ABSTRACT
Glomangiopericytoma (GPC) is a rare benign sinonasal tumor originating from Zimmerman's Pericytes surrounding capillaries and accounting for less than 0.05% of all sinonasal tumors. Glomangiopericytoma has low malignant potential (5-10%) and is mostly diagnosed in the 6th or 7th decade of age with slight female preponderance. We presented here a case series of 5 patients with sinonasal GPC. This research was conducted at a tertiary healthcare centre in North India. In our case series, all the patients were evaluated and underwent endoscopic surgical resection. All patients underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and preoperative embolization. The coblation technique used for haemostasis proved very effective and time-saving. All patients exhibited cytoplasmic SMA positivity (a marker of GPC) and CD34 negativity, while one patient exhibited a high Ki-67 index (> 10%), which is a predictor of aggressive tumor behavior. None of the patients showed any recurrence in follow-up. We recommend performing complete endoscopic surgical excision to prevent recurrence. The use of DSA, preoperative embolization, and intraoperative use of the coblation technique provides a cleaner surgical field and reduced operating time.
ABSTRACT
Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is a rare, potentially fatal condition found more frequently in young children usually who were having a history of Upper respiratory infection. RPA is an acute suppurative infection of the retropharyngeal space. In view of scarce literature availability and atypical presentation in infants, it poses a definitive diagnostic dilemma to the clinicians. Here, we are reporting a three-month-old male infant presented with feeding difficulty, obstructive sleep apnea and intermittent inspiratory stridor. Child was managed in a pediatric ICU with a multidisciplinary approach which involved pediatrician, otorhinolaryngologist pediatric anesthesiologist, microbiologist, and radiologist. With the recent advances, early radio imaging have a vital role in diagnosing the condition and also helps in planning of surgery. Prompt diagnosis and surgical management with appropriate antimicrobial therapy for this condition is imperative to prevent complications such as airway obstruction and mediastinitis. Timely surgical intervention, preferably intraoral transpharyngeal approach, to drain the abscess is recommended.
ABSTRACT
Winter cherry or Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an important medicinal plant used in traditional and herbal medicine system. Yet, there is no information available on response of this plant to changing climatic conditions particularly elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Therefore, we conducted an experiment to examine the effect of elevated CO2 concentrations (ECs) on Withania somnifera. The variations in traits of physiological adaptation, net primary productivity, carbon partitioning, morphology, and biomass in response to elevated CO2 concentrations (ambient, 600 and 800 µmol mol-1) during one growth cycle were investigated within the open top chamber (OTC) facility in the foothill of the Himalayas, Dehardun, India. ECs significantly increased photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, soil respiration, net primary productivity and the carbon content of plant tissues (leaf, stem, and root), and soil carbon. Furthermore, ECs significantly enhanced biomass production (root and shoot), although declined night leaf respiration. Overall, it was summarized that photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, leaf, and soil carbon and biomass increased under ECs rendering the physiological adaptation to the plant. Increased net primary productivity might facilitate mitigation effects by sequestering elevated levels of carbon dioxide. We advocate further studies to investigate the effects of ECs on the accumulation of secondary metabolites and health-promoting substances of this as well as other medicinal plants.
