Thermal reduction to control the spacing in graphene oxide membranes: effect on ion diffusion and electrical conduction

Inter-layer spacing in reduced graphene-oxide membranes which modulates their ion-diffusion electrical and electrochemical characteristics is controlled by temperature of thermal reduction.

Ossifying fibroma of nose in a two year old child

We report a cast of ossifying fibroma of the nose, arising from the bony septum and extending into the nasophaynx in a 2 yrs. old child presenting with features of obstructed nose.

Rhabdomyosarcoma in middle ear of an adult: a rare presentation

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear is a rare tumor, even rarer in adults and has a very poor prognosis. We report here an unusual case of rhabdomyosarcoma in middle ear of an adult, mimicking chronic suppurative otitis media and facial nerve palsy.

Multiple cavernous haemangiomas of the the orbit and conjunctiva: A rare association

Cavernous haemangioma(CH) is mostly intraconal, single and unilateral in location. A 32 year old female presented with painless progressive growth near the inner canthus of right eye along with swelling of right upper eyelid and superomedial quadrant of the right orbit for five years. MRI showed lesions involving the preseptal space and extraconal compartment of the orbit at the superomedial aspect continous with the conjunctival swelling. Excision biopsy of the growths via anterior orbitotomy (vertical eyelid split technique) was done. Histopathological findings confirmed orbital cavernous haemangioma along with conjunctival CH.

We report a rare case of multiple cavernous haemangiomas arising from the conjunctiva as well as the superomedial orbit. Complete removal of the tumour is possible even in such difficult cases as the CH is totally encapsulated and meticulous surgical dissection can give good cosmetic result to the patient.

Internal hernia through the descending mesocolon following left radical nephrectomy--a rare complication: case report and review of the literature

The causes for internal hernias can be broadly classified as congenital or acquired, the latter being caused by post surgical or traumatic defects. An internal hernia following nephrectomy is a relatively rare occurrence. A nephrectomy via the transperitoneal approach has complications which are common to any abdominal surgery, as well as some which are specific to it. However, an internal hernia through the descending mesocolon is rare, and, to the best of our knowledge, very few cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of internal hernia through the descending mesocolon following left radical nephrectomy, review the available literature on this observation and discuss its pathogenesis and prevention.

Warthin's tumour with coexistent tuberculosis

A 81-year-old man presented with a 2-month history of swelling of the right angle of the jaw. On histopathological examination a diagnosis of Warthin's tumour with coexistent tuberculosis of the parotid gland was made. PCR for tuberculosis was positive. Tuberculosis of the parotid gland is very rare and coexistence with Warthin's tumour is extremely rare. This case is being reported for its rarity.

Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical and Anti-microbial studies of Solanum indicum leaves

The leaves of Solanum indicum showed the presence of stellate trichome. Ethanolic extract of leaves Solanum indicum showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli where as chloroform extract, acetone extract and ethanol showed anti bacterial against pseudomonas. The aqueous extract did not show any anti microbial activity towards the tested organism. None of the extract showed anti fungal activity.

Extraskeletal osteogenic sarcoma: a rare entity

A 25-year-old female presented with a rapidly increasing painful swelling around right lower thigh and knee for the last 5 months with distant metastasis in the form of lung involvement. X-ray of the part showed only soft tissue swelling without any bony involvement. A diagnosis of extraskeletal osteosarcoma was made which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

Myopericytoma of neck region - A case report

A 42-year-old male presented with a history of an enlarging painless swelling on the right side of neck for 15 days. It recurred within three months of partial excision. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for Smooth Muscle Actin [SMA]. This newly described entity is being reported for its unusual histological features and its differential diagnosis with other spindle cell and vascular lesions of soft tissues.

