Regional differences,socio-demographics,and hidden population of HIV/AIDS in India

This study examines the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in different regions of India, their socio-demographic indicators, and the presence of hidden population infected with HIV. Secondary data analyzed were obtained from national and international agencies. Considering the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in India, the low-prevalence regions in the last decade have shown a steady increase in recent years. Productive age, urbanization, male gender, lower level of education, minority religions, low income, and mobile occupations are associated with HIV pandemic. The hidden population vulnerable to HIV/AIDS are: street children, homeless population, and refugees. These observations can help map the high-risk behavior groups and formulate targeted strategies to curb the HIV menace.     

Prophylactic budesonide nasal spray after polypectomy

This double blind study compared the effect of budesonide nasal spray with placebo, in the prophylaxis of nasal polyp recurrence after avulsion. 38 cases were given budesonide nasal spray and 25 placebo for 3 months after polypectomy. Follow up of 9 months revealed budesonide treated patients to have significantly lower recurrence rate as compared to the placebo. Interestingly patients with recurrent nasal polyposis benefitted much more from topical budesonide treatment as compared to ones with no previous history of polypectomy.     

Cronkhite–Canada syndrome: a report of two familial cases

Cronkhite–Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare syndrome first described in 1955. Since then, over 400 cases worldwide have been reported in the literature. The disease is characterized by diffuse gastrointestinal polyposis, dystrophic changes of the fingernails, alopecia, cutaneous hyperpigmentation, diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal pain. An autoimmune etiology is suspected. The workup is based on history and physical examination, imaging, and endoscopy with biopsy to confirm gastrointestinal polyposis. Nutritional support and corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. Here, we describe two familial cases—one a 50-year-old male patient with chronic diarrhea and epigastric pain since 1.5 years with hyperpigmentation of the hand and foot, alopecia, anorexia, hypogeusia, and weight loss; other case was his 22-year-old son who was asymptomatic, with mild alopecia and hyperpigmentation over his face and hands. Gastrointestinal endoscopy showed multiple polyps in both the cases.     

Cerebriform nevus sebaceus: a rare entity

We present a case of cerebriform nevus sebaceus in an 18-year-old boy. This form of nevus sebaceus is quite rare, in contrast to the relatively common linear variant.     

Earthquake precursory studies in Kangra valley of North West Himalayas, India, with special emphasis on radon emission

The continuous soil gas radon monitoring is carried out at Palampur and the daily monitoring of radon concentration in water is carried out at Dharamshala region of Kangra valley of North West Himalayas, India, a seismic zone V, to study the correlation of radon anomalies in relation to seismic activities. In this study, radon monitoring in soil was carried out by using barasol probe manufactured by Algade France, whereas the radon content in water was recorded using RAD 7 radon monitoring system of Durridge Company USA. The effect of meteorological parameters viz. temperature, pressure, wind velocity, rainfall, and humidity on radon emission has been studied. The seasonal average value and standard deviation of radon in soil and water is calculated to find the radon anomaly to minimize the effect of meteorological parameters on radon emission. The radon anomalies observed in the region have been correlated with the seismic events of M≥2 reported by Wadia Institute of Himalayas Geology Dehradoon and Indian Meteorological Department, New Delhi in NW Himalayas within 250 km distance from the monitoring stations.     

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis: an attempt to resolve the diagnostic dilemma

OBJECTIVE: To resolve the diagnostic dilemma of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS), an increasingly recognized type of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). In spite of extensive studies, controversy exists regarding the etiologic characteristics, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of this entity. DESIGN: Prospective, comparative study. SETTING: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. PATIENTS: Seventy consecutive patients with CRS, with or without polyps. METHODS: Patients were evaluated by detailed clinical examination, computed tomography (CT), skin test against aspergillin antigen (47 patients), and histopathologic and mycologic monitoring. Based on the presence or absence of allergic mucin (M) and mycelial element (F) in the sinus, the patients were divided into 4 groups: M+F+ (likely AFRS group), M+F- (likely eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis), M-F+ (likely sinus mycetoma), and M-F- (CRS from other causes). The different parameters were compared in these 4 groups. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were categorized in the likely AFRS group, 12 with eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis, 4 with sinus mycetoma, and 18 with CRS from other causes. Despite considerable overlap among different groups, the following parameters were significantly more associated with AFRS group: type 1 hypersensitivity (P<.05), Charcot-Leyden crystals (P<.001), bony erosion (P<.001), and heterogeneous opacity with sinus expansion on CT scan (P<.05). The above results were further validated in those patients for whom all investigations were conducted (n = 47). The significance of these 4 parameters with regard to AFRS was reconfirmed in those 47 patients. CONCLUSIONS: To diagnose AFRS, important findings should be considered in addition to the detection of fungal elements and allergic mucin: Charcot-Leyden crystals, type 1 hypersensitivity, bony erosion, and heterogeneous opacity with sinus expansion on CT. The last 3 of these parameters may predict AFRS preoperatively.