Synergistic Manifestations in Cardiac Cysticercosis Complicated by Snake Bite: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Cysticercosis presents a prevalent issue on a global scale. Nevertheless, disseminated cysticercosis (DCC) is infrequent; even rarer is asymptomatic DCC. Here, we present a unique case of asymptomatic DCC involving the heart in a young male who came to medical attention following a fatal snake bite, ultimately leading to his demise. Despite the widespread dissemination of cysticercosis affecting multiple organs, the individual remained asymptomatic for the condition. We present a case of a 23-year-old male who was brought to the emergency department with a history of alleged snake bites. The patient was declared dead upon arrival at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, India. Autopsy findings revealed multiple significant cardiac abnormalities, including atheromatous changes with calcification in the root of the aorta and aortic valve, along with numerous collateral vessels originating from the left main coronary artery. Additionally, cystic nodules containing cysticercus larvae were identified within the myocardium, suggesting cardiac cysticercosis. The cause of death was determined to be complications related to the snakebite. This case emphasizes the importance of considering multiple potential etiologies in complex clinical presentations, especially in the tropics.

Sudden Death Caused by Gastroesophageal Varices Rupture: Insights From an Autopsy-Based Case Series Unraveling the Pathological Events.

Sudden death is characterized by natural yet unexpected death, typically occurring within 24 hours from the onset of the patient's symptoms. While the majority of sudden deaths stem from cardiac issues/causes, there are instances where non-cardiac factors are at play. One such scenario involves hemorrhage from ruptured esophageal varices, a complication that stems from portal hypertension. Portal hypertension can manifest due to a range of pre-hepatic, hepatic, and post-hepatic conditions, with liver cirrhosis being the primary culprit. Although sudden death cases linked to the gastrointestinal system are relatively rare, the rupture of gastroesophageal varices, precipitating severe morbidity and a high mortality rate, represents a life-threatening condition. In this context, we present a case series encompassing five instances of sudden natural deaths arising from the rupture of gastroesophageal varices.

Challenges in Diagnosing Sudden Death Caused by Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis: An Autopsy-Based Case Report.

Forensic pathologists frequently encounter cases of sudden natural death. Most sudden natural deaths are attributed to cardiac causes. Acute pancreatitis, especially hemorrhagic pancreatitis, is an infrequent yet critical contributor to sudden death. The role of a forensic pathologist is imperative in such cases to find out the cause of the sudden death and to either confirm or refute any allegations. In this context, we describe a case of a 34-year-old male who experienced sudden death due to acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis, highlighting the need for a detailed autopsy, pathophysiological insights, and diagnostic challenges.

Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis of Virtual Outpatient Department Under Telemedicine Department During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all current management tools used for patient care. This study aims to determine strength, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT) to virtual OPD and consultants' perceptions of teleconsultation virtual OPD during the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting to newer technologies for successfully handling this situation. Material and methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Virtual OPD of All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh among patients availing Telemedicine consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic. All patients availing services from April 2020 to October 2020 were included in this study. Method for SWOT analysis: A checklist was prepared, and investigators assessed SWOT. An external evaluator was invited to evaluate the SWOT analysis conducted by the investigators. For numeric variables, the mean ± SD was used, and for categorical variables, percentages and proportions were used. Results  Around 22% of the patients who approached virtual OPDs were ≥ 60 years of age. More than half (55.3%) of the patients or their attendants who consulted Telemedicine OPD were from Uttarakhand, followed by Uttar Pradesh (42.6%). The proportions of male patients were 54.4%. Around 17.6% of teleconsultations were performed for radiotherapy. General medicine and cardiology consultations were (15.2%) and (12.8%), respectively. Conclusion Telemedicine can be effective if certain requirements had been provided. Maintaining privacy of the patient's data was a challenge.

Critical Appraisal of Drug Promotional Literature in Accordance With WHO Guidelines.

Background Drug promotional literature (DPL) is used as a marketing tactic to publicize the introduction of new medications. As drug companies are promoting the literature for their brand products, bias is possible. Various studies have demonstrated that printed DPLs disseminated by pharmaceutical companies are typically skewed. Material and method A prospective, observational study was carried out in the outpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital to analyze the DPL of different pharmaceutical companies using WHO criteria for "Ethical criteria for medicinal drug promotion, 1988". Results Out of 192 DPLs analyzed, information regarding the generic name, brand name, amount of active ingredient, and manufacturer name was found in all the DPLs (100%). Though therapeutic uses were mentioned in 91% of DPLs, dosage schedule (regimen) was mentioned only in 60%. Drug safety information such as the side effects and significant adverse drug reactions, precautions and warnings, contraindications, and major drug interactions were present in 24%, 36%, and 20%, respectively. Address of the manufacturer and reference to scientific literature were present only in 63% and 53% of DPLs, respectively. References mainly were from journals, present in 71% of DPLs. Most of the claims made in DPLs were regarding efficacy (73%), followed by safety (34%).  Conclusion In our study, not a single DPL fulfilled all the nine WHO criteria. A doctor should rigorously evaluate study findings before prescribing because misleading and incorrect information is now frequently found in this literature.

Fatal wild leopard attack injuries in Uttarakhand, India.

Leopard attacks on human beings is common in Uttarakhand which is an area of national conservation. The objective of this study is to examine the pattern of injuries and circumstances to encourage ways of reducing such conflicts. There were eight deaths from leopard attacks brought for autopsy to the mortuary between January 2019 and August 2020. Incidents occurred mostly in a forest close to human settlements. One tourist was among the male victims, the remainder of whom were women carrying out household duties near the forest. Leopard attack injuries present in the head and neck were ante-mortem, with abdomen, buttocks and limbs post-mortem. People living at the border of protected areas need alternative means of support to enable them to avoid using forest resources, tourists must be warned to avoid wandering in the area.