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Biomedical subjects

P Raj

Publications and source records attributed to P Raj.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Role of skeletal scintigraphy in advanced retinoblastomas.

PURPOSE: To document the incidence of skeletal metastases exclusively in advanced cases of retinoblastoma and to rationalize the use of preoperative skeletal scintigraphy in such patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preoperative bone scans of 36 consecutive patients with advanced retinoblastoma who underwent skeletal scintigraphy during 1998 to 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. Bone scans were classified as: Grade 1 (high probability scan for skeletal metastases), Grade 2 (equivocal malignant or benign abnormalities), or Grade 3 (normal or certainly benign lesions). RESULTS: Grade 1 scan was found in 3 (8.33%) patients; bone metastases were confirmed by additional investigations. Grade 2 scan was found in 5 (13.88%) patients; bone metastases were excluded in all by additional investigations. Grade 3 scan was found in the remaining 28 (77.77%) patients. Extraorbital extension of disease was demonstrated by fine needle aspiration of lymph nodes in five patients, which included all three patients with Grade 1 scan. In addition to lymph node metastases, two patients had intracranial extension of the disease; demonstrated by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the head. One patient had liver metastases detected on abdominal ultrasound. None of the patients had skeletal metastases only. CONCLUSION: Routine preoperative bone scan is not justified in patients with locally advanced retinoblastoma. Bone scan should only be performed in patients with documented extraocular metastatic disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Application of radiofrequency treatment in practical pain management: state of the art.

Many therapeutic interventions for chronic pain are available, and decisions about optimal management are not easy to make. Radiofrequency (RF) treatment is classified as a percutaneous minimal invasive procedure for patients who do not respond to appropriate medical and physical therapy. Although RF treatment is widely used differences in current practice exist due to ongoing controversies.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Bilateral cortical blindness: an unusual complication following unilateral neck dissection.

We present the case of a 50-year-old man who developed bilateral cortical blindness and confusion following a seemingly uneventful right-sided radical neck dissection. Computed tomography (CT) scans confirmed bilateral occipital lobe infarctions. To our knowledge, there are no previously documented reports of this clinical event following head and neck surgical procedures. Although this is a rare occurrence, otolaryngologists should be aware of this potential post-operative complication. The possible aetiologies of this condition are discussed.

Blindness, Cortical↗
PubMed2001

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with early cirrhosis.

Traditionally, cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients has been reserved for patients with severe biliary disease, because of the high morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients undergoing this procedure. Laparoscopic cholecytectomy (LC) was originally contraindicated in cirrhotic patients because of the associated portal hypertension and coagulopathy. This study examined the safety of LC in Child's class A patients.A review was conducted of all patients with cirrhosis who underwent cholecystectomy at our hospital between 1990 and 1998.Fifteen patients with cirrhosis had their gallbladder removed laparoscopically during that time period. All patients were Child's class A. The average age was 59 (range, 36-85). The operative indications included acute cholecystitis (5 patients), biliary pacreatitis (4 patients), biliary colic (5 patients), and cholangitis (1 patients). Six patients had known cirrhosis, and 9 were examined intraoperatively. The average operative time was 105 minutes. None of the patients required a blood transfusion. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. No deaths occurred. Postoperative stay was 3 days or less in all but 3 patients.These results compare favorably to other published studies from outside of the United States. Based on our findings, we believe LC can be performed safely in patients with class A cirrhosis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Subdural blood patch for the treatment of persistent CSF leak after permanent intrathecal catheter implantation: a report of two cases.

A CSF leak that persists despite conservative therapy may significantly increase the morbidity associated with implantable intrathecal drug delivery systems. This report presents 2 cases where the application of a subdural blood patch led to the satisfactory resolution of a persistent CSF leak after previous epidural blood patches had failed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

De novo laryngeal carcinoma in childhood.

Numerous factors contribute towards a late diagnosis of laryngeal malignancy in childhood. These include its rarity, the similarity of its early symptoms to those of other benign, common childhood conditions as well as the relative difficulty encountered during paediatric laryngeal examination. We believe that these cases are of sufficient interest when they occur to warrant reporting since the consequences of late diagnosis in these young patients can be serious. We present a case of an 11-year-old boy with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (T3N0M0), who was successfully treated with primary total laryngectomy and bilateral selective neck dissections to avoid the potential additional morbidity of radical radiotherapy.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed2000

A prospective study of nasal disease in adult cystic fibrosis.

Twenty-six adult cystic fibrosis patients were studied to compare nasal disease with their laboratory correlates including skin testing, immunoglobulin and Aspergillus fumigatus precipitin levels, saccharin testing and sputum cultures. Six patients were asymptomatic and all of these had negative skin tests, normal IgE levels and negative Aspergillus fumigatus precipitins. Thirteen patients had rhinitis, 12 had positive skin-testing for common allergens, 10 elevated IgE levels and nine positive Aspergillus fumigatus precipitins. Seven patients had polyps, all had normal IgE levels and negative Aspergillus fumigatus precipitins, six had positive skin testing for common allergens. There also appeared to be a relationship between Pseudomonas spp. colonization and positive skin testing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Minimising radiation dose to the lens in axial computed tomography of the temporal.

