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In this study, we report a parapharyngeal diffuse large Bcell lymphoma in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patient which had caused the patient to suffer from Garcin syndrome.

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.

Background The relationship between anatomical variations in circle of Willis and brain infarction is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between anatomical variations in posterior portion of the circle of Willis assessed by MR angiography (MRA) and ischemic infarction in different brain territories. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on consecutive patients who underwent brain MRI and MRA for suspected cerebrovascular accident. The frequency of anatomical variations including persistent fetal origin of posterior cerebral artery (fPCA) and hypoplastic/aplastic posterior communicating artery (PCoA) and their association with infarction in different intracranial vascular territories was assessed. Results In total, 298 patients (155 male/143 female with mean age ± SD of 57 ± 15) were enrolled in the study and categorized into two groups with infarction (n = 142) and without infarction (n = 156). Sixty-three patients (21/1%) had fPCA and 231 (77.5%) had PCoA hypoplasia/aplasia. No significant correlation was identified between fPCA or PCoA hypoplasia/aplasia and presence of infarction. However, regarding the territories involved by infarction, the frequency of thalamus infarction was higher in subgroup with PCoA hypoplasia/aplasia, 17/101 (16.8%) compared to 1/41(2.4%) in the subgroup without ipsilateral PCoA hypoplasia/aplasia (p = 0.024). In two subgroups with and without ipsilateral fPCA variation, frequency of infarction in brain territories was not different significantly. Conclusions In patients with brain infarction, aplastic/hypoplastic ipsilateral PCoA is associated with higher incidence of thalamic territory infarction.

Introduction and importance Primary adrenal leiomyosarcoma (PAL) is an extremely rare neoplasm that usually arises from the smooth muscle cells of the adrenal or adjacent vascular structures. The tumor is asymptomatic until it grows up and develops a mass effect in the retroperitoneal region. Although there are about 50 reported valid cases, surgical intervention is mandatory in the majority of patients. Case presentation Herein, we report the case of a 32-year-old healthy woman with a chief complaint of vague abdominal pain. After initial clinical and radiological examinations, we found a large retroperitoneal mass located around the right adrenal gland. Due to the patient's pain, a laparotomy was performed, and a large mass was resected with free margins. Immunohistochemical examination was positive for vimentin, smooth muscle actin (SMA), and desmin. Therefore, the diagnosis of PAL was confirmed. Conclusion Although PAL is an uncommon malignancy, its diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are almost straightforward. A computed tomography scan can show the characteristics of the tumor and direct the management. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, and the effects of adjuvant therapies have not been apparent yet., Highlights • A 32-year-old woman presented to us complaining of vague abdominal pain without any specific signs and symptoms. • After imaging studies, a large retroperitoneal mass was found around the right adrenal gland. • The patient was operated with a midline laparotomy and the mass was resected with free margins. • Immunohistochemical examination was positive for pathological markers of leiomyosarcoma. • The surgery was performed successfully, and the patient was discharged in a good condition.

BackgroundRegarding the inconclusive results of previous investigations, this study aimed to determine the association between pathology, as a possible predictor, with remission outcomes, to know the role of pathology in the personalized decision making in acromegaly patients.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed on the consecutive surgeries for growth hormone (GH) producing pituitary adenomas from February 2015 to January 2021. Seventy-one patients were assessed for granulation patterns and prolactin co-expression as dual staining adenomas. The role of pathology and some other predictors on surgical remission was evaluated using logistic regression models.ResultsAmong 71 included patients, 34 (47.9%) patients had densely granulated (DG), 14 (19.7%) had sparsely granulated (SG), 23 (32.4%) had dual staining pituitary adenomas. The remission rate was about 62.5% in the patients with SG and DG adenomas named single staining and 52.2% in dual staining groups. Postoperative remission was 1.53-folds higher in the single staining adenomas than dual staining-one (non-significant). The remission rate was doubled in DG group compared to two other groups (non-significant). By adjusting different predictors, cavernous sinus invasion and one-day postoperative GH levels decreased remission rate by 91% (95% CI: 0.01–0.67;p = 0.015) and 64% (95% CI: 0.19–0.69;p ConclusionVarious pathological subtypes of pituitary adenomas do not appear to have a predictive role in estimating remission outcomes. Cavernous sinus invasion followed by one-day postoperative GH is the strongest parameter to predict biochemical remission.

