7 research outputs found
An unusual presentation of the external auditory canal mass
No full textAbstract Background External auditory canal (EAC) masses can arise secondary to a multitude of ear pathologies like congenital, inflammatory, infective, or malignancy. The most common causes of external auditory canal masses are due to otitis media—squamous and mucosal types, tubercular otitis media, malignant otitis externa, and benign tumors like osteomas, exostosis, pleomorphic adenoma, tumors from the ceruminous and sebaceous glands; and malignant tumors like squamous cell carcinoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. The management of an external auditory canal mass will vary in each case, depending upon the underlying pathology and the extent of the involvement of the surrounding structures. Case presentation In our case report, we report a neglected foreign body in the external auditory canal that presented as an EAC mass and its management. Conclusion Hence, we suggest that we need to consider an underlying neglected foreign body as a cause, whenever masses of EAC do not respond to appropriate medical treatment with antibiotics
A pigmented lesion of the auricle and its significance: a case report
No full textAbstract Background A pigmented lesion that progressively increases in size anywhere in the body is a matter of concern, and when it presents in the ear, it has various differential diagnosis, one among them being a benign nevus. In this case report, we present a rare and interesting case of a pigmented lesion in the aural concha and review the literature of the same. Case presentation A 40-year-old male presented with pigmented right aural conchal growth with easy bruising of 1-year duration. Initial evaluation reported as a possible hemangioma, and excision biopsy revealed a compound nevus. Conclusion Despite its rarity, we should consider compound nevus as a differential diagnosis of pigmented external ear lesions. Histopathological examination is considered confirmatory; hence, excision biopsy is the treatment of choice
Asymmetrical tonsil: A case report
No full textAsymmetrical tonsil is a common presentation accounting for about one-third of cases of tonsillar enlargement (32%). The causes of an asymmetrical tonsil can be chronic infection, tonsilolith, lymphoepithelial cyst, benign neoplasm, and malignancy. However, an asymmetrical tonsil due to an intra-tonsillar epidermal cyst is very rare, and its incidence is <0.01%. A 20-year-old female patient came to our outpatient department with nonspecific throat complaints. On clinical examination, there was an asymmetrical tonsil of the left tonsil with irregular surface. The patient underwent bilateral tonsillectomy and the histopathological examination of the left tonsil revealed a single cyst filled with lamellated keratin having stratified squamous epithelial lining suggestive of an intratonsillar epidermal inclusion cyst. Along with the many clinical differential diagnoses for an asymmetrical tonsillar mass, we must consider this benign rare entity of an intra tonsillar epidermal inclusion cyst along with the rest
Cholesterol Granuloma of Maxillary Sinus – An Unusual Case
No full textIntroduction
Cholesterol granuloma is a type of foreign body granuloma found in tissues wherein the cholesterol crystals get accumulated. Quite unusual to be present in maxillary sinus owing to its pathogenesis.
Case Report
A 12 year old male child diagnosed with antrochoanal polyp, underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and the microscopic analyses revealed maxillary sinus cholesterol granuloma.
Discussion
Cholesterol granuloma is an uncommon tissue reaction to cholesterol crystals in the maxillary sinus owing to its well-ventilated state and is frequently associated with chronic sinuses disease or trauma. Since its signs and symptoms are non–specific, histopathological analysis is essential for correct diagnosis
Cornu cutaneum of Pinna
No full textIntroduction
Cornu cutaneum is a nodule of dense keratin, resembling the horn of animals, an uncommon clinical condition predominantly seen in elderly men, and even rare to be seen on the pinna.
Case Report
A 70 year old man, presented with a horn like swelling on the left pinna for 2 years. The lesion was excised and histopathological examination did not show any underlying or associated conditions.
