A comparative study of fine‑needle aspiration and fine‑needle non‑aspiration techniques in head and neck swellings.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to compare the fine‑needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and the fine‑needle non‑aspiration cytology (FNNAC) techniques in head and neck swellings and to study the cytology features of various head and neck swellings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 138 cases of head and neck swellings were sampled by a single operator, using both FNAC and FNNAC techniques. The two techniques were compared for the five objective parameters, amount of background blood or clots, amount of cellular material present, retention of appropriate architecture, degree of cellular degeneration and degree of cellular trauma, using Mair’s point scoring system. RESULTS: Blood contamination was similar in FNNAC as compared to FNAC in all cases. The difference was not statistically significant. Cellular yield was more in FNNAC in Thyroid and salivary gland lesions, with a significant statistical difference being noted in both. Better retention of architecture with a statistically significant difference was seen in FNNAC smears from lymph node lesions. There was no significant difference between the two techniques in degree of background blood. More number of FNNAC smears was diagnostically superior. CONCLUSION: The FNNAC technique provides an adequate cellular yield for a definite diagnosis in all head and neck swellings, except in cystic and fibrotic swellings where FNAC is a better technique.

Nicolau syndrome.

A case of Nicolau syndrome in a woman following intramuscular injection of diclofenac sodium is reported.

Clobazam in epilepsy.

Clobazam, an anxiolytic agent has proved to be a broad spectrum antiepileptic. It is effective and well tolerated. It has been mainly used as an adjunctive therapy with other antiepileptic agents without much side effects. It is also recommended as monotherapy for partial and selected epilepsies in childhood.

Spinal muscular atrophy--a clinicopathologic analysis.

In this retrospective study the clinical features in 16 children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were reviewed and classified into three stages. The muscle biopsy specimen were routinely processed with liquid-nitrogen-isopentane and 8 micron thick frozen-sections were studied for histochemical changes. The clinical features in Type III SMA resembled with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and the muscle biopsy was useful in distinguishing these two entities. It is being evaluated that prenatal diagnosis of SMA is possible with DNA technology developed recently in our country.

Myasthenia gravis.

Twelve children with myasthenic symptoms were seen over a period of 6 years. The age of onset of symptoms ranged from 6 months to 9 years. On followup for a mean period of 4.25 years, (longest followup was 9 years) five children went into complete remission of symptoms after treatment with prostigmine; three children responded to prostigmine and steroids; two children were relieved of symptoms without prolonged treatment and the remaining two children could not be followed up. Thymectomy was not advised in any patient.