Suitable Alternative for Human Cadaver Temporal Bone Dissection: Comparative Micro Ear Anatomy of Cattle, Pig and Sheep with Human.

The study was undertaken to compare the micro ear anatomy of three commonly available animal models which are expected to have similar anatomy to human and to find out suitable model among them as an alternative for human cadaver temporal bone dissection. This is an observational study of comparison of micro ear anatomy of the three animal models with human. Decapitated heads of cattle, pig and sheep were collected from slaughter houses, soft tissues along with brain were removed and preserved in commercially available formalin preservative. CT scan was taken for the three specimens and 3D reconstructions were done. Each specimen was subjected to micro dissection and the anatomical features were studied and compared with human. Among the three animal models sheep is found to be an ideal model for a beginner because of ease of exposure of bone, very thin cortical bone, and no cellularity, good exposure of all the middle ear structures and similar interrelations of middle ear structures with human. Pig may not be an ideal model because of abundant fatty soft tissues, thick periosteum very narrow space occupied by the middle ear, difficulty in accessing cellularity small fragile ossicular chain and overhanging facial nerve.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of lung leading to metastatic jaw tumor.

Metastatic tumors to the orofacial region are unusual and they may occur in the oral soft tissues or jaw bones. Owing to their clinical variability the diagnosis of such tumors is often a dilemma. We report a unique case of mandibular metastasis which became the first evidence of an occult primary in the lung.

Evaluation of reliability of ultrasonographic parameters in differentiating benign and metastatic cervical group of lymph nodes.

The aim of the current study is to determine the efficacy of ultrasound in differentiating between benign and metastatic group of cervical lymph nodes. The study included forty-five subjects who were divided into three groups with 15 in each, by stratified random sampling method. Group 1 comprised fifteen patients without signs and symptoms of any infection and neoplasms in head and neck region (control group). Group 2 included fifteen patients with signs and symptoms of malignancy in head and neck region. Group 3 consisted of fifteen patients with signs and symptoms of odontogenic infections. "MY LAB-40" ultrasound machine with linear array transducer of 7.5 MHZ frequency was used for detecting cervical lymph nodes following Hajek's classification. The patients further underwent ultrasound guided FNAC under standard aseptic protocol and samples were subjected to cytopathological evaluation. Chi square analysis and one way ANOVA test were applied to obtain the results. We concluded that ultrasound and USG FNAC can be used accurately to assess the status of lymph nodes. The ultrasonographic features of lymph nodes with round shape, absence of hilar echo, sharp nodal borders, hyperechoic internal echogenicity, and presence of intranodal necrosis were highly suggestive of metastatic cervical lymph nodes.

Rupatadine: pharmacological profile and its use in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Rupatadine is a once-daily, non-sedating, selective and long-acting new drug with a strong antagonist activity towards both histamine H1 receptors and platelet-activating factor receptors. The use of rupatadine is indicated in adult and adolescent patients (>12 years of age) suffering from intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis. In the treatment of these conditions, rupatadine is at least as effective as ebastine, cetirizine, loratadine and desloratadine. Avery good safety profile of rupatadine has been evidenced in various studies, including a long-term (1-year) safety study. Rupatadine does not present drug-drug interactions with azithromycin, fluoxetine and lorazepam, but should not be administered concomitantly with known CYP3A4 inhibitors.