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Introduction: There is a wide variation in different dimensions of trachea in same age group as well as in different age groups in both sexes. Besides anthropometry, the study of these morphometric variations is of profound clinical importance as it may help the pulmonologists to understand the aetiology of several pulmonary diseases like bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis and tuberculosis. Aim: To determine the variations in the dimensions of human trachea in the cadavers of age group 20-70 years in Northern India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar, Punjab, India, during March 2019 to December 2021. A total of 40 tracheas were obtained from adult human cadavers which were included in present study by convenience sampling. The trachea was dissected with the larynx and principal bronchi and measurements were taken. Data collected was saved on Microsoft excel and was analysed by calculating percentages, mean and Standard Deviation (SD). Results: Mean length of trachea was 109.25 mm, mean subcarinal angle was 75.45°. Mean anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter, mean height and distance between posterior ends of rings was 16.70 mm and 18.10 mm, 4.53 mm and 12.15 mm respectively and mean of inter-ring distance between 1st-2nd, 5th-6th, 10th-11th, 15th-16th tracheal rings was 1.12 mm. Conclusion: The present study revealed a wide variation in different dimensions viz. length, transverse and anteroposterior diameters, mean height, intertracheal ring distance and the subcarinal angle. Accurate anatomical knowledge of the variations is essential for understanding the pathophysiology and management of different airway disorders and in reconstructive surgery of tracheobronchial tree.

Background and Objectives: Beta-thalassemia continues to be a cause of significant burden to the society, particularly in the poorer developing countries. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the validity of “NESTROFT” (Naked Eye Single Tube Red Cell Osmotic Fragility Test) as a useful screening tool in the diagnosis of beta thalassemia trait. Material and Methods: The present study was conducted on 150 subjects in the department of haematology in a tertiary health care center in north Indian state of Punjab. In Group I, 111 cases diagnosed as microcytic hypochromic anaemia were selected. In Group II, 39 individuals (the family members of known cases of beta thalassemia major) were selected. Complete haemogram, NESTROFT and HbA2 levels by electrophoresis were done and the results were tabulated and analyzed statistically. Results: Of the 111 cases in Group I, 20 (18%) gave positive results with NESTROFT while 91 cases (82%) tested negative. In Group II, out of 39 cases, 30 (76.92%) tested positive with NESTROFT while 9 gave a negative result. In Group I, out of 20 NESTROFT positive cases, only 3 had HbA2 levels more than 3.5%. In Group II, all the 30 NESTROFT positive cases had HbA2 levels more than 3.5%. The test showed a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 85.47%, a positive predictive value of 66% and a negative predictive value of 100%. Conclusion: Thus, NESTROFT is a valuable, cost-effective screening test for beta thalassemia trait and appears to be a valid test in rural setting with financial constraints.