A novel way of trans-septal splint suturing without nasal packing for septoplasty.

Nasal packing has evolved over the years. Though effective in preventing postoperative bleeding complications, they are associated with significant morbidity and pain. In recent years nasal splints have been used to reduce the duration of nasal packs. The aim of this study is to compare the postoperative results in 200 nasal surgeries where in nasal packing was replaced by trans-septal splint suturing. Two hundred cases of septoplasties were prospectively studied over a period of 5 years at Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences. In 100 cases (group A) nasal packing was done postoperatively whereas in other 100 (group B) trans-septal splint suturing was done. Post operatively patients were followed up in both groups regarding the presence of pain, bleeding, crusting and synechiae for a period of 6 months. Two hundred patients were prospectively studied over a period of 5 years with a male-female ratio of 1.35:1 and the mean age was 31. In group A out of 100 patients followed postoperatively, ten had mild bleeding on second day after pack removal none of which required repacking, 22 patients had mild pain on second and third day, 18 had moderate crusting on day 4, 12 had synechiae after 2 weeks. In group B, out of 100 patients, minimal bleeding was noted in 13 patients on day 1 and 2, mild discomfort was noted in the nose in 34 patients till day 7 (day of splint removal), crusting was noted in six patients, synechiae was noted in one patient. Elimination of pain and discomfort for the patients and absence of complications like synechiae. Also the hospital stay is less than with nasal packing. Therefore, suturing of the nasal septum with a splint after septoplasty should be a preferred alternative to nasal packing.

Redefining anatomy in a case of midline subhyoid ectopic thyroid.

Ectopic thyroid is an uncommon embryological aberration of the thyroid descent. Subhyoid median ectopic thyroid gland is a result of incomplete descent of the thyroid anlage and is characterized by a cosmetically unacceptable ovoid mass of thyroid tissue in the midline overlying the thyroid cartilage and thyrohyoid membrane. A normally placed thyroid gland is not detectable and in most cases all functioning thyroid tissue is located within the mass. Most of the ectopic thyroids are usually mistaken for a thyroglossal cyst and excised. Severe myxedema follows removal. Many cases have been reported in the literature, none of which was recognized prior to operation. All patients were operated upon for removal of a thyroglossal duct cyst. The diagnosis was missed at operation and in these cases severe myxedema was universal. The cause of the myxedema was not always immediately recognized. Therefore, many diagnostic tests including thyroid function test, ultrasound of the neck, and thyroid scanning had been recommended in the preoperative evaluation of a thyroglossal cyst. Here, we present a case of ectopic thyroid mass which was the only thyroid tissue present in the neck. So, division and repositioning of the thyroid mass thereby redefining the anatomy was done with good cosmetic results.

Efficacy of 1.5% dish washing solution and 95% lemon water in substituting perilous xylene as a deparaffinizing agent for routine h and e staining procedure: a short study.

Aim. To assess the efficacy of dish washing solution and diluted lemon water in deparaffinizing sections during conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining technique. Objective. The objective is to utilize eco-friendly economical substitute for xylene. Materials and Methods. Using twenty paraffin embedded tissue blocks, three sections each were prepared. One section was stained with conventional H and E method (Group A) and the other two sections with xylene-free (XF) H and E (Groups B and C). Staining characteristics were compared with xylene and scoring was given. Total score of 3-5 was regarded as adequate for diagnosis and less than that inadequate for diagnosis. Statistical Analysis. Chi-square test, Kruskal Wallis ANOVA test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used. Results. Adequacy of nuclear staining, crispness, and staining for diagnosis were greater in both Groups A and C (100%) than Group B (95%). Adequacy of cytoplasmic staining was similar in all the three groups (100%). Group B showed comparatively superior uniform staining and less retention of wax. Conclusion. Dish washing solution or diluted lemon water can be replaced for xylene as deparaffinizing agent in hematoxylin and eosin procedure.

Rare variety of T-cell lymphoma.

We report a case of 18 year old male who presented with hepatosplenomegaly, anemia and thrombocytopenia. His complete hemogram, peripheral smear, bone marrow studies were inconclusive. On immunophenotyping he was diagnosed as "Hepatosplenic gamma delta (gammadelta) T cell lymphoma" which is a very rare variety of T cell lymphoma. Less than 100 cases have been described in the literature since the entity was first described in 1990.