Compression at the craniovertebral junction because of tumors is not a very common entity. The commonest tumors present here are neurofibroma and meningioma. Any vertebral tumour can be present at this location. Benign bony tumors are very uncommon at this location and amongst these enchondromas are exceptionally rare. Enchondromas are rare bony tumours of chondrogenic origin. These are benign tumours with a propensity for malignant transformation. There are four histological types: osteochondromas, enchondromas, chondroblastoma and chondromyxoid fibroma. Enchondromas are often asymptomatic because of their slow growth but may have varied presentation. An enchondroma may occur as an individual tumor or as several tumors together. We here report a case of enchondroma arising from the atlas and causing myelopathy. The best treatment is complete excision which we could achieve in our case.

Aim:The study aims at describing the results of using a new technique to acquire the tissue sample in stereotactic biopsy of brain lesions.Materials and Methods:The study was performed in 19 patients over a period of 5 years in which we used the new technique, i.e., Abrar and Afzal technique (AT) of obtaining tissue biopsy. It is a combination of core tissue biopsy and needle aspiration techniques. The technique was devised to acquire greater amount of tissue for pathologic study.Results:While we could give pathologic diagnosis in 18 patients out of 19 (94.7%), in one patient, the tissue sample revealed only inflammatory cells and definitive diagnosis could not be reached. There was no significant morbidity or any mortality in the series.Conclusion:Abrar and Afzal technique is a reasonably accurate technique of acquiring larger tissue sample in stereotactic brain biopsy without any additional risks. It can be done with little modification of the conventional equipment available with the stereotactic system.

Management of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dramatically improved during the 1990s. The advent of high-performance quantitative HIV assays and highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) were the two most important developments in HIV medicine. As a result, HIV mortality and morbidity have significantly reduced. This improvement in life quality and expectancy through the use of HAART has led to an increase in the number of HIV-infected patients wishing to have children. The mother-to-child transmission which was of major concern previously can now be significantly reduced by newer management strategies. This review stresses on the management of pregnancy in HIV.

Duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma (DGP) is a rare tumor that characteristically occurs in the second part of duodenum. These appear as submucosal masses that protrude into the lumen of a duodenum. Gastrointestinal bleeding is the commonest manifestation of DGP. Metastatic spread to regional lymph nodes occurs rarely. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for DGP. A case of a DGP is reported in young female who presented with a recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) documented a mass in the ampullary region with ulceration in its middle which was bleeding. Recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding necessitated an emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy. Histopathology of specimen documented gangliocytic paraganglioma.

Background:A neural tube defect (NTD) is a common congenital anomaly with an incidence of 6.57–8.21 per 1000 live births. Patients usually present early because of obvious swelling or due to neurological deficit. However, neglecting the obvious cystic swelling on the back till its transformation into malignant tumor is rare.Case Description:We describe a case of malignant transformation of meningocele in a 60-year-old man. Magnetic resonance imaging showed sacral meningocele. Neurological examination revealed intact motor and sensory examination with normal bladder and bowel function. There were no signs of meningitis and hydrocephalus. Excision was done and biopsy revealed it as squamous cell carcinoma.Conclusion:Meningocele should be treated early and possibility of malignant change should be kept in mind in neglected cases presenting in adulthood.