North Bengal Medical College

About: North Bengal Medical College is a other organization based out in Darjeeling, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 624 authors who have published 691 publications receiving 5492 citations.

A mysterious growth from vulva mimicking scrotum leading to abandonment by her husband.

Abstract: Benign vulvar growths are rare. Initially these growths remain small and asymtomatic. Due to social stigma, young women in this stage often prefer to conceal the pathology. With considerable growth, apart from physical complaints, they might cause psychological problems of the subjects and even social withdrawal. Urgent detection and subsequent removal of the growth along with counselling is warranted to improve the patient’s self-esteem.

An unusual case of thyroid papillary carcinoma with solitary cerebral metastasis presenting with neurological symptoms.

Abstract: Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid is well known for metastasis to regional lymph nodes resulting in early detection and overall favorable prognosis. Solitary metastasis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid in the cerebrum is extremely rare with only a few cases reported in the literature. Here, we report an unusual case of a 40-year-old female patient who presented with neurological symptoms and a radiological diagnosis of meningioma was made. Subsequent histopathology from the resected brain tumor revealed a solitary cerebral metastasis from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. There was no involvement of regional lymph nodes and the radiological findings were indicative of a primary brain tumor.

A Tale of Two Tails: Not Just Skin Deep.

Abstract: The dorsal cutaneous appendage or the so called human tail is a rare congenital anomaly protruding from the lumbo-sacro-coccygeal area. These caudal appendages are divided into true-tails and pseudo-tails. We report here two cases of congenital pseudo-tail with underlying spina bifida and lipo-meningocele. In this article we seek to emphasize that, as the skin and nervous systems are intimately linked by their similar ectodermal origin, a dorsal appendage may be regarded as a cutaneous marker of the underlying spinal dysraphism.

A study on awareness of HIV/AIDS among adolescent school girls in an urban area of North Bengal, India

Abstract: Background: HIV/AIDS has recognized throughout the world as the important public health problem and adolescents are at greater risk of having this infection because of varying behavior pattern. Adolescents need correct information to prepare them to make better choices in sexual behavior. The present study was conducted to find out the existing knowledge regarding the causes, modes of transmission, prevention and social impact of AIDS. Methods: Setting based cross-sectional study done in the secondary and higher secondary students of Siliguri Girls School during July-September 2018. A self-administered, well designed pretested semi structured questionnaire with anonymity of the respondent was used for data collection with the help of interview. Results: 66.2% of girls knew sexual intercourse as the primary route of transmission whereas 22.9% knew airborne as the method. 60.8% of them thought isolation could prevent HIV/AIDS and safe sex can prevent transmission 59.4%. All the correct four routes of transmission were known by only 14.2% of students.12.55 of them knew about AIDS vaccine. Working with AIDS patient, using same toilet or sharing meals or swimming were the common myths among them to contract HIV/AIDS. Conclusions: Prevention being the only strategy available for HIV/AIDS is of utmost importance that knowledge regarding its various aspects should be dispersed among the adolescents through addition of chapter of AIDS and sex education in school curriculum.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Perimenopausal and Menopausal Women

Abstract: Pelvic organ prolapse (pop) is a chronic disorder, often asymptomatic. There are several factors involved in the aetio-pathogenesis of POP. Perimenopausal women bear most of the burden of pop. Vaginal delivery is an established risk factor and clinical presentation may take years when women are symptomatic in menopausal age. A cross-sectional study was done for one year in a rural teaching hospital, where 150 pop women were included. Variables associated with both asymptomatic & symptomatic pop were analyzed. The mean, proportion, & simple logistic regression were used to analyze the data and p value < 0.05 was considered significant. The prevalence of pop was 4.8%. Associated socio-economic & obstetrical variables were age group of 41–50 years (82.7%), housewives (84%), multiparty (93.33%), lower economic conditions (86.7%), home deliveries (74.71%), and early resumption of work after delivery (61.3%). Bulging in the vagina (p < 0.001), & difficulties in micturition (p = 0.001) were significant symptoms. Among asymptomatic & symptomatic pop, difference in BMI (p = 0.042), education level (p = 0.001), menstrual history (p = 0.001) & place of delivery (p = 0.037) were significant. Different stages of pop were significantly associated with differences in age groups (p < 0.001), menstrual history (p < 0.001) & place of delivery (p = 0.039). Differences in the proportion of constipation were significant with anterior compartment defects (p < 0.001), whereas the association of chronic lung diseases was found significant (p = 0.028) in the case of apical compartment prolapse. Simple logistic regression of co-variants shows age can predict the severity of pop stages (OR 7.25; 95% CI 1.95–26.99). All stages of pop were present mostly in the age group of 41–50 years rather than in the over 50 years age group. Menopause is associated with the severity of prolapse and is mostly symptomatic. Age can predict the severity of pop.