Complications of paranasal sinus infection most often involve the orbit and periorbita. Because of widespread use of antibiotics, intracranial extension of paranasal sinusitis is rarely seen today. Nevertheless, the clinician must be aware of the potential of these complications, as late recognition of this condition and delay in treatment can increase morbidity and mortality rates. An interesting case series of sinusitis with orbital and intracranial complication is presented, which was radiologically evaluated, and was managed by endoscopic sinus surgery with drainage of subdural empyema by appropriate neurosurgical technique. The radiological tools played a very important role in both assessment and timing of surgical intervention. Unparallel role of radiological investigations cannot be overemphasized. The key to successful treatment is aggressive management and the timing for surgical intervention should not be deferred. The patients made full recovery at the time of discharge.

Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the commonest surgical emergencies. Despite a life time cumulative risk of nearly 7% its diagnosis remains a challenge. The risks of two primary outcomes must be balanced in the management of presumed appendicitis: perforation and misdiagnosis.The rate of misdiagnosis in certain populations is as high as 40%. Diagnostic aids like modified Alvarado score and ultrasonography can dramatically reduce the negative appendicectomies. Methods:Data was collected from 60 patients with complains of right iliac fossa pain over a period of 9 months to our hospital. All patients were categorised using the Alvarado score and Graded compression ultrasonography was done. The preoperative and histological findings were compared with the preoperative diagnosis. The collected data was analysed with regards to various parameters like sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and diagnostic accuracy. Results:In our study of 60 patients, 56 patients underwent appendicectomy out of which a histological confirmation of appendicitis was obtained for 50 patients, giving a negative appendicectomy rate of 12%.By taking a cut-off point of 7 for the Modified Alvarado score, a sensitivity of 97.56%, specificity of 66.67%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 95.23%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 80% and accuracy of 87.2% were calculated. Using the cut-off point of 6, a sensitivity of 90% specificity of 50%, PPV of 69.23%, NPV of 80% and accuracy of 55.56% were obtained. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy rate of ultrasonography was 92.15%, 88.9%, 97.19%, 66.7% and 85%, respectively. Conclusion:The presence of a modified Alvarado score > 7 was found to be a dependable aid in the preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. In cases where the score was negative or equivocal, ultrasonography greatly helped in the diagnosis thereby reducing the incidence of negative appendicectomies.

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Three cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis (RCM) with different courses of illness following a common standardized treatment protocol are discussed. Seen predominantly in diabetics. Clinical picture is often blurred by overlapping features of chronic rhinosinusitis. CT picture is helpful in assessing extent. Histopathological evidence is diagnostic. We describe three cases of RCM with different presentations but followed same treatment protocol. RCM is not just a disease of chronic uncontrolled diabetics. Its indolent clinical course doesn't correlate with its aggressive pathology for which strict treatment protocol to be followed. In suspected cases of RCM, improvement of predisposing diseases, radical surgical debridement and effective systemic antifungal therapy must be instituted immediately. Absence of intracranial or orbital extension are indicators of good prognosis. Ketoacidosis is the single most important detrimental factor.

Chondrosarcomas are rare skull base lesions and presenting as a mass lesion in the jugular foramen is even rarer. The clinical picture and series of scans unfolded its diverse presentation on imaging making its diagnosis very interesting. Preoperative finding and final histopathological picture were diagnostic. AbstrAct jugular bulb was completely occluded with disease abutting the hypoglossal nerve.