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Background:Cysticercosis, a parasitic tissue infection caused by the larva of Taenia solium, is quite a common disease in our part of the world, but its incidence is often underestimated. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays an important role in early detection of this disease, especially when the lesion is located in anatomically approachable superficial locations.Aims:The aim was to study role of FNAC in the diagnosis of cysticercosis.Materials and Methods:In this retrospective study, the data of 137 patients with palpable nodules, who were diagnosed as having or suspicious of cysticercosis on FNAC, were retrieved and analyzed.Results:In 129 (94.2%) cases, a definitive diagnosis of cysticercosis was obtained in the form of parts of parasite tegument, hooklets, parenchymatous portion and calcareous corpuscles. In the background, giant cells, mixed inflammatory cells, and epithelioid cells were present. In remaining 8 (5.8%) cases, larval fragments could not be identified on the aspirates, and the diagnosis of parasitic inflammation was suggested on the basis of other cytological findings such as clear fluid aspirate, presence of eosinophils, histiocytes, foreign body giant cells, a typical granular dirty background, etc. Follow-up biopsy in these 8 cases confirmed the diagnosis of cysticercosis in 7 (87.5%) while in 1 (12.5%) case, histopathology was suggestive of parasitic cyst.Conclusion:Fine-needle aspiration cytology in cysticercosis is a low-cost outpatient procedure. The cytological diagnosis is quite straightforward in cases where the actual parasite structures are identified in the smears. In other cases, a cytological diagnosis of suspicious of cysticercosis can be given if the cytological findings suggest the same.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has forced medical education to undergo sudden metamorphosis from the traditional face-to-face education to distance online learning. This transition was dealt with a lot of infrastructure and technical difficulties from both teacher and learner ends, especially in a developing country like India. This study was conducted with the aim of analyzing students’ perspective and problems faced in the live online teaching. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective longitudinal study conducted on medical students enrolled in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery courses at a government medical college located in hilly state Uttarakhand, India. Clearance from the institutional ethical committee was obtained. The students were invited to voluntarily participate in online survey by filling Google Forms which was E-mailed as well as shared in social media platform. A total of 237 medical students participated. The first survey was conducted at the time of initiation of online mode of teaching, during May 1–7, 2020, and second, after completion of 6 months of regular online teaching, during November 1–7, 2020. The questionnaire comprised initial section on demographic details and consent followed by 27 and 30 sets of statements pertaining to online medical education experience in the first and second questionnaires, respectively. A 5-point Likert scale was used. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 24.0. Chi-square test was applied for association, and P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 237 students participated in the study. The response rate was 52.7%. Majority of respondents had suitable devices (89.1%) and Internet facilities (62%) for online classes. The students accepted the new method of teaching very well, but for practical sessions and clinics, traditional classes were necessary. Long screen time, lack of student–teacher interaction, and interaction with peers were major concerns of students. However, over the study period, the availability of resources, friendliness toward technology, and inclination toward virtual classes increased. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic has introduced to a new normal where online teaching cannot be ignored. Despite challenges faced during online learning, 65.5% of students preferred hybrid teaching in future for delivering medical education. Acceptance for online education by students increased over time in the study.

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Echinococcosis, commonly called as hydatid disease, is a parasitic infestation caused by the larva of the genus Echinococcus in human. Isolated occurrence of Echinococcosis without any evidence of visceral disease is very rare. A thorough search of the literature revealed only 11 cases of isolated cervical Echinococcosis. We report here a very rare case of isolated hydatid cyst in a 45-year-old female patient, who presented with swelling in right cervical region about 5 cm below the angle of mandible with no evidence of the disease elsewhere in the body. The case was diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology. The diagnosis was further supported by histopathology. We propose that the treating physician should also consider the differential diagnosis of Echinococcosis in the presence of an asymptomatic soft tissue mass, especially when the patient lives in an endemic area.