Struma cordis in young male—a rare entity with excellent prognosis

During embryogenesis, defective movement of thyroid tissue from the floor of the primitive foregut to the pre-tracheal region leads to ectopic thyroid, most commonly found around the course of the thyroglossal duct or sometimes laterally in the neck. Very rarely, ectopic thyroid at distant sites, e.g., in the thorax (mediastinal, lung, heart) or in the abdomen (ovary, adrenal, duodenal, pancreas, and intestine) are reported. Thyroid function in all these cases has been reported to vary from euthyroid, hypothyroid to hyperthyroid. We are here presenting a rare case of ectopic thyroid in the heart (Struma cordis), within the right ventricular cavity attached to the interventricular septum at the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), i.e., on the tricuspid valve and adjacent intraventricular septum in a male subject (male to female ratio as M/F 1:6). This case is worth reporting because of the rarity regarding the location, male sex, and the involvement of the tricuspid valve.     

Synthesis, evaluation, and molecular docking studies of cycloalkyl/aryl-3,4,5-trimethylgallates as potent non-ulcerogenic and gastroprotective anti-inflammatory agents

In our effort to identify the effective gastric sparing and protective anti-inflammatory agents, a series of cycloalkyl/aryl-3,4,5-trimethylgallates were synthesized and characterized. The physicochemical properties were studied to assess the lipophilicity and chemical stability. Subsequently, the compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity and effect on gastric mucosa by most active compounds. All the compounds exhibited promising anti-inflammatory activity. In particular, 4a, 4b, 4g, and 4h emerged as the most active compounds in the series. The results of gastric mucosal studies and biochemical estimations suggested that these compounds are non-ulcerogenic and gastroprotective. The molecular docking analysis was performed to understand the binding interactions of these compounds to cyclooxygenase isoenzyme (COX-1 and COX-2). The results from this investigation suggests cycloalkyl/aryl-3,4,5-trimethylgallates as potent safer gastrosparing and protective anti-inflammatory agents.     

Disseminated Fusarium oxysporum neurospinal infection

We report a case of disseminated meningospondylodiscitis in an elderly diabetic patient caused by Fusarium oxysporum. As the clinical presentation was nonspecific, the diagnosis of the condition could only be arrived at after laboratory and imaging studies. The diagnosis of the condition requires a high index of suspicion. Patient underwent thorough surgical debridement along with a short course of variconazole and remained asymptomatic after 36 months of diagnosis. Fusarium is a large genus of filamentous fungi widely distributed in soil and in association with plants. It is known to cause local infections (nail, cornea) in healthy humans and disseminated infection only in the immunocompromised.     

Synovial chondromatosis of the elbow in a child

Synovial chondromatosis is cartilaginous metaplasia of mesenchymal remnants of synovial tissue of the joints. Its main characteristic is the formation of cartilaginous nodules in the synovium and inside the articular space (loose bodies). It usually presents between the third and fifth decades and is rare in children. It presents as a mono-articular pathology affecting large joints such as the knee, hip, and elbow. The main symptoms are pain, swelling, and limitation of movements in the affected joint. Diagnosis is made by panoramic radiographs, computed tomography scan, and mainly magnetic resonance imaging and on surgery. The authors describe of synovial chondromatosis presenting in the elbow of an 11 year-old girl which is unreported to the best of our knowledge.     

Aneurysm of the internal carotid artery presenting as a parapharyngeal mass

A case of saccular aneurysm of the internal carotid artery presenting as a parapharyngeal mass is being reported because of its rarity and the paucity of literature on the subject. Welling et al. (1983) evaluated 1118 aneurysms of the peripheral arteries seen over a 30-year period. Forty-one of these arose from the extracranial carotid system, only four of them being saccular aneurysms of the internal carotid artery. None of them presented with a parapharyngeal mass.     

Hypoparathyroidism simulating brain tumor—an unusual presentation

A 13 yr old boy presented with generalised tonic-clonic convulsions and papilledema simulating an intracranial space occupying lesion. CT scan showed bilateral basal ganglia calcification. Biochemical investigations established the diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism. On treatment with oral calcium and vitamin D the patients became seizure free and papilledema regressed. The possibility of hypoparathyroidism should be considered when basal ganglia calcification is seen and CT scan.     

Effect of supplementation on physicochemical,sensory and nutritional characteristics of bread

Supplementation of wheat flour with soy flour (full fat and defatted) at 5, 10, 15 and 20% levels was carried out to test the effect on physico-chemical, sensory, nutritional evaluation and shelf life of breads. Adding 10% of soy flour (full fat and defatted) produced breads with good baking and organoleptic characteristics. However, at 15 and 20% levels they were less acceptable. The better breads were further investigated for various nutritional parameters and shelf life. Full fat and defatted soy flour (10%) supplemented bread exhibited 13.66 and 13.81% protein, and 3.02 and 3.05 g/100 g protein total lysine contents as compared to control (wheat) bread (11.47% protein and 2.36 g/100 g protein total lysine). Other nutrients are also increased in supplemented breads as compared to wheat bread. However, for storage, defatted soy supplemented bread exhibited better shelf life than the full fat version.