The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on term placentae

Background: Coronavirus 2019 infection (COVID 19) is an ongoing pandemic caused by pathogenic RNA viruses called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2). It has affected people of all ages, with high morbidity and mortality among the elderly and immunocompromised population. Limited information is available on the effects of COVID-19 infection on pregnancy. Aim: To describe the histopathological changes in the placental tissue of SARS-CoV-2 infected term mothers with no comorbidities and to correlate with neonatal outcome. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, KMCH institute of health sciences and research, Coimbatore from May 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020 for 6 months. Placental tissues of all COVID-19-positive term mothers with no comorbidities were included in this study. Histopathological examination of placentae was carried out and clinical data of mothers and newborn babies were obtained from medical records. Results: Histopathological examination of 64 placental tissue of COVID-19 mothers showed predominantly the features of fetal vascular malperfusion like stem villi vasculature thrombus, villous congestion, and avascular villi. No significant correlation was obtained in comparison with parity and symptomatic status of the mothers. However, histopathological changes were more prominent among symptomatic patients. The newborn babies born to these mothers showed no adverse outcome. Conclusion: This study concluded that though COVID-19 infection in normal term pregnant women was associated with increased prevalence of features of fetal vascular malperfusion, there was no significant morbidity in the health status of both COVID-19 mothers and their neonates.

Potentiation of general anaesthetic activity of ketamine by memantine

Background: The study was done with the objective to evaluate synergistic activity of ketamine induced general anesthesia by memantine in wistar albino rats.Methods: The wistar albino rats of either sex were divided into four groups of five animals. Group 1 received ketamine 40 mg/kg, group 2 received ketamine 80 mg/kg, group 3 received ketamine 40 mg/kg along with memantine 10 mg/kg and group 4 received 80 mg of ketamine along with memantine 10 mg/kg to evaluate the synergistic activity of ketamine induced general anesthesia by memantine. The sleep latency time and duration of sleep were measured in all the groups.Results: The sleep latency time of group 4 is significantly decreased (p<0.001) compared to all other groups. The duration of sleep of group 4 is significantly increased (p<0.001) compared to group 1 and group 3, but less than that of group 1.Conclusions: Memantine possess synergistic activity of ketamine induced general anaesthesia.

Carcinoma within a fibroadenoma: a case report.

Carcinoma within a fibroadenoma is an extremely rare occurrence with a reported incidence of 0.1% and is most often diagnosed incidentally on post-operative examination of excision biopsy specimens. One such case is reported here for its rarity and also for stressing upon the need for compulsory excision of all breast masses clinically diagnosed as fibroadenoma and for highlighting the importance of histopathological evaluation of all breast masses irrespective of their clinical diagnosis as benign.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in oral cavity--a rare site.

MPNST occurring in oral cavity, which is a rare site for the tumour, in a 35 year old female patient with history of swelling underneath the tongue present since one year diagnosed clinically as ranula is presented here. Histopathological examination of the excised mass showed features of spindle cell sarcoma following which a provisional diagnosis of MPNST was offered. The differential diagnosis considered were leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and spindle cell variant of squamous cell carcinoma (being the commoner tumour in oral cavity). Immunohistochemistry confirmed neural origin of the tumour. The case is reported in view of the rarity of the lesion in oral cavity.