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.

Ovarian tumors in pediatric age group - A clinicopathologic study of 10 years' cases in West Bengal, India

Abstract: Background and objectives: Objective in this retrospective study is to find out the incidence of different ovarian tumors of girls up to 20 years of age observed in last ten years in North Bengal Medical College and to correlate clinical and gross findings with histopathologic findings and to compare the incidence with other studies and follow-up of patients with malignant ovarian tumors. Materials and Methods: Findings were retrieved from records of different pathological reports and clinical reports. Results: Total 151 cases of ovarian tumors were received in pathology department in which 34 cases were malignant (22.6%). Amongst malignant cases, 66% are of germ-cell origin-dysgerminoma being the commonest. Strikingly we got 9 cases of malignant surface epithelial tumor. As per follow-up records most of the dysgerminoma came in stage IA and recovered fully following chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Amongst other malignant tumors, few lost the follow-up management and others expired due to metastasis. Conclusions: Patients from hilly areas of North Bengal and low socio-economic status led to lower detection rate of ovarian tumors in early stage which are absolutely necessary for proper guidelines of management to reduce mortality.

Tuberculoma of the brain - A diagnostic dilemma: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy a new ray of hope

Abstract: Tuberculoma of the brain is an important clinical entity. The main challenge in the management of brain tuberculoma is its diagnosis. Appearance in computed tomography (CT) scan of brain is common and consists of solitary or multiple ring-enhancing lesions with moderate perilesional edema, but these are not specific for tuberculoma as neurocysticercosis (NCC), coccidiomycosis, toxoplasmosis, metastasis and few other diseases may also have similar appearance on CT scan brain. Cerebrospinal fluid examination is often normal and biopsy and tissue culture from the lesion though the diagnosis of choice is technically too demanding and not feasible in most of the times. All these put the clinicians in a great dilemma as regard to a confidant diagnosis of tuberculoma of the brain. With advancement of imaging techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has shown a great hope in this context as MRS shows a specific lipid peak in cases of tuberculoma which is not seen in any other differential diagnoses of tuberculoma. This review article is written to have an overview regarding the current diagnostic approach for brain tuberculoma with special emphasis on the role of MRS. Extensive literature review of the articles published in English was conducted using Google search, Google Scholar, PubMed and Medline using the keywords such as ring-enhancing lesions, etiology, tuberculoma, NCC, CT scan brain, MRI, MRS, images.

Beta-Thalassemia Carrier Detection by NESTROFT: An Answer in Rural Scenario?

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Beta-thalassemia continues to be a cause of significant burden to the society particularly in the poorer developing countries. Although sophisticated methods of screening have become available, a hunt for a cheap, rapid, objective screening method still remains elusive. Thus, the objectives are to study the validity of Naked-Eye-Single-Tube-OsmoticFragility-Test (NESTROFT) in detection of beta-thalassemia carrier state, to assess the prevalence of beta-thalassemia trait among antenatal mothers in the region and also to find out the effect of concurrent iron deficiency on the hematological parameters in these cases. Materials and Methods: A total of 500 antenatal mothers in a rural tertiary care hospital were selected for the study. Their blood samples were subjected to NESTROFT, complete hemogram, reticulocyte counts and hemoglobin variant studies by electrophoresis and by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Serum ferritin estimation was done in cases diagnosed as beta-thalassemia trait. The results were analyzed statistically. Results: A prevalence of 3.4% of beta-thalassemia trait and 0.6% of E-beta-thalassemia were observed among the study population. NESTROFT showed an overall sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 95.8% respectively in detection of heterozygous and double heterozygous states of beta-thalassemia. The various RBC indices were significantly (P <0.05) lower in carriers with concurrent iron deficiency. A co-existent iron deficiency did not preclude a diagnosis of betathalassemia carrier state. Conclusions: NESTROFT appears to a valid test in rural setting with financial constraints. The hematological parameters in iron deficient beta-thalassemic carriers significantly differed from their iron replete counterparts but did not cause problem in diagnoses.

Morphological Variations in the Anatomy of Caecum and Appendix - A Cadaveric Study -

Abstract: Background : Appendicitis is one of the most common clinical conditions that require emergency surgery. Variations in anatomical location of appendix can result in different clinical presentations. Anatomical and topographical variations of the caecum are also known to occur. Anatomical variations in caecum have been observed along with the appendix in this study. Aims: To study the variations in the size, shape, position and arterial supply of the caecum and appendix in individuals of different sex and age, a thorough knowledge of which will aid surgeons in performing various abdominal operations in adults and children. Material and methods: The study was carried out on 25 adult cadavers over a period of 3 years. The anatomy of caecum and appendix was studied in detail. Results : The normal position of caecum and appendix in adult cadavers was found to be in the right iliac fossa. In all specimens the shape of caecum was adult (ampullary) type and it was supplied normally in all cases from a branch of the superior mesenteric artery. The appendix was found in the retro-caecal position in majority of cases with a complete meso-appendix in four and an additional blood supply via the artery of Sesachalam was found in two cases. Conclusions: Vermiform appendix is characterized by variability of its location and morphology. The ultimate position of the appendix is influenced by the changes in position and shape which the caecum undergoes during development and growth. The present study observed the appendix and caecum to be found in their normal positions in majority of cases. The average length of caecum and appendix was foundto be more in males as compared with females. Appendicitis is one of the most common diseases that need emergency surgery. Variations in anatomical position cause different clinical presentations. A thorough knowledge of normal anatomy and variations of the caecum and appendix is very important to the surgeon performing abdominal operations in adults, children and infants as it helps them to make optimal diagnosis of various pathological conditions related to these organs and treat accordingly.

Comparison of four techniques of nasogastric tube insertion in anaesthetised, intubated patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: Background and Aims: Insertion of nasogastric tubes (NGTs) in anaesthetised, intubated patients with a conventional method is sometimes difficult. Different techniques of NGT insertion have been tried with varying degree of success. The aim of this prospective, randomised, open-label study was to evaluate three modified techniques of NGT insertion comparing with the conventional method in respect of success rate, time taken for insertion and the adverse events. Methods: In the operation theatre of general surgery, the patients were randomly allocated into four groups: Group C (control group, n = 54), Group W (ureteral guide wire group, n = 54), Group F (neck flexion with lateral pressure, n = 54) and Group R (reverse Sellick's manoeuvre, n = 54). The number of attempts for successful NGT insertion, time taken for insertion and adverse events were noted. Results: All the three modified techniques were found more successful than the conventional method on the first attempt. The least time taken for insertion was noted in the reverse Sellick's method. However, on intergroup analysis, neck flexion and reverse Sellick's methods were comparable but significantly faster than the other two methods with respect to time taken for insertion. Conclusion: Reverse Sellick's manoeuver, neck flexion with lateral neck pressure and guide wire-assisted techniques are all better alternatives to the conventional method for successful, quick and reliable NGT insertion with permissible adverse events in anaesthetised, intubated adult patients. Further studies after eliminating major limitations of the present study are warranted to establish the superiority of any one of these modified techniques.