<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Neck swellings are a common clinical finding affecting all age groups. FNAC is a minimally invasive procedure helpful in the diagnosis of various neck swellings. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of FNAC in the diagnosis of neck swellings by comparing it with the histopathology which is taken as the gold standard.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A prospective study which included 90 patients who attended ENT and surgery departments of Government Medical College, Trivandrum with neck swellings from July 2006-2007. FNAC of the swelling was done and the FNAC results were compared with the histopathology results. The specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of FNAC were calculated.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Of the 90 patients, thyroid swelling formed the major group followed by lymph node, salivary gland and miscellaneous swellings. Thyroid swellings had a female predominance while the other three groups namely lymph node, salivary gland and miscellaneous groups showed a male preponderance. When the neck swellings namely thyroid, salivary gland, lymph node and miscellaneous group were taken into consideration as a whole, the sensitivity of FNAC for detecting malignancy was 64.3%. The specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 97.4%, 81.8%, 93.7% and 92% respectively.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> FNAC can be rated as a safe, simple, reliable, cost effective and rapid diagnostic tool with high specificity and sensitivity for the initial evaluation of neck swellings.</p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Vertigo is a common clinical symptom in the community as well as in specialist settings. Depression and anxiety are common among vertigo patients and have a significant impact on the course of illness.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This study was conducted at the outpatient clinics of Department of ENT, Government Medical College, Kottayam. Zung self-rating anxiety and Zung self-rating depression scales were used.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> There were 158 patients in the study. The commonest diagnosis was benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) (76; 48.1%) followed by migrainous vertigo (MV) (41; 25.9%), Meniere’s disease (MD) (31; 19.6%) and vestibular neuronitis (VN) (10; 6.3%). 74 (46.83%) patients had depression. Depression was most prevalent among MD (26; 83.87%) followed by MV (29; 70.73%). Mean depression score was highest with MD (58; SD=8.136) followed by MV (54.29; SD=10.441). 70 (44.03%) patients had anxiety. 50 being women and 20 men. A diagnosis of anxiety was most common in MD (25; 80.6%) followed by MV (33; 80.5%). Mean anxiety score was highest in MD (56.48; SD=11.003) followed by MV (54.15; SD=12.041), A diagnosis of anxiety was most common among patients with MD (25; 80.6%) followed by MV (33; 80.5%).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> There is a high prevalence of depression and anxiety in Meniere’s disease and migrainous vertigo in India as evidenced by this study. Identification and appropriate management of coexisting mental health problems to address the disability, poor quality of life and protracted course is an integral part of managing vertigo.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>

Introduction Ophthalmological symptoms are common in ear, nose and throat conditions. Orbital involvement and ophthalmological presentations may be indicative of the extensive and aggressive nature of the pathology. This study evaluated the causes of various ophthalmological presentations in relation to primary ENT diseases in patients attending the ENT Department of a government tertiary referral teaching hospital. Material and Methods Sixty patients with ophthalmological presentations arising out of primary ENT diseases were assessed in detail. Comprehensive physical, ophthalmological and ENT examinations were done. Ophthalmological and ENT diagnoses, treatment details, outcome and complications if any were also noted. Results Most number of patients were in the age group 51 to 60 years (14; 23.4%). Most common ophthalmological symptom was periorbital oedema (51.6%) followed by epiphora (48.3%); the most common ENT symptom was headache (50%) followed by nasal discharge (48.3%). Most common diagnosis among patients was sinusitis (46.7%) followed by mucocele (21.7%). Most common (47%) otorhinological diagnosis associated with proptosis in this study was infections in the form of orbital cellulitis or abscess associated with sinusitis. Majority (43, 71.7%) of the study sample had surgical management.   Conclusion This study reiterates the need for a high index of suspicion from the part of the ophthalmologist to look beyond eye diseases as causes for ophthalmological presentations and from the part of otorhinolaryngologist to be aware of various non-ENT symptoms secondary to ear, throat and nose diseases. A close collaboration between the ophthalmology and ENT departments is essential in successful management of such patients.

Incidental finding of leiomyoma is rare finding and can mimic an inguinal hernia or both can occur at a time. Very small mass beside hernia sac identified during exploration of the inguinal canal. Inguinal hernia in females is less common compared to males, but more common than the femoral hernia. Beside the sac there may be other structures, which have been reported like lipoma of cord, lymph node. In our hospital we have come across this case, and would like to report. Confirmatory diagnosis is established by histopathology. Surgical excision is the curative treatment.