Squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus in a 15-year-old boy.

A 15-year-old boy with well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the lower esophagus is reported because of its rarity. The patient presented with dysphagia for 3 months and weight loss. The case was treated with radical excision, with excellent immediate response.

Large destructive facial hemangioma in PHACE syndrome.

We report an infant who presented with large facial hemangioma associated with Dandy-Walker cyst and atrial septal defect. This case is peculiar in that the large facial hemangioma in posterior fossa malformations, hemangiomas, arterial anomalies, coarctation of aorta and other cardiac defects (PHACE) syndrome resulted in massive tissue destruction.

Sedation in patients above 60 years of age undergoing urological surgery under spinal anesthesia: comparison of propofol and midazolam infusions.

CONTEXT: Propofol and midazolam are commonly used sedatives during regional anesthesia in adults. Smaller doses of these drugs are required in older age due to altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. AIMS: To study the sedation, side-effects and the costs involved with smaller doses of propofol and midazolam in patients aged above 60 years during spinal anesthesia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A randomized single-blind study was conducted in 60 ASA I-II patients aged > or = 60 years undergoing urological surgery under spinal anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sedation was administered after spinal anesthesia using propofol (bolus 0.4 mg.kg -1; infusion 3 mg/kg/hr) or midazolam (bolus 0.02 mg/kg; infusion 0.06 mg.kg -1.h -1) and titrated to achieve a sedation score of 3 on the modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale. Perioperative sedation, hemodynamics and respiratory events were monitored. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The analysis for parametric data was done using Student's unpaired t test and the incidence data using Chi-square test. RESULTS: The onset (13.0+/-4.2 vs. 18.8+/-4.2 min, P < 0.001) and offset (8.9+/-2.8 vs. 12.5+/-3.5 min, P < 0.001) of sedation were faster and the duration of adequate sedation longer (44.7+/-12.5 vs. 29.8+/-12.9% of total infusion time, P < 0.001) with propofol than midazolam. More patients receiving propofol compared to midazolam had hypotension (16 [50%] vs.4 [14.3%], P= 0.003). Airway obstruction occurred frequently in both the groups. Sedation was significantly more expensive with propofol than midazolam (US$ 9.83 +/- 2.80 vs. US$ 0.33 +/- 0.06, P 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol provided better titration and adequacy of sedation than midazolam in patients above 60 years of age, but caused hypotension. Lighter sedation is recommended in this age group.

Volvulus complicating dextrogastria in an infant.

We report eventration of right hemi-diaphragm resulting in gastric volvulus of the right sided stomach in an infant. The diagnosis of this rare association was made with contrast CT scan. Patient was initially managed with reduction of stomach, plication of right hemi diaphragm, anterior gastropexy and Ladds procedure, but required re-laparotomy after two months for recurrent volvulus.

The effect of different doses of ketamine on intraocular pressure in anesthetized children.

BACKGROUND: When used for induction of anesthesia, ketamine usually increases intraocular pressure (IOP). However, the effect of low doses of ketamine, which are used for parental separation in children, is unknown. We studied the effect of two different doses of ketamine on IOP in anesthetized children. METHODS: Forty children age 1 to 6 years who met American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I criteria scheduled to undergo surgery were randomly selected to receive either an induction dose (6 mg/kg) or a low dose (3 mg/kg) of ketamine intramuscularly. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with halothane, and ketamine was injected 10 minutes after induction. Intraocular pressure was measured using a Perkins applanation tonometer before ketamine administration and every 5 minutes thereafter for 20 minutes by an observer who was unaware of the ketamine dose used. 10.8 +/- 2.2 mm Hg to 12.6 +/- 2.8 mm Hg at 5 minutes and 11.9 +/- 2.5 mm Hg at 10 minutes after administration of ketamine in the induction-dose group. There was no significant change in IOP after administration of ketamine in the low-dose group. Intraocular pressure was significantly higher in the induction-dose group compared to the low-dose group at 5 minutes after administration of ketamine. More patients in the induction-dose group had postoperative airway obstruction and sedation than in the low-dose group. CONCLUSIONS: In children anesthetized with halothane, ketamine had a dose-dependent effect on IOP, with 6 mg/kg of the drug causing a small increase in IOP at 5 to 10 minutes and 3 mg/kg not altering the IOP. The higher dose of ketamine also was associated with an increased incidence of postoperative complications.

Carmi syndrome complicated by pharyngo-esophageal perforation.

We describe a neonate having congenital pyloric atresia (CPA) associated with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as Carmi syndrome. The case is unusual as it was complicated with pharyngo-esophageal perforation (PEP) and a definite family history of EB in pervious generations could be recorded.

Neonatal surgical jaundice revisited.

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem in newborn nurseries and manifest clinically as jaundice. Nearly 25-50% of all newborns and a much higher percentage of premature babies develop hyperbilirubinemia. This is mostly physiological, but a small percentage of these babies have pathological jaundice, requiring detailed investigations and management. It is also absolutely essential to consider a possibility of extra-hepatic biliary atresia early, during management of a case of neonatal direct hyperbilirubinemia as early surgical intervention results in a better outcome in EHBA. This article aims to describe the diagnostic approach to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia with special emphasis on conditions requiring surgical intervention also it throws light on present status of EHBA in Indian circumstances.