S. C. Gupta

Comparative study of the underlay and overlay techniques of myringoplasty in large and subtotal perforations of the tympanic membrane

Myringoplasty is an established procedure. However, the quest is on to improve the results further by studying the different influencing factors, that could possibly affect the outcome. In the present randomized prospective study of one years duration, 60 patients having dry, large and subtotal perforations of the tympanic membrane were subjected to myringoplasty, 30 by the overlay technique and 30 by the underlay technique keeping all other influencing factors constant. The graft take-up rate was found to be the same (93.3 per cent) in both techniques but the underlay technique was judged to be better because of its technical ease, better assessment of ossicular chain integrity and mobility, less time consumption (55 minutes vs 90 minutes), earlier healing of graft (four to six weeks vs six to eight weeks), hearing gain in more patients (92.8 per cent vs 57.1 per cent) and fewer minor complications (6.6 per cent vs 33.3 per cent).

Lipid peroxide levels and antioxidant status in alcoholic liver disease.

The present study was conducted to evaluate some of the components of antioxidant defense system and oxidative damage in 20 male patients of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The results were compared with 20 healthy male smokers and 20 healthy male non-smokers volunteers. Patients were subjected to detailed clinical examination and laboratory investigations. Blood samples were collected for estimating reduced glutathione (GSH), total thiols (T-SH) malondialdehyde (MDA), transaminases (AST, ALT), glutathione-S-transferease (GST) and gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT). Serum aspartate amino transferase (AST)/alanine amino transferase (ALT) ratio was significantly (p<0.01) reduced in ALD patients as compared to the controls. However, the core of utility of MDA and GST was found to be significantly (p<0.01) increased in ALD patients compared to controls. There was a significant negative correlation of MDA with both GSH and TSH. Plasma GGT levels were significantly (p<0.01) increased in alcoholics and the enzyme showed a significant positive correlation with MDA. These results give enough evidence of increased oxidative stress and compromised antioxidant defense system in patients with ALD.

Diagnosis of human sarcocystis infection from biopsies of the skeletal muscle

&NA; Sarcocystis is an uncommon parasitic infection. We report four cases that presented with lumps, pain in the limbs or a discharging sinus of unknown etiology. Microscopic examination of the excised tissue in all cases showed characteristic cysts of the sarcocystis parasite. A discussion of the identification and recognition of this uncommon infection from muscle biopsies is given.

Intranasal endoscopic DCR (END-DCR) in cases of dacryocystitis.

A prospective study on 27 cases of chronic dacryocystitis was done to see the outcome of management by End-DCR in Indian population and to look for advantages or disadvantages over Ext-DCR from available datas in literature All cases were diagnosed clinically by regurgitation test and lacrimal syringing In selected cases Jones dye test, dacryocystogram and CT scan of nose and paranasal sinuses (PNS) was done to confirm the site of obstruction and find out the cause Cases having hyperlacrumation due to other causes and epiphora due to presaccal stenosis were excluded Cause of NLD obstruction was atrophic rhinitis (4 cases), chronic sinusitis (4 cases), enlarged agger nasi cells (4 cases), faciomaxillary injury (1 case) and unknown in rest of cases All cases were treated by End-DCR under local anaesthesia Concommitent nose and PNS surgeries were done in selected cases where it was supposed to be the cause Average follow-up was from 3 months to 1 year Primary success rate was 92 6% and after revision in two cases final success was 96% Success rate was 100% in cases of atrophie rhinitis Major complication was not found in any case Our result of End-DCR was as good as Ext-DCR Our results of End-DCR are better than those who had used lacnmal stent, lasers, microdebriders, dacryoendoscope and electrocautery It was finally concluded that end-DCR by using simple instruments is a safe and effective procedure

Histological changes to palatal and paratubal muscles in oral submucous fibrosis

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. In a large number of patients conductive deafness due to eustachian tube dysfunction has been found. The present study was, therefore, planned to assess the histopathological changes in palatal and paratubal muscles in oral submucous fibrosis. Incisional biopsy from the soft palate was taken in clinically proven cases of OSMF. In most of the cases, signs of chronic inflammation and fibrosis were seen in the submucosa. Dysplasia was noticed in seven (13.2 per cent) patients. Degenerative changes in palatal/paratubal muscles were found in the form of loss of cross striations in seven (13.2 per cent), oedematous muscle fibres in five (9.4 per cent) and atrophy in five (9.4 per cent) cases. It was concluded that there was definite involvement of palatal and paratubal muscles in OSMF. This could explain the eustachian tube dysfunction in these patients.

