Age estimation from sternebral fusion in an Indian population - A computed tomographic evaluation.

Forensic age estimation is a crucial aspect of the human identification process. Sternebral fusion is one of the skeletal indicators of age that has not been thoroughly researched for the purpose of age estimation. The present study was conducted with the aim of assessing the utility of each of the sternebral fusion in age estimation, and to ascertain if these fusion stages can help in identifying whether an individual has attained the medicolegally significant ages of 16 and 18 years. Thoracic CT images of 148 study participants (74 females, 74 males) were analysed to evaluate the fusion of sternebrae 1-2, sternebrae 2-3, and sternebrae 3-4. The fusion scores for these were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001) with sternebrae 1-2 fusion showing the highest coefficient of correlation at R = 0.900. Linear regression models were generated using each of the sternebral fusions separately and together for estimation of age. The standard error of estimate for the regression models ranged from 1.51 to 2.86 years. Box and Whisker plots were constructed to see the fusion score wise age distribution of the study population, and it was observed that sternebral fusion has the ability to indicate whether an individual has attained the age of 16 and 18 years. Our study concludes that sternebral fusion can act as an accurate method of forensic age estimation of juveniles and young adults.

Primary clear cell carcinoma of gallbladder arising in porcelain gallbladder.

Gallbladder carcinomas (GBCs) are the most common carcinomas of the biliary tract. The clear cell variant is encountered rarely, accounting for approximately 1% of all GBCs.Due to its rarity, the exact incidence and pathogenesis of this variant are unknown. Though hyalinising cholecystitis (porcelain gallbladder) is an established risk factor for development of conventional adenocarcinomas of the gallbladder, its role in the pathogenesis of the rare variants of GBC is not well-established. The current case raises the possibility that clear cell carcinoma of the gallbladder may arise through the same pathways as conventional adenocarcinomas of the gallbladder.

Sarcomatoid Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma with Heterologous Component.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignant renal tumor in adults, while chromophobe RCC (CRCC) is the third most common. Any subtypes of RCC can undergo sarcomatoid differentiation, but heterologous differentiation in sarcomatoid area is very rare in RCC. Here a 61-year male is presented with hematuria and palpable mass. Clinicoradiologically, RCC was considered and left radical nephrectomy was performed. A well-circumscribed renal mass located in the upper pole of the left kidney with variegation and extensive areas of bony hard calcification noted, was reported as CRCC with sarcomatoid differentiation containing heterologous component. CRCC subtype has good prognosis but show dismal prognosis when associated with sarcomatous differentiation. We found 11 cases of sarcomatoid CRCC containing heterologous elements reported in indexed English literature. CRCC must be differentiated from Conventional RCC and Oncocytoma. The extensive sampling of the tumor is needed. We report a very rare case of CRCC with sarcomatoid differentiation containing heterologous elements.

Unmasking of left upper lobe bronchial atresia in a case of H1N1 pneumonia.

We describe a case of H1N1 pneumonia with left upper lobe bronchial atresia. Although bronchial atresia as an isolated occurrence is an innocuous finding, but when it is superimposed by another major insult, it can amplify the disease effect and can have adverse implications leading to significant morbidity. This report highlights the fact that anatomical anomalies can be the cause of inordinately severe or prolonged course of acute respiratory infection in children.