Effectiveness of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on radiological primary end-point pneumonia among cases of severe community acquired pneumonia in children: A prospective multi-site hospital-based test-negative study in Northern India.

INTRODUCTION: Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of under-five mortality in India and Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main bacterial pathogen for it. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine 13 (PCV13) has been introduced in a phased manner, in the national immunization program of India since 2017/2018. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of PCV13 on chest radiograph (CXR)-confirmed pneumonia, in children hospitalized with WHO-defined severe CAP. METHODS: This prospective, multi-site test-negative study was conducted in a hospital-network situated in three districts of Northern India where PCV13 had been introduced. Children aged 2-23 months, hospitalized with severe CAP and with interpretable CXR were included after parental consent. Clinical data was extracted from hospital records. CXRs were interpreted by a panel of three independent blinded trained radiologists. Exposure to PCV13 was defined as ≥2 doses of PCV13 in children aged ≤ 12 months and ≥ 1 dose(s) in children > 12 months of age. Our outcome measures were CXR finding of primary endpoint pneumonia with or without other infiltrates (PEP±OI); vaccine effectiveness (VE) and hospital mortality. RESULTS: From 1st June 2017-30th April 2021, among 2711 children included, 678 (25.0%) were exposed to PCV1. CXR positive for PEP±OI on CXR was found in 579 (21.4%), of which 103 (17.8%) were exposed to PCV. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for PEP±OI among the exposed group was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.54-0.89, p = 0.004). Adjusted VE was 31.0% (95% CI: 11.0-44.0) for PEP±OI. AOR for hospital mortality with PEP±OI was 2.65 (95% CI: 1.27-5.53, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: In severe CAP, children exposed to PCV13 had significantly reduced odds of having PEP±OI. Since PEP±OI had increased odds of hospital mortality due to CAP, countrywide coverage with PCV13 is an essential priority.

Effect of amniotic membrane and platelet-rich fibrin membrane on bone healing post endodontic surgery: An ultrasonographic, randomized controlled study.

The use of membrane barriers and bone grafting materials in endodontic surgery promotes healing by regeneration rather than repair by scar tissue. Due to its valuable regenerative and therapeutic properties, the human amniotic membrane can support ideal periapical rehabilitation and promote better healing after surgery. The current trial aimed to evaluate the amniotic membrane's healing potential and compare it with platelet-rich fibrin using color doppler sonography. The current study is a randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group, single-center study. Thirty-four systematically healthy individuals requiring endodontic surgery who fulfilled all inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and randomly placed in two groups. Surgical curettage of the bony lesion was performed and filled with hydroxyapatite graft. Amniotic membrane (Group 1) and platelet-rich fibrin (Group 2) were placed over the bony crypt, and the flap was sutured back. The lesion's surface area and vascularity were the parameters assessed with ultrasound and color doppler. and observations: The groups found a significant difference in mean vascularity at 1 month and mean vascularity change from baseline to 1 month (p < 0.05). Mean surface area had no statistically significant difference between the groups. However, in terms of the percentage change in surface area, a significant difference was found from baseline to 6 months (p < 0.05). Amniotic membrane was a significantly better promoter of angiogenesis than platelet-rich fibrin in the current trial. The osteogenic potential of both materials was similar. However, the clinical application, availability, and cost-effectiveness of amniotic membrane support it as a promising therapeutic alternative in clinical translation. Further large-scale trials and histologic studies are warranted.

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection: state-of-the-art review with assessment using a multidetector computed tomography angiography.

Pulmonary venous anomalies occur as a result of failure in normal embryological development. These anomalies may present as a spectrum ranging from normal variation to partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). Though not rare, PAPVC is an uncommon anomaly in which some of the pulmonary veins abnormally connect and drain into the vascular compartments other than the left atrium (LA); however, the others drain normally into the LA. The clinical presentation and severity of affected patients depend on the morphological heterogeneity of the disease. PAPVC associated with other complex conge-nital cardiac diseases present early and are more severe than isolated PAPVC-associated atrial septal defect only. This radiological review gives a detailed description of PAPVC in terms of morphological variability and associated anomalies along with a discussion of the role of multidetector dual-source computed tomography scan in the diagnostic assessment.

