Surgical approach to Parapharyngeal Tumours - Our Experience

Introduction The complex anatomy of the parapharyngeal space, the surrounding vital structures and late presentation of the tumours affecting this space pose difficult surgical challenge to every otolaryngologist. The study gives an overview of the experience in managing parapharyngeal tumours in a tertiary care setting. Materials And Methods Fifteen patients with parapharyngeal tumours were treated surgically in a medical college hospital in Kolkata in the three year study period. Surgical approaches were chosen, considering the size, site, extent and histology of the tumours. Results Most of the patients (33.33%) were from 20-30 years age group. 60% were females. The most common presenting feature was neck swelling. 80% of the cases were benign.The most common histologic variant was Schwannoma. The tumours were accessed through Trans-cervical, Trans-cervical Trans-parotid or Trans-cervical with Midline Mandibulotomy approaches. The most common post-operative complication was wound dehiscence. Discussion The most common presentation of a parapharyngeal mass was neck swelling mainly behind the angle of mandible (86.67%). Younger patients in their third decade of life were found to be affected more. Gadolinium enhanced MRI was found to be the most important investigation in parapharyngeal tumours. Complications were minimal. Conclusion A conservative trans-cervical approach was found to be feasible and effective in majority of the cases over radical ones, which may be required in malignancies and skull-base involvement

Myxoid Chondrosarcoma of the Hyoid Bone

Introduction Chondrosarcoma of hyoid bone is very rare with only 19 cases still reported. We, therefore, present this case report for the interest of medical literature to make clinicians aware of the disease. Case Report They usually present as a slow growing upper neck mass. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are useful radiologic investigations. The tumour was resected through a trans-cervical approach. Definite diagnosis was made by postoperative histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Discussion Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for local control. Incomplete removal is a risk factor for recurrence and possible dedifferentiation. Long term follow up is necessary

Myxoid Chondrosarcoma of the Hyoid Bone

Introduction Chondrosarcoma of hyoid bone is very rare with only 19 cases still reported. We, therefore, present this case report for the interest of medical literature to make clinicians aware of the disease. Case Report They usually present as a slow growing upper neck mass. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are useful radiologic investigations. The tumour was resected through a trans-cervical approach. Definite diagnosis was made by postoperative histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Discussion Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for local control. Incomplete removal is a risk factor for recurrence and possible dedifferentiation. Long term follow up is necessary

2011), “Anthropometric assessment of nutritional status among college women of Midnapore

ABSTRACT A woman's nutritional status has important implications for her health as well as the health of her children. The present cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the overall prevalence of undernutrition among young adult women of Raja N. L. Khan Women's College, Midnapore, West Bengal, India. Our study measured data on height and weight of adults aged 18-20 years. A total of 491 females were measured. One commonly used indicator i.e., body mass index (BMI; kg/m 2 ), was used to evaluate the nutritional status of the subjects. Based on BMI, chronic energy deficiency (CED) was used as a measure of undernutrition. The mean (SD) BMI of the subjects was 20.05 kg/m 2 (SD = 2.63). Results revealed that there was a significant (F = 4.085***, p < 0.001) increasing age trend in mean BMI. The overall age combined prevalence of CED was 28.3 %. Overall, only 4.5 % belonged to the overweight category. A significant (chi-square = 31.439; p < 0.001) age relationship existed in the prevalence of CED. According to the WHO classification of low BMI, it is clear that studied college girls of Midnapore, India are in serious situation for all ages and the youngest (18 years) among them are experiencing the most serious situation (32.7 %) with respect to their health and nutritional status. Overall prevalence of CED was (28.3 %). Conditions of the young women's were more severe and this severity decreases with increasing age of these women's. Results have been compared with recent reports from 18 states of India

The use of Medicinal Plants for the treatment of Gonorrhoea and Syphilis in South West Bengal of India

