Imaging evaluation of the brain and cranium after cranial surgery is a routine and significant part of the workflow of a radiology department. Various normal expected findings and early and late complications are associated with the post-operative cranium. In this pictorial review, the authors describe the typical imaging features of the spectrum of various conditions associated with cranial surgery with illustrative cases. CONTRIBUTION: A good knowledge and understanding of the spectrum of imaging appearances in the post-operative cranium is vital for the radiologist to accurately diagnose potential complications and distinguish them from normal post-operative findings, improving patient outcomes and guiding further treatment

ABSTRACT Introduction: Smoking is associated with the occurrence and progression of cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory disorders and malignancies. Objective: To study the platelet indices, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in smokers and their correlation with smoking pack-years. Method: A total of 110 smokers and 110 non-smokers were included. The smokers were grouped into three groups: mild (<5 pack-years), moderate (5-10 pack-years) and heavy (>10 pack-years). The platelet count, plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were noted. The NLR and PLR were calculated and the statistical analysis was made using the Student’s T-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results: The platelet count, PCT and PDW were significantly higher with mean values: 218.56 ± 121.31 vs 203.23 ± 80.35 (p-value = 0.038), 0.27 ± 0.10 vs 0.26 ± 0.10 (p-value = 0.041) and 12.54 ± 1.45 vs 11.99 ± 1.70 (p-value = 0.001) in smokers and non-smokers, respectively. The PLR differed significantly with mean values: 119.40 ± 84.81 in smokers and 181.99 ± 313.09 in non-smokers, with a p-value of 0.045. A significant positive correlation was found between pack-years of smoking and platelet count and PLR with the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.250 and 0.198 and p-values, 0.008 and 0.037, respectively. The Platelet Count, PCT, MPV and PDW varied significantly between mild, moderate and heavy smoker groups, with p-values of 0.045, 0.010, 0.015 and 0.017, respectively. Conclusion: The platelet indices and inflammatory markers NLR and PLR are derived from routine blood investigations, which are easily available and inexpensive. The monitoring of platelet indices, along with the PLR, can be used as early predictors of morbidity in smokers.

ABSTRACT Background: Preeclampsia is one of the major health problems causing maternal morbidity and mortality, complicating 3-8% of pregnancies. It has been suggested that the alterations in the coagulation and fibrinolysis play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The markers of platelet activation include platelet count, platelet distribution width, mean platelet volume and plateletcrit. Study design: It was a case-controlled study which included a total of 60 patients (30 cases and 30 controls). Blood samples were collected and the platelet indices - platelet count, plateletcrit, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width - were evaluated using the Sysmex XN1000 and compared between the two groups. Results: The MPV and PDW also showed a significant difference (p > 0.05) between the two groups, with a significant positive correlation with increasing blood pressure (MPV - r = +0.6126, p < 0.05 and PDW - r = +0.6441, p < 0.05). The PC and PCT had lower values in the preeclampsia patients, however the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The MPV and PDW showed a significant difference between the two groups and increasing values with increasing BP. However, the PC and PCT in our study did not show a significant correlation with preeclampsia. Thus, the platelet indices, mainly the MPV and PDW, which are economical and easily available, can be reliable in the prediction and early diagnosis of preeclampsia, as well as a marker for the severity of preeclampsia.

Abstract Introduction Type 2 diabetes mellitus, characterized by insulin resistance, corresponds to approximately 90% of cases of diabetes worldwide. Hyperglycemia in diabetes contributes to hyperfibrinogenemia and activates the coagulation cascade thereby producing atherothrombotic events. Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the coagulation profile (activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and fibrinogen) in Type 2 diabetes and to analyze correlations between body mass index, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and duration of diabetes with coagulation parameters. Methods This study included 60 type 2 diabetics and 30 controls. Diabetic patients were grouped in two sets based on the presence or absence of microvascular complications. The demographic profile and clinical details were recorded. Fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, coagulation parameters such as prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen along with other biochemical parameters were investigated. Results There were statistically significant differences in the coagulation parameters between the two groups of diabetics (with and without complications). The present study also found significant correlations between age and the duration of diabetes with and without complications and coagulation parameters such as the activated partial thromboplastin time, which was found to be significantly lower, and fibrinogen, which was found to be significantly higher in subjects with complications compared to subjects without complications. Conclusion Clinical tests for prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen are relatively inexpensive and readily available. The present study shows that shortened prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and increased fibrinogen levels might be useful hemostatic markers in diabetic patients, especially in those at high-risk for thrombotic complications.

