Introduction:Conventional methods to estimate the time of death are adequate, but a histological method is yet unavailable to assess postmortem interval (PMI). The autolytic changes that occur in an unfixed antemortem gingival tissue which reflects histologically at an early stage are similar to changes that occur in postmortem tissue. These histological changes can be used and applied in a postmortem tissue as a method to assess PMI.Aims:The aim of the study is to assess the histological changes in a gingival tissue left unfixed for various time intervals and to correlate the findings with duration.Materials and Methods:Sixty gingival tissues obtained from patients following therapeutic extractions, impactions, gingivectomy and crown lengthening procedures were used. Each tissue obtained was divided into two pieces and labeled as “A”, the control group and “ B” the study group. Tissues labeled “A” were fixed in 10% formalin immediately and tissues labeled“B” were placed in closed containers and fixed after 15, 30, 45 min, 1, 2, and 4 h time interval. Of the sixty tissues in the study group “ B”, ten tissues were used for each time interval under investigation. All the fixed tissues were processed, stained, assessed, and analyzed statistically using Pearson correlation and regression analysis.Results:Histological changes appear at 15 min in an unfixed antemortem tissue. At 2 h interval, all layers with few cells in basal cell layer are involved. At 4 h interval, loss of stratification and complete homogenization of cells in the superficial layers with prominent changes in basal layer is evident. There was a positive correlation (<1.0) between the time interval and the appearance of the histological changes.Conclusion:Histological changes such as complete homogenization of cells in superficial layers and loss of epithelial architecture at 4 h in unfixed antemortem tissue may be used as a criterion to estimate PMI, after further studies on postmortem tissues.

Lamotrigine and valproic acid are well-tolerated anticonvulsants, but frequently associated with severe cutaneous reactions, such as the Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis, when used in combination. We report a case of SJS likely induced by the use of a lamotrigine and valproic acid regimen and as a dental surgeon it is important to identify such lesion and report to pharmacovigilance.

Six years old boy underwent elective inguinal exploration for left congenital hernia. Per-operatively, an elongated, purplish-red, fleshy band of tissue was found inside the sac, adherent to the upper pole of testis. Biopsy was taken and the wound closed. An MRI done after 4 weeks proved the origin of the band from spleen. Laparotomy and excision of the band was done. The histo-pathology of the specimen was reported as normal splenic tissue. The above features are consistent with a diagnosis of spleno -gonadal fusion (SGF).Keywords Spleno-gonadal fusion . MRI for spleno-gonadal fusion . Splenic tissue in the testis . Splenic anomalies Case ReportA 6 years old boy attended our OPD with complaints of a left inguino -scrotal swelling. The swelling was reducible and was present since 1 1/2 years of age. On initial examination the sac was felt along with the cord structures in the root of the scrotum. Both testes were descended and the external genetalia was normal. He was diagnosed to have left congenital hernia and underwent elective inguinal exploration. The sac was identified, separated from cord structures and opened. An elongated, purplish-red, fleshy band of tissue was found inside the sac, adherent to the upper pole of testis (Fig. 1). Further exploration through the internal ring revealed this tissue was found extending towards the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, trans-peritoneally. Some large vessels were seen on the surface of the band. A provisional diagnosis of spleno gonadal fusion was made. However, as the relative contribution of the vessels from the band to the vascularity of the testis could not be determined and a pre-operative consent for orchiectomy was not available, it was decided to takea biopsy from this tissue. A wedge biopsy was taken and the wound was closed. The histo-pathology of the biopsy specimen was reported as normal splenic tissue.An MRI scan was done (4 weeks after the initial surgery) to delineate the soft tissue & vascular anatomy. A long cord-like extension of splenic tissue was seen from the inferior pole of the spleen to the level of the left inguinal canal (Fig. 2). It was located just deep to the parietal wall and was anterior to the descending colon and the left ilio-psoas. The signal intensity of this cord of tissue was seen paralleling the spleen in all sequences. A thin vascular channel could also be traced from the splenic hilum into the cord of tissue, further confirming its origin from the spleen. The left testis was small in size and was closely apposed to the inferior end of this cord of splenic tissue at the level of the inguinal canal. The above features were consistent with a diagnosis of complete spleno-gonadal fusion (SGF). A dopplerultrasonogram was also done which showed the presence of good, independent vascular supply to the testis via the vessels in the cord structures.A mini -laparotomy and left inguinal exploration was carried out. The band was found arising from the inferior