Gut Microbiome and Its Role in Valvular Heart Disease: Not a "Gutted" Relationship.

The role of the gut microbiome (GM) and oral microbiome (OM) in cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been increasingly being understood in recent years. It is well known that GM is a risk factor for various CVD phenotypes, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. However, its role in valvular heart disease (VHD) is less well understood. Research shows that, direct, microbe-mediated and indirect, metabolite-mediated damage as a result of gut dysbiosis and environmental factors results in a subclinical, chronic, systemic inflammatory state, which promotes inflammatory cell infiltration in heart valves and subsequently, via pro-inflammatory molecules, initiates a cascade of reaction, resulting in valve calcification, fibrosis and dysfunction. This relationship between GM and VHD adds a pathophysiological link to the pathogenesis of VHD, which can be aimed therapeutically, in order to prevent or regress any risk for valvular pathologies. Therapeutic interventions include dietary modifications and lifestyle interventions, in order to influence environmental factors that can promote gut dysbiosis. Furthermore, the combination of probiotics and prebiotics, as well as fecal m transplantation and targeted treatment with inducers or inhibitors of microbial enzymes have showed promising results in animal and/or clinical studies, with the potential to reduce the inflammatory state and restore the normal gut flora in patients. This review, thus, is going to discuss the pathophysiological links behind the relationship of GM, CVD and VHD, as well as explore the recent data regarding the effect of GM-altering treatment in CVD, cardiac function and systemic inflammation.

Hemithyroidectomy in Papillary Thyroid Cancers: A Prospective, Single Institutional Surgical Audit and Contemplating on the Clinical Implications of 2015 American Thyroid Association Guidelines.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) contributes to 88% of thyroid malignancies and its extent of surgical management has been a topic of debate in the past 2 decades. American thyroid association (ATA) recommendations have been periodically updated for its robust and evidence-based management. We present our experience in implementing 2015 ATA guidelines, assessment of surgical outcomes of hemithyroidectomy in PTC ≤ 4 cm and contemplating on the potential clinical implications of 2015 ATA guidelines. A prospective study in a cohort of Bethesda class V and VI PTC with nodule ≤ 4 cm who underwent Hemithyroidectomy between 2012 and 2020. Data on thyroid nodule evaluation, management, histopathology and follow up were used for risk stratification. Of 37 patients, 27 (72.9%) were low risk and 10 (37%) were intermediate risk ATA group. 4 (40%) intermediate risk patients had structural incomplete response and underwent completion thyroidectomy. 1 (2.7%) out of 4 completion surgery patients required adjuvant radio-ablation iodine (RAI) and 3 patients were under surveillance. Overall, 2 (5.4%) of 37 patients, 1 each from low and intermediate groups were given remnant RAI in view of aggressive histology, old age and unwillingness for a completion surgery. During follow up of 4.94 ± 2.4 years, 35 (94.5%) showed excellent response and 2 (5.4%) showed biochemical incomplete response. The difference in RFS between two groups was statistically significant with p < 0.001. Thyroid preserving surgery combined with real time risk stratification seems appropriate for low and intermediate risk PTC ≤ 4 cm.

Chondrosarcoma in the Parapharyngeal Space; Site of Origin an Enigma.

Chondrosarcoma of the head and neck region is a rare disease, representing approximately 0.1% of all head and neck neoplasms. We present a case of a 30 year old male who presented with swelling in the right retroauricular region since 4 years. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography showed lesion with its epicentre in the post styloid compartment of right parapharyngeal space with superior extent around the petrous apex. The surgical procedure considered was excision. Surgical excision was challenging in view of difficult surgical access due to close and intricate relation with neurovascular structures of head and neck and an unsual pattern of spread.

A Rare Case of Left-Sided Gastroschisis in a Human Museum Specimen.

Gastroschisis is a congenital defect in the anterior abdominal wall resulting in herniation of the abdominal viscera without any fetal membrane covering it. It usually occurs to the right of a normally inserted umbilical cord. The anomaly is associated with intrauterine growth retardation, stillbirth, and preterm delivery. We found a preserved specimen of a 17- to 20-week-old male human fetus presenting with gastroschisis in the Departmental Museum of Anatomy of the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneshwar, a medical college in Eastern India. The fetus showed a hiatus on the left side in the infraumbilical portion of the anterior abdominal wall with evisceration of the liver, spleen, coils of the small intestine, and a segment of the large intestine. The fetus otherwise had no obvious gross abnormality. The case is of particular interest as the incidence of left-sided gastroschisis is very rare.

