Introduction:Asymmetrically divided sphenoid sinuses exhibits a variety of variation in the presentation of inter sinus septum. Previous reported range of incidence of single midline inter-sphenoid sinus septum is from 18.2% to 95%. Many studies have reported differing incidences of laterally placed septum, accessory septa, multiple septa, transverse septa and no septum in the sphenoid sinuses. Termination of inter-sphenoid septum either into internal carotid canal or into optic canal had also been shown in many studies with possibilities of high risk complications related to such termination of septum. As there exists only limited data in Indian ethnicity about the variations in presentation of inter-sphenoid sinus septum compounded by the relative high frequency of occurrence of endoscopic trans sphenoid microsurgeries, this study was done to observe variations occurring in septum of sphenoid sinuses. Materials and Methods:A retrospective CT analysis of images obtained from 114 patients diagnosed with sinusitis during a specific study period was done by two independent observers. The age of the patients ranged from 16 -60 years of both sexes. Patients with history of prior sinus or sphenoid surgery, facial trauma, obscured sphenoid sinus pathology were excluded. Results:Single inter sphenoid sinus septum was seen in 83.3% .Out of this Midline, right deviation, left deviation were observed in 11.4%, 33.9% and 21.9% respectively. In 16.7 % images accessory/ multiple septum were noticed. While, absent inter sphenoid septum and transverse septum were noted each in 0.8% of images studied. The termination of inter sinus septum to internal carotid canal occurred in 27.3% and into optic canal in 48% of all images studied. Conclusion:This study concluded that the variation in the presentation of inter-sphenoid septum and its termination at internal carotid artery canal or optic canal need to be pre operatively evaluated by surgeons for considering risk of septal resection during Trans-sphenoid endoscopic surgeries.

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Background : Placenta is regarded as the byproduct of the birth process, but actually it is the mirror of maternal and foetal status. It often reflects the progress of many maternal conditions during pregnancy and is known to undergo changes both structurally and functionally in hypertensive pregnancy due to hypoxia. Aim: To compare the histopatological changes in hypertensive placentae with that of normal placentae. Materials and methods: A retrospective case control study was carried out on human placentae with 50 as study and 50 as control group . Placentae of study group were divided into three categories depending upon severity of hypertension. Tissues were microscopically studied for various histopathological changes. Results: Among severe pregnancy induced hypertension cases (PIH), 77.77% showed red infarction while 70.6% of eclampsia showed white infarction. 76.47%, 64.7% and 58.82% of eclampsia cases showed syncytial knots, fibrinoid necrosis and stromal fibrosis repectively. 70.6% of eclampsia cases showed cytotrophoblastic proliferation and calcification separately. Hyperplasia of tunica media was found in 20%, 50% and 58.82% of mild PIH, severe PIH and eclampsia respectively. Conclusion: Infarction, cyotrophoblastic cellular proliferation, syncytial knots, fibrinoid necrosis, stromal fibrosis, calcification and tunica media hyperplasia were seen with increased frequency in the study group as compared to control group. In study group, eclamptic placentae showed all the microscopic changes in significant number.This study of microscopic changes occurring in hypertensive placentae can be used to enhance our knowledge about the severity and progress of the disease. This can equip us to effectively manage the hypertensive pregnancies.

Background and aims : "Arches of foot" formed by the combination of skeletal and a muscular element is a unique feature of evolution as an adaptation to habitual erect posture in humans. Flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) is the most superficial intrinsic muscle of the sole that present with variations frequently. The objective of this study was to find out the pattern of presentation of FDB in northern Tamil Nadu region. Material and methods: Thirty soles of 12 male and three female embalmed cadavers were dissected and FDB was observed for variations. A comparative analysis was done with previous studies. Results: Twenty five soles showed absence of FDB tendon to little toe. Three soles confirmed to the classical book description. The soles of a 62 years old male cadaver presented with a variation of FDB. It showed a separate deep slip to the 5th toe arising from intermuscular septum and from long flexor tendon with the slip found to get inserted at the base of middle phalanx bilaterally. The incidence of 83.3% absence of FDB tendon to 5th toe in the present study was significantly higher when compared to many previous reports. Conclusion: Variations of FDB are clinically significant because FDB musculocutaneos flap is used in the reconstruction of the heel pad and FDB tendons are used in tendon transfer surgeries for claw or hammer toe deformities. The absence of FDB tendon to the 5th toe shows clustering around Asian region, which signifies possibility of occurrence of evolutionary changes in specific topographic region

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