Dermatoglyphic Pattern On Fingertips Of Thalassemia Patients: A Case Control Study In North Indian Population

Background: Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of fingerprints. Fingerprint is a multifactorial trait. Largenumber of genes play their role along with environmental influence. Chromosomal aberration affect these genesand produce variation in dermatoglyphic pattern in various chromosomal syndromes.Materials and methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Government MedicalCollege and Rajindra Hospital,Patiala and is based on digital dermatoglyphics of 100 Thalassemic patientsfrom Thalassemia Ward of Rajindra Hospital, Patiala hailing from Northern region of India. The control groupcomprises of 50 individuals of similar origin. Fingertip dermatoglyphic patterns of both hands of Thalassemiapatients and control group were recorded by INK method.The fingertip pattern type was recorded by using Henry’sclassification method. The data so obtained was compiled and analysed statistically.Results: It was found that whorls were most frequent pattern on digit IV in patients and controls, with statisticalsignificance in both hands, right hand (p value .042) and left hand (p value .010). Ulnar loops had preponderanceover other patterns on digit V in both the groups but the difference was statistically significant in left hand (pvalue .033).Conclusion: From our study it can be concluded that dermatoglyphics can prove to be an extremely useful tool forthe preliminary investigations into conditions with a suspected genetic base and dermatoglyphic abnormalitiesshould prove of considerable value in preliminary mass screening.

Morphological Variations In The Arterial & Nerve Supply Of Thyroid Gland – A Cadaveric Study

Introduction: The arteries and nerves related to the thyroid gland are very important as they are the potentialsource of bleeding and palsy during thyroidectomies and other head and neck surgeries. Thus a thoroughknowledge of relation between them is a prerequisite for the surgeons and other interventionists.Materials and Methods: The study was done in the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Patiala,Punjab among 30 adult human cadavers from May 2015 to Nov 2015. The origin, course, terminal branches andthe relation of superior and inferior thyroid arteries to external and recurrent laryngeal nerves respectively werenoted and the results were evaluated. The complete pattern of morphology of the thyroid gland in relation to thearterial and nerve supply was labelled as standard or variant. Bilateral symmetry of pattern was noted anddetails of the variations were enumerated. A detailed inference was obtained in the light of present observationsand the findings of earlier workers.Results: In 29 cases we found the superior and inferior thyroid arteries were originating from the externalcarotid artery and thyrocervical trunk respectively while in 1 case there was thyroidea ima artery originatingfrom right common carotid artery with absent right inferior thyroid artery. The external and recurrent laryngealnerves were related to superior and inferior thyroid arteries as described by most of the standard textbooks butthe detail percentages of the relationship is given below.Conclusion: The study is an attempt to establish a relation between the variations that we generally encounter inthyroid glands related to its arteries and nerves. Proper identification of thyroid gland vessels is very importantin order to avoid major complications during and after neck surgeries. Thyroid anatomy and its associatedanatomical variations are very essential to know for Endocrinologist and Surgeons, so that these anomalies arenot overlooked while arriving at a diagnosis

Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae- An Osteological Study In Dry Human Sacra Of North Indian Origin With Its Clinical And Forensic Implications

Context: Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are congenital anomalies that occur due to defect in normalsegmentation of the lumbosacral spine during development. This may be either in the form of assimilation offifth lumbar vertebra with the sacrum (sacralisation), or transition of the first piece of sacral vertebra into thelumbar configuration (lumbarisation).Aims and Objectives: Although presence of LSTV is common in general population but knowledge about its exactclinical implications is still lacking. The primary aim of the present study was to determine the rate of incidenceof transitional vertebra and their sex difference (if present) in dried human sacra. Secondary aim was to studythese transitional vertebra in detail and correlate these findings clinically.Materials and Methods: A total of fifty unbroken adult sacra were examined (male to female ratio of 3:2). Thepresence or absence of a lumbar transitional vertebra was noted and classified as incomplete or complete. Thesacral indices (SI) of all sacra were measured and values compared between typical and atypical sacra with LSTVas well as between male and female sacra.Results: Out of fifty sacra, six sacra (12%) showed presence of LSTV. Among them, four (8%) showed sacralisationof the fifth lumbar vertebra and two (4%) showed lumbarisation of first sacral vertebra. Among the four sacrashowing sacralisation, two showed incomplete fusion and two showed complete fusion of fifth lumber vertebrawith sacrum. LSTV was found to be more common in male than female. Sacralisation was seen only in male sacrawhile lumbarisation only in female sacra. The difference in the mean SI of typical sacra (97.76±4.08) and sacrawith LSTV (83.69±2.38 and 98.11±1.52 for sacralised and lumbarised sacra respectively) was found to bestatistically significant (p<0.05) and that between the male (94.55±5.70) and female (100.14±3.42) sacra wasfound to be highly significant (p<0.01).Conclusion: Presence of LSTV has many clinical and forensic implications and its knowledge is important fororthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, forensic experts and also to radiologists.

Accessory belly of piriformis, as a cause of superior gluteal neurovascular entrapment.

During routine dissection on 50 years old male cadaver, an accessory belly of piriformis was observed. This accessory belly was superior and parallel to the main piriformis muscle. This was associated with emergence of superior gluteal nerve and superior gluteal artery between the two bellies. Piriformis muscle and its relation to sciatic nerve has been suggested as a cause of piriformis syndrome. But interestingly in the present case, superior gluteal nerve was interposed between two bellies that may help the clinicians to establish a rare yet important cause of piriformis syndrome and a rare cause of undiagnosed chronic pain in gluteal region. As superior gluteal artery was also interposed, so this rare variation holds interest to surgeons especially in isolated buttock claudication despite otherwise normal vascular investigations.