Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy: Advantage over External Approach

Introduction Although external DCR was considered to be the Gold Standard treatment for NLD obstruction, endoscopic DCR appears to give comparable results,  with the advantage of the absence of external facial scar and no disruption of the medial palpebral ligament or the angular facial vessels. This study aims to evaluate the outcome of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and compare with the outcome of external DCR, based on data available on literature search. Materials and Methods In this prospective, longitudinal, interventional study, 67 cases of chronic dacryocystitis were operated endoscopically from January 2017 to December 2018. All patients were documented about detailed medical and operative history, thorough medical check up including ocular and ENT examination. Level of obstruction of nasolacrimal duct (NLD) was diagnosed by lacrimal syringing and probing. Surgery was performed under local anaesthesia except in uncooperative patients where general anaesthesia was used. 0˚ & 30˚ endoscopes were used in surgery. The surgical outcomes and complications were recorded, analyzed and compared to those of external DCR from available literature.   Results The overall success rate of endoscopic DCR was 94.7%, which is closely comparable to external DCR. Conclusion Endoscopic DCR is an effective and safe alternative to external DCR, with comparable results and better patient satisfaction

Primary Laryngeal Aspergillosis in an Immunocompetent Host

Introduction Aspergillosis of Larynx is very rare and may present with symptoms suspicious of malignancy. Prevention of dissemination warrants early diagnosis. It is found mainly in Immunocompromised patients and is usually necrotizing, invasive with disseminated systemic infection, associated with poor prognosis. In Immunocompetent patients it is extremely rare and may present as colonization associated with excellent prognosis. Case Report A 43 year old male patient presented with hoarseness of voice for about 3 months with whitish irregular lesion that involved the anterior 1/3 of both the vocal cords. A cheesy material was found covering indurated lesion of both the vocal cords, intraoperatively. Stripping of mucosa over vocal cords was done and cheesy material collected and sent for HPE which revealed Aspergillus hyphae overlying Mild dysplastic changes. Following diagnosis the patient was followed up with oral dosages of Itraconazole. Discussion The primary Aspergillosis of larynx is extremely rare. Involvement is always secondary to immunocompromised states like AIDS, malignancy, Diabetes, etc. This was a rare case in Immunocompetent patient. Management constitute removal of the vocal cord lesions during biopsy. Amphotericin B is first-line agent for this infection, however aerosolised and liposomal amphotericin B offer effective dosing with less toxicity. Newer antifungal Itraconazole may produce more reliable results

Role of CT Nose Paranasal Sinuses and Nasal Endoscopy for Decision Making in a Case of Deviated Nasal Septum

Introduction Deviated nasal septum (DNS) can be asymptomatic in an individual or may cause nasal obstruction. The condition is generally diagnosed clinically and based on clinical diagnosis it is managed Surgically by large without much heed to diagnostic procedure. Thus, often underlying other causes of Obstruction is missed. Thus, it becomes essential to evaluate every patient presenting with history of Nasal obstruction and clinically Deviated septum, with aid of Nasal Endoscopy and CT scan Nose Paranasal Sinuses (PNS) to rule out/diagnose other coexisting conditions. Methods and Methodology 100 patients who presented with nasal obstruction and clinically diagnosed to have Deviated Nasal Septum were then subjected to Nasal Endoscopy and CT scan Nose and PNS and findings were noted for analysis. Results and Analysis Of these 100 patients, 48 patients were found to have coexisting pathological conditions/anatomical variants. Various anatomical and pathological Conditions were found to coexist together. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy in 34% is the most common pathological condition found to be associated with DNS followed by of sinusitis in 25% patients apart from polyp, concha bullosa and paradoxical middle turbinate. Discussion Studies done so far shows there is a definite link of deviated nasal septum to various anatomical and pathological conditions of the nose.  CT Scan Nose PNS and Nasal Endoscopy plays a vital role in diagnosing such anomalies. Conclusion Most of the patients, presenting with nasal obstruction and having Deviated Nasal Septum, undergo management without proper analysis and returns with recurrence of symptoms which could be analyzed properly if Nasal endoscopy and CT scan is employed during diagnosis of the condition, reducing risk of treatment failure

Role of CT Nose Paranasal Sinuses and Nasal Endoscopy for Decision Making in a Case of Deviated Nasal Septum

Introduction Deviated nasal septum (DNS) can be asymptomatic in an individual or may cause nasal obstruction. The condition is generally diagnosed clinically and based on clinical diagnosis it is managed Surgically by large without much heed to diagnostic procedure. Thus, often underlying other causes of Obstruction is missed. Thus, it becomes essential to evaluate every patient presenting with history of Nasal obstruction and clinically Deviated septum, with aid of Nasal Endoscopy and CT scan Nose Paranasal Sinuses (PNS) to rule out/diagnose other coexisting conditions. Methods and Methodology 100 patients who presented with nasal obstruction and clinically diagnosed to have Deviated Nasal Septum were then subjected to Nasal Endoscopy and CT scan Nose and PNS and findings were noted for analysis. Results and Analysis Of these 100 patients, 48 patients were found to have coexisting pathological conditions/anatomical variants. Various anatomical and pathological Conditions were found to coexist together. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy in 34% is the most common pathological condition found to be associated with DNS followed by of sinusitis in 25% patients apart from polyp, concha bullosa and paradoxical middle turbinate. Discussion Studies done so far shows there is a definite link of deviated nasal septum to various anatomical and pathological conditions of the nose.  CT Scan Nose PNS and Nasal Endoscopy plays a vital role in diagnosing such anomalies. Conclusion Most of the patients, presenting with nasal obstruction and having Deviated Nasal Septum, undergo management without proper analysis and returns with recurrence of symptoms which could be analyzed properly if Nasal endoscopy and CT scan is employed during diagnosis of the condition, reducing risk of treatment failure

Tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess presenting with dysphagia in a young adult male already on anti-tubercular therapy

Tuberculosis is known to affect almost every organ in the body, but its manifestations in the head and neck region are quite rare. Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) caused by tuberculosis is an uncommon manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis within the head and neck. Here we present an unusual case of tuberculosis retropharyngeal abscess causing dysphagia in a young adult male already on anti-tubercular therapy, with neither any evidence of tuberculosis involvement of cervical spine nor any pulmonary tuberculosis lesion

A Cd(ii)-organic framework as a highly sensitive and rapid fluorometric sensor for ascorbic acid in aqueous medium

Ascorbic acid (AA), which plays a crucial role in human biological systems, was fluorometrically detected by a 3D Cd(ii)-containing metal-organic framework (MOF) sensor, named IITG-6 (IITG = Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati). Single crystals of IITG-6 were solvothermally synthesized using a 2-((pyridin-4-ylmethyl)amino)terephthalic acid (H2BDC-NH-CH2-Py) linker. The MOF is thermally stable up to 320 degrees C and stable in aqueous medium. The guest free form of IITG-6 MOF (named IITG-6a) can detect AA via turn-off fluorescence response in water. The sensor exhibited a short response time (<1 min) and nanomolar detection limit (31 nM). The AA sensing capability of IITG-6a was demonstrated in different fruit and vegetable samples like tomato, orange, Indian gooseberry and lemon. The MOF also showed its selective sensing ability towards AA in a human urine sample. Moreover, test paper strips containing the MOF powder were fabricated which are suitable for onsite AA detection. By combining DFT calculations with experimental techniques, the AA sensing mechanism has been investigated