Beta thalassemia major, a cause of testicular microlithiasis

Testicular microlithiasis is a rare condition characterized by deposition of calcium in the Lamina of semineferous tubules of testis. The ultrasound of testicular microlithiasis shows bright 1-3 mm echogenic foci in parenchyma. Herein, we report a first case of testicular microlithiasis in major beta thalassemia that was demonstrated in testicle's ultrasound

Evaluation of pediatric intracranial neoplasm in Tabriz, Iran

Tumors of the central nervous system [CNS], occur relatively frequently during the early years of life. They are the most common solid tumors of childhood and are second only to leukemia in overall cancer incidence and account for a high proportion of deaths. In different studied performed in several countries, astrocytomas and other gliomas [combined] account for half of the CNS malignancies, followed by PNET/MB, and ependymomas, and then craniopharyngioma. We have undertaken a perspective study with 349 brain tumor patients, ranging from 0-14 years of age, throughout a five- year period [1998-2003]. Who were admitted in Tabriz children hospital or were diagnosed in Tabriz Hafez imaging center, during radiological evaluation by CT. Craniopharyngioma was the most common type of tumors among patients studied in our Series, and astrocytomas was second and medulloblastoma was third common rjype. The Male/Female proportion of patients in total brain tumors according to our results is 1.56 and it is similar to previous studies. About medulloblastoma and ependymomas, Male/Female proportion of patients in this study is less than 1 [0.88, 0.7], but in previous series it seems to be more than 1 [about 1.4]. Age- related distribution of brain tumors in children under the age 14 was similar to that of other series to some extent. Also, since the causes and risk factors of CNS cancers remain largely undetermined, we could not reach a significant relationship between the tumors and residency of patients. Hope our results make a useful for the future studies in this field, and differences obtained in this study with results of other series, can help us more and more in management and treatment strategies in brain tumors in children of our population

[Diagnosis of Airway malacia via virtual bronchoscopy]

The term of malacia refers to softness and in medical terminolog refers to weakness of bone or cartilage. Laryngomalacia is the most common congenital abnormality of larynx and the patient may suffer from recurrent aspiration. Tracheomalacia refers to tracheal weakness and usually results in airway collapse due to cartilage defect. Bronchomalacia is used to describe the weakness and collapsibility of one or both main bronchus. All of the above mentioned diseases can be diagnosed by bronchoscopy but this method is invasive and may interfere with diagnosis, on the other hand it is intolerable in young individual and severly ill, and patients with coagulopathy. This study was conducted to show the role of virtual bronchoscopy in diagnosis of laryngo-tracheo-bronchomalacia. In a peri- experimental study during 3 years [Nov 2003-Oct 2006] 35 patients who had clinical sign and symptom of airway malacia were studied via virtual bronchoscopy. From 35 patients percentage of male and female was 65/7% and 34/3%, respectively and the mean age was 3/7 +/- 1/6 months. The result of virtual bronchoscopy for laryngomalcia, bronchomalacia, tracheomalacia, laryngotracheomalacia and laryngobronchomalacia was 42.8%, 25.7%, 20%, 8.5% and 2.9%, respectively. Virtual bronchoscopy because of non-invasive and speed imaging and excellent ability of assessment of airway stenosis, can be considered as substitution for bronchoscopy

Testicular microlithiasis and cryptorchidism: a case report

Testicular microlithiasis [TM] is an uncommon condition with reported prevalence of 0.6% in patients referred for scrotal ultrasound. Testicular microlithiasis was first reported by Priebe and Garret in 1970 and defined as multiple tiny calcification throughout the testis. The condition appears as characterstic small nonshadowing hyperechoic stippling foci in testicular parenchyma. Several associations have been reported with testicular microlithiasis. Considrable accrued evidence points to an association between testicular microlithiasis, intra tubular germ cell neoplasia and testicular tumor. This topic is of considerable attention to researchers. We recommend annual ultrasonic follow up and patient education about self- examination and bio-humeral evaluation for ruling out concurrent tumors