Hepatic pseudotumor:A diagnostic challenge

Hepatic pseudotumors are rare lesions of unknown origin,characterized by the proliferation of fibrous connective tissue and inflammatory cell infiltrates.They mimic malignant lesions clinically,and radiologically,given their non-specific clinical and imaging features.The pathophysiology of hepatic pseudotumor is incompletely understood and there are no standardized criteria for diagnosis.Pseudotumors have been reported to develop in various organs in the body with the lung and liver being the most common site.Hepatic pseudotumors develop in patients with underlying triggers of liver inflammation and injury,including infections,autoimmune liver diseases,bile duct injury,or surgery.Hepatic pse-udotumors respond well to conservative treatment with antibiotics,and steroids and some may regress spontaneously,thus avoiding unnecessary resection.This condition is rewarding to treat.It is important to recognize pseudotumor as a distinct clinical entity and include it in the differential of liver masses with atypical imaging features.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease:A silent pandemic

The worldwide epidemiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is showing an upward trend,parallel to the rising trend of metabolic syndrome,owing to lifestyle changes.The pathogenesis of NAFLD has not been fully understood yet.Therefore,NAFLD has emerged as a public health concern in the field of hepatology and metabolisms worldwide.Recent changes in the nomenclature from NAFLD to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease have brought a positive outlook changes in the understanding of the disease process and doctor-patient communication.Lifestyle changes are the main treatment modality.Recently,clinical trial using drugs that target‘insulin resistance’which is the driving force behind NAFLD,have shown promising results.Further translational research is needed to better understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of NAFLD which may open newer avenues of therapeutic targets.The role of gut dysbiosis in etiopathogenesis and use of fecal microbiota modification in the treatment should be studied extensively.Prevention of this silent epidemic by spreading awareness and early intervention should be our priority.

Fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy:A perspective

Due to its complex pathogenesis,treatment of hepatic encephalopathy(HE)continues to be a therapeutic challenge.Of late,gut microbiome has garnered much attention for its role in the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal and liver diseases and its potential therapeutic use.New evidence suggests that gut micro-biota plays a significant role in cerebral homeostasis.Alteration in the gut microbiota has been documented in patients with HE in a number of clinical and experimental studies.Research on gut dysbiosis in patients with HE has opened newer therapeutic avenues in the form of probiotics,prebiotics and the latest fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT).Recent studies have shown that FMT is safe and could be effective in improving outcomes in advanced liver disease patients presenting with HE.However,questions over the appropriate dose,duration and route of administration for best treatment outcome remains unsettled.

Digital psychiatry in low-and-middle-income countries:New developments and the way forward

Low-and middle-income countries(LMICs)bear the greater share of the global mental health burden but are ill-equipped to deal with it because of severe resource constraints leading to a large treatment gap.The remote provision of mental health services by digital means can effectively augment conventional services in LMICs to reduce the treatment gap.Digital psychiatry in LMICs has always lagged behind high-income countries,but there have been encouraging developments in the last decade.There is increasing research on the efficacy of digital psychiatric interventions.However,the evidence is not adequate to conclude that digital psychiatric interventions are invariably effective in LMICs.A striking development has been the rise in mobile and smartphone ownership in LMICs,which has driven the increasing use of mobile technologies to deliver mental health services.An innovative use of mobile technologies has been to optimize task-shifting,which involves delivering mental healthcare services in community settings using non-specialist health professionals.Emerging evidence from LMICs shows that it is possible to use digital tools to train non-specialist workers effectively and ensure that the psychosocial interventions they deliver are efficacious.Despite these promising developments,many barriers such as service costs,underdeveloped infrastructure,lack of trained professionals,and significant disparities in access to digital services impede the progress of digital psychiatry in LMICs.To overcome these barriers,digital psychiatric services in LMICs should address contextual factors influencing the delivery of digital services,ensure collaboration between different stakeholders,and focus on reducing the digital divide.

Understanding the role of transmembrane 9 superfamily member 1 in bladder cancer pathogenesis

In this editorial we comment on the article by Wei et al,published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Oncology.The authors investigated the role of Transmembrane 9 superfamily member 1(TM9SF1)protein in bladder cancer(BC)carcinogenesis.Lentiviral vectors were used to achieve silencing or overexpression of TM9SF1 gene in three BC cell lines.These cell lines were then subject to cell counting kit 8,wound-healing assay,transwell assay,and flow cytometry.Proliferation,migration,and invasion of BC cells were increased in cell lines subjected to TM9SF1 overexpression.TM9SF1 silencing inhibited proliferation,migration and invasion of BC cells.The authors conclude that TM9SF1 may be an oncogene in bladder cancer pathogenesis.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic fluid collection drainage: Where are we?

