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Penetrating head injury is a life threatening condition. In the workplace, these are mostly non missile type, low velocity civilian injuries caused by sharp objects. Angle grinders are used to cut stones, metal etc, and cause penetrating head injuries due to shattered rotating discs from the grinder at home and workplaces. We report a series of three cases of penetrating head injuries due to unsafe use of angle grinders. The relevant literature is reviewed and management of such cases is discussed.

ACTH secreting pituitary adenomas are rare occurrences in autoptical, surgical and neuroradiological series. We herewith describe a series of four patients of Cushing’s disease due to ACTH secreting pituitary microadenoma. All patients presented with signs and symptoms of hypercortisolism. Hormonal testing and bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling were indicative of pituitary-dependent Cushing`s syndrome. Dynamic sellar MRI was suggestive of asymmetric pituitary, with suspect pituitary microadenoma in all cases. Three patients were operated for endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery, while one patient refused surgery and was managed with ketoconazole. During postoperative period, remission of hypercortisolism was ensured in two patients, while one patient continued to have raised levels of cortisol. One patient with raised levels of cortisol during postoperative period was prescribed Ketoconazole for 6 months. Histopathology confirmed the presence of pituitary adenoma. Adenoma displayed ACTH immunoreactivity. Our cases indicate that ACTH secreting pituitary microadenoma may occur in patients with Cushing̓s disease. Careful radiological, surgical and pathological examination is necessary to recognize this condition and avoid surgical failure.

Introduction Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) also known as MISME syndrome stands for multiple inherited schwannomas, meningiomas, and ependymomas in the peripheral and central nervous system. It is a rare disorder of autosomal dominant inheritance due to mutations of a tumor-suppressor gene on the chromosome 22q12. Clinically, it is characterized by multiple benign tumors arising in both the central and peripheral nervous system, particularly from the bilateral vestibular nerve, in more than 90% of the patients, with more than two thirds of them developing spinal tumors. Materials and Methods Here, we studied the variable presentations of cases of NF2, and thorough evaluation of patients was done by contrast MRI of brain and spine. Also, evaluation of ocular manifestations and cutaneous features was done in cases of NF2, and a follow-up was done for a period of 18 months with monitoring of cranial and spinal lesions. Conclusion We studied the various presentations of NF2 and found that a significant proportion of the patients presented with nonvestibular tumors as the initial presentation, with bilateral cerebellopontine angle lesions being an incidental finding; also, the age of presentation in half of the patients was less than 30 years, and so we can conclude that in young patients with spinal tumors or multiple meningiomas, a thorough evaluation regarding family history and various features of NF2 should be done, so that early identification of the disease could be done and patients can be benefitted from timely interventions.

Background and Aim of Study Coagulopathy is a common occurrence following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Various studies have reported the incidence and risk factors of coagulopathy and their correlation with poor outcome in adult as well as pediatric age group. In our study, we aim to analyze trauma-induced coagulopathy in adult and pediatric patients. Methods Adult (> 18 years) and pediatric (< 18 years) patients of TBI admitted in the intensive care unit of a trauma center of a tertiary care center had been studied from August 2015 to March 2018. Patients were further subdivided into moderate and severe TBI based on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 9 to 12 and < 9, respectively. Coagulation profile (prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT], thrombin time, fibrinogen, and D-dimer) and arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis were done on day of admission and on days 3 and 7. Coagulation profiles were analyzed in both the age groups, and risk factors were studied and correlated with the mortality and morbidity based on the Glasgow outcome score. Results Two hundred patients including 143 adults and 57 pediatric patients were included. Mean age among the adult and pediatric population was 31.51 ± 16.83 and 11.5 ± 5.90 years, respectively. In adults, 96 (83.62%) out of 116 in severe TBI group and 20 (74.07%) out of 27 in moderate TBI group developed coagulopathy, and in pediatric age group, 14 (70%) out of 20 in moderate TBI and 30 (81.08%) out of 37 in severe TBI developed coagulopathy. Midline shift was significantly associated with coagulopathy in both the age groups (p value < 0.039). Mortality was not significantly different in patients with coagulopathy between the age groups, but improved status as per the Glasgow outcome score was more in pediatric age group. Conclusion The development of coagulopathy is a frequent complication in patients with moderate to severe TBI in both age groups. Even though it is not closely associated with death in this study, it may be regarded as a marker of injury severity.