Mycetoma revisited

Mycetoma or ‘Madura foot’ is a chronic infection of skin and subcutaneous tissues, fascia and bone. It may be caused by true fungi (eumycetoma) or by filamentous bacteria (actinomycetoma). The lesions are composed of suppurating abscesses and draining sinuses with the presence of grains which are characteristic of the etiologic agents. The introduction of new broad spectrum antimicrobials and antifungals offers the hope of improved drug efficacy. This article discusses the historical aspects, epidemiology, clinical findings, laboratory diagnosis and treatment of mycetoma

Assessment of Olfactory Fossa Depth based on Keros Classification using Computerised tomography (Ct) in Age Groups of Both Genders

Objective: Keros classification based assessment of olfactory fossa depth in different age groups of both genders using computerized tomography (CT) Methodology: Cross sectional study done at Ziauddin university, Clifton, Karachi. Sample size was 270 adults including 160 males & 110 females. The assessment of depth of Olfactory fossa was carried out by measuring the height of lateral lamella of cribriform plate on CT images. Result: Olfactory fossa of 270 patients from both sides of both genders were classified according to Keros classification. We found Type II to be the most frequent on both sides in both genders. No significant difference in olfactory fossa depth was found when compared in different age groups. Conclusion: The present study shows that vast majority of the population comes under Keros type II & type III thus emphasizing the need of pre-operative radiological assessment. Association of right & left olfactory fossa depth in different age groups was found to be insignificant

VARIATION IN INTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY PROTRUSION AND DEHISCENCE IN A SUBSET OF KARACHI POPULATION

Objective: To find out the frequency of protrusion of Internal Carotid artery in sphenoid sinus and dehiscence of carotid canal in a subset of Karachi population.  Study design: This was a Cross-sectional study conducted at Radiology department of Ziauddin university.  Methodology:  We analyzed 270 head and neck CT scans 270 Head and neck CT scans (540 sides) were analyzed. CT was performed on a 16 slice Toshiba Alexion at Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi —removed for blind review---. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis.  Results: Out of 270 CT scans analyzed, 28 (10.3) scans showed protrusion of ICA in sphenoid sinus. Out of 45 (16.6) of the subjects showed dehiscence of carotid canal. Out of total dehiscence present unilateral cases were more frequent as compared to bilateral. Unilateral protrusion was also more common as compared to bilateral protrusion of ICA.  Conclusion: Knowledge of dehiscence and protrusion related to ICA and sphenoid sinus anatomy is essential to avoid complications in endoscopic sinus surgery.

Pervasiveness of scholastic duplicity and plagiarism among the pharmacy students in Pakistan

The present study was conducted with the aim to identify pharmacy student

Knowledge, attitude and perception survey of doctors regarding antibiotic use and resistance in Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: To establish a better understanding of physicians\u27 knowledge and beliefs, and to compare distinctions in knowledge, attitude and perception of junior and senior doctors regarding rational use of antibiotics.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, from June 1 to July 31, 2016, and comprised senior and junior doctors. A 26-item questionnaire divided in three sections was used to test knowledge, attitude and perception of the subjects regarding rational use of antibiotics. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.Results: Of the 200 subjects, 132(66%) were senior doctors; 68(34%) were junior; 116(58%) were females; 84(42%) were males; and the highest number of respondents were from General Medicine 65(32.5%). While 182(91%) doctors realised that antibiotic resistance was a pressing issue, only 131(65.5%) felt confident about their prescriptions and 94(47%) admitted that they over-prescribed antibiotics. Among young physicians, 13(19.1%) believed that antibiotics did not cause side effects even when prescribed unnecesarily. Also, 47(69.1%) junior doctors felt that patients\u27 demands influenced their prescriptions compared to 66(50%) senior doctors (p=0.01).Conclusion: Although physicians were found to be knowledgeable about rational use of antibiotics, there were gaps in knowledge and perception