Pancreatic fluid collections(PFCs)result from injury to the pancreas from acute or chronic pancreatitis,surgery,or trauma.Management of these collections has evolved over the last 2 decades.The choice of interventions includes percu-taneous,endoscopic,minimally invasive surgery,or a combined approach.Endoscopic drainage is the drainage of PFCs by creating an artificial communi-cation between the collection and gastrointestinal lumen that is maintained by placing a stent across the fistulous tract.In this editorial,we endeavored to update the current status of endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of PFCs.

Emerging role of computed tomography coronary angiography in evaluation of children with Kawasaki disease

Coronary artery abnormalities are the most important complications in children with Kawasaki disease(KD).Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography currently is the standard of care for initial evaluation and follow-up of children with KD.However,it has inherent limitations with regard to evaluation of mid and distal coronary arteries and,left circumflex artery and the poor acoustic window in older children often makes evaluation difficult in this age group.Catheter angiography(CA)is invasive,has high radiation exposure and fails to demonstrate abnormalities beyond lumen.The limitations of echocardiography and CA necessitate the use of an imaging modality that overcomes these problems.In recent years advances in computed tomography technology have enabled explicit evaluation of coronary arteries along their entire course including major branches with optimal and acceptable radiation exposure in children.Computed tomography coronary angiography(CTCA)can be performed during acute as well as convalescent phases of KD.It is likely that CTCA may soon be considered the reference standard imaging modality for evaluation of coronary arteries in children with KD.

Long term outcomes of Cohen’s cross trigonal reimplantation for primary vesicoureteral reflux in poorly functioning kidney

BACKGROUND Open ureteric reimplantation by cross trigonal technique described by Cohen is considered a common surgical option for correction of vesicoureteral reflux(VUR). There is a lack of evidence in literature though for what happens to such kidneys, in the long run, particularly those which are poorly functioning.AIM To assess the long-term outcomes of ureteric reimplantation in poorly functioning kidneys in children with unilateral primary VUR.METHODS Children with unilateral primary VUR and a relative renal function of less than 35% who underwent open or laparoscopic ureteric reimplantation between January 2005 and January 2017 were included in the study. Patients who had a follow up of less than five years were excluded. Preoperative evaluation consisted of a voiding cystourethrogram and Dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) scan. In the follow-up period, patients underwent a diuretic scan at 6 weeks and 6 months.Follow up ultrasound was done for change in grade of hydronephrosis and retrovesical ureteric diameter. Subsequent follow up was done at 6 monthly intervals with evaluation for proteinuria and hypertension and any recurrent urinary tract infection(UTI). For assessment of cortical function, DMSA was repeated annually for 5 years after surgery. A paired-samples t-test was used to test the mean difference of DMSA between pre-post observations.RESULTS During this period, 36 children underwent ureteric reimplantation for unilateral primary VUR. After excluding those with insufficient follow-up, 31 were included in the analysis. Most of the patients were males(n = 26/31, 83.8%). Patient’s age(mean ± SD, range) was 5.21 ± 3.71, 1-18 years. The grades of VUR were grade Ⅱ(1patient), grade Ⅲ(8 patients), grade Ⅳ(10 patients), and grade Ⅴ(12 patients). The pre and postoperative DMSA was 24.064 ± 12.02 and 24.06 ± 10.93, which was almost the same(statistically equal, paired-samples t-test: P = 0.873). The median(range) follow-up duration was 82(60-120)mo. One patient had persistent reflux after surgery(preoperative: grade Ⅳ, postoperative: grade Ⅲ), and the very same patient developed recurrent UTI. The difference in the preoperative and postoperative DRF was less than 10% in 29 patients. In one patient, the DRF decreased by 17%(22% to 05%) while in another patient, the DRF increased by 12%(25% to 37%) after surgery. None of the patients had an increase in scarring after surgery. 15% of patients were hypertensive before surgery and all of them continued to be hypertensive after surgery while none developed hypertension after surgery. None of the patients had significant proteinuria(> 150 mg/d) during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION Children with unilateral primary VUR and poorly functioning kidney maintain the renal function over the long term in most cases. Hypertension and proteinuria do not progress over time in these patients.

