Aniruddha Sarkar

The vertigo spectrum: A retrospective analysis in 149 walk-in patients at a specialised neurotology clinic

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the frequencies of different kinds of vertigo patients in our vertigo clinic. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 149 walk-in patients at a specialized neurotology clinic in dizziness at a tertiary referral center is presented. Results: A total of 149 patients were included in the study, of which 57 (38.3%) were males and 92 (61.7%) were females. Seventy six (51%) patients were suffering from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), 37 (24.8%) were suffering from Menieres disease, 23 (15.4%) were suffering from migrainous vertigo, and 8 (5.4%) were suffering from vestibular migraine. Five (3.4%) patients were suffering from vestibular neuronitis. Conclusion: BPPV was the most common cause of dizziness in this series. Awareness of this condition and a proper Dix–Hallpike test would aid in diagnosis and reduce unnecessary investigations and referrals. Re-evaluation and regular follow-up may sometimes be necessary if the diagnosis is elusive. Although central causes are not common, it is important that these conditions are excluded.

A rare case of type ii first branchial cleft cyst having no relation to parotid

We report a rare case of Type II first branchial cleft cyst (FBCC) that presented as a preauricular cyst attached to the root of helix. Rarity and varied presentations of the FBCCs have led to frequent misdiagnosis. High index of suspicion is required. Complete excision along with attached cartilage is the main treatment.

Role of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and endoscopy in pretherapeutic evaluation of laryngeal tumors

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of staging of laryngeal tumors by clinical and radiological parameters and role of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of cartilage invasion. We have done a randomized, cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 33 patients (29 males and 4 females) and included patients who were clinically diagnosed patients of laryngeal masses, were first evaluated under indirect laryngoscopy and then sent for CT and MRI. Postimaging biopsy was undertaken via direct laryngoscopy. Patients who had contraindications to magnetic resonance (MR) evaluation (pacemakers, claustrophobia, metallic implants) and intravenous administration to contrast material (renal impairment) and patients who were unable to restrain movement and pregnant women were excluded from the study. Results: The sensitivity and specificity in cartilage invasion were as follows: thyroid cartilage (91.7% vs. 71.4%); cricoid cartilage (85.7% vs. 75%); and arytenoid cartilage (91.7% vs. 71.4%). The accuracy rate of MRI in detection of cartilage invasion was thyroid cartilage 84.2%; arytenoid cartilage 84%; cricoid cartilage 78.9%. Diagnostic accuracy of CT staging versus histopathological staging showed sensitivity 60.0%, specificity 85.7%, positive predictive value (PPV) 60.0%, negative predictive value (NPV) 85.7%, accuracy 78.9% (P = 0.084). Diagnostic accuracy of MR staging versus histopathological staging showed sensitivity 80.0%, specificity 92.9%, PPV 80.0%, NPV 92.9%, accuracy 89.5% (P = 0.006). Conclusion: MRI is significantly more sensitive but less specific than CT in detecting neoplastic cartilage invasion. MRI offers higher staging accuracy as compared to CT (89.5% vs. 78.0%) with better soft-tissue resolution and multiplanar imaging.

Comparative efficacy of epley and semont maneuver in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: A prospective randomized double-blind study

Objective: We compared the efficacy of Semont′s maneuver with Epley′s maneuver in the management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).We conducted a randomized and prospective double-blind study. Materials and Methods: We included 60 diagnosed cases of BPPV. These patients were categorized into Group 1 and Group 2. Epley′s maneuver was performed in 30 patients of Group 1. Semont′s maneuver was performed in the rest of the 30 patients of Group 2. We included diagnosed patients of BPPV above 20 years of age of both genders. Patients having peripheral and central causes of vertigo and cervical spondylosis were excluded from the study. Results: The mean age in Group 1 and Group 2 were 50.07 and 44.87 years, respectively. Sixty five percent of the patients were females and 35% of the patients were males. A total of 26 out of 30 Group 1 (87%) patients and 17 out of 30 Group 2 (57%) patients showed improvement. Comparing the two groups on the basis of improvement after maneuver showed that Group 1had greater improvement (54%) compared to Group 2 (46%). Statistical tests such as Chi-square test and t-test were applied. Conclusions: Epley′s maneuver is more effective in the treatment of BPPV than Semont′s maneuver.

Acute suppurative thyroiditis following fine-needle aspiration

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is commonly used in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases. Serious complications are rare and this procedure is generally safe. Acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST) after FNA has been seldom reported. We report a case of a 57-year-old women without any comorbidities, who developed AST after FNA. The patient was successfully treated by sonographically-guided percutaneous drainage and intravenous antibiotics as per Gram stain and culture sensitivity report. Percutaneous ultrasonography-guided aspiration can be performed as an alternative to surgical drainage in patients developing AST.

Post traumatic external auditory canal stenosis causing conductive hearing loss

Acquired external auditory canal stenosis is an uncommon entity which can arise from a number of different causes including infection, trauma, neoplasia, inflammation, and radiotherapy. Posttrauma stenosis is extremely rare; only 10% of stenosis is caused by trauma in many series. Patients generally suffer from conductive hearing loss. Surgery is the treatment of choice for posttraumatic canal stenosis. The main objective of the surgery is to produce a dry, patent ear canal by removing the stenotic segment, enlarging the bony canal, and performing wide meatoplasty. In this paper, we report a case of posttraumatic external auditory canal stenosis, following foreign body reaction which was entrapped in the canal during trauma, which was managed successfully 1 year after the trauma.

Effect of biozyme (R) on soil and crop biometrics in rice-wheat system

Summary A registered product biozyme is extracted from a Norwegian Sea weed known as Ascophyllum nodosum. It is biodegradable and non-toxic for the plant and soil health as claimed by Biostadt company. Beside biozyme, several other zymes are also available in the market with some prefixes in the name. They claim, the zyme is toxin free, eco-friendly, bio degradable product containing growth hormones, elements, minerals and vitamins. Highly compatible with fertilizers and pesticides, it also increases the resistance of plants against various pests, diseases and climatic stress. These zymes are available in solid and liquid form and are being used as either top dressing or spraying on the crop canopy at important crop growth stages. As per some earlier studies, biozyme have claimed to have beneficial in crop growth both in vegetative part as well as in grain production. Keeping in view of its importance a field trial was formulated and being conducted in research farm of Bihar Agricultural University Bhagalpur (Bihar) to see the impact of Biozyme on the yield and soil microbes.