Minimally invasive extended thymectomy for thymoma associated with pure red cell aplasia.

Anaemia characterised by near absence of red cell precursors in the bone marrow is referred to as "pure red cell aplasia (PRCA)." It has an unusual and intriguing association with thymoma and auto-immunity. Here, we report such a case which was successfully treated with extended thymectomy by minimally invasive approach. A 68-year-old anaemic lady presented to our institute with weakness and exertional dyspnoea for almost a year. She was transfused with blood for the same periodically but remained transfusion dependent. Apart from pallor, her systemic examination was unremarkable. Peripheral smear showed reduced haemoglobin (Hb) mass and reduced reticulocytes. Bone marrow biopsy implied PRCA. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of thorax revealed a well-defined soft tissue lesion in the anterior mediastinum suggesting thymoma. Biopsy showed lymphocyte-rich type thymoma. Thymus along with fibrofatty tissue was resected completely using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approach. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed World Health Organisation (WHO) type B1-thymoma. Immediate post-operative period was uneventful. However, a fall in Hb which required blood transfusions necessitated initiation of immunosuppression with corticosteroids. Patient was given 6 weeks of adjuvant immunosuppression with corticosteroids. After 8 months post-thymectomy, she was leading a symptom-free life and no longer in need for blood transfusions. VATS thymectomy is a safe and feasible approach for the treatment of thymoma-induced PRCA with added advantage of minimal invasive approach. Long-term complete remission is possible with adjuvant immunosuppression.

A rare case report of large B cell lymphoma in adult presentation as intussusception.

Adult intussusception represents 5% of all intussusceptions. Primary gastro-intestinal lymphoma comprises 1%-4% of all gastro- intestinal malignancies 90% of them are B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Most common NHL is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma accounts for 30-40%. Most common lymphoma causing intussusception is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We herein report a rare case of ileo-colic intussusception due to DLBCL in a 50- years-old male. Computed tomography showed ileo-colic intussusception with possibility of neoplastic etiology as a lead point. Hemicolectomy with ileo-colic anastomosis was done laparoscopically with post-operative chemotherapy. Subsequently, whole body positron emission tomography-computed tomography verified complete resolution of the malignancy. This study aims to present a rare case of ileo-colic intussusception due to non- Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma in a patient with unusual clinical course and highlight the importance of not only the timely surgical intervention but also the significance of strict adherence to follow up and chemotherapy will completely eradicate the malignancy.

Caffeine in children with obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have a higher rate of adverse post-extubation respiratory events, such as laryngospasm, upper airway obstruction, apnea, desaturation and/or need for re-intubation. They are overly sensitive to sedatives and narcotics. Although the etiology of OSA is primarily obstruction (mechanical or neuromuscular), a central element may contribute to OSA. Caffeine citrate has been shown to be effective in treating apnea of prematurity. This study evaluated whether the administration of caffeine benzoate to children with OSA decreases the number of children who experience adverse post-extubation respiratory events. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study, children with OSA scheduled for adenotonsillectomy (T&A) received either caffeine benzoate, 20 mg/kg IV, (caffeine group, n = 36) or saline (placebo group, n = 36). The primary outcome evaluated the number of children who developed adverse post-extubation respiratory events, and the secondary outcome was the incidence of those events. RESULTS: The results demonstrated the two groups differed in the number of children who developed adverse post-extubation respiratory events (p = 0.032). The overall incidence of adverse postoperative respiratory events was less in the caffeine group than the placebo group (p = 0.0196). CONCLUSION: In children with OSA scheduled for T&A, administration of caffeine benzoate, 20 mg/kg IV, decreased the number of children who developed adverse post-extubation respiratory events and decreased the overall incidence of adverse post-extubation respiratory events. PACU duration, hospital discharge time and postoperative delirium did not differ between groups.