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Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common dietary disorder caused by fatty changes in the liver parenchyma and hepatocytes without alcohol consumption. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of NAFLD in the Mashhad Persian Cohort Study population., Method: The present population-based cross-sectional study included all PERSIAN Organizational Cohort study in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (POCM), Mashhad, Iran by census sampling method. Eligible participants were divided into two groups due to their NAFLD condition (NAFLD positive or NAFLD negative). All enrolled participants were evaluated based on their clinical aspects, anthropometric measures, laboratory tests, and ultrasound features. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA -version 16). A P-value less than 0.05 was considered as the significance level., Results: A total of 1198 individuals were included in the study, of which 638 (53.3%) were male and the rest were female. The mean age of the participants was 46.89 ± 8.98 years. A total of 246 patients (20.53%) were NAFLD positive, of which 122 (49.59%) were in grade 1, 112 (45.52%) were in grade 2, and 12 (4.87%) were in grade 3. The prevalence of fatty liver was significantly higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). There were significant differences between NAFLD positive and NAFLD negative participants in terms of having a history of hypertension (P = 0.044), body mass index (P < 0.001), body fat percentage (P = 0.001), waist circumference (P < 0.001), liver craniocaudal length (P = 0.012), fasting blood sugar (FBS) (P = 0.047), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P = 0.007), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P = 0.001). Further analysis revealed a strong significant association between BMI, previous history of hypertension, higher levels of serum ALT, and NAFLD (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: It can be concluded that ultrasound findings accompanied by laboratory AST and ALT level enzymes could be a cost-benefit approach for NAFLD early diagnosis. The craniocaudal size of the liver could be a beneficent marker for estimating the severity of the disease; however, more studies are recommended to evaluate this variable for future practice against the issue., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Fusion transcripts are transcriptome-mediated alterations involved in tumorigenesis and are considered as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers. In metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC), fusion transcripts are rarely reported. The main challenge is to identify driver chimeras with a significant role in cancer progression., Methods: In the present study, 86 RNA sequencing data samples were analyzed to discover driver fusion transcripts. Functional assays included clonogenic cell survival, wound-healing, and transwell cell invasion. Quantitative expression analysis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptotic regulators, and metastatic markers were examined for the candidate fusion genes. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed using patient overall survival (OS)., Results: A variety of driver fusions were identified. Fourteen fusion genes (51% of mCRC), each at least found in two mCRC samples, were determined as oncogenic fusion transcripts by in silico analysis of their functions. Among them, two recurrent chimeric transcripts confirmed by Sanger sequencing were selected. Positive expression of ADAP1-NOC4L was significantly associated with an increased risk of poor OS in mCRC patients. In vitro transforming potential for the chimera, resulting from the fusion of ADAP1 and NOC4L was assessed. Overexpression of this fusion gene increased cell proliferation and enhanced migration and invasion of CRC cells. In addition, it significantly upregulated EMT and anti-apoptotic markers., Conclusions: ADAP1-NOC4L transcript chimera, a driver chimera identified in this study, provides new insight into the underlying mechanisms involved in the development and spread of mCRC. It suggests the potential of RNA-based alterations as novel targets for personalized medicine in clinical practice., (© 2022 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: COVID-19 infection demonstrates characteristic findings in chest CT. The optimal timing of repeated CT scans still needs to be clarified, and the optimal time to assess imaging clearance in COVID-19 is still unknown. It is crucial to have a roadmap of the imaging course of COVID-19 pneumonia to develop guidelines for prompt diagnosis of pulmonary complications, especially fibrosis, at the earliest stage., Purpose: To assess the temporal changes of chest CT findings in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and evaluate the rate of a complete resolution and determine the patients are at excessive risk for residual parenchymal abnormalities., Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study included 48 patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction-confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted to three academic hospitals. These patients underwent at least one initial chest CT before or after admission and at least one follow-up CT scan four weeks or more after the onset of the symptoms. All chest CTs were categorized according to time of performance into four groups, including the first week, second week, third-fourth week, and more than 28 days. Lung involvement was categorized as predominantly alveolar (ground-glass opacity and consolidation), organizing pneumonia, and reticular patterns. The severity of involvement was also evaluated by the reader., Results: Forty-eight patients and a total of 130 chest CT scans were evaluated. The alveolar pattern showed a gradual decrease in frequency from 91% in the first week to 9% after the fourth week of the disease but the organizing pneumonia pattern gradually increased with disease progression and the frequency of reticular pattern increased significantly after third week. Complete resolution of CT findings was seen in 17 patients (13.1%) and was significantly more prevalent in patients of younger age (p value<0.001) and with lower initial CT severity scores (p value=0.048). CT severity scores in the second week were significantly higher in ICU admitted patients (p value=0.003)., Conclusion: There are temporal patterns of lung abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The predominant CT pattern was alveolar infiltrate in the first and second weeks of the disease, replaced with an organizing pneumonia pattern in the third and fourth weeks. Progression of lung involvement was correlated with ICU admission due to the highest CT severity score in the second and third weeks of presentation but not in the first week in patients who were admitted at ICU. Complete CT resolution was significantly more common in patients of younger age and lower initial CT severity scores., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (CTEPH) is an unusual complication of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), which is now considered to be treatable. In modern multi-detector scanners, a detailed evaluation of pulmonary artery geometry is currently possible. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in pulmonary artery bifurcation angle (PABA) in the follow-up computed tomography angiography (CTA) of patients with acute PE., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the records of two tertiary-level academic hospitals were gathered from 2012 to 2019. Pulmonary artery (PA) bifurcation angle and diameter were measured. Chi square test, independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney, and Pearson's tests were employed to compare data. To evaluate the cut-off point, we utilized receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of pulmonary artery bifurcation angle changes were calculated. A P value <0.05 was considered to be significant., Results: Forty-six patients were included in the study. No significant differences were found between patients with and without CTEPH, and PABA in the dimeters of PA trunk, right PA, and left PA in the first CTA images (P values of 0.151, 0.142, 0.891, and 0.483, respectively), while in the secondary CTA, the mean PABA was significantly smaller in patients with CTEPH (P=0.011). In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, delta angle revealed an area under the curve of 0.745 and an optimal cutoff of 0, leading to a sensitivity of 64%, specificity of 87%, and accuracy of 76% for diagnosing CTEPH., Conclusion: We showed a significant decrease in PABA in patients developing CTEPH. This parameter can be easily measured in lung CTA., (Copyright: © Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences.)

