[Serum sicknem level in RA patients in Tehran [2005-2006]]

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a chronic inflammatory disease with prevalence of 1% and may lead to disability and in some case to mortality. Selenium is a trace element with anti oxidant property. The aim of this study was to compare the serum selenium level in Iranian RA patients and normal subjects. In 56 RA patients [according to 1998 ACR criteria] in rheumatology clinic of shahid mostafa khomeiny hospital after conversation patients examined by rheumatologist and with DAS-28 and Global Functional Status [GFS] disease activity estimated and then a blood sample drown for CBC, ESR, CRP, RF, Selenium level and in control group, matching with age and gender without RA or inflammatory disease serum selenium with atomic absorption method measured. Average selenium level in RA patients was 90.76 micg/l [SD31.22] and 92.21 micg/l [SD48.65] in control group and there was not any significant difference between two groups [P= 0.889] and there was not any correlation between age, gender, ethnic, GFS, DAS-28, RF and serum selenium level but by increase of age [per 1 year] serum selenium decreased 0.865 micg/dl. there was not any significant difference between RA patients and controls in serum selenium level

Intramuscular hemangioma of the forearm; Report of a case

A case of intramuscular hemangioma of the right forearm and hand muscle is presented in this study. This tumor may infiltrate the muscle and be misdiagnosed as a malignant neoplasm. The patient, a 14-year-old girl, presented to the clinic with right forearm and hand pain and swelling which began when she was 2 years old and had been gradually increasing in size. Because the mass might have been malignant, in 1990 a biopsy was performed. Histologic analysis revealed a benign intramuscular hemangioma. A second biopsy at 1992 reported intramuscular hemangioma, mixed type again. She had not received any other treatment. She was seen in March 2003 when the size of the mass had increased and was associated with a dull ache and swelling limited hand movements. The patient subsequently received radiotherapy

Isolated cervical osteochondroma manifesting as spasmodic torricollis: a case report

We present a 30-year-old man with cervical spine osteochondroma who manifested as spasmodic torticollis. The patient was treated medically for three years without any improvement. Eventually patient's medical records was reviewed and a structural disparity was detected in plain radiography. Further study confirmed a bone tumor in the left pedicle of third cervical vertebra. Upon surgical excision of the mass, the C3 spinal root was released and main bulk of the tumor was resected. Pathologic findings was in favor of osteochondroma and clinical symptoms was fully abated after surgery. Cervical spine tumors such as osteochondroma is an uncommon cause of spasmodic torticollis, however, always should be kept in mind as one of the etiologies