[ abdominal mass due to trichobezoare in a 14- year old girl]

Gastric bezoars results from the accumulation of foreign ingested materials in the form of masses or concretions. Bezoars are rare and being found in less than 0.5 percent of patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopies. Bezoars are classified according to their composition. The major types of bezoars are phytobezoars, trichobezoars and pharmacobezoars. Trichobezoars are typically seen in the women in their 20s. Patients with bezoar remain asymptomatic for many years and develop symptoms insidiously. Common complaints include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, early satiety, anorexia and weight loss. Bezoars have rarely been associated with other gastrointestinal complications such as gastric outlet obstruction [GOO], intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal perforation, necrotizing pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice, hypochromic anemia, B12 deficiency and abdominal mass. In our case thrichobezoare manifested with an abdominal mass and hypochromic anemia

[ association between hyperemesis gravidarum [HG] and helicobacter pylori [H.pylori] infection]

HG is a severe form of expectancy nausea and vomiting, occurring in 0/5 to 2% of the expectancies. The etiology of HG is unknown, though hormonal stimuli, and psychologic predisposition are attributable to the condition. Recent studies suggest a relationship between HG and H.pylori infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between HG and H.pylori infection. Forty pregnant women with HG [Treatment group] and forty asymptomatic pregnant women [control group] were assigned into the research from April to August 2006. Specific serum immunoglobulin G [IgG] for H.pylori was assayed by ELISA. The data was analyzed using SPSS software, Chi-Square and T-test. Out of 40 pregnant women with HG 25 individuals [62/5%] were found to have serologically positive H.pylori, whereas in asymptomatic pregnant women 19 [47.5%] individuals were positive, which shows no significant difference between H.Pylori infection with HG [P=0.178]. No significant difference was observed between positive H.pylori and the number of pregnancy, body mass index [BMI], and duration of hospital stay. Since HG has a multifactorial etiology and with regard to high prevalenve of H pylori in our country, research studies with higher sample sizes and utilization of more sensitive diagnostic methods for the detection of active H pylori is recommended

[Incidence of acute mountain sickness in south and north-east pathways of Damavand]

Background: to determine the incidence and risk factors of acute mountain sickness [AMS] in trekkers in different pathways of Damavand. Although it is well known that Iranian trekkers suffer from acute mountain sickness [AMS] in south pathway of Damavand, not much is documented about the incidence of AMS in the other pathways of Damavand Mountain, trekkers that go to high altitude from different pathways and their related contributing factors

Material and Methods: this study was a descriptive cohort study. During a four weeks [in summer 2006] a population of trekkers was studied. AMS symptoms, were assessed by an extensively used standard questionnaire [Lake Louise], applied at 2900 m above sea level, and during descent from summit Damavand [about 4200m] at south and north east pathways of Damvand in Iran Alborz Mountain

Results: the overall incidence of A.M.S. was 53.5%. The mean age of trekkers was 35.08 [+/-11.88] and 85.8% of the study population was men. Men did not differ significantly higher rate of AMS from women. The incidence being increased in those who begin climbing from south pathway [P=0.001], amateur climbers [P=0.000], a previous AMS experience or high altitude illness [P=0.031], a history of upper respiratory infection during last week [P=0.017], begging hour of ascent [P=0.02] and sleep in high altitude [P=0.01]. There was not any relation between AMS and age and descending rate [P<0.05]

Conclusions: data show a strong relation between experiences mountaineer, history of AMS, pathway of climbing and the incidence of acute mountain sickness at Damavand Mount that didn't report previously