Immunopathology of skin lesions

A study was conducted on 130 patients suffering from skin lesions which included psoriasis, lichen planus, DLE, pemphigus, vitiligo and alopecia areata. Forty age-and-sex-matched healthy individuals served as control. Serum IgG, IgM, and circulating immune complexes (CIC) were estimated. Significant increase in serum IgG (1937.2 +/- 1030.43 mg%) and IgM (232.12 +/- 136.98 mg%) was observed in all the skin lesions when compared with controls except in lichen planus where they were significantly lowered, values being 580.61+/- 77.35 mg% and 66.88 +/- 6.59 mg% respectively. CIC levels were significantly raised (P< 0.00 1) in various skin lesions (40.49+/-23.29) when compared with controls (17.68+/- 3.21), but no significance was observed in lichen planus( 17.72 +/- 4.28). Serum IgG, IgM and CIC were statistically significantly altered depending on the extent of the lesion and lowered significantly to almost normal values following treatment, thereby confirming the role of immunity in the pathogenesis of these skin disorders.

Recurrent infantile digital fibromatosis--a rare entity

We present here a rare case of Infantile Digital Fibromatosis in a six year old female child who presented with recurrent swelling over the phalanx of left middle finger.

Metastatic adenocarcinoma rib presenting as chondrosarcoma

A case of chondrosarcoma rib which turned out to be a case of metastatic adenocarcinoma on histopathological examination is being presented.

Childhood lichen planus: a report of fifty cases

Lichen planus is an uncommonly encountered dermatosis in children. In the present study of 50 children the limbs were the most common site of involvement (70.0%). A majority of the children (60.0%) presented with the classic form of the disease. Hypertrophic lesions were present in 26.0% of children while linear lesions were seen in 8.0%. There was no scalp, nail, or hair involvement in any child. The Koebner phenomenon was observed in 28.0%, and mucosal involvement, which is very uncommon in children affected by lichen planus, was seen in 30.0%. In this subset of children, hypertrophic lesions were seen in 53.4% while widespread disease was present in only 6.7%. The response to treatment and the course of the disease were similar to that seen in adults.

Unilateral multiple linear lichen planus along the lines of blaschko : A report of two cases

Two cases, a 54-yearl-old woman and a 48-year-old man developed papular lesions confined to the left side of their body. The lesions on the trunk were arranged in S-shaped manner. This arrangement was along Blaschko's lines and could be misinterpreted as that of zosteriform lichen planus.

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (alhe) versus kimura's disease : Changing concepts

The clinico-pathological differences between Kimura's angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia are presented to emphasize that they are two separate disease entities which until now were considered as the same disease.

Teratoma of the liver--a case report

A case of primary teratoma of the liver in a 10 months old male child is being reported for its rarity. It is the first case report in Indian literature.

Soft tissue tumours of eyelid

Soft tissue tumours of eyelid constituted 28.9% of all eyelid tumours. Morphologically they were either vascular 32 cases (49.23%), neural 24 cases (36.92%), fibrous 6 cases (9.23%) or adipose tissue tumours 3 cases (4.62%). The age ranged from 1-30 years, haemangiomas and neurofibromas were present since birth. Upper eyelid was involved in 81.54% cases. Neurofibroma was associated with generalized lesions in 13.6% cases.

Benign osteoblastoma mimicking malignancy of the spine

A case of osteoblastoma of the spine in a sixty year old female is presented. These lesions usually get misdiagnosed as tuberculosis or malignancy of the spine. Salient diagnostic features have been discussed.

Hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women and its transmission to infants

HBsAg was screened by Reverse Passive Haemagglutination Test (RPHA) and was confirmed by ELISA test in 157 pregnant females and their newborns. Anti-HBc and IgM anti-HBc was done in these cases by enzyme immuno-assay. The overall prevalence of HBsAg in mothers was 16 out of 157 (10 per cent) and in cord blood of newborns 5 per cent. The transplacental transmission was found in eight of 16 (50 per cent) HBsAg positive mothers. Anti-HBc was present in 12 out of 16 (75 per cent) HBsAg positive mothers and, of these, seven (58 per cent) neonates acquired HBsAg infection. IgM anti-HBc was present in seven out of eight (88 per cent) HBsAg positive neonates, suggesting active in utero infection. Fourteen out of 16 (88 per cent) neonates born to HBsAg positive mothers were alive and healthy, one was stillborn and one had a congenital anomaly.

