A Systematic Review of Herbal Interventions for the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases represent a significant global health burden, necessitating diverse approaches for effective management. Herbal interventions have gained attention as potential adjuncts or alternatives to conventional therapies due to their perceived safety and therapeutic potential. This structured abstract provides a comprehensive review of herbal interventions for the management of CVDs, summarising key findings, mechanisms of action, and clinical implications. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of various herbal interventions employed for managing cardiovascular diseases. METHOD: We conducted an extensive literature search across electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, from inception to 2022. Studies were included if they investigated the use of herbal remedies for preventing or treating CVDs. Data extraction and synthesis focused on botanical sources, active compounds, mechanisms of action, and clinical outcomes. RESULT: Numerous herbal interventions have demonstrated promising cardiovascular benefits. A number of medicinal herbs well identified to treat CVD are Moringaoleifera, Ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, Celosia argentea, Gongronematrifolium, Gynostemmapentaphyllum, Bombaxceiba, Gentianalutea, Allium sativum, Crataegusspp, Curcuma longa, Camellia sinensis, and Zingiberofficinale. Mechanistic insights reveal that herbal interventions often target multiple pathways involved in CVD pathogenesis. These mechanisms encompass anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-thrombotic, anti-hypertensive, and lipid-lowering effects. Additionally, some herbs enhance endothelial function, promote nitric oxide production, and exert vasodilatory effects, contributing to improved cardiovascular health. Clinical studies have provided evidence of the efficacy of certain herbal interventions in reducing CVD risk factors and improving patient outcomes. However, more rigorous, large-scale clinical trials are needed to establish their long-term safety and effectiveness. It is crucial to consider potential herb-drug interactions and standardise dosages for reliable therapeutic outcomes. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive review highlights the potential of herbal interventions as valuable adjuncts or alternatives for managing cardiovascular diseases. Herbal remedies offer diverse mechanisms of action, targeting key CVD risk factors and pathways. While promising, their clinical utility warrants further investigation through well-designed trials to establish their safety and efficacy, paving the way for integrated approaches to cardiovascular disease management. Healthcare providers and patients should engage in informed discussions about the use of herbal interventions alongside conventional therapies in the context of CVD prevention and treatment.

An Inflammatory Polyp-Like Benign Sinonasal Mass Lesion - Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma: A Case Report.

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH) is an uncommon, benign glandular proliferation that arises from the surface epithelium of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Here we report a case, wherein a 62-year male from northern Kerala presented with bilateral nasal obstruction, loss of sense of smell, and bilateral nasal discharge. On examination, a polypoidal lesion was observed in the left nasal cavity, filling the entire left middle meatus. Diagnostic nasal endoscopy revealed a multilobulated polypoidal mass in the left nasal cavity extending posteriorly into the nasopharynx and causing partial occlusion of the (R) choana. Computerized tomography(CT) imaging was suggestive of a mass in (L) nasal cavity extending from the frontal sinus to the inferior turbinate and posteriorly extending into the nasopharynx. The patient underwent Endoscopic endonasal excision of the (L)nasal mass and intraoperatively the mass was seen to arise from the septum in the (L) nasal cavity posteriorly. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of REAH. This case report emphasizes the significance of including REAH in the differential diagnosis of sinonasal masses as it simulates other inflammatory disorders. Appropriate diagnosis by biopsy prevents unnecessary aggressive surgery as this benign condition mimics malignant lesions. More research is needed to understand the etiopathogenesis and diagnostic usefulness of immunohistological staining in REAH.

Synchronous Carcinoma in Thyroglossal Cyst: A Rare Occurrence.

A Thyroglossal cyst is a commonly encountered clinical entity resulting due to the persistence of the thyroglossal duct and the transformation of a few embryonic cells into a cyst. The incidence of malignant change in the thyroglossal cyst is reported as between 1 to 1.8 percent. Here we present a case report of a male who presented with swelling in the neck, on ultrasonography (USG) found to be a thyroglossal cyst, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) suggested a papillary carcinoma within the thyroglossal cyst. Total thyroidectomy with bilateral selective neck dissection, central compartment clearance, and sistrunk operation were done. The histopathological report revealed papillary carcinoma of the thyroid within a thyroglossal cyst with neck nodal metastasis.

