Munna Lal Patel

Acute renal failure in pregnancy: Tertiary centre experience from north Indian population

Background: Obstetrical acute renal failure ARF is now a rare entity in the developed countries but still a common occurrence in developing countries. Delay in the diagnosis and late referral is associated with increased mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the contributing factors responsible for pregnancy-related acute kidney failure, its relation with mortality and morbidity and outcome measures in these patients. Materials and Methods: Total 520 patients of ARF of various aetiology were admitted, out of these 60 (11.5%) patients were pregnancy-related acute renal failure. Results: ARF Acute renal failure occurred in 32 (53.3%) cases in early part of their pregnancy, whereas in 28 (46.7%) cases in later of the pregnancy. Thirty-two (53.3%) patients had not received any antenatal visit, and had home delivery, 20 (33.4%) patients had delivered in hospitals but without antenatal care and eight (13.3%) patients received antenatal care and delivered in the hospitals. Anuria was observed in 23 (38.3%) cases, remaining 37 (61.7%) cases presented with oliguria. Septicemia was present in 25 (41.7%), hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in 20 (33.3%), haemorrhage in eight (13.3%), abortion in 5 (8.3%), haemolysis elevated liver enzymes low platelets counts (HELLP) syndrome in one (1.67%) and disseminated intravascular coagulation in one (1.67%). (61.7%) patients were not dialyzed, 33 (55%) recovered normal renal function with conservative treatment. Complete recovery was observed in 45 (75%) patients, five (8.4%) patients developed irreversible renal failure. Maternal mortality was nine (15%) and foetal loss was 25 (41.7%). Conclusion: Pregnancy-related ARF is usually a consequence of obstetric complications; it carries very high morbidity and mortality.

Genital tuberculosis with variable presentation: a series of three cases.

Tuberculosis (TB) is still frequently observed in third-world countries like Africa and Asia. Here we report three cases of genital TB with variable presentation. First case was a lady of reproductive age group who presented with polymenorrhagia and postcoital bleeding with unhealthy cervix. Histopathology of cervical tissue revealed tubercular cervicitis. Second and third cases presented with different complaints like discharge per vaginum, postcoital bleeding and pain in lower abdomen with growth over the cervix. Cervical biopsy was inconclusive of TB but endometrial tissue sampling for TB PCR was positive. This shows that newer diagnostic marker test can help us to detect secondary genital TB.

Outcomes in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the North Indian population.

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy seriously endanger the safety of the mother and fetus during pregnancy. Very few studies have explored hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in India, even though this disease has been associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the disease pattern and risk factors associated with the disorder and assess the maternal and fetal outcomes in cases of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Subjects and methods: This case-control study was carried out over 1 year from 2011 to 2012 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 149 patients were enrolled in the study. As seven were lost to follow-up, analysis was carried out on 142 cases. Patients were further classified according to the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group (2000) as having mild preeclampsia (65 cases), severe preeclampsia (32 cases), or eclampsia (45 cases). Thirty-one healthy pregnant non-hypertensive women were enrolled into the study as controls. Results: The most common manifestation was edema, seen in 90% of cases. Proteinuria was also relatively common, 26.76% of patients with proteinuria of ≥300 mg/24 hours, 47.88% with proteinuria of ≥2 g/24 hours, and 25.35% with a urinary protein excretion of 3–5 g/24 hours. Central nervous system involvement was observed in 42.2% of cases, elevated bilirubin levels in 47.0%, visual symptoms in 6.4%, vaginal bleeding in 11.3%, and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome was reported in 2.80%. Maternal deaths occurred in 2.8% of cases, all of which were from the eclampsia group. Stillbirths occurred in 16.9% of cases, and overall neonatal death observed in 4.23% of cases. Conclusion: Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were more prone to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes than normotensive pregnant women, but we observed a decreasing trend in the present study compared with that reported in other studies, which might be due to the increased number of hospital deliveries that occurred in our study.

