Mondor’s Disease.

Mondor’s disease is the chronic inflammation (thrombophlebitis) of superficial veins of thoracoabdominal or thoraco epigastric region. Very few cases have been reported so far. The causes are numerous and have been mentioned as trauma, inflammation of skin, following breast surgery in cancerous condition, excessive physical activity, compressive bandages, tight clothing, infections and benign or malignant breast tumours. In the present case there was chronic thrombophlebitis of lateral thoracic vein, which was observed on the right pectoral region in middle aged male cadaver. It appeared as a thick, bluish coloured, cord like structure, seen in place of lateral thoracic vessels. When traced proximally, it was opening into the right subclavian vein immediately deep to the right clavicle. Histopathological examination confirmed the vein which was showing destruction of tunica intima as in chronic inflammatory condition. The lumen showed presence of clot. The complication of Mondor’s disease may lead to the spread of inflammation to other regions, clot formation, detachment of the clot leading to thrombo embolism.

Undescended Testes: Embryological and Clinical Importance.

During the routine dissection of abdomen, two adult male cadavers, aged 55 & 67years, presented with unilateral and the bilateral undescended testes respectively. One of them presented with unilateral and the other with bilateral undescended testes. In both cases the testes were found at the superficial inguinal ring. The histological examinations indicated normal testicular tissue. Undescended testis is the inability of the testis to reach the scrotum. In living, it has to be differentiated from testicular agenesis, ectopic testis and retractile testis. The genetic sex of the male is determined at the time of fertilization but the phenotypical sex starts as early as 4th month of intrauterine life and completed along with the descent just before birth. The embryological basis and clinical significance has been explained.

A Study of Renal Calyces by Using Barium Contrast.

Objectives: To know the pelvicalyceal anatomy by radiological method that helps in localizing the calculi or tumors in kidneys. Materials and method: The study was conducted in Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Tamaka, Kolar from 2011 to 2013. Forty four adult, formalin embalmed cadaveric kidneys (20 right and 24 left) were injected with 8 to 10 ml of 10% radio opaque barium sulphate solution into the renal pelvis and calyces and radiographs were taken in anteroposterior view. Results: The observations were statistically analyzed. There were 14 extra renal pelves and 30 intra renal pelves. The major calyces were classified into three categories [Double (D), Three (T) and Multiple (M) divisions]. Out of 44 kidneys 20 were right and 24 left.. 23 kidneys presented multiple (more than 4) calyces, 12 had two major calyces and only 9 presented with three major calyces). Typical ‘Y’ arrangement in 03 out of 12 and typical multiple in 03 out of 23 kidneys. There were 14 kidneys (31.8%) presented with extra renal pelvis whereas 30 kidneys (68.2%) presented intrarenal formation of the renal pelvis. Conclusion: Due to the variation in the number of major and minor calyces, position of renal pelvis (intrarenal and extra renal), the knowledge of pelvicalyceal anatomy will help the urologist and nephrologists to pin point the position of renal calyceal calculi or malignant growth for the surgery to be carried out.

Estimation of total Length of Humerus from Its Fragments in South Indian Population.

Aim: To obtain the lengths of the humeral segments and compare with total length of humerus in South Indian population, That helps in estimating the stature of individual using standard regression formulae and to compare these data with the study conducted in other countries for the use in forensic and archeological studies. Materials and Methods: 150 (75 left and 75 right) adult, fully ossified, dry and processed humerii were taken to analyze the morphometric details of the humeral segments which were measured using osteometric board and scale. The length of six different segments namely, from most proximal point in the head to most distal point of the circumference of the head (segment-1), from most distal point of the circumference of the head to the convergence of two areas of muscle attachment (segment-2),the convergence of two areas of muscle attachment to the deltoid tuberosity (segment-3), from deltoid tuberosity to upper margin of the olecrannon fossa (segment- 4), from upper margin of olecrannon fossa to lower margin of olecrannon fossa (segment-5), from lower margin of olecrannon fossa to most distal point on the trochlea (segment-6) and maximum length of humerus were measured to the nearest millimeter. Results: The values obtained in mm (mean±S.D) in total length of humerus segments -1,2,3,4,5 and 6 were recorded. The proportion of segments to the total length was also calculated which will help for the stature estimation using standard regression formulae. Conclusion: This study helps in forensic, anatomic and archeological fields in order to identify unknown bodies as well as for the orthopedic surgeons for the treatment of proximal and distal humerus fractures for their reconstruction in case of extensive damage to those parts of the humerus.

