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Abstract Introduction Cardiac calcified amorphous tumor is a rare, non-neoplastic intra-cavity cardiac mass composed of calcium deposits in a background of amorphous degenerating fibrinous material. Only a few cases of this rare lesion have been reported in the available literature. Clinico-pathological differentiation of this lesion from calcified atrial myxoma, calcified thrombi or other cardiac neoplasms is extremely difficult; hence pathologic examination is the mainstay of diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge this entity has not been reported in the Indian literature. Case presentation A 40-year-old woman of Indian origin presented with progressive dyspnea, fatigue and cough. She was diagnosed as having a calcified right atrial mass. The mass was excised. Histologic examination revealed the mass to be composed of amorphous eosinophilic fibrin with dense calcification. No myxomatous tissue was seen and a final diagnosis of calcified amorphous tumor of the heart was rendered. Conclusions Calcified amorphous tumor is a rare cardiac lesion with an excellent outcome following complete surgical removal. Since clinico-radiologic differentiation from other cardiac masses is not possible in most cases, histopathological examination is the only modality for diagnosis. Hence, histopathologists should be aware of this rare entity in the differential diagnoses of cardiac mass.

Abstract Introduction Recurrent hemorrhagic pericardial effusion in children with no identifiable cause is a rare presentation. Case presentation We report the case of a 4-year-old Indian girl who presented with recurrent hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. Diffuse lymphangiomatosis was suspected when associated pulmonary involvement, soft tissue mediastinal mass, and lytic bone lesions were found. Pericardiectomy and lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse lymphangiohemangiomatosis. Partial clinical improvement occurred with thalidomide and low-dose radiotherapy, but our patient died from progressive respiratory failure. Conclusion Diffuse lymphangiohemangiomatosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hemorrhagic pericardial effusion of unclear cause.

Background: Endomyocardial biopsy is the gold standard and has a definite role in the surveillance of cardiac allograft rejection. Its role in other cardiac diseases is limited. However, it is required for conclusive diagnosis of a few entities in which it can influence patient management. There is no reported data regarding the utility of endomyocardial biopsy in the Indian population. Thus, this study was undertaken in a tertiary care center in India to assess the utility of endomyocardial biopsy in various cardiac diseases in the context of clinical diagnoses. Methods: All endomyocardial biopsies conducted over a 27-year period were evaluated. Clinical details including indication for biopsy were collected. Histopathological findings were recorded and classified as definitive diagnosis, probable diagnosis with features consistent with the clinical diagnosis, and nonspecific morphological findings. Results: A total of 927 endomyocardial biopsies from 719 patients were reviewed. Endomyocardial biopsy was diagnostic in 12.5% of native cardiac biopsies and 52.1% showed nondiagnostic findings. The most frequent diagnoses were amyloidosis (58.7%) and myocarditis (8.6%). Endomyocardial biopsy had a diagnostic role in evaluation of restrictive cardiac diseases. Endomyocardial fibrosis and tubercular myocarditis, relatively more prevalent in the Indian population, were also identified. Cases of rheumatic heart disease, desmin cardiomyopathy, and microfibrillar cardiomyopathy were surprise findings, proving the usefulness of endomyocardial biopsy in detecting some rare cardiac conditions. Conclusion: Endomyocardial biopsy is an important tool for the diagnosis of specific cardiac diseases including some rare entities, and for conditions which are more prevalent in our country, requiring biopsy confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Infant tumors; low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma; periorbital; recurrent tumor; sarcoma EN Infant tumors low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma periorbital recurrent tumor sarcoma 2744 2746 3 07/15/22 20220701 NES 220701 Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LMFS) is a rare, intermediate grade tumor of myofibroblast cell origin, mostly found in adults. On light microscopy, fascicles of spindle-shaped tumor cells, with focal storiform pattern, were seen infiltrating soft tissues. Infant tumors, low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma, periorbital, recurrent tumor, sarcoma. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) has been rarely reported from India. We aim to describe the experience of diagnosing and treating cardiac amyloid over three decades from a tertiary care center in India. Materials and Methods: Medical records were screened starting from 1987 up to 2019 and patients with histopathological diagnosis of CA were identified. The demographics, clinical presentation, investigations available, prognosis, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Results: A total of 40 patients were enrolled, out of which 26 (65%) were males. Median age at presentation was 51 years with a range of 33-65 years. Fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath were the most common presenting symptoms. Clinical features of systemic amyloidosis including periorbital ecchymosis and macroglossia were present in 7.5% and 10% patients, respectively. Median survival from diagnosis was 2.1 years. Conclusions: Cardiac amyloid is a rarely diagnosed cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy in India and usually fatal. The patients in India are younger than the West. Endomyocardial biopsy is usually required to make a diagnosis of cardiac involvement though magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear imaging may raise a suspicion of cardiac amyloid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposites of single-phase iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with different volume fractions have been prepared by chemical route. Structural, morphological and spectroscopic characterizations have been performed by XRD, FESEM, TEM, XPS and Raman studies. Photocatalytic activity of these composites has been investigated by the degradation of methylene blue dye under visible light irradiation. The activity is found to depend on the percentage of volume fraction (vf) of rGO in the composite. At v f = 10.3 , the photocatalytic activity becomes maximum and the degree of degradation of MB is found to be ~ eight times to that of pure α-Fe2O3. The enhanced photocatalytic activity may be attributed to the prolonged lifetime of electron–hole pair produced in α-Fe2O3. The stability and reusability of photocatalyst during photocatalytic reaction, which is a crucial factor for the practical applications, is also verified. At this particular volume fraction of rGO, i.e., vf = 10.3, the nanocomposite exhibits huge dielectric constant ~ 2950 times to that of pure α-Fe2O3 along with moderate dielectric loss enabling it a potential candidate for charge storage device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]