Tumours of eyelid: a clinicopathologic study

A retrospective study of 207 cases of eyelid tumours and tumour like lesions, diagnosed histopathologically, was carried out for the period 1957 to 1991. There was a slight preponderance of males as the male/female ratio was 1.3:1. The age of the cases ranged from one to 80 years. Benign tumours were usually seen in the first two decades whereas the malignant tumours were common in the age group of 40 to 60 years. Malignancy was noticed in 85 cases (41.1%). Of these cases of malignant tumours, basal cell carcinoma was the commonest (38.8%) followed by sebaceous carcinoma (27.1%), squamous cell carcinoma (22.4%), basisquamous cell carcinoma (8.2%) and melanoma (3.5%). The ratio of basal cell carcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma was 1.74: 1. Of the 122 benign lesions common ones were vascular tumours (21.3%), neural tumours (18.0%), dermoid cysts (16.4%), squamous cell papilloma (13.1%) and naevi (12.3%).

Pleomorphic adenoma of skin (chondroid syringoma) involving the eyelid

Lid tumours are fairly common. However, pleomorphic adenoma (chondroid syringoma) is quite rare. In a series of 207 eyelid tumours and tumour like lesions, pleomorphic adenoma was observed in a male aged 41 years; its incidence being 0.48%.

Histological changes in reptilean spinal cord transection: correlation with functional recovery

The study of spinal cord regeneration in the phylogenetic scale is likely to help us in the understanding of the problem in the human situation. After spinal transection in lizards, histological changes in the spinal cord were studied and correlated with functional recovery. Some changes in spinal cord, suggestive of regeneration between the two stumps were observed. The recovery of function did not appear to be dependent on synaptic continuity.

Malakoplakia of bone presenting as a pathological fracture

A male aged 54 years presented with a pathological fracture of the right femur at the subtrochanteric level. The fracture site showed a lytic lesion with expansion of the bone, considered to be a metastasis. On histology, however, the area turned out to be malakoplakia of bone. The patient responded well to antibiotics and sulphonamides along with skeletal traction. This appears to be the fourth reported case of malakoplakia of bone.

Surface epithelial tumours of the ovary

Surface epithelial tumours (SET) constituted 65.7% of all the ovarian tumours. Benign tumours were 182 (71.9%), of low malignant potential (LMP) 11 (4.4%) and frank malignant 60 (23.7%). Maximum number of cases, 102 (40.3%) belonged to 3rd decade. Mean age for serous cystoma was 31.5% years as compared to 30.8 years for mucinous cystoma. The commonest presenting feature was the abdominal lump observed in 182 cases (71.9%) and pain in abdomen in 120 (47.4%). Serous cystomas were t he most frequent tumours and comprised of 32.21% of all the ovarian tumours or 46.01% of all the SET or 65.56% of all the cystic SET. Seventeen (11.7%) of serous tumours were bilateral. Mucinous cystomas constituted 14.55% of all the ovarian tumours or 30.8% of all the SET. These tumours were bulky (78.6%; 15 cm diameter) and multilocular (83.9%). Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma was the commonest malignant epithelial tum our (36.6%). Endometroid carcinoma comprised 3.65% of all the SET or 8.4% of all the ovarian malignancy. Squamous metaplasia was seen in one case whereas 2 cases were of mesodermal mixed tumour with heterologous element as rhabdomyosarcoma. Clear cell carcinoma, Brenner tumour and unclassified group constituted 0.79%, 1.18% and 1.58% of all SET respectively.

