articleClinico-pathological study of 273 cases of rhinosporidiosis over a period of ten years in a tertiary care institute catering predominantly rural population of tribal origin.

Introduction: Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, an organism whose taxonomy is still debated. The present study was aimed to document the clinico-pathological presentation of rhinosporidiosis in different parts in reference to caste, age and gender. Evaluation of diagnostic role of cytology in the diagnosis of rhinosporidiosis was also explored. Materials and Methods: All histology confirmed rhinosporidial cases were included in the study. Detailed clinical history and examination findings including previous hematological and cytological reports, if available, were collected and tabulated. Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Mucicarmine stains were used over cyto- and histological slides, if necessary. Observations: Male cases were more frequent in these series though this sex difference is less pronounced among tribal population. Majority of the cases belonged to 21-40 years age group. Nose and nasopharynx was the commonest site of infection and polypoid mass lesions were the commonest presentation. Both scrape and aspiration cytology could successfully detect rhinosporidiosis in 100% cases. Discussion: Most of the cases are among poor-socioeconomic status and probably out-door activities and pond bathing habit. Haematological data correlation did not revealed any significant association. Histology is the preferred method for confirmed diagnosis of rhinosporidiosis. Rare cases of misdiagnosis can be avoided by use of special stains. Conclusion: Rhinosporidiosis commonly presents as polypoidal lesions in nose and extra-nasal sites. Histopathology is the standard method for confirmation of diagnosis. Cytology can be used as an adjunct for pre-operative diagnosis of extra-nasal rhinosporidiosis. We recommended use of special stains for diagnosis of difficult cases

A Case of Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation in a 10 Years Old Boy.

Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation (CCAM) is a relatively rare congenital pulmonary cystic disease. By ultrasonography prenatal diagnosis can be made and most baby born without complication. Some babies need surgery at the first year of life for recurrent respiratory tract infection. Here a case of CCAM in a 10 year old boy is reported who presented with recurrent respiratory tract infection and underwent surgical resection successfully.

Prevention of hypotension during propofol induction: a comparison of preloading with 3.5% polymers of degraded gelatin (Haemaccel) and intravenous ephedrine.

The present study compared the efficacy of preloading with colloid "Haemaccel" with vasoconstrictor (intravenous ephedrine sulphate) in preventing hypotension during propofol induction. This prospective, randomized study included 120 patients of Amercan Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II ageing 21 to 50 years of both gender coming for routine surgery. Patients were randomly allocated into three groups with 40 patients in each. Group A (control) did not receive any study medication, group B received Haemaccel (10 ml/kg intravenously over 10-15 minutes) and group C received injection ephedrine (0.2 mg/kg iv) prior to induction of anaesthesia. Propofol (2.5 mg/kg iv) was used for induction of anaesthesia. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded before induction (baseline) and then every minute for 5 minutes after administering propofol. Anaesthesia was continued with standard technique thereafter. Hypotension was defined as fall in systolic blood pressure more than 20% from the basal value. The incidence of hypotension in Haemaccel (23.1%) or ephedrine group (22.5%) was significantly less than the control group (67.5%, P<0.01). We conclude that though preloading with colloid (Haemaccel) or prior injection of sympathomimetic (ephedrine) are not fully efficacious in preventing hypotension caused by propofol induction, both decrease the incidence in significant number of patients with heart rate less than baseline value in the colloid group.

Fluoroscopy guided chemical lumbar sympathectomy for lower limb ischaemic ulcers.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of chemical lumbar sympathectomy in relieving pain and healing ischaemic ulcers in patients with peripheral vascular diseases. Thirty-one consecutive patients with ischaemic/ gangrenous lower limb ulcers, referred to the BPKIHS, Pain Clinic were observed prospectively after chemical lumbar sympathectomy using modified Reid Technique with 3 ml of 70% alcohol each at L2 and L3 level under fluoroscopic guidance. Pain relief and ulcer healing were noted in the follow up. Moreover, patients' abilities to resume at least part of their day to day work were also noted at three months follow up. Of the total 31 patients, 16 had Buerger's disease and the remaining 15 had non-Buerger's ischaemic ulcers of which 7 were diabetic. There was significant decrease in the pain score from mean+/-SD of 8.3+/-0.9 (pre-block) to 4.2+/-2.5 (post-block after 3 days) in zero to 10 Numerical Analogue Scale (NAS). By 3 months, 6 patients declined for follow up; 19(76%) of the remaining 25 patients reported pain relief, 18(72%) reported healing or decrease in the size of ulcers and 11(44%) were able to resume at least part of their usual work. Minor complications occurred in 5 patients and amputation was needed in 6 patients. Fluoroscopy- guided chemical lumbar sympathectomy is feasible, safe and effective in relieving pain and promoting ulcer healing in patients with ischaemic lower limb ulcers due both to Buerger's disease and non-Buerger's peripheral vascular diseases.

Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy: an initial experience in community based teaching hospital.

Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) is frequently performed in the intensive care unit to prevent the long term complications associated with prolonged endotracheal intubation. OBJECTIVE: To report the analysis of our experience with percutaneous dilation tracheostomy. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective documentation of 40 patients who received percutaneous dilational tracheostomy in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit during a 12-month period. METHOD: The patients demographic, indications of intubation and PDT, time required to perform the procedure, complications and the outcome of these patients in the intensive care unit were noted. RESULT: Among 425 patients, 40 underwent percutaneous dilational tracheostomy that included 22 females and 18 males with the median age of 35 years. Prolonged ventilatory support was the most common indication for tracheostomy. The average duration of intubation before PDT was 5 days. Median procedure time was 20 minutes. Complications included minor bleeding in two (5%), subcutaneous emphysema with pneumothorax in two patients (5%), tracheal stenosis in three (7.5%), tracheo-esophageal fistula and glottic granuloma in one patient each (2.5%). Among forty patients, 28 (70%) were discharged to the ward, 8 died in intensive care unit and 4 left hospital against medical advice. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy is a safe, quick and effective way for long term airway management in critically ill patients.

Cardiovascular responses to scalp infiltration with reduced concentration of adrenaline.

A prospective randomized controlled study was carried out in 41 adult neurosurgical patients to find out the hemodynamic effects following scalp infiltration with 0.5% lignocaine with or without adrenaline. The patients were divided randomly into two groups. Group I patients (n=21) received 0.5% lignocaine with adrenaline (1:8,00,000) for scalp infiltration and group II patients (n=20) received 0.5% lignocaine without adrenaline. Continuous monitoring of ECG, heart rate and arterial blood pressure was carried out every minute for 20 minutes following scalp infiltration. Blood loss while raising the scalp flap was assessed by the neurosurgeon who was unaware of the study. No significant hemodynamic disturbances were observed in either group. However, Group I patients had significantly (p=0.001) less bleeding on incision. From this study, we conclude that 0.5% lignocaine with adrenaline (1:8,00,000) does not give rise to any cardiovascular disturbances during and following scalp infiltration. Rather, it minimises blood loss while raising the craniotomy flap.