Gonorrhoea and Syphilis as Sexually Transmitted Infections occur throughout the world. In India the prevalence of these diseases are in alarming situation due to the rapid spread of the diseases, high cost of treatment and the increased risk of transmission. Current therapies available for symptomatic treatment are quite expensive beyond the reach of common people and associated with the emergence of drug resistance. Many patients seeking help from the alternative systems of medicines for treatment. In our country several crude plants are used as medicine since Vedic period. Herbal medicines provide rational means for the treatment of many Sexually Transmitted Infections. The herbal medicines have many advantages: have no side effects, better patient tolerance and relatively less expensive. Locally available herbal practitioners or healers have practiced since past in this direction. Furthermore the acceptability of herbal medicines are greater to control these infections due to the social stigma associated with them and in case of women it is much more acceptable to discuss their problem with the traditional healers or herbal medical practitioners. In the present study thirty seven medicinal plants have been recorded for the treatment of Gonorrhoea and Syphilis and documented from South West Bengal of India

The use of Medicinal Plants for the treatment of Gonorrhoea and Syphilis in South West Bengal of India

Gonorrhoea and Syphilis as Sexually Transmitted Infections occur throughout the world. In India the prevalence of these diseases are in alarming situation due to the rapid spread of the diseases, high cost of treatment and the increased risk of transmission. Current therapies available for symptomatic treatment are quite expensive beyond the reach of common people and associated with the emergence of drug resistance. Many patients seeking help from the alternative systems of medicines for treatment. In our country several crude plants are used as medicine since Vedic period. Herbal medicines provide rational means for the treatment of many Sexually Transmitted Infections. The herbal medicines have many advantages: have no side effects, better patient tolerance and relatively less expensive. Locally available herbal practitioners or healers have practiced since past in this direction. Furthermore the acceptability of herbal medicines are greater to control these infections due to the social stigma associated with them and in case of women it is much more acceptable to discuss their problem with the traditional healers or herbal medical practitioners. In the present study thirty seven medicinal plants have been recorded for the treatment of Gonorrhoea and Syphilis and documented from South West Bengal of India

Present Scenario of Childhood Deafness: A Tertiary Level Health Care Study

Abstract Introduction Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in humans today. Approximately 63 million people in India suffer from significant auditory impairment. Materials and Methods Fifty children of 0-7 years age group, presented to a tertiary level center in Kolkata were assessed by objective and behavioural audiological tests. Result Mean age of presentation was found to be 40.5 months. No risk factor could be identified in 72% of the cases. 47% fell into the profoundly deaf category. Discussion Numerous studies agree that half of the infants with sensorineural hearing loss have no risk factors at birth and thus would be missed by a targeted hearing screening.  Conclusion India certainly faces a worse situation regarding childhood deafness. Implementation of universal neonatal hearing screening along with pre-school hearing assessment can certainly change the scenario

Novel Quaternary Chalcogenide/Reduced Graphene Oxide-Based Asymmetric Supercapacitor with High Energy Density

In this work we have synthesized quaternary chalcogenide Cu₂NiSnS₄ (QC) nanoparticles grown in situ on 2D reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for application as anode material of solid-state asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs). Thorough characterization of the synthesized composite validates the proper phase, stoichiometry, and morphology. Detailed electrochemical study of the electrode materials and ASCs has been performed. The as-fabricated device delivers an exceptionally high areal capacitance (655.1 mF cm^–2), which is much superior to that of commercial micro-supercapacitors. Furthermore, a remarkable volumetric capacitance of 16.38 F cm^–3 is obtained at a current density of 5 mA cm^–2 combined with a very high energy density of 5.68 mW h cm^–3, which is comparable to that of commercially available lithium thin film batteries. The device retains 89.2% of the initial capacitance after running for 2000 cycles, suggesting its long-term capability. Consequently, the enhanced areal and volumetric capacitances combined with decent cycle stability and impressive energy density endow the uniquely decorated QC/rGO composite material as a promising candidate in the arena of energy storage devices. Moreover, Cu₂NiSnS₄ being a narrow band gap photovoltaic material, this work offers a novel protocol for the development of self-charging supercapacitors in the days to come