Rhino-orbito-Cerebral mucormycosis during COVID 19 pandemic in western Uttar Pradesh India

Mucormycosis (Black fungus) is a designated as a rare, rapidly progressive fatal disease of immunocompromised caused by saprophytic fungus of family mucorales. Early diagnosis with prompt medical and surgical treatment is the only tool available. Rhino-orbito-cerebral is the most common subtype. In India we saw a sudden rise in mucormycosis cases during second wave of COVID 19. This necessitated a systematic review of epidemic of mucormycosis in COVID 19.A Retrospective multi-centric study was conducted comprising of 51 cases of Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis with present or recent COVID19 in Western Uttar Pradesh positive status presenting to us during 14 April 2021- 31 May 2021.Either Type2 Diabetes Mellitus or history of recent use of steroids in high doses was present in all the patients. Contribution of virulence of the Delta strain B1.617.2 is significant. FESS with sino-nasal debridement contributes significantly towards mortality reduction and cost of total treatment by significantly reducing days of Liposomal Amphotericin B therapy.Early diagnosis with prompt medical and surgical management along with blood sugar control and avoiding use of high dose of steroids remain to key to mortality and morbidity reduction.

Comparison of efficacy and tolerability of oral desloratadine, rupatadine and ketotifen in seasonal allergic rhinitis

Rhinitis is inflammation of nasal mucosa which characteristically presents as running nose, blocked nose, itching on nose or sneezing. Allergic rhinitis is more common than non-allergic rhinitis. Anti-histamines are the mainstay of SAR treatment. Desloratadine, rupatadine and ketotifen are the commonly prescribed anti histamines in our region. In this study, we have compared efficacy and tolerability of desloratadine, rupatadine and ketotifen in SAR. This was a prospective, randomized, three arm, open label comparative study of desloratadine, rupatadine and ketotifen in SAR, conducted at Department of ENT, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore; between January 2014 and December 2014. Patients’ severity of SAR symptoms were assessed by TNSS, QoL was measured using Medical Outcomes Study questionnaire (SF-12). SF-12 was administered at the start of study and then at the end of study. Adverse effects were monitored during clinical examination at each visit. Study subjects were systemically randomized into three groups – desloratadine (DES), rupatadine (RUP) and ketotifen (KET). Based on the assigned group; desloratadine was given orally in dose of 10mg OD, rupatadine orally 10 mg OD and ketotifen orally 1mg BD. All medications were given for 4 weeks. Follow up was done for all patients every week during treatment period of 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was change in mean TNSS from baseline; secondary outcome measures were changes in the individual nasal symptom scores, change in the quality of life and tolerability to the study medications. Total 150 patients were recruited for this study, divided into 3 groups. DES and RUP were equally effective but significantly better than KET in improving rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, TNSS and AEC. (p=0.05). All the drugs were equally effective with no statistically significant intergroup difference in improving sneezing, nasal itching and QoL. RUP appeared to have better tolerability as the total number of adverse events were marginally less. DES and RUP are comparatively more effective and faster acting than KET. All the study medications were well tolerated with few mild, self-limiting, transient adverse events requiring no intervention.

A comparative study on the effectiveness of budesonide nasal irrigation versus normal saline nasal irrigation in post endoscopic sinus surgery patients

: Comparative studies evaluating budesonide and saline nasal irrigations for patients with polyposis/ rhinosinusitis are deficient in the current literature. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of budesonide nasal irrigations compared with saline irrigations during postoperative care of patients with rhinosinusitis.: A total of 100 patients who underwent functional Endoscopic Sinus SurgeryESS) were randomly divided into two groups (A and B) of 50 participants each (normal saline [NS] + budesonide irrigation and NS irrigation alone, respectively). Pre- and post operative evaluation was done with a 22-item sinonasal outcomes test (SNOT-22), and Lund Kennedy endoscopic (LKE scores) in second and sixth week. : The condition of the patients significantly improved in both intervention arms related to SNOT-22 and LKE score at each postoperative visit (Group A: p<0.001, Group B: p<0.001). The reduction of SNOT 22 score was higher in budesonide group by 10% (mean SNOT 22 score from 33.31 to 15.84) compared to normal saline group (mean SNOT 22 score from 37.49 to 22.24). The reduction of LKEscore was higher in budesonide group by 18.69% (mean LKE score from 4.49 to 2.71) compared to normal saline group (mean LKE score from 5.02 to 4). : Steroid nasal irrigation is a good option in postoperative EES patients. The difference of reduction of both SNOT 22 score and LKEscore was statistically significant (p <0.05 and p<0.01 respectively) by repeated contrast test. This study is one of the few comparative studies evaluating budesonide and saline nasal irrigations in post-ESS patients.

Osteological studies of skull base neurovascular area in reference to infratemporal approach to skull basec

Surgical approaches to the lateral skull base often lead to tearing of vessels and piecemeal removal of the tumour. This study is aimed to delineate exact relationship of the various foramina at the lateral skull base. The coronal dimensions of the jugular foramina are larger as compared to sagittal with right sided dominance also noticed in the case of carotid canal. The width of “Keel” separating the carotid and jugular foramina normally varies from 0.4 to1.4 centimetres and may not always suggest the erosion of the foramen of skull base scans, unless the erosion is associated with irregularity or demineralization the thickness of this keel really depends upon relative size of the vessels and location of foramina. Area between stylomastoid foramen, carotid canal and jugular foramen is roughly wedge shaped. The angle subtended by carotid and jugular at the stylomastoid foramen is about 36.84whereas the location of stylomastoid foramen and internal carotid axis pose an angle of 83:16. The angle subtended by stylomastoid and jugular at carotid on an average 59:31. The space between these structures is measured to be 0.642centimetres which can be verified on tomograms. By using these measurements, the precise location of the upper end of the vessels could be predicted, whereas the superior stump could be clamped with minimal exposure of the skull base and identification and location of the last four cranial nerves is found out. This could avoid injuries and subsequent morbidity while carrying out surgery in this region.

Unusual presentation of lung carcinoma as nasal tip metastasis: A review of literature

Lung carcinoma is the most common type of carcinoma seen in males and 4 most common in females. Skin metastasis from lung carcinoma is frequent with an incidence of 1%-12%, with most common site being the anterior chest wall. Skin metastasis from lung carcinoma to the tip of nose is very rare with only 12 cases being reported in literature(Table 1). It can be confused with other benign and malignant conditions, such as infection, lymphoma, hemangioma, rhinophyma, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis and carcinomas, making its diagnosis difficult. Less than 20 cases of cutaneous nasal tip metastasis are reported in literature out of which 12 are from malignancies of lung. Sometimes it can appear earlier than the primary lesion and thus delays the diagnosis of primary lesion. = In this case report, we report a case of nasal tip cutaneous metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of lung.

Paediatric retropharyngeal abscess with potts spine — A rare case

Tubercular retropharyngeal abscess along with potts spine is very rare in children. As there is no specific sign and symptoms of tuberculosis are present and even if present can be masked by features of nretropharyngeal abscess these cases may have delay in diagnosis. Early diagnosis is important to start proper treatment and can prevent the disability and mortality. In this article we report a case where a child presented to our opd with complaint of right sided neck swelling, dysphagia and neck pain with restricted movement. Any symptoms or signs of tuberculosis were not present. Clinical examination and MRI of neck suggested this as a case of retropharyngeal abscess with cervical spine involvement. Intraoral surgical drainage of pus sent for CBNAAT examination and it revealed the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Antitubercular regimen was given for 12 months. During follow up his symptoms gradually improved and after 1 and 2 year follow up child was free from tuberculosis. So in conclusion we can say retropharyngeal abscess in child should be dealt promptly and in case of abcesses refractory to conventional medical treatment, high degree of suspicion of tuberculosis should have present especially in endemic countries in order to reduce morbidities and improve clinical outcome. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the scenario significantly.

