Rajni Gupta

A Comparative study of intrathecal dexmedetomidine and fentanyl as adjuvants to Bupivacaine.

Background: Various adjuvants have been used with local anesthetics in spinal anesthesia to avoid intraoperative visceral and somatic pain and to provide prolonged postoperative analgesia. Dexmedetomidine, the new highly selective α2-agonist drug, is now being used as a neuraxial adjuvant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the onset and duration of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic effect, postoperative analgesia, and adverse effects of dexmedetomidine or fentanyl given intrathecally with hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients classified in American Society of Anesthesiologists classes I and II scheduled for lower abdominal surgeries were studied. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either 12.5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 5 μg dexmedetomidine (group D, n = 30) or 12.5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 25 μg fentanyl (group F, n = 30) intrathecal. Results: Patients in dexmedetomidine group (D) had a significantly longer sensory and motor block time than patients in fentanyl group (F). The mean time of sensory regression to S1 was 476±23 min in group D and 187±12 min in group F (P<0.001). The regression time of motor block to reach modified Bromage 0 was 421±21 min in group D and 149±18 min in group F (P<0.001). Conclusions: Intrathecal dexmedetomidine is associated with prolonged motor and sensory block, hemodynamic stability, and reduced demand for rescue analgesics in 24 h as compared to fentanyl.

Dexmedetomidine as an intrathecal adjuvant for postoperative analgesia

Background: Spinal anaesthesia is the most common approach which is used for lower limb surgery. Dexmedetomidine is the recent drug which acts on α2-adrenergic receptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord to produce analgesic effects. Aim: Efficacy and safety of intrathecal dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine. Setting and Design: Randomised double blind trial. Methods: Sixty patients were randomly allocated to receive intrathecally either 3 ml of 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine + 0.5 ml normal saline (Group R) or 3 ml of 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine + 5 μg dexmedetomidine in 0.5 ml of normal saline (Group D). Results: The mean time of sensory regression to S2 was 468.3±36.78 minutes in group D and 239.33±16.8 minutes in group R. Duration of analgesia (time to requirement of first rescue analgesic) was significantly prolonged in group D (478.4±20.9 minutes) as compared to group R (241.67±21.67 minutes). The maximum visual analogue scale score for pain was less in group D (4.4±1.4) as compared to group R (6.8±2.2). Conclusion: The addition of dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine intrathecally produces a prolongation in the duration of the motor and sensory block.

Association of TNF-α (-238 and -308) promoter polymorphisms with susceptibility of oral squamous cell carcinoma in North Indian population

BACKGROUND The pro-inflammatory cytokines play an essential role in immune response and are involved in a variety of inflammatory and infectious disease. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene polymorphism has been a potential determinant of susceptibility to various types of cancer. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of TNF-α gene promoter (-238) G/A and (-308) G/A polymorphisms with the susceptibility of OSCC patients in North Indian population. METHODS A total 272 patients with OSCC and 185 healthy volunteers were genotypes for the TNF-α (-238) G/A and (-308) G/A gene polymorphism. Genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Genotype frequencies were evaluated by Chi-square test and Odds ratio (OR) relative risk. RESULTS TNF-α (-238) G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with OSCC patients as compared to healthy volunteers (GG vs. GA: OR=0.3500, 95% CI=0.1289-09502; p=0.036; G vs. A: OR=0.3589 1.477, 95% CI=0.1335-0.9652; p=0.0386). No significant association was found in TNF-α (-308) G/A gene polymorphism with OSCC patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the TNF-α (-238) G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with OSCC however TNF-α (-308) G/A polymorphism was not associated in OSCC patients.

Giant sublingual epidermoid cyst resembling plunging ranula.

Epidermoid and dermoid cysts represent less than 0.01% of all oral cavity cysts. We describe a rare case of large epidermoid cyst in floor of mouth, with an oral as well as submental component resembling plunging ranula reported in the literature from India. We present a case of a 16-year-old girl with complaints of a mass in sublingual region, difficulty chewing, and dysphagia for about 5 months. Fine-needle aspiration cytology showed keratin flakes and proteinaceous material. Contrast-enhanced CT oral cavity was done and showed 7.0 × 5 × 4.5 cm well-circumscribed non-enhancing cystic mass extending into the floor of the mouth. On examination, a firm swelling was noticed in the submental area, extending down to the thyroid notch. The patient underwent surgical removal of the mass. On histopathology, acidophilic stratum corneum and basophilic dot like staining of stratum granulosum, which is the hallmark of an epidermoid cyst, were seen.

Papillary carcinoma of thyroid arising from ectopic thyroid tissue inside branchial cleft cyst: a rare case

Ectopic thyroid glands generally occur in the midline as a result of abnormal median migration. The presence of these ectopic glands, lateral to the midline is rare. Here, the authors present one case of papillary carcinoma of thyroid arising from an ectopic thyroid tissue in branchial cleft cyst presented as a swelling in lateral neck diagnosed after cystectomy. Total thyroidectomy and neck dissection were done to rule out occult primary carcinoma of thyroid. Histopathology report showed thyroid and lymph nodes were normal.