Abstract The current study was aimed to evaluate the performance of direct 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride assay and direct microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay with indirect Löwenstein-Jensen proportion method directly on Ziehl-Neelsen smear positive sputum specimens. Methods Direct acid fast bacilli smear positive sputum specimens (n = 264) were subjected to isoniazid and rifampicin drug susceptibility testing by direct 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride assay, direct microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay, and the performances were compared with indirect Löwenstein-Jensen proportion method. Results The direct 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride assay demonstrated an overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 99.2%, 82.4%, 99.2%, and 88.5%, respectively, for the detection of isoniazid and rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates when compared to indirect Löwenstein-Jensen proportion method. Likewise, the overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of direct microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay were 98.8%, 82.4%, 99.2%, and 78.2%, respectively. Conclusion The direct 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride assay was found to be an economical alternative method for the rapid and accurate detection of isoniazid and rifampicin resistance from direct acid fast bacilli smear positive sputum specimens.

Objective To estimate the proportion of time the vaccines in the cold-chain system in India are exposed to temperatures of < 0 or > 8 °C. Methods In each of 10 states, the largest district and the one most distant from the state capital were selected for study. Four boxes, each containing an electronic temperature recorder and two vials of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccine, were placed in the state or regional vaccine store for each study state. Two of these boxes were then shipped – one per facility – towards the two most peripheral health facilities where vaccine was stored in each study district. The boxes were shipped, handled and stored as if they were routine vaccine supplies. Findings In state, regional and district vaccine stores and peripheral health facilities, respectively, the temperatures in the boxes exceeded 8 °C for 14.3%, 13.2%, 8.3% and 14.7% of their combined storage times and fell below 0 °C for 1.5%, 0.2%, 0.6% and 10.5% of these times. The boxes also spent about 18% and 7% of their combined times in transit at < 0 and > 8 °C, respectively. In shake tests conducted at the end of the study, two thirds of the vaccine vials in the boxes showed evidence of freezing. Conclusion While exposure to temperatures above 8 °C occurred at every level of vaccine storage, exposure to subzero temperatures was only frequent during vaccine storage at peripheral facilities and vaccine transportation. Systematic efforts are needed to improve temperature monitoring in the cold-chain system in India.

Resumen Objetivo Estimar la proporción de tiempo que las vacunas están expuestas a temperaturas inferiores a 0 o superiores a 8 °C en el sistema de la cadena de frío en India. Métodos En cada uno de los 10 estados, se seleccionó para el estudio el distrito más extenso y el más distante a la capital del estado. Cuatro cajas, cada una de las cuales contenía un dispositivo electrónico de registro de la temperatura y dos viales de vacunas contra la difteria, tos ferina y tétanos se colocaron en el almacén de vacunas estatal o regional de cada uno de los estados del estudio. Dos de estas cajas se enviaron después – una por cada centro – hacia los centros sanitarios más periféricos, donde la vacuna se almacenó en cada distrito del estudio. Las cajas se enviaron, manipularon y almacenaron como si se tratara de suministros de vacunas rutinarios Resultados En los almacenes de vacunas estatales, regionales y de distrito, así como en los centros sanitarios periféricos, respectivamente, las temperaturas en el interior de las cajas superaron los 8 °C durante el 14,3%, 13,2%, 8,3% y 14,7% de los períodos de almacenamiento combinados y bajaron de 0 °C durante el 1,5%, 0,2%, 0,6% y 10,5% de dichos períodos. Las cajas también estuvieron por debajo de 0 y por encima de 8 °C, respectivamente, alrededor del 18% y 7% del tiempo de los períodos combinados en tránsito. En las pruebas de agitación realizadas al final del estudio, dos tercios de los viales de vacunas de las cajas mostraron evidencias de congelación. Conclusión Aunque la exposición a temperaturas superiores a 8 °C se produjo a todos los niveles del almacenamiento de las vacunas, la exposición a temperaturas bajo cero solo fue frecuente durante el almacenamiento en centros periféricos y el transporte. Es preciso realizar esfuerzos sistemáticos para mejorar la monitorización y el control de la temperatura en el sistema de la cadena de frío en India.