Sphenochoanal polyp

Sphenochoanal polyp are rare tumours arising from sphenoid sinus. The main presenting complain is gradually progressing nasal obstruction. Sphenochoanal polyp mimics antrochoanal polyp clinically. To differentiate it from antrochoanal polyp, diagnostic nasal endoscopy, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses are the investigation of choice. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is the line of treatment.: A 33years old female presented with right nasal obstruction since 2 years. On Diagnostic nasal endoscopy polypoidal mass was seen partially obliterating the right nasal cavity not arising from middle meatus. CT scan showed polypoidal mass obliterating the nasal cavity, choana and Sphenoid sinus. It was completely excised by functional endoscopic surgery.We present this rare case to highlight the use of diagnostic nasal endoscopy and Computed Tomography in the diagnosis and treatment of Sphenochoanal polyps

Comparative evaluation of efficacy of muscle relaxant, vasodilator and combined intralesional steroid with hyalaronidase use in oral submucous fibrosis

Oral Sub Mucous Fibrosis (OSMF) is a disease , which predominately occurs in Indians and South East Asians. It is characterised by mucosal rigidity of varying intensity due to fibroelastic changes of the juxta-epithelial layer, resulting in a progressive inability to open mouth. The main concern in the condition is the management of trismus and burning sensation of oral mucosa. this study was conducted to compare various medical treatment protocol of OSMF, so as to arrive at definitive and effective protocol for the management of OSMF. 105 patients of OSMF attending the ENT OPD and satisfying the criteria for inclusion were enrolled for the study. The subjects were randomly divided into age sex matched into three study groups( Dexa with hyaluronidase , Oral vasodilator, Muscle relaxant) in which the relief in symptoms was noted. Lycopene was given in all patients. Group A, patients were given intralesional injection Dexamethasone with Hyaluronidase biweekly for five weeks and marked improvement was seen in cases of pain with spicy food 13 cases (76.47%), followed by decreased in mouth opening 9 cases (56.25%). In Group B, oral vasodilator Tablet Pentoxifylline 400 mg TDS was given and showed improvement in difficulty in protruding tongue in 9 cases (60%), pain with spicy food 8 cases (50%), decreased mouth opening 6 cases (37.5%), oral ulceration 3 cases (42.85%). In Group C with muscle relaxant Tablet Myosone 50 mg BD showed improvement pain with spicy food 8 cases (42.10%), decreased mouth opening 8 cases (42.10), difficulty in swallowing 3 cases (37.5%). As there is still paramount of controversy regarding the ethology of OSMF there is no definite treatment protocol. Patients which received intralesional dexamethasone and hyaluronidase along with oral lycopene showed better clinical and symptomatic improvement in comparison to others groups, which at present appears to the best option for OSMF.

Tricky nasal mass from meek polyp to intricate papilloma: A diagnostic dilemma

Inverted papilloma is a benign epithelial growth arising from the underlying stroma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. The pathogenesis of this lesion uptil date remains unclear. The tumor is known for its local invasiveness, rapid recurrence and link with malignancy. The recurrence rate of this tumor is usually too high that represents residual disease in most of the cases. Hence, it is mandate that the patient keeps a proper follow up on long term concerns. Here is one such patient, whose nasal mass seemed Antrochoanal polyp clinically but ended up as Inverted papilloma histopathologically.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of nasal septum: A review of literature

Adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC) is a common salivary gland tumour which constitutes about 10% of all salivary gland malignancies and 1% of all head & neck malignancies. It is a slow growing tumour with propensity for perineural invasion., It occurs most commonly in minor salivary glands, most commonly in oral cavity. It is the third most common malignancy of paranasal sinuses with most common site being maxillary sinus followed by nasal cavity, nasopharynx and ethmoid sinus. It is most commonly seen in 4 and 5 decade with female predominance. ACC arising from nasal septum is very rare with only 10 cases published in literature. In this paper we present a case of nasal septal adenoid cystic carcinoma with review of the literature.