Serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels were estimated in a group of 40 patients with head and neck cancer. The mean value was significantly higher in patients compared to controls. The increase was higher in cases of ulcerative growths than of proliferative growths, and activity was increased with advancement in the stage of the cancer. After radiotherapy, a gradual and significant decrease in serum ADA activity was observed.

Background: Head and neck neoplasms are the tumours of head and neck region including various subsites in oropharynx, nasopharynx, larynx, upper oesophagus, paranaal sinuses, and ear. Various treatment modalities are available depending on the stage, type, site of tumour. This study was conducted to study the compliance of patients diagnosed with various head and neck neoplasms towards recommended treatment modalities.Methods: 243 patients presenting in the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Northern India with positive biopsy for neoplastic pathology, benign and malignant were included in the study for a period of 2 years (January 2018-December 2019). All the patients were counselled and those who complied with the suggested therapeutic modality were further evaluated.Results: Surgical intervention was carried out in 79 subjects with benign and 133 with malignant pathologies. 49 patients among 133 were advised further surgical intervention. 31 patients underwent second surgery. Radio-therapeutic and chemotherapeutic modalities were undertaken in 66 subjects. 39 patients did not comply with treatment and were lost to follow up.Conclusions: Decision making for head and neck neoplasms is extremely important and should be considered after thorough discussion with the patient.

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Vitamin C has a therapeutic role in allergic rhinitis by reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the improvement or otherwise in the clinical manifestations of allergic rhinitis, following supplementation of this vitamin.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>40 subjects of allergic rhinitis were selected from the allergy clinics of Dayanand medical college and hospital. The study period was one and a half year. Vitamin C in the dose of 1 gm per day was administered in the case group and in the placebo group a sugar tablet was administered by the oral route. Plasma levels of ascorbic acid and its effect on the symptoms and signs of rhinitis were recorded.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The mean duration of illness in the patients with allergic rhinitis was 10.15±3.4 years, with 25 patients having duration of less than 10 years, 10 patients were with of illness between 10 to 20 years and 5 having duration more than 20 years. The most common complaint in patients with allergic rhinitis was of nasal obstruction (57.5%).</p><p>All the patients who showed improvement had increase in plasma ascorbic after the respective treatment but not all the patients showing increase in plasma ascorbic acid post-treatment showed improvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Vitamin C ameliorates the signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis by raising the plasma ascorbic acid levels.</p>

<p class="Normal1"><strong>Background:</strong> Head injury with temporal bone trauma manifests with facial nerve palsy. The site of lesion can be assessed by various tests.</p><p class="Normal1"><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective study of 500 cases of head injury was undertaken to study the role of topodiagnostic tests in localising the site of lesion in 48 patients of facial palsy. The study was undertaken by the otology services of Dayanand medical college and hospital, Ludhiana during a period of one year.</p><p class="Normal1">Cases: 500 cases admitted with head injury were screened. The cases with facial nerve paralysis were then enrolled in the study.</p><p class="Normal1"><strong>Results: </strong>In 48 patients of facial palsy, taste sensation was diminished in 67% (21 cases); acoustic reflex absent in 86.8% (33 cases) and Schirmer’s test showed reduced lacrimation in 29.1% (14 cases).</p><p class="Normal1"><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The topodiagnostic tests do not always localise the site of lesion in head injury.</p>

Ascorbic acid plays a pivotal role in common cold and allergic rhinitis by affecting the innate and adaptive immunity It antagonizes mediators of allergic rhinitis like histamine, prostaglandins etc. It also maintains the normal redox potential of the cells preventing bonding of antibody to antigen. It helps in stress conditions and has stimulatory effect on interferon synthesis. The present study was undertaken to study the role of plasma ascorbic acid in patients suffering from nasal allergy.