Chondroblastoma of the talus

We report the case of a 13-year-old male child who presented with a painful left ankle. On imaging (radiography and computed tomography scan with 3-dimensional reconstruction views), an osteolytic lesion in the body of the talus was revealed. Open biopsy, curettage, and fibular bone grafting were done, and the specimen was sent for histopathologic examination. The histopathologic report confirmed the specimen to be chondroblastoma of the talus bone. Chondroblastoma is a rare benign cartilaginous neoplasm that accounts for approximately 1% of all bone tumors and characteristically arises in the epiphysis of a long bone, particularly the humerus, tibia, and femur. Chondroblastoma can affect people of all ages. It is, however, most common in children and young adults aged 10 to 20 years. Chondroblastoma in a tarsal bone is a rare entity. Managing chondroblastoma of the talus with curettage and bone grafting has shown good outcomes.

Comment on "The great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake of 26 December 2004"

Lay et al. (Research Articles, 20 May 2005, p. 1127) estimated a 600-km length for the tsunami source region. Adding tide-gauge data from Paradip, the northernmost of the Indian east-coast stations and therefore the most critical constraint on the northern extent of the source, we estimate that its length was greater by approximately 30%.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of subclinical filariasis

Asymptomatic persons with lymphatic filariasis may harbor microfiliariae in the circulation, and despite the lack of symptoms, these patients may have occult pathologic lesions and renal abnormalities. Earlier investigators have shown that it is possible to detect live adult filarial worms and dilation of lymphatic channels with ultrasonography. It is also possible to assess response to therapy. Using sonography, we detected twirling motions in dilated lymph channels and characteristic sonographic findings associated with presence of adult filariae. On follow-up examination we also found evidence of loss of worm activity after chemotherapy.

Partial trisomy of chromosome 10 inherited from a carrier father

Partial trisomy of chromosome 10q is a very rare condition with only four cases having been reported int he literature. This report describes a neonate with symmetric growth retardation and multiple dysmorphic features, in whom G-banded chromosomal analysis revealed a partial trisomy of chromosome 10q (q2.4-q ter). The father was diagnosed as a carrier of a balanced translocation with a karyotype of 46, XY t(10.3) (q2.4L : pter). In patients with a bad obstetric history, genetic counselling prior to a new conception cna aid in early prenatal diagnosis of fetuses with recurrent chromosomal abnormalities by means of fetal tissue sampling.

Intraoperative sonography in neurosurgery

Intraoperative sonography is not employed as often as it should be. This report describes the techniques of intraoperative sonography during craniotomy. The authors have performed this in 15 cases. Details of three cases wherein the lesion was localised easily at operation are given. Surgical excision can be done after this procedure without producing any major deficit.

Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes in the elderly

Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) is a form of diabetes seen in tropical countries. It is secondary to chronic, calcific, non-alcoholic pancreatitis. FCPD is usually a disease of youth. This paper reports on two elderly onset cases of FCPD. Macrovascular complications are usually rare in FCPD patients. These two patients had evidence of macrovascular diseases probably due to the older age group of the patients.