Metastatic nonsmall cell lung cancer in South India: A regional demographic study.

BACKGROUND: Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has varying epidemiological patterns in different countries and also in different regions of each country. In a country with a high prevalence of lung cancer such as India, regional variations in demography exist. AIM: A study of unique demographic trends of metastatic NSCLC patients presenting to our regional cancer center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We did a retrospective analysis of histologically confirmed metastatic NSCLC patients who presented to our Department of Medical Oncology between August 2012 and July 2014. RESULTS: A total of 304 patients were analyzed. About 55.6% of the patients were in the age group of 41-60 years. About 79.6% of the patients were symptomatic for <6 months before presentation. About 63.5% of the patients were smokers presenting with a median age of 59 years whereas nonsmokers formed 36.51% of the patients presenting with a median age of 47 (P < 0.001). About 82.6% of the male patients and 4.1% of female patients were smokers. Equal number of all patients had adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) histology. AC histology was more common in the nonsmoking group (62% of patients). SCC histology was seen in 54.3% of smokers. Metastasis to the contralateral lung and pleura was seen in 58.2% of patients. CONCLUSION: NSCLC presents at a young age. Smoking is a significant risk factor and it is common in the urban populations as in the rural areas. Both AC and SCC histologies presented in equal proportions.

Lymphoepithelial Cyst of Parotid in an Immunocompetent Patient with Chronic Otitis Media.

Lymphoepithelial cysts of parotid are known to occur in HIV patients. In the present report, lymphoepithelial cyst of parotid was diagnosed in a middle aged immunocompetent patient, along with chronic otitis media. The source of infection and treatment options are summarized.

Giant mucocoele of the maxillary antrum: a case report.

Maxillary antral mucocoeles have an incidence of only 3-10%. Mucocoeles are more commonly seen in the frontoethmoidal region. We present one such rare case of a 52-year-old lady who came to us with complaints of pain and swelling of the left cheek of 4 months duration. Clinical examination and investigation revealed a giant maxillary sinus mucocoele which was duly treated surgically. We discuss its classical presentation and management since such large mucocoeles are not often seen in the maxillary sinus.

Study of self-generated magnetic fields in laser produced plasmas using a three-channel polaro-interferometer.

Self-generated magnetic fields produced in laser plasmas at moderate laser intensities have been measured using a three-channel polaro-interferometer. The main elements of this device are two birefringent calcite wedges placed between two crossed polarizers. Using this device, the spatial profiles of (a) the rotation angle (polarometry), (b) the electron density (interferometry), and (c) the transmitted probe beam intensity (shadowgraphy) are recorded simultaneously using a digital camera with a large format CCD in a single laser shot. Magnetic fields of 2-4 MG had been estimated in aluminum plasma at laser intensities ~10(13) W/cm(2). It is also possible to use this device in other configurations to get time resolved information.

Melioidosis and tuberculosis: dual pathogens in a neck abscess.

INTRODUCTION: Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by a saprophytic bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei. It is endemic to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. It may manifest as a pulmonary lesion, osteomyelitis, abscesses in soft tissue and various organs, or as septicaemia. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 40-year-old, diabetic man who presented with a neck lump resulting from super-infection of a tuberculosis cavity with B pseudomallei. The patient was successfully managed by drainage along with meticulous excision of the capsule and prolonged antibiotic and anti-tubercular treatment. DISCUSSION: Melioidosis may be confused diagnostically with tuberculosis, as both diseases are endemic in the same regions. Our patient was unfortunate to suffer from both endemic diseases simultaneously, perhaps representing the first such case in the world literature. CONCLUSION: Increased awareness of melioidosis is important as, although the organism is easy to culture, it may be dismissed as a contaminant.

Retrieval of a separated file using Masserann technique: a case report.

The separated instrument particularly a broken file leads to metallic obstruction, in the root canal and blocks thorough cleaning and shaping procedure. When attempts of bypassing such a fragment go in vain, it should be retrieved by mechanical devices. Masserann Kit is one such device for orthograde removal of intracanal metallic obstructions. This clinical case demonstrates usage of Masserann technique in successful retrieval of a separated file which was tightly binding in the apical 3rd root canal dentin of maxillary left lateral incisor.

Anatomical variation of maxillary sinus mimicking a periapical cyst: a case report.

Maxillary sinus can pose diagnostic dilemma radiographically because of its anatomical variation which can mimic a periapical pathosis. This case report deals with one such diagnostic problem, where a maxillary sinus was interpreted in an intraoral periapical radiograph as a periapical cyst. With the advances in imaging techniques, the use of an Ultrasound imaging together with application of Colour Power Doppler helped in revealing the contents of the radiolucent area and come up with an accurate diagnosis. Thus a thorough knowledge about the normal anatomy and its variations and proper diagnostic aids are essential in the diagnosis of periapical pathology.

Interesting case of intraorbital foreign body.

Penetration of intraorbital foreign bodies into the nose and paranasal sinuses although reported in the past are uncommon. Here we present a case of a 26 years old male who came to us with a seemingly trivial injury of his right eye due to a foreign body. Which on further investigation revealed the major part of a large foreign body impacted into the nose and bilateral sinuses, removed successfully.

Prolonged release biodegradable vesicular carriers for rifampicin--formulation and kinetics of release.

