Balance Assessment of Children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

This study aimed to assess the balance function in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) using different tests to assess vestibulospinal pathway and tests to assess vestibular system and to compare the result obtained with those of children with normal hearing sensitivity. Detailed balance assessment was done for 15 children with severe to profound SNHL and 15 children with normal hearing sensitivity in the age range of 6-10 years. The audiological evaluation included pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, immittance evaluation, otoacoustic emission, vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cervical VEMP and ocular VEMP), and tests to assess vestibulospinal pathway and cerebellar function, such as Romberg test, Fukuda stepping test, Tandem gait test, and Finger-to-nose test. cVEMP and oVEMP were absent in 8 ears (27%) of a total of 30 ears with SNHL. Statistical analysis shows no significant difference between latency and amplitude of cVEMP peaks and latency of oVEMP peaks across groups. Significant reduction of oVEMP peaks amplitude was seen in children with SNHL compared to children with normal hearing. Fukuda stepping test showed an abnormal response in 2 children with SNHL (13%) and one child could not perform tandem gait test (7%). Children with SNHL showed an evident abnormality on the balance assessment test results. The abnormal function of the vestibular system and the vestibulospinal pathway can compromise the child's motor development and thus needs investigation early in life.

Study of distribution of inguinal nodes around the femoral vessels and contouring of inguinal nodes.

AIMS: To determine the distribution of inguinal nodes around the vessels, margins needed around the vessels and inferior extent of contouring in the inguinal region. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients having pelvic malignancies with one or more malignant nodes in the inguinal region were retrospectively included in this study. The position of the nodes in relation to the vessels, size of the nodes, the distance from the center of the node to the edge of the nearest vessel was measured. Margins required to cover the nodes from the vessels and position of the nodes in relation to the lesser trochanter was noted. RESULTS: Most of the nodes were placed either anteromedial (46%) or anterior (46.6%) to the vessels (92.6%). The range of margin required to cover all nodes in the anteromedial, anterior and anteriolateral direction varied from 0.8 to 2.7 cm. Only one node was more than 2 cm below the lower edge of lesser trochanter. CONCLUSION: Elective clinical target volume for inguinal lymph nodes requires a minimum margin of 2.5 cm from the femoral vessels in the anterior, anterolateral and anteromedial direction 1.5 cm margin is required medially. Inferior extent of the contour should be 2 cm below the lower edge of lesser trochanter.

Carcinoma cervix presenting with clivus metastasis.

We present an unusual case of a large metastatic lesion from carcinoma cervix located in the clivus. Patient presented with severe headache and vomiting, mimicking an intracranial pathology. Radiological imaging suggested metastatic origin of the lesion and later on investigations revealed primary in the uterine cervix. The anatomic importance of extradural neural axis component in the process of metastasis of carcinoma cervix to the clivus is highlighted in this case report.

A rare case of cisplatin-induced acute myocardial infarction in a patient receiving chemoradiation for lung cancer.

We present this unusual case of cisplatin-induced acute myocardial infarction in a patient with no organic coronary artery disease (CAD), receiving chemoradiation for small cell lung cancer. Patient developed symptoms of acute coronary syndrome after receiving two cycles of cisplatin and etoposide. The possible mechanism of vasospasm induced by cisplatin, in the background of thoracic radiation and hypomagnesemia, is discussed in this case report.