Background: The normal range of kidney size is a controversial issue among different populations given to its impressibility by multiple factors, therefore, this study aimed to provide valid reference ranges for kidney dimensions in the adult population of Mashhad. Also, we assessed the association of kidney size characteristics with some personal predisposing factors., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 938 healthy individuals. Ultrasound measurement, physical examination, and laboratory analysis were performed. Demographic, dietary, and anthropometric data were obtained. The variables were categorized into 5 groups each, and data analysis were performed using the following statistical tests: Pearson correlation test, variance analysis, t-test, and chi-square test. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Weight had the most association with kidney size followed to a lesser extent by height and age. Even after adjustment for other confounding variables, weight remained as an independent factor, while this effect was resolved for height and age. Also, all values for renal function, body bio-impedance, blood pressure components, and water intake were notably correlated with kidney size., Conclusion: This study determined the normal kidney size in healthy adults. We also declared the normal range of kidney size is a dynamic concept and should be assessed for each individual separately according to their personal determinative factors., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, and cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in NAFLD patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the possible relationship between the presence and severity of NAFLD and coronary artery disease (CAD)., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 296 patients (122 men and 174 women, with mean age 54.10 ± 9.33 years) referred to the catheterization laboratory of Imam Reza Hospital affiliated to the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, for elective coronary angiography to investigate the presence and severity of CAD. Additionally, all patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography (USG) to detect NAFLD and its severity., Results: Among the 296 patients, 187 (63.2%) had CAD and 160 (50.1%) had NAFLD. NAFLD patients had significantly higher prevalence of obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.047, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.002-1.094), hypertension (OR = 1.909, 95% CI = 1.027-3.55), hyperlipidemia (OR = 3.474, 95% CI = 1.862-6.482), and CAD (OR = 2.009, 95% CI = 1.100-3.669). The percentage of patients with normal vessels was higher in the non-NAFLD group, followed by the group with mild and severe NAFLD ( P  < 0.001). However, single- and multi-vessel disease incidences among the non-NAFLD, mild, and severe NAFLD groups were 36.1, 43.1, and 63.7%, respectively. Interestingly, the percentage of patients with two-vessel stenosis was significantly higher in severe NAFLD patients than mild and non-NAFLD patients ( P  < 0.001)., Conclusion: The prevalence and severity of NAFLD were independently associated with CAD. Mild NAFLD was primarily observed among patients with normal and non-obstructive coronary artery patients, while severe NAFLD was more frequent in extensive CAD patients with multi-vessel disease., (© 2022 The Authors. JGH Open published by Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Objectives: There is scarce data available on the prognostic application of chest CT. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a semi-quantitative CT severity score in identifying the risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients., Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed on 262 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The CT severity score was assessed by two independent radiologists using a method previously used to score the severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome on thin slice lung CT., Results: Multivariate regression analysis showed increasing odds of in-hospital death associated with older age, and the presence of coronary artery disease at the time of admission. The mean CT severity score was 7.5 in the survivor group and 14.5 in the deceased group. Overall, the lower zones were the most frequently affected sites in COVID-19. There was significant difference between the survivor and deceased groups regarding CT severity scores. Multivariate regression analysis showed increasing odds of in-hospital death associated with higher CT severity score at admission., Conclusions: Our results show that mortality was significantly higher in patients with higher CT severity score even after adjustment for clinical, demographics and laboratory parameters. However, this study is performed retrospectively and needs to be validated in a prospective study., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interests., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Chest computed tomography (CT) scan has been used widely to diagnose COVID-19 in Iran., Objectives: To trace the footsteps of COVID-19 in Iran by exploring the trend in using chest CT scans and its economic impact on radiology departments. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the number of imaging examinations from 33 tertiary radiology departments in 9 large cities of Iran was collected from September 23, 2019 to March 20, 2020 (Months 1 to 6) and the corresponding months in 2018-2019., Results: A 50.2% increase was noted in the chest CT scan utilization in 2019-2020 compared to 2018-2019. This increase was +15%, +15%, +27%, +2%, +1% in Months 1-5 of 2019-2020, respectively. In Month 6 of 2019-2020, a 251% increase in the acquisition of chest CT scans was observed compared to the Month 6 of 2018-2019. Following negative balance of revenue from Month 1 to 5 with respect to the inflation rate, the total income in Month 6 was further 1.5% less than the same Month in 2018-19., Conclusion: The observed peak in chest CT utilization in Month 3 prior to the surge in Month 6 could be explained by the seasonal influenza. However, unawareness about an emerging viral disease, i.e. COVID-19, might have underutilized chest CT in Months 4 and 5 before the official announcement in Month 6. The unbalanced increase in the workload of radiology departments in the shortage of cardiothoracic radiologists with the simultaneous decrease in income initiated a vicious cycle that worsened the economic repercussions of the pandemic., (© 2020 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.)

