[Prevalence of nucleotide alterations of EGFR gene in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Kerman]

Esophageal Cancer is the sixth fatal cancer in the world. Squamous and adenocarcinoma account for 95% of esophageal cancer. The expression of EGFR has a role in the pathophysiology of epidermal-based malignancies such as esophageal cancer. EGFR is also an important criterion in the evaluation of disease staging and prognosis. The aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of EGFR gene mutations in patients with esophageal cancer by MLPA Technique. A total of 60 parafinated blocks from patients with esophageal cancer were investigated for the presence of EGFR mutations by MLPA technique. EGFR mutation was discovered in 82 percent of samples of which 52% were deletion mostly seen in exon 2 [52%] and duplication mostly seen in exon 27 [54%]. In some cases deletion and/or duplication were seen in more than one exon simultaneously. With regard to the obtained results and since the definitive diagnosis of esophageal cancer is made by biopsy and pathology techniques, it is suggested that all biopsy specimens be detected for EGFR mutations, particularly on exons 2 and 27 in order to achieve a noninvasive molecular diagnostic technique in future

[Comparison of the frequency of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury with and without exploration of the nerve in thyroidectomy]

Surgeons are not willing to participate in thyroid surgeries due to dangerous, although rare, complications of the procedure. Post thyroidectomy complications are divided in early and late onset; hypocalcemia, bleeding, thyroid storm and recurrent laryngeal nerve [RLN] injury are the most important ones. This study was performed to compare the frequency of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury with and without nerve exploration in the thyroidectomy operation. In this Cohort study, we evaluated 566 cases underwent thyroidectomy during about 6 years [2005-2011] in two centers, Bahonar and Afzalipour hospitals, in Kerman, Iran. A total of 566 patients, 124 men [21.9%] and 442 women [78.1%] with the mean age of 40.26 years and the mean hospitalization period of 3.35 days were evaluated. 382 patients [67.5%] underwent total or subtotal thyroidectomy and 184 [32.5%] underwent lobectomy and isthmectomy. 124 patients [21.9%] had malignant and 442 [78.1%] had benign lesions. The most common found malignancy was papillary thyroid carcinoma [PTC], where as the most found benign lesion was multinodular guiter [MNG]. Recurrent laryngeal nerve exploration was done for 337 patients [59/5%]. Totally, 6 cases [1.1%] showed Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury [1 in exploration and 5 in non exploration group] from which, 4 had permanent hoarseness and 2 had permanent dysphonia. Also, malignancy and radical neck dissection had significant effect on nerve injury but re-operation and unilateral or bilateral surgery had not. Recurrent laryngeal nerve identification and exploration decreased the incidence of nerve injury significantly. We believe that recurrent laryngeal nerve identification and exploration during thyroidectomy is the best procedure to decrease the risk of nerve injury

[ rare case of intestinal obstruction due to taenia saginata]

Intestinal obstruction may be duo to various mechanical or functional reasons. Worms, especially Ascaris worms are one of the mechanical reasons of intestinal obstruction. Obstruction due to Taenia saginata is a rare phenomenon. Here we report a case of intestinal obstruction due to Taenia saginata infection in a 30 year-old male patient undergoing laparatomy with the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. The cause of intestinal obstruction was unknown initially, but during milking of intestinal contents through naso- gastric tube a Taenia saginata worm was accidentally detected in the tube