Pigmented villonodular synovitis with bone involvement

Pigmented villonodular synovitis with bone involvements have been reported at various sites. The mode of bone involvement is still controversial. In the present report, out of 47 cases of pigmented villonodular synovitis there were six osseous involvements (at ankle, wrist, elbow, scapula, hip and knee) with bizarre manifestations. The lesions at ankle, wrist and elbow were peculiar, mimicking neoplasm. All cases were treated by operative methods.

"T"-osteotomy of the calcaneum

The relative length and height of the lateral and medial walls of the calcaneum probably govern the production and persistence of structural hindfoot deformity, forefoot supination and adduction, and pronation and abduction. Anatomical restoration of the proportions of the calcaneal walls forms the basis of the T-osteotomy of the calcaneum. We have undertaken this operation on 72 feet in 60 patients for cavovarus deformity with forefoot adduction. The calcaneum is approached from the lateral side and the T-shaped osteotomy is performed through the body, the vertical limb being 1 to 1.5 cm behind and parallel to the calcaneo-cuboid joint. The horizontal limb starts from the centre of the vertical cut and ends above the attachment of the tendo achillis. The postero-inferior segment is pushed out correcting the heel varus and at the same time broadening the heel. The forefoot is manipulated downwards and outwards to correct the residual cavus and the adduction and supination of the forefoot. The over-all results, with an average follow-up of 3.7 years, have been satisfactory.

Medullary structure of head hair in Gurkha: a Mongoloid population of Dehra Dun, India

Investigations on the medullary structure of the head hair of 100 male Magas and 100 male Gurungs are reported. Both population samples are subcastes of the Gurkhas. The results are compared with those obtained in other Indian populations.

Hundred psychiatric outpatients presented with attempted suicide

Introduction: Suicide is a major public health concern and it is one of the commonest Psychiatric emergencies. Suicide rates are increasing and have become a global concern with more than 600,000 suicidal attempts every year in the United States, alone. There is no national data available for Nepal. This hospital based study may help in understanding about the cause and methods of suicide attempts. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the (i) methods and precipitating cause for attempted suicide (ii) to study the relationship between major socio-demographic variables and attempted suicide. This study may be helpful in formulating suicide prevention strategies at different levels. Methods: Cross-sectional study in a tertiary level hospital. Consecutive 100 cases of attempted suicide coming in contact to an investigating team were evaluated for methods opted for attempting suicide and underlying cause was explored. Demographic variables were recorded and analysed. Results: Majority of the suicide attempters (67%) were less than 35 years of age, and female outnumbered male. Sixty one percent of the subject belonged to rural background. Out of 100 suicide attempters 40% of them have completed SLC and majority of them were students. Fifty-four percent of the sample consumed pesticides and 25% of the cases used highly lethal means. Majority of the persons (58%) had psychiatric co morbidities in which depression was the commonest. Interpersonal conflict accounted for 18% of the cases followed by marital problems (13%) as triggering factors of attempted suicide. Conclusion: Majority of the suicide attempters were young and having psychiatric disorders. Most of the attempters were from rural areas. Keywords: Attempted suicide; psychiatric co morbidities; Interpersonal conflict. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v9i3.5584   HR 2011; 9(3): 162-167