Purpose: Effective pain control during and after percutaneous core needle liver biopsy is important with regard to ethical considerations and patient comfort. In this randomized double-blind study, we compared post-biopsy pain in the patients undergoing liver core-needle biopsy using either subcostal or intercostal approaches., Methods: All patients referred for ultrasound-guided CNLB between July 2017 and January 2018 to our interventional radiology department were randomized into two groups. Biopsy was performed through intercostal approach in the first group and through subcostal approach in the second group. The intensity of pain 0, 2, and 4 h after the procedure was compared in two groups using a 100-mm visual analogue scale. All biopsies were performed without procedural IV sedation. If patients' discomfort  demanded administration of IV analgesics during or after the procedure, then the patients were excluded from the study., Results: In patients without routine procedural IV sedation, there was no significant difference in the pain level between the intercostal and subcostal groups immediately after the procedure (p = 0.055), but we found a significant difference in the pain level between the two groups 2 (7.5 mm, p = 0.001) and 4 (2 mm, p = 0.001) h after the procedure., Conclusion: The minimum amount of change in the VAS score that is considered clinically important is 13 mm on a 100-mm scale. Pain differences at 2 and 4 h in the two groups in this study were statistically but not clinically significant. Therefore, the authors suggest the use of subcostal route for ultrasound-guided liver biopsy whenever possible, but the results do not warrant the routine use of post-procedure analgesics in whom biopsy is performed via intercostal route.

