A Rare Case of Solitary Fibrous Tumor of Maxilla: Findings on F‑18 FDG and Ga‑68 DOTANOC PET‑CT / 대한핵의학회잡지

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare tumor of mesenchymal origin that most commonly involves the pleura but can be found anywhere in the body. SFT can range from indolent benign tumors to aggressive malignant tumors, and pre-operative diagnosis is based mainly on imaging. In this case report, we describe an extremely rare case of SFT of left maxilla on F-18 FDG PET-CT and Ga-68 DOTANOC PET-CT. Very few cases of PET-CT findings in SFT are reported in literature; and to our knowledge, none involving the maxilla. By highlighting the findings on F-18 FDG and GA-68 DOTANOC PET-CT, we aim to further add on to the role of both the tracers in the diagnosis and management of this tumor group.

Comparative studies of elemental composition in leaves and flowers of Catharanthus roseus growing in Bangladesh

Objective: To investigate the elemental composition of the leaves and flowers of Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) due to the plant's wide application in the indigenous medicinal system and its chemical constituents' importance. Methods: The atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for quantitative analysis of various elements. Results: Total 13 important elements were analyzed in leaves and flowers of C. roseus. Results indicated the presence of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cr, Fe, Zn, Al, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd and Mn in both leaves and flowers. The most important finding of the work was that, leaves of C. roseus showed high concentration of all elements except K and Zn while flowers of C. roseus showed higher concentration of K and Zn. Conclusions: The elemental composition in both leaves and flowers of C. roseus were found to be different. Therefore, different parts of this medicinal plant are enriched in some micro and macro nutrients like Fe, Ca, Na, K, Zn, which are very important for biological metabolic system as well as human health.

Identification of genetic imbalances of nasopharyngeal carcinoma [NPC] by comparative genomic hybridization [CGH]

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma [NPC] is highly prevalent in southern China and southeast Asia. To unveil the molecular basis of this endemic disease, comparative genomic hybridization [CGH] technique was used to identify imbalanced genetic alterations in this malignancy. Chromosornal gains that were found in this study were 4q26 [20%] and 11q13-q14 [20%], while chromosomal losses were 20p12 [40%] and 13q21-q31 [20%]. These preliminary results suggest that there may be activation of oncogenes in the gain regions and suppression of tumour suppressor gene in the loss regions

Endoscopic-assisted Enucleation of Radicular Cysts — A Case Report

The standard management for the majority of benign jaw cysts is enucleation, marsupialisation, curettage and decompression. Enucleation has the advantage that the whole specimen is sent for microscopic evaluation so that more sinister pathological processes (i.e. squamous cell carcinoma) may not be missed. In a large cystic lesion, enucleation is still possible, but technical difficulties might be encountered. In such instances, inevitable damage can occur to the surrounding structures. We report a case of a large radicular cyst of the maxilla that was enucleated via endoscopic assistance through the Caldwell Luc approach.

Antrochoanal polyp as a rare presentation of fungal ball

Fungal ball is an extramucosal mycosis. The patient may present with facial pain, nasal blockage, purulent nasal discharge and cacosmia, the fungal ball being present unnoticed for years. Some patients do present as having other nasal problems and later on are found out to have a fungal ball incidentally. We present a case of 38 yearold man who was clinically diagnosed as having left antrochoanal polyp. Intraoperatively, a fungal ball was discovered in the left maxillary antrum.

Endoscopic removal of an extensive sinonasal schwannoma

Schwannoma is a rare, benign and slow-growing tumour which arises exclusively from Schwann cells. Essentially this tumour can be found in any part of the body. In the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, this tumour originates mostly from the ophthalmic and maxillary branches of the trigeminal nerve. The most common clinical presentation is unilateral nasal obstruction. Histological examination is crucial for diagnosis. The main modality of treatment is surgical excision. The type of surgery will depend on the location and extent of the tumour. Even though it is generally considered a benign tumour, there have been reports of potential malignant transformation. We report a case of a 52-year-old man with an extensive nasal mass which was removed endoscopically and histologically confirmed as schwannoma.

Cotton bud for ears - friend or foe?

