ABSTRACT
Sulfur mustard [SM] is a blistering agent which has been used as a chemical warfare agent in many wars since 1917. It has been used several times by Iraqi forces during Iraq Iran war [1980-88]. Lungs, skin and eyes are the three major targets affected by SM. We had observed an increased number of cherry angiomas, benign vascular tumors, in Iranian veterans after exposure to SM, so we decided to assess number and size of cherry angiomas in Iranian veterans several years after exposure to SM. In this historical cohort study, 99 veterans exposed to SM were compared to 52 non-exposed individuals. Participants were examined for number and maximum size of cheny angiomas and the findings were compared between the two groups. All participants were male. The age range in case group was from 30 to 60 years [mean +/- SD: 42.7 +/- 7.6] and in control group was from 30 to 65 years [mean +/- SD: 39.9 +/- 9.9]. In case group, number of angiomas and maximum size of them were significantly greater than those in control group [P=0.001 and P=0.0001; respectively]. There was a direct correlation between number of angiomas and maximum size of them in case group [P=0.0001]. Most of lesions were located in trunk and upper extremities. SM seemed to be responsible for the presence of multiple cherry angiomas in veterans several years after exposure. Maximum size of angiomas in veterans was significantly greater than those were observed in non-exposed individuals