Trans-Nasal Endoscopic Repair of CSF Rhinorrhea: An Institutional Experience.

Introduction: Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea results from breakdown in the integrity of structures separating the subarachnoid space and nasal cavity, namely subarachnoid space and dura mater, the bony skull base and periostea alongside the upper aerodigestive tract mucosa. Endoscopic repair is considered the treatment of choice for CSF rhinorrhea. Our aim of study was to analyze the etiopathogenesis and outcomes of treatment. Material and Methods: A retrospective study review of patients treated with endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea at tertiary care hospital in ENT Department Benazir Bhutto hospital Rawalpindi from august 2013 to September 2017 identified 25 patients. Majority of them were male. The defects were closed in three layers using fat, fascia lata and nasal mucosa along with fibrin sealant in majority of patients. Pre operatively subarachnoid drain was placed in all patients. Patients were followed up to 3 months. Results: Forty-four patients underwent endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea. The age group ranged from 16 to 55 years. Of the total of 44 patients 26 (59%) were males and 18(41%) females. The mean age of the patients in our study was 32.8 ± 9.7. Post trauma CSF leak was seen up to 52.3% of the patients. The most common site of leakage was identified Cribriform plate area. Our success rate of endoscopic repair was 88.6%. The most commonly observed complication was meningitis that was observed in 2 (4.5%) of the patients that too were managed conservatively. Conclusion: Accurate localization of site of leakage appears to be essential for successful endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea. In our study cribriform plate area was commonly observed area of CSF leak. In our study, the success rate was 88.6% and low complication rate 4.5%.

Black fungus: A rising consternation among COVID patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad-Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.

For almost one and a half year the world is facing the pandemic called COVID-19, which is an acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). This disease has already engulfed many lives and has not been tamed so far. Physicians all over the world still, trying to get a hold of this global health issue, are faced with another life-threatening challenge associated with COVID-19, called black fungus-Mucormycosis. Within a span of few weeks, we have encountered three cases of black fungus in our institute which has stirred a serious concern among physicians in Pakistan.

Immunohistochemical Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by immunohistochemistry in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi, from September 2015 to March 2016. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-two cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed on H&E stain were included in the study. Patients' gender and age were noted. Immunohistochemistry for EGFR was applied and the results were recorded. The data were analyzed by using computer software program SPSS version 19. Descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages were calculated. RESULTS: Out of the 52 patients of HNSCC, 37 patients were males and 15 females. The age of the patients was between 21 and 80 years with an average age of 58.58 ±12.63. Out of 52 cases, 45 cases (86.53%) were positive for EGFR while 7 cases (13.46%) were negative for EGFR. Significant statistical association was not seen between the tumour grade and EGFR expression (p=0.162). CONCLUSION: The high expression of EGFR in head and neck cancers among Pakistani patients suggests its value as a therapeutic target. EGFR inhibitors have become well-known part of HNSCC treatment; therefore, patients with EGFR positive HNSCC can be benefitted from the therapy.