Carcinoma of external auditory canal

Tumors of external auditory canal are rare and malignant neoplasms of external auditory canal are uncommon. We report two cases of carcinoma of external auditory canal. Primary carcinomas of the external auditory canal are rare, the incidence being approximately two cases per one million per year. Incidence in females is more than males (1). The cases are usually diagnosed late because of the absence of significant presenting complaints.     

A rare case of ocular onchocerciasis in India

Onchocerca volvulus is a spirurid nematode that mainly affects the rural poor of Sub-Saharan Africa, Yemen and parts of Central and South Africa. River blindness, caused by Onchocerca volvulus, is considered to be the second commonest infectious cause of blindness worldwide. We report a rare case of ocular onchocerciasis where a live adult worm was extracted from the eye of a patient from a nonendemic region. The worm was identified as Onchocerca volvulus based on morphological features. The patient was treated with Ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg). At six months follow-up she had complete remission of symptoms.     

Spectroscopic investigation of the seeds of chilli (Capsicum annum L.)

In addition to their use as food and spice, chillies have been popular in both Ayurvedic and homoeopathic treatments since ancient times. Elemental analyses on their seeds with the help of X-ray fluorescence spectra reveal the presence of hitherto undetected magnesium, along with sulphur and chlorine. Fourier transform infrared and Fourier transform Raman spectra of the seeds reveal the presence of specific functional groups, attributed to the different bands present in the spectra. Ascorbic acid, reported to be the vitamin present in maximum amount in chilli peppers, is conspicuous by its absence in the seeds.     

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Assam

A case of cutaneous leishmaniasis is being reported from Assam, a North Eastern state of India. Clinical feature and direct smear examination of the case confirmed the diagnosis. Dramatic resolution of the lesions with sodium antimony gluconate during 10 days of therapy was achieved.     

Salivary gland tumours: profile and management at a tertiary cancer centre

Salivary gland tumours comprise a varied group of benign and malignant neoplastic lesions posing a challenge to surgeon. To review the profile of salivary gland tumours presenting to a referral cancer centre and their overall management, a retrospective analysis of prospective head and neck cancer database of the surgical oncology department of Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) was performed. Forty patients of salivary gland tumours treated between 1995 and 2003 were analysed. All computations including recurrences and survival were carried out using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) for windows software (SPSS Inc, USA). The profile of salivary gland tumours presenting to a cancer centre setting was found to be different - 77.5% being malignant tumours and the remaining 22.5% werebenign tumours. Most common site of involvement was the parotid gland (72.5%). Muco-epidermoid carcinoma and adenocarcinomas were the most common histological types. Conservative resection was adequate for benign tumours. For primary malignant tumours, radical surgery with or without neck dissection and appropriate reconstruction, combined with postoperative radiotherapy was effective in achieving good locoregional control. Optimal management of primary tumour along with appropriate neck dissection including resection of the involved salivary gland is necessary for the management of metastatic salivary gland tumours.     

The Fixion nailing system for stabilising diaphyseal fractures of the humerus: a two-year clinical experience

Previous studies have shown that the expandable nail system (Fixion) can provide rapid stabilisation of long bone fractures with reduced operative time and low complication rates. Patients with humeral shaft fracture were treated consecutively over a two-year period in our institution with the Fixion nail. Nineteen Fixion nailings were performed in 16 patients over a 2 year period. All fractures were diaphyseal and closed. Eight primary fracture stabilisations were performed and we recorded 2 nonunions in this group, both associated with rotational instability at the fracture site. Six nailings were performed in 4 patients for fracture non-union with a mean operative time of 127.5 minutes. One case did not unite despite 3 separate Fixion nailing procedures. Five operations were performed for a pathological fracture, with a mean operative time of 79 minutes; they all united. We did not experience advantages of this nail as mentioned in previous studies and the complication rate was higher than previously stated.