Sudden Spontaneous Neck Swelling Due to Thyroid Malignancy: A Case Report.

Sudden spontaneous swelling in the neck is an emergency condition required to be addressed immediately. It poses a diagnostic dilemma. It is extremely rare for a thyroid malignancy to present as a sudden onset neck swelling in a euthyroid young male with no obvious trauma to the neck. This is a rare case report of a follicular variant of papillary carcinoma thyroid presenting as sudden neck swelling to the extent of shifting trachea to other side in a young euthyroid male.

Outpatient Clinical Markers for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease: A Correlational Study.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is the result of retrograde flow of gastric contents to the laryngopharynx which comes in contact with tissues of the upper aerodigestive tract. Due to ill defined criteria for diagnosis & followup, LPRD patients are underdiagnosed & undertreated. Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and the Reflux Finding Score (RFS) are two clinical methods which can be utilised especially in the outpatient setup. This study was done with the aim to assess various laryngoscopic findings in patients with LPRD diagnosed symptomatically and examine the correlation between the RSI & RFS by comparing these two indices. This prospective analytical study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Bangalore in the Department of ENT for a period of 24 months between Dec 2020 to Dec 2022. The study included patients aged 18 to 60 years diagnosed with LPRD based on symptoms as per RSI score (> 13). RSI & RFS were assessed on diagnosis and patients were followed up for 1, 3 & 6 months for assessment. Total 96 patients were enrolled, with mean age of be 42.49 ± 11.33 years. Prevalence was found to be more in females (61.5%). The most common symptom according to RSI was frequent throat clearing & globus sensation (sensation of something sticking in throat) and most common finding according to RFS was erythema/hyperemia. The mean score of RSI and RFI was found to reduce with treatment at different intervals in follow-up visits. There was a significant strength of association between the RSI and RFS at baseline, 1st month, 3rd month and 6th month of follow-up (r = 0.568, r = 0.684, r = 0.774, r = 0.736 respectively) (p < 0.001).The RFS and RSI showed statistically significant strong relationships between total scores and sign and symptom characteristics. On follow-up, there was a significant reduction in the RSI which was also correlated with a reduction in RFS.

Primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Nose: A Rare Case Report.

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKL) is a rare nasal pathology, which in the past was grouped with list of granulomatous diseases. It is an aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma characterized clinically by a non-relenting destruction of the midline structures of the palate and nasal cavity. Despite the malignant clinical nature, tissue diagnosis may be difficult due to extensive tissue necrosis mandating multiple biopsies and has an ominous prognosis, as the average survival rate lying between 6 and 25 months as in large number of Asian studies. This is the case report of a 60-year-old female who presented with (L) nasal obstruction and recurrent episodes of rhinosinusitis for last 8 months, which had been treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and intranasal corticosteroids without success. After performing battery of tests, diagnosed histologically and confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis that the patient had an ENKL, nasal type (AKA angiocentric T-cell lymphoma).

Evaluation of Factors Determining Tracheostomy Decannulation Failure Rate in Adults: An Indian Perspective Descriptive Study.

Decannulation is an essential step in liberating tracheostomised patients from mechanical ventilation. This procedure is purely based on the clinician's judgment and there is no universally accepted protocol to date for this vital procedure. This study aimed to describe decannulation practice and failure rates in patients with tracheostomy and to determine the factors associated with the outcome of tube removal. A prospective study was done on 50 patients (both sexes) who required a tracheostomy and cared for at Command Hospital Bangalore Center between January 2019 and April 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential tests. Out of the 50 decannulation decisions, 7 patients experienced decannulation failures giving a failure rate of 14%. Out of the 7 decannulation failure cases, about 4 patients (10%) experienced difficulty in swallowing and 3 patients (2%) experienced stridor. There was no associated mortality. A decannulation failure of 14% was seen in this study in tracheostomised patients after prolonged mechanical ventilation. Various factors govern the success of tracheostomy decannulation procedures which occur during the first 24-48 h after decannulation. Lack of swallowing/secretions/cough management and the development of stridor were the commonest cause of decannulation failure in this study.