As the virus sowed, the fungus reaped! A comparative analysis of the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of rhino-orbital mucormycosis before and during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The sudden surge of mucormycosis cases which happened during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic was a significant public health problem in India. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyse the clinico-epidemicological characteristics of the mucormycosis cases to determine the changes that had occurred due to COVID-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India. Patients diagnosed with rhino-orbital mucormycosis were categorised into the following groups: Pre-pandemic(May 2019 to April 2020), Pandemic Pre-epidemic (May 2020 to April 2021) and Epidemic (1 May 2021 to 12 July 2021). The epidemiological, clinical and surgical data of all the patients were retrieved from the hospital records and analysed. RESULTS: The epidemic period had 370 cases, compared with 65 during pandemic period and 42 in the pre-pandemic period. Diabetes mellitus was seen in 87% of cases during epidemic period, 92.9% in the pre-pandemic period and 90.8% in the pre-pandemic pre-epidemic period. The proportion of patients suffering from vision loss, restricted extra-ocular movements, palatal ulcer and nasal obstruction was higher in the pre-epidemic groups, and the difference was significant (p, <.01). There was no history of oxygen use in 85.9% of patients and no steroid use in 76.5%. The death rates were the lowest during epidemic (10%). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 has caused a statistically significant increase in the number of mucormycosis infections. The mortality and morbidity which showed an increase during the first wave of COVID-19 decreased significantly during the epidemic period.

Tele-Otolaryngology at a Tertiary Care Center in North India During COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: A Validated Patient Feedback Questionnaire Based Study.

Providing medical care using the telecommunication networks holds the promise of increased access and efficiency of healthcare particularly during global emergencies like the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Most of the hospital setups worldwide have put telemedicine into practice ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of Tele-otolaryngology (TO) at a tertiary care centre during the pandemic lockdown. A validated patient feedback questionnaire was developed and distributed to 2577 patients who utilised the TO mobile health service at our institute. Patient feedback-based assessment of TO effectiveness during COVID-19 lockdown was carried out. The validated questionnaire in English and Hindi was statistically robust with Cronbach's alpha value of 0.808 and 0.886 respectively. 1751 patients completed their feedback to the questionnaire. 97.5% utilised WhatsApp for TO consultation. 15.2% patients were detected of Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with TO guidance. Up to 75% patients had a positive response to the questionnaire and 91.1% opined of savings achieved either with travel time, cost incurred or the treatment time. With respect to patient health status, 71.5% recovered, 20.1% had no change and 8.4% deteriorated with a mortality rate of 1.65%. Telehealth in otolaryngology during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown was indispensable in managing exigencies. Redesigning of clinical protocol and technical constraints, clinician training and a validated patient feedback questionnaire would effectively bestow upon the global emergencies.

Forearm hematoma as a complication of transradial coronary intervention: an Indian single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Forearm hematomas are not uncommon after transradial coronary interventions. The present study describes the incidence and predictors of forearm hematoma formation after transradial coronary interventions. METHODS: This was a prospective study in 1754 patients undergoing angiography/angioplasty through transradial access. Each procedure was performed using optimum levels of anticoagulation, hydrophilic sheaths, and post-procedural patent hemostasis protocols. Patients were evaluated for forearm hematoma immediately after the procedure, after radial band removal, and on the next day of the procedure. Severity of hematomas was graded according to the Early Discharge after Transradial Stenting of Coronary Arteries Study scale. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to determine the predictors of hematoma formation. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 56.31 years and 82.2% were males. A total of 1374 (78.3%) patients underwent angioplasty while 380 (21.7%) underwent angiography. Forearm hematoma developed in 187 (10.7%) patients. Grade I hematoma was most common (3.53%) followed by Grade II (3.08%), Grade III (2.83%) and Grade IV (1.25%) hematoma. None of the patients required vascular or surgical interventions for this complication. Female gender, multiple puncture attempts, intensive antiplatelet therapy, complex procedure and longer hemostasis time were significant predictors of forearm hematoma formation post transradial coronary interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Forearm hematoma developed in substantial proportion of patients undergoing transradial coronary interventions and interventional variables were predominantly associated with hematoma formation. Pre-emptive knowledge of modifiable interventional risk factors can help in reducing the burden of this complication.

