Psychological Status in Patients with Chronic Urticaria

Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common dermatological disease that induces a substantial burden on individuals’ life. Also if one’s self-image changes (which usually happen in patients with dermatological diseases), it leads to anxiety or other various symptoms. We aimed to compare the psychological scales in patients with CU with non-dermatological individuals with the purpose of early diagnosis and appropriate psychiatric consult. Methods: In this study, psychological status of 30 patients with the diagnosis of chronic urticaria (lasting for more than 6 weeks) and 30 controls, chosen among the hospital staff were evaluated. Evaluation was carried out by using standard General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Psychosomatic disorders, anxiety, depression and social functions were assessed. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16, and the frequency indices and Chi- Square test. Results: Although from 30 patients with CU, 63.3% suffered from psychological disorders, this prevalence was estimated 46.6% in the control group. Altogether, psychological disorders in patients with CU were significantly (p=0.007) more prevalent than individuals without dermatological problems. Anxiety was the most common reported disorder. Conclusion: In our study, the most prevalent psychiatric disorders included anxiety, psychosomatic disorders, social dysfunction and depression, sequentially. It seems that depression is the least significant psychiatric disorder among patients who suffer from urticaria. Also, anxiety was the most reported disorder among them, which may be considered as the primary cause of the disease or it may be secondary to the disease process. This theory clarifies the importance of dermatologists and psychiatrists cooperation

Breast Tuberculosis in a Postmenopausal Woman With an Insidious Manner: A Case Report

Mammary tissue, skeletal muscle, and spleen are less frequently affected by mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB).The most common age for breast TB is between 50 and 70. On this article,we are reporting a 72-year-old womanwho presented with chronic cough, lobar consolidation in right middle lobe (RML) on the CXR, and a massin her right breast revealed on the physical examination. Biopsy from the breast lesion showed granulomatouschanges and acid fast bacilli were detected by bronchoalveolar lavage. Treatment for TB was begun and thepatient showed significant improvement.Based on the patient’s age, breast carcinoma was suspected first. Sinus formation was found on her breast ultrasound.This is a common finding and not diagnostic for TB.Our report is a reminder that although breastmasses in older women tend to be more malignant, tuberculosis should be considered in differentialdiagnosis,especially in postmenopausal women.Moreover, breast TB can present with insidious growth without anysymptoms

Detection of helicobacter pylori in benign laryngeal lesions by polymerase chain reaction: a cross sectional study

Abstract Background Although Helicobacter Pylori (HP) was detected in some cases of chronic laryngitis, the results were not confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). By this time, it has not been found in laryngeal lesions by in house PCR, the most sensitive method for detecting the genome tracks. Regarding the previous results and also few numbers of studies about the presence of HP in benign laryngeal lesions, specifically by PCR, we aimed to investigate the presence of HP in benign laryngeal lesions by in-house PCR. Methods The samples were taken from 55 patients with benign laryngeal lesions and frozen in −20°C. One milliliter (ml) of lysis buffer was added to 100 mg (mg) of each sample and the tube was placed in 56°C overnight. Then DNA extraction was carried out. Results To find HP DNA, in-house PCR was performed that revealed 5 positive results among 55 patients with benign laryngeal lesions. Of them, 3 were polyp, 1 was nodule and 1 was papilloma. Conclusion Although the number of positive results was not a lot in this study, it was in contrast with previous studies which could not find any HP tracks in benign laryngeal lesions by other methods. More studies about the prevalence of HP in benign laryngeal lesions improve judging about the effect of this infection on benign laryngeal lesions.</p

Porous high-density polyethylene in facial reconstruction and revision rhinoplasty: a prospective cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Initial methods which used human tissues as reconstruction materials caused different problems including rejection, limited shapes and infection. In 1970s, PHDPE (Medpor®) was introduced by its exclusive advantageous including no donor site morbidity, easily shaped and the minimal foreign body reaction. Hereby, we report our experience of using Medpor® in facial reconstruction especially in frontal reconstruction and orbital rim with a large sample size.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study was a prospective cohort study. Surgical techniques included using Medpor® in reconstruction of lamina papiracea (LP) (15 patients), frontal bone (15 patients), orbital rim (18 patients) and open rhinoplasty (8 patients). All interventions on LP were performed by endoscopic procedures. All frontal operations were carried out by bicoronal incision. In orbital defects, we used subciliary incision.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From all 56 patients, 1 case had primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of maxillary sinus. In that case, reconstruction of inferior orbital rim was not successful and extrusion was occurred after radiotherapy. In rhinoplasty and other experiences no extrusion or infection were detected within the next 1 to 3 years of follow up. There were not any palpable and visible irregularities under the skin in our experiences.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study the patients did not experience any complications during the follow up periods and the satisfaction was remarkable. Gathering these data gives rise to future review studies which can provide more organized evidences for replacing classic reconstructive methods by the presented material.</p