A Novel Teaching-Learning Method of Utilizing Ultrasonography as a Tool to Enhance Clinical Examination Skills of House Surgeons in Evaluating Cervical Lymph Nodes.

Aim: A study was conducted to ascertain if ultrasonography assisted learning facilitates the House Surgeons to enhance their clinical skill of identifying enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Materials and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the in a Medical College for 6 months from May to October 2021. It included 50 house surgeons posted to the department of ENT on rotation and patients with one or more enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Initially an ENT teacher demonstrated clinical examination of neck for lymph nodes to the House Surgeons. Each House Surgeon examined 10 patients and their findings were matched with those of ENT specialist & Ultrasonography findings (pre TL score). Further they underwent Ultrasonography assisted learning and subsequently post TL scores were found for each House Surgeon based on their findings in 10 more patients. Paired T Test was done to ascertain statistical significance between pre TL and post TL scores. Result: Fifty House Surgeons (mean age 23.3 years) and 258 patients (mean age 43.5 years) were included in the study. There was significant improvement in the post TL scores of the House Surgeons obtained after ultrasonography assisted learning in comparison with pre TL scores (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Ultrasonography assisted learning enhances the clinical examination skills of assessing for enlarged cervical lymph nodes.

Comparative Study of Clinical Severity and Biochemical Markers in Pre COVID-19 and COVID-19 Rhino-Orbito Cerebral Mucormycosis.

In view of high surge of sinonasal mucormycosis cases after the second wave of covid 19, present study was planned to know and compare the clinical severity of the disease and also to better understand the difference in the biochemical markers during precovid and post covid period. This retrospective observational study included all cases of sinonasal mucormycosis which were treated in our institute from August 2012 to August 2021. Details of these cases were collected from hospital database system. Biochemical parameters included FBS, HbA1C, urine ketone bodies, blood pH and creatinine. Clinical severity score was measured using self-structured severity scoring system. We found that out of 74 cases treated in our hospital 28 cases were in pre covid period while 46 cases belonged to covid 19 period. Higher male predominance was seen during post covid period (76% vs. 60%). Urine ketone bodies were positive in 7% patients in precovid period compared to 26% in post-covid period. FBS and HbA1C were high approximately 80 and 90% patients respectively in both groups. Clinical severity was significantly high in post covid patients. The present study showed that in spite of similar biochemical profile. The severity of mucormycosis was high in covid positive patients. This study shows that Covid-19 is an independent high risk factor in mucormycosis patients.

Estimation of Normal Semi-circular Canal Dimensions on Computed Tomography.

Aims: To measure and compare length, width and luminal diameters of semi-circular canals (SCC) on Multiplanar reformatted CT images in individuals without any features of vestibular dysfunction. Materials And Methods: A prospective, cross sectional, observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in October - November 2021. Multiplanar reformatted CT temporal bone images of 50 participants without features of vestibular dysfunction were used to measure the curved lengths, widths and luminal diameters of the three semi-circular canals. Unpaired t-test was used to ascertain and compare the values obtained. Results: Fifty participants, 27 women and 23 men (mean age 38.5 years) were included in the study. Mean curved lengths of Superior, posterior and Lateral SCCs were 1.37 cm, 1.33 cm and 1.19 cm respectively. Semi-circular width of Superior SCC (4.8 mm) was significantly larger than Posterior SCC (4.17 mm, p = 0.03) which was significantly larger than Lateral SCC (3.65 mm, p = 0.04). No significant difference was found between mean mid luminal diameters of the three SCCs. Mid luminal diameters were significantly smaller than the diameters at either ends of all SCCs. Conclusion: The results can potentially serve as reference values for Indians and for further studies on pathophysiology of disequilibrium.

Doppler indices of superior thyroid artery in clinically euthyroid adults.

CONTEXT: Ultrasonography of thyroid gland is a frequently performed investigation. Many of the diffuse thyroid pathologies are associated with altered vascularity. In view of potential applications and scant available data, there is a need to find normal values of Doppler indices of superior thyroid artery (STA). AIMS: To find the normal range of Doppler indices like mean peak systolic velocity (PSV), resistivity index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) of STA in clinically euthyroid adult individuals. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study was done in the Department of Radiodiagnosis of a tertiary care hospital, involving clinically euthyroid adult volunteers. Ultrasonography of the thyroid gland with Doppler of bilateral STAs was performed and mean values of PSV, RI, and PI were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 208 subjects, with a mean age of 37.7 years, underwent Doppler evaluation of STA; 148 of them were women and 60 were men. The mean PSV obtained was 16.94 ± 5.3 cm/s. Mean PI and RI were 0.93 ± 0.31 and 0.5 ± 0.13, respectively. There was no significant difference in the values obtained among both the genders. CONCLUSION: Mean values of Doppler indices of STA in euthyroid individuals have been found in this study.