Budd-Chiari syndrome in children:Challenges and outcome

Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS)is an uncommon disease of the liver,characterised by obstruction of the hepatic venous outflow tract.The etiological spectrum of BCS as well as venous obstruction pattern show wide geographical and demographic variations across the globe.Compared to adults with BCS,children have primary BCS as the predominant etiology,earlier clinical presentation,and hence better treatment outcome.Underlying prothrombotic conditions play a key role in the etiopathogenesis of BCS,though work-up for the same is often unyielding in children.Use of next-generation sequencing in addition to conventional tests for thrombophilia leads to better diagnostic yield.In recent years,advances in radiological endovascular intervention techniques have revolutionized the treatment and outcome of BCS.Various non-invasive markers of fibrosis like liver and splenic stiffness measurement are being increasingly used to assess treatment response.Elastography techniques provide a novel non-invasive tool for measuring liver and splenic stiffness.This article reviews the diagnostic and therapeutic advances and challenges in children with BCS.

Liver or kidney:Who has the oar in the gluconeogenesis boat and when?

Gluconeogenesis is an endogenous process of glucose production from noncarbohydrate carbon substrates.Both the liver and kidneys express the key enzymes necessary for endogenous glucose production and its export into circulation.We would be remiss to add that more recently gluconeogenesis has been described in the small intestine,especially under high-protein,lowcarbohydrate diets.The contribution of the liver glucose release,the net glucose flux,towards systemic glucose is already well known.The liver is,in most instances,the primary bulk contributor due to the sheer size of the organ(on average,over 1 kg).The contribution of the kidney(at just over 100 g each)to endogenous glucose production is often under-appreciated,especially on a weight basis.Glucose is released from the liver through the process of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.Renal glucose release is almost exclusively due to gluconeogenesis,which occurs in only a fraction of the cells in that organ(proximal tubule cells).Thus,the efficiency of glucose production from other carbon sources may be superior in the kidney relative to the liver or at least on the level.In both these tissues,gluconeogenesis regulation is under tight hormonal control and depends on the availability of substrates.Liver and renal gluconeogenesis are differentially regulated under various pathological conditions.The impact of one source vs the other changes,based on post-prandial state,acid-base balance,hormonal status,and other less understood factors.Which organ has the oar(is more influential)in driving systemic glucose homeostasis is still inconclusive and likely changes with the daily rhythms of life.We reviewed the literature on the differences in gluconeogenesis regulation between the kidneys and the liver to gain an insight into who drives the systemic glucose levels under various physiological and pathological conditions.

Development of a protocol for videoconferencing-based exposure and response prevention treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND The existing literature indicates that psychotherapeutic treatment,especially exposure and response prevention(ERP)is efficacious in treating obsessivecompulsive disorder(OCD).The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic adversely impacted many patients with OCD and disrupted their usual treatment.Moreover,the pandemic forced a global switch to telemental health(TMH)services to maintain the standards and continuity of care.Consequently,clinicians are increasingly using TMH-based psychotherapeutic treatments to treat OCD.However,several challenges have made it difficult for them to implement these treatments in the changed circumstances imposed by the pandemic.AIM To describe the formulation,implementation,feasibility,and usefulness of videoconferencing-based ERP(VC-ERP)treatment for OCD during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.METHODS This prospective,observational study was conducted in the psychiatric unit of a multi-specialty hospital in north India over 12 mo(July 2020-June 2021).All patients with OCD were assessed using the home-based TMH services of the department.The VC-ERP protocol for OCD was the outcome of weekly Zoom meetings with a group of clinicians involved in administering the treatment.After a systematic evaluation of the available treatment options,an initial protocol for delivering VC-ERP was developed.Guidelines for clinicians and educational materials for patients and their families were prepared.The protocol was implemented among patients with OCD attending the TMH services,and their progress was monitored.The weekly meetings were used to upgrade the protocol to meet the needs of all stakeholders.Feasibility and efficacy outcomes were examined.RESULTS All patients were diagnosed with OCD as a primary or a comorbid condition according to the International Classification of Diseases,10th version criteria.Out of 115 patients who attended the services during the study period,37 were excluded from the final analysis.Of the remaining 78 patients,VC-ERP was initiated in 43 patients.Six patients dropped out,and three were hospitalized for inpatient ERP.Eleven patients have completed the full VC-ERP treatment.One patient completed the psychoeducation part of the protocol.VC-ERP is ongoing in 22 patients.The protocol for VC-ERP treatment was developed and upgraded online.A large proportion of the eligible patients(n=34/43;79%)actively engaged in the VC-ERP treatment.Drop-out rates were low(n=6/43;14%).Satisfaction with the treatment was adequate among patients,caregivers,and clinicians.Apart from hospitalization in 3 patients,there were no other adverse events.Hybrid care and stepped care approaches could be incorporated into the VC-ERP protocol.Therefore,the feasibility of VC-ERP treatment in terms of operational viability,service utilization,service engagement,need for additional in-person services,frequency of adverse events,and user satisfaction was adequate.The VC-ERP treatment was found to be efficacious in the 11 patients who had completed the full treatment.Significant reductions in symptoms and maintenance of treatment gains on follow-up were observed.CONCLUSION This study provided preliminary evidence for the feasibility and usefulness of VC-ERP in the treatment of OCD.The results suggest that VC-ERP can be a useful option in resource-constrained settings.