Role of Octreotide in Conservative Management of Chyle Leak Post Neck Dissection in Cases of Head Neck Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis.

Chyle leak is a dreadful complication in patients undergoing neck dissections. Octreotide has been used in the management of chyle leak post neck dissections in head and neck cancer patients. Currently there is no consensus and practice guidelines on the same. (1) To study the role of octreotide in early cessation of post neck dissection chyle leak. (2) To study incidence of intra-operative and post-operative CL, its relation to the extent of nodal disease and neck dissection, prior radiotherapy. Retrospective analysis of 16 patients out of 529 neck dissection over a period of 03 years between Jan 2016 and Dec 2019 who developed post-operative chyle leak. All patients who had post-operative chyle leak were administered octreotide. Time taken for chyle leak to stop was primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were duration of hospitalization post-operatively, incidence of intra-operative and post-operative chyle leak, its relation to the extent of nodal disease, prior radiotherapy and type of neck dissection. 59 of 529 neck dissections (11.15%) were noted to have intra-operative chyle leak. 16 of 529 neck dissections (3.02%) developed post-operative chyle leak. On applying chi square test, prior multimodality and N plus neck were found to be significant risk factors in developing postoperative chyle leak. Considering only RT versus no RT in prior multimodality treated group, the difference was insignificant. Onset of chyle leak varied from 1 to 5 post-op day (mean 2.68 days). 15 (93.75%) patients responded to octreotide. Chyle leak resolved between 3 and 10 days (mean 5.18 days) and octreotide was given for 5-12 days (mean-7.18 days). Overall duration of hospitalization ranged from 09 to 18 days (mean 12.18 days). 01 patient (6.25%) had to be re-explored due to high volume leak despite using octreotide. Adverse effects of octreotide were minimal and tolerable. Octreotide is effective in reducing the duration of chyle leak, hospital stay and need for surgical intervention. It may be considered as suitable adjunct to conservative measures in the management for post-operative chyle leak.

Chondrosarcoma of Nasal Cavity: a Rare Entity.

Chondrosarcoma of nasal cavity is a rare entity, and only few case reports exist. Diagnosis is made on histopathological analysis. Differentiating chondrosarcoma from chondromas can be challenging. Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice. We report a case of a 73-year-old male who presented to us with complaints of bilateral nasal obstruction. Histopathology reported as moderately differentiating chondrosarcoma. Patient subsequently underwent excision of tumor by craniofacial resection with adjuvant radiotherapy. Patient is on regular follow-up and has shown no evidence of recurrence.

Clinico-etiological Profile and Developmental Status of Infants Aged 1-24 months with Epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinico-etiological profile of epilepsy in children aged 1-24 mo attending a tertiary-care public hospital. METHODS: All infants aged 1-24 mo with epilepsy (as per International League Against Epilepsy, 2014) presenting between April 2016 and March 2017 were enrolled. Detailed history and examination were done in all children, and developmental assessment was done using Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants (DASII). Electroencephalography and neuroimaging (CT/MRI) were done for all subjects. RESULTS: Sixty children (39 males) were consecutively enrolled after informed written consent. The mean (SD) age at seizure onset was 4.3 (4.14) mo. Perinatal asphyxia (45%) and malformations of cortical development (18.3%) were the commonest etiologies. Neurological examination was abnormal in 68.3%, and a neuroimaging abnormality was present in 76% of children. Fifteen patients (25%) had West syndrome, which was symptomatic in the majority (73.3%). Developmental delay (DQ < 70) was the commonest co-morbidity (81.7%); 28.3% had profound delay. Odds of having developmental delay were 13-times higher in those with an abnormal neurological examination [OR 13.5 (2.82-64.67), P = 0.001], and nearly 9-times higher with abnormal neuroimaging [OR 8.9 (2.11-37.9), P = 0.003]. CONCLUSIONS: Epilepsy in children <2 y is symptomatic in the majority, with sequelae of birth asphyxia as the commonest etiology. High prevalence of co-morbid developmental delay underscores the need for routine evaluation and early intervention in all high-risk infants.