Preparation and characterisation of fluconazole vaginal films for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis

Objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate vaginal films with essential in vitro studies. Films were developed using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose as a polymer and formulations were coded. The developed films were evaluated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, drug content, viscosity, surface pH, thickness, mechanical characterisation and in vitro drug release study. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed that there is no chemical interaction between drug and stabilisers/excipients. The batch variation was not more than 5% for average thickness and weight of the films. The drug content for the prepared formulation was in the range of 72.32±0.18% to 94.48±0.54%. Viscosity of the formulations increased with the increase in concentration of polymer. Mechanical characterisation revealed that tensile strength and percentage elongation of the films improved as there is increase in degree of substitution of the polymer, but the values of modulus decreased which confirmed that all the prepared films are soft in nature. The in vitro study indicated that 1 and 2% concentrations of polymer are the least concentrations to control the release of drug whereas the 4% concentration of polymer is a good and more effective concentration to control the release. Only one prepared formulation released the drug by following anomalous transport whereas other film formulations released the fluconazole by following Fickian diffusion mechanism. Prepared vaginal films may be an important alternative for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis, because these prepared films suggest the benefits of controlled release of fluconazole at the site of absorption.

Hepatic neoplasms in childhood - a clinicopathologic study

Primary hepatic tumours are rare in childhood. We observed nine cases between 1976 and 1995, of which eight were hepatoblastomas and one a mesenchymal hamartoma. A male-to-female ratio of 2:1 was noted; 78% of the cases occurred in children below 2 years of age. Five hepatoblastomas were of the pure epithelial type; mesenchymal components encountered in the mixed type were cartilage, bone, and spindle sarcomatous cells.

A case of congenital colonic stenosis presenting as rectal prolapse

A case of colonic stenosis at the rectosigmoid junction in a 4-month-old girl presented as prolapsed rectum and was diagnosed with the help of a plain x-ray and a barium enema. The clinical presentation and surgical management are detailed.

Membranous type of esophageal atresia at the cardiac end of the esophagus: a case report

An 8-day-old female neonate was referred to pediatric surgical services for regurgitation of feeds since birth. Plain x-ray of the chest and abdomen with Ryle's tube in situ and contrast study confirmed the diagnosis of esophageal atresia at the cardiac end of the esophagus. The membrane at the cardiac end of the esophagus was excised employing a thoracoabdominal approach. This is the first case report of membranous type of esophageal atresia at the cardiac end of the esophagus to be reported in the English literature.

Adult rhabdomyoma of the esophagus

Rhabdomyoma is a rare benign tumor of striated muscle origin. Two distinct histologic groups, adult and fetal type, are recognized. So far only 66 cases of extracardiac rhabdomyomas (37 fetal and 29 adult) have been documented in the literature reviewed. The present report details a case of adult rhabdomyoma of the esophagus in an 8-year-old boy.