COVID-19 associated mucormycosis: Staging and management recommendations (Report of a multi-disciplinary expert committee).

Even before the onslaught of COVID-19 pandemic could settle, the unprecedented rise in cases with COVID-19 associated mucormycosis pushed the medical health to the fringe. Hyperglycaemia and corticosteroids appear to be the most consistent associations leading to the commonest manifestation of mucormycosis, Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis. To address challenges right from categorisation and staging of the disease to the management of relentless progression, a multi-disciplinary expert committee was formed to handle the task in an evidence-based format to enforce best practices. The report of the committee on one hand attempts to succinctly present the currently available evidence while at the other also attempts to bridge the evidence-deficient gaps with the specialty-specific virtuosity of experts.

18FDG-Positron Emission Tomography in patients with Tuberculous Meningitis: A Prospective Evaluation.

Lower yield of available diagnostic tests for tuberculous meningitis (TBM) frequently causes delay in diagnosis. Recently, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) has been used in infectious disorders such as pulmonary tuberculosis; however, it is rarely used in TBM. This study was aimed to ascertain the role of FDG PET in the diagnosis and determination of the extent of disease and prognosis in patients with TBM. After excluding unsuitable patients, 25 patients were subjected to whole-body PET-computed tomography (CT) image acquisition along with separate brain protocol with an integrated PET-CT device. FDG PET was found to be abnormal in 92% patients. Extracranial FDG uptake was observed in 80% patients. Most common extracranial site of involvement was lymph nodes (60%), followed by lung (56%), vertebral body (8%), genitourinary organs (8%), and spleen (4%). FDG PET observed extracranial involvement had 80% sensitivity and 20% specificity in detecting definite TBM cases. In conclusion, FDG PET may be a useful test in TBM evaluation.

Neuroradiologic Features Associated With Severe Restriction of Functional Mobility in Children With Cerebral Palsy in North India.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have focused on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain findings associated with functional mobility in cerebral palsy. OBJECTIVE: To determine association between MRI findings and Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) levels in cerebral palsy. METHODS: Prospective-observational study conducted in Pediatric Neurology Clinic at a public teaching hospital, Northern India. First 3 new cases of cerebral palsy were enrolled on particular neuro-clinic day per week for 1 year. Functional mobility was classified according to GMFCS. Association between MRI findings, cerebral palsy type, and GMFCS levels were evaluated using χ2 test. RESULTS: A total of 138 cases (mean age 2.71 [SD = 1.91] years; male [64.5%]) were enrolled. Reported types of cerebral palsy were as follows: spastic quadriplegia (47.8%), spastic diplegia (28.35%), spastic hemiplegia (11.6%), extrapyramidal (6.5%), and ataxic/hypotonic (5.8%). GMFCS were classified into level 1 (13%), level 2 (7.2%), level 3 (4.3%), level 4 (10.9%), and level 5 (64.5%). Spastic quadriplegia and extrapyramidal cerebral palsy were significantly associated with higher (severe) levels (IV and V), whereas spastic diplegia and hemiplegia were significantly associated with lower (mild) levels (I-III) of GMFCS. MRI features of periventricular white matter injury, deep gray matter injury, basal ganglia and thalamic changes, and superficial gray matter injury were significantly associated with severe levels of GMFCS (V and IV). MRI was normal in 8 children (5 = mild category, 3 = severe category). CONCLUSION: Severe cerebral palsy is most often associated with spastic quadriplegia, extrapyramidal cerebral palsy, superficial gray matter lesions, deep gray matter lesions, and periventricular white matter injury. This information is useful for anticipating and addressing the needs of children with cerebral palsy and for prognostication.

A deep learning-based COVID-19 automatic diagnostic framework using chest X-ray images.