Résumé Objectif Estimer le pourcentage du temps d'exposition des vaccins à des températures inférieures à 0°C ou supérieures à 8°C dans la chaîne du froid en Inde. Méthodes Dans chacun des 10 états, le district le plus grand et le district le plus éloigné de la capitale de l'état ont été sélectionnés pour cette étude. Quatre boîtes, contenant chacune un enregistreur de température électronique et deux flacons de vaccin contre la diphtérie, la coqueluche et le tétanos, ont été placées dans le dépôt des vaccins de la région ou de l'état pour chaque état étudié. Deux de ces boîtes – une par centre – ont été ensuite expédiées vers les deux centres de santé les plus périphériques où les vaccins sont stockés dans chaque district de l'étude. Les boîtes ont été expédiées, manipulées et stockées comme des boîtes de vaccins habituelles. Résultats Dans les dépôts de vaccins de l'état, de la région et du district et dans les centres de santé périphériques, les températures à l'intérieur des boîtes ont été supérieures à 8°C pour, respectivement, 14,3%, 13,2%, 8,3% et 14,7% de leurs temps de stockage combinés et inférieures à 0°C pour, respectivement, 1,5%, 0,2%, 0,6% et 10,5% de ces durées. Les boîtes ont également passé environ 18% et 7% de leurs temps combinés en transit à des températures inférieures à 0°C ou supérieures à 8°C, respectivement. Dans les tests d'agitation menés à la fin de l'étude, deux tiers des flacons de vaccins dans les boîtes ont présenté des signes de congélation. Conclusion Alors que l'exposition à des températures supérieures à 8°C s'est produite à tous les niveaux du stockage des vaccins, l'exposition à des températures inférieures à 0°C n'a été fréquente que pendant le stockage des vaccins dans les centres de santé périphérique et au cours du transport des vaccins. Des efforts systématiques sont nécessaires pour améliorer le suivi et le contrôle des températures dans la chaîne du froid en Inde.

The objective of the current study was to compare two rapid methods, the BBL Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT TM) and Biotec FASTPlaque TB TM (FPTB) assays, with the conventional Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) media assay to diagnose mycobacterial infections from paucibacillary clinical specimens. For evaluation of the clinical utility of the BBL MGIT TM and FPTB assays, respiratory tract specimens (n = 208), with scanty bacilli or clinically evident, smear negative cases and non-respiratory tract specimens (n = 119) were analyzed and the performance of each assay was compared with LJ media. MGIT and FPTB demonstrated a greater sensitivity (95.92% and 87.68%), specificity (94.59% and 98.78%), positive predictive value (94.91% and 99.16%) and negative predictive value (96.56% and 90.92%), respectively, compared to LJ culture for both respiratory tract and non-respiratory tract specimens. However, the FPTB assay was unable to detect nontuberculous mycobacteria and few Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex cases from paucibacillary clinical specimens. It is likely that the analytical sensitivity of FPTB is moderately low and may not be useful for the direct detection of tuberculosis in paucibacillary specimens. The current study concluded that MGIT was a dependable, highly efficient system for recovery of M. tuberculosis complexes and nontuberculous mycobacteria from both respiratory and non-respiratory tract specimens in combination with LJ media.