No abstract

Gridhrasi can be equated with sciatica, where pain, weakness, numbness, and other discomforts along the path of the sciatic nerve often accompanies low back pain. It is a common affliction of adults, costing billions of dollars in healthcare and resulting in more lost days of work than any other illness but the common cold. A herniated disc, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, etc., can all cause sciatica. The treatment available for sciatica in modern medicine is not very satisfactory.The role of research in Ayurveda is to elucidate the underlying principles and to explain them in modern parameters. The present study was aimed at establishing clinically the effect of Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) Ghan Vati (dried water extract) alone as well as in combination with Matra Basti in the management of Gridhrasi. A total of 119 patients were registered for the study, out of which 102 patients completed the treatment: 52 patients in group A (Nirgundi Ghan Vati) and 50 in group B (Nirgundi Ghan Vati + Matra Basti). The results show that both treatments had an effect on Gridhrasi, but there was better relief of the signs and symptoms in group B. Matra Basti and Nirgundi Ghan Vati might both contribute to different extents in the recovery of the patient.

Objectives: To know about the causes of hydrocephalus (HDC) among thedifferent age groups. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Department of neurosurgeryPGMI/LRH. Period: August 2012 to September 2013. Materials and Methods: The operativerecords and the admission records of all the patients who were admitted and operated duringthe study period were checked. All the patients undergoing surgery for hydrocephalus wereincluded in the study and those patients who had undergone surgery for other reasons wereexcluded from the study. Patient s who had a repeated surgery for hydrocephalus were alsoexcluded from the study as well as those who were re-admitted for shunt related or surgeryrelated complications. The age, gender, and the radiological diagnosis of hydrocephalus wasrecorded on a designed proforma. All the patients were grouped into two that is above andbelow 12 years. Etiology wise HDC was classified as either congenital, post-infectious, tumorrelated, post trauma or miscelenous. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version16. Results: A total of 634 admission for Hydrocephalus were reviewed. 387 patients fulfilledthe inclusion criteria. There were 209 males and 178 females. The age range was from 1 monthto 69 years and the mean age was 8±4.6 years. There were 67.67% of the patients in the groupI while 33.33% of patients in the Group II. There was almost equal distribution on in the groupII based on the age difference. The major causes in the group I were the congenital, postinfectious, and tumor related while in the group II the main causes were the PIH, post tumor andthe post hemorrhagic. Conclusion: The most common causes of the HDC in the pediatric agegroup are the congenital, PIH and tumor related. In adults the most common causes of the HDCare the PIH, post Hemorrhagic HDC and tumor related Hydrocephalus.

This study was conducted to study the perioperative findings in patients of spinal dysraphism. This observational study was conducted in Neurosurgery Department of Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from January 2008 to December 2009. All the patients of spinal dysraphism less than 2 years of age were included in this study, while patients with ruptured spinal dysraphism at the time of presentation and with concomitant established hydrocephalus were excluded. Data was collected and analyzed by descriptive statistics using software SPSS version 17. Out of 96 patients operated for spinal dysraphism; 62 (64.58%) were males and 34 (35.42%) females. Eighty three patients (86.45%) were less than 1 yr, while 13 (13.54%) were above 1 yr. Peri-operative findings were: myelomeningocele in 50 (52.08%) patients, meningocele (MC) in 29 (30.20%), lipomyelomeningocele in six (6.25%), lipoma of cord with tethered cord in five (5.2%), MC with tethered cord in three (3.12%) patients, diastematomyelia in two (2.08%), while dermal sinus was found in one (1.04%) patient. In patients of spinal dysraphism less than 2 yr of age, more than 2/3rd of the patients presented with myelomeningocele and MC, while other features (such as lipomyelomeningocele, lipoma of cord with tethered cord, MC with tethered cord, diastematomyelia and dermal sinus) comprise only less than 20% of the spectrum.

Objectives: To assess the spectrum of different spinal disorders presenting to the Neurosurgical department of public sector tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar. Materials and Methods:This was a retrospective study carried out in the Neurosurgery departments of two public sector tertiary care hospitals in district Peshawar from January 2012 to December 2018. Our inclusion criteria comprised of all those patients who were having spinal abnormalities irrespective of age and gender, admitted either via emergency or OPD. We excluded those patients who were dead on arrival or whose data was lacking including those who did not do their follow up and those who were not given consent for the study.Results: Out of total 5,579 patients, male to female ratio was 1:1.7. The age range was from 6 days to 78 years. Elective cases were 63.61% (n = 3,549) and emergency were 36.37% (n = 2,030). TSCI were 35.01% (n = 1,953) and NTSCI were 3,626 (n = 64.99%). Out of all patients, 91.03% (n = 5,079) were treated surgically. About 79% (n = 4,406) had a good outcome. Conclusion:We collected data and made a survey of the spectrum of different spinal abnormalities resulting from various etiologies focused over the last 6 years. We found a variety of cases presenting to our departments of neurosurgery. Non traumatic spinal injuries are more frequent as compared to traumatic ones.