[Normal olfaction range of Rasht residents with a new test designed for the region]

An important part of one's information from surrounding environment comes through olfactory system. So its disorders regardless of the reason can lead to a lot of problems. An appropriate diagnostic smell test is needed for determination to the normal range of olfactory sense, and evaluation of patient's complain of hyposmia or anosmia and determination the severity of the problem. It is helpful for follow up and choosing the most effective surgical or medical treatment too. Unfortunately Current used tested for diagnose of factory system disorders are not modified for Iranian population and are difficult to run and interpret. Development of a standard smell test for Iranians and determination of the normal range of olfactory sense in this region. In order to find popular odorous items in the region, 56 well known materials were presented to two hundred, 15-60 years old, normal relatives of patients who came to university based Amir-Al- Momenin hospital. Then 16 materials with the highest scores were selected [based on this consensus] as the test materials. These were: petrol, alcohol, tea, rice, soap, cinnamon, origan, and garlic, onion, washing powder, mint, rose water, lemon juice, olive oil, Vinegar and Vix. Then, these 16 selected materials were presented to 150 people of study group [77 women, 73 men]. All materials were presented in identical containers. Participants were requested to smell material at 2 centimeter distance for 3 seconds, without being able to see the material. Then they would choose an answer in a multiple choice questionnaire. Each nostril was tested separately, therefore the total score for two nostril and 16 materials was 32 for each person. Considering 97 percentile, the normal range of olfactory score for 15-60 years old residents of Rasht was 28-32. This study is helpful to evaluate the patients who complain of hyposmia or anosmia and could be use for future studies

Evaluation of the effect of anti-biotherapy following surgery of acute supurative appendicitis, on some infection indicators

Prophylactic anti-biotherapy in acute appendicitis is necessary to prevent peritonitis and gangrene of appendix. But anti-biotherapy in the first 24 hours after appendectomy in acute supurative cases requires further investigations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anti-biotherapy on prevention of the complications of the surgery and duration of hospitalization. This is a prospective blind clinical trial study from 1379 to 1382 in 3 university hospitals in AHWAZ including all the cases of supurative appendicitis. In this study 200 patients were divided into two equal groups. In one group cefazolin and metronidazole were prescribed for the purpose of prophylaxis before surgery and in the other group, in addition to prophylactic anti-biotherapy, cefazolin and metronidazol continued for another 24h after surgery. Then the patients were followed up for 2 months to be examined for wound infection, abdominal and pelvic abscesses, wound dehiscence and duration of hospitalization. In this study, 200 patients 56% male and 44% female were divided into two equal groups. Mean age of the patients was 18.5 years [15-40]. The first group received antibiotics for 24h after operation. But wound infection and post operative fever were detected in 4% and 6% of these patients respectively and mean days of hospitalization was 2.6 days [2-7 days]. In the second group without post operative anti-biotherapy incidence rate of wound infection and post operative fever were 4% and 8% respectively and the mean days of hospitalization was 2.8 days [2-7 days]. There were no abdominal or pelvic abscess and wound dehiscence in both groups. In this study incidence of wound infection [p=1.00] and post operative fever [p=0.58] and mean days of hospitalization [p=0.68] were similar in both groups and there were no significant statistical differences. It seems that post operative anti-biotherapy in supurative appendicitis is of no value in reducing the incidence of wound infection, post operative fever and mean number of days of hospitalization

Appendicitis and enterobius vermicularis

To evaluate the appendicitis due to Enterobius vermicularis. Appendices were removed and histopathological examination was carried out. The samples were obtained from patients admitted in Imam khomeini hospital at Ahvaz city, capital of Khouzestan Province, Southwestern part of Iran. 1253 appendices were examined in order to elucidate possible relationship between the incidence of Enterobius vermicularis and the origin of inflammation.Main outcome: Assesment of the appendicitis due to Enterobius vermicularis. Nine out of 1253 cases [0.7%] were infected with Enterobius vermicularis, including 5 female and 4 male at the age of 8-36 years. During the operation in two female cases, ovarian cysts were revealed at the same time. Existence of Enterobius vermicularis in appendicitis can cause the symptom and even inflammation of appendicitis

Muscular hydatidosis: a report of 3 cases

Hydatidosis or cystic echinococcosis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease caused by a small taenid-tape worm [Echinococcus granulosus]with worldwide distribution, particularly in developing countries where many rural inhabitants live under poor sanitary conditions. The majority of hydatid cysts are located in liver and lungs and muscular hydatid cysts are rare. This is a report of three muscular hydatid cysts from Ahvaz, southwestern part of Iran. The first patient was a 64-year-old man with liver and left thigh cysts. The muscular cyst was measured 3 ' 3 cm in diameter. The second case was a 32 year male with left gluteal muscle mass of firm consistency measured 3 ' 3 ' 2 cm. The third case was an eighty-year old male with a soft mass tissue and painless in the left thigh measured 5 ' 5 ' 8 cm. Complete excision of muscle cysts was done and histopathological examination of specimens confirmed the hydatid cyst. Cysts of cases 1 and 2 were fertile with laminated and germinal layers and protoscolices and case 3 was unfertile. In the third case laminated and germinal layers were observed without any protoscolices

Prevalence of malignancy in thyroid nodules in referral patients to Imam Khomeini Hospital during 1370-1379

Thyroid nodule is a risk factor in thyroid carcinoma. So proper awareness, evaluation and appropriate management of these nodules can result in early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer which can lead to better prognosis. In this study we evaluated 100 patients with thyroid nodules who referred to Imam khomeini hospital of Ahvaz during 1370-79. Findings showed that 18% of the subjects were diagnosed as thyroid cancer after operation and 89% were those who had solitary and cold nodule. It is believed that medical suppression therapy is a treatment of choice in these patients but we believe this can induce delay in diagnosis and appropriate treatment. So, lobectomy and isthmectomy appear to be the management of choice in thyroid nodules especially in solitary and cold nodule in males