Background:We aimed to identify the risk factors for epilepsy in children.Materials and Methods:This case–control retrospective study was carried out in the pediatric neurology outpatient service of the Trivandrum Medical College. All children (1–12 years) with epilepsy satisfying the selection criteria were included, after obtaining consent from parents. Those with single seizures or febrile seizures were excluded. Controls were children without epilepsy attending the same hospital. Parents were interviewed and clinical data were obtained from medical records. Statistical analysis included chi-square test, odds ratio (OR), and logistic regression.Results:There were 82 cases and 160 controls whose mean age was 6.9 + 3.6 and 5.2 + 3.1, years respectively. On univariate analysis, family history of epilepsy, prolonged labor, cyanosis at birth, delayed cry after birth, admission to newborn intensive care unit, presence of congenital malformations, neurocutaneous markers, incessant cry in the first week, delayed developmental milestones, meningitis, encephalitis, and head trauma were found to be significant. On logistic regression, family history of epilepsy (OR 4.7), newborn distress (OR 8.6), delayed developmental milestones (OR 12.6), and head trauma (OR 5.8) were found to be significant predictors. Infants who had history of newborn distress are likely to manifest epilepsy before 1 year if they are eventually going to have epilepsy (OR 3.4).Conclusion:Modifiable factors such as newborn distress and significant head trauma are significant risk factors for childhood epilepsy. Newborn distress is a risk factor for early-onset (<1 year age) epilepsy.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GISTs) represent only 0.1-3% of all Gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies and account for 80% of gastrointestinal mesenchymal neoplasms. They range from incidentally detected asymptomatic GISTs to large malignant tumours. Three key prognostic factors have been mitotic rate, tumour size and site. Immunohistochemical testing for KIT (CD 117) and sometimes for DOG1 is essential in confirming the diagnosis. The aim of the study is to bring forward the varied clinical presentation and our single centre experience for management and therapeutic outcome of GIST. MATERIALS AND METHODS 15 patients with primary GIST diagnosed over a 3-year period from 2013 to 2016 were studied clinically and histopathologically; the treatment procedures and outcome were analysed. RESULTS The mean age of patients was 51.5yrs. with a male-female ratio of 2:1, abdomen pain (80%) was the most common symptom, stomach the most common site (60%), 95% of cases were CD 117 positive. Surgery was considered in 90% of patients and two cases were given neo-adjuvant therapy with imatinib. CONCLUSION GIST are the most common mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract with an increasing incidence. They have a varied clinical presentation depending on the tumour location, size and growth pattern. The gold standard for treatment is surgical resection. Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is the primary therapy for unresectable, recurrent or metastatic disease.

The ultrastructural studies of Glioblastoma multiforme was carried out from tissue obtained from human intracranial neoplasms obtained in Madras Institute of Neurology.Light microscopy showed a highly cellular neoplasm with areas of sinusoidal necrosis palisaded by spongioblasts. The malignant cells exhibited hyperchromatism, pleomorphism, bizarre nuclei and there were marked endothelial proliferations. Mono nuclear cell aggregates are also seen.Ultrastructurally Glioblastoma multiforme exhibited great variation in size and shape of cells. In the main, the cells were off moderate size with ovoid nuclei and fine chromatin distributed evenly throughout the nucleus. Nucleoli were prominent and here also the two distinct nuclear membranes could be easily be made out. Fine pores were seen in the nuclear membranece.The cytoplasm was relatively lucent and showed various organelles such as mitochondria, Golgi apparatus and elements of the rought endoplasmic reticulum in moderate numbers. The endoplasmic reticulum was dilated in many regions and numerous electron dense bodies could also be seen.

Rhinosporidiosis is an unique fungal disease in that it has constantly eluded all efforts to culture the organism in vitro. Thus its exact life cycle is unknown, besides its various other biological characteristics. With this in view a study undertaken of the 54 cases showed the following L.M. and E.M. features.Light Microscopy: The fungi were seen to produce polypoid formations of fibrovascular connective tissue with a generally hyperplastic lining of squamous epithelium. The fungi themselves were in the form of multiple cysts of varying sizes and shapes. While most cysts appeared to be rounded or oval, tubular forms could also be seen. Sizes varied from 6-500 microns. The cyst wall appeared to have 2 layers, an inner cellulose and outer chitinous. The inner wall appeared associated with young spores and ovoid bodies 0.2 x 0.3 mm.

Background: Recurrent varicose vein (RVV) still remains a complex, debilitating, common clinical condition despite the advances in imaging technology and operative techniques. The prevalence of developing recurrence ranges from 5% to 65% over a time period of 5–15 years. Aim: The aim of the study is to identify the radiological patterns and operative profile leading to RVV. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight patients were included in our study who presented with RVV from 1 January 2019 to 1 January 2021. Results: Recurrence was identified in 19 patients post-Trendelenburg (TBG) procedure and perforator ligation, 5 patients post-TBG and stripping above knee, 3 patients post-TBG and sclerotherapy for perforators and 1 case post-endovenous LASER therapy. RVV developed in a time span from 1 to 15 years. Conclusion: TBG along with just perforator ligation has high chance of recurrence, and thorough knowledge regarding the tributaries and anomalous connections at saphenofemoral junction is of utmost importance in primary surgical management of varicose veins.