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Objective To investigate the value of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVU) in the evaluation of the endometrium in postmenopausal women without vaginal bleeding. Methods This was a prospective, cohort, observational study which included 259 consecutive, asymptomatic, postmenopausal women who were referred to the outpatient clinics of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All the participants underwent TVU by the same gynecologist at the same time as hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy were performed. Both 3 mm and 5 mm were considered as cut-off values. Endometrial histopathology was considered the gold-standard diagnosis and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of TVU were calculated on the basis of pathologic reports. Results The mean age of the patients was 54.2 ±± 7.46 years (range 36--79 years). The mean endometrial thickness was found to be 3.83 ±± 2.95 mm (range 1--25 mm); it was > 5 mm in 41 (15.8%%) patients. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 62.2%%, 93.9%%, 68.3%% and 92.2%%, respectively. The receiver-operating characteristics curve showed an area under the curve of 0.853 (95%% confidence interval 0.788--0.917), indicating a moderate accuracy. Conclusion TVU is a moderately accurate test in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. Due to its high false-positive rate, its positive results cannot be interpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the epidemiological characteristics of fatal traffic accidents in Fars province, Iran. Study design: This cross-sectional study included 3642 traffic accident deaths in Fats province, Iran between November 2009 and November 2011. The data source was the Fars Forensic Medicine Registry, which covers the entire province. According to Iranian law, all deaths resulting from injuries or accidents must be investigated to determine the exact cause of death by autopsy. All such deaths are referred to forensic medicine centres in each city, and all data are sent to the main centre in Shiraz, the capital city of Fats province. Results: Males accounted for 78.3% of the decedents (sex ratio of almost 3.6:1), and the mean + standard deviation age of all decedents was 32.2 + 20.3 years. Autopsy reports indicated that head trauma was the most common cause of death. Most collisions were vehicle-vehicle crashes (52.3%), with cars and motorcycles being the most prevalent modes of transport (39.6% and 24.6%, respectively). Fatal accidents were most common during the summer. Most fatal injuries (61.4%) occurred on outer-city roads and 27.4% occurred on inner-city roads. Significant associations were found between decedent's status (car driver, motorcycle driver or passenger, pedestrian or passenger) and interval between injury and death, light conditions at the scene of the accident, place of death, site of injury and cause of death. Conclusion: Although the clinical management of trauma patients has improved in Iran, coordination between trauma system organizations is required to decrease the burden of injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]