Different Anatomical Distribution of Basal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes in Iranian Population: Association between Site and Subtype

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of human cancer. Despite the high prevalence of these tumors, there is a lack of reliable epidemiological data in some regions including Iran. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between BCC subtypes and anatomical distribution in the Iranian population. METHODS: There were 876 patients with a single BCC enrolled in this study (March 2007 to March 2010; Razi Dermatology Center, Tehran, Iran). RESULTS: Among 876 patients, 544 were males and 332 females. Of the lesions, 43% were nodular, 32.4% mixed type, 3% superficial and rest of other subtypes. In the lesion location, 58.2% were on the face, 29.2% on scalp, 6.2% on ears, 2.3% on neck, 1.7% on trunk and 1.3% on the extremities. There was no significant difference between male and female in the BCC subtypes, but anatomical distribution of the tumor was different (p=0.002). Most of the trunk-arising BCCs were superficial, and most of the facial BCCs were nodular subtype. Also, most of the BCC subtypes occurred in patients between 40 to 80 years old and mostly on the face and scalp (p=0.04). However, superficial BCCs mostly occurred in younger patients over others (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Subtype is associated with a site, independent of gender or age. Also BCCs occurring on the trunk are mostly of the superficial subtype.

Is there any association between passive smoking and esophagitis in pediatrics?

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke [ETS] is one of the major factors of predisposing children to develop several hazardous health problems. We decided to investigate the association between nicotinine, one of the nicotine metabolites and esophagitis in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD]. In a case control study 46 children suffering from esophagitis referred to endoscopy ward were recruited. The control group consisted of 45 healthy children. Urine samples were collected and urinary cotinine level [UCL] measured. The mean age of esophagitis and control groups were 5.11 +/- 2.93 and 6.72 +/- 2.8 respectively. Sixty children were passive smokers; 31 of them had non-smoker parents. In control group, 32 [71.1%] children and in esophagitis group 29 [63%] children had non-smoker parents. The mean value of UCL in patients suffering from esophagitis was significantly higher than those in normal group [P=0.04, 24.98 +/- 6.4 ng/ml vs. 15.16 +/- 3.9 ng/ml]. Considering 50ng/ml as a cutoff point for UCL, it was significantly higher in passive smoker group than in non smoker group [P=0.02]. The mean cotinine level differed significantly in esophagitis and control group. Our results indicate the increased risk of developing esophagitis in children with ETS exposure

Cutaneous leiomyoma: novel histologic findings for classification and diagnosis

Smooth muscle tumors rather benign or malignant can arise wherever the muscular tissue presents but cutaneous leiomyoma is one of the rare benign tumors of the which even the diagnostic criteria from the malignant type of the tumor is still in doubt. This study was aimed to compare the subtypes of cutaneous leiomyoma from different histologic aspects in order to find unique criteria for better classification and diagnosis. The six year data base of our center was reviewed and 25 patients with cutaneous leiomyoma were included in this study. Of 25 patients, 5 were female and 20 were male. 5 patients had angioleiomyoma [ALM] and 20 had pilar leiomyoma [PLM]. ALM had following characteristics: dilated vascular canals intermingled with compact smooth muscle bundles; well circumscribe counter and myxoid and hyaline changes through the tumor. In contrast, PLMs had following histologic features: poor defined outline, entrapped hair follicles and eccrine glands, acanthosis and elongated rete ridges with hyperpigmentation and smooth muscle bundles which are interdigitated with elongated rete ridges. Here we introduced some distinct histological features for each subtype of the cutaneous leiomyoma which can lead to create novel criteria for classification and diagnosis of the lesion

Prevalence of different electrocardiographic patterns in Iranian athletes

To explore the abnormalities in Iranian athletes' electrocardiogram and find any relation with body fat. 239 international athletes were involved in this cross sectional study. Body-fat percentage and resting 12-lead ECGs were recorded from all participants. Of 239 participant athletes, 212 were male and 27 female. 60% of participants had sinus bradycardia. A total of 84% of the athletes demonstrated at least 1 abnormal ECG finding. Average values for the PR, QRS and QT intervals, P-wave duration and QRS axis were in normal range. Frequencies of various ECG abnormal findings in all athletes were as follows: right axis deviation 4.2%, left ventricular hypertrophy 6.2%, sinus arrhythmia 5.8%, right bundle branch block [RBBB] 24.2% [incomplete RBBB 16.8%, complete RBBB 7.4%], ST elevation 72.5%, prolonged QT interval 1.7%, T inversion 3.1% and Mobitz type I 1.2%. The athletes' ECG response to treadmill stress test was normal with no ischemia or arrhythmia. The means of BMI and body-fat percentage were 24.04 +/- 3.5 kg/m[2] and 9.15 +/- 2.12%, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficient between body-fat percentage and ST changes was 0.65 [P=0.008] in anterior leads and 0.198 [P=0.017] in lateral leads. Also, the correlation coefficient between the body fat percentage and right bundle branch block was 0.36 [P=0.013]. The results of current study support the inclusion of ECG in athletes' cardiac screening before they engage in vigorous exercises in order to detect the potentially fatal arrhythmias.

Report of a case with small bowel obstruction by a rare parasite [Pentastomiasis]

Linguatula serrata [L. serrata], an aberrant arthropod of the Pentastomida phylum, inhabits the canine respiratory system as its final host. Intermediate hosts include humans and herbivores. Humans can be infected via consumption of raw or under-cooked liver or lymph nodes of sheep, goats, and cattle. A few human cases have been reported from Iran. Here, we have reported a case of pentastomiasis infection in a 55-year-old man who presented with fever, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and weight loss. Small bowel transit revealed partial obstruction in the small intestine. Abdominal CT scan showed increased small bowel wall thickness. Both laparoscopy and biopsy findings favored parasitic granuloma from a pentastomiasis infection. He was administered praziquantel and albendazole. After two weeks of therapy the patient recovered

Chondroma of falx: case report of a rare condition

Chondroma is a benign tumor which mostly occurs in extremities but also sometimes in brain. Most intracranial chondromas arise from skull base, but chondroma of falx origin is a rare circumstance. Indeed, the intracranial chondromas rise from falx is mostly in relation with syndromic disorders such as Mafucci's syndrome or Ollier's syndrome. Here, we reported a rare case of falxian intracranial chondroma in a young man who has normal physical examination and no signs of any syndromic disorder. The goal of this paper was to raise awareness about chondromas and suggest that chondroma be ruled out in any patient with masses arising from falx