1.Ophthalmoplegic migraine in a child, an accelerated clinical and radiologic response to steroid therapy
Archana Verma ; Alok Kumar ; Vineeta Singh
Neurology Asia 2012;17(4):357-359
Ophthalmoplegic migraine is characterized by recurrent attacks of migraine-like headache with paresis
of ocular cranial nerves. To date, the exact etiology of ophthalmoplegic migraine remains unknown.
We report a 9-year-old girl with typical clinical features of ophthalmoplegic migraine. She presented
to us shortly after onset of her fi fth episode. The initial episodes of opthalmoplegia used to last
for about 2-3 months with gradual and complete recovery. Brain MRI with contrast study revealed
a thickened, enhancing right oculomotor nerve in the cisternal segment during the acute phase of
ophthalmoplegia. She was treated with steroid for two weeks as well as with divalproex sodium
for prophylaxis of migraine. There was complete recovery of ophthalmoplegia after four weeks of
treatment with complete resolution of third nerve enhancement on repeat imaging. There were no
further episodes of ophthalmoplegia within a follow up period of one year. Steroid therapy may hasten
the recovery of ophthalmoplegia and prophylactic treatment of migraine may reduce the episodes and
severity of ophthalmoplegic migraine.
2.Vascular Injuries Due to Penetrating Missile Trauma in Anti-Terrorism Ops
Rishi DHILLAN ; Alok BHALLA ; Sushil Kumar JHA ; Hakam SINGH ; Aman ARORA
Journal of the Korean Society of Traumatology 2019;32(2):93-100
PURPOSE:
Penetrating vascular trauma though less common poses a challenge to all Surgeons. This study was designed to analyse the profile, management modalities of vascular trauma and the outcomes thereof at a Trauma Care Centre in a Tertiary care setting in hostile environment in India.
METHODS:
A prospective review of all patients with arterial and venous injuries being transferred to the Trauma Center at out Tertiary Care Center between June 2015 and May 2018 was done. Demographics, admission data, treatment, and complications were reviewed.
RESULTS:
There were a total of 46 patients with 65 vascular injuries, 39 arterial injuries and 26 venous injuries. The age range was 21 to 47 years. Nineteen patients had both arterial and venous injuries. A total of 42 cases presented within 12 hours of injury and complete arterial transections were found in 33 cases (80.49%). There were three mortalities (6.52%) and three amputations (8.33%). The overall limb salvage rate was 91.67% with popliteal artery being the commonest injured artery. Poor prognosticators for limb salvage were increasing time to present to the trauma centre, hypovolemic shock, multi-organ trauma and associated venous injuries.
CONCLUSIONS
Penetrating missile trauma leading to vascular injuries has not been widely reported. Attempting limb salvage even in cases with delayed presentation should be weighed with the threat to life before revascularisation and should preferably be done at a centre with vascular expertise. A team approach with vascular, orthopaedic, general surgeons, and critical care anaesthesiologists all aboard improve the outcomes manifold. Use of tourniquets and early fasciotomies have been emphasized as is the use of native veins as the bypass conduit. This is probably the largest study on penetrating Vascular trauma in anti-terrorism ops from the Indian subcontinent. It highlights the significance of prompt recognition and availability of vascular expertise in optimally managing cases of vascular trauma.
3.Gantzer muscles and their applied aspects: an exceptional finding.
Alok SAXENA ; Kishore Kumar AGARWAL ; Vidya PARSHURAM ; Amal Rani DAS
Singapore medical journal 2013;54(5):e102-4
Anatomical variations are typically more common in the extensor compartment of the forearm, but uncommon in the flexor compartment. The presence of such anatomical anomalies is not usually noticed until the normal functions of an individual become hindered, or when these anomalies become a surgical problem. During routine dissection curriculum, we encountered a rare finding of bilateral Gantzer muscles in a cadaver. We describe the relationship between the Gantzer muscle and anterior interosseous nerve syndrome.