The lethal novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting the health of the global population severely, and a huge number of people may have to be screened in the future. There is a need for effective and reliable systems that perform automatic detection and mass screening of COVID-19 as a quick alternative diagnostic option to control its spread. A robust deep learning-based system is proposed to detect the COVID-19 using chest X-ray images. Infected patient's chest X-ray images reveal numerous opacities (denser, confluent, and more profuse) in comparison to healthy lungs images which are used by a deep learning algorithm to generate a model to facilitate an accurate diagnostics for multi-class classification (COVID vs. normal vs. bacterial pneumonia vs. viral pneumonia) and binary classification (COVID-19 vs. non-COVID). COVID-19 positive images have been used for training and model performance assessment from several hospitals of India and also from countries like Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, Iran, Israel, Italy, Korea, Spain, Taiwan, USA, and Vietnam. The data were divided into training, validation and test sets. The average test accuracy of 97.11 ± 2.71% was achieved for multi-class (COVID vs. normal vs. pneumonia) and 99.81% for binary classification (COVID-19 vs. non-COVID). The proposed model performs rapid disease detection in 0.137 s per image in a system equipped with a GPU and can reduce the workload of radiologists by classifying thousands of images on a single click to generate a probabilistic report in real-time.

Epidemiology of Hypoxic Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children Under 5 Years of Age: An Observational Study in Northern India.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of under-five mortality in India. An increased risk of mortality has been reported in cases of hypoxic pneumonia. METHODS: The primary objective of this study was to assess the proportion of children aged 2-59 months, hospitalized with hypoxic CAP, as well as socio-demographic, clinical, and radiological features associated with it. The secondary objective was to determine the risk of mortality among hospitalized cases of hypoxic CAP. This prospective, observational study was conducted in four districts of Northern India, between January 2015 and April 2021. A hospital-based surveillance network was established. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) child between 2 and 59 months, (b) hospitalization with symptoms of WHO-defined CAP, (c) resident of project district, (d) illness of <14 days, and (e) child had neither been hospitalized for this illness nor recruited previously. Children whose chest x-rays (CXRs) were either unavailable/un-interpretable and those that received any dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine-13 were excluded. Hypoxic pneumonia was defined as oxygen saturation <90% on pulse oximetry or requiring oxygen supplementation during hospital stay. RESULTS: During the study period, 71.9% (7,196/10,006) children of severe pneumonia were eligible for inclusion, of whom 35.9% (2,580/7,196) were having hypoxic pneumonia. Female gender and use of biomass fuel for cooking increased the odds of hypoxic CAP. Clinical factors like wheezing, pallor, tachypnea, low pulse volume, presence of comorbidity, general danger signs, severe malnutrition, and radiological finding of primary end-point pneumonia ± other infiltrates (PEP±OI) also increased the odds of hypoxic CAP in a conditional logistic regression model. Adjusted odds ratio for mortality with hypoxia was 2.36 (95% CI: 1.42-3.92). CONCLUSION: Almost one-third of cases hospitalized with severe CAP had hypoxia, which increased chances of mortality. Besides known danger signs, certain newer clinical signs such as pallor and wheezing as well as PEP+OI were associated with hypoxic CAP. Therefore, objective assessment of oxygen saturation must be done by pulse oximetry in all cases of CAP at the time of diagnosis.

Chest radiograph findings in children aged 2-59 months hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia, prior to the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in India: a prospective multisite observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The current study was a hospital-based surveillance of cases hospitalised with WHO-defined community-acquired pneumonia in children aged 2-59 months, to assess the radiological abnormalities in chest X-rays and to identify the demographic and clinical correlates of specific radiological abnormalities, in residents of prespecified districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, India. DESIGN: Prospective, active, hospital-based surveillance. SETTING: Multisite study conducted in a network of 117 secondary/tertiary care hospitals in four districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, India. PARTICIPANTS: Included were children aged 2-59 months, hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia, residing in the project district, with duration of illness <14 days and who had not been hospitalised elsewhere for this episode nor had been recruited previously. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Concordant radiological abnormalities in the chest X-rays. RESULTS: From January 2015 to April 2017, 3214 cases were recruited and in 99.40% (3195/3214) chest X-rays were available, among which 88.54% (2829/3195) were interpretable. Relevant radiological abnormalities were found in 34.53% (977/2829, 95% CI 32.78 to 36.28). These were primary end point pneumonia alone or with other infiltrates in 22.44% (635/2829, 95% CI 20.90% to 23.98%) and other infiltrates in 12.09% (342/2829; 95% CI 10.88% to 13.29%). There was a statistically significant interdistrict variation in radiological abnormalities. Statistically significantly higher proportion of abnormal chest X-rays were found in girls, those with weight-for-age z-score ≤-3SD, longer duration of fever, pallor and with exposure to biomass fuel. CONCLUSIONS: Among hospitalised cases of community-acquired pneumonia, almost one-third children had abnormal chest radiographs, which were higher in females, malnourished children and those with longer illnesses; and an intra-district variation was observed.