BACKGROUND One of the earliest diagnostic signs of hepatorenal syndrome in patients suffering from liver cirrhosis is an increase in the renal vascular resistive index (RI). In this study, the impact of propranolol on decreasing this index and to postpone the probability of hepatorenal syndrome has been investigated. METHODS In the current research, 30 patients with liver cirrhosis with different age and sexes have been enrolled. Demographic data and complete medical history have been collected using a specific questionnaire. At first, renal artery Doppler ultrasonography was performed to determine the RI. The patients were then treated with propranolol, and under supervision, the dose of the drug was increased gradually every 3 to 5 days to reach the target of 25% decrease in resting heart rate. One month after reaching the target dose of the medicine, Doppler ultrasonography was repeated for the patients and the second RI was compared with the pretreatment ones. RESULTS According to our results after treatment with propranolol, a significant decrease of RI was observed ( p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) before and after treatment with propranolol ( p = 0.290). In our study, we found that administering propranolol was associated with significant changes in RI and GFR between the patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis (mean change: -0.005 ± 0.017 vs. -0.058 ± 0.045; p < 0.01 for RI and -4.226 ± 17.440 vs. 13.486 ± 12.047; p < 0.01 for GFR in patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis, respectively). CONCLUSION Propranolol reduces renal vascular RI in patients with cirrhosis. The response rates in the patients with decompensating cirrhosis were significantly higher than the patients with compensating cirrhosis., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this work.

