Normal measurements of brainstem and related structures for all ages: An MRI-based morphometric study.

Background: Knowledge of the normal size of the brain stem and certain related structures play an important role in diagnosis of aging and neurodegenerative conditions affecting the brain. There is no well-established normative data for development and age-related changes pertaining to the brain stem and related structures in the Indian context. The objective of this study was to assess various linear and angle measurements of the brain stem, cerebral peduncles, middle cerebellar peduncles, and proximal cervical cord for all ages in patients who have undergone MRI brain for unrelated pathologies.

Pre-FESS Imaging of Paranasal Sinuses and Nasal Cavity: Using Multi-detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) in Understanding Normal Anatomy and Anatomical Variations: Tips and Tricks.

With the advent of Multi-detector Computed Tomography (MDCT), imaging evaluation of paranasal sinuses (PNS) and nasal cavity has witnessed a paradigm shift. Submillimetric slice thickness with superior quality multiplanar reconstructions in orthogonal as well as non-orthogonal planes have resulted in better understanding of the intricate details of complex sino-nasal anatomy and their normal variations. Sagittal plane images have gained increasing acceptance among the sinus surgeons for understanding frontal sinus drainage pathway as well as lateral nasal wall.

Diagnosing pulmonary thromboembolism: Concerns and controversies.

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is an important cause of mortality/morbidity even today despite advancement in clinical understanding as well as diagnostic facilities. Clinical diagnosis of PTE is often challenging because of nonspecific sign/symptoms. Adherence to clinical decision-making protocols and appropriate use of diagnostic modalities like computed tomography pulmonary angiography can resolve the diagnostic dilemma in most cases and help in the overall management of PTE.

Ultrasonographic predictors in chronic kidney disease: A hospital based case control study.

Background: Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is increasing globally with the concomitant upsurge in diabetes mellitus and hypertension. We explored the research question whether Ultrasonographic (US) renal parameters are potential predictors of CKD?

Materials And Methods: A case control study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital that included 50 confirmed cases of CKD and 100 nondiseased controls. Renal length, renal parenchymal thickness, and renal cortical thickness were measured in both cases and controls by ultrasound examination.

Revisiting anatomical variants on screening chest radiographs in Indian adolescents: A cross sectional observational pilot study.

Background: Knowledge of normal variation and measurements on a chest radiograph is essential to interpret any abnormality. There is paucity of information about normal measurement ranges and variations in young adolescents, particularly from Indian subcontinent. The aim of this study was to analyze certain normal variations on screening chest radiographs of healthy Indian adolescents and the objectives were to measure/assess (1) degree of inspiration, (2) cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), (3) presence of gastric fundic bubble, (4) fundocupolic distance, (5) presence of splenic flexure, (6) difference in height of diaphragmatic domes and (7) effect of inspiration on the CTR.

Ultrasound evaluation of cervical lymphadenopathy: Can it reduce the need of histopathology/cytopathology?

Background: The differentiation between the causes of cervical lymphadenopathy is of paramount importance as these have different modalities of treatment with varying prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of B Mode and colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) to differentiate between benign and metastatic lymph nodes.

Methods: 100 patients of clinically palpable lymph nodes were evaluated with B Mode and CDUS.

Wishing away Plagiarism in Scientific Publications! Will it work? A situational analysis of Plagiarism policy of journals in PubMed.

Background: Plagiarism remains a scourge for the modern academia. There are inconsistencies in the plagiarism policy scientific journals. The aims of this study was to analyze types of published articles on 'Plagiarism' available on PubMed over last two decades against a backdrop of the plagiarism policy of the journals publishing such articles.

Doppler indices of the umbilical and fetal middle cerebral artery at 18-40 weeks of normal gestation: A pilot study.

Background: Doppler indices form an integral component of noninvasive evaluation of fetal well-being. There is paucity of information about normal obstetric Doppler indices, particularly from the Indian subcontinent. The aim of the study was to find the values of pulsatility index (PI), resistive index (RI) of umbilical artery (UA), and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) and calculate cerebro-placental ratio (CP ratio) for 18-40 weeks of normal gestation so that a reference range of these Doppler values can be postulated.

Imaging in acute appendicitis: What, when, and why?

Acute appendicitis (AA) is the commonest cause of pain abdomen requiring surgical intervention. Diagnosis as well as management of acute appendicitis is mired in controversies and contradictions even today. Clinicians often face the dilemma of balancing negative appendectomy rate and perforation rate if the diagnosis is based on clinical scoring alone.

Clinical mimics of acute appendicitis: Is there any role of imaging?

Acute appendicitis (AA) is a common surgical emergency. Accurate and timely diagnosis of AA is essential for successful outcome. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, exclusion of AA as well as diagnosing alternative clinical conditions which can closely simulate AA.

Plagiarism: A silent epidemic in scientific writing - Reasons, recognition and remedies.

Plagiarism is one of the most serious forms of scientific misconduct prevalent today and is an important reason for significant proportion of rejection of manuscripts and retraction of published articles. It is time for the medical fraternity to unanimously adopt a 'zero tolerance' policy towards this menace. While responsibility for ensuring a plagiarism-free manuscript primarily lies with the authors, editors cannot absolve themselves of their accountability.

'Empty sella' on routine MRI studies: An incidental finding or otherwise?

Background: Empty sella (ES) has been regarded as an incidental finding. Recently, there have been studies documenting association of ES with hormonal and non-hormonal abnormalities. To detect the prevalence of empty sella in routine MRI brain study and to find associations with other diseases.

On the Role of Ultrasonography and CT Scan in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis.

The purposes of this study were to revisit the utility of ultrasonography (USG) as a primary imaging modality in acute appendicitis (AA) and to establish the role of CT scan as a second-line/problem-solving modality. All cases of suspected AA were referred for urgent USG. USG was done with standard protocol for appendicitis.