clinicopathological survey of basal cell carcinoma in an iranian population

Statement of Problem: Basal cell carcinoma [BCC], the most common skin cancer, is a locally invasive malignant epidermal tumor with ulceration and destruction of underlying structures

Purpose: The purpose of this study was clinicopathological evaluation of BCC in the state and the private pathology centers in Hamadan province during 1990-2010

Materials and Method: In this retrospective study all histopathologically proven cases of BCC were reviewed and the related information including age, gender, place of residency and number of tumors for the patients alongside with the site of occurrence, size, histopathological and clinical type of the lesions were collected and then statistically analyzed, using SPSS software

Results: A total of 804 incidents of BCC were diagnosed in 746 patients [296 females and 450 males] with the most affected site being in the head-face [84.8%], neck [2.6%], trunk [1.6%] and limbs [0.9 %] and 10.1% cases with unknown site. The mean age for the patients was 61.77+/-13.75 years [63.07+/- 13.44 for males, 59.81 +/- 14.01 for females] and the highest frequency [27.2%] occurred among 60-69 years age group. Nodular type was the most common clinical and histopathological BCC lesions studied whereas the mean size of the lesions was 15.67 +/- 11.06 mm with more frequency rate in urban than rural regions

Conclusion: This study focuses on the survey of BCC in Hamadan province but regarding to insufficiency of the data collected by state and provincial pathology centers about the BCC cases reported; it is highly recommended to apply comprehensive questionnaire, which are designated by skillful professionals who are familiar with the lesion nationally

Neonatal seizures: etiology and frequency

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the etiology and frequency of neonatal seizure in hospitalized neonates. In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, we evaluated 1295 neonates with seizures admitted to neonatal and NICU wards in our center. Data was collected on age, sex, birth weight, serum levels of calcium, glucose, and sodium, CT scan findings, history of maternal opium abuse, blood and cerebrospinal fluid culture, and analyzed using SPSS 13. Of a total of 1295 patients, 34 [2.62%] had seizure. Mean age was 14.03 +/- 10.05 days [range, 1 to 29 days]; twenty-five [73.5%] neonates were boys and 9 [26.5%] were girls. Of 34 neonates with neonatal seizures, 12 [35.3%], 11 [32.4%], 9 [26.5%], 7 [20.6%], and 3 [8.8%] had hypocalcemia, asphyxia, hypoglycemia, intracranial hemorrhage, and hypernatremia, respectively. Maternal addiction, meningitis, and sepsis were found in 3 [8.8%], 1 [2.9%] and 1 [2.9%] of neonates, respectively. The incidence rate of neonatal seizure in the neonates in our NICU and neonatal ward was 2.62%. Common causes of seizure in this study included hypocalcemia, asphyxia, hypoglycemia, intracranial hemorrhage, and hypernatremia. Maternal addiction, meningitis and sepsis had the lowest prevalence

Early treatment of anemia of prematurity with recombinant human erthropoietin

Recombinant human erythropoietin [EPO] is known to accelerate erythropoesis in preterm infants. This study was designed to access EPO in treatment of anemia of prematurity. Materials and Preterm infants with hematocrit less than 30% when they were between 2 to 3 weeks of life, were divided randomly in two groups, each group included ten babies. The mean gestational age in control group was 31 +/- 1.65 weeks and birth weight was 1450 +/- 200 grams and in case group was 31 +/- 2.12 weeks and birth weight was 1370 +/- 211 grams. Infants in case group received EPO 400 u/kg twice weekly for 4 weeks. All infants in control and case groups were fed human milk and supplemented with entral iron, vitamin E and folic acid prophylactically. Levels of hematocrit and reticulocytes were determined for each infant at the beginning of the study, 3 days after treatment and one week after the end of treatment. The groups had significant differences in hematocrit and reticolocytic count at the end of study [P<0.001] and P=0.024 respectively]. In control group the prophylactic iron, vitamin E and folic acid supplementation was not sufficient to prevent anemia and we found a significant decrease in hematocrit level at the end of study [P<0.0001]. We concluded the early treatment of anemia of prematurity with recombinant human EPO plus iron, vitamin E and folic acid increase hematocrit and reticulocytes in preterm infants. If we can minimize blood sampling for laboratory analysis in preterm infants, treatment with EPO will reduce the need for blood transfusion in these infants

Electrophysiological study of peripheral nerves and nerve roots of upper limbs in patients presenting with Bell's palsy

The present study was designed to evaluate electrophysiologically the possible involvement of the ipsilateral peripheral nerves and nerve roots of the upper limb in Bell's palsy patients in comparison to their contralateral side. The study included 30 patients presented with Bell's palsy associated with subjective unilateral brachialgia. The patients were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically. Although the peripheral nerves showed normal conduction compared to the standard parameters, however there was statistical significant difference between the affected and unaffected upper limbs. Needle EMG showed positive sharp waves, fibrillation potentials and polyphasic motor unit action potentials in the deltoid and biceps brachii muscles of the affected side of 8 patients [26.7%]. The changes observed at the peripheral nerves and nerve roots of the upper limbs may support the theory that Bell's palsy is a part of generalized polyneuropathy

Phototherapy-induced hypocalcemia in icteric newborns

Bakground: Phototherapy plays a significant role in the treatment and prevention of hyperbilirubinemia as well as the management of subsequent complications in the newborn. However, this treatment modality may itself result in the development of hypocalcaemia and create serious complications including convulsion and related conditions. This study was under-taken to investigate phototherapy- induced hypocalcemia in hyperbilirubinemic neonates. 63 healthy term newborns of >2.5 kg undergoing phototherapy were selected. Plasma bilirubin and calcium levels were determined before and after termination of phototherapy. The difference between pre- and post-phototherapy plasma calcium levels were found to be statistically significant [p<0.05]. The decline in plasma calcium level at times reached hypocalcemia threshold. Phototherapy in icteric neonates lowers serum calcium level