Background: Thyroid nodules are frequent occurrences. This study aims to evaluate the risk of malignancy based on the 2015 American Thyroid Association Management: Guidelines for Adult Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ultrasonography and clinical manifestations were compared with pathology findings to predict the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules. Assessment of the ultrasound findings was based on the criteria recommended by The 2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines for Thyroid Nodules. For the evaluation of the association between clinical and ultrasound findings with histopathology results, we used the chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. The relative risk and prediction of malignancy was assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Data analysis was performed by the SPSS19. The significance level was set at PResults: From 130 patients with thyroid nodules, 110 (84.6%) were female. The mean age of participants was 46.1±11.5 years. Histopathology findings showed malignancy in 17.7% of the nodules, all of were papillary thyroid carcinoma. Multivariate logistic regression showed some of the ultrasonography parameters, absence of halo (PP=0.001, OR=18.3), nodule size more than 4 cm (P=0.04, OR=12.1), irregular margin (P=0.001, OR=10.06), solid or mixed composition (P=0.002, OR=8.1), hypoechoic (P=0.001, OR=4.5), lymph node positive (P=0.002, OR=4.3), positive calcification (P=0.03, OR=2.08), positive internal vascularity (PP=0.001, OR=12) could predict malignancy in patients with thyroid nodules. Conclusion: Based on increasing rate of thyroid cancer, in this study, the new and accurate ultrasound technique is recommended as alternative diagnostic method due non-invasive nature and lower cost used.

Background Developmental venous anomaly (DVA) is a benign venous abnormality draining normal brain parenchyma. It is mostly asymptomatic; however, rare complications such as hemorrhage may lead to symptomatic conditions. Headache and seizure are the most common symptoms. Hearing loss is an extremely rare presentation of DVA. To our knowledge, only five cases of DVA, presenting with hearing loss, had been reported so far. Case Presentation We report the case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with a sensorineural hearing loss followed by facial paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed hematoma with adjacent converging veins showing a typical “caput medusa” sign in the left middle cerebellar peduncle, in favor of DVA. Due to the compression effect of hematoma, she underwent surgery. Hearing loss and facial paresis improved significantly during the postoperative follow-up. Conclusion Although DVA is mostly benign and asymptomatic, complications such as hemorrhage rarely occur. Hearing loss is an extremely rare presentation that can be attributable to the compression effect on the cranial nerve VII to VIII complex. In the case of compression effect or progression of symptoms, surgical intervention is necessary. A good clinical outcome could be expected postoperatively.

Aim The aim of the current study was to evaluate the prevalence of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) in methanol‐poisoned patients admitted to two toxicology academic centers during the COVID‐19 outbreak and determine their clinical features and chest/brain computed tomography (CT) findings. Methods Methanol‐poisoned patients who had been referred during the COVID‐19 pandemic were evaluated for signs and symptoms of COVID‐19 by chest CT scans and/or polymerase chain reaction test. Results A total of 62 patients with confirmed methanol poisoning were enrolled in the study, with a median (interquartile range) age of 35 (28–44) years. Thirty‐nine (62.9%) survived. Nine (14.5%) were diagnosed to have COVID‐19, of whom four survived. There was a significant correlation between COVID‐19 disease and a history of alcohol consumption (p = 0.036; odds ratio 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–2.2). Univariate analysis showed significant differences between infected and noninfected patients regarding their urea and time for first and second hemodialysis sessions, as well as the duration of ethanol administration. Conclusions In conclusion, during the pandemic, specific attention should be paid to patients with a history of alcohol ingestion and elevated creatinine, loss of consciousness, and severe acidosis as these signs/symptoms could be present in both COVID‐19 and methanol poisoning, making differentiation between the two challenging., During the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) epidemic, some people in Iran drank sanitizers and even pure methanol to disinfect themselves. It caused not only mixed radiological features of methanol and COVID‐19, but also clinical and laboratory findings of both diseases, which could worsen the outcome. A significant correlation between COVID‐19 disease and a history of alcohol consumption was found. In patients with concurrent methanol poisoning and COVID‐19, a higher urea level is more common, making the patients more susceptible to delayed medical care, which can influence their outcome.

