Isolated embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the anterior petrous bone in a young child: Focusing on the intra-operative diagnosis and differentials.

OBJECTIVE: Rhabdomyosarcoma is a common soft tissue tumor, but isolated involvement of anterior portion of petrous bone is exceedingly rare. Here, we present a case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma involving the anterior petrous without involvement of the mastoid and middle ear. PATIENT: A 6-year-old boy presented with a progressive right side lower motor neuron facial paresis for 1-month duration along with headache and recurrent vomiting episodes. Radiology showed a contrast-enhancing lesion involving the right petrous apex. He underwent craniotomy and excision of the lesion. Based on the frozen section, a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma was rendered, and gross total resection could be achieved. Postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Isolated petrous bone involvement of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare presentation. Intra-operative frozen section plays a key role in decision making regarding the extent of excision. Hence, a prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential in managing these cases.

Mini Totally Extra-Peritoneal Repair of Inguinal Hernia with All 5 mm Ports: An Innovative "555 Technique".

BACKGROUND: Totally extra-peritoneal (TEP) repair of inguinal hernia is now a standard surgical technique. A 12 mm incision in infra-umbilical region for Hasson trocar is must for TEP repair of inguinal hernia. This is the only technique known to laparoscopic surgeons. We have innovated a "555 Technique" for completing Mini TEP repair of inguinal hernia by using all three 5 mm ports. METHODS: Sixty-one consecutive patients were subjected for TEP repair of inguinal hernia by our innovative "555 Technique" since October 2014. A simple "Manish Retractor" is devised to make extra-peritoneal space with 5 mm trocar. Fifty-nine cases were men and 2 cases were women. The mean age of patients was 44.6 years (range 23-82 years). RESULTS: Out of 61 cases, 27 were indirect inguinal hernia (23 unilateral, 4 bilateral), 32 direct inguinal hernia (21 unilateral, 11 bilateral), 1 femoral hernia, and 1 obturator hernia. One patient of indirect inguinal hernia had sliding hernia with sigmoid colon. Sixty cases were successfully operated by "555 Technique." There was conversion to trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal repair (TAPP) in 1 case. The average time for insertion of 5 mm trocar in preperitoneal space by our technique was 150 seconds. No complications were noted on 6 months follow-up. Small infra-umbilical scar was cosmetically more acceptable to patients. CONCLUSION: "555 Technique" is a feasible option without compromising the principles of TEP repair for inguinal hernia. Innovation of simple "Manish Retractor" is the key in completing Mini TEP repair. This technique is simple, less invasive, less morbid, and cost effective as it avoids dependence over costly Hasson trocar with better cosmetic results.

Self Care Activities, Diabetic Distress and other Factors which Affected the Glycaemic Control in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in South India.

BACKGROUND: Interventions which were made to promote a better self-management have produced improvements in the glycaemic control in patients with Diabetes mellitus. An improved glycaemic control is known to prevent the long term complications. METHOD: This study was conducted at the Dr. Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, which is a rural tertiary health care centre. 546 patients were included in our study and they were assessed for the glycaemic control (HbA1c), diabetes distress (DDs), and self care activities. RESULTS: Of the total 546 patients, 49% had a poor glycaemic control, as was indicated by HbA1c levels of >7%. The factors which are significantly associated with a poor glycaemic control are age (p=0.03 ), sex (p= 0.0415), literacy (p=0.0422), duration of the disease (p=0.0006), diabetic distress (p=0.0001) and self care activities like diet ( p=0.0001), medication (p=0.0001) and exercise (p=0.0001), whereas there was no significant effect of the BM I (p=0.094) on the glycaemic control. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the factors that could predict the glycaemic control in the diabetic patients who attended our tertiary care teaching hospital. The barriers that prevent these patients from meeting their goals must be explored, to improve their health outcomes.