Aim and Objective: To evaluate the association between ultrasonographic findings of inflammation (effusion, synovitis) and clinical findings in patients with primary painful knee osteoarthritis., Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on 142 patients with primary painful knee osteoarthritis (American College of Rheumatology criteria) in whom the visual analogue scale of pain was 30 or more. Clinical parameters were evaluated by a rheumatologist using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score while the ultrasonographic examination was performed by a musculoskeletal radiologist in our center. Knee joint synovitis and effusion were defined as synovial thickness ≥ 4 mm and depth of fluid in the suprapatellar recess ≥ 4 mm, respectively., Results: Sixty-eight (47.9%) patients demonstrated neither synovitis nor effusion, 37 (26.1%) had only effusion, 11 (7.7%) had only synovitis and 26 (18.3%) had both effusion and synovitis in the ultrasonographic examination. There was significant association between ultrasonographic knee arthritis (defined as presence of synovitis or effusion) and WOMAC pain sub-score, WOMAC physical function sub-score and WOMAC total score. No significant association was noted between sonographic signs of arthritis and WOMAC joint stiffness sub-score. We also found significant correlation between ultrasonographic synovitis and WOMAC pain sub-score (P < 0.001), WOMAC physical function sub-score (P < 0.001) and total WOMAC score (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: This study revealed a positive correlation between ultrasonographic synovitis and total WOMAC score, WOMAC pain and physical function sub-score. There was no association between sonographic signs of arthritis and WOMAC joint stiffness sub-score., (© 2016 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Objective: Cancer represents the second cause of mortality in the world. Saffron as a medicinal plant is known for its anti-cancer and anti-depressant properties. In this randomized double blind clinical trial, the effects of saffron on response to treatment in patients suffering from liver metastasis were evaluated., Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients suffering from liver metastases who referred to Ghaem and Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, Iran were included in this study and then divided into two different groups. Both groups received chemotherapy regimen. Patients in group one were treated with saffron capsule (50 mg, twice daily) during chemotherapy periods whereas patients in group two received placebo. A sum of the longest diameter were calculated and compared for all lesions in IV contrast CT scan before and after the treatment., Results: from 13 patients included in this study, six patients quit and seven continued until the end. In saffron-treated group, two patients showed partial and complete response (50%) whereas in placebo group, no response was seen. Also, two deaths in placebo and one in saffron group occurred., Conclusion: This research suggests that saffron might be useful in patients suffering from liver metastasis. However, further investigations with larger sample size are required.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous and catheter directed thrombolysis by recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (Alteplase) in the patients with non-traumatic acute limb ischemia (ALI)., Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial being performed between 2009 and 2011 in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. We included those patients who were<75 years, with symptoms of less than 14 days duration, ALI of grade IIa and IIb (according to Rutherford classification) and absence of distal run off. Baseline assessment of peripheral circulation performed in all the patients. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo intravenous (n=18) or catheter directed thrombolysis (n=20) with Alteplase. The primary endpoint of the study was improvement of clinical status measured by Rutherford classification, ankle brachial index (ABI), visual analogue scale (VAS) score measured at 1, 3 and 6 months. The secondary endpoint of the study was complete or near complete recanalization of the occluded artery., Results: A total number of 38 patients with mean age of 54.13±13.5 years were included in the study. There were 23 (60.5%) men and 15 (39.5%) women among the patients. Overall 3 (7.9%) patients had upper and 35 (92.1%) lower extremity ischemia. There was no significant difference between two study groups. None of the patients experienced major therapeutic side effects. Both ABI and VAS score improved in patients who have received first dose of t-PA within 24-hourof ALI. There was no significant difference between two study groups regarding the 6-month clinical grade (p=0.088), VAS score (p=0.316) and ABI (p=0.360). The angiographic improvement was significantly higher in CDT group (p<0.001)., Conclusion: Intravenous and catheter directed thrombolysis with t-PA is a safe and effective method in treatment of acute arteriolar ischemia of extremities. However there both intravenous thrombolysis and CDT are comparable regarding the clinical outcome.

Alveolar hydatid disease is a highly malignant form of echinococcosis caused by the larvae of the cestode echinococcus multilocularis. Alveolar hydatid disease always affects the liver and can metastasise to the lung and brain. Early diagnosis and precise evaluation of the localization as well as the extent of lesions are essential for treatment. In this report, we present ultrasound and computed tomography findings in a patient with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. The patient, who was presented with hepatomegaly, jaundice, and an infiltrative solid tumor, diagnosed by ultrasound and computed tomography. In contrast to hydatid cyst caused by echinococcus granulosus, this is a rare disease in Iran.

Background: Traumatic events are one of the major causes of arterial injuries. Physical examination is not a good predictor of the extent of injuries and arteriography is considered as the gold standard for this purpose. In the recent years, noninvasive modalities are increasingly replacing diagnostic arteriography. Color Doppler ultrasonography (USG) is an excellent method to investigate arterial diseases., Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of color Doppler USG compared to conventional angiography in traumatic arterial injuries of extremities., Patients and Methods: Seventy-five patients with extremity trauma suspicious for arterial injury were examined by color Doppler USG just before angiography. Doppler pattern and flow states were assessed, then angiography was performed. The results of duplex USG were compared with angiography., Results: Color Doppler USG had a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 98% in diagnosis of arterial injury. Positive and negative predictive values of Doppler USG were 92.5% and 94.2%, respectively., Conclusions: Color Doppler USG can be used as a reliable modality with acceptable sensitivity and specificity values to screen hemodynamically stable patients with limb trauma suspicious for arterial injury.

