Non-steroidal drugs such as dapsone, tacrolimus and retinoid are as efficacious as steroidal drugs for treating oral lichen planus, and avoid the side effects associated with steroids.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is defined as tuberculosis caused by <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> resistant in vitro to the effects of isoniazid and rifampicin, with or without resistance to any other drugs. Regimen for MDR-TB<strong> </strong>comprises of 6 drugs - kanamycin, levofloxacin, ethionamide, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and cycloserine during 6-9 months of the intensive phase and 4 drugs levofloxacin, ethionamide, ethambutol and cycloserine during the 18 months of the continuation phase. The aim of our study was to document the incidence and severity of ototoxicity in MDR-TB patient receiving category IV treatment under the revised national tuberculosis control program.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Prospective cohort study was carried out on proven case of MDR-TB patients. Total 61 patients were evaluated for the development of ototoxicity, for a period of one year. First three months of study pre-treatment baseline audiogram were recorded by pure tone audiometry, and repeat audiogram was done after six months and nine months.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Out of 61 patients 21 patients developed ototoxicity with incidence of 34.42%. Incidence of high frequency hearing loss was 21.31% and flat loss was 13.11%.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> MDR-TB patients, due to effect of aminoglycoside may develop mild to severe degree of hearing loss. As hearing loss in these patients is permanent, careful audiological monitoring should be done regularly.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>

Minoxidil is a powerful direct acting vasodilator that was used clinically as an oral antihypertensive drug in combination with beta blockers and diuretics in cases of hypertension refractory to other antihypertensives. A 58-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department with an alleged history of accidental consumption of around 10 mL of 5% topical minoxidil solution. He had developed tachycardia, severe hypotension, and characteristic Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes with no obvious chest pain. He was treated with continuous intravenous (i.v.) crystalloids, dual inotropes and other supportive measures. The patient also developed acute pulmonary oedema and acute kidney injury. He responded to treatment and gradually improved haemodynamically with resolution of ECG changes and acute kidney injury. He was discharged seven days after admission. The patient showed resolution of characteristic ECG changes and improvement in haemodynamic condition of patient with supportive management in hospital.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Cochlear synaptic tinnitus (CST), also referred to as sensorineural type III tinnitus, is a type of transformation tinnitus, resulting due to aberrant signal transduction between Inner hair cells and afferent nerve fibres owing to excessive and pathologic glutamate release and subsequent spontaneous receptor depolarization (NMDA and AMPA receptors). Of the various pharmacologic agents used for treatment for CST, <em>Gingko biloba</em> and Caroverine have stood the test of time.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A total 48 selected patients of CST, otherwise free from any medical or surgical co-morbidity, were included in the study and divided randomly in two groups, one group receiving oral formulation of Caroverine and the other group receiving oral <em>Gingko biloba</em> in appropriate doses. Both the groups were followed up for 12 weeks. Treatment outcomes were measured in terms of improvement in subjective symptoms (tinnitus grading) and psycho-acoustic measure (tinnitus matching).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Although oral caroverine yielded promising results in the initial month of treatment in terms of improved tinnitus matching, long term effect was found to be dissatisfying. Oral <em>Gingko biloba</em>, at the completion of 12 weeks of therapy was found to be more effective in terms of improvement of mean tinnitus grading and matching (p&lt;0.05). Side effects of the test drugs were not noted in either group.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <em>Gingko biloba</em> is thus found to be more effective treatment modality for CST for long term basis and is also readily available in the market, cost effective and free of side effects as well.</p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> It is well known that chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes different systemic and otorhinolaryngologic manifestations due to the accumulation of waste products, osmotic alteration, and antigenic similarity between basement membrane of the glomerulus and stria vascularis of the inner ear.   </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The study subjects were divided into two groups, 50 CKD patients and 50 healthy volunteers in age group 15-60 years. All CKD patients and controls were subjected to hearing assessment using standard pure tone audiometry.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> For low frequency hearing loss increased from stage 2 and 3 to stage 4 and 5, and for high frequency hearing loss among stage 2 and 3 CKD patients was mild to moderate (65.22%) in nature and hearing loss increased in intensity (i.e. severe to profound) in stage 4 and 5 of CKD patients. Dialysis patients were having more severe hearing loss in comparison to non dialysis patients. Hearing loss was negatively correlated with the eGFR. And positively correlated with the duration of the disease (CKD).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our study highlights the pattern of hearing loss in people suffering from chronic kidney disease who were either on dialysis or not on dialysis. Early identification can prevent further deterioration of hearing in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease.</p>