Pedunculated cavernous lymphangioma of the newborn oral cavity

Oral swellings and ulcers in neonates are a spectrum of diseases often creating a sense of anxiety among parents. Early detection, high index of suspicion, proper investigations, and prompt diagnosis can aid in accurate management of the same. Lymphangiomas are benign hamartomas which are basically malformed lymphatics do not drain into other lymphatics or veins and hence there is lymphatic accumulation and enlargement following cystically dilated spaces. We hereby present a rare case of a neonate born with a cystic mucosal swelling at the upper gingival sulcus since birth.

Profile of near drowning victims in a coastal region of Karnataka.

BACKGROUND: Drowning and near drowning are serious public health problems and an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Present study is done to understand the pattern of near drowning cases in this coastal region of Karnataka. METHODS: This hospital based retrospective research was conducted at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal in Southern India from January 1993 to December 2003. A detailed victimologic profile was made. RESULTS: Study included a total of 58 cases of near drowning. Males were predominantly affected (84.5%). Majority of the victims were aged below 10 years (39.7%). Manner was accidental in maximum (82.3%) reported cases. Incidence of fresh water drowning was more than sea water drowning. Fatal outcome was reported in 12.1% cases with maximum fatalities occurring within one to three days of hospitalization. Most of the victims witnessed respiratory complications (55.2%). CONCLUSION: Males in the first decade are at increased risk of accidental drowning. Swimming under adult supervision, immediate resuscitative measures and early medical aid is proposed.

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.

Sociodemographic profile of poisoning cases.

Acute poisoning is an important medical emergency and one of the causes of death. A thorough knowledge of the profile of the victim is essential for management and prevention of poisoning. The present paper evaluates pattern of poisoning cases including deaths over a period of two years from 1999 to 2001 in Berhampur, Orissa. 53.3% of the cases were male with male to female ratio 1.14:1. Peak incidence was observed in the age group 21-30 years(124 cases). More than four-fifth of the cases belonged to medium socioeconomic status and 58.1% cases were from rural areas. Majority of the victims were literate and married outnumbered the unmarried cases. Occurrence of poisoning was more common in day time and during Summer season. Organophosphate compounds was the most commonly (22.9%) abused substance. Based on these findings preventive measures like restriction of sale and strengthening the legislature on availability of poison, promoting poison information center etc have been put forward.

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.