RESUMO
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of panoramic radiograph (PR) as a screening tool for the detection of calcified carotid atheroma (CCA) in comparison with Doppler ultrasonography (DU) examination. Materials and Methods: In this study, DU was performed for 52 patients who had carotid calcification or other differential diagnoses of carotid calcification on PR routine screening. The data relating to the presence or absence of calcified atheroma in DU and PR were evaluated using SPSS software. Results: In the 52 stated patients, CCA of 9 (18%) patients was diagnosed in the PR. Significant differences in CCA between the two sexes were not found. Also, considerable differences between the left and right sides (P = 0/906) were not found. Moreover, the positive cases who are diagnosed using ultrasonography and PR were 2.25% and 6.5%, respectively. Conclusion: PR method is not a good choice for the primary diagnosis method for the carotid artery calcifications due to its less positive diagnosing ratio compared to DU.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: In this cross-sectional case-control study, albumin and globulin profile in the serum of opium and heroine addicts have been compared with correspondent values in a matched control group. METHODS: Opioid consumption was confirmed by laboratory diagnostic tests on urine samples and protein electrophoresis of serum was performed to determine the concentration and profile of serum proteins. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in albumin, alpha(1)-globulin, alpha(2)-globulin, and beta-globulin concentration among groups. Gamma-globulin concentration in opium and heroin addicts showed no significant difference, but it was significantly lower in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSION: This finding may be attributed to the higher probability of infectious diseases in opioids addicts.