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Biomedical subjects

K L Ratnam

Publications and source records attributed to K L Ratnam.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Spondylocostal dysostosis.

Spondylocostal dysostosis is a rare condition characterized by short stature due to a short trunk, multiple morphological abnormalities of the vertebrae and ribs due to malsegmentation of the axial skeleton. Radiological features include reduced number of vertebrae and ribs, hemivertebrae, fused or sagitally cleft vertebrae or multiple rib fusions. Three distinct clinical entities are described. We report nine cases of this syndrome, seven were infants and presented with an abnormal shape of the thorax. Two of them had a meningocoele, and one succumbed to the CNS anomalies on the third day of life. The other two cases were two and eight years of age. Cardiac lesion was detected in one case and renal malformations in three cases. Reduction in the rib number was present in all cases, and rib fusion in seven cases. Thoracic vertebral dysegmentation was noted in all, lumbar in three and cervical in one case. This is the first large series from India. No clear single etiology was established.

Abnormalities, Multiple

Portal venous pressure and the serum-ascites albumin concentration gradient.

CLINICAL ISSUE: Other investigators have found the serum-ascites albumin concentration gradient to be 1.1 g/dL or greater in the presence of portal hypertension and less than that in its absence. OBJECTIVE: To determine if any correlation exists between the serum-ascites albumin concentration gradient (which reflects the net serum oncotic pressure) and the portal venous pressure. METHODS: The study group comprised 15 patients who had alcoholic cirrhosis. The portal venous pressure was calculated as the difference between the measured hepatic venous wedge and inferior vena cava pressures and was expressed as the hepatic venous pressure gradient. SUMMARY: All patients had portal hypertension; the mean hepatic venous pressure gradient was 14.81 +/- 6.91 (SD) mm Hg. Fourteen of the 15 patients had a serum-ascites albumin concentration gradient of at least 1.1 g/dL; the mean value was 2.168 +/- .709 g/dL. No correlation was found between these variables (r = .0459, P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the serum-ascites albumin concentration gradient is a sensitive indicator of portal hypertension in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, it does not reflect the portal venous pressure.

Albumins

Isthmico-cervical ectopic pregnancy following caesarean section.

A 30 year old woman (gravida 4, para 2) presented with 2 1/2 mth amenorrhoea and vaginal spotting. On bimanual pelvic examination, an old tear was felt on posterior cervical lip with enlarged cervix and normal sized uterus. Ultrasonography revealed ectopic pregnancy with placenta implanted on isthmus and upper cervix. Dilatation and curettage was done with cervical packing.

Adult