Comparison of Two Low-cost Methods of Cooling Neonates with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy.

Background: Several low-cost methods are used in resource-limited settings to provide therapeutic hypothermia in asphyxiated neonates. There is inadequate data about their efficacy and safety. This is a retrospective study comparing two low-cost cooling methods-frozen gel packs (FGP) and phase changing material (PCM). Results: There were 23 babies in FGP and 45 babies in the PCM group. Induction time was significantly shorter with FGP than PCM (45 vs. 90 minutes; p -value < 0.001). Proportion of temperature readings outside the target range was significantly higher (9.8% vs. 3.8%; p -value < 0.001) and fluctuation of core body temperature was wider (standard deviation of target temperature 0.4 °C vs. 0.28 °C) in the FGP group, compared with PCM group. Conclusion: Both FGP and PCM are effective and safe, comparable with standard servo-controlled cooling equipment. PCM has the advantage of better maintenance of target temperature with less nursing input, when compared with FGP.

Facility readiness in low and middle-income countries to address care of high risk/ small and sick newborns.

BACKGROUND: The successful promotion of facility births in low and middle-income countries has not always resulted in improved neonatal outcome. We evaluated key signal functions pertinent to Level II neonatal care to determine facility readiness to care for high risk/ small and sick newborns. METHOD: Facility readiness for care of high risk/ small and sick babies was determined through self-evaluation using a pre-designed checklist to determine key signal functions pertinent to Level II neonatal care in selected referral hospitals in Uganda (10), Indonesia (4) and India (2) with focus on the Sub-Saharan country with greater challenges. RESULTS: Most facilities reported having continuous water supply, resources for hand hygiene and waste disposal. Delivery rooms had newborn corners for basic neonatal resuscitation, but few practiced proper reprocessing of resuscitation equipment. Birth weight records were not consistently maintained in the Ugandan hospitals. In facilities with records of birth weights, more than half (51.7%) of newborns admitted to the neonatal units weighed 2500 g or more. Neonatal mortality rates ranged from 1.5 to 22.5%. Evaluation of stillbirths and numbers of babies discharged against medical advice gave a more comprehensive idea of outcome. Kangaroo Mother Care was practiced to varying extents. Incubators were more common in Africa while radiant warmers were preferred in Indian hospitals. Tube feeding was practiced in all and cup feeding in most, with use of human milk at all sites. There were proportionately more certified pediatricians and nurses in Indonesia and India. There was considerable shortage of nursing staff, (worst nurse -bed ratio ranging from 1 to 15 in the day shift, and 1 to 30 at night). There was significant variability in facility readiness, as in data maintenance, availability of commodities such as linen, air -oxygen blenders and infusion pumps and of infection prevention practices. CONCLUSIONS: Referral neonatal units in LMIC have challenges in meeting even the basic level II requirements, with significant variability in equipment, staffing and selected care practices. Facility readiness has to improve in concert with increased facility births of high risk newborns in order to have an impact on neonatal outcome, and on achieving Sustainable Development Goals 3.2.2.

Peripheral Lymph Node Excisional Biopsy: Yield, Relevance, and Outcomes in a Remote Surgical Setup.

OBJECTIVE: To study the patient profile for symptomatic peripheral lymphadenopathy in terms of histopathological findings and demography and evaluate the yield, relevance, and outcomes of peripheral lymph node biopsy (PLNB) as a diagnostic step in a remote setup in the absence of less invasive options like fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) or ultrasonogram- (USG-) guided FNAC. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing PLNB between 1 May 2011 and 30 April 2013 was done. Demographics, histopathological reports, and outcomes were studied. RESULTS: Of 132 patients, 51 (38.63%) were male and 81 (61.36%) were female. There were 48 (36.3%) patients in the age group less than 16 years, and 84 (63.6%) were beyond 16 years. The commonest site of biopsy was the neck in 114 (86.36%) patients. The histopathological diagnosis was tuberculosis (TB) in 60 (45.45%) patients, reactive lymphadenitis in 29 (21.9%), nonspecific granuloma in 18 (13.6%), lymphoma in 7 (5.3%), acute lymphadenitis in 7 (5.3%), metastatic secondary in 3 (2.2%), and other benign causes in 8 (6.06%). CONCLUSIONS: PLNB is a procedure with good diagnostic yield in evaluation of peripheral lymphadenopathy. Its relevance is appreciable in a remote setup where less invasive options are unavailable. Its simplicity and lack of mortality/significant morbidity make it a valid option in rural surgical practice.

