Introduction: Central nervous system anomalies are often severe and are the most common indications for therapeutic abortions. Ultrasound examination helps to identify and evaluate them well before birth.

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Recent studies suggest that patients with multiple sclerosis(MS) have low levels of neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor(NGF), brain-derived neurothrophic factor(BDNF) and the vitamin D-binding protein(VDBP), and exercise training may affects these factors in people with MS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a combined exercise training programon the serum levels of neurotrophic factos in women with MS. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in 24 volunteer MS patients(Expanded Disability Status Scale range of 1–5). Resting serum levels of BDNF, NGF, VDBP, body composition variables, and disability scale values were determined before and  after the intervention. The intervention consisted of  three sessions of combined training a week for 12 weeks(two sessions of aerobic and one session of resistance training, progressively). Aerobic training consisted of interval training with 4-13 repetition of aerobic activity at 40-55% of heart rate reserve; and resistance training consisted of 8-12 repetitions with 60-80% of 1RM for eight movements. The results showed a significant decrease in body fat percentage (p=0.003) and disability scale value(p=0.007) in the experimental group. no other significant changes was observed for other variables or in the control group. This study indicates that although the combined aerobic and resistance training in three non-consecutive days per week for 12 weeks has no effect on NGF, BDNF, and VDBP; however with positive effects on the body fat percentage and disability scale value can be for women with MS.

Thoracic spondylosis, better termed 'degenerative thoracic spine disease', is rare and failure to recognize it is mainly due to its rarity and to the complexity of symptomatology which can lead to prolonged and continued morbidity. During the past 4 years, the authors have treated 28 patients with thoracic spine degeneration with varied clinical manifestations, ranging from local pain, radiculopathy to radiculomyelopathy. In six patients, myelopathy developed gradually, four showing features of pseudoclaudication. Two had an acute onset of myelopathy after minor trauma. Radiological examination, including CT scans in a few patients, demonstrated face tal hypertrophy, ossification of the ligamentum flavum and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. One patient had posterior osteophytosis of thoracic spine at multiple level. Surgical decompression for localised stenosis yields good results, but the prognosis for those with diffuse or segmental stenosis is guarded.

Unilateral twin ectopic is a rare condition. Only 100 cases reported till date in the literature. A 34-year-old woman having secondary infertility reported to emergency with amenorrhea of one and half months and pain in abdomen. Her urine pregnancy test was positive and ultrasonography showed multiple (twin) ectopic gestational sacs in left adenexa. Color Doppler showed ring of fire sign encircling both the gestational sacs suggestive of twin ectopic pregnancy (diamniotic-dichorionic) in left adenexa. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis.

Although hydatid disease of the liver and lungs is common in South Asia, involvement of the brain is relatively rare. Two cases of cerebral echinococcosis are presented. One case involved the brain, kidney, heart and spleen. The case is unusual because of the multiplicity of intracranial lesions and sparing of the liver and lungs. The other case is a classical cerebral hydatid cyst. Both cases were confirmed histologically.

Parotid gland is involved in many inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. Many a times, it is difficult to ascertain the type of swelling by clinical examination. The anatomy and various abnormalities of the glands are very easily visualized by high-frequency ultrasound. Ultrasound can confirm the presence of the mass with sensitivity up to 100%. It can demonstrate whether a lesion is located in the parotid gland or outside. It can help in differentiating benign from malignant neoplasms and local staging of the mass in malignant lesions. In addition, ultrasound can identify those entities that may not need surgical intervention. The glands appear enlarged and show altered echopattern in acute inflammation and may be normal or reduce in size in chronic inflammation. Other pathologies that involve salivary glands are sialolithiasis and various benign and malignant neoplasms. Ultrasound many times suggests final diagnosis or supplies important differential diagnosis. In this article, the use of high-frequency ultrasound in parotid disease is discussed, and sonographic features of different parotid pathologies are reviewed with examples illustrated. High-frequency ultrasound is the first and many a times the only imaging investigation done for evaluation of parotid glands.

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