Cadaveric Study of Varoations in Branching Pattern of Splenic Artery.

Introduction: Splenic artery was previously called as Lineal artery. Splenic artery is the largest branch of the celiac trunk and is the most tortuous artery in the body. Splenic artery mainly supplies spleen and gives off branches to the stomach and the pancreas. Splenic artery divides into terminal branches before entering into the hilum of the spleen which may be Magistral or Distributed type. Sometimes it may pass through the hilum without dividing and supplies the spleen. Materials and methods: The study was done on 50 embalmed cadavers during routine dissection practices for undergraduates in the dissection hall of Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, and from the Department of Anatomy Osmania medical college, Hyderabad, during the period of 3years.The variations in the branching pattern of the splenic artery was observed and photographed. The prime objective of the study is to compare the prevalence of variations in the branching pattern of splenic artery. Results and conclusion: The variations in the present study were almost correlated with the available literature. In some instances the left gastro epiploic artery, the posterior gastric artery and the accessory left gastric artery took origin from the interior of spleen. so care should be taken during splenectomy. Hence, the arterial blood supply of spleen is so varied that no two vascular patterns are ever the same.

Study of Morphological Variations of 50 Placentae with Umbilical Cords and its Developmental Relevance.

Introduction: The word “Placenta” is a Latin word and the Greek equivalent word is “Plakons” which means “Flat cake on a plate”. The placenta is a complex multifunctional organ. It provides nutrition, gas exchange, waste removal, endocrine function and immune support. Placenta is a special circulating system to the developing foetus. Being an organ of vital importance for continuation of pregnancy and foetal nutrition it has evolved great interest among the anatomists, embryologists, pathologists and obstetricians. Materials and Methods: The study was done in 50 placentae which were collected from the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in collaboration with the department of Anatomy, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, Nalgonda, Telangana, during the period of 2 years. The morphological variations of placenta, the size, shape, weight and attachment of umbilical cord with its blood vessels were observed, recorded and photographed. The prime objective of the study is to compare and evaluate the morphological alterations of placenta and umbilical cord in pregnancy. Results and Conclusion: In the current study, the majority of the placentae showed round shape, few placentae with oval and irregular and with an accessory lobe in single placenta. The current study also includes variations in insertion of umbilical cords was eccentric in majority, central, marginal and velamentous in a few. Pregnancy induced hypertension significantly affects the placenta by reducing weight and it does not have any significant effect on the shape of placenta, umbilical cord insertion and number of cotyledons on maternal surface. The placenta is the most accurate record of the infants prenatal experience.

Herpes simplex virus 2 infection: a risk factor for HIV infection in heterosexuals.

BACKGROUND: Genital ulcerative disease is one of the risk factors for acquisition of HIV. As HSV-2 infection is currently the most common cause of genital ulcerative disease, it acts as a potential risk factor for HIV infection. The present study was undertaken to know the seroprevalence of antibodies to HSV-2 in HIV seropositive individuals and in the general population, and to ascertain if HSV-2 is a risk factor for developing HIV infection. METHODS: The study group included one hundred new HIV seropositive persons irrespective of active genital herpes or history of genital herpes. Fifty age- and sex- matched healthy volunteers were included as controls. In all patients and controls, diagnostic serology was done for HSV-2 using HSV-2-specific glycoprotein IgG2 by indirect immunoassay using the ELISA test. Statistical value 'P' was calculated using the Chi-squared test. RESULTS: Out of the 100 HIV seropositives, 66 were males and 34 were females with an age range of 20-54 years. In only 22 (19 males and 3 females) of these, positive history of genital herpes was obtained. In 49 out of the 100 HIV seropositives, IgG2 antibodies against HSV-2 were detected. In the control group, 11 out of 50 controls were seropositive for HSV-2 IgG2 antibody. There was a statistically significant association between HSV-2 and HIV seropositivity with 'P' value CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of HSV-2 seropositivity in the HIV-infected group (49%) as compared to normal controls (22%) was statistically significant. Prior HSV-2 infection could be an important risk factor for acquisition of HIV in our patients.

Cutaneous zygomycosis: necrotising fascitis due to Saksenaea vasiformis.

Saksenaea vasiformis is an emerging human pathogen, most often associated with cutaneous or subcutaneous lesions following trauma. This is the report of a case of subcutaneous zygomycosis from which Saksenaea vasiformis was isolated on culture. As the patient developed acute interstitial nephritis, amphotericin B could not be administered in full dose. Surgical debridement was carried out, but the patient deteriorated gradually and died. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Zygomycosis due to Saksenaea vasiformis from Visakhapatnam.