Age-related anatomical variation and morphometric studies on the optic tectum in post-hatch broiler chicken.

In this investigation the morphological and morphometrical features of the optic tectum in post-hatch broiler chicken were studied macroscopically and microscopically. The present study was conducted on 70 day old broiler chicks which were reared up to 42 days. The whole experimental period of study was divided into seven groups (from group I to VII) at weekly interval (days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42). The optic lobes were paired and spherical to oval eminences located on the ventro-lateral part of the midbrain in broiler chicken. There was significant increase in length and width of the optic lobes with the advancement of age. Histological analysis of optic tectum shows six basic layers from the external surface to internal one towards the optic ventricle. Different layers of optic tectum were identified as stratum opticum, stratum griseum superficial, stratum griseum central, stratum album central, stratum griseum periventriculare and stratum fibrosum periventriculare with several types of neurons. Among all six layers of the optic tectum the stratum griseum superficial layer showed very high degree of secondry differentiation and evolved into nine sub- layers in all age groups of broiler chickens. Three main cell types had been identified that is, small to medium sized stellate shaped neuron, pyramidal neuron and fusiform neuron, beside these multipolar neuron were also evident. The thickness of all layers of optic tectum significantly increases with the advancement of age of the birds. The optic ventricle was lined with a layer of cuboidal ependymal cells.

Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: rare presentations.

Nasopharyngeal angiofibromas are benign tumors of the nasopharynx that occur in adolescent boys. The extensive extensions and various clinical presentations of the tumor have been well documented in the literature. Very rarely, these tumors may extend outside the nasal cavity as a large polypoid mass. Two interesting cases of angiofibroma with atypical presentations, showing extensive spread in multiple directions, are reported here. In one case, the angiofibroma exited the right nostril as a large polypoidal mass and also presented as an intraoral tumor in the right upper gingivo-alveolar region. In the other case, in addition to polypoidal presentation through the anterior nares, the tumor produced severe respiratory obstruction resulting from extensive bulging of the soft palate.

Papillary carcinoma of thyroglossal cyst.

Malignancy of thyroglossal cyst is a rare entity. Medical literature has reported only a very few cases till date. Histopathologically papillary carcinoma of thyroglossal cyst is the most common variety encountered in clinical practice. Surgical excision by Sistrunk operation is the standard treatment of choice followed by subtotal or total thyroidectomy whenever indicated. We report here two cases of thyroglossal cyst carcinomas and their respective management.

Supernumerary nostril with congenital cataract.

Supernumerary nostril is a very rare congenital anomaly. It can be unilateral or bilateral, and it sometimes occurs in the presence of other congenital deformities. Behind the external opening of a supernumerary nostril is a small accessory nasal cavity, which may or may not communicate with the normal nasal cavity on the same side. We describe a new case in which the supernumerary nostril with a small accessory nasal cavity, which did not communicate with the normal nasal cavity on the same side, appeared in a young girl who also had microcornea and congenital cataract. The accessory nasal cavity was successfully removed surgically. We believe that this case may represent the first reported case of a supernumerary nostril with a congenital cataract on the same side. We also discuss the hypotheses that have been proposed to explain supernumerary nostrils.