A histomorphologic and ultrastructural study of the malignant tumours of the renal pelvis

The study was carried at two different centres. Only 9 cases of primary malignant tumours of the renal pelvis could be collected during the period of 7 years (1984-1990). Renal pelvis malignancies constituted 0.21% of all the malignancies and 12.16% of all the malignant growths of the kidney (9 out of 74 cases). The age of these patients ranged from 24 to 70 years; the mean being 41.7 years. Male/female ratio was 8:1. Common triad of complaints (pain, haematuria and lump) was noticed in 22.2% of patients. Individually they were noticed in 77.8%, 66.7% and 44.4% of patients respectively. Transitional cell carcinoma was the commonest, seen in 7 patients (77.8%) whereas squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were noticed in one patient (11.1%) each. Hydronephrosis, chronic pyelonephritis and nephrolithiasis were noticed in 66.7%, 44.4% and 22.2% of patients respectively. Ultrastructural study of urothelial tumours revealed tumour cells in various stages of differentiation with loss of intercellular junctions and dense collection of rough endopasmic reticulum fibrils around the nucleus.

Double malignancy in a benign cystic teratoma of the ovary (a case report)

A case of malignant change in a benign cystic tertoma of the ovary has been reported where there was double malignancy. Leiomyosarcoma was associated with squamous cell carcinoma (In situ). The patient remained well for one year after ovariotomy.

Primary malignant lymphoma of the gastro-intestinal tract: a clinicopathological study of 24 cases

Twenty-four cases of primary lymphoma of the gastro-intestinal tract were diagnosed during the period 1970 to 1991. There was a preponderance of males and the male to female ratio being 1.4:1. Age ranged from 9-70 years, mean 32.2 years. Small intestine was involved in 50% cases, large bowel in 9 cases (37.5%) and stomach in 3 cases (12.5%). There were 5 cases (20.8%) of Hodgkin's disease and 19 cases (79.2%) were of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. All cases of gastric lymphoma complained of epigastric pain, weight loss and vomiting. In lymphoma of small intestine, 8 patients complained of pain associated with vomiting and 6 patients complained of distension of abdomen. In large bowel lymphoma, pain in right iliac fossa was complained by 4 patients and bleeding per rectum by 3 patients. Out of all the 24 cases, changes in bowel habit were noted in 15 patients and occult blood was positive in 13 cases. Palpable abdominal mass was noted in 14 patients. Histomorphologically, all the 3 cases in the stomach were of lymphocytic lymphoma diffuse type. Out of 19 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 15 were of lymphocytic lymphoma and 4 were of histiocytic lymphoma.

Effect of pregnancy associated hypertension on immunoglobulin levels in newborns

In a prospective study of 124 neonates born to mothers with normal pregnancy and pregnancy associated hypertension (PAH), serum IgG, IgA and IgM were estimated by single radial immunodiffusion technique. Significantly low levels of IgG were found in mothers having PAH, as compared to normal pregnancy (p less than 0.001), whereas IgA and IgM showed no difference in the two groups. There was no statistical difference in maternal and cord blood IgG in either the control or study group. IgG was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in cord blood of babies born by vaginal route as compared to forceps (via vaginal route) or cesarean section. IgA and IgM levels did not vary with mode of delivery.

Heterotopic bone formation in renal cell carcinoma (a case report)

A case of renal cell carcinoma with heterotopic bone formation occurring in a female aged 55 years has been reported. There was no haematuria and the morphological picture showed only ossified stroma and no sarcomatoid appearance.

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma--a case report

A Case of extraosseous mesenchymal chondrosarcoma occurring in the occipital region in a 26 year old male is being reported. The patient remained free from recurrence on any metastasis even after 2 years of the tumor resection.

Chronic granulomatous cholecystitis: a clinicopathological study of 17 cases

In a clinicopathological study of 376 cases of gall bladder diseases, chronic granulomatous cholecystitis was diagnosed in 17 specimens (4.52%). All these cases presented with pain in the right hypochondrium and a non-functioning gall bladder. Besides cholegranulomas and xanthogranulomas, 5 cases presented with localised yellowish brown areas in the wall of the gall bladder which revealed on histology proliferation of histiocytes containing abundant granular brown pigment (as seen in ceroid granulomas), intermingled with lymphocytes, plasma cells and occasional foreign body giant cells. The average age of the patients was 41.3 years. Cholelithiasis was present in 12 cases (70.6%). In one case the gall bladder was bilocular, having granulomatous lesion on one side of the septum and papillary adenocarcinoma on the other side.