Non-neoplastic Lesions among Lateral Neck Mass Specimens in a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Lateral neck masses present clinically as neoplastic or non-neoplastic lesions of lymph nodes, salivary glands, and thyroid. Non-neoplastic lesions, if evaluated timely, may not transform into malignancy thus reducing clinical burden. A cytomorphological study using fine needle aspiration is a reliable method for the diagnosis of such masses. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of non-neoplastic lesions of lateral neck mass specimens received in the Department of Pathology in a tertiary care center. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Pathology among lateral neck mass specimens of a tertiary care center from January 2019 to December 2020 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference no: 155/19). A convenience sampling method was used and data analysis was done in Microsoft Excel 2019. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Out of 300 lateral neck mass specimens, non-neoplastic lesions were found in 246 (82%) (77.7-86.3 at 95% Confidence Interval). The involvement of lymph nodes in 117 (47.6%) was the most common finding followed by thyroid 112 (45.5%). Among non-neoplastic lesions, the cytomorphological features of benign nodular goiter 93 (37.8%) was the most common lesion followed by reactive lymphoid hyperplasia 73 (29.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that the prevalence of non-neoplastic lesions was similar to that of other national and international studies.

Medical Education in Nepal: Impact and Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a global shift toward online distance learning due to travel limitations and physical distancing requirements as well as medical school and university closures. In low- and middle-income countries like Nepal, where medical education faces a range of challenges-such as lack of infrastructure, well-trained educators, and advanced technologies-the abrupt changes in methodologies without adequate preparation are more challenging than in higher-income countries. In this article, the authors discuss the COVID-19-related changes and challenges in Nepal that may have a drastic impact on the career progression of current medical students. Outside the major cities, Nepal lacks dependable Internet services to support medical education, which frequently requires access to and transmission of large files and audiovisual material. Thus, students who are poor, who are physically disadvantaged, and who do not have a home situation conducive to online study may be affected disproportionately. Further, the majority of teachers and students do not have sufficient logistical experience and knowledge to conduct or participate in online classes. Moreover, students and teachers are unsatisfied with the digital methodologies, which will ultimately hamper the quality of education. Students' clinical skills development, research activities, and live and intimate interactions with other individuals are being affected. Even though Nepal's medical education system is struggling to adapt to the transformation of teaching methodologies in the wake of the pandemic, it is important not to postpone the education of current medical students and future physicians during this crisis. Looking ahead, medical schools in Nepal should ensure that mechanisms are proactively put into place to embrace new educational opportunities and technologies to guarantee a regular supply of high-quality physicians capable of both responding effectively to any future pandemic and satisfying the nation's future health care needs.