Morphometric Study of Hypoglossal and Facial Nerves and its Significance in Hypoglossal-Facial Nerve Anastomosis.

Background: During the repairing of facial nerve injurymost common nerve used is the hypoglossal nerve. Aimand Objectives: To measure the distance between theanatomical landmarks, facial nerve and hypoglossalnerve which will be beneficial to locate the facial nerveand hypoglossal nerve more effortlessly and willdecrease the hazard of procedural problems. Materialand Methods: Thirty specimens were dissected.Measurements of the hypoglossal and facial nerveswere taken from various anatomical landmarks. Datawere analyzed using Statistical Package for SocialSciences 16 version. Results: The mean distance of theorigin of the facial nerve to the angle of mandible wascm, the mean distance of the origin of thefacial nerve to the tip of mastoid process wascm, the mean distance of common carotidbifurcation to the hypoglossal nerve where it crossesthe external carotid artery was cm, the meandistance of common carotid bifurcation to thehypoglossal nerve where it crosses the internal carotidartery was cm and the mean distance ofhypoglossal nerve to the tip of mastoid process wascm. Conclusion: The results of this studywill help and prevent any complication in identifyingthe hypoglossal nerve and facial nerve duringhypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis.

Neurological manifestations in organophosphorous toxicity.

Organophosphorous compounds are one of the efficient methods available for pest control. Because of its easy availability, the various preparations of organophosphorpus compounds cause significant morbidity and mortality to the human lives. In addition to producing pesticide related illness and death, Organophosphorous compounds produces different neurological manifestations as a sequelae to its toxicity. Four such neurological syndromes are discussed with their salient clinical features.

Suicide - the magnitude of the problem.

Suicide is the second commonest manner of unnatural death flanked by accident and homicide. Suicide is by no means a simple issue, for it hinges on a spectrum of ethical, legal, sociological and psychological problems and it is yet to be offered an unequivocal and satisfactory answer to all the questions raised by this perplexing phenomenon. In an attempt to analyse the magnitude of the problem of suicide, this paper provides a comprehensive data encompassing the prevailing scenario of suicide, investigation of suicide as viewed by different workers and the importance of differentiation between accident, homicide and suicide The presentation is concluded by emphasizing the advantages of psychological autopsy in suicide investigation.

Intermediate syndrome in organophosphorous poisoning.

One hundred and fifty three cases of Organophosphorous poisoning cases presented to Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, India during a 2 year period ( 2001- 2002), out of which 45 cases (29.4%) had features of Intermediate Syndrome. Largest number of victims were in the age group of 21-30 years (37.7%). Males predominated (71.1%). Methyl Parathion was the commonest compound (57.7%). Respiratory muscle weakness was the most common manifestation seen (84.4%). Mortality was 22.3%.

Correlation between postmortem diagnosis and survival time in poisoning deaths.

Every deaths resulting from poisoning has to be investigated to establish cause of death. Difficulties in clinical diagnosis of poisoning cases is well known because many a time they present with non specific symptoms and signs or the features may simulate natural disease process. Same with Forensic Pathologist as many times postmortem findings are nonspecific. Some poisons are retained in the body for long time after deaths while others may be rapidly destroyed during metabolic activity. This study was undertaken to find out effect of survival time on the postmortem findings, and on chemical analysis of body tissue and body fluids in poisoning deaths. In majorities of cases death was due to insecticides. Toxicological report showed positive for poison in 70% of cases. Kerosene smell, which is present in Organophosphorus poisoning, is present maximum upto three days. Chemical analysis report showed positive in 94% of cases in first three days. There after chance of detection of poison in routine viscera decreases upto 50%. Suggestions have been made for postmortem diagnosis in poisoning victims.

Para suicide: An approach to the profile of victims.

Suicide is the second commonest manner of unnatural death flanked by accident and homicide. Unlike suicide which terminates the human life forever, its counterpart, ‘Para suicide’ paralysis the human life either temporarily or permanently. Para suicide could not be taken as a lighter entity in the modern times, for it may prove as equally dangerous as suicide itself and sometimes perhaps more than that. The present study is an analysis of the spectrum of Para suicide in the terms of various sociodemographic / epidemiological features. The study presents the profile of suicide attempters, who reported / were brought to the Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Coastal Karnataka, South India, over a span of twelve months with an alleged history of attempted suicide. The study sample comprised of 52 subjects who survived the attempt of suicide. Men (56%) considered as more vulnerable than women. Urbanites (80%) outnumbered the rural dwellers (20%). Thirty six percent of the attempters were in their third decade of life. Fifty six percent of the victims had had their education up to the Secondary School. Manual laborers (23%) were most vulnerable when compared to the skilled laborers and professionals (4% each). Ninety four percent of the subjects were the followers of Hindu religion. Married individuals (52%) and those from lower middle class sector (70%) attempted suicide more often. Presentation is concluded by the suggestion of probable preventive measures.