Prognostic Significance of Estimation of Pseudocholinesterase Activity and Role of Pralidoxime Therapy in Organophosphorous Poisoning

Background: Organophosphorous (OP) poisoning is one of the most common poisonings seen in India. OP compounds act through inhibition of enzyme acetylcholinesterase and estimation of pseudocholinesterase (PCE) activity strengthens the diagnosis in clinically uncertain cases of OP poisoning. The role of pralidoxime (PAM) therapy in OP poisoning has been controversial. Study Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the prognostic significance of estimation of PCE activity and also to assess the role of PAM therapy in OP poisoning. Materials and Methods: Patients of suspected OP poisoning of age >12 years admitted to emergency unit at a tertiary healthcare center of north India were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups; group A who were given intravenous atropine and group B who were given injectable PAM along with atropine. Serum PCE level was estimated at the time of admission in all patients and severity of OP poisoning was assessed according to PCE level. Requirement of atropine, oxygen inhalation, intubation and ventilatory support, total hospital stay, and mortality were compared between different classes of severity and also between Groups A and B. Results: This study included a total of 70 subjects, 35 in each group with mean age of 24.99 ± 8.7 years. Out of 70 subjects 49 (70%) were male and 21 (30%) were female. Forty nine patients (70%) of OP poisoning were with suicidal intent while 21 (30%) cases were accidentally poisoned. In all suicidal cases route of poisoning was ingestion whereas in all the accidental cases route of exposure was inhalational. PCE levels were reduced in all the cases and the mean level was 3,154.16 ± 2,562.40 IU/L. The total dose of atropine required, need for oxygen inhalation and need for intubation and ventilatory support, mean duration of hospital stay and mortality rate (P = 0.003) were higher in moderate to severe cases and did not have significant difference between Groups A and B. Conclusion: The study recommends estimation of PCE level at admission to classify severity of OP poisoning and to estimate prognosis. This study did not find any beneficial role of PAM therapy in reducing morbidity as well as mortality.

Diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum soluble endoglin levels in preeclampsia and eclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder of unknown etiology that affects 4–5% of all pregnancies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of serum soluble endoglin (sEng) in preeclampsia and eclampsia and also to evaluate its prognostic significance. Materials and Methods: This prospective case–control study carried out over a period of 1 year in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, King George Medical University, Lucknow. After written informed consent and ethical clearance, total 90 subjects were enrolled. Among them, 30 subjects of eclampsia, 15 of nonsevere preeclampsia, 15 of severe preeclampsia served as cases, and 30 healthy pregnant normotensive women served as controls. Levels were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique in both cases and controls. Results: Mean level was highest in eclampsia group (14.96 ± 1.96 ng/mL) and lowest in controls (2.08 ± 0.56 ng/mL). At cut-off value of sEng levels of ≥6.26 ng/mL, it was found to be 100% sensitive and 100% specific for the diagnosis of preeclampsia (area under curve =1) at 95% confidence interval. sEng levels were strongly correlated with systolic (r = 0.928) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.916), serum lactate dehydrogenase (r = 0.791) and serum uric acid (r = 0.722). All four maternal deaths were reported within eclampsia group, in whom the mean sEng level was significantly higher (17.84 ± 0.22) as compared to other subjects (9.50 ± 5.80). Conclusion: sEng is a novel marker for diagnosis of preeclampsia, and it can also be used as a prognostic marker to predict the severity of preeclampsia.

Relation of glycated hemoglobin with carotid atherosclerosis in ischemic stroke patients: An observational study in Indian population

Context: Glycated hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) indicates long-term uncontrolled hyperglycemia in the body, which in diabetic patients leads to various vascular complications as a part of generalized atherosclerosis culminating ultimately into ischemic stroke. Aims: Study aims to show the association between marker of uncontrolled long-term hyperglycemia HbA1c and marker of atherosclerosis (Carotid intima media thickness [CIMT] and carotid plaque) in ischemic stroke patients. Subjects and Methods: Carotid sonography using high resolution 7.5 MHz sonography technique was done in each patient to find the occurrence of increased CIMT and presence of plaque according to Mannheim CIMT Consensus (2004-2006). Levels of HbA1c measured in blood in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients and a comparison made between them. Finally an association sought between HbA1c levels with CIMT and plaque. Results: The average value of HbA1c of this cohort was 7.51 ± 1.75% with higher values in diabetic patients (9.29 ± 1.73%). The patients with high CIMT (>0.8 mm) had higher values of HbA1c then that of normal CIMT patients and this was nearly significantly (P = 0.06). However, HbA1c levels of blood were significantly associated with stroke patients with presence of carotid arteries plaque (P = 0.008). Conclusions: Prediction of future risk and prevention strategies for ischemic stroke could be formulated by utilizing HbA1c levels in both diabetic and non-diabetic population.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a biomarker of disease progression in patients with chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with early mortality, decreased quality of life and increased health care expenditures. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not urinary NGAL (uNGAL) level is associated with renal damage and kidney disease progression in patients with CKD and to evaluate the predictive value of uNGAL in progression of CKD. Totally, 91 cases of CKD stage II, III, IV, and 50 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. The follow-up end-point was 18 months; end-point of the study was progression to an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <15 ml/min and/or CKD stage V. Forty-five cases (49.4%) were progressors and 46 were nonprogressors. uNGAL levels were significantly higher in CKD subjects as compared to healthy controls (log 1.09 ± 0.22 μg/ml in controls versus log 1.22 ± 2.08 μg/ml in stage II, log 3.34 ± 2.74 μg/ml in stage III and log 3.70 ± 0.18 μg/ml in stage IV). Univariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that only eGFR (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–0.96; P < 0.001) and uNGAL (HR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01–1.20; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with end-point of CKD stage V, but multiple Cox proportional regression model showed significant association of uNGAL (HR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.01–1.20; P < 0.001) and eGFR (HR: 0.962, 95% CI: 0.95–0.98; P < 0.001) with end-point of CKD stage V. This suggests that uNGAL would not be a simple surrogate index of baseline eGFR, but a marker of CKD progression beyond the information provided by eGFR estimation.