Unique 28 cm Long Vermiform Appendix.

Vermiform appendix is a vestigial organ in human beings and situated at the ileocaecal junction. It opens into the caecum. It is a narrow tube of varying length. The normal, average length is about 5 cm to 10 cm. The longest vermiform appendix has been reported to be measuring about 25 cm. In the present case a long vermiform appendix was observed in female, formalin fixed, adult cadaver during the routine dissection for medical undergraduates. The Vermiform appendix was retrocaecal and extending to retro colic in position and its length was measured as 28 cms. When such a long vermiform appendix is present, the inflammatory conditions may simulate enteritis, salpingitis or endometriosis of the uterus. Sometimes it may herniate through a weak abdominal wall like the intestines or the peritoneum. Therefore the knowledge of the length and the position of the vermiform appendix are important clinically.

Fifth lumbar vertebra associated with absence of spinous process, laminae and inferior articular processes – A case report.

Background: The vertebral disorders are the ones which lead to disability and lot of health problems. Since the lumbar part of the vertebral column is the main weight bearing and weight transmitting region, if there is a defective development, the area for muscle attachment and the strong bony structure for the transmission of weight would be missing leading to instability at an early age. In the present case dry and processed fifth lumbar vertebra, of unknown sex which presented the features with absence of spinous process, laminae and the inferior articular processes on both sides which were obtained for teaching the medical undergraduate students in M.S.Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore. There was absence of spinous process, laminae and the inferior articular processes of fifth lumbar vertebra leading to a wide spina bifida with absence of laminae, inferior articular processes on both sides and spinous process of fifth lumbar vertebra which could be a developmental anomaly.

Crossed renal ectopia associated with malrotation of intestine- A rare case report.

Background: Kidneys and ureters demonstrate a wide range of anomalies due to its complex development. One such anomaly would be the crossed renal ectopia which is fusion of both kidneys on to one side and malpositioned at the pelvis. The occurrence of these anomalies, though rare, is due to multifactorial reasons. The renal anomaly was observed in a formalin fixed adult cadaver during the undergraduate medical dissection. The abdominal cavity, on opening, revealed malrotation of the gut with the large intestine on the left side and the small intestinal loops on the right side. The left renal fossa was empty due to fusion of the left kidney with the right kidney forming a lump kidney. The ureter of the left kidney was draining in to its normal position into the urinary bladder. The position of the lump kidney was in the right iliac fossa. It was having arterial feeders from the abdominal aorta and the common iliac arteries and was draining into the inferior vena cava and the right common iliac veins by 5 renal veins. Crossed renal ectopia rarely may be associated with malrotation of the gut. Awareness of such anomalies could be due to incidental finding and helps the surgeons and radiologists in their diagnosis and planning and preventing postoperative complications.

Persistent palmar pattern of Median artery bilaterally.

Persistent median artery and distribution in both hands, was observed in formalin fixed superior extremities of adult cadaver in the department of Anatomy, Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Medical College, Bangalore. The persistent median arteries on both sides were arising from ulnar artery, accompanied the median nerve and contributed to the superficial palmar arch which supplied the lateral 2 ½ fingers. Persistent median artery may be present asymptomatically in most of the individuals but it may lead to compression symptoms of median nerve when artery is subjected to compression. Therefore this kind of anomaly is of clinical importance.

Multiple choice questions as a teaching learning tool in addition to assessment method.

Background and Objectives: Learning of a subject becomes effective when the student knows the purpose of learning. The guidance on the relevance of content of basic sciences to clinical sciences is important. Reinforcement of knowledge is essential to indicate the key areas of the subject for in depth study. The aim of the present study was to focus the students on relevant content and educational objectives through multiple choice questions. Methods: The study consisted of an intervention and a control group of seventy five students each. The intervention group was exposed to the new concept of weekly assessment with concept based MCQs. Results: The methodology has been effective in the study group. This has been demonstrated by the mean scores of the study group (17.67 ± 1.72) being higher than the control group (13.6 ± 2.34) (P < 0.01). Program evaluation by the students has revealed that they developed interest to study the subject in depth. It has helped them in comprehending and reinforcement of the conceptual knowledge and guided them to apply it clinical sciences. Conclusion: Well structured MCQs in the form of assessment with an immediate feedback with explanation of the applied anatomy improve the critical thinking and reasoning skills of the student.