Diabetes mellitus and bell's palsy in Iranian population

During last decades many researchers have focused on the conditions associated with Bell's palsy including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and viral infections. This study was performed to evaluate correlation of diabetes mellitus and Bell's palsy and some relevant features not discussed in the literature in an Iranian population. The presence of diabetes mellitus was evaluated in a total number of 275 subjects [75 patients with Bell's palsy and 200 control subjects]. Diabetes mellitus was noted in 10 [13.3%] patients with Bell's palsy among which 6 case were diagnosed as new cases of diabetes. Previous history of Bell's palsy was present in 10.67% of the subjects with Bell's palsy. This study confirms the correlation of diabetes mellitus and Bell's palsy for the first time in an Iranian population. We suggest screening tests for diabetes mellitus to be a routine part in the management of patients with Bell's palsy, especially in developing countries

Postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneus fistula in Imam Khomeini Hospital

Pharyngocutaneus fistula is the most common complication following total laryngectomy with an unknown multifactorial etiology. The present study was designed to determine the incidence and predisposing factors of pharyngocutaneus fistula. 76 patients who underwent total laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated factors potentially predisposing to fistula formation [age, sex, hypertension, congestive heart failure, pre- and post operative hemoglobin levels, tumor site, previous radiotherapy and chemotherapy, infection of surgical site, fever, concurrent neck dissection, smoking, drinking, peri-operative blood transfusion] using the chi-squared test, independent sample test and t-test. Pharyngocutaneus fistula was diagnosed in 10 patients [13.1%] within less than 4 weeks from surgery. Analysis showed that there were no statistically significant associations between fistula development and age, sex, hypertension, congestive heart failure, pre- and post operative hemoglobin levels, tumor site, previous radiotherapy and chemotherapy, concurrent neck dissection, smoking, drinking and peri operative blood transfusion. Infection of surgical margins and fever increased the risk of fistula development. The results show that infection of the surgical site and fever were associated with fistula formation. Given that fistula formation increases patients morbidity and hospital stay, prevention of surgical site infection and fever should be considered with an increased risk of pharyngocutaneus fistula formation

[Comparison of hearing results in two different techniques on 408 patients with otosclerosis]

Otosclerosis is common disease of the ear and surgery on stapes is very fine operation. There are two techniques for surgical treatment of otosclerosis: stapedectomy [partial, Total] and stapedotomy. This is a retrospective clinical study that performed in referral center [university hospital] on four hundred and eight patients with otosclerosis treated by surgery. Surgery on 285 patients were stapedotomy and 89 were stapedectomy. Preoperative and postoperative hearing thresholds were compared. In this study hearing results after stapedectomy were better in comparison with small fenestrationstapedotomy. Skill and experience of the surgeon has a significant role in stapes surgery. As stapes surgery is a very fine operation it is recommended not to be done by unexperienced surgeon