Prevalence of tracheobronchial anomalies among patients undergoing fibreoptic bronchoscopy: a retrospective analysis from a tertiary care hospital in Wayanad, Kerala, India

Background: Tracheobronchial anomalies are a rare clinical entity and often asymptomatic in nature. Some patients may experience symptoms such as cough, recurrent pneumonia or hemoptysis. Knowledge and understanding of tracheobronchial variations have important implications for diagnosis of symptomatic patients and performing certain procedures, including bronchoscopy and endotracheal intubation. Objective was to study the prevalence of tracheobronchial anomalies detected during routine bronchoscopy in a tertiary care setting.Methods: Retrospective analysis of hospital data of patients undergoing fibreoptic bronchoscopy for one year in a tertiary care setting.Results: There were 149 bronchoscopies evaluated. Total of 41 anomalies were detected in 34 (22.8%) subjects. The most common anomaly was bronchial diverticula.Conclusions: This retrospective study takes stock of various tracheobronchial anomalies among subjects who underwent bronchoscopy in a tertiary care hospital in Wayanad, North Malabar. This study revealed major tracheobronchial anomalies in 22.8% of subjects which is higher when compared to previous studies. This is particularly important due to the fact that Wayanad is a backward hilly district and tribal community constitutes 20% of its population

Aspergillus spp. infection as a cause of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a prospective observational study

Background: Majority of exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are due to infections. Usual agents causing AECOPD are gram negative bacteria, but rarely viruses and fungi are also implicated. However, the role of fungal infection, especially Aspergillus spp. in the clinical deterioration of COPD still remains unclear. This prospective observational study looks at the prevalence of aspergillus infection in AECOPD. The Objectives of this study were to analyse the prevalence and risk factors associated with Aspergillus infection in AECOPD, and to investigate the clinical outcomes.Methods: Patients admitted with AECOPD for a period of 3 months from 1st October 2017 to 31st December 2017 were prospectively included from ICU and general ward of Pulmonary Medicine department of a tertiary care hospital. Clinical, radiological and microbiological data were collected at admission and during the hospital stay. Clinical course and outcome are recorded.Results: There were 104 cases of AECOPD during the study period out of which 96 were males and 8 were females. 17 patients had evidence of aspergillus infection and diabetes was found to be an independent risk factor for aspergillus infection.Conclusions: Aspergillus infection is an important cause of COPD exacerbation and this is directly related to diabetes mellitus

Repeated exposure of acidic beverages on esthetic restorative materials: an in-vitro surface microhardness study

Background: A manifold increase in the consumption of aerated beverages has witnessed a twin increase in tooth wear and raised demand for esthetic restorative materials. This study aimed to evaluate the surface microhardness changes of esthetic restorative materials following treatment with aerated beverages in an in-vitro situation. Material and Methods: The initial surface microhardness of the restorative materials GC Fuji II LC, GC Fuji IX, Nano Glass ionomer, Resin and Nano composite was recorded. These materials were studied under 3 groups that included those exposed to the acidic beverages daily, weekly once in a month and those that had no exposures at all. The final surface microhardness of the materials was recorded following experimentation and was subjected to statistical comparisons. Results: The restorative materials were compared for their surface microhardness changes following respective treatments using the T-test and One-way ANOVA analysis. Inter-comparisons between the groups showed statistical significance (p<.05), when treated with both the beverages. The five restorative materials revealed surface microhardness loss; the maximum reduction noticed with the Nano glass ionomer cement tested (p<.0005). Conclusions: The surface microhardness of restorative materials markedly reduced upon repeated exposures with acidic beverages; the product with phosphoric acid producing the maximum surface microhardness loss