Santhosh Narayanan

Clinical and epidemiologic profile and predictors of outcome of poisonous snake bites – an analysis of 1,500 cases from a tertiary care center in Malabar, North Kerala, India

Background Snake bites are a neglected public health problem in all tropical countries, and particularly in Malabar region of Kerala, India. Demographic characteristics and clinical parameters vary in this part of the world, and studies based on them are scarce. Increased incidence of capillary leak syndrome (CLS) in hemotoxic snake bites and emergence of cases of hump-nosed pit viper (HNPV, Hypnale hypnale) envenomation are some notable features seen here. Objectives The study was conducted to assess the epidemiological profile and clinical features to identify factors contributing to outcome in patients with venomous snakebites. Materials and methods An observational cross-sectional study was done among patients with snakebite envenomation, admitted to Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, from January 2012 to October 2016. Results There were 1,500 cases of toxic snake bites, of which 65% of these cases were males. Forty eight percent of them were aged between 21 and 40 years. Hemotoxic snake bites predominated, accounting for 912 cases. Viperine bite was the most commonly observed snakebite, and 70% of this was due to Russell’s viper and 25% due to HNPV. Among the neurotoxic bites, common krait bites predominated. Overall mortality was 8.8%. CLS was the major cause of death (80%). The mean dose of antivenom given for neuroparalytic snakebite was 10.25 vials, and 18.5 vials for hemotoxic bites. Albuminuria, neutrophilic leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia, acute kidney injury (AKI), and early onset of symptoms were associated with poor outcome. Conclusion This study emphasizes the importance of snakebite as a significant threat to the community in the tropics. CLS in hemotoxic snake bites is the leading cause of mortality and is often refractory to any treatment measures. This study also brings to light the graveness of complications caused by HNPV envenomation. Anti-snake venom with activity against HNPV venom needs to be manufactured. Lack of awareness, delayed presentation to the hospital, and treatment by nonmedical personnel also add to the risk of mortality.

An unusual cause of orthopnoea-hashimoto's thyroiditis presenting as bilateral diaphragmatic palsy

We report a case of 36 yr old male without any comorbidities, who presented with a history of gradually progressive dyspnoea and orthopnoea for 6 months. Physical examination revealed bradycardia, paradoxical respiration suggestive of bilateral diaphragmatic palsy. Fluoroscopy demonstrated the presence of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. Etiological work up showed evidence of autoimmune hypothyroidism due to hashimotos thyroiditis. Other possibilities were ruled out with appropriate tests. He was started on thyroxine and showed symptomatic improvement.

Clinical, hematological, and cytogenetic profile of adult myelodysplastic syndrome in a tertiary care center

Background Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a disorder of clonal hematopoiesis, is an important clinical entity, but most of the studies available are conducted among the Western population. Its etiological factors and clinicohematological profile in the Indian population are quite diverse. The information regarding its prognostic factors and cytogenetics is very scarce. Objectives (1) To assess the clinicohematological profile, cytogenetics, prognostic factors, and outcome of MDS and (2) to study its progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the selected patients over the study period. Methods A prospective observational study was performed with patients from Department of Medicine and Hematology, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, who were diagnosed with MDS within the study period (from 1 January 2014 to 31 July 2015). Secondary causes of dysplasia were excluded. In possible cases, the international prognostic scoring system was followed. These patients were followed up for an additional 6 months to assess the progression of MDS to AML based on symptoms, signs, hemogram, or repeat peripheral smear/bone marrow studies. Results Of the 60 patients, 73% were aged >60 years. Disease was common in males, with a male:female ratio of 7:3. Thirty-five percent of the patients were working in agricultural and allied fields and had pesticide exposure. Patients with prior radiation exposure had significant association with adverse outcome. Fatigue was the prominent symptom and was reported by 90% of the patients. Blasts were >5% in peripheral smear; bone marrow cytopenia and dysplasia at the time of diagnosis had significant association with risk of transforming to AML. Refractory anemia (RA), observed in 22 patients, was the most common type of MDS. Most of the patients with RA with excess blasts type-1 and RA with excess blasts type-2 transformed to AML, and the association was statistically significant. Deletion of short arm of fifth chromosome (5q deletion) was detected in 11 patients. All of them showed good response to treatment with lenalidomide and had a favorable outcome. Conclusion This study highlights the various etiological factors, and the clinical profile of MDS seen in the Indian population. Cytogenetic analysis and application of the international prognostic scoring system has a significant bearing on the outcome, as exemplified by the response to lenalidomide in patients with 5q deletion. This study also indicates that proper diagnostic and prognostic assessment is necessary to institute appropriate therapeutic options.

Pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage following thrombolytic therapy

We report a case of a 58-year-old male without any comorbidities who was thrombolysed with streptokinase for acute anterior wall myocardial infarction and developed massive hemoptysis with dyspnea and imaging features showing bilateral alveolar infiltrates. He was diagnosed with pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage and treated conservatively. His condition improved, and follow-up imaging showed resolution. Alveolar hemorrhage is a rare and life-threatening complication of thrombolytic therapy.

Hypothermia due to limbic system involvement and longitudinal myelitis in a case of Japanese encephalitis: a case report from India

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is an infectious encephalitis prevalent in Asia. It usually presents with fever, headache, convulsions and extrapyramidal symptoms. Limbic system involvement and hypothermia though common in autoimmune encephalitis have never been reported in JE. We report a case of an 18-year-old girl with no previous comorbidities who presented to us with a history of fever and headache for 1 week duration. She developed bilateral lateral rectus palsy and asymmetric flaccid weakness of all four limbs, after 2 days of admission, which was followed by altered sensorium and intermittent hypothermia. Neuroimaging revealed longitudinal myelitis extending from pons till the L1 level along with bilateral thalamic hemorrhage in brain. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was positive for IgM antibody to JE virus. She was treated with supportive measures, but she developed intractable hypothermia and seizures and succumbed to illness after 2 weeks of admission.

The "black evil" affecting patients with diabetes: a case of rhino orbito cerebral mucormycosis causing Garcin syndrome

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infection affecting patients with diabetes. It is an angioinvasive disease often resistant to treatment with a debilitating course and high mortality. Here, we report a case of a 45 year old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented to us with history of right-sided ptosis and facial palsy, and subsequently developed loss of vision and palatal palsy. She was in diabetic ketoacidosis. Nervous system examination revealed involvement of right second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh, ninth, and tenth cranial nerves, suggestive of Garcin syndrome. The hard palate had been eroded with formation of black eschar. Computed tomography of paranasal sinuses revealed right maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis, with spread of inflammation to infratemporal fossa and parapharynygeal neck spaces. Debridement of sinus mucosa was done, and culture of the same yielded growth of rhizopus species. Histopathological examination of the tissue showed angioinvasion and fungal hyphae suggestive of mucormycosis. She was treated with amphotericin B, posaconazole, and periodic nasal sinus debridement, but her general condition worsened after 8 weeks due to secondary sepsis and she succumbed to death.

Tuberculosis presenting as bronchoesophageal fistula

We report a case of bronchoesophageal fistula associated with tuberculosis. A 25 year old woman presented to us with 3 month history of cough worsening with deglutition. Radiological examination revealed mediastinal lymphadenopathy and bronchoscopy with esophagoscopy confirmed the presence of fistulous communication with features of endobronchial tuberculosis. Histological examination of bronchial biopsy specimen showed non necrotic granuloma with the PCR positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in her bronchial secretions. She was begun on antituberculous treatment and became asymptomatic after 2 months. Bronchoscopy done during follow up after 4 months showed normal bronchial lumen with disappearance of fistulous tract. Imaging showed resolution of lung lesions.

A Case of Cortical Deafness due to Bilateral Heschl Gyrus Infarct

We report the case of a 58-year-old male who presented with an episode of seizure and abrupt onset hearing loss. Neuroimaging revealed acute infarcts in bilateral Heschl gyri. Objective tests of peripheral auditory function were essentially normal and a diagnosis of cortical deafness was made.