Cadaver
;
Diagnosis, Differential
;
Dissection
;
Forearm
;
abnormalities
;
anatomy & histology
;
innervation
;
Humans
;
Median Nerve
;
anatomy & histology
;
Models, Anatomic
;
Muscle, Skeletal
;
abnormalities
;
anatomy & histology
;
innervation
4.Effect of Iron Availability on Induction of Systemic Resistance to Fusarium Wilt of Chickpea by Pseudomonas spp..
Ratul SAIKIA ; Alok K SRIVASTAVA ; Kiran SINGH ; Dilip K ARORA ; Min Woong LEE
Mycobiology 2005;33(1):35-40
Selected isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf4-92 and PfRsC5) and P. aeruginosa (PaRsG18 and PaRsG27) were examined for growth promotion and induced systemic resistance against Fusarium wilt of chickpea. Significant increase in plant height was observed in Pseudomonas treated plants. However, plant growth was inhibited when isolates of Pseudomonas were used in combination with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (FocRs1). It was also observed that the Pseudomonas spp. was colonized in root of chickpea and significantly suppressed the disease in greenhouse condition. Rock wool bioassay technique was used to study the effect of iron availability on the induction of systemic resistance to Fusarium wilt of chickpea mediated by the Pseudomonas spp. All the isolates of Pseudomonas spp. showed greater disease control in the induced systemic resistance (ISR) bioassay when iron availability in the nutrient solution was low. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis indicated that all the bacterial isolates produced more salicylic acid (SA) at low iron (10microM EDDHA) than high iron availability (10microFe3+ EDDHA). Except PaRsG27, all the three isolates produced more pseudobactin at low iron than high iron availability.
Biological Assay
;
Chromatography, Liquid
;
Cicer*
;
Colon
;
Fusarium*
;
Iron*
;
Plants
;
Pseudomonas fluorescens
;
Pseudomonas*
;
Salicylic Acid
;
Wool
5.Induction of Defense Related Enzymes and Pathogenesis Related Proteins in Pseudomonas fluorescens-Treated Chickpea in Response to Infection by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri.
Ratul SAIKIA ; Rakesh KUMAR ; Tanuja SINGH ; Alok K SRIVASTAVA ; Dilip K ARORA ; Min Woong LEE
Mycobiology 2004;32(1):47-53
Pseudomonas fluorescens 1-94 induced systemic resistance in chickpea against Fusarium wilt of chickpea caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri by the synthesis and accumulation of phenolic compounds, phenylalanine ammonia lyase(PAL) and pathogenesis related(PR) proteins(chitinase, beta-1,3-glucanase and peroxidase). Time-course accumulation of these enzymes in chickpea plants inoculated with P. fluorescens was significantly(LSD, P=0.05) higher than control. Maximum activities of PR-proteins were recorded at 3 days after inoculation in all induced plants; thereafter, the activity decreased progressively. Five PR peroxidases detected in induced chickpea plants. Molecular mass of these purified peroxidases was 20, 29, 43, 66 and 97 kDa. Purified peroxidases showed antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi.
Ammonia
;
Cicer*
;
Fungi
;
Fusarium*
;
Peroxidases
;
Phenol
;
Phenylalanine
;
Plants
;
Pseudomonas fluorescens
;
Pseudomonas*
6.Multiple fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws: A report of a rare case with a literature review
Ramanpal Singh MAKKAD ; Giridhar S. NAIDU ; Ravleen NAGI ; Alok SAGTANI ; Santosh PATIL ; Swatantra SHRIVASTAVA
Imaging Science in Dentistry 2021;51(4):461-466
Fibro-osseous lesions are a poorly defined category of conditions affecting the jaws and craniofacial bones, and include developmental lesions, reactive or dysplastic lesions, and neoplasms. Fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma are the 2 main types of fibro-osseous lesions affecting the jaw, and ossifying fibroma is a true benign neoplasm of the bone-forming tissues with several well-recognized variants ranging from innocuous to extensively aggressive lesions. However, multiple simultaneous fibro-osseous lesions of the jaw bones involving all quadrants are exceedingly rare. One such case diagnosed by conventional radiography and computed tomography is discussed here.