The omphalomesenteric duct (OMD) usually involutes by the ninth gestational week. If this obliteration fails, OMD remnant will result in different pathologies mostly in the pediatrics and infrequently in adults. The most well-known OMD remnant disease is Meckel's diverticulum. Omphalomesenteric cyst is rather rare, and their combination is even more exceptional with few cases in literature.We present an adolescent patient with nausea and vomiting and occasional periumbilical abdominal pain who was diagnosed with concurrent omphalomesenteric cyst and ileal diverticulum, causing internal hernia and bowel obstruction that underwent surgery.OMD remnants mostly present in childhood with symptoms of intestinal obstruction, and rarely internal hernias for which conservative management is usually not curative, warranting surgery. Imaging presence of cystic lesion in mid abdomen in young patient with bowel obstruction should raise the suspicion for OMD remnants. Presence of OMD cyst together with Meckel's diverticulum necessitates more extensive resection, rare concurrence which is better to be prepared for in advance.Preoperative radiologic workup is helpful to diagnose the obstruction and its probable cause. Presence of periumbilical cyst should raise the suspicion of OMD remnant specially in young adults with previous episodes of crampy abdominal pain and obstruction without history of abdominal surgery. Being familiar with possible concurrence of OMD cyst and Meckel's diverticulum will increase preparedness at the time of surgery.

Background: Chest computed tomography (CT) scan is frequently used for diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially in regions with limited availability of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) test. Low-dose CT of chest offers acceptable image quality with lower radiation dose, particularly important in younger patients. Objectives: We have designed the current study to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of low-dose chest CT versus early RT-PCR results, for triage of COVID-19 patients. Patients and Methods: From February 20 to April 15, 2020, 163 patients including 100 males (61.3%) with the median age of 65 years (21 to 97), who underwent both RT-PCR and chest CT were registered in the study. Low-dose chest CT protocol was applied with parameters modified from the lung cancer screening protocol. The accuracy of low-dose chest CT for COVID-19 diagnosis was evaluated, considering first RT-PCR results as reference. Results: Of 163 patients, 89 cases (54.6%) were presented with positive initial RT-PCR result. Lymphocyte percentage and lymphocyte count were significantly lower in the positive RT-PCR group (15% versus 19%, and 0.98 vs. 1.3, respectively); while, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was significantly higher (53 vs. 22). Positive chest CT findings were present in 133/163 cases (81.6%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) and accuracy of low-dose chest CT scan were 96.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90% - 99%), 36.5% (95% CI, 26% - 49%), 64.7% (95% CI, 56% - 73%), 90% (95% CI, 72% - 97%) and 69.3% (95% CI, 61% - 76%), respectively based on positive RT-PCR results. Conclusion: Low-dose chest CT scan provides both high sensitivity and negative predictive value in diagnosing COVID-19 compared to initial RT-PCR as the gold standard. It can be used as an alternate to standard-dose CT scan in areas with high prevalence of COVID-19 disease and limited availability of RT-PCR for early triage.

Background: The scientific evidence concerning pathogenesis and immunopathology of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is rapidly evolving in the literature. To evaluate the different tissues obtained by biopsy and autopsy from five patients who expired from severe COVID-19 in our medical center. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed five patients with severe COVID-19, confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and imaging, to determine the potential correlations between histologic findings with patient outcome. Results: Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) and micro-thrombosis were the most common histologic finding in the lung tissues (4 of 5 cases), and immunohistochemical (IHC) findings (3 of 4 cases) suggested perivascular aggregation and diffuse infiltration of alveolar walls by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Two of five cases had mild predominantly perivascular lymphocytic infiltration, single cell myocardial necrosis and variable interstitial edema in myocardial samples. Hypertrophic cardiac myocytes, representing hypertensive cardiomyopathy was seen in one patient and CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were detected on IHC in two cases. In renal samples, acute tubular necrosis was observed in 3 of 5 cases, while chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis, crescent formation and small vessel fibrin thrombi were observed in 1 of 5 samples. Sinusoidal dilation, mild to moderate chronic portal inflammation and mild mixed macro- and micro-vesicular steatosis were detected in all liver samples. Conclusion: Our observations suggest that clinical pathology findings on autopsy tissue samples could shed more light on the pathogenesis, and consequently the management, of patients with severe COVID-19.

In children with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT), focused assessment of sonography in trauma (FAST) has been reported with low sensitivity, on the whole, in the detection of intra-abdominal injuries (IAI). The aim of the present study was to assess test characteristics of FAST using different strategies including repeated FAST (reFAST), and physical exam findings. This retrospective study evaluated BAT pediatric patients with stable hemodynamics who underwent computed tomography (CT). Demographic data, initial physical examination, and results of FAST, reFAST (if done), and CT imaging were recorded. Different strategies of FAST were cross-tabulated with CT as the gold standard and test characteristics including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were interpreted. 129 patients with a mean age of 8.6 ± 4.7 were studied and 74% were male. Comparing CT-positive and -negative groups, from the demographic and clinical findings, only positive physical exam (tenderness or ecchymosis) was significantly higher in the CT-positive group (59% vs. 17%; p

