[ effect of presence of palmaris longus and fifth superficial flexor tendons on median nerve surface area; a cross-sectional study with sonography]

Background and Aims: Sonography has enjoyed much attention as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for carpal tunnel syndrome in recent years. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of anatomic variations of existence or absence of palmaris longus and fifth superficial flexor tendons on the sonographic measurement of median nerve surface area in healthy individuals' wrists

Methods: 93 volunteers without any symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome underwent clinical evaluation for determining presence of tendons in both wrists and also, sonographic measurement of median nerve surface area

Results: In 22 of 186 hands [11.82%], there was absence of the palmaris longus tendon and absence of the fifth flexor was noted in 8 [4.30%]. The median nerve surface area in the hands without palmaris longus was meaningfully less than the hands with it [P = 0.025], while the difference in the median nerve surface area was not statistically significant regarding the presence of the fifth flexor [P = 0.324]

Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, it seems that the median nerve surface, area as a sonographic finding, is probably related to presence or absence of the palmaris Longus tendon. So, those hands with the tendon present have larger surface areas. Also, it seems that this sonographic finding is not dependent on the presence of fifth superficial flexor tendon

[The effect of different concentration of methanol and aqueous extracts of garlic on opportunistic fungi Sporothrix schenckii, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans]

The curative properties of garlic in medicine have been known for a long time. However, it was only in the last three decades when garlic properties were seriously investigated confirming its potential as therapeutic medicine. The aim of this study was to measure the MIC of aqueous and methanolic extracts of garlic and to compare them with ketoconazole as positive control. In this laboratory study, the fresh smelly bulb of garlic was cleaned, skinned dryad and powdered. Garlic powder was solved in 80% methanol and distilled water. This yellow solution remained in the lab for 4 days. After that the stimmed, filtered and concentrated solution was kept remained inside the pipet in oven for 48h in 50[degree]C to make dry extract. Then methanol and aqueous dilutions [0.625 mg/ml, 1.25 mg/d 2.5 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml, 10mg/ml and 20 mg/ml] were prepared separately from 200mg powder of the concentrated extracts of garlic. Three strains of dermatophytes were cultured on the media which contained different dilutions. This experimental study showed that the rate of the effect of the aqueous extracts of garlic on Sporothrix schenckii in the minimum dilution [0.625mghl] was 8% and in the maximum dilution [20 mg/ml] was 100%. This rate in methanol extract on the same fungus was 25% and 100% in 10mg/ml dilution, respectively. The amounts of the effects of extracts on Candida albicans were 17% in the minimum dilution and 100% in 10% dilution. The effect of this plant on Cryptococcus neoforrnans was more than our expectation, because the amount of MIC in all dilutions was close to its minimum dilution [0.625mg/ml]. As the effects of the garlic extracts were the same or even more than ketoconazole and also regarding the side effects of the synthetic drugs, the use of herbs as useful drugs are necessary

[Antidermatophytal effects of the ointment, gel and methanolic extract solution of myrtus communis on guinea pigs]

There are many reports about the antimicrobial and the antifungal effects of Myrtal extract. This comparative and experimental study was carried out to investigate the effects of Myrtus communis extract on 3 species, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum versus clotrimazole in guinea pigs. In this experimental study, ninthy three guinea pigs [450g body weight] were divided into 27 groups and inoculated with T. mentagrophytes, M. canis and M. gypseum. After the appearance of infections' symptoms, the infected animals in different groups, were treated with the 1%, 2% and 5% of gel, ointment or, the methanolic extract solution of Myrtus communis. One precent Clotrimazole was used for the positive control groups. Guinea pigs which were contaminated with M.canis did not show any signs of recovery after treatment with ointment in contrast to the solution and the gel [p<0.01]. The best results of improvement were observed in the cases infected with T. mentagrophytes but not against M. gypseum. There were no significant differences among myrtal concentrations against T. mentagrophytes. Overall, evaluating the results indicated that the effects of myrtal extracts on the anthropophilic and geophilic dermatophytes on the animal models were much better than 1% clotrimazole, although the animal model is very resistant to this ointment

[ case report of floating metatarsal: Concomitant dislocation of the tarsometatarsal and metatarsophalangeal joints of the second toe]

An extremely rare case of floating second metatarsal is reported. The reported case is a young man with simultaneous dislocation of tarsometatarsal and metatarsophalangeal joints of the second metatars following a car accident. Because of patient's discontent for open surgery, blind percutaneus pinning was performed that was not completely successful and in follow up radiography, 18 months later, degenerative joint disease [DJD] signs were observed. In examining patients with injuries of the tarsometatarsal joint, the physician must pay attention to the whole foot as the forces acting on it which are axial and compressive can injure the metatarsophalangeal joint [in the same or the adjacent ray] as well. After reporting the case, we will discuss the probable mechanism and different aspects of this rare traumatic injury

[ case report of floating metatarsal: concomitant dislocation of the tarsometatarsal and metatarsophlangeal joints of the second toe]

An extremely rare case of floating second metatarsal is reported. The reported case is a young man with simultaneous dislocation of tarsometatarsal and metatarsophalangeal joints of the second metatarsus following a car accident. Because of patient's discontent for open surgery, blind percutaneus pinning was performed that was not completely successful and in follow up radiography, 18 months later, degenerative joint disease [DJD] signs were observed. In examining patients with injuries of the tarsometatarsal joint, the physician must pay attention to the whole foot as the forces acting on it which are axial and compressive can injure the metatarsophalangeal joint [in the same or the adjacent ray] as well. After reporting the case, we will discuss the probable mechanism and different aspects of this rare traumatic injury