ABSTRACT
Objectives: The objective was to study the relationship of 3-Tesla (3T) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value for distinction of reactive and metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) in head-and-neck carcinoma (HNC) patients and to determine the ADC cutoff value for metastatic LNs at various levels. Materials and Methods: 3T DW and T1- and T2-weighted imaging sequences were done in 34 patients with biopsy-proven primary HNC of 100 cervical LNs ≥1 cm in diameter. The mean ADC values were compared with histopathologically proven LNs using the independent t-test. ADC cutoff value was evaluated with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: The mean ADC value of reactive LN was 1.2933 × 10-3 mm2/s and metastatic LN was 0.908 × 10-3 mm2/s. An ADC cutoff value was 0.868 × 10-3 mm2/s with 84% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 93% accuracy, 87.5% positive predictive value, and 94.7% negative predictive value. A significant difference in mean ADC value between reactive and metastatic LNs was noted (P< 0.001). Conclusion: 3T DW-MRI is useful in differentiating reactive and metastatic cervical LNs in HNC patients. However, studies with larger sample size have to be performed to validate ADC threshold value with 3T DW-MRI in differentiating between reactive and metastatic LNs for clinical practice
ABSTRACT
Aim: To analyse the perforators around umbilicus in a normal population group. To assess the clinical versatility of paraumbilicalperforator based abdominal flaps.Materials and Methods: Doppler analysis of site of paraumbilical perforators was done in 50 individuals of varying age groups,with normal abdominal wall. 32 patients having upper limb defects were reconstructed with paraumbilical perforator basedabdominal flaps, in the Department of Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, duringthe period of two years 2016 and 2017, and analysed.Discussion: The perforators in paraumbilical region, were Dopplered in normal individuals. The paraumbilical region was dividedinto 4 zones and the perforator pattern was studied. The clinical study was done in the case series of the paraumbilical perforatorbased abdominal flaps, done in the department. The flaps were based on the perforators in all the zones of paraumbilical regionstudied.Results and Conclusion: The commonest position of the paraumbilical perforator was analysed. It was found that theparaumbilical perforator based abdominal flaps can be harvested in any zone, in any direction. The versatility of flap design,with comfortable and amiable positioning of the upper limb with abdomen, makes these flaps reliable and a “user-friendly”option in the reconstruction repertoire of the upper limb defects.
ABSTRACT
This study presents the standardization of nutrient concentration, pH and temperature required to decolorize the anerobically treated distillery spent wash using the fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides. Experiments were carried out to measure the decolorization of distillery spent wash effluent and it was found to be effective in acidic environment. From the results it was observed that a maximum color reduction of 52.6% and Chemichal Oxygen Demand. removal of 62.5% were achieved. The optimum conditions required for the growth of the fungus was found to be 5 g/L of fructose, 3 g/L of peptone, 5 pH and 35°C. It was also observed that during the process a maximum of 1.2 g of fungal growth was attained. Decolorizing ability of the fungus was confirmed using spectrophotometer and High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis. Single factorial experimental design was used to optimize the parameters. Apart from decolorization it was observed that fungus also has the ability to degrade the spent wash efficiently. This investigation could be an approach towards control of environmental pollution and health hazards of people in and around the distillery unit