Context: Dengue fever frequently causes thrombocytopenia for which there is no satisfactory treatment. Aim: To evaluate the effect of vitamin E on thrombocytopenia in dengue fever. Settings and Design: A tertiary teaching hospital during a recent outbreak of dengue fever in the area. Materials and Methods: Patients of dengue fever (as per WHO criteria) with thrombocytopenia and platelet counts between 10 × 10 3 /mm 3 and 100 × 10 3 /mm 3 seen during were enrolled. After detailed history and clinical evaluation, the patients were randomized to two groups -group I which received vitamin E 400 mg (Evion, Merck) once daily along with standard treatment and group II which received standard treatment only. The platelet counts, bleeding manifestations, requirement for platelet transfusion were serially monitored for up to 1 week in these cases. Statistical Analysis Used: Percentage, mean, standard error of mean, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chi-square test. Results: We enrolled 66 cases (group I -33 and group II -33). Mean platelet count at baseline in both the groups was similar (group I -28.39 ± 1.61 × 10 3 /mm 3 and group II -27.64 ± 1.65 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) (P > 0.05). We observed that the mean platelet count on day 4 in group I (vitamin E) was significantly higher (Mean -122.19 ± 9.98 × 10 3 /mm 3 ; CI 95% -102.63 × 10 3 /mm 3 -141.76 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) than in group II (Mean -92.57 ± 7.93 × 10 3 /mm 3 ; CI 95% -77.03 × 10 3 /mm 3 -108.11 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) (P = 0.0436). Similar findings were also observed on day 7 in the two groups. Platelet transfusion was required in less cases in group I [2 out of 33 (6.06%)] as compared to group II [5 out of 33 (15.15%)]. Conclusion: We conclude that vitamin E is beneficial in thrombocytopenia in dengue fever and results in faster increase in the platelet counts.
Rabies is known for most as a fatal infectious disease, mainly transmitted to both humans and animals through bites by rabid animals. In its classical form, rabies is well recognised, but when it presents atypically in paralytic form, it may become difficult to distinguish from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) or myelitis, particularly where history is not forthcoming or concealed. The authors report here an atypical case of paralytic rabies presenting with descending paralysis followed by furious form where clue to suspicion was MRI findings. Imaging in rabies is seldom done. MRI findings of rabies encephalitis are well known, but in myelitis these need to be further characterised. The authors present MRI findings in a confirmed case of rabies myelitis. The differential diagnosis of the imaging findings as well as the role and the relevance of imaging in the diagnosis of this disease are discussed.
Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the most preferable surgical procedure worldwide. LC is not completely risk-free and 2 to 15% of attempted LC procedures have to be converted to open cholecystectomy. The aim of the study was to assess the predictors of difficult LC procedures and for knowing the impact of difficult LC procedures on post-cholecystectomy syndrome and quality of life of patients.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on patients who underwent LC. Clinical, demographic, radiological and biochemical parameters along with detailed history of patients were documented. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was then done on patients using standard technique. Level of difficulty in LC procedure was assessed and graded. Occurrence of post-cholecystectomy syndrome was investigated and quality of patient’s life was assessed using SF-36 inventory.Results: The difficulty rate in LC procedure was observed to be 17.4%. The clinical predictors of difficult LC procedures were old age and prior history of abdominal surgery. Contracted gall bladder, peripancreatic fluid and thick gallbladder wall were radiological predictors and presence of adhesions, longer duration of surgery and conversion to open procedures were intraoperative predictors of difficult LC procedures. Early PCS was affected by difficult LC procedures; though with passage of time it reduced. Post-operative quality of life was affected more by PCS incidence than the difficult LC procedure.Conclusions: The findings of the study would help in anticipating predictors of difficult LC procedures and in understanding the phenomenology and determinants of PCS along with its relationship with operative difficulty and quality of life of patients.
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