Introduction: Since December 2019, an outbreak of Covid-19 has imposed growing worldwide concern. Researchers around the world is working to find a treatment or a vaccine for the Covid-19 and different treatment approaches have been tested in this regard. Objective: This study was designed and conducted to assess the possible efficacy of Interferon beta-1a as a a safe and efficient candidate for Covid-19 treatment. Methods: This is an investigator-initiated, open label, single arm clinical trial. Twenty suspected patients with Covid-19 who were admitted from 6 to 10 March, 2020 at Sina hospital in Tehran, Iran with moderate to severe symptoms were enrolled. Patients were treated with antiviral and hydroxychloroquine combination therapy with addition of subcutaneous Interferon beta-1a for 5 consecutive days. Baseline charactristiv and findings during the course of admission and 5 days after discharge were recorded for all the patients. Results: Totally, 20 patients with suspected Covid-19, were participated in this study, of whom 12 patients (60%) were male. The median (IQ) of patients’ age was 55.5 (43-63.5). The most common symptom of the patients at onset of disease was fever. The median (Interquartile, IQ range) days of hospital stay was 5.0 (3-6) days. Only 2 cases were admitted to ICU. At the time of follow-up, 15 (94%) patients reported that they generally feel good and had oral tolerance, 1 patient had suffered from dyspnea, 5 patients had suffered from cough, none of them had experienced fever and no case of re-admission or death was reported after discharge. Conclusions: Results of current study are in favor of using Interferon beta-1a in addition to recommended antiviral treatment in Covid-19 patients.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV, CD26) plays many roles in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The current study evaluated the association of DPP-IV enzymatic activity and its gene expression with disease activity and bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis. Blood samples were collected from 20 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 40 healthy volunteers. Patients were divided into four subgroups using DAS28 index. CD26 gene expression levels were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, the enzymatic activity of this molecule in serum was determined using Gly-Pro-p-nitroanilide as substrate. Digital radiography was applied to obtain images for bone erosion assessment. No significant difference in serum DPP-IV activity level was seen between patients and controls (p = 0.140). However, patients exhibited an increase in CD26 mRNA expression (1.68 times) when compared to controls (p = 0.001). Moreover, a strong positive correlation between CD26 gene expression and DAS28 index as well as bone erosion in the hands was observed (r = 0.71, p = 0.002 and r = 0.61, p = 0.049, respectively). This study demonstrated that CD26 mRNA expression in rheumatoid arthritis patients is associated with disease activity and bone erosion, suggesting a potential role for this molecule in the immunopathology of rheumatoid arthritis and bone erosion.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea complicates 2% of all head traumas, and 12%–30% of all basilar skull fractures. Posttraumatic CSF rhinorrhea usually occurs within the first 48 h, and majority of them occur in the first 3 months, whereas delayed CSF leak beyond 3 months is rare. On the other hand, CSF usually leaks through dural tearing associated with fracture of the anterior skull base. CSF leak through fractures of middle cranial fossa to the nose through the eustachian tube is very rare. We present a 52-year-old woman with delayed posttraumatic paradoxical CSF rhinorrhea and recurrent meningitis.

Little is known about methamphetamine body stuffers and correlation of clinical manifestations with imaging studies. Current study was done to determine abdominopelvic computed tomography findings and clinical manifestations in methamphetamine body stuffers. In an IRB-approved routine data base study, demographic characteristics, clinical findings, and CT results of 70 methamphetamine body stuffers were retrieved. According to the clinical manifestations, the patients were categorized into either benign- or severe-outcome group. Also, they were determined to have positive or negative CT results. In the group with positive results, number and place of the baggies were determined, as well. Results of the CT were compared between the two groups. Almost 43% of the patients had positive abdominopelvic CT results. Mean density of the packs was 176.2 ± 152.7 Hounsfield unit. Based on the clinical grounds, 57% of the patients were in the benign- and 33% were in the severe-outcome group. In the benign group, 45% of the patients had positive CTs while in the severe-risk group, this was 40% (p > 0.05). Except variables defined as severe outcome (seizure, intubation, creatinine level, aspartate aminotransferase level, creatine phosphokinase and troponin level), agitation, on-arrival pulse rate, lactate dehydrogenase, bicarbonate, base excess, loss of consciousness and hospitalization period were correlating factors. But in regression analysis, we could not find a significant variable that prognosticate severe outcome. It seems that there is no relationship between the CT findings and clinical manifestations of the methamphetamine body stuffers. Severe outcomes may be observed even in the face of negative CTs.

