[Etiological diagnosis of hirsutism in premenopausal Iranian women]

Hirsutism is defined as the presence of terminal hairs in androgen dependent areas in women. It is a common clinical condition and affects 5% to 10% of women of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features and etiologic factors of hirsutism in premenopausal women. In this cross-sectional study, 200 premenopausal women with hirsutism who were admitted at our dermatologic clinic during a 2-year period were nivestigated. After a careful history and physical examination, a transabdominal ultrasonography of the ovaries and laboratory evaluation including early morning total testosterone, prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate [DHEA-S] and 17-hydroxyprogestron in all patients and thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] in 10 patients were performed. Polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] was the most common cause of the hirsutism [54.5%] followed by idiopathic hirsutism [40%]. Other causes of hirsutism were prolactinoma [2%], hypothyroidism [1%] and drugs intake [2.5%]. Hirsutism was mild in 109 patients [54.5%], moderate in 85 patients [42.5%] and severe in 6 patients [3%]. Family history of hirsutism was present in 105 [52.5%] patients. Clinical conditions associated with hirsutism were: acne [52.5%], menstrual irregularity [35%], androgenetic alopecia [15%], acanthosis negricans [7.5%] and obesity [37.5%]. PCOS and idiopathic hirsutism are the most common cause of the hirsutism in premenopausal women. A detailed history and physical exam often provide enough information to determine the etiology of hirsutism

[Cutaneous larva migrans: a case report]

Cutaneous larva migrans is a self-limited cutaneous eruption caused by larva of roundworms that do not normally parasitize humans. Ankylostomabrazielensis, the dog and cat hookworm, is the most common agent. The disease is found in tropical and subtropical regions and may be seen in travelers from these regions. We report a case of a 37-year-old Iranian man who had cutaneous larva migrans after traveling to Mexico. The patient was successfully treated with oral thiabendazole