Thyroid cancers are quite rare, accounting for only 1.5% of all cancers in adults and 3% of all cancers in children. Differentiated thyroid cancer comprises 95% of all thyroid cancers. Of all thyroid cancers 74-80% of cases are papillary cancers. Incidences of follicular carcinoma are higher in regions where incidence of endemic goiter is high. Surgery is the definitive management of thyroid cancer. There is agreement that patients with large, locally aggressive or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer require total thyroidectomy but there is continuing disagreement on the most appropriate operation for 'low risk' differentiated thyroid cancer. Adjuvant treatments are thyroid hormone suppression and radioiodine therapy rather than chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Prognosis is generally excellent and is influenced by factors related to the patient, the disease and the therapy. This article reviews the basis of surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer and assesses the evidences supporting the surgical options. Key words: Papillary Carcinoma; Follicular Carcinoma; Hemithyroidectomy; Total Thyroidectomy DOI: 10.3329/bjo.v16i2.6848Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2010; 16(2): 126-130

Dependency on forest resources poses a threat to the environment in Patharghata, Bangladesh. Therefore, this study explores the role of forest resource in the life and livelihood of coastal people as well as to understand the effectiveness of forest and status of forest dependency in and around south-central coast in Patharghata, Bangladesh. We collected data randomly from 105 household heads through both open and close-ended questionnaire. To investigate the forest dependency and people's perception regarding alternative solutions, Microsoft excel software program has been applied. The findings reveal that usage of fuelwood in cooking, housing structure, fish catching, honey & fodder collection significantly contributes to household dependency on forest resources, while other variables seem to be insignificant. Our study amplifies that the share of forest income to the total household income was only 19% while other earning sources provided 81% income. The result shows that respondent people collect forest resources primarily for cooking purpose with a share of 71% where 9% forest resources are collected as fodder followed by 8% forest resource collection as food and sheltering purposes. Moreover, the study found that using alternative cooking system, artificial instruments, declaring the forest as tourist spot, changes in housing structure, occupation are some effective options to reduce forest dependency. The study concludes that these alternative options need more financial and other support from the government, non-government and other civil society organizations to cut down forest resource dependency.

Background: Kala-azar [visceral leishmaniasis (VL)] is caused by the protozoon Leishmania donovani complex. Without adequate treatment, most patients with clinical VL die due to secondary infections. Pentavalent antimonial compounds are commercially available as sodium stibogluconate and meglumine antimoniate. Sodium stibogluconate remains the mainstay of treatment in most parts of the world. The aim of the study was to evaluate the serious adverse effects of sodium stibogluconate in the treatment of kala-azar (VL).   Methods: The study was carried out in the medicine department of North Bengal Medical College Hospital, Sirajganj during the period of June 2021 to December 2021. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a sample size of 30. Complete history taking and physical examination were done and recorded in a case record form. At least 7 electrocardiograms (ECGs) were done (1 before treatment, 5 during treatment weekly intervals, and 1 after completion of treatment). Results: In ECG, the following changes were noted (the rhythm, T wave amplitude, ST segment, and QTc interval). Out of 30 patients, 19 patients (63.33%) developed abnormalities in ECG. Among them, 14 patients (46.67%) developed prolongation of QTc interval, 6 patients developed T wave inversion, and 1 patient developed transient 1st-degree heart block. No patients developed symptomatic arrhythmia. Conclusions: Kala-azar is prevalent among the poor in Bangladesh and can be fatal without treatment. Sodium stibogluconate has been associated with cardiological adverse effects, but it can be used safely with proper monitoring.

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