Schwannoma of the brachial plexus: a rare cause of monoparesis

Schwannomas, also referred as neurilemmomas, are benign, encapsulated perineural tumour of neuroectdermal derivative that originate from the schwan cells of the neural sheath of motor and sensory peripheral nerves. About 25% of schwannomas occur in the head and neck region,1 usually involving cranial nerves and sympathetic chain; however, brachial plexus schwannomas are uncommon, occurring in 0.3–0.4/100 000 person per year.2–4 Their malignant potential is low, they can be locally destructive if allowed to progress. Primary tumours of the brachial plexus are unusual. Patients commonly seek medical attention because of pain and loss of function of the affected part of the body. We report a case of schwannoma arising from left brachial plexus and presented as monoparesis of left upper limb. A young …

Diagnostic accuracy of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in patients with septic acute kidney injury

Background Sepsis is the most common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Very few studies have investigated the predictive properties of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) as a marker of AKI in septic patients. The aim of this study is to examine uNGAL in septic patients with and without AKI and to evaluate its predictive value. Methods We prospectively studied 155 patients with sepsis over a period of 1 year. Urine was analyzed for neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin at 12, 24, and 48 hours after admission. Patients with <24-hour stay and those with chronic kidney disease were excluded. AKI was classified according to the Acute Kidney Injury Network guidelines. Results The differences in mean change of uNGAL at 12, 24, and 48 hours were 80.00±7.00 ng/mL and 128.13±22.46 ng/mL, respectively in septic AKI, and 02.07±0.80 ng/mL and 26.13±15.12 ng/mL, respectively in septic non-AKI. At baseline or 12 hours, the cutoff value of 34.32 ng/mL had a sensitivity and specificity of 86.36 and 80.60, respectively and an area under curve of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.73–0.89) for predicting AKI. At the cutoff value 199.99 ng/mL sensitivity and specificity of 90.0 and 64.66, respectively and an area under curve of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.75–0.88) for predicting AKI. Conclusion The baseline or 12-hour uNGAL is highly sensitive but a less specific predictor of AKI in septic patients.

Impact of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness on Long-term Outcome in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis are highly prone to cardiovascular disease, which accounts for roughly half of the mortality in these patients. Atherosclerosis begins many years before the development of clinical manifestations. Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a noninvasive procedure to detect early atherosclerotic changes. Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between CIMT and cardiovascular risk factors and to investigate its prognostic significance in CKD patients on hemodialysis. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study carried out over a period of 18 months. Total 88 patients on hemodialysis and 50 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Biochemical assay and CIMT was assessed using the high resolution 7.5 MHz sonography technique in all subjects. Results: Significant positive correlation was found with age, blood urea, serum creatinine, serum triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, serum phosphorus, serum calcium-phosphorus product, serum uric acid, 24 h urine protein, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and body mass index. Negative correlation was found with estimated glomerular filtration rate. Adjusted hazards ratios of all cause and cardiovascular mortality for an increase of 0.1 mm in CIMT was 1.16 (95% confidence interval 0.15-9.09). Patients with CIMT value <0.97 mm had a renal survival rate of 73.4% while patients with value >0.97 mm had a renal survival rate of 16.5%. Conclusion: Uremia is an additive risk factors in those subjects who have raised CIMT despite of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.