RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Incidence rates of Meniere's disease vary considerably from 157/100,000 in the United Kingdom to 15/100,000 in the United States. Furthermore, in Iran prevalence of Meniere's disease is high, whereas we have not a reliable statistical study on it. A wide range of treatments are used for the treatment of the condition with no consensus on the most effective intervention. The aim of the present study, which involved 37 patients treated because of severe vertigo due to persistent Meniere's disease from 1996 to 2011, was to compare the effectiveness of two surgical methods cochleosacculotomy and endolymphatic sac decompression on vertigo and tinnitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we compared two surgical approaches in patients with Meniere's disease who did not respond to usual medical treatment. Twenty-three patients underwent cochleosacculotomy surgery and 14 patients endolymphatic sac decompression surgery. We compared all the patients for resolving of vertigo, tinnitus. RESULTS: After surgery, in patients of both group vertigo was improved significantly (P < 0.0001), tinnitus was improved, but it was not significant (P > 0.05) and hearing level was worse than before (especially in patients who had undergone cochleosacculotomy) (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Based on the data of the current study, cochleosacculotomy and endolymphatic sac decompression improved vertigo in patients with persistent Meniere's disease.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Health care environments have been the setting for a number of pertussis outbreaks. Immunity after vaccination wanes overtime leading to a growing population of susceptible adolescents and adults. A number of pertussis outbreaks have occurred in hospitals resulting in transmission to health care workers (HCWs), and other patients. The aim of this study was to assess immunity status of a group of basic medical students and interns who worked in hospitals for about 4 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we measured the serum antibody titer of cases by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. All 70 subjects have received pertussis vaccine in the routine childhood vaccination schedule. All cases were healthy and had no symptoms of any respiratory diseases. We also obtained a pharyngeal culture on Bordet-Gengou Agar for isolating Bordetella pertussis. RESULTS: The results of B. pertussis pharyngeal culture was positive for 5 (7.1%) cases and negative for 65 (92.9%). The IgM, IgA, and IgG serum antibody was positive in 1.4%, 7.1%, and 11.4% of cases, respectively. The mean age of cases had no significant effect on serum antibody titers (P = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that majority of cases do not have protective serum antibody against B. pertussis. Working in hospitals does not affect seroprevalence and carrier state of B. pertussis. Immunization schedules that include no booster doses are at increased risk of pertussis. Due to the importance of the transmission in health care settings, vaccination of HCWs is a priority.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) is a disorder due to laxity of supporting connective tissue of joints. Inguinal hernia is also proposed due to weak supporting tissue that may be a clinical presentation of a more widespread problem of connective tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, prevalence of benign hypermobility joint syndrome (BHJS) was assessed among 100 children aged 2-12 year admitted with inguinal hernia during 2010-2011. RESULTS: BJHS (Beighton score ≥ 4) were detected in most of children (92%) with inguinal hernias. CONCLUSION: BHJS amongst this population was substantially greater than reported prevalence in healthy children and due to subsequent clinical significances; it is worthy to screen such patient s for BHJS.
