North Bengal Medical College

About: North Bengal Medical College is a other organization based out in Darjeeling, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 624 authors who have published 691 publications receiving 5492 citations.

Comparison of the respective effects of paracetamol, pregabalin, and their combination in the treatment of postdural puncture headache following major gynecological surgery

Abstract: Background and objective Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a very distressing symptom after spinal anesthesia. It usually resolves spontaneously but may extend the length of hospital stay. Although there are different measures to reduce the incidence, most of the times, none of them are effective. Paracetamol is commonly used for the treatment of PDPH. Pregabalin is recently being used for PDPH with effective results. In this study, our aim was to compare the respective effects of paracetamol, pregabalin, and their combination in the treatment of PDPH. Patients and methods In total, 150 patients who had undergone major gynecological surgery under spinal anesthesia and subsequently developed PDPH (diagnosed by postdural components of the pain) were randomly allocated by using computer-generated random numbers placed in sealed opaque envelopes. The patients were allocated into three equal groups ( n = 50, each group) to receive orally either a single dose of 150 mg pregabalin (group 1) or 1000 mg of paracetamol (group 2) or a combined dose of paracetamol 1000 mg plus pregabalin 150 mg (group 3). All the patients received the same drug that they had originally received, if required, and were then followed up for 4 days. A patient's headache was scored using the visual analogue scale. Results Earlier relief from PDPH and favorable adverse event profile (overall and central nervous system-related) were found in for the pregabalin–paracetamol combination compared with either of the drugs being used alone ( P Conclusion It was concluded that the pregabalin–paracetamol combination is a better option for the treatment of PDPH compared with both of the drugs when used alone.

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Responding to Amitryptiline

Abstract: A 7 year girl presented with history of recurrent vomiting and altered sensonium. Laboratory investigators were within normal limits. A diagnosis of cyclic vomiting syndrome was made and treated with amitryptiline with good results.

A study on central corneal thickness and optic disc size in patients with primary open angle glaucoma.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate a possible relationship between central corneal thickness (CCT) and optic disc area in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Patients with POAG and age matched control group underwent routine ocular examination along with optic nerve head evaluation by Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) and CCT measurement by ultrasound pachymetry. Pearson's coefficient was calculated in both groups to find out correlation between these two parameters. In this series 90 eyes of 45 control subjects and 94 eyes of 47 POAG patients were studied. In the control group 40% were female, 60% male and among the POAG patients 34% female, 66% male. Mean CCT in control subjects was 566.98 micron (SD = 19.36, n = 90) and in POAG patients was 526.61 micron (SD = 29.93, n = 94). There was a significant difference in two groups (p = 0.0002). Disc area in control group had mean of 2.32mm(2) (SD = 0.305, n = 90) and in POAG group 2.982mm(2) (SD = 0.566, n = 94). Statistically significant difference was found among the two groups (p = 0.0). CCT was inversely correlated with optic disc size. In control subjects, r = -0.141, but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.092). In POAG group, r = -0.256 and the correlation was statistically significant (p = 0.0063). CCT was significantly less in POAG patients compared to control subjects. Mean disc area was significantly higher among the POAG group compared to control subjects. CCT was inversely correlated with disc area in both groups, but was statistically significant in POAG patients.

Spirometric Evaluation in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Data from Eastern India

Abstract: To evaluate lung function in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients. This was a case control study carried out at Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata, involving JIA patients between 5 and 12 y. They were diagnosed and classified on the basis of International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria and compared with same number of age, sex, height and weight matched controls. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75 % of vital capacity (FEF25–75%) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of cases were compared to those of matched controls. Among 36 JIA patients initially recruited, 9 were excluded. Of the remaining 27 patients, male: female ratio was 17:10. Mean age, height and weight of JIA patients were 9.15 y, 124.67 cm and 23.78 kg respectively. Six patients had oligoarthritis, 3 had rheumatoid factor positive (RF+) polyarthritis, 10 had rheumatoid factor negative (RF-) polyarthritis and 8 had systemic JIA. Eleven patients had active disease and 15 patients required methotrexate. None had respiratory symptoms. Mean duration of the disease was 2.96 y. Mean FVC and FEV1 were significantly less in JIA patients compared to controls (p value = 0.0003 and 0.0007, respectively). FEV1/FVC in both the groups was similar (p value = 0.96). Mean Z scores for FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher in JIA patients (p value = 0.0064 and 0.0030, respectively). Spirometry in JIA patients demonstrated statistically significant restrictive pattern of alteration in pulmonary function.

Cysticercosis involving muscles and liver only: A yet unknown entity

Abstract: Cysticercosis is a very common disease in tropical countries like India. Cysticerci can be found anywhere in the body, but are most commonly detected in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), skeletal muscle, subcutaneous tissue, or eye. Neurologic manifestations are the most common clinical feature. Isolated extra-central nervous system (CNS) involvement in cysticercosis is extremely rare. Herein, we have presented an interesting case of a young boy with a combination of hepatic and muscular cysticercosis without any evidence of CNS involvement.