Morphological analysis of palatal rugae patterns in a population of Maharashtrian ancestry: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: To analyze the morphological parameters of palatal rugae in a population of Maharashtrian ancestry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 1000 subjects of Maharashtrian ancestry with at least 3 generations on the mother's and father's side. Their palatal impressions were obtained with alginate and the casts were analyzed for length, shape and direction of palatal rugae. RESULTS: Our results showed that the most predominant rugae were primary followed by secondary and fragmentary with significant differences between them. The most prevalent rugae shapes found were straight followed by wavy followed by curved with significant differences between them. According to direction, forward rugae were significantly higher than perpendicular rugae and backward rugae. CONCLUSION: The rugae are considered to have population specific configurations. This baseline data of patterns of palatal rugae in a sample of Maharashtrian ancestry may serve `as an accessory tool' for population identification in Forensic Dentistry.

Caeco-colic intussusception in an adult: a rare case report.

Intussusception is common in children but rare in adults. Caeco-colic intussusception is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction in adults. Very limited information is available about the role of colonoscopy in diagnosis of intussusception in the literature. We present a case of caeco-colic intussusception in a 50-year-old male who presented with the complaints of pain in abdomen and a lump in the right hypochondrium. Colonoscopy and contrast studies revealed the diagnosis of intussusception. Abdominal computed tomography (CT scan) is considered as the most sensitive investigation to diagnose intussusception at present, whereas colonoscopy is sparingly used to diagnose intussusception. In this patient, colonoscopy not only established the diagnosis and malignant nature of the lead point, but also guided the definitive extent of surgical resection. CT scan offers a presumptive diagnosis as compared to the definitive diagnosis of intussusception by colonoscopy. In adult intussusception, colonoscopy can be considered as a complimentary investigation to other diagnostic modalities. Hence regular use of colonoscopy in adult intussusception should be encouraged where presentation is either subacute or chronic.

Surgical response to the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

BACKGROUND: Mumbai, the financial capital of India, was attacked by terrorists at various famous, densely populated places on 26 November 2008. The attack lasted for 60 h, resulting in multiple civilian casualties from bullet and blast injuries. The aim was to review the disaster management plan and analyse the injury patterns and surgical response. METHODS: The disaster management plan was activated in the Sir Jamshetjee Jejeebhoy Group of Hospitals as soon as the earliest casualties were reported. The casualty receiving area was converted into a triage zone; patients were accordingly sent to different stations for further management. There was rotation of the duties of the medical personnel every 8 h for increased efficiency. RESULTS: A total of 271 casualties were encountered, of which 108 were dead at admission. Some 163 patients were triaged, 23 of whom received primary care as outpatients. The remaining 140 patients needed admission to hospital; 194 operations were performed in 127 patients. There were six postoperative deaths. CONCLUSION: This was a unique terrorist attack targeted on civilians and continuing for more than 2 days. The casualties consisted of military injuries due to combined firearm and blast trauma. Primary triage, or onsite triage once the site is safe, optimizes management.