Our study attempts to determine if for patients following ingestion of lead-contaminated opium, radiographs [plain X-ray (KUB)] or unenhanced computed tomography (CT scan) of the abdomen may be predictive of lead poisoning.Our study is concerned with patients of21 years with elevated lead concentrations, who had undergone KUB or CT. Patients with other toxicities who had undergone similar imaging profiles but who had low blood lead level (BLL) were enrolled as controls.We evaluated a total of 79 cases and 79 controls with median [IQR] BLLs of 126 [97.4, 160] μg/dL and 8.7 [5.5, 15] μg/dL. All cases and eleven controls (13.9%) were addicted to oral opium, and of these cases, anemia (94.9%) and abdominal pain (92.4%) were the two most common clinical manifestations. Two radiologists reviewed the X-ray and non-contrast CTs. Fifty (63.3%) and 53 (67.1%) cases and controls underwent CT scanning with 34 (68%) vs. 6 (11.3%) positive CTs (P 0.001) while 43 (54.4%) and 39 (43.3%) underwent X-rays with 21 (48.8%) vs. 4 (11.8%) positive X-rays, respectively (P 0.001). Positive CT is associated with BLL between 10 and 45 μg/dL with a specificity of 96.9%, 88.7% and positive predictive value of 97.5% and 85% respectively.In suspected cases of lead exposure due to ingested opium, and if BLL is not readily available, a positive imaging result may guide radiologists and physicians to consider lead poisoning.

We evaluated the added value of lung window in non-contrast computed tomography (CT) of suspected body packers or stuffers. Forty suspected drug mules who were referred to our tertiary toxicology center were included. The final diagnosis of drug mule was based on the detection of packs in stool examination or surgery. Non-contrast CT scans were retrospectively interpreted by two blinded radiologists in consensus before and after reviewing the lung window images. The diagnostic performance of abdominal window scans alone and scans in both abdominal and lung windows were subsequently compared. Seven body packers and 21 body stuffers were identified. The sensitivity, negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic accuracy of scans in detection of drug mules (either drug packers or stuffers) raised from 60.7, 52.1, and 72.5 to 64.2, 54.5, and 75.0 %, respectively, with a more number of packs being detected (114 vs. 105 packs). In the body packers group, the diagnostic performance of both abdominal windows scans and combined abdominal and lung windows scans were 100 %. In the body stuffers group, the sensitivity, NPV, and diagnostic accuracy of scans increased from 47.6, 52.1, and 55.0 to 52.3, 54.5, and 57.5 %, respectively, after the addition of lung windows. Reviewing the lung window on non-contrast abdominal CT can be helpful in detection of drug mules.

Background: Body stuffer determination is an important concern in emergency departments for referred patients with suspicion of swallowing drug packets. Because of small packet size, plain radiography is of little value in most patients. On the other hand, abdominal and pelvic CT scan is burdened by high cost and radiation dose. This study was performed to evaluate the sensitivity of low-dose CT scan in comparison with conventional one. So, the former can be used as an alternative screening and follow up tool for suspected body stuffers Methods: In this prospective study, suspected body stuffers who were referred to radiology department, underwent two different protocols of abdominal and pelvic non-contrast CT scan: low-dose (equivalent dose of conventional abdominal x-ray) and standard dose. Standard dose CT scan was considered as the gold standard and low-dose protocol was compared with that for image quality and packet detection rate. Results: The study consisted of 40 patients (all men, with mean age of 33.38 7.4 years). CT evaluation with standard dose were positive in 22 patients (55%). Only 1 (2.5%) CT scan assigned as unacceptable by each radiologist in low-dose group. Noise average of low-dose protocol, was approximately 7 times greater than standard dose group, while DLP and ED are 9.7 times smaller. In comparison with standard dose CT scan, low-dose group had a sensitivity of 86.46%, specificity of 100%, PPV and NPV of 100% and 85.71%. Discussion: Accuracy of low-dose CT scan for detection of baggies larger than 1 cm, approaches 100%. Therefore, it looks an appropriate screening method for body stuffers, especially when the packages are larger.

