Recent updates on electronic cigarette aerosol and inhaled nicotine effects on periodontal and pulmonary tissues.

E-cigarette-derived inhaled nicotine may contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontal and pulmonary diseases in particular via lung inflammation, injurious, and dysregulated repair responses. Nicotine is shown to have antiproliferative properties and affects fibroblasts in vitro, which may interfere in tissue myofibroblast differentiation in e-cig users. This will affect the ability to heal wounds by decreasing wound contraction. In periodontics, direct exposure to e-vapor has been shown to produce harmful effects in periodontal ligament and gingival fibroblasts in culture. This is due to the generation of reactive oxygen species/aldehydes/carbonyls from e-cig aerosol, leading to protein carbonylation of extracellular matrix and DNA adducts/damage. A limited number of studies regarding the effects of e-cig in oral and lung health are available. However, no reports are available to directly link the deleterious effects on e-cigs, inhaled nicotine, and flavorings aerosol on periodontal and pulmonary health in particular to identify the risk of oral diseases by e-cigarettes and nicotine aerosols. This mini-review summarizes the recent perspectives on e-cigarettes including inhaled nicotine effects on several pathophysiological events, such as oxidative stress, DNA damage, innate host response, inflammation, cellular senescence, profibrogenic and dysregulated repair, leading to lung remodeling, oral submucous fibrosis, and periodontal diseases.

Malignant metastatic carcinoid presenting as brain tumor.

Carcinoid tumors are rarely known to metastasise to the brain. It is even more rare for such patients to present with symptoms related to metastases as the initial and only symptom. We present a case of a 60-year-old man who presented with hemiparesis and imaging features suggestive of brain tumor. He underwent surgery and the histopathology revealed metastatic malignant lesion of neuroendocrine origin. A subsequent work up for the primary was negative. Patient was treated with adjuvant radiotherapy. We present this case to highlight the pathophysiological features, workup and treatment options of this rare disease and discuss the methods of differentiating it from more common brain tumors.

Nasofrontal dermoid with sinus tract upto the tip of the nose: A case report with review of the literature.

Nasofrontal dermoid with sinus tract extending to the nasal tip is rare in adults. It is unique in its embryological origin, presentation, and management. Pathogenesis involves the incomplete obliteration of the developing neuroectoderm. A sinus opening with intermittent oily discharge is characteristic. Associated intracranial extension may lead to meningitis and brain abscess. We present a case of a 21-year-old adult having a nasofrontal sinus tract with intracranial extension who presented with recurrent episodes of meningitis and discuss the physical findings with relevance to embryology, elaborating on the importance and means of addressing the intracranial as well as extracranial components for complete treatment.

Multiple spinal and cranial meningiomas: A case report and review of literature.

Though meningiomas are common neoplasms of the nervous system, the occurrence of multiple meningiomas in different neuraxial compartments is rather rare. We report a case of a 62-year-old female who presented with spastic paraparesis in both lower limbs, and was found to have multiple homogenously enhancing tumors of dorsolumbar spine. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple bilateral supratentorial meningiomas. She underwent multiple level laminectomy and total removal of spinal tumors after which power improved in both lower limbs. Histopathology revealed psammomatous meningiomas. Only around 19 cases of multiple cranial and spinal meningiomas have been reported, of which, only five cases have more than one spinal meningioma. The implication of the incidence of such multiple meningiomas in the same patient with relevance to investigations and decision making are discussed along with a brief review of literature of cases with multiple spinal and cranial meningiomas.

Granulocytic sarcoma presenting as presenting as monoparesis: A rare case report.

Granulocytic sarcomas (GSs) or myeloid sarcoma or chloroma are rare, destructive, extramedullary tumor masses that consist of immature granulocytic cells. We present case of a 35-year-old man presenting as monoparesis, diagnosed to have cervical intradural extramedullary mass lesion with an extradural extension. Although the history or physical examination had no symptoms and signs suggestive of leukemia, bone marrow study and blood picture indicated chronic myeloid leukemia. Surgical decompression was done, and histopathological examination was consistent with GS. GSs have been observed in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and other myeloproliferative disorders, but rarely have been reported as first presentation of the disease.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and hyperlipoproteinemia (a) in obese South Indian men: an indication for increased cardiovascular risk.

