Primary Angiosarcoma of Breast: a Case Series of Rare Disease.

Primary angiosarcoma of breast (PAB) is a very rare disease and it accounts for only 0.05% of all malignant breast tumors. We present the clinical radiological and pathological features, treatment given, and outcome of this rare disease in our institute in a period of 5 years, aiming at contributing to the knowledge of prognostic factors of this rare disease.

High molecular weight heparin-induced angiogenesis mainly mediated via basic fibroblast growth factor-2- an (CAM) and analysis.

Background: High-molecular weight heparin (HMWH), a molecule extensively used as an anticoagulant, shows concentration-dependent angiogenic and anti-angiogenic potential. So far, no studies have reported the interactive potential of HMWH with various pro-angiogenic growth factors under physiological conditions. Haence, we aimed to find the impact of major pro-angiogenic growth factors under HMWH induced angiogenesis.

Multi-center prospective survey of hepatocellular carcinoma in Kerala: More than 1,200 cases.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered uncommon in India. The aim of this study was to document the demographic characteristics and clinical aspects of HCC in Kerala, India.

Methods: A survey of HCC in Kerala was performed.

Multi-center prospective survey of inflammatory bowel diseases in Kerala: More than 2000 cases.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered uncommon in Asia. The aim of this study was to document the demographic characteristics and clinical aspects of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in Kerala, India.

Methods: A survey of IBD in Kerala was performed.

Polymer sutures for simultaneous wound healing and drug delivery - A review.

Drug delivery using suitable polymeric devices has gathered momentum in the recent years due to their remarkable properties. The versatility of polymeric materials makes them reliable candidates for site targeted drug release. Among them biodegradable sutures has received considerable attention because they offer great promises in the realm of drug delivery.

Chromoblastomycosis in Kerala, India.

Background: We are reporting 35 new cases of Chromoblastomycosis from Central Kerala. A majority of the cases from India are reported from the Sub Himalayan belt and South India. The disease scenario in India and abroad is briefly reviewed.

Mitral leaflet separation index in assessing the severity of mitral stenosis.

Determining the severity of mitral stenosis (MS) is important for both prognostic and therapeutic reasons. The mitral valve area (MVA) can be measured by planimetry, pressure half-time, continuity equation, and proximal isovelocity surface area methods. In this study, we propose a novel yet simple, independent measure of MS severity-the mitral leaflet separation (MLS) index.

Comparison of efficacy and adverse effect profile of high dose versus standard dose atorvastatin in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of high and standard dose atorvastatin in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Design: A prospective, single-centre, randomised, double blind study.

Setting: A tertiary care centre in Kerala, India, from January to June 2009.

Acute optic neuritis following infection with chikungunya virus in southern rural India.

Objectives: To define acute optic neuritis following infection with chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and to determine the efficacy of treatment with corticosteroids of acute optic neuritis.

Methods: This was an observational study involving 10 patients, who were confirmed cases of infection with CHIKV with acute optic neuritis in one or both eyes. A complete ophthalmic examination was performed in all cases.

Metastatic phalangeal osteolysis as an initial presentation of carcinoma colon.

Metastatic malignancies of the hand are rare and usually develop from lung, breast, or kidney tumors. Metastases from tumors and sarcomas of the gastrointestinal system are even more uncommon. The authors report a case of differentiated adenocarcinoma of the colon in a 76-year-old man who presented with distal phalangeal metastasis and osteolysis in the form of a painful swelling at the tip of the right little finger of 6 months duration.

A chronic mutilating rhinopathy with a delayed diagnosis of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.

Background: Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is a granulomatous disease clinically characterized by ulcerated skin and mucosal lesions. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is very rare in India and to our knowledge, only two cases have been reported, and this is the first case of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis presenting with mutilating rhinopathy reported from the Indian subcontinent.

Case Report: A 64-year-old man presented with a destructive ulceration of the central face of 23 years' duration, who was diagnosed to have mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, and showed dramatic response to intramuscular injections of sodium stibogluconate.

Clinical images. Thyroid follicular carcinoma presenting as intraorbital, intracranial, and subcutaneous metastasis.

Follicular carcinoma of the thyroid usually metastasizes through a hematogenous route to the bone, lung, and central nervous system. Metastasis to subcutaneous tissues and retro-orbital region is unusual. We report an unusual case of follicular thyroid carcinoma with metastasis to subcutaneous tissues in the right temporal region with invasion of bone and intraorbital and intracranial tissues that was diagnosed by a computed tomography scan and biopsy.

The age-specific clinical and anatomical profile of mitral stenosis.

Introduction: This cross-sectional study on the age-specific clinical and anatomical characteristics of mitral stenosis was conducted at the Department of Cardiology at Kottayam Medical College, South India.

Methods: The clinical profile, laboratory details and transthoracic echocardiographical features of 203 consecutive patients with mitral stenosis were studied. Wilkins score was used to assess the valve morphology and the feasibility of balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV)/closed mitral valvotomy (CMV).

The clinical spectrum of acute coronary syndromes: experience from a major center in Kerala.

Background: The clinical profile and the mortality rate among patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are not well studied in Kerala.

Aims: To determine the clinical characteristics, mortality rate and possible risk factors for high mortality among patients with ACS.

Settings And Design: Retrospective study conducted at Kottayam Medical College, a large teaching hospital.

The prevalence, risk factors and awareness of hypertension in an urban population of Kerala (South India).

To determine the prevalence and possible risk factors for hypertension and prehypertensive state in Trivandrum City of Kerala (South India) using Joint National Committee (JNC) VII criteria, a team of trained fourth year medical students conducted a 10% random household survey in certain wards of the City. Households were selected using a random start and interval and all the members above the age of 10 years were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. The blood pressure (BP) was measured twice in each participant and the mean value of the two measurements was taken.