Extra-central nervous system tuberculosis in HIV-uninfected patients of tuberculous meningitis: A prospective evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Disseminated tuberculosis is characterized with involvement of two or more non-contiguous sites. In this work we evaluated patients of tuberculous meningitis for possible extra-central nervous system tuberculosis. METHOD: This prospective observational study was performed at a tertiary care institute in Northern India. We included consecutive HIV-uninfected cases of TBM. Patients were evaluated for extra-central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis. We focussed on peripheral lymph nodes, chest, abdomen, and spinal involvement. All patients were subjected to MRI brain and spine. Patients were also subjected to CT thorax and abdomen. Enlarged lymph nodes, if present, were biopsied. Ascitic and pleural fluid were subjected to biochemical, cellular analysis as well as cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance. RESULTS: We enrolled 110 patients of TBM. After cerebrospinal fluid examination alone, 14 (12.7%) patients had microbiologically-confirmed TBM. After planned work-up for extra CNS tuberculosis, 5 additional cases were microbiologically confirmed. Similarly, before work-up for extra CNS tuberculosis, 29 (26.4%) patients were categorized as probable TBM. The number of probable cases increased to 72 (65.5%) (P<0.001) with identification of tuberculosis elsewhere. Lung (83.6%) was the most involved site. Abdominal tuberculosis was noted in 29 (26.4%) patients. On imaging spine, 17 (15.5%) patients demonstrated presence of spinal tuberculous. Lymph adenopathy recorded in 2 cases. Lymph node biopsy revealed tuberculous granuloma in both the cases. All 7 patients, who died, had disseminated tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Extra CNS tuberculous involvement is common in TBM. Search for extra CNS tuberculous enables upgrading diagnostic accuracy.

Quantitative assessment of lesion load and efficacy of 3 cycles of albendazole in disseminated cysticercosis: a prospective evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The management of disseminated cysticercosis is unclear and largely considered hazardous. The role of albendazole remains controversial in such patients. METHODS: A tertiary care, University hospital-based prospective intervention study was conducted from December 2015 to December 2017. Patients with disseminated cysticercosis, defined as the presence of multiple viable neurocysticerci (≥ 3) in the brain along with involvement of an additional extra site, were included in the study. Patients with cysticercal encephalitis were excluded. A detailed evaluation, including ophthalmoscopy, ocular B scans, ultrasound abdomen, and X-rays were done. Albendazole was administered at a dose of 15 mg/kg/day in 3 cycles of 28 days each. All patients were also given adjuvant corticosteroids and anti-epileptic drugs. Clinical and radiological follow up was carried out at a difference of 3 months between each treatment cycle. For radiological quantification, lesions were counted at 10 pre-specified levels. Statistical analysis was done to estimate the difference in seizure frequency and lesion load. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (21 with > 20 lesions; 8 with ≤ 20 lesions) were given albendazole as per the protocol. There was a significant reduction in the occurrence of seizures (P < 0.001) and headache (P < 0.001). A significant reduction in lesion load from baseline to third follow-up was seen in the estimations done at different levels (P < 0.001). No patient developed serious side-effect warranting cessation of therapy. CONCLUSION: Cyclical use of albendazole appears efficacious in treating disseminated cysticercosis. The method of quantification described may be used in future studies for objective assessment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN11630542; 28th September 2019; Retrospectively registered.

