Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) has almost completely replaced the radical Caldwell-Luc approach. About 20 years after its origin of FESS a comparative study with Caldwell-Luc Surgery (C-L) definitely should be on cards to validate the previous results. To compare the effectiveness of endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy and Caldwell-Luc's surgery in the management of Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis. This is a prospective randomized comparative study based on the analysis of eighty patients who were diagnosed to have chronic, unilateral, maxillary sinusitis and underwent surgery, after a failed trial of conservative management. One year after surgery 44% of the C-L patients and 89% of the FESS patients reported distinct improvement of their symptoms. Both are effective in the management of chronic sinusitis. Endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy is superior to CaldwellLuc in intraoperative and postoperative parameters.

Introduction Vocal cord dysfunction is characterized by unintentional paradoxical vocal cord movement resulting in abnormal inappropriate adduction, especially during inspiration; this predominantly manifests as unresponsive asthma or unexplained stridor. It is prudent to be well informed about the condition, since the primary presentation may mask other airway disorders. Objective This descriptive study was intended to analyze presentations of vocal cord dysfunction in a tertiary care referral hospital. The current understanding regarding the pathophysiology and management of the condition were also explored. Methods A total of 27 patients diagnosed with vocal cord dysfunction were analyzed based on demographic characteristics, presentations, associations and examination findings. The mechanism of causation, etiological factors implicated, diagnostic considerations and treatment options were evaluated by analysis of the current literature. Results There was a strong female predilection noted among the study population (n = 27), which had a mean age of 31. The most common presentations were stridor (44%) and refractory asthma (41%). Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease was the most common association in the majority (66%) of the patients, with a strong overlay of anxiety, demonstrable in 48% of the patients. Conclusion Being aware of the condition is key to avoid misdiagnosis in vocal cord dysfunction. Fiberoptic laryngoscopy is the diagnostic gold standard to demonstrate paradoxical vocal cord adduction during an attack. A multidisciplinary approach should be adapted for the management, which should be specific and tailored for individual patients.

Background: Evaluate morbidities and "quality" of fiducial marker placement in primary liver tumours (hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]) for CyberKnife. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six HCC with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) were evaluated for "quality" of fiducial placement, placement time, pain score, complications, recovery time and factors influencing placement. Results: One hundred eight fiducials were placed in 36 patients. Fiducial placement radiation oncologist score was "good" in 24 (67%), "fair" in 4 (11%), and "poor" in 3 (8%) patients. Concordance with radiologist score in "poor", "fair", and "good" score was 2/2 (100%), 4/5 (80%), and 24/27 (89%), respectively (p=0.001). Child-Pugh score (p=0.080), performance status (PS) (p=0.014) and accrued during "learning curve" (p=0.013) affected placement score. Mean placement time (p=0.055), recovery time (p=0.025) was longer and higher major complications (p=0.009) with poor PS. Liver segment involved (p=0.484) and the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage did not influence placement score. "Good" placement score was 30% in first cohort whereas 93% in last cohort (p=0.023). Time for placement was 42.2 and 14.3 minutes, respectively (p=0.069). Post-fiducial pain score 0-1 in 26 patients (72%) and pain score 3-4 was in 2 (6%). Five patients (14%) admitted in "day-care" (2 mild pneumothorax, 3 pain). Mortality in 1 patient (3%) admitted for hemothorax. Conclusion: Fiducial placement is safe and in experienced hands, "quality" of placement is "good" in majority. Major complications and admission after fiducial placement are rare. Complications, fiducial placement time, recovery time is more during the "learning curve". Poor Child-Pugh score, extensive liver involvement, poor PS have higher probability of complications.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Vascularized flaps are preferred in repair of skull base defects since they provide quality tissue volume and allow rapid healing. Though nasoseptal flap is the gold standard it may not be available always and has its own share of pitfalls; this makes the middle turbinate flap a viable alternative. This descriptive study was designed to analyze the efficacy of middle turbinate flap in endoscopic closure of skull base defects and to define indications and limitations of the flap.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 20 patients who underwent endoscopic closure of small and medium sized skull base defects using middle turbinate mucoperiosteal flap were analyzed and followed up. Etiology, presentation, site and co-morbidities associated with such defects were studied. Effectiveness of closure was analyzed by the ability to cover fully, graft uptake and complications.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Successful flap take up was noted in all 20 cases (100%) on long term follow up; transient cerebrospinal fluid leak was observed in 1case (5%) during the immediate post-operative period which subsided fully. Spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea (n=11 [55%]) was the most common indication for closure and unilateral watery rhinorrhea was the commonest presentation (n=13 [65%]). Benign intracranial hypertension was found to have significant association with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Most common site of leak was the medial lamella of cribriform plate (n=11 [55%]).</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Middle turbinate flap is an effective alternative to nasoseptal flap for small and medium sized anterior skull base defects; efficacy in larger defects and posterior sellar defects cannot be substantiated. </p>

As in the European population, the ICD and the golden proportion are reliable predictors for determining the width of the maxillary central incisors in the south Indian population also.