Purpose: Hemodialysis access-induced distal ischemia (HAIDI) is an uncommon but potentially devastating complication. HAIDI is classified as acute, subacute and chronic based upon the time of onset. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, severity, patients' characteristics and the underlying etiologic mechanism of chronic HAIDI using color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS)., Methods: Between June and August 2010, 676 hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous access (AVA) were evaluated for clinical evidence of chronic HAIDI. In the case-control part of the study, CDUS findings were compared between ischemic patients and asymptomatic matched controls. Also, patients with chronic HAIDI were followed up until February 2014, access ligation, kidney transplantation or death., Results: Eighteen chronic HAIDI patients were diagnosed (2.66%). Cold hand and cold sensation were the most common signs and symptoms of hand ischemia, respectively. Fifteen patients were classified in stage 1. Patients with proximal autogenous arteriovenous fistula, younger age, more previous AVAs and less access age were more likely to develop chronic HAIDI. Excessive fistula flow was found in the majority of ischemic patients (83.3%). The mean fistula flow was significantly higher in cases compared to controls (p=0.001). Eleven patients with chronic HAIDI were successfully treated by conservative measures alone until the end of follow-up (n=3), kidney transplantation (n=4) or death (n=4)., Conclusions: CDUS is a useful adjunctive diagnostic tool to determine the etiology of chronic HAIDI. Conservative measures combined with close follow-up can be used as the first step in the management of chronic HAIDI patients with mild symptoms.

Aim: To assess and compare the image quality of 4% sorbitol and diluted iodine 2% (positive oral contrast agent) in abdomino-pelvic multi-detector computed tomography., Methods: Two-hundred patients, referred to the Radiology Department of a central educational hospital for multi-detector row abdominal-pelvic computed tomography, were randomly divided into two groups: the first group received 1500 mL of 4% sorbitol solution as a neutral contrast agent, while in the second group 1500 mL of meglumin solution as a positive contrast agent was administered in a one-way randomized prospective study. The results were independently reviewed by two radiologists. Luminal distension and mural thickness and mucosal enhancement were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis of the results was performed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 16 and the Mann-Whitney test at a confidence level of 95%., Results: Use of neutral oral contrast agent significantly improved visualization of the small bowel wall thickness and mural appearance in comparison with administration of positive contrast agent (P < 0.01). In patients who received sorbitol, the small bowel showed better distention compared with those who received iodine solution as a positive contrast agent (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrated that oral administration of sorbitol solution allows better luminal distention and visualization of mural features than iodine solution as a positive contrast agent.

In this study, high-resolution, multislice computed tomography findings are compared with surgical findings in terms of the fracture location in patients with traumatic facial paralysis. Patients with traumatic facial paralysis with grade VI House-Brackmann scale who met the criteria for surgical decompression between 2008 and 2012 were included in this study. All the patients underwent a multislice high-resolution, multislice computed tomography (HRCT) using 1-mm-thick slices with a bone window algorithm. The anatomical areas of the temporal bone (including the Fallopian canal) were assessed by CT and during the surgery (separately by the radiologist and the surgeon), and fracture line involvement was recorded. Forty-one patients entered this study. The perigeniculate area was the most commonly involved region (46.34 %) of the facial nerve. The sensitivity and specificity of HRCT to detect a fracture line seems to be different in various sites, but the overall sensitivity and specificity were 77.5 and 77.7 %, respectively. Although HRCT is the modality of choice in traumatic facial paralysis, the diagnostic value may differ according to the fracture location. The results of HRCT should be considered with caution in certain areas.