Diabetes mellitus as a consequence of acute severe pancreatitis:Unraveling the mystery

The occurrence of diabetes mellitus(DM)in pancreatitis is being increasingly recognized lately.Diabetes can develop not only with chronic pancreatitis but even after the first episode of acute pancreatitis(AP).The incidence of diabetes after AP varies from 18%to 23%in 3 years and reaches up to 40%over 5 years.The exact pathogenesis of diabetes after AP is poorly understood and various mechanisms proposed include loss of islet cell mass,AP-induced autoimmunity,and alterations in the insulin incretin axis.Risk factors associated with increased risk of diabetes includes male sex,recurrent attacks of pancreatitis,presence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and level of pancreatitic necrosis.Diagnosis of post-pancreatitis DM(PPDM)is often excluded.Treatment includes a trial of oral antidiabetic drugs in mild diabetes.Often,insulin is required in uncontrolled diabetes.Given the lack of awareness of this metabolic disorder after AP,this review will evaluate current information on epidemiology,risk factors,diagnosis and management of PPDM and identify the knowledge gaps.

Challenges and dilemmas in pediatric hepatic Wilson’s disease

Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disorder affecting the ATP7B gene located on chromosome 13q.This leads to copper deposition in various organs,most importantly in the liver and brain.The genetic mutations are vast,well reported in the West but poorly documented in developing countries.Hence the diagnosis is made with a constellation of clinico-laboratory parameters which have significant overlap with other liver diseases and often pose a significant dilemma for clinicians.Diagnostic scoring systems are not fool-proof.The availability and affordability of chelators in developing countries impact the drug compliance of patients.While D-penicillamine is a potent drug,its side effects lead to drug discontinuation.Trientine is cost-prohibitive in developing countries.There is no single test to assess the adequacy of chelation.Exchangeable urinary copper is an essential upcoming diagnostic and prognostic tool.In the presence of cirrhosis,hypersplenism clouds the assessment of myelosuppression of drugs.Similarly,it may be difficult to distinguish disease tubulopathy from druginduced glomerulonephritis.Neurological worsening due to chelators may appear similar to disease progression.Presentation as fulminant hepatic failure requires rapid workup.There is a limited window of opportunity to salvage these patients with the help of plasmapheresis and other liver-assisted devices.This review addresses the challenges and clinical dilemmas faced at beside in developing countries.

Cell-type specific role of autophagy in the liver and its implications in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Autophagy,a cellular degradative process,has emerged as a key regulator of cellular energy production and stress mitigation.Dysregulated autophagy is a common phenomenon observed in several human diseases,and its restoration offers curative advantage.Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),more recently renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease,is a major metabolic liver disease affecting almost 30%of the world population.Unfortunately,NAFLD has no pharmacological therapies available to date.Autophagy regulates several hepatic processes including lipid metabolism,inflammation,cellular integrity and cellular plasticity in both parenchymal(hepatocytes)and non-parenchymal cells(Kupffer cells,hepatic stellate cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells)with a profound impact on NAFLD progression.Understanding cell type-specific autophagy in the liver is essential in order to develop targeted treatments for liver diseases such as NAFLD.Modulating autophagy in specific cell types can have varying effects on liver function and pathology,making it a promising area of research for liver-related disorders.This review aims to summarize our present understanding of cell-type specific effects of autophagy and their implications in developing autophagy centric therapies for NAFLD.