Impact of Bedside Combined Cardiopulmonary Ultrasound on Etiological Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Respiratory Failure in Critically Ill Patients.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate the impact of cardiopulmonary ultrasound (CPUS) on etiological diagnosis and treatment of critically ill acute respiratory failure (ARF) patients. DESIGN: This is a prospective observational study conducted in a general intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care center in India. Patients over 18 years old with presence of one of the objective criteria of ARF. Patients either consecutively admitted for ARF to ICU or already admitted to ICU for a different reason but later developed ARF during their hospital stay. Written informed consent in local language was obtained from next of kin. INTERVENTIONS: All included patients underwent bedside CPUS including lung ultrasound (US) and transthoracic echocardiography plus targeted venous US by single investigator, blinded to clinical data. The US diagnosis of ARF etiology was shared with treating intensivist. Initial clinical diagnosis (ICD) and treatment plan (made before US) of each patient were compared with post-US clinical diagnosis and treatment plan. The changes in diagnosis and treatment up to 24 hours post-US were considered as impact of US. RESULTS: Mean age of 108 included patients was 45.7 ± 20.4 years (standard deviation). The ICD was correct in 67.5% (73/108) cases, whereas the combined CPUS yielded correct etiological diagnosis in 88% (95/108) cases. Among the 108 included patients, etiological diagnosis of ARF was altered after CPUS in 40 (37%) patients, which included "diagnosis changed" in 18 (17%) and "diagnosis added" in 22 (20%). Treatment plan was changed in 39 (36%) patients after CPUS, which included surgical interventions in 17 (16%), changes in medical therapy in 12 (11%), and changes in ventilation strategy in 4 (3.5%) patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that use of combined US approach as an initial test in ARF, improves diagnostic accuracy for identification of underlying etiology, and frequently changes clinical diagnosis and/or treatment. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Barman B, Parihar A, Kohli N, Agarwal A, Dwivedi DK, Kumari G. Impact of Bedside Combined Cardiopulmonary Ultrasound on Etiological Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Respiratory Failure in Critically Ill Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(11):1062-1070.

Sample attrition rate of a community study: An analysis of Lucknow urban and rural elderly follow-up over a period of 9 years.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal/follow-up studies of older adults are a tough task as sample attrition rates due to mortality and other factors may be high in this particular group. However, such studies are very much needed to assess the outcome of health status as well as explore preventive, protective, interventional aspects, as well as risk factors. Given this, a follow-up study was planned and carried out. AIM: To discuss the rate of sample loss as well as the reasons over 9 years. METHODS: An Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) supported follow-up study of urban and rural elderly was done during June, 2016-May, 2017; these subjects were studied in 2007-09 through two independent ICMR supported studies. Similar methodology and assessment tools were applied in these studies. During follow-up a semi structured proforma was developed to get the information of study cohort, obtained data was analyzed and presented applying percentage statistics. RESULTS: The sample attrition rate was reported to be comparatively high in urban 52.1% (n= 633) cohort than their rural counterparts 36.3% (n= 457). CONCLUSION: Over a period of 9 years chances of cohort loss due to mortality is about 32%-35%.

Serum Homocysteine and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Is There Any Correlation in Alzheimer's Disease?

BACKGROUND: There are studies showing the relation between serum B12, folate and Behavioral and Psychological symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Serum levels of these vitamins do not reflect actual disease status and therefore checking the serum Homocysteine level is considered a better test. Homocysteine has been found to be associated with cognitive impairment and various psychiatric disorders. PURPOSE: This study was planned to identify the correlation between serum homocysteine levels and BPSD in AD patients. METHODS: AD patients (n = 18) and healthy controls (n = 18) were included in the study. Diagnosis of AD was confirmed using International Classification Disease-10. AD patients were assessed using Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR), Global Deterioration scale (GDS), and Neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI). Healthy controls were assessed on MMSE and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Serum homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels were measured in all study subjects. RESULTS: Patients with AD had statistically significant higher serum levels of homocysteine as compared to the control group, while the levels of vitamin B12 and folate did not differ significantly. There was statistically significant positive correlation of serum homocysteine levels with total NPI score as well as with NPI sub-domains particularly delusion, agitation/aggression, and depression/dysphoria. Serum homocysteine levels did not correlate significantly with MMSE, CDR, and GDS scores. CONCLUSION: Correlation was observed between serum homocysteine levels and behavioral and psychological symptoms of AD. There is a possibility of etiological role, but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms need to be elucidated. Whether patients will benefit or not with supplements of vitamin B12 and folate requires further research. This was a cross-sectional study and findings should not be generalized. Further prospective longitudinal studies with a large number of patients are needed.