Evaluation of the Oxidative Stress in Chronic Alcoholics

AIMnThe present study was conducted to assess the activity of Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) and its association with oxidative stress in alcoholics.nnnMETHODnSixty male alcoholics with a history of alcohol abuse for more than five years were the subjects of this study. Twenty healthy male volunteers who matched in age and the socio-economic status, served as the control subjects.nnnRESULTSnGGT, reduced glutathione (GSH, a key intra-cellular antioxidant) and malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of the oxidative stress) were assayed in the plasma of the two groups, and the results were statistically analyzed. The activity of the plasma GGT, known as a marker of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD); was significantly higher in the alcoholics as compared to that in the healthy controls.nnnCONCLUSIONnThere was a significant positive correlation between the enzyme activity and the plasma levels of MDA and this indicated that there was an increased release of this enzyme with enhanced oxidative damage, due to the generation of oxygen free radicals in the study group. There was a significantly increased level of MDA and a decrease in the level of GSH in the alcoholics as compared to those in the controls. Significant negative correlations between GGT and GSH, and between MDA and GSH were observed. The present study demonstrates that alcoholics have a compromised antioxidant defense system.

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy in cases of dacryocystitis due to atrophic rhinitis

Atrophic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nose, which is more common in India. Chronic dacryocystitis is its rare complication. The authors found four cases of chronic dacryocystitis from March 2002 to October 2003 due to atrophic rhinitis. It was diagnosed clinically by the regurgitation test and lacrimal syringing. These cases were treated conservatively for a period of six weeks to make the nasal mucosa healthier and were then subjected to endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (end-DCR) under local anaesthesia. The procedure was found to be more difficult due to bleeding and the healing time was prolonged as compared to other cases of end-DCR. After one to one and half years of follow-up the primary success rate was 75 per cent but after revision surgery in one case, all cases were successful. Hence it was concluded that atrophic rhinitis is no more a contraindication for end-DCR. However, meticulous initial preparation and post-operative follow-up is necessary to improve the result.

Schwannoma of maxillary sinus

Schwannoma, also known as neurilemmoma, is a solitary, encapsulated peripheral tumour of neuroectodermal derivation that originates from schwann cells of neural sheath of motor/ sensory peripheral nerves or sympathetic nerves. About one- third of all schwannomas occur in head and neck region but nose and paranasal sinuses, are rare sites. We report a case of schwannoma arising from the maxillary sinus and eroding the orbital floor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the sixth; case of schwannoma solely arising in the maxillary sinus, reported in the literature.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular disease: The nutritional perspectives

Several members of the vitamin B-complex family are known to participate in the normal metabolism of homocysteine (Hcy). Leaving aside the genetic determinants of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC), the deficiencies of these vitamins can also result in HHC. The situation of sustained and long standing HHC is likely to be prevalent in population groups with low/average socio-economic status, geriatric population and alcohol abusers. If not corrected by supplementation, these population groups certainly are more vulnerable to develop atherosclerosis (AS) and subsequently, cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hyperhomocysteinemia per se and/or HHC-induced oxidative stress result(s) in chronic chemical endothelial injury/dysfunction, smooth muscle proliferation, prothrombotic state and oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) leading to diverse cardiovascular complications. In the first decade of the new millennium, major research efforts would be directed towards understanding the basic mechanism of HHC-induced oxidative stress and the pathophysiology of HHC-induced CVD, culminating in the evolution of hitherto unknown therapeutic strategies such as nutriceuticals and oxidant-antidotes.

Assessment of deafmute patients: a study of ten years

Present prospective study was conducted on 350 patients presenting with chief complaints of impaired hearing and delayed speech from 1996–2006. The aim of the present study was to find out the prevalence of deafmutism in our area, the aetiology of childhood deafness and to ascertain the role of acoustic reflex test (ART) for hearing screening considering brain stem evoked response audiometry (BSERA) as gold standard. A detailed history, clinical and other relevant systemic examination and investigations were done to find out the cause. All patients were subjected to ART test and BSERA. Male to female ratio was 2.1:1. Prevalence was found to be 5.59 per one lac population in our district. The commonest age of presentation was in the second decade. The causes for childhood deafness were genetic (15.8%), embryopathies (10%), perinatal (10.8%) and postnatal problems (12.5%). In 50.6% cases it was aediopathic. Congenital syndromic abnormalities were found in 5.4% patients. In BSERA 21% patients were found to have residual hearing varying from 60 dB to 100dB. The positive predictive value of ART was found to be low (10.4%). Hence it was recommended that ART should not be used as screening tool for childhood deafness.