Laparoscopic management of hydatid cysts using long ribbon gauze:An initial experience of 37 consecutive cases

Objective:The laparoscopic approach is becoming the standard of care for many surgical disorders.However,in the case of hydatid cysts,laparoscopic management is challenging due to the risk of spillage of hydatid fluid,which can cause an anaphylactic reaction and recurrence.Here,we report our initial experience with laparoscopic partial pericystectomy of hydatid cysts using long ribbon gauze to decrease intra-operative spillage.Method:This was a retrospective study(between January 2010 and December 2021)in the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology,Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Science,a tertiary care referral center in northern India.Here,we have included 37 consecutive patients with hydatid cysts of the liver and spleen.Diagnosis was made by laboratory and imaging findings(abdominal sonography or contrast enhanced CT scans).All patients were managed with laparoscopic partial pericystectomy.Intraoperatively,a betadine-soaked long ribbon gauze,high-pressure suction canula,and an endo-bag were used in all patients.The collected data included patient demography,location,size,and number of cysts,WHO type,operative time,blood loss,postoperative complications,hospital stay and follow-up.Result:In our series,the mean age was 38.4±13.6 years,15(40.5%)were men and 22(59.5%)were women.The right lobe of the liver was the most commonly affected site(21,56.8%).The mean operative time was 80.0±32.0 min,and intraoperative blood loss was 23.6±11.5 mL.Bile leak was present in 6(16.2%)patients.There was no mortality.The hospital stay was 5(3,9)days,and no recurrence was observed at a median follow-up of 36 months.Conclusion:Laparoscopic partial pericystectomy using this technique is safe in the management of hydatid cysts.Simply,proper packing and safe removal of soaked gauzes can minimize the incidence of postoperative complications and recurrence.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate supplementation in health and diseases

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEAS)is a hormone produced by the zona reticularis of the adrenal gland and the ovaries.Initially considered as an inert compound merely serving as an intermediate in the conversion of cholesterol to androgens,interest in DHEA began to grow in the 1960s when it was found that DHEAS is the most abundant steroid hormone in human plasma and that its levels decline with age.In many countries,DHEA is considered a nutritional supplement.It has been used for a multitude of conditions which include sexual dysfunction,infertility,genitourinary syndrome of menopause,musculoskeletal disorders,cardiovascular diseases,ageing,neurological diseases,autoimmune conditions,adrenal insufficiency,and anorexia nervosa.We describe an overview of the historical evolution of DHEA,its physiology,and the disease states where it has been evaluated as a supplement.

Splenic lymphangioma masquerading as splenic abscess managed by laparoscopic splenectomy: A case report

BACKGROUND Primary benign splenic tumours are unique and account for<0.007%of all tumours identified during surgery and autopsy.Splenic lymphangiomas are rarely seen in adults.Splenic lymphangiomas may be asymptomatic,or may present with upper left abdominal pain,splenomegaly,hypersplenism,or splenic rupture with haemorrhagic shock.The clinical and radiological features of these lesions are not specific.This case report serves to remind the clinician to consider the rare but important differential diagnosis of splenic lymphangioma while treating splenic lesions.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of splenic lymphangioma in a 22-year-old woman who presented with left upper quadrant abdominal pain for three months.Initial investigations were unremarkable;however,computed tomography later revealed multiple splenic micro-abscesses.The patient underwent laparoscopic splenectomy,and histopathological examination revealed splenic lymphangioma.The patient was discharged on postoperative day three.One month after surgery,the abdominal pain resolved completely,with no new complaints.Splenic lymphangiomas present clinically as splenomegaly or left upper quadrant abdominal pain;prompt intervention is necessary for avoiding complications.CONCLUSION This case report concludes that splenic lymphangiomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of splenomegaly or left upper quadrant pain,even in adults,because they are amenable to curative treatment.Delays in surgical intervention may lead to severe complications,such as infection,rupture,and hemorrhage.Such lesions can be safely managed with laparoscopy,involving less postoperative pain and early patient discharge with excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Role of adjunctive nonpharmacological strategies for treatment of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder

Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder(RCBD)is a phase of bipolar disorder defined by the presence of≥4 mood episodes in a year.It is a common phenomenon characterized by greater severity,a predominance of depression,higher levels of disability,and poorer overall outcomes.It is resistant to treatment by conventional pharmacotherapy.The existing literature underlines the scarcity of evidence and the gaps in knowledge about the optimal treatment strategies for RCBD.However,most reviews have considered only pharmacological treatment options for RCBD.Given the treatment-refractory nature of RCBD,nonpharmacological interventions could augment medications but have not been adequately examined.This review carried out an updated and comprehensive search for evidence regarding the role of nonpharmacological therapies as adjuncts to medications in RCBD.We identified 83 reviews and meta-analyses concerning the treatment of RCBD.Additionally,we found 42 reports on adjunctive nonpharmacological treatments in RCBD.Most of the evidence favoured concomitant electroconvulsive therapy as an acute and maintenance treatment.There was preliminary evidence to suggest that chronotherapeutic treatments can provide better outcomes when combined with medications.The research on adjunctive psychotherapy was particularly scarce but suggested that psychoeducation,cognitive behavioural therapy,family interventions,and supportive psychotherapy may be helpful.The overall quality of evidence was poor and suffered from several methodological shortcomings.There is a need for more methodologically sound research in this area,although clinicians can use the existing evidence to select and individualize nonpharmacological treatment options for better management of RCBD.Patient summaries are included to highlight some of the issues concerning the implementation of adjunctive nonpharmacological treatments.