A Study of Effect of Consanguinity on Cochlear Morphology in Patients with Congenital Bilateral Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Consanguinity has been considered as one of the risk factors predisposing to the development of congenital hearing loss. Effect of consanguinity on cochlear morphology has been subject of speculation, though many studies have provided insight into functional aspect of cochlea. This study was conducted to know the effect of consanguinity on cochlear morphology, if any. A prospective, observational study, including prelingually deaf children with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss who are registered as candidates for cochlear implantation at a tertiary care centre, was conducted. Seven children born out of consanguineous marriages and having bilateral congenital sensorineural hearing loss were imaged for their inner ears by MRI and various cochlear measurements were compared with that of seven control children born out of non-consanguineous marriages and who had congenital bilateral sensorineural hearing deafness. No statistically significant differences were noticed in the measurements of mean cochlear length, cross sectional diameter of cochlea at apex, middle turn and at basal turns; between children born of consanguineous and non-consanguineous marriages. Study revealed normal cochlear morphology in all the children born out of consanguineous marriages. Consanguinity, as a risk factor for development of sensorineural hearing loss, may not result in gross structural anomaly of cochlea. The genetic testing of these patients need not be extensive and can be limited to selective screening of genes responsible for functioning of cochlea rather than its anatomical development.

Application of Curved MPR Algorithm to High Resolution 3 Dimensional T2 Weighted CISS Images for Virtual Uncoiling of Membranous Cochlea as an Aid for Cochlear Morphometry.

INTRODUCTION: With the use of various surgical techniques, types of implants, the preoperative assessment of cochlear dimensions is becoming increasingly relevant prior to cochlear implantation. High resolution CISS protocol MRI gives a better assessment of membranous cochlea, cochlear nerve, and membranous labyrinth. Curved Multiplanar Reconstruction (MPR) algorithm provides better images that can be used for measuring dimensions of membranous cochlea. AIM: To ascertain the value of curved multiplanar reconstruction algorithm in high resolution 3-Dimensional T2 Weighted Gradient Echo Constructive Interference Steady State (3D T2W GRE CISS) imaging for accurate morphometry of membranous cochlea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen children underwent MRI for inner ear assessment. High resolution 3D T2W GRE CISS sequence was used to obtain images of cochlea. Curved MPR reconstruction algorithm was used to virtually uncoil the membranous cochlea on the volume images and cochlear measurements were done. RESULTS: Virtually uncoiled images of membranous cochlea of appropriate resolution were obtained from the volume data obtained from the high resolution 3D T2W GRE CISS images, after using curved MPR reconstruction algorithm mean membranous cochlear length in the children was 27.52 mm. Maximum apical turn diameter of membranous cochlea was 1.13 mm, mid turn diameter was 1.38 mm, basal turn diameter was 1.81 mm. CONCLUSION: Curved MPR reconstruction algorithm applied to CISS protocol images facilitates in getting appropriate quality images of membranous cochlea for accurate measurements.

Replication of Japanese encephalitis virus in mouse brain induces alterations in lymphocyte response.

The experimental model using intracerebral (i.c.) challenge was employed in many studies evaluating the protection against disease induced by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). We investigated alterations in peripheral lymphocyte response caused by i.c. infection of mice with JEV. Splenocytes from the i.c.-infected mice showed suppressed proliferative response to concanavalin A (con A) and anti-CD3 antibody stimulation. At the same time, the expression of CD25 (IL-2R) and production of IL-2 was inhibited. Addition of anti-CD28 antibody restored the decreased anti-CD3 antibody-mediated proliferation in the splenocytes. Moreover, the number of con A-stimulated cells secreting IL-4 was significantly reduced in splenocytes from i.c.-infected mice. These studies suggested that the i.c. infection with JEV might involve additional immune modulation effects due to massive virus replication in the brain.

Induction of MHC-I and thymic depletion due to replication of JEV in mouse brain.

The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ that is responsible for T cell development and maturation. Thymic depletion accompanied by apoptosis and altered T cell maturation occurs during several viral infections. Here we show that adult mice intracerebrally infected with Japanese encephalitis virus exhibit severe cell depletion and alterations in the CD4(+) and CD8(+) single as well as CD4(+)CD8(+) double positive cell populations. A 5.6 fold induction of MHC-I but not MHC-II was observed on thymocytes of such mice and was accompanied with a progressive depletion of thymocytes as the disease progressed with 90% of double positives being depleted by 9 days post infection. Staining studies with propidium iodide and Annexin V revealed that the percent thymocytes undergoing apoptosis had increased significantly in animals infected with Japanese encephalitis virus. Although similar changes in MHC-I expression were also observed in newborn pups challenged with Japanese encephalitis virus, qualitative and quantitative differences in thymocyte depletion were observed relative to the adult thymus. These observations may have implications in the ability of the immune system to respond to specific antigens and possible autoimmunity in survivors of Japanese encephalitis infection.