Discussion
The cause of worry here is not the disfigurement, but the probability of underlying premalignant or malignant condition. Exposure to sunlight is considered as the etiology. Ours being a tropical country where exposure to sunlight could not be avoided, a high clinical vigil and early intervention is recommended to reduce the mortality and morbidity from the spectrum of diseases resembling this condition
Clinical profile of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis patients and the clinical suspects: a descriptive audit
No full textAbstract Background India witnessed a massive surge of rhino orbital cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) cases during the second wave of COVID-19, recording the highest number of cases in the world, indeed, an epidemic within the pandemic. Objectives To describe the clinical profile of patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) and the clinical suspects for mucormycosis. Methods This single-center descriptive, observational study/audit was done at Indira Gandhi Medical College, Pondicherry, South India. This study is about the clinical profile of 7 CAM patients and 14 COVID-19 patients who were suspects of CAM, based on their risk factors and clinical symptoms, and were referred to the ENT department. Statistical analysis All the descriptive variables were summarized as mean, frequency, and percentages for qualitative data. Results All 7 CAM patients were COVID-19 positive and were not vaccinated against COVID-19, All 7 were known diabetic, all 7 had steroid therapy for their COVID status, and 5 out of 7 (71%) had uncontrolled diabetes mellitus at the time of diagnosis. Facial pain, nasal discharge, and eye swelling were the presenting symptoms of CAM. Maxillary and ethmoid sinuses were the most commonly involved para nasal sinuses. Four out of seven (57.1%) CAM patients survived after 16 months of follow-up, after surgical and medical treatment for CAM. Of the 14 clinical suspects who were negative for CAM, 2 were negative for COVID-19, their risk factors were brought under control, 3 expired due to COVID complications, and 9 patients are alive till date. Conclusion Uncontrolled diabetes is a risk factor for ROCM/CAM, another possible risk factor is steroid therapy, and we hypothesize that COVID infection could also be a possible risk factor that needs to be studied more extensively in a larger sample. Early clinical suspicion, withdrawal of steroids, rapid control of diabetes mellitus, appropriate investigations, and early surgical intervention combined with medical treatment offers better outcome
Population dynamics and habitat use of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), Bunbury, Western Australia
No full textCoastal dolphins are increasingly exposed to a variety of human activities through the proliferation of coastal development. Threats to dolphins in near-shore environments include the loss of suitable habitat, increasing vessel traffic and tourism, entanglement in fishing gear or other marine debris, noise pollution, environmental contaminants and disease. Baseline data and long-term monitoring are needed to inform effective management initiatives to conserve dolphin populations. This study focused on the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) population that inhabits the waters around the rapidly developing city of Bunbury, Western Australia. This study investigated the spatial and temporal variability in population abundance, social dynamics, calving seasonality, home range size and habitat use of dolphins in Bunbury waters over a three-year study period. From 2007-2010, year-round boat-based, photo-identification surveys followed pre-determined transect lines within a 120 km2 study area (212 transect lines total; N=578 dolphin group encounters) to achieve intensive and consistent sampling effort. Abundance and demographic parameters were estimated using the capture-recapture Robust Design model. The model with Markovian temporary emigration was favoured over other varying parameters (survival, capture probability and emigration time). Abundance estimates varied from 65 individuals (± SE 8.53; 95% CI: 54- 90) in winter 2007 to 139 individuals (±SE 3.41; 95% CI: 134-148) in autumn 2009. The apparent adult survival estimate was 0.985 (±SE 0.006; 95% CI: 0.964- 0.994). Calving peaked in late February to early March. Associations between adult females showed an annual seasonal cyclic pattern that peaked during the breeding and calving season. Home range estimates were important in identifying critical habitat areas. Home range areas for individual dolphins were estimated using the Minimum Convex Polygon method and adult females occupied statistically different sized areas (ANOVA: P ≤0.0001). Females in sheltered inner waters (Leschenault Estuary and Koombana Bay) had smaller home ranges (7.4-24.6km2; N=9) than those in exposed coastal areas (home ranges: 32.1-125.2km2; N=9). Seasonal differences in ranging patterns were analysed using the kernel density hotspot method. During the summer and autumn calving season, there was a hotspot for adult females on the lee-side of an artificial groyne, adjacent to the Estuary and Bay. Habitat use was explored further through maximum entropy modelling. Reef habitat had the strongest influence over dolphin presence whilst distance from coast was a weak predictor. Managers can now focus on protecting this critical habitat. This project has demonstrated the benefits of intensive multi-year research on a population by detecting the seasonal differences in abundance, behaviour and habitat use – information critical to managing human impacts on this species. Future research should combine our spatial understanding of this dolphin population and human use of the area to conduct a risk assessment and rank the threats to these dolphins