Admission Cardiotocography: Its Role in Predicting Perinatal Outcome in Term, Uncomplicated (Low Risk) Pregnant Women in Spontaneous Labour

Introduction: Labour admission cardiotocography (CTG) is commonly used non-invasive method of fetal monitoring in Sri Lanka. It may have a potentialto predict perinatal outcome in low-risk term pregnancies. Objectives: Objectives of the study were to determine the perinatal outcomes of normal, suspicious and pathological admission CTGs and role of labour admission cardiotocography as a predictive test for perinatal outcome in low-risk term pregnancies in spontaneous labour. Methods: This study was a prospective observational study done involving 445 low risk, term pregnancies in spontaneous labour. Labour admission CTG was performed in each pregnancy and categorized into normal, suspicious and pathological CTG according to criteria depicted by National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline 2007. Apgar score less than 7 at five minutes, resuscitation at birth, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), seizure within first 24 hours of birth and meconium-stained amniotic fluid were the primary outcome measures to assess fetal asphyxia. Mode of delivery in each category, nuchal cord at birth were also assessed. Results: Majority of participants were in 25-to-29-year age group and were nulliparous. Frequencies of normal, suspicious and pathological CTG were 74.8%, 18% and 7.2% respectively. Pathological CTG was significantly associated with low Apgar score compared to non-pathological CTG group (p 0.005) while other outcome measures were not significant. Rate of operative delivery was 68% in pathological group and 20.8% in non-pathological CTG group. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of labour admission CTG to detect fetal asphyxia were 51.85%, 95.69%, 43.75% and 96.85% respectively. Conclusions: Incidence of pathological labour admission CTG was 7.2%. Apgar score less than 7 at five minutes of birth was significantly associated with pathological CTG group compared to non-pathological CTG (p 0.05). Worsening of CTG from normal to pathological showed increasing rate of operative delivery. Even though sensitivity and positive predictive values of labour admission CTG were low, specificity and negative predictive values were high for detecting low Apgar score. Therefore, labour admission CTG has a value in excluding adverse perinatal outcomes in low-risk term pregnancies in spontaneous labour.

Safety and efficacy of intravitreal anti vascular endothelial growth factor for severe posterior retinopathy of prematurity with flat fibrovascular proliferation

BACKGROUND Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(IVA)injection is known to cause contraction of fibrovascular proliferation(FVP),when present in severe retinopathy of prematurity(ROP).AIM To assess the structural outcomes of IVA injection in the treatment of severe posterior ROP with significant FVP.METHODS It was a retrospective study in which 36 eyes of 18 preterm babies who developed>4 clock hours of FVP in zone I or posterior zone II,were treated with either intravitreal 0.625 mg bevacizumab or intravitreal 0.2 mg of ranibizumab.Favorable structural outcome included resolution of plus disease and FVP without the development of tractional retinal detachment.Secondary outcome measure included either full retinal maturation at follow-up or development of recurrent disease requiring additional treatment.Adverse outcomes included progression to retinal detachment.RESULTS The mean gestational age of the 18 preterm babies was 30 wk(range 27-36),and mean birth weight was 1319 g(range 650-1980 g).Mean post-menstrual age(PMA)at the time of primary treatment was 35.5 wk(range 31-41 wk).All eyes showed regression of plus disease and FVP.5 eyes of 3 babies showed reactivation of disease and were treated with repeat IVA(n=2 eyes)or peripheral laser photocoagulation(n=3 eyes)respectively.16 out of 36(44%)reached retinal vascular maturation at final follow up at 5 years.CONCLUSION There was good resolution of severe posterior ROP with FVP with IVA,with retinal maturity of 44%at 5 year follow-up and a reactivation rate of 13.8%.When the IVA injection is given prior to 37 wk PMA,while disease is in phase 2,it is less likely to cause contracture of pre-existing FVP.