To study the causes and to evaluate the impact of using cotton bud in the ear in a cross section of population in Karachi. 100 consecutive cases who reported with complaints after using cotton buds for varying durations were selected at the keamari campus of Ziauddin Hospital over aperied of nine months. The ones with active suppurative disease were excluded. Queries were made about the mode and the motives for using cotton buds. Their complaints were registered in detail. They were all subjected to examination for ear with otoscope. A few were examined with microscope. Tuning fork test were done in all the cases. Observations were recorded on a proforma. Prospective observational. January 2007 to November 2007. Majority of cotton bud users belonged to the 11 to 30 years age group and reported usage for months. Among the reported complaints itching and pain dominated followed by feeling of fullness, discharge and hearing impairment. Tenderness of the pinna was observed, while oederna and erythema was the dominant finding [along the external meatus, followed by discharge and skin cracking. Otomycosis was definitely found in 13 cases while foreign bodies [pencil leads and rubber pieces] were detected in the under 10 years age group users. Wax was found in only 4 meati. 44 of the meati did not show any abnormal feature. Tympanic membrane showed perforations of various sizes in 4 of the cases. Hearing was impaired in 30 cases. Use of cotton bud is harmful and unsafe. Awareness about the causes of itching is vital and always necessitates an ear examination. Public knowledge about the possible hazards of using cotton buds should be dispersed on the media

Efficacy of 1% hydrocortisone cream in lichen simplex chronicus

Topical cortlcosteroids are used in different skin conditions. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of hydrocortisone in treatment of lichen simplex chronicus, which Is ignored in our population. Forty male and forty female patients suffering from lichen simplex chronicus affecting different parts of the body as nape of the neck, arms, back of the legs and ankle were advised to apply hydrocortisone cream three times a day for four weeks. They were followed up weekly for four weeks. Pruritus and lichenification were scored at 4-grade scale i.e. none, slight, moderate and severe at base line and on each follow up visit. Significant improvement in pruritus was noticed in all groups except Group A2 the results were non significant. Regarding lichenification significant results were observed only in three group [A2, B1, B2] others remained non significant. Assessment shows that hydro-cortisone cream is effective antipruritic and has mostly nonsignificant effect on lichenification

Geochemistry and quality of groundwater of Karachi area

The groundwater samples were collected and analyzed to assess the groundwater quality from the Malir, Lyari,and Hub rivers drainage basins. Small seasonal aquifers are present within subrecent valley fills, above the folded rocks of Nan and Gaj formations of Oligocene and Miocene Ages, respectively. However, permanent aquifers are located within the terrace deposits of recent times. The major ionic composition shows a wide variation in the hydrochemical properties of the groundwater of the area. The degree of correspondence among cations, anions and trace elements have been estimated in order to evaluate their mutual relationships. Abundance of major and trace elements is interpreted in relation to the composition of aquifer, bedrock and climatic conditions, which may contribute to the genetic affiliation. The important hydrogeophysical parameters 'have been estimated for reasonable assessment of groundwater quality for domestic and irrigation purposes. Evaluation of hazardous trace elements [Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn and Hg] have also been made. Ionic relationship is exhibited in the form of Stiff diagrams. Piper diagram has been used to classify the hydrofacies

Inguinal hernia day case surgery: study of 100 cases

This Prospective study was carried out at Surgical Department of Jinnah Hospital Lahore from January 1998 to September 1999, to evaluate the merits and demerits of day case surgery of inguinal hernia in our set up. One hundred patients of simple reducible inguinal hernia presenting in surgical out patient department were included in this study. Patients were selected after discussion with the anaesthatist. Only class I or II patients as mentioned by American society of anaesthesiologists were included. Instructions about preoperative prepration and time to come for surgery were given on non resident basis. All patients were operated under general anaesthesia early on the list. Surgical procedures performed were herniotomy in 27 patients [27%] in children and young fit adults with good inguinal musculature. Herniorrhaphy [darning] was performed in 73 patients [73%] having direct inguinal hernia or indirect inguinal hernia and week posterior wall of the inguinal canal. Main post operative stay in the hospital was eight hours. Four patients [4%] developed scrotal oedema and two patients [2%] developed scrotal haematoma relieved by scrotal support. Two patients [2%] developed superficial [subcutaneous] wound infection which was cured by drainage and dressing on outdoor basis. Five patients [5%] developed postoperative neuralgia at the site of wound which was relieved simply by use of analgesics, except in one case in which local steroid injection was given at the site of maximum tenderness. There was no single recurrence reported in one year follow up after surgery Day case surgery for inguinal hernia can be performed safely in carefully selected patients with no anaesthetic complications and minimal morbidity. The economic benefits are enhanced by short stay, low morbidity and early return to normal activities