Background and Aim: Recently, an increasing number of reports in the literature have shown various complications of lost gallstones. This study aimed to evaluate patients with lost stones in the peritoneal cavity for any related complications for at least 12 months after the operation., Materials and Methods: In a 3-year prospective study, of 900 patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 50 patients with lost stones in the peritoneal cavity were enrolled as the case group. On the same day or the day after, an uncomplicated case was assigned to the control group. Postoperative complications were checked on the 10th day and 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. They were also visited if they had any complaints at any time. All suspicious cases and also all patients in the last follow-up visit underwent abdominal ultrasonography and were observed for signs of abdominal and port site collections, abdominal and port site stone, abscess, and mass., Results: In 50 cases (34 female and 16 male with a mean age of 59 y), the surgeon was doubtful about proper stone extraction. The mean duration of operation for patients with a ruptured gall bladder was 49.6+30.3 minutes, and in others, it was 27.9+11.7 minutes. During the early postoperative period, fever was detected in 3 (6%) patients in the case group and in 1 (2%) patient in the control group, which was resolved spontaneously. Postoperative pain on the 10th and the 30th days, unrelated to the lost stone, was resolved with analgesics. Abdominal collection was found in 8 (16%) patients in the case group and 5 (10%) patients in the control group, which was not significant. All these patients underwent ultrasonography-guided percutaneous aspiration. The aspirate was serous, and the patients' clinical findings were not clinically significant., Conclusions: According to the study, serious complications related to the lost stones indicate prophylaxis as the best therapeutic approach for such patients. The patients should be informed about lost stones and their possible complications. Also, conversion to open surgery is not advised.

Objective: Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) has been known as a criterion of generalized atherosclerosis and a marker of cardiovascular disease progression in many studies which can be measured by ultrasound using high-resolution device., Methods: This is a case-control study. A total of 40 children (16 males and 24 females) with type1 diabetes mellitus and control group consisting of equal numbers (17 males and 23 females) who were otherwise healthy were included in the study from May 2007 to January 2008. The two groups were age matched, with the mean age of 10.56±3.21 years in control group and 10.67±4.18 years in diabetic patients. Left and right cIMT were measured by ultrasound. Findings : There was a significant difference between case and control subjects in terms of mean cIMT (P<0.001). cIMT was significantly higher in the diabetic group. Among variables including age, BMI and diabetes, diabetes was the only influential parameter in this respect. The mean time length of type 1 diabetes in our diabetic group was reported 4.24±3.02 years, with a minimum of four months and a maximum of ten years. There was a statistically significant difference between the two diabetic patients with below and above four years of disease duration (P=0.03 for right carotid artery and P=0.01 for left carotid artery)., Conclusion: cIMT has been identified as an early indicator of atherosclerosis in many studies. It increases in patients with type 1 diabetes as the disease progresses and this can be followed by macro and microvascular atherosclerotic changes.

Objective: To compare the conventional angiographic findings in extremity trauma patients with or without runoff., Methods: This was cross-sectional study including all the patients with extremity trauma who underwent conventional angiography during the 2 year period from 2011 to 2013 in Angiography departments of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Mechanism of trauma, type of injury and angiographic findings were recorded in a questionnaire for each patient. After completion of treatment and discharge, the treatment type was added. The characteristics as well as clinical findings were compared between those who were diagnosed to have arterial runoff ad those who did not., Results: One hundred and forty eight traumatic patients including 15 female with age range of 11-82 years and 133 men ranging from 25 to 40 years were enrolled. Abnormal angiographic findings were provided in 99 (66.9%) patients including cutoff with distal runoff (n=60, 60.6% of abnormalities), cut off without distal runoff (n=21, 21.2%) and spasm (n=14, 14.1%) and other findings (n=4, 4%). Fifty one cases were treated under open surgery and amputation of traumatic limb was done for 13 patients. Amputation rate was higher in patients with cutoff and without runoff than those with cutoff and runoff (33.3% vs. 6.78%; p=0.002)., Conclusion: Causes and types of traumatic arterial injury in our study were different with other reports. It was shown that angiographic findings were less important in prognosis and management of patients. Patients with spasm in angiographic findings had a better prognosis than other patients and mostly did not need any vascular surgery. The presence or absence of a distal run off in primary angiographic findings can have a predictive value in the final amputation rate.

