Correlation of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging with Chronicity Markers in Native Renal Biopsy

Introduction. Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) is an ultrasound parameter which has shown promise in assessing liver stiffness, but there are limited data on the correlation of ARFI with chronicity markers in renal biopsies. Objectives. Determine ARFI values in ultrasound and correlate with chronicity markers in renal biopsy. Determine whether ARFI can be used as a non-invasive chronicity predictor compared to renal length, Resistive Index (RI), and cortical thickness. Patients and Methods. Two hundred and fifty patients were enrolled in the study. The ultrasound variables ARFI, renal length, RI, and cortical thickness values were assessed by the radiologist prior to renal biopsy. The biopsy slides were graded as per the Mayo Clinic consensus report scoring system by an experienced pathologist. Results. Among 250 study participants, 167 were males and 83 were females. IgA nephropathy was the most common pathology (n=47;19%), followed by diabetic nephropathy (n=42;17%), membranous nephropathy (n=35;14%), FSGS (n=27;11%), and MCD (n=19; 8%). The mean eGFR was 55.9 ± 42.12 ml/min/1.73 m2. The average renal length was 10.086 ± 1.01 cm. The average cortical thickness was 0.707 ± 0.134 cm. Resistive index was 0.68 ± 0.09. Acoustic radiation force impulse had weak negative correlation (r=-0.286; p=0.0001) with total pathological score and weak positive correlation with eGFR (r=0.279; p=0.0001). RI was a better indicator for histologically evaluated chronicity with positive correlation coefficient (r=0.416; p=0.0005) compared to renal length, cortical thickness, and ARFI. Conclusion. ARFI didn't corelate with the pathological score in renal biopsies. RI had better predictive value for chronicity in native renal biopsies.

Carboprost Versus Oxytocin for Active Management of Third Stage of Labor: A Prospective Randomized Control Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Postpartum hemorrhage is the single largest and leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality not only in developing countries but also in developed countries. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the scope of using prophylactic intramuscular carboprost tromethamine 125 μg in comparison with intramuscular oxytocin 10 units for the active management of third stage of labor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred pregnant women at term with spontaneous onset of labor were included in the study and were randomly divided into 2 groups of 100 women each. Group A and group B were given injection oxytocin 10 units and injection carboprost tromethamine 125 μg intramuscularly, respectively, at the time of delivery of anterior shoulder. The main outcome measures with respect to third stage of labor were: duration, blood loss by volume, difference in hemoglobin, need for additional oxytocics and side effects.

RESULTS

Subjects who received carboprost tromethamine 125 μg showed a significant reduction in duration of third stage of labor (p < 0.05) and blood loss (p < 0.01) when compared to the subjects who received oxytocin 10 units. Likelihood of occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage was reduced without significant side effects except for diarrhea. Additional need for other uterotonics after carboprost was significantly less compared to oxytocin.

CONCLUSION

Intramuscular carboprost 125 μg is a better cost-effective alternative as compared to 10 units intramuscular oxytocin in active management of third stage of labor.

Coccidioidomycosis in Chennai

Coccidioidomycosis is a deep mycosis caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis. Disseminated disease can affect any part of the body. Coccidioidal synovitis is a rare manifestation of musculoskeletal coccidioidomycosis requiring aggressive treatment. We report a case of a 68 year old man who presented to our centre in Chennai with pain and restriction of movement of the elbow of 4 months duration. After being investigated, he was subjected to a synovectomy following which he was diagnosed to have coccidioidal synovitis of the elbow joint by histology and culture. He was treated with itraconazole. He was doing well on the most recent follow up. The case is presented for its rarity in India.