Plasma Ablation-Assisted Endoscopic Endonasal Transpterygoid Approach to Sphenoid Lateral Recess Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks: Technique and Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Management of sphenoid lateral recess (SLR) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks present a challenge because of the location and requiring complete visualization of the defect for a successful repair. The endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach (EETPA) is considered the gold standard in addressing these defects. We lay out our experience in implementing this approach with plasma ablation. METHODS: This is a case series of 11 diagnosed patients of SLR CSF leaks who underwent plasma ablation-assisted EETPA repair by a single surgeon between 2011 and 2020 at our institution. Outcomes in terms of surgical field grade on the Wormald 11-point grading scale, postoperative complications, healing on nasal endoscopy and imaging, and surgical success rate were assessed. RESULTS: The etiology was spontaneous leak in 10 (90.9%) patients and secondary to temporal lobe abscess and/or meningitis in one (9.09%). Three (27%) patients were previously operated elsewhere by the transsphenoidal route, which we reoperated by this technique. As per Wormald grading, grade 1 field in 3 (27.27%), grade 2 in 6 (54.5%), and grade 3 in 2 cases (18.18%) were noted. Complications occurred in 3 patients (27%) in the form of dry eye (9%), meningitis (9%), and transient CSF rhinorrhea in the immediate postoperative period (9%). Repair sites were well healed on follow-up nasal endoscopy and imaging. The surgical success rate was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma ablation-assisted EETPA allows for a uninostril approach to the SLR, easy accessibility, and better visualization with a bloodless field, which allows appropriate repair, thus minimizing complications and preventing recurrence.

Plasma Ablation-Assisted Endoscopic Management of Postintubation Laryngotracheal Stenosis: An Alternate Tool for Management.

The current study was conducted to highlight the use of plasma ablation as a promising method in management of adult laryngotracheal stenosis. We present our institutional experience with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Seventy adult patients with acquired postintubation laryngotracheal stenosis were included. Efficacy and clinical outcomes of plasma ablation in endoscopic management and eventual decannulation rate were studied. Number of patients with Myer-Cotton stenosis grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 20, 25, 18, and 7, respectively. The mean number of surgical interventions required in each grade of stenosis were 1, 2, 3.8, and 4, respectively. Overall, 47 patients (67%) were without tracheotomy by the end of 6 months. Plasma ablation is an effective treatment option for adult laryngotracheal stenosis, with a better success rate for lower-grade stenosis. It has lesser complications and requires fewer surgical interventions.

Accessory mandibular foramina and bifid mandibular canals - an anatomical study

Bifid mandibular canals associated with accessory mandibular foramina are claimed to pose complications in oral surgery and allied procedures resulting in paraesthesia and haemorrhage, due to injury to the divisions of inferior alveolar nerves and vessels passing through them. Sometimes these nerves escape the effect of anaesthetics leading to difficult inferior alveolar nerve block. These variant canals serve as a source of spread of cancer from cortical to cancellous part of the mandible. The current descriptive study included thirty intact, dry, adult human mandibles. They were examined macroscopically to note the presence of accessory mandibular foramina and the accessory mandibular canals arising from them. These aberrant canals were probed and their length was noted. The probed mandibles were X-rayed to observe the course of these canals. The location of the foramina was determined from nearby anatomical landmarks.Six mandibles (20%) showed accessory mandibular foramina. The length of the accessory mandibular canals originating from the accessory mandibular foramina was found to vary from 0.9 cm to 4.5 cm. On X-ray films, the variant canals were noted to proceed towards third molar or towards the angle of mandible. Some of these canals merged with the main mandibular canal. The findings of the study will be helpful in oral surgery, radiology and cancer therapy

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Accessory mandibular foramina and bifid mandibular canals - an anatomical study