7.Early Infant Feeding Practices May Influence the Onset of Symptomatic Celiac Disease.
Shailja VAJPAYEE ; Shiv Dayal SHARMA ; Rajkumar GUPTA ; Alok GOYAL ; Aakash SHARMA
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition 2016;19(4):229-235
PURPOSE: To study whether breastfeeding and breastfeeding status during gluten introduction influences the age at diagnosis of celiac disease (CD). In addition to study, whether the timing of gluten introduction influences the age at diagnosis of CD. METHODS: It was a hospital based observational study. Total 198 patients diagnosed with CD as per modified European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (2012) criteria, aged between 6 months to 6 years were included. Detail history taken with special emphasis on breastfeeding and age of gluten introduction. Standard statistical methods used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Mean±standard deviation age of onset and diagnosis of CD in breastfed cases was 2.81±1.42 years and 3.68 ±1.55 years respectively as compared to 1.84±1.36 years and 2.70±1.65 years respectively in not breastfed cases (p<0.05). Those who had continued breastfeeding during gluten introduction and of longer duration had significantly delayed onset of disease. The age at onset of CD was under one year in 40.42% of the cases, who had started gluten before 6 months of age compared to only 12.58% of those who had started gluten later (p<0.001). The proposed statistical model showed that two variables, i.e., breast feeding status during gluten introduction and age at gluten introduction positively influencing the age at diagnosis of CD. CONCLUSION: Delayed gluten introduction to infant's diet along with continuing breastfeeding, delays symptomatic CD. However, it is not clear from our study that these infant feeding practices provide permanent protection against the disease or merely delays the symptoms.
Age of Onset
;
Breast Feeding
;
Celiac Disease*
;
Diagnosis
;
Diet
;
Gastroenterology
;
Glutens
;
Humans
;
Infant*
;
Models, Statistical
;
Observational Study
8.Objective Comparison of Benefits Derived From Contralateral Routing of Signal Hearing Aid and Bone Conduction Device in Noisy Surroundings in Patients With Single-Sided Deafness
Kapil SIKKA ; Rijendra YOGAL ; Alok THAKAR ; Rakesh KUMAR ; Tanvi CHAUDHARY ; Mao BHARTIYA ; Hitesh VERMA ; Sonam SHARMA ; Chirom Amit SINGH
Journal of Audiology & Otology 2022;26(4):202-207
Background and Objectives:
Single-sided deafness (SSD) leads to non-participation of the diseased ear in generating adequate auditory input, which results in poor speech discrimination in noisy surroundings. The present study objectively compared the audiological benefits rendered by contralateral routing of signal (CROS) hearing aid and bone conduction device (BCD) in patients with SSD >70 dB HL using the modified hearing in noise test (HINT).
Materials and Methods:
Patients with SSD >70 dB HL in poor and clinically normal hearing in the better ear were enrolled. Patients aged <18 or >70 years, with a history of neurological insult or ear infection in the last 3 months, mental retardation, psychiatric or developmental disorders, and diabetes were excluded. Modified HINT was performed with the affected ear unaided, aided with CROS hearing aid, and with BCD, generating three groups. Noise signal was presented at a fixed intensity of 65 dB at the neutral position in the center and speech signal was presented to either ear sequentially. The test was repeated with the speech signal fixed at the neutral position and the noise signal presented to either ear.
Results:
BCD led to a better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than CROS hearing aid in all situations except when noise was centralized and speech was presented to the affected ear.
Conclusions
A benefit was observed when auditory rehabilitation was used for the affected ear as demonstrated by better SNR scores. The results showed that BCD performed better than CROS hearing aid.
