Chenopodium oil: a new topical antifungal agent in otomycosis- [1] in vitro study

The search for new antifungal drugs for treatment of otomycosis is still continuing as there is currently no widely accepted, effective drug for eradication of otomycosis. The idea of investigating the antifungal effect of chenopodium oil was based on the observation that the plant extract was successfully used by natives to treat oral thrush in children. The study aimed at in vitro evaluation of the effect of chenopodium oil on the most common fungi causing otomycosis. Seventy patients [82 ears] with otomycosis were subjected to mycological study. The most commonly isolated fungi were Aspergillus niger [67%], Aspergillus flavus [14.6%], Candida albicans [9.8%], Aspergillus fumigates [6.1%]. These four fungi were used in this in vitro study. The results of this study indicated that chenopodium oil has got a definite fungicidal effect on the four tested fungi. The minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] was 0.09% for A. niger, A. flavus and A. fumigates, while it was 0.08% for C. albicans effects

Chenopodium oil: a new topical antifungal agent in otomycosis- [2] invivo study

A standard regimen for treatment of otomycosis is not firmly established. In search for a new antifungal agent for otomycosis, chenopodium oil was selected for this study. Chenopodium oil is the volatile oil distilled with steam from the fresh, above-ground parts of the flowering and fruiting parts of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. var. Anthelminticum. This study was conducted on 40 patients [51 ears] diagnosed clinically and mycologically as having otomycosis. Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans were the commonest fungal isolates. Cases were divided into two groups: Treatment group [comprised 30 patients [36 ears] which were treated by a ribbon gauze impregnated with chenopodium oil 5% in polyethylene glycol 400] and control group [comprised 10 patients [15 ears] manages only by cleaning the external canal]. A cure rate of 83.33% was obtained with oil at the end of 2-week treatment compared with 46.66% in the control group. Statistical analysis confirmed that chenopodium oil has a significant effect on cure rate of otomycosis. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate in the treatment and control groups. A relative disadvantage of the oil was occurrence of irritation in 16.66% of treated ears but this could be successfully minimized by hydrocortisone ear drops used together with chenopodium oil

parathyroid glands identification during neck surgery: a microsurgical perspective

Parathyroid gland identification using the operative microscope was attempted in twenty patients operated upon for thyroidectomy and other neck surgeries. Histopathological examination of an incisional biopsy confirmed the identification in twenty four out of twenty five identified glands [i. e accuracy rate of 92%]. The point of intersection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve with the inferior thyroid artery. The cricothyroid joint and the paratracheal pad of fat were all found to be valuable landmarks for parathyroid gland identification