Bifid mandibular canals associated with accessory mandibular foramina are claimed to pose complications in oral surgery and allied procedures resulting in paraesthesia and haemorrhage, due to injury to the divisions of inferior alveolar nerves and vessels passing through them. Sometimes these nerves escape the effect of anaesthetics leading to difficult inferior alveolar nerve block. These variant canals serve as a source of spread of cancer from cortical to cancellous part of the mandible. The current descriptive study included thirty intact, dry, adult human mandibles. They were examined macroscopically to note the presence of accessory mandibular foramina and the accessory mandibular canals arising from them. These aberrant canals were probed and their length was noted. The probed mandibles were X-rayed to observe the course of these canals. The location of the foramina was determined from nearby anatomical landmarks.Six mandibles (20%) showed accessory mandibular foramina. The length of the accessory mandibular canals originating from the accessory mandibular foramina was found to vary from 0.9 cm to 4.5 cm. On X-ray films, the variant canals were noted to proceed towards third molar or towards the angle of mandible. Some of these canals merged with the main mandibular canal. The findings of the study will be helpful in oral surgery, radiology and cancer therapy

No disponible

Miller Laryngoscope Blade: An Aid to Pediatric Laryngeal Surgery.

Pediatric upper airway disorders are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. They can be congenital or acquired and provide diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the paediatrician and otolaryngologists. Though fibreoptic laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy is the initial mode of assessing the pathology, detailed assessment and therapeutic intervention can only be done combining both direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. Any kind of intervention routinely requires rigid direct laryngoscope with suspension. Identifying the potential use of Miller laryngoscope blade for pediatric airway surgery is the aim of the study. We have included pediatric patients from new born to 12 years of age in our clinical study. We have been using Miller laryngoscope blade for approaching till the level of subglottis for diagnostic laryngoscopy along with Hopkins 0 degree endoscope and performing surgical procedures like supraglottoplasty, vallecular cysts, subglottic stenosis etc. Miller laryngoscope blade can be used as an aid to upper airway surgery for the otolaryngologists with minimal operating time and effort.

Nasogastric Tube Syndrome: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

BACKGROUND: Nasogastric tubes have been used in the pediatric age group to supplement nutrition in cases of malignancy and failure to thrive due to a variety of causes. Breathing difficulty may occur after the insertion of a nasogastric tube and it can have multiple causes. Here we discuss 2 patients of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who developed a rare condition called the Sofferman syndrome (nasogastric tube syndrome). We will also briefly outline a diagnostic algorithm to facilitate its fast and correct diagnosis. METHODS: We present 2 cases of pediatric ALL who were undergoing chemotherapy in the pediatrics department. They presented with respiratory distress and stridor within a few days of nasogastric tube insertion. RESULTS: Two cases of ALL developed stridor within 48 hours of nasogastric tube insertion. The stridor gradually progressed over days. Both the patients required tracheostomy to secure the airway. Removal of the nasogastric tube did not reverse the airway obstruction. CONCLUSION: Nasogastric tube syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition and has to be considered as a possibility in immune-compromised patients who present with voice change and stridor after nasogastric tube insertion.

Deeper insertion of electrode array result in better rehabilitation outcomes - Do we have evidence?

OBJECTIVE: To study the outcome analysis in cochlear implantees in relation to depth of insertion. METHODS: 30 patients of non-syndromic congenital profound hearing loss in the age range of 2-12 years received cochlear implantation by a posterior tympanotomy round window approach. Depth of insertion was calculated using post-operative X-rays (modified Stenver's view) and categorized into four groups, viz. fair insertion (Group A <180°), good insertion (Group B 180-<270°), very good insertion(Group C 270-360°), excellent insertion (Group D >360°). The outcome analysis of each implantee was carried out in a follow up interval of every 3 months using Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS), Infant Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS), Category of Auditory Performance (CAP), and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR). RESULTS: Overall 30, 29, 25, and 22 patients have completed 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow up respectively. The MAIS scores in Group C were significantly better than Group B at 6, 9, and 12 months (P<0.05). The mean CAP score of Group C was more than rest of the groups with significant difference between Group C and Group D at 12 months (P<0.05). The mean SIR scores were maximum in Group C with significant difference between Group C and Group B at 9 and 12 months (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that insertion from 270° to 360° gives optimum hearing outcomes as compared to deeper insertion, although larger sample and long term follow-up is warranted for definite conclusions.