An attempt has been made to design suitable liposome and niosome-encapsulated drug delivery system for rifampicin and evaluated the same in vitro and in vivo. A modified lipid layer hydration method was employed to prepare these vesicular carriers. The formulated systems were characterized in vitro for size distribution analysis, drug entrapment, drug release profiles and vesicular stability at different conditions of storage. In vivo drug kinetics was evaluated in normal, healthy albino rats for niosomal formulation upon subcutaneous injection and various pharmacokinetic parameters were determined. Niosomes and liposomes exhibited mean diameter of 9.73 and 11.87 microns with entrapment efficiencies of 30.5 and 34.2% respectively. Both the products exhibited sustained release characteristics in vitro with zero order drug release kinetics up to initial 10 hr. Stability evaluation indicated that both formulations were not significantly leaky over a period of one month. Niosomal formulation elevated plasma elimination half life and decreased elimination rate constants for rifampicin in vivo suggested that encapsulation retarded the removal of the drug from circulation compared to free drug due to slow drug release into systemic circulation. A five-fold increase in the area under plasma rifampicin concentration-time curve for niosomal rifampicin as compared to free drug indicated better bioavailability of encapsulated drug. It is evident from this study that niosomes and liposomes could be promising delivery systems for rifampicin with prolonged drug release profiles and reasonably good stability characteristics.

A comparative evaluation of apical linear dye penetration of Glass ionomer based sealers with conventional root canal sealers. An in vitro study.

This study was done to evaluate the clinical practicality of a new Water mixable Glass ionomer root canal sealer with conventional type 11a Glass ionomer cement, if used as a sealer, along with Zinc oxide Eugenol and Calcium Hydroxide containing sealers. Forty freshly extracted single rooted Maxillary incisors were selected for the study. Ten teeth were assigned for each sealer group. Access cavity was prepared, wording length determined, modified step-back preparation and obturation of the root canal done with lateral condensation technique. Assigned groups were Group 1--Type 11a Glass ionomer cement, Group 11--Mixed Tubliseal, Group 111--Mixed Sealapex, Group IV--Endion. Micro leakage Values were assessed by the amount of linear dye penetration in to the apical pulp space. Statistical analysis was done with one way analysis (ANOVA), using Fisher's 'F' test and students unpaired 't' test. Seal apex exhibited the least micro leakage value and found to be the best sealer among the four sealer groups.

Histiocytosis of the temporal bone.

Histiocytosis is a rare disease of unknown aetiology which commonly affects the head and neck region. In the ear it can closely mimic acute and chronic ear disease leading to a confusion in diagnosis. It can be easily misdiagnosed unless a high index of clinical suspicion is maintained. We present a case of Letterer Siwe disease of the temporal bone which presented with bilateral mastoid abscesses.

Application of glass ionomer cements in restorative dentistry.

Dentistry was marked with radical changes in clinical restorative procedures. If the inherent characteristic of the ionomer cement was examined, it becomes very clear to the researcher as well as the dentist, that no other material has had an impact as comparable to glass ionomer cements on restorative dentistry. This scientific paper highlights the clinical applications of the cement in restorative dentistry. Glass ionomer cements are bioactive, by forming permanent adhesive bonds to dentin and enamel which enables them to prevent the development of secondary caries by providing an impermeable seal against the intrusion of oral fluids and other caries producing agents. The hydrophilic nature of the cement also makes them susceptible to the action of aqueous fluids before they are fully set, requiring that the freshly placed restoration be protected by varish, petroleum jelly or a low viscosity photo polymerizing bonding agent.

Modification of glass ionomer cements.

Glass Ionomer cement (the term was coined by B.E. Kent) has been described as a hybrid of silicate cements and zinc polycarboxylates. Scientific efforts were devoted to improving properties to make it a fully practical material for anterior and posterior restorations and secondarily properties were modified to extend its range of application. First half of 90's witnessed modifications that replace part or most of the original formulation with alternative filler particles or matrix setting reactions to make these materials more composite like. This article focuses on the various modifications of the basic Glass ionomer cement.

A case of foreign body in the subglottic region.

An impacted foreign body in the subglottis is a rare cause of upper airway obstruction in children. More often than not the diagnosis is delayed; especially where proper history is not forthcoming. This peculiar condition can masquade as laryngotracheobronchitis or a croup. Though it is rare, a foreign body in the subglottis should be kept in mind in the investigation of a child with stridor.

Antimicrobial activity of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate separately and combined, as endodontic irrigants.

Sodium hypochlorite irrigant is known to be toxic to periapical tissues. Chlorhexidine gluconate, a safer and effective antimicrobial irrigant, is not known to dissolve pulpal tissues. To obtain their optimal properties, their combined action within the root canal was evaluated. Ten single rooted nonvital anterior teeth were irrigated using either 2.5% sodium hypochlorite alone, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate alone, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate combined within the root canal, or 0.9% saline, respectively. Microbiological samples for culture and Gram's staining were taken before and proceeding irrigation. This study indicates that the use of sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine gluconate combined within the root canal resulted in the greatest percentage reduction of postirrigant positive cultures. This may be due to formation of "chlorhexidine chloride," which increases the ionizing capacity of the chlorhexidine molecule. This reduction was significant compared to use of sodium hypochlorite alone but not significant compared to use of chlorhexidine gluconate alone.

Elongated styloid process: an overview.

Stylalgia is a condition that causes a dull, nagging pain in the oropharynx, often referred to the ear and the mastoid region. The clinical diagnosis is certain if the elongated styloid process is palpated through the tonsillar area. Radiological investigations, such as orthopantomograms, give information about the medial angulation. The treatment of choice is surgical shortening of the process. Trans-tonsillar fossa excision is a simple technique and does not involve greater morbidity than a routine tonsillectomy.