INTRODUCTIONThe human larynx protects the lower respiratory tract, provides a controlled airway, allows phonation and the generation of a high intrathoracic pressure for coughing and lifting. The larynx is divided into the supraglottic, glottis and subglottis based on anatomical location. Tumors of the larynx can be divided into benign or malignant. Laryngeal granulomas, vocal cord nodules, and vocal cord polyps are tumor-like (non-neoplastic) lesions of the larynx. Benign laryngeal tumors include a large number of lesions such as papillomas, hemangiomas, fibromas, chondromas, myxomas, and neurofibromas. The common factors responsible for the development of benign lesions are vocal abuse, misuse, overuse, speaking in unnatural tones, exposure to various irritants like smoke, dust, fumes, alcohol etc. Allergy and infective conditions of larynx (as human papilloma virus in respiratory papillomatosis) are also responsible alone or in combination with other factors for the development of such lesions. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] About 95% of laryngeal carcinomas are typical squamous cell tumors; approximately 40% of patients will have ABSTRACT Background: Larynx is an important structure in human being forming a part of upper airway and responsible for voice production. Varieties of tumours and tumour like lesions of larynx significantly affect its functions. The aim of the study was to study the clinicopathological aspects of various lesions of larynx. Methods: An observational study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2017 in a tertiary care centre retrospectively. Data collected from departmental registers. History, clinical presentation, relevant investigations and histopathology of biopsy from laryngeal lesions were analysed. Results: The incidence of laryngeal lesions was found to be high between 30-40 years (30.8%) followed by 51-60 years age group (20.9%) with higher preponderance among males (80.25%) compared to females (19.75%). Hoarseness of voice was the commonest presenting symptom in our patients accounting for 80%. It was observed that 27.1% patients were smokers, 10% were addicted to alcohol, and 6% patients had history of both smoking and alcohol consumption. Vocal polyp was the commonest tumour like lesion found in our study (31.4%) followed by vocal nodule (14.1%). Laryngeal papilloma was the only type of benign tumour found in our study (8%) and squamous cell carcinoma of larynx accounts for majority of malignant tumours most of which were moderately differentiated (40%). Conclusions: Majority of the laryngeal lesions are seen among rural population with poor socioeconomic status. Hence, creating awareness about risk factors, symptomatology and better cure with early detection can be life saving.

Consanguinity has been considered as one of the risk factors predisposing to the development of congenital hearing loss. Effect of consanguinity on cochlear morphology has been subject of speculation, though many studies have provided insight into functional aspect of cochlea. This study was conducted to know the effect of consanguinity on cochlear morphology, if any. A prospective, observational study, including prelingually deaf children with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss who are registered as candidates for cochlear implantation at a tertiary care centre, was conducted. Seven children born out of consanguineous marriages and having bilateral congenital sensorineural hearing loss were imaged for their inner ears by MRI and various cochlear measurements were compared with that of seven control children born out of non-consanguineous marriages and who had congenital bilateral sensorineural hearing deafness. No statistically significant differences were noticed in the measurements of mean cochlear length, cross sectional diameter of cochlea at apex, middle turn and at basal turns; between children born of consanguineous and non-consanguineous marriages. Study revealed normal cochlear morphology in all the children born out of consanguineous marriages. Consanguinity, as a risk factor for development of sensorineural hearing loss, may not result in gross structural anomaly of cochlea. The genetic testing of these patients need not be extensive and can be limited to selective screening of genes responsible for functioning of cochlea rather than its anatomical development.

Context:Ultrasonography of thyroid gland is a frequently performed investigation. Many of the diffuse thyroid pathologies are associated with altered vascularity. In view of potential applications and scant available data, there is a need to find normal values of Doppler indices of superior thyroid artery (STA).Aims:To find the normal range of Doppler indices like mean peak systolic velocity (PSV), resistivity index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) of STA in clinically euthyroid adult individuals.Settings and Design:Prospective cross-sectional observational study.Materials and Methods:A study was done in the Department of Radiodiagnosis of a tertiary care hospital, involving clinically euthyroid adult volunteers. Ultrasonography of the thyroid gland with Doppler of bilateral STAs was performed and mean values of PSV, RI, and PI were calculated.Results:A total of 208 subjects, with a mean age of 37.7 years, underwent Doppler evaluation of STA; 148 of them were women and 60 were men. The mean PSV obtained was 16.94 ± 5.3 cm/s. Mean PI and RI were 0.93 ± 0.31 and 0.5 ± 0.13, respectively. There was no significant difference in the values obtained among both the genders.Conclusion:Mean values of Doppler indices of STA in euthyroid individuals have been found in this study.

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INTRODUCTIONEar piercing is a widely prevalent custom among ladies in the Indian Subcontinent. Minor complications like allergy, infections following the procedure has been often seen. Most agonising is the formation of keloid with studies claiming a 2.5% risk of development of keloid post ear piercing.1 Keloids over pinna are also a known complication following minor incisions, drainage of auricular collections, trauma etc.2 Patients seek medical assistance mostly for cosmetic reasons. Keloids over the pinna can be cosmetically disfiguring especially among young ladies having a psychological impact on them. Keloids are prone for recurrence with need for prolonged treatment. Various treatment options have been tried including surgical excision, steroid injections, radiotherapy etc. with no significant permanent results. [3][4][5] Studies have claimed genetic predisposition for development of keloids. 6 In our Institution, which is located in the interior parts of Southern India, we have observed an unusually high number of patients seeking medical attention for keloids. This prompted us to further probe into our records and quantify and analyse our observations. ABSTRACTBackground: Unusually higher number of patients was observed to seek medical attention for keloids over the pinna in a geographical area in Central Karnataka. This study was conducted to find the demographic profile of such patients. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in two tertiary care centres, in which medical case files of all patients with documented diagnosis of keloid over the pinna between January 2013 to October 2017, were reviewed for their demographic profile and clinical presentation. Results: A total of 482 patients had presented with keloids of pinna in the duration studied. Of these 474 were females and 8 were males, with a mean age of 29 years. The most common age group of patients (37.3%) was 21 to 30 years followed by 31 to 40 years (25.7%). The most common antecedent event to keloid formation was piercing of the helix of the pinna. The commonest location of keloid formation in the pinna was found to be helix of the pinna (92.7%) The mean time interval between the antecedent event and keloid formation was 14 months. Conclusions: Higher number of patients seeks medical attention for keloid over the pinna in geographical region of central Karnataka. Most of them had undergone ear piercing and had presented in their early adulthood. Ear piercing over the helix of pinna was more commonly associated with keloid formation. Further studies are intended to be done on the etiological factors for higher incidence of keloids and feasible preventive measures.