A Rare Encounter with an Expanding Pseudocyst of the Spleen.

BACKGROUND: Splenic Pseudocyst (SP) is a diagnostic rarity, with cystic lesions of spleen themselves being uncommon. Establishing a preoperative diagnosis could help in specific management but this is rather challenging. Here we present a common presentation of an uncommon diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old lady, previously well, presented to the outpatient clinic with intermittent left hypochondrial pain radiating towards left shoulder for 2 months not associated with fever, jaundice, or weight loss. Abdominal examination revealed nontender hepatosplenomegaly. The initial abdominal ultrasonogram (USG) was suggestive of a hydatid cyst, for which she received a course of antihelminthics. At follow-up, after finding no clinical improvement and radiological worsening, she underwent an exploratory laparotomy. A cyst replacing entire lower pole and a significant portion of splenic hilum was found. Total splenectomy was performed. The specimen was reported to be a SP. CONCLUSION: SP is a unique entity, usually misdiagnosed as a parasitic lesion and often treated with antihelminthic medicines. The natural course of disease, however, follows a subsequent failure of symptom resolution and radiological worsening that ultimately demands surgical attention. Based on size, location, and intraoperative findings, either total or partial splenectomy is required. The final histopathological report often presents a diagnostic surprise.

Recurrent Enterolithiasis Small Bowel Obstruction: A Case Seldom Described.

BACKGROUND: Enterolithiasis of the small bowel is a rare phenomenon in humans although it has been frequently described in equines. Primary enteroliths have been described including those occurring secondary to conditions like Crohn's disease, small bowel diverticula, tuberculous or postoperative strictures, and blind loops but those occurring in an otherwise normal gut are exceedingly rare. Of even greater rarity is a recurrent small bowel enterolith presenting with obstruction. This may be the first report of such kind. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old man undergoing treatment for stable alcoholic liver disease presented to the emergency with gradually progressive diffuse abdominal pain associated with vomiting and constipation for 7 days. He had gaseous abdominal distention but was not obstipated. He had a history of 2 laparotomies in the past for small bowel obstruction secondary to enterolith impaction. He was initially managed conservatively but since there was no significant clinical improvement, he underwent an exploratory laparotomy. A recurrent enterolith 5 × 5 cm in size was found impacted in the mid ileum with multiple dense serosal adhesions and bands. Adhesiolysis and enterotomy with removal of enterolith were performed. CONCLUSION: Recurrent enterolithiasis of the small bowel is a rare phenomenon and may present with recurrent obstruction. Definitive preoperative diagnosis is not always possible and a high index of suspicion is required to avoid table misdiagnosis. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment once conservative measures fail. Laparoscopic methods may help in diagnosis and avoid possibility of a subsequent adhesive bowel obstruction but are associated with technical challenges.

Giant Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp of the Hepatic Flexure of Colon Presenting with an Acute Abdomen.

Background. Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp (IFP) of the colon is an exceedingly rare condition. Since 1952 till now only 32 cases have been reported worldwide of which only 5 were giant (>4 cm) polyps mostly found in the caecum (15 cases) with only 3 in the descending colon. Case Presentation. A 36-year-old female with no previous illness presented to the emergency unit with an acute onset pain over the right hypochondrium for 3 days associated with intermittent fever and anorexia. As she had evidence of localized peritonitis she underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy and subsequently an exploratory laparotomy. A mass measuring 8 × 7 × 5 cm arising from the hepatic flexure of colon was noted. Right hemicolectomy with ileotransverse anastomosis was performed. The mass was subsequently reported to be IFP. Conclusion. IFP is a very rare condition with clinical presentation depending upon its size and location. Definitive diagnosis is possible with histopathological examination of tissue aided by immunohistochemical studies. Surgical resection has been the most common method of treatment especially for large and giant colonic IFPs owing to challenges in terms of diagnosis and technical difficulties associated with endoscopic methods.