Objective: To determine the etiology, signs and symptoms, angiography indications and angiography findings in patients with limb penetrating injuries suspected to have arterial injury., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study being performed in Imam Reza Hospital affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran between September 2011 and March 2013. We included those patients with extremity blunt and penetrating injuries who were referred for angiography according to standard indications including abnormal distal pulses, complex fracture or dislocation, vascular proximity, fixed hematoma, distal nerve deficit, arterial bruit, thrill and massive soft tissue injuries., Results: During the study period, 148 patients (15 women and 133 men) with a mean age of 31±14.9 (11-82) years were evaluated. The most common cause of injury was motor vehicle accident (127 patients 85%). Angiography indications included abnormal distal pulse examination (124, 83.8%), complex fracture or dislocation (7, 4.7%), near arterial trauma (4, 2.7%), fixed hematoma (3, 2%), nerve damage (1, 0.7%). The angiography was found to be normal in 49 (33.1%) patients. In patients with abnormal angiography findings, 60 (60.6%) had cutoff with distal runoff, 21 (21.2%) had cutoff without runoff, 14 (14.1%) had arterial spasm. Other uncommon findings included active bleeding in 2 patients (2%), pseudoaneurysm in 1 (0.7%) and arteriovenous fistula in 1 (0.7%). Out of 4 patients (2.7%) with vascular proximity, only 1 (0.7%) had abnormal angiography., Conclusion: The most  important  factor in prediction  of result of angiography was distal arterial pulses examination. But these data confirm the low incidence of vascular injury in asymptomatic patients with proximity. So the use of angiography when proximity is the sole indication in an asymptomatic patient with a normal vascular examination should be questioned.

Horseshoe kidney is an uncommon anomaly of the urinary system with an increased risk of injury during penetrating and blunt abdominal traumas. Self-inflicted abdominal stab wound, a rare type of abdominal injury, accounts for only a small percentage of suicidal attempts and may be infrequently encountered by physicians in trauma centers. Psychiatric disorders and alcohol or drug abuse are common risk factors in cases of self-stabbing. Here we report a rare case of self-stabbing of a horseshoe kidney. The case was a 19-year-old man with self-inflicted abdominal stab wound who was referred to our department of radiology due to re-occurred gross hematuria three days after exploratory laparotomy and surgical repair of injured abdominal organs. A horseshoe kidney was incidentally found in the patient's abdominal computed tomography. Renal angiography revealed active contrast extravasation from one of the segmental arteries. Selective transarterial embolization with a coil was successfully performed to control the hematuria.

Background: Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection that is endemic in Iran. It infests humans and herbivorous animals and reflects infection by Echinococcus granulosus. Although it can develop anywhere in the body, the liver and lungs are the most common sites of involvement. Primary muscular hydatidosis with no involvement of thoracoabdominal organs is a rare event., Methods: Case report and review of relevant literature., Results: We treated a 27-year old male patient with a swelling on his right shoulder that turned out to be a hydatid cyst by magnetic resonance imaging scan. The treatment included surgical excision combined with post-operative anthelminthic administration. Of the total reported cases of hydatidosis, 0.7-3% were described as musculoskeletal cysts., Conclusions: Especially in endemic areas, to avoid fine-needle biopsy and the risk of spillage of cyst contents irrespective of their location, hydatid disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of muscular masses, and the diagnosis should be made by imaging and serology insofar as possible.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which organs undergo damage. Hypoparathyroidism is a rare disease, which presents in two forms: hereditary and acquired. Cases of hypoparathyroidism and SLE rarely co-exist. Only six cases have been reported; five of them first presented with lupus and then hypoparathyroidism or simultaneously. We present here developing lupus disease in a woman who had idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. According to increasing data about the autoimmune origin of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, these case reports suggest that there may be an autoimmune process linking these diseases.