Computed tomography thorax abnormalities in immunocompetent patients with tuberculous meningitis: An observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography (CT) of the thorax is the imaging modality of choice to detect or demonstrate lesions suggestive of active pulmonary tuberculosis. We aimed to evaluate the imaging abnormalities detected on CT of the thorax in patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM). METHODS: In this prospective study, we enrolled consecutive newly-diagnosed patients with TBM. Patients were subjected to detailed clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations including MRI of brain and thoracic CT. Patients were administered WHO recommended treatment and followed-up for 6 months. At 6 months, disability assessment was done. RESULTS: We included 81 patients. Fifty-six patients (69.1%) had abnormalities in CT of thorax. Miliary tuberculosis was seen in 10 (18%) patients. Centrilobular nodules were the commonest parenchymal abnormality seen in 23 (41%) patients. Pleural abnormalities and mediastinal lymphadenopathy were seen in 8 (14%) and 47 (84%) patients, respectively. On multivariate analysis, meningeal enhancement (OR = 3.5, 95%CI 1.2-9.8, P = 0.017) and CBNAAT positivity (OR = 8.7, 95%CI 1.0-73.0, P = 0.045) were independently associated with an abnormal CT of thorax. The sensitivity and specificity of CT thorax in identifying definite cases (CB-NAAT positive) of TBM were found to be 93.33% and 36.36%, respectively. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value of abnormal CT thorax in predicting definite TBM were 25% and 96%, respectively. CONCLUSION: CT thorax abnormalities were noted in approximately two-thirds of TBM patients, and were more frequent in definite TBM cases. CT thorax abnormalities helped in upgrading the diagnostic certainty level, in many patients with tuberculous meningitis, from possible to probable.

Magnetic resonance venographic findings in patients with tuberculous meningitis: Predictors and outcome.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the prevalence and predictors of venographic abnormalities in tuberculous meningitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive patients of tuberculous meningitis were included in the study. Clinical evaluation, cerebrospinal fluid examination and contrast-enhanced MRI of brain were done. Every participant was subjected to time of flight magnetic resonance venography (MRV). Presence of filling defects at superior sagittal sinus, dominant transverse or sigmoid sinus, and non-visualization of deep venous system was considered suggestive of thrombosis. The presence of filling defects at non-dominant transverse or sigmoid sinus was considered suggestive of thrombosis only in the presence of corresponding changes in T1, T2, and GRE sequences, parenchymal changes or presence of collaterals. The patients were followed up for 6 months. A modified Barthel index ≤12 at 6 months was taken as poor outcome. RESULTS: Out of 107 patients, MRV was found to be abnormal in 12 patients (11.2%). The superior sagittal sinus was the most commonly involved sinus. On univariate analysis, the presence of vomiting (P = 0.004), altered sensorium (P = 0.004), seizures (P < 0.001), vision impairment (P = 0.038), papilledema (P < 0.001), diplopia, oculomotor palsies, basal exudates (P = 0.004) and MBI ≤12 at baseline (P = 0.004) were significantly associated with an abnormal MRV. On multivariate analysis, none of the above factors were found to be significant. No association was found between an abnormal MRV and poor outcome. CONCLUSION: MRV abnormalities suggestive of venous sinus thrombosis can occur in about 11% patients. Superior sagittal sinus is the most commonly involved sinus. An abnormal MRV may not predict a poor outcome in patients with tuberculous meningitis.

Neuroimaging findings in Menkes disease: a rare neurodegenerative disorder.

Menkes disease is a rare neurodegenerative metabolic disease with a reported incidence of 1 per 300 000 live births. It occurs due to mutations in ATP7A gene located on X-chromosome leading to deficiency of several copper-containing enzymes. The patient presents with history of neuroregression with characteristic kinky hair. MRI is the imaging modality of choice. Characteristic imaging findings are: bilateral subdural hygromas, cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, white matter changes and tortuous intracranial vessels on angiography. The rarity of this condition prompted us to report this case of Menkes disease along with the characteristic neuroimaging findings and brief review of literature.

