Brown Tumour As An Unusual But Preventable Cause Of Spinal Cord Compression: Case Report And Literature Review.

Brown tumour is an infrequent, focal, and benign osteolytic lesion which is a consequence of abnormal bone metabolism in hyperparathyroidism (both primary and secondary). It is also known as Osteoclastoma. In the present era, we rarely encounter skeletal disease caused by primary hyperparathyroidism. Although it is a rare presentation because of advancement of treatment but still can be encountered because of lack of standard care so we should have high index of suspicion to avoid this preventable complication. We report here a case of brown tumour in the thoracic vertebra of a young female patient with End Stage Renal Disease, who presented with backache and bilateral lower limb weakness. MRI of the spine showed multiple non 20 enhancing abnormal signals involving vertebral body of C2, posterior elements of C6, and bilateral sacral vertebra, suggestive of healed fractures versus bone forming tumours. She underwent laminectomy. Her histopathology report was consistent with brown tumour of hyperparathyroidism.

Malignant and Non-Malignant Causes of Hypercalcemia: A Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Hypercalcemia is a common electrolyte abnormality presenting with a variety of symptoms. The common causes are primary hyperparathyroidism and malignancy associated with hypercalcemia. However, iatrogenic hypercalcemia with the overzealous use of vitamin D has now emerged as another important cause of hypercalcemia over the past decade. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the causes of hypercalcemia, management strategies, and outcomes in patients admitted with hypercalcemia in a tertiary care hospital.  Method: It is a retrospective study done at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi after taking approval from the ethical review committee (ERC). Data were gathered about all patients admitted from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2018. A total of 1142 patients were included in the study and their calcium levels were noted. Along with demographic details, data pertaining to their diagnosis and all investigations done to evaluate the causes of hypercalcemia were noted in a pre-defined questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 814 patients having hypercalcemia were included in the final analysis and their mean age was 60.8 ± 14.1 years. Male and female patients were 45.4% and 54.6%, respectively, and their mean hospital stay was 6.2 ± 5.8 days. The most common cause of hypercalcemia was malignant solid tumors (49.1%), followed by hematological malignancy (16.5%), hyperparathyroidism (10.9%), definite vitamin D toxicity (8%), chronic kidney disease (4.9%), chronic granulomatous diseases (4.7%), and probable vitamin D toxicity (3.5%). The oral cavity carcinoma (17.7%) was the most common solid tumor associated with hypercalcemia. Amongst hematological malignancy, multiple myeloma (14.4%) was the most common one. Out of 814 patients admitted with hypercalcemia, 601 (74%) patients recovered from hypercalcemia, while mortality was observed in 129 (16%) patients. Of those who expired, 110 (85.3%) had malignancy either solid tumor or hematological. CONCLUSION: Malignancy is the most common cause of hypercalcemia in admitted patients. The knowledge of hypercalcemia's causes is of great importance so that targeted investigations can be done. Not only will it minimize the cost burden and shorten the hospitalization of patients; it will also help the physicians to decide the appropriate management accordingly. Moreover, vitamin D toxicity was also observed in a significant number of patients which highlights the common practice of using higher doses of vitamin D by physicians.

UNIQUE PRESENTATION OF DUPLICATION OF THE PITUITARY GLAND-PLUS SYNDROME.

OBJECTIVE: To shed light on a unique presentation of duplication of the pituitary gland (DPG)-plus syndrome. METHODS: We present the case report gathered from the patient. RESULTS: This patient uniquely had DPG-plus syndrome with a concurrent dermoid cyst. CONCLUSION: DPG is a very rare developmental anomaly and there are not many case reports published in the literature. The presence of DPG with dermoid cyst in our patient has not been reported previously. This case report discusses the various presentations of the syndrome and also provides an overview of investigations and management of these patients.

Frequency of silent carotid artery stenosis in diabetics and its associated factors: An analysis in tertiary care hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate frequency of silent carotid artery stenosis and its associated factors in diabetic patients attending a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in tertiary care Civil Hospital, Karachi from March 2019 to September 2019,. A total of 166 patients with Diabetes Mellitus were included in this study. Brief history was taken for the duration of DM, treatment, and smoking habits. Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) wafrs measured by Doppler ultrasound of right and left common, internal, and external carotid arteries. RESULTS: Frequency of silent carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in diabetic patients was observed in 28.92% (48/166) cases. The mean age ±SD of the patients was 54.8 ±7.96 years. 27 (22.29%) patients were smoker and all were male. Out of 166 diabetic patients, 59 (35.54%) were treated with insulin and 107 (64.46%) were treated with oral hypoglycemic. CONCLUSION: Substantial number of diabetic patients with increasing age, increased duration of diabetes and smoking habits have significant silent Silent Carotid Artery Stenosis (CAS).