METHODS: Three-dimensional computed tomographies of 180 subjects (60 from each ethnic) were analyzed. The length and angulations of C1LM screw and the location of internal carotid artery (ICA) in relation to C1LM were assessed and classified according to the classification by Murakami et al. The incidence of ponticulus posticus (PP) was determined and the differences among the population of these three ethnics were recorded.
RESULTS: The average base length was 8.5 ± 1.4 mm. The lengths within the lateral mass were between 14.7 ± 1.6 mm and 21.7 ± 2.3 mm. The prevalence of PP was 8.3%. 55.3% (199) of ICA were located in zone 0, 38.3% (138) in zone 1-1, 6.4% (23) in zone 1-2, and none in zone 1-3 and zone 2. The average angulation from the entry point to the ICA was 8.5° ± 6.4° laterally. The mean distance of ICA from C1 anterior cortex was 3.7 ± 1.7 mm (range: 0.6∼11.3). There was no difference in distribution of ICA in zone 1 among the three population (Chinese-47%, Indians-61%, and Malays-53%; p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: No ICA is located medial to the entry point of C1LM screw. If bicortical purchase of C1LM screw is needed, screw protrusion of less than 3 mm or medially angulated is safe for ICA. The incidence of PP is 8.3% with higher prevalence among the Indian population.
BACKGROUND: FNAIT occurs in 1 : 1-2000 live births, whereas maternal immunisation against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I is common. Whether HLA class I antibodies alone can cause FNAIT is debatable.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 260 patient samples were referred between 2007 and 2012. Referrals with maternal HLA class I antibodies and no other cause for the neonatal thrombocytopenia were included for analysis (cases, n = 23). HPA-1a negative mothers were excluded. Control groups were screened positive mothers of healthy neonates (controls, n = 33) and female blood donors (blood donors, n = 19). LABScreen single antigen HLA class I beads was used for antibody analysis. Clinical records were reviewed for cases.
RESULTS: All groups had broad antibody reactivity. Cases had more antibodies with high SFI levels compared with the controls (SFI>9999; medians 26, 6 and 0; P
MATERIAL AND METHOD: The functional assessment of chronic illness therapy (FACIT) system is a collection of QOL questionnaires targeted to measure QOL in chronic illness. The functional assessment of cancer therapy for breast cancer (FACT-B) was translated into the local language (Malayalam) and tested for validity and reliability.
RESULTS: The tool thus developed showed substantial sensitivity, as does the source tool. The Cronbach's alpha for the total FACT-B was 0.87, which is similar to the alpha of 0.9 observed in the FACT-B English version. The mean FACT-B score was 94.3 compared to 112.8 for the source tool.
CONCLUSION: The Malayalam translation of the FACT-B questionnaire was developed, tested and validated, and was found satisfactory in comparison to the source tool.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July 2011 and February 2015, 155 patients underwent PFNA insertion. The decision on whether to use a short or long PFNA nail, locked or unlocked, was determined by the attending operating surgeon. Visual Analogue Pain Score (VAS) Harris Hip Scores (HHS), Short-form 36 Health Questionnaire (SF-36) and Parker Mobility Scores (PMS) were collected at six weeks, six months and one year post-operatively.
RESULTS: A total of 137 (88.4%) patients were successfully followed-up. Forty-two (30.7%) patients received a short PFNA. The patients were similar in baseline characteristics of age, gender, and comorbidities. Operative time was significantly longer in the short PFNA group (62 ±17 mins) versus the long PFNA group (56±17). While the patients in both groups achieved improvement in all outcome measures, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of HHS (61.0 ±16.0 vs 63.0 ±16.8, p=0.443), PMS (2.3±1.5 vs 2.7±2.1, p=0.545) and VAS (1.7±2.9 vs 1.8 ±2.2 p=0.454). There were 3 (7.1%) and 7 (7.4%) complications in the short versus long PFNA group, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Both short and long PFNA had similar clinical outcomes and complication rates in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in an Asian population.