Introduction: Endoscopy is an invasive procedure and finding noninvasive alternative tools in detection of probable upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract injuries following caustic ingestion is an area of interest. The present study aimed to evaluate the screening performance characteristics of thoraco-abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan in this regard.Methods: This prospective cross sectional study was conducted on patients presenting to emergency department following acute caustic ingestion. The findings of CT scan and endoscopy regarding the presence of upper GI tract damage were compared and screening performance characteristics of CT scan were calculated using MedCalc software.Results: 34 patients with the mean age of 35.38±13.72 years were studied (58.8% male). The agreement rate between CT scan and endoscopy regarding the grade of esophageal and gastric injuries was moderate (K= 0.38; p = 0.001) and fair (K= 0.17; p = 0.038), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of CT scan in detection of esophageal damage were 96.29) 79.11- 99.80) and 57.14 (20.23 - 88.19), respectively. These measures were 89.65 (71.50 - 97.28) and 40.00 (7.25 - 82.95), respectively for gastric damage. The area under the ROC curve of CT scan in detection of esophageal and gastric damages was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.52 – 1.00) and 0.64 (95% CI: 0.35 – 0.94), respectively.Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, CT scan could be considered as a sensitive tool in ruling out upper gastrointestinal mucosal injuries following acute caustic ingestions. However, the correlation between endoscopy and CT scan findings regarding the grading of injury is not high enough to eliminate the need for endoscopy.

Body stuffing is defined as ingestion of unpackaged or packaged illicit drugs in a quick process. The drugs have usually been wrapped loosely in cellophane, plastic bags, paper, or aluminum foil. Methamphetamine toxicity is a dangerous state that occurs during methamphetamine leakage from the ingested packages in the gastrointestinal tract. This is usually occurring with cocaine and heroin, but methamphetamine body stuffing may less commonly happen, as well. Accordingly, management of methamphetamine body-stuffers is an important subject that has remained a controversy in clinical and legal aspects. We have reported two body-stuffer cases who underwent exploratory laparotomy. Although surgery was done, it was not useful to exit packs and even led to severe methamphetamine toxicity. These cases show that surgical treatment may be ineffective and even harmful in body-stuffers. On the other hand, this report suggests that pre and post-operation abdominal CT-scan is necessary for evaluating surgical treatment in patients who are still symptomatic.

Introduction: Tuberculosis is now more frequently observed in older individuals, often with underlying illnesses or conditions that may confuse diagnosis. Rapid diagnosis is mandatory. However, treatment should be initiated immediately based on strong clinical suspicion, because mortality from tuberculosis is most often due to delays in treatment. Case presentation: A 68-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with fever. He had splenomegaly, ascites and right-sided psoas abscess. Chest X-ray was normal. Although the vertebral column was intact, he had asymptomatic sacroiliitis. Bony changes of the right sacroiliac joint seemed to be chronic on computerized tomography (CT) scan. Lack of associated clinical symptoms strengthened this assumption. However, signal alterations of respective areas on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested active inflammation. Analysis of aspirated pus was positive for acid-fast bacilli and the culture depicted mycobacterial growth. The patient was not cirrhotic yet he had high serum-ascites albumin gradient ascites. He had two hypodense lesions in his liver with a cholestatic pattern in the liver test. He had pancytopenia. Biopsy from his liver and bone marrow showed multiple granulomas. Treatment was started with an anti-tuberculosis regimen of four drugs. He responded well to our therapeutic protocol. Conclusions: Tuberculosis is still a diagnostic challenge, especially when the presentation is atypical and extra-pulmonary.

The objective of this study is to select one of the seven available clinical decision rules for minor head injury, for managing Iranian patients. This was a prospective cohort study evaluating medium- or high-risk minor head injury patients presenting to the Emergency Department. Patients with minor head trauma who were eligible for brain imaging based on seven available clinical decision rules (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS)-II, Neurotraumatology Committee of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (NCWFNS), New Orleans, American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Guideline, Scandinavian, and Canadian computed tomography (CT) head rule) were selected. Subjects were underwent a non-contrast axial spiral head CT scan. The outcome was defined as abnormal and normal head CT scan. Univariate analysis and stepwise linear regression were applied to show the best combination of risk factors for detecting CT scan abnormalities. Five hundred patients with minor head trauma were underwent brain CT scan. The following criteria were derived by stepwise linear regression: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) less than 15, confusion, signs of basal skull fracture, drug history of warfarin, vomiting more than once, loss of consciousness, focal neurologic deficit, and age over 65 years. This model has 86.15 % (75.33–93.45 %) sensitivity and 46.44 % (46.67–51.25 %) specificity in detecting minor head injury patients with CT scan abnormalities (95 % confidence interval). Of seven decision rules, only the Canadian CT Head Rule possesses seven of the eight high-risk factors associated with abnormal head CT results which were identified by this study. This study underlines the Canadian CT Head Rule’s utility in Iranian minor head injury patients. Our study encourages researchers to evaluate available guidelines in different communities.

