O. P. Gupta

Cysticercosis of the tongue

A 10-year-old Hindu boy had a gradually increasing swelling on the tongue, which was excised and diagnosed histopathologically as a case of cysticercosis. Involvement of the tongue as an isolated lesion has prompted us to present this case. A review on the subject is discussed.

Mycological and bacteriological studies in otomycosis

The present study was carried out on 185 patients.Aspergilli orCandida were isolated in 93.5% of cases.A.niger was found to be the most common fungus causing otomycosis (44.3 %). Mixed infection with more than one fungus was infrequent. Proteus species, staphylococcus aureus andE.coli were the commonest pathogenic bacteria isolated from 60.8% cases of otomycosis associated with discharge from the ears. An experimental study was also made for the production of otomycosis in 20 human volunteers. Better results were obtained when debris was used to inoculate the healthy ear. In 6 cases (30.7%), the healthy ear could be infected successfully.

Giant aneurysm of the internal carotid artery in the carotid canal

A case of giant aneurysm of the intrapetrous portion of the internal carotid artery, with intracranial and extra-cranial extension in an eight-year-old girl, is reported. Intracranial extension was demonstrated by the presence of a large sac projecting above the petrous shadow in a frontal carotid angiogram, and upward displacement of the middle cerebral artery in the post-ligation angiogram. Extracranial extension was shown clinically as a pulsating mass in the nasopharynx, and also radiologically as a widened medial coronoid space. Erosive destruction of the petrous bone and its neighbourhood produced palsies of the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th cranial nerves. There was appreciable recovery in the cranial nerve palsies when the patient was assessed clinically two weeks after ligation of the internal carotid artery.

Osteogenic sarcoma of the zygomatic region

A rare case of an osteogenic sarcoma involving the zygomatic bone is being reported. Its histopathological characteristics are also highlighted. The patient was treated by surgical excision followed by radio therapy.

Fibrous dysplasia of the mastoid

A rare case of fibrous dysplasia involving the mastoid bone is reported. Its histopathological characteristics are also described.

Tracheostomy cannula in the left bronchus

An unusual foreign body (broken tubular part of metallic tracheostomy tube) was removed successfully through the preexisting tracheostome. Salient features regarding its lodgement and pathology are highlighted.

Carotid body tumour Excision with resection of carotid arteries

A case of carotid body tumour is reported and the salient features of its histopathology have been described. Its excision with resection of the carotid arteries can be safely undertaken if the tumour is of long duration, the angiography shows marked displacement of the carotid arteries and if the blood pressure is maintained during surgery by regulating the blood transfusion and lowering the head end of the patient, thereby preventing fatal brain hypoxia. The fact that it is a potentially malignant and radioresistant tumour, makes its excision with or without ligation of the carotid arteries almost imperative.