Obesity is a pathological condition which increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. The present study was designed to evaluate homocysteine, lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], apolipoprotein-B (apo-B), apolipoprotein-A-I (apo-A-I) and lipid indices and their association if any in obese South Indian men. Thirty obese men and thirty age-matched males with normal body weight (controls) were recruited in the study. Plasma homocysteine, Lp(a), lipid profile, apo-A-I and apo-B were estimated in all the subjects. Lipid indices such as lipid pentad index (LPI), lipid tetrad index (LTI), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), non-high density lipoprotein (non-HDL)/high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio and apo-B/apo-A-I ratio were calculated in all study subjects. Homocysteine, Lp(a), apo-B, apo-B/apo-A-I ratio and lipid indices were significantly increased in obese men, compared to controls. Both homocysteine and Lp(a) were positively correlated with BMI, waist, hip circumference and apo-B and negatively correlated with apo-A-I. Also we found highly significant positive correlation between homocysteine and Lp(a) levels. The data from the present study concludes that non-conventional risk factors like homocysteine, Lp (a), apo-B/apo-A-I ratio, LTI, LPI, non-HDL/HDL ratio and AIP were significantly elevated in obese Indian men, suggesting they are more prone to develop cardiovascular disease, than the age-matched men with normal body weight.

Acute traumatic orbital encephalocele: A case report with review of literature.

Orbital roof fractures after a blunt injury are an uncommon complication of trauma. Traumatic encephaloceles in the orbital cavity are even rarer, with only 15 cases published till date. Raised intraorbital pressure leading to irreversible damage to the optic nerve can be prevented by early diagnosis and management. Orbital computed tomography (CT) with thin axial and coronal sections is helpful in trauma patients with a concurrent orbital trauma. Decompression of the orbital roof is the key step in surgical treatment and should be performed in every case. Repairing the orbital roof has to be performed to avoid transmission of variation in the intracranial pressure to the orbit. We present a case of traumatic orbital encephalocele who underwent surgical treatment via a frontobasal approach with evacuation of the contused herniated brain and reconstruction of the orbital roof using temporalis fascia which is readily available in contrast to costly materials like titanium mesh, screws, bone powder, fibrin glue, and so on, which are not easily available in every hospital. Rapid resolution of proptosis and visual symptoms along with excellent cosmetic outcome was seen at follow-ups after three and nine months. We emphasize the early diagnosis of this rare condition and also emergency treatment to prevent permanent visual loss as well as to achieve good cosmetic results.

Intradural disc herniation - a case report.

Intradural disc herniation is a rare entity that occurs most commonly in the lumbar spine particularly at L4-L5 region. Most often it is diagnosed intraoperatively in a case of simple intervertebral disc herniation. Contrast enhanced MRI is mandatory for pre operative diagnosis. We describe a case of a 40-year-old female who presented to us with pain lower back, pain in both lower limbs and urinary retention after a fall. She had previously been diagnosed as a case of prolapsed intervertebral disc disease and was being managed conservatively. An unenhanced MRI revealed a large disc herniation at L4-L5 level. L4 and L5 laminectomy was performed and a hard intradural mass was palpable. On opening the dura a fragment of intervertebral disc was found with a small rent in the anterior dura. The fragment was removed and the rent was sutured. The patient recovered well from the surgery. Intradural disc herniations must be considered in the differential diagnosis of prolapsed intervertebral disc disease especially with recent worsening of symptoms and mismatch of unenhanced MRI findings with intraoperative findings.

Bilateral large traumatic basal ganglia haemorrhage in a conscious adult: a rare case report.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral traumatic basal ganglia haematoma is an extremely rare event in traumatic brain injuries, with only five reported cases. The presumed mechanism is due to shearing forces leading to haemorrhage from the lenticulostriate or anterior choroidal artery. The prognosis appears to be dependent on the extent and severity of underlying brain injury. CASE STUDY: A case of a 38 year old fully conscious male, who presented with bilateral basal ganglia haematoma and extradural haematoma, is presented and the relevant literature is briefly reviewed.

Giant cell glioblastoma in a child: A rare case report.

Giant cell glioblastoma (GCG) is a subtype of Glioblastoma multiforme that is rare in incidence and distinct in features and histopathological examination. It is reported to have better prognosis than common glioblastomas. The incidence of GCG in children is even more rare. We report a case of GCG in a 10-year-old boy along with a review of the relevant literature focusing on the differentiating points from common glioblastoma.

Lumbosacral arachnoid cyst with tethered cord: A rare case report.

Arachnoid cysts are cerebrospinal fluid collections in the spine that can present with neurological symptoms or be discovered accidentally. Intradural location of such cysts especially in the lumbosacral region is relatively rare. The association of such cysts with other congenital anomalies such as tethered cord lends evidence to the developmental origin of arachnoid cysts. We report a case of lumbosacral arachnoid cyst with tethered cord in a 6-year-old male child and discuss the etiopathogenesis and management options.