Toxicity due to body packing/pushing/stuffing is a major concern in many countries. Of different imaging techniques, computed tomography (CT) scan is described as the method of choice in detecting body couriers, but there is no study to concomitantly compare with- and without-contrast abdominopelvic CTs to determine the more accurate one for this purpose.We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of abdominopelvic CT "with" and "without" oral contrast in diagnosis of existence, number, and type of packets in body packers/pushers and stuffers.In a prospective observational case series, all suspected cases of body packing/stuffing were included and underwent abdominopelvic CT with and without oral contrast in a one-year period. CT scans were reported by three independent attending radiologists blind to the demographic and clinical results and compared to our defined "gold standard" which was surgery or expulsion of packets. The existence and number of packets detected by each method were compared to define the better method of diagnosis.Of 11 suspect body packers/pushers, 10 carried packs. Abdominopelvic CT with and without oral contrast detected six and seven of them, respectively. In 24 body stuffers, CT without oral contrast was more accurate in diagnosis of existence (9/24 vs. 7/24, p = 0.003) and number (sensitivity and positive predictive values of 29.2% vs. 37.5% and 100% vs. 100% for CTs with and without oral contrast, respectively, p = 0.021).There is a remarkable gap between detection of existence and number of packets/baggies reported by the radiologists and the real condition of the patients. A close teamwork between radiologists and toxicologists is needed to manage these problematic cases.

Brain hemorrhages are rare complications of acute methanol poisoning. There is a debate on association of brain hemorrhage in methanol toxicity and application of systemic anticoagulation during hemodialysis (HD). A 70-year-old male presented to us with severe metabolic acidosis and a methanol level of 7.6 mg/dL. Ethanol and folinic acid were administered, and HD was performed. Brain computed tomography (CT) scan which was normal on presentation showed extensive bilateral subcortical supratentorial hypodensities on the 3rd day after commencing the treatment. However, the next CT scan performed 2 weeks later revealed expanding hemorrhagic transformation in previous hypodensities. Hemorrhagic changes could not be explained by patient's coagulation profile on the 3rd day. Anticoagulation agents such as heparin are used routinely during a dialysis session to prevent clot formation in dialysis circuits. This case is possibly questioning the role of heparin in hemorrhagic brain lesions of methanol intoxication.

Background: With increasing rate of drug smuggling, the emerging legal implications and possible need for urgent surgery in drug mules make early and accurate diagnosis important. It has recently been recommended to review the abdominal computed tomography (CT) of suspected drug mules in lung window for better delineation of ingested packets and pellets. Objectives: We conducted a study to examine the usefulness of adding lung window to conventional abdominal window. Patients and Methods: At a major toxicology referral center, 40 suspects (35 males and 5 females) who had undergone abdominal CT scan were included in the study, and their scans were reviewed by a board-certified radiologist in both abdominal and lung windows. The gold standard was detection of packs in stool examination or surgery which was positive in 25 patients. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of abdominal CT scan with conventional abdominal window in detection of drug mules were 50%, 100%, 100%, 46%, and 65% respectively which increased to 53.5%, 100%, 100%, 48%, and 67.5% after adding lung window. Adding lung window, only one body stuffer who was over looked on abdominal window for the hypodense peripheral cover of the pack could be detected additionally. However, more number of packs were detected (mean 7.4 vs. 6.9) and the difference was significant (P = 0.04). Conclusions: Reviewing the abdominal CT scan of drug mules in lung window helps to detect more number of ingested packets and pellets; however its usefulness is strongly related to the way ingested packs are fashioned. Small pellets with loose wraps are not well visualized even on lung window and are more prone to leak in the gastrointestinal tract.