In this study, 25 randomly selected CT scans of temporal bones performed in a busy radiology department were retrospectively analysed with particular attention paid to the number of sections passing through the orbits. Thirteen examinations were found to include sections through the eyes, thereby resulting in unnecessary radiation to the lens. The importance of proper scanning technique is therefore emphasised. The mean radiation dose to the eyes in axial CT examination of the temporal bones was determined by the use of thermoluminescent dosimeters taped to the eyelids. The authors concluded that appropriate scanning techniques can reduce the radiation dose to the orbit whilst imaging the temporal bone. All the relevant information can usually be obtained without any of the sections passing through the lens. The radiation dose to the lens was increased when additional sections were performed to obtain information about the jugular fossa.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

Primary leiomyoma of the liver.

This case report describes a primary hepatic leiomyoma presenting as a mass lesion detected on ultrasonography of the abdomen in an asymptomatic hepatitis B carrier on routine surveillance. Primary leiomyomata of the liver are rare occurrences, with only 9 cases reported in the literature. The presenting features of primary hepatic leiomyomata and diagnostic approach towards such lesions are discussed. The significance of such tumours in the immunocompromised is also mentioned.

Carrier State↗
PubMed1999

Nasal haemophilic pseudotumour.

Haemophilic pseudotumour or haemophilic cyst is a rare complication of haemophilia, occurring in one to two per cent of individuals with a severe factor VIII or IX deficiency. We report a case of a haemophilic pseudotumour in a hitherto unreported site, the bony nasal pyramid, and believe this case is also unique on account of it having occurred in a patient with mild haemophilia. The diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition is also reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Successful treatment of rhinocerebral mucormycosis by a combination of aggressive surgical debridement and the use of systemic liposomal amphotericin B and local therapy with nebulized amphotericin--a case report.

A case of mucormycosis involving the nose and paranasal sinuses in a 55-year-old man with recently diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukaemia is reported. It was successfully treated with a combination of aggressive surgical debridement and systemic amphotericin B. In addition, local nebulized amphotericin B was used as an adjunct to therapy. We believe this is only the second documented use of nebulized amphotericin in the management of sinonasal mucormycosis. The need for a high index of suspicion and early aggressive management is emphasized.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1998

Complex Regional Pain Syndromes: guidelines for therapy.

This report aims to present an orderly approach to the treatment of Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) types I and II through an algorithm. The central theme is functional restoration: a coordinated but progressive approach that introduces each of the treatment modalities needed to achieve both remission and rehabilitation. Reaching objective and measurable rehabilitation goals is an essential element. Specific exercise therapy to reestablish function after musculoskeletal injury is central to this functional restoration. Its application to CRPS is more contingent on varying rates of progress that characterize the restoration of function in patients with CRPS. Also, the various modalities that may be used, including analgesia by pharmacologic means or regional anesthesia or the use of neuromodulation, behavioral management, and the qualitatively different approaches that are unique to the management of children with CRPS, are provided only to facilitate functional improvement in a stepwise but methodical manner. Patients with CRPS need an individual approach that requires extreme flexibility. This distinguishes the management of these conditions from other well-described medical conditions having a known pathophysiology. In particular, the special biopsychosocial factors that are critical to achieving a successful outcome are emphasized. This algorithm is a departure from the contemporary heterogeneous approach to treatment of patients with CRPS. The underlying principles are motivation, mobilization, and desensitization facilitated by the relief of pain and the use of pharmacologic and interventional procedures to treat specific signs and symptoms. Self-management techniques are emphasized, and functional rehabilitation is the key to the success of this algorithm.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1997

Microwave fixation of rabies specimens for fluorescent antibody testing.

An adaptation of the conventional procedure for fixation of brain impressions prior to rabies testing was developed using a microwave oven to fix slides in less than 1 min. A total of 2394 routine specimens were examined to evaluate the efficacy of microwave fixation of brain impressions as an aid to shortening the turnaround time for reporting. Slides were fixed for 55-60 s in a standard household microwave oven at 50%, power using phosphate buffered saline supplemented with 3% Tween 20 as a fixative medium. They were then stained using the standard rabies immunofluorescent staining procedure with minor modifications. This process potentially could allow results to be reported to submitters within 1.5 h after specimens arrive in the laboratory. Microwave fixation was in complete agreement with conventional acetone fixation for detection of positive rabies specimens.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Cystic duct stabilization during laparoscopic exploration and stone removal.

A modification of the standard method for cystic duct stabilization is presented. A percutaneously placed suture is used to loop and stabilize the cystic duct. The suture is secured outside the abdominal wall at the skin level using a clamp. Percutaneous suture stabilization of the cystic duct provides an alternative method of common bile duct stabilization when laparoscopic choledochotomy is required. By using this method, we can easily stabilize the cystic duct without the need for additional trocars and simplify the use of the choledochoscope.

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic↗
PubMed1994

Laparoscopic management of appendiceal intussusception associated with villous adenocarcinoma.

The authors present a case of appendiceal intussusception, a rare finding that can be associated with appendiceal neoplasms. A 74-year-old woman with right lower quadrant abdominal pain was found to have an appendiceal intussusception associated with a villous adenocarcinoma and was managed with a laparoscopic assisted right hemicolectomy. This case is presented along with a review of the symptoms, diagnosis, classification, and appropriate management of this entity via laparoscopy.

Adenocarcinoma↗