Brain stem auditory evoked response—A study in parameters

Brain stem audiory evoked response (BAER) audiometry is a non-invasive and objective measure of a subject’s auditory function. The present paper attempts to establish normative data in Indian subjects. It was found that the BAER can detect asymptomatic high frequency hearing losses. Wave V’s threshold, latency and amplitude, along with comparisons between the auditory (subjective) and BAER threshold, are useful parameters in testing for organic and non-organic hearing disorders.     

Chondroma of the tongue

Occurrence of extraskeletal chondroma in tongue is very unusual. About 20 cases have been reported, till now. Rarity of the lesion is the basis of this report.     

Acridine orange stain--a rapid method for diagnosis of neonatal septicemia

The present study included 150 newborns; 100 clinically septic and 50 clinically aseptic who served as control. Out of 100 clinically septic newborns, blood culture was positive in 33 (33%), serum CRP was positive in 64 (64%) and acridine orange stained buffy coat smear was positive in 76 (76%). Serum CRP was found to be the most specific (specificity 96%) and acridine orange stained buffy coat smear examination the most sensitive (sensitivity 94.3%) test for diagnosis of neonatal septicemia.     

Patient-oriented learning: a review of the role of the patient in the education of medical students

AIM: To explore the contribution patients can make to medical education from both theoretical and empirical perspectives, to describe a framework for reviewing and monitoring patient involvement in specific educational situations and to generate suggestions for further research. METHODS: Literature review. RESULTS: Direct contact with patients can be seen to play a crucial role in the development of clinical reasoning, communication skills, professional attitudes and empathy. It also motivates through promoting relevance and providing context. Few studies have explored this area, including effects on the patients themselves, although there are examples of good practice in promoting more active participation. CONCLUSION: The Cambridge framework is a tool for evaluating the involvement of patients in the educational process, which could be used by curriculum planners and teachers to review and monitor the extent to which patients are actively involved. Areas for further research include looking at the 'added value' of using real, as opposed to simulated, patients; more work on outcomes for patients (other than satisfaction); the role of real patients in assessment; and the strengths and weaknesses of different models of patient involvement.     

Improving the user interface to increase patient throughput

One of the main goals of a radiology department is to optimize patient throughput. We have observed a number of factors that reduce patient throughput, one of them being suboptimal system usage. In this article, we distinguish and discuss two ways to reduce suboptimal operation: improved design of the user-interface and active support for learning during system usage, i.e., during examinations. We outline the rationale for this by looking at the current situation and trends in radiology departments. We have based our work firmly on the principles of user-centered design. Observations, task modeling, user involvement, and prototyping have been undertaken.     

Radiation induced tumours of the pharynx--can they be avoided?

Three patients who developed a post-cricoid carcinoma 5-21 years after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the larynx are presented. These patients received radiotherapy when they were young. It is suggested that alternative forms of treatment, especially partial laryngectomy with the aid of a laser should be considered in the primary management of small tumours of the larynx of young patients.     

Subclinical group A streptococcal throat infection in school children.

Seven hundred and forty nine apparently healthy school children aged 5-15 years were investigated for throat infection with Group A streptococci (GAS) during December 1990 to May 1991. The prevalence of beta hemolytic streptococci (BHS) was 18.8%; most organisms belonged to Group A streptococci (13.7%). The prevalence of BHS in throat was significantly higher (p < .001) in girls as compared to boys. Immune response to extracellular antigens was studied in 53 children who had GAS strain in their throat, 54.7% had elevated titers of antistreptolysin O or antideoxyribonuclease B or both indicating subclinical infection with GAS. Thus it is recommended that serological examinations should be done along with throat culture to identify subclinical Group A streptococcal throat infection.