Duplex Ultrasound-guided Direct Percutaneous Management of Pseudoaneurysm of Branch of Segmental Renal Artery: Technique and Its Outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the role of duplex ultrasound imaging (DUI) in prompt diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm (PSA) of a branch of the segmental renal artery (b-SRA) and to evaluate outcomes of DUI directed percutaneous embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients were referred to us for the management of intractable renal hematuria. A total of 20 cases (44.44%) had developed PSA after nephrolithotomy, 12 cases (12.66%) had developed PSA after guided renal biopsies, 6 cases (13.33%) had developed PSA following road side trauma, and 2 cases (4.44%) of the tuberous sclerosis complex had developed PSA. Three cases (6.66%) of arteriovenous and 2 cases (4.44%) of arteriocalyceal fistulae had been excluded from the study. DUI-guided direct percutaneous management (DPM) was done as a 4-step process. First is the identification of PSA sac in the neck and offending b-SRA. Second is the puncture of PSA sac with 18 g puncture needle under DUI. Subsequently, manual injection of temporary embolic agent was done followed by N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue. Thrombosis of the PSA sac was confirmed by absent flow on DUI. RESULTS: Forty cases of b-SRA were managed successfully in a single session and followed up by clinical findings, DUI, and computed tomography angiography. There was no need for the second session of DPM, transarterial embolization, or surgery in this cohort. Twelve cases (30%) had developed a mild fever and were managed conservatively. All 40 cases had no evidence of renal hematuria after follow-up of 3 months. CONCLUSION: DUI-guided DPM is a safe, feasible, cost-effective, and nephron-sparing promising alternative to TAE or surgery for management of PSA of b-SRA.

Posterior encephalopathy syndrome in women with eclampsia: Predictors and outcome.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to study predictors of posterior encephalopathy syndrome in eclampsia and the impact of posterior encephalopathy syndrome on outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study enrolled consecutive women with eclampsia. These women were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Predictors of posterior encephalopathy syndrome were determined using univariate, followed by multivariate, analysis. Women were followed for 30days. Maternal outcome was assessed using modified Rankin scale (mRS). RESULTS: One hundred and four consecutive women with eclampsia were included. Seventy-four women with eclampsia had posterior encephalopathy syndrome. Predictors of posterior encephalopathy syndrome were primigravida status, altered sensorium, impairment of vision, vomiting, status epilepticus, unregistered status in a regular ante-natal check-up programme, lactate dehydrogenase, uric acid, low platelet count and deranged kidney and liver functions on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, vision impairment, primigravida status, and unbooked pregnancy were independent factors. Posterior encephalopathy syndrome was associated with a poor maternal and fetal outcome. CONCLUSION: Vision impairment, primigravida status, and unbooked pregnancy are independent predictors of posterior encephalopathy syndrome, that in turn is associated with a poor maternal and fetal outcome.

Preliminary report from the World Health Organisation Chest Radiography in Epidemiological Studies project.

Childhood pneumonia is among the leading infectious causes of mortality in children younger than 5 years of age globally. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is the leading infectious cause of childhood bacterial pneumonia. The diagnosis of childhood pneumonia remains a critical epidemiological task for monitoring vaccine and treatment program effectiveness. The chest radiograph remains the most readily available and common imaging modality to assess childhood pneumonia. In 1997, the World Health Organization Radiology Working Group was established to provide a consensus method for the standardized definition for the interpretation of pediatric frontal chest radiographs, for use in bacterial vaccine efficacy trials in children. The definition was not designed for use in individual patient clinical management because of its emphasis on specificity at the expense of sensitivity. These definitions and endpoint conclusions were published in 2001 and an analysis of observer variation for these conclusions using a reference library of chest radiographs was published in 2005. In response to the technical needs identified through subsequent meetings, the World Health Organization Chest Radiography in Epidemiological Studies (CRES) project was initiated and is designed to be a continuation of the World Health Organization Radiology Working Group. The aims of the World Health Organization CRES project are to clarify the definitions used in the World Health Organization defined standardized interpretation of pediatric chest radiographs in bacterial vaccine impact and pneumonia epidemiological studies, reinforce the focus on reproducible chest radiograph readings, provide training and support with World Health Organization defined standardized interpretation of chest radiographs and develop guidelines and tools for investigators and site staff to assist in obtaining high-quality chest radiographs.