Primary mesenteric hydatid cyst

Hydatid disease mostly caused by Echinococcus granulosus is a common parasitic infestation of the liver. Most common sites are liver (70%) and lungs (25%). Intraperitoneal hydatid cyst is found in 13% and it is usually secondary to rupture of primary hepatic cyst. Primary intraperitoeal hydatid cyst is rare (2%). Primary hydatid cyst in mesentery is very rare. In this article, the author presents a case of primary mesenteric hydatid cyst with chronic pain in lower abdomen.

Association of Genetic Polymorphism in the Interleukin-8 Gene with Risk of Oral Cancer and Its Correlation with Pain

Oral cancer is a multifactorial disease process and involves complex interactions between gene to gene and gene to environmental factors. Interleukin 8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, having angiogenic activity with elevated expression in tumor cells, is reported to play an essential role in oral cancer development. This study was conducted with the aim to investigate the role of IL-8 (-A251T) gene polymorphism in susceptibility, progression, and self-reporting pain in oral cancer. The single nucleotide polymorphisms of the IL-8 (-A251T) gene were screened in 300 patients with oral cancer and 300 healthy controls, by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Genotype and allele frequencies were evaluated by chi-square test and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of associations. The results of the study demonstrated that IL-8 (-A251T) gene polymorphism was significantly associated with susceptibility of oral cancer, whereas its correlation with clinico-pathological status or pain due to oral cancer could not be established. The AT heterozygous (OR 5.31; CI 3.38–8.34; p 0.0001) and AA homozygous (OR 2.89; CI 1.76–4.75; p 0.0001) had a greater risk for oral cancer compared to TT homozygous. Furthermore, significantly increased values of A allele frequencies compared to T allele were observed in all patients (OR 1.56; CI 1.24–1.96; p 0.0002). Tobacco chewing and smoking were also found to influence the development of oral cancer and increased the incidence of pain in oral cancer patients. The findings of this study suggest that the IL-8 (-A251T) gene polymorphism may be associated with increased risk of oral cancer.

Dexmedetomidine and propofol for monitored anesthesia care in the middle ear surgery

Context: Local anaesthesia with sedation is a well established approach used for tympanoplasty. Dexmedetomidine is a new drug which acts on α2-adrenergic receptors in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord to produce analgesic effects. Aims: Efficacy and safety of intravenous dexmedetomidine in comparison to propofol. Setting and Design: Randomized controlled trial. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients were randomly allocated to receive either dexmedetomidine or propofol as intravenous bolus followed by the same in infusion supplemented with local anaesthesia for tympanoplasty. Statistical Analyses Used: Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 15.0. Results: Dexmedetomidine and propofol provides adequate sedation but the use of propofol is associated with more requirements of rescue analgesia and poor patient and surgeon satisfaction. Conclusion: These results suggest that dexmedetomidine provides adequate sedation with analgesia and good surgical and patient comfort without any adverse effects for patients undergoing tympanoplasty under local anaesthesia

Genetic polymorphism of interleukin-10 (-A592C) among oral cancer with squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a pleiotropic cytokine with either immunosuppressive or immunostimulative activities. It has been reported that in cancer, the promoter region polymorphism of IL-10 (-A592C) alters both the expression and serum levels of this cytokine. In the present study, we have addressed the question as to whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions -592 A/C in the IL-10 gene promoter, could predispose an individual to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). DESIGN We analyzed the genotype of the IL-10 (-A592C) gene, in 250 histopathologically confirmed OSCC patients and similar number of healthy volunteers taken as controls, in an Indian population by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Allele and genotype frequencies were analyzed by the Students t-test and the chi-squared test, and strength of associations by the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS The genotype and allele distribution of IL-10 (-A592C) gene polymorphism was significantly different between OSCC cases and controls (genotype AA vs AC: OR 2.87; 95 % CI 1.50-5.48; p=0.0016 and AA vs CC: OR 4.08; 95 % CI 1.98-8.41; p=0.0002). The -592 C alleles were found to be significantly different among OSCC cases and controls (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.12-1.85, p<0.0051). CONCLUSIONS The IL-10 gene promoter region (-592) A/C polymorphism is significantly associated with reduced risk of OSCC. The OSCC group had a significantly greater frequency of genotype AA as compared to control group.

Association of interleukin-6 genetic polymorphisms with risk of OSCC in Indian population.

Purpose Interleukin-6 (IL-6) encodes a cytokine protein, which causes inflammation, maintains immune homeostasis and plays an essential role in oral pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between IL-6 (− 174 and − 572) G/C promoter gene polymorphisms and risk of OSCC among Indians. Methods Single nucleotide polymorphism in IL-6 genes was genotyped in OSCC patients and healthy controls by PCR-RFLP method. Genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed by chi-square test and strength of associations by odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals. Results Frequency distribution of IL-6 (− 174) G/C gene polymorphism was significantly associated with OSCC patients in comparison to healthy controls (OR: 0.541, CI: 0.356–0.822; p: 0.004. However, frequency of IL-6 (− 572) G/C gene polymorphism was not significantly associated with OSCC patients (p > 0.05). Conclusion The genotype GC and allele C of IL-6 (− 174) G/C gene polymorphism play a significant role in OSCC susceptibility.