Morphological and Histological Features of the Vomeronasal Organ in African Pygmy Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) detects specific chemicals such as pheromones and kairomones. Hedgehogs (Eulipotyphla: Erinaceidae) have a well-developed accessory olfactory bulb that receives projections from the VNO, but little is known about the hedgehog VNO. Here, we studied the histological features of the VNO in five individual African pygmy hedgehogs by hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and Alcian blue stains. The hedgehog VNO comprises a hyaline cartilage capsule, soft tissue and epithelial lumen, and it branches from the site just before the incisive duct opening into the nasal cavity. The soft tissues contain several small mucous (or mucoserous) glands and a large serous gland, and many venous sinuses all around the lumen. The VNO lumen is round to oval throughout the hedgehog VNO, and the sensory epithelium lines almost the entire rostral part and medial wall of the middle part. These findings indicate that the VNO is functional and plays an important role in the hedgehog. Notably, the VNO apparently has a characteristic flushing mechanism with serous secretions like those of gustatory glands, which the hedgehog might frequently use to recognize the external environment.

Rare case of recurrent hair in the floor of the mouth

Introduction: Here we report an unusual case of recurrent hair growth in Wharton's duct in an adult male and there by exploring possible cause of it. Observation: The patient presented with recurrent hair growth in the floor of the mouth. The hair growth occurred at the right submandibular duct opening on all occasions. The patient underwent CT scan of the salivary glands which showed one stone approximately 3mm at the site which was removed under local anesthesia. Commentary: Recurrent hair growth in the floor of the mouth is rare incident. Although multiple etiologies have been described in the literature, we initially thought of the retrograde theory as patient had beard but concluded that it could be due to heterotopia as to be the possible cause of it.

Patulous nasolacrimal duct with air reflux: a complication of submucosal diathermy of the inferior turbinate

BackgroundSubmucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinate is a widely practised procedure to improve the nasal airway when nasal obstruction is due to hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate. This paper reports a case of an unusual nasolacrimal complication following submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinate, and reviews the relevant literature.Case reportA 33-year-old male patient developed a patulous nasolacrimal duct opening following submucosal diathermy of the inferior turbinate. This resulted in spontaneous reflux of air and nasal mucus on to the ocular surface.ConclusionThis newly recognised complication of submucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinate indicates the need to be aware of the potential risk to the nasolacrimal system with this technique.

A Giant Asymptomatic Submandibular Salivary Gland Calculus Reported At Bahria University Dental Hospital.

Sialolithiasis is a common salivary gland disease which has highest predilection rate in submandibular followed by parotid and sublingual glands. It results in mechanical obstruction of the salivary gland duct. The unique anatomy of the submandibular gland duct facilitates the deposition of mineral salts and leads to the formation of stones. We are presenting a unique case of submandibular calculus which was completely asymptomatic. On 2nd day after a mandibular incisor tooth extraction, patient presented with some hard object in her mouth. The stone was removed intraorally through the duct opening under local anaesthesia.