guided FNA techniques. Results: We assessed 38 patients with retroperitoneal masses. In all cases, adequate cellular material was obtained. No major complications were encountered. Statistical analysis was carried out in 35 cases; sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were 100% in these cases. Conclusion: FNA under image guidance should be considered a first-line diagnostic approach for retroperitoneal and other abdominal tumors, although caution should be exercised in case selection. In areas where advanced tests are not available, the cytotechnologist and cytopathologist have a very important role to play in ensuring accurate diagnoses.