Low back pain is a common condition with a lifetime prevalence of up to 84% in the general population. In many cases it remains difficult to determine the exact cause of back pain, but among various other conditions, lumbar instability is important. Spinal instability is defined as an abnormal response to applied loads, characterized by movement in the motion segment beyond normal constraints. The etiologies of spinal instability can be classified as congenital (dysplastic), spondylolytic (isthmic), degenerative, traumatic, pathologic and iatrogenic (i.e., postoperative). The diagnosis of intervertebral instability is based on the direct and indirect radiological findings of an abnormal vertebral motion. A variety of imaging modalities are currently used to assess spinal instability with each having its merits and demerits. Plain radiographs are the baseline investigation but have uncertain diagnostic value as they show only indirect evidences of spinal instability. Functional radiography is promising; however, it has its limitations of inaccurate reproducibility and non-standardized techniques. Computed tomography offers a higher sensitivity than plain radiographs due to its superior contrast resolution and better delineation of bony structures. Functional CT illustrates abnormal motion between the facet joints and objectively establishes spinal instability. MR imaging is highly sensitive in detection of soft tissue abnormalities that contribute to spinal instability. Analysis of the various imaging modalities reveal that no single modality is complete by itself and needs to be complemented by other.

Radiography has been proved to be a good diagnostic tool in visualization of many radiopaque xenobiotics in clinical toxicology. Zinc is a potentially radiopaque material which is a constituent of the zinc phosphide (ZN2P3) rodenticide. We report two cases of zinc phosphide poisoning with positive abdominal X-rays in whom the diagnosis was confirmed by abdominal imaging. Positive abdominal imaging was an indication for aggressive management; however, aggressive treatment was not lifesaving in one of them. We aim to emphasize the diagnostic value of abdominal X-rays in zinc phosphide-poisoned patients. We also would like to suggest that zinc phosphide (ZP)-poisoned patients with positive X-rays have more chance to become unstable even if they are symptom free on presentation and should be more aggressively managed.

OBJECTIVES Sonography for measuring intra-abdominal fat is more accurate than anthropometric measurements. Computed tomographic (CT) angiography has become an accurate noninvasive method for detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined the associations between both sonographic and anthropometric measurements of abdominal adiposity and the presence of CAD on CT angiography. METHODS We evaluated 83 consecutive patients (70% men; mean age ± SD, 56 ± 10.8 years) who were referred for CT angiography. Clinical and laboratory variables were determined, and CT angiography was performed using a 64-slice scanner. The severity of CAD was defined by visual assessment of any plaque, either calcified or noncalcified. Preperitoneal fat, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat thicknesses were determined on sonography, and the abdominal fat index was calculated as the preperitoneal fat thickness-to-subcutaneous fat thickness ratio. RESULTS Coronary artery disease was detected in 56 patients (67%). Patients with CAD had higher visceral fat thickness (9.3 ± 2.0 versus 8.2 ± 2.2 cm; P = .035) and a higher waist-to-hip ratio (0.97 ± 0.07 versus 0.92 ± 0.07; P = .018) than those without CAD. The preperitoneal fat thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, and abdominal fat index were not correlated with the CAD status. After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, however, only a waist-to-hip ratio higher than 0.95 remained significantly associated with the presence of CAD (odds ratio, 4.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-13.4). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that sonographically based obesity measurements are not superior to anthropometric indices in predicting the presence of CAD.

Epitheloid leiomyoma is a very rare subtype of benign mesothelial tumors of the bladder. A 46-year-old female patient presented to our hospital with prolonged dysuria, frequency, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Bimanual examination revealed a mobile, round mass in bladder. There was a round hyperdense intravesical mass near bladder neck in computed tomography (CT) scan that was compatible with her magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A well defined 3 × 4 centimeter mass was seen in superolateral part of bladder neck during cystoscopy. The patient underwent partial cystectomy and histopathologic findings confirmed the diagnosis of epithelioid leiomyoma. The patient's followup was uneventful in a period of 2 years. Size and anatomic location of this tumor were major factors that affect on treatment.

Aim To evaluate the clinical features of zinc phosphide poisoning and to investigate whether outcome could be prognosticated based on abdominal radiography on presentation. Materials and methods All zinc phosphide-poisoned patients who were referred to Loghman-Hakim Hospital between March 2011 and September 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding patients' demographic characteristics, characteristics of the poisoning, abdominal radiography results, and patients' outcome were recorded. Results In 102 patients, the most common presenting signs/symptoms were nausea and vomiting (60%). Four patients died and another seven had developed complications during their hospitalization (metabolic acidosis, liver abnormalities, or acute renal failure). Nineteen patients had radio-opaque abdominal radiographs, nine of whom had died or developed complications (p = 0.001). Plain abdominal radiography had a sensitivity and specificity of 81% and 89% in predicting the patients' death or further development of complications. The positive and negative predictive values were 47% and 97%, respectively. Conclusion Plain abdominal radiography is a very good tool for prognostication in patients with zinc phosphide poisoning. Immediate abdominal radiography can help stratify patients into high- or low-risk groups and determine treatment strategies.