9. Efficacy and safety of ivermectin for COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Alok SINGH ; Pranav SHETH ; Suryaprakash DHANERIA ; Dhyuti GUPTA
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2021;14(10):440-450
Objective: To critically evaluate the trials that have assessed the efficacy and safety of ivermectin COVID-19 and to validate the rationality of using this drug in the management of COVID-19 either as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic search through various databases, i.e., Cochrane library, PubMed, clincialtrials.gov, and preprint servers, for publications from 2020 to May 2021. The keywords used for the search were: "COVID-19 and ivermectin"(with filter set for "trials"). All the trials assessing efficacy in prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 were included for analysis. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients showing disease progression. Secondary outcomes were mean duration of hospitalization and resolution of symptoms, the proportion of patients testing positive on day 5-7, the mortality rate in severe cases, incidence of serious adverse events, and contacts of COVID-19 positive patients who turned RT-PCR positive after prophylaxis treatment. Results: A total of 17 clinical trials were included for the evaluation. Ivermectin proved to be a beneficial add-on therapy, as it reduced the risk of disease progression (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.30-0.74, P =0.001), led to early resolution of symptoms (MD -1.16, 95% CI-1.52 - 0.81, P <0.001), and had less duration of hospitalization (MD -2.21, 95% CI -3.23 - 1.19, P <0.001). In addition, ivermectin was better in providing effective prophylaxis (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.05-0.30, P <0.001). The incidence of serious adverse events was low. Conclusions: As an adjunct to standard care, ivermectin has shown its efficacy and safety in treating and prophylaxis in COVID-19 disease. These results should be interpreted cautiously as these trials had significant shortcomings.
10.Immunohistochemical Analysis of the Expression of Cytokeratins in Acquired Cholesteatoma and Its Clinico-Radiological Correlation
Anupam KANODIA ; Aanchal KAKKAR ; Yash VERMA ; Diya ROY ; Hitesh VERMA ; Chirom Amit SINGH ; Rabia MONGA ; Deepali JAIN ; Alok THAKAR ; Kapil SIKKA
Journal of Audiology & Otology 2023;27(2):97-103
Background and Objectives:
Cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media acquires epithelial proliferation and differentiation characteristics, which render it able to erode the underlying bone and cause complications. We attempt to characterize the cholesteatoma epithelium by observing the expression of cytokeratins (such as 34ße12, CK17, and CK13) and Ki67 among patients with cholesteatoma with different aggressiveness as compared to disease-free controls.
Subjects and Methods:
In this prospective study (2017-2021), we enrolled all consenting consecutive patients with cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media. They were staged in accordance with the staging guidelines of the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology and the Japanese Otological Society. Bony external auditory canal (EAC) skin specimens of the patients undergoing tympanoplasty were chosen as controls. We did an immunohistochemical analysis of the cholesteatoma specimens and normal bony EAC controls by observing the expression of 34ße12, CK17, CK13, and Ki67 across the layers of the epithelium. Fisher’s exact test and chi-square test were used to evaluate any statistical significance between the cases and the controls, and the subgroups were made based on the clinical stage.
Results:
An increased expression of CK17 (p<0.001), CK13 (p<0.03), and Ki67 (p<0.001) was observed in cholesteatoma specimens when compared to normal bony EAC controls. Also, there was a loss of expression of 34ße12 in a subset of cholesteatoma specimens, all of which showed full-thickness expression of CK13. There was no difference in the expression of cytokeratin among specimens from patients belonging to different subgroups based on clinical stage, age, sex, duration of ear symptoms, or type of hearing loss (conductive vs. sensorineural).
Conclusions
The majority of cholesteatoma specimens significantly overexpressed CK17, CK13, and Ki67 when compared to normal bony EAC skin controls, while a subset showed loss of expression of 34ße12, which provides some insight into its pathogenesis.