Osteosarcoma of the Skull: An Unusual Presentation in the Left Parietal-Occipital Region

Osteosarcoma (OS) is an uncommon primary malignant brain tumor. The incidence of osteosarcoma of the skull is low with an estimated 3.4 cases per million reported per year. We report a case of OS of the skull in an 18-year-old female patient. She had complained of swelling on the left side of the head accompanied with frequent headache and diminished vision in the left eye. An PET-CT of the skull revealed a large 93x90 mm lesion in the left parietal-occipital region. Osteoblastic osteogenic sarcoma of the skull was confirmed histopathologically. The patient received six cycles of Adriamycin and cisplatin; is under close observation and currently doing well. It is empirical to report case reports, specifically unusual cases like OS of the skull. Case reports not only help disseminate knowledge but also help streamline diagnostic and treatment approaches for unusual cases.

Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma - A Case Report

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is an uncommon tumor that originates from follicular dendritic cells. The identification and diagnosis of FDCS is not as easy as it has close histological resemblance with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, sarcoma, melanoma, undifferentiated carcinomas, melanoma, and other dendritic or histiocytic cell disease. The definite diagnosis of FDCS can be established with the help of immunohistochemical investigation coupled with imaging modalities such as positron-emission tomography and computed tomography. We present a case of an elderly woman with a history of follicular dendritic tumor. The patient was primarily treated with CHOP chemotherapy in a different hospital. Upon initial investigation in our institution, disease progression was observed. The patient was treated with GEMTAX chemotherapy. The patient showed a partial response to therapy after three cycles of GEMTAX. However, disease progression was observed after six cycles of GEMTAX. The patient was switched to ESHAP, wherein after three cycles partial response to therapy was observed as per PET-CT scans. Despite the use of all three chemotherapy regimens, recurrence was observed. Systemic chemotherapy should be reserved for patients who failed in primary treatment or those with metastatic disease. However, multisite clinical trials should be developed to rationalize optimal treatment strategies for this uncommon disease.

Exploration of the Angiogenic Potential of Honey.

Aims: The present study was conducted to confirm the angiogenic potential of honey using Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM), an in ovo model and to study its effect on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) expression in the CAM tissue. Attempts were also made to identify the probable active constituents present in honey that contributed to its angiogenic potential. Methodology: Honey was evaluated over concentrations ranging from 0.015 to 25% v/v and the extent of angiogenesis was quantified using stereomicroscopy. VEGF expression at transcript level was determined by RT-PCR. Erythropoietin and Heparin were used as positive and negative controls respectively. Four known constituents of honey viz., Glucose, Proline, Vitamin C and Hydrogen peroxide were tested by biochemical methods. Results: New blood formation was seen at all the concentrations tested, however the proangiogenic effect was greater at lower concentrations. These results were significantly greater than that seen with erythropoietin, the positive control. VEGF mRNA expression in CAM tissue also demonstrated similar findings. Among the constituents tested, Vitamin C and Hydrogen peroxide were observed to be associated with the angiogenic effect of honey. Conclusion: The study thus confirms the pro-angiogenic potential of honey at low concentrations. This effect is probably due to the presence of Hydrogen peroxide and Vitamin C and is mediated via alteration in VEGF expression.

Agenesis of corpus callosum - a rare case.

A case of corpus callosum agenesis associated with a chromosomal structural defect is described.

Poncet's disease.

Tuberculous rheumatism is not generally accepted as a specific disease entity in Great Britain or the U.S.A. We are reporting a adult male whom we believe suffered from this disease, to open the controversy surrounding its existence with a review of the literature.