<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Neck swellings are on­­e of the commonest clinical presentations encountered by the practicing physicians. Hence; we undertook the present study to assess the incidence and nature of various head and neck swellings by FNAC.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The present study included evaluation of data of all the patients that underwent FNAC for various head and neck swellings. A total of 100 patients were included in this study in which FNAC was performed with lesions in the head and neck regions in the otorhinolaryngology, pediatric, and surgery departments. Cleaning of the area, to be aspirated, was done and a 23‑gauge needle with syringe and trocar was inserted at convenient angles to the lesions and multiple hits was made within the lesion, with sufficient negative pressure; the needle was removed and the pressure was applied to the area of aspiration to avoid bleeding or hematoma formation.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Majority of the patients with head and neck swellings belong to the age group of 21 to 30 years. Only 6 and 4 patients were having age of 51 to 60 years and 61 years and above respectively. Out of 100 patients, 36 were males and 64 were females. In a total of 54 patients, diagnosis of inflammatory lesion was made while in case of 34 and 12 patients; diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions was made respectively.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Most of the swellings occurring in the head and neck region are inflammatory in nature and affect females more frequently than males.</p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The elongation of styloid process is considered an anomaly which can cause throat pain and cervico-facial pain and trigger a series of symptoms such as dysphagia, odynophagia, facial pain, ear pain, headache, tinnitus and trismus. The present study was undertaken find out the length of styloid process in patients with throat pain.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A prospective study was conducted among 150 patients. A detailed ENT and general examination was done apart from palpation of the styloid along the posterior tonsillar pillar, a routine Hematological tests with estimation of serum calcium levels, and X-ray towne view was done.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The female to male ratio was found to be 1.6:1. Of the 150 cases 92 were middle aged females, the severity of symptoms were directly proportional to the length and the thickness of the styloid. The symptoms ranged from foreign body sensation in the throat to cervicofacial pain and otalgia. Serum Calcium levels were elevated in 60% of the cases.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Elongation of the styloid being multi-factorial in origin. A strong suspicion is required on the part of the surgeon to rule out this particular entity. A simple palpitation and an x- ray Towne view can establish the diagnosis of elongated styloid process.</p>

INTRODUCTIONImmunoglobulin E (IgE) predominantly mediates immunity and immune responses against parasitic infections, but it is also an essential component of type I hypersensitivity reaction, which can cause anaphylaxis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis.1 Allergic rhinitis was defined in 1929, it is a symptomatic disorder of the nose induced after allergen exposure by an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated inflammation of the membranes lining the nose. It is a global health problem that causes major illness and disability worldwide. The three cardinal symptoms in nasal reactions occurring in allergy are sneezing, nasal obstruction and mucous discharge.2 It is the cause, coexisting disorder or predisposing factor in many cases of chronic sinusitis, serous otitis, increased susceptibility to upper and lower respiratory infections and orthodontic disorders such as overbite and maldeveloped dental archs. 3The basis of any diagnosis of allergy requires a good history and examination, which should then provide a certain degree of confidence as to whether or not allergy is present. However, the diagnosis cannot be confirmed on the basis of symptoms alone, because both allergic and non-allergic conditions can present with similar symptoms. Hence, allergy testing in the form of specific IgE (sIgE) measurement is an important aid in demonstrating both the presence and severity of such an allergy. 4 ABSTRACT Background:The basis of diagnosis of allergy requires a good history and examination, however, the diagnosis cannot be confirmed on the basis of symptoms alone, because both allergic and non-allergic conditions can present with similar symptoms. Hence, allergy testing in the form of specific IgE (sIgE) measurement is an important aid in demonstrating both the presence and severity of such an allergy. The present study was undertaken to find out the common environmental allergens prevailing in Raichur causing allergic rhinitis, using carbohydrate cross reactive determinants (CCD), an in vitro test with high degree of sensitivity.Methods: The present prospective study was conducted among 30 patients with allergic rhinitis. A detailed general and ENT examination were done, X-ray of PNS, CT scan of PNS, diagnostic nasal endoscopy and nasal smear examination for eosinophils, absolute eosinophil count and serum IgE levels using Euroimmun system of in vitro assay of specific IgE antibodies. Results: Allergy to dust mite, D. faranie, corn, carnation flower, sunflower, sheep wool and straw dust were the most frequent allergens causing allergic symptoms among patients in Raichur area. Total serum IgE was elevated in all the patients, 60% were allergic to dust mite as found by anti CCD specific IgE. Conclusions: Antibodies to dust mite D. faranie, rye, T. mothy grass was the commonest finding. Identification of inhalant allergens is an important factor in prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis.