Epidemiology of work-related burn injuries: A ten-year retrospective study of 429 patients at a referral burn centre in the north of Iran.

Work-related burns can have a destructive impact; however, knowledge of the epidemiology of work-related burn injuries in Iran is limited. This study aimed to describe epidemiological characteristics of work-related burn injuries in a burn centre in the north of Iran. This study was a retrospective single-centre study of the medical records of work-related burns between 2011 and 2020. Data collection was done using the hospital information system (HIS). The data were analysed by using descriptive statistical methods and SPSS 24.0 software. Of the 9220 cases treated in the burn centre, 429 (4.65%) had work-related burns. There was an increasing trend of work-related burns during the ten years. The mean age of patients was 37.53 (SD = 13.72). Most patients were male (n = 377, 87.9%), with a male-to-female ratio of 7.25/1. The mean total body surface area burn was 23.39% (SD = 20.03). Most work-related burns occurred in the summer season (46.9%, n = 201), and the upper limb was the most common anatomical site of burns (n = 123, 28.7%). The most common mechanism of injury was fire & flames (266, 62.0%). Inhalation injury was observed in 52 (12.1%) patients, and mechanical ventilation was undertaken in 71 (16.6%) patients. The mean length of stay in the hospital was 10.38 (SD = 10.37) days, and the overall mortality rate was 11.2%. The most common activities associated with burns at the time of the incidents were food preparation and serving related (108, 25.2%), followed by welders (n = 71, 16.6%) and electricians (n = 61, 14.2%). This research is the basis for evaluating work-related burns and identifying the causes of these injuries to develop education and prevention programmes, especially for young male workers.

Investigation of Anxiety and Depression Predictors in Burn Patients Hospitalized at Velayat Hospital, a Newly Established Burn Center.

Burns are a leading cause of global mortality and disability. Burns have the mental, psychological and physical impact on the sufferers. Burn patients need special care, both physical and mental, and majority of them are suffering from symptom of difficulty, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and isolation. Finding the predictors of post-burn anxiety and depression can accelerate the treatment and recovery process and maintain the mental health of the patients. The present study investigated the depression and anxiety predictors in burn patients admitted to a medical facility in northern Iran. The present study is a descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional methodology on all the burn patients (n = 611) admitted to the Velayat Subspecialty Burn and Reconstructive Surgery Center, Rasht, Iran during 2013-2019. The study tools included the demographic and clinical questionnaire and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) for anxiety and depression. Data were collected using interviews. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS version 19 and the statistical tests of Chi-square and logistic regression test. The present study included 611 patients, with 61% males and 39% females. The mean age of the participants was 38.86 ± 18.39, while most participants were in the age group of 20-40 years. The most common cause of admission was burning by flames (36.7%), and most patients had third-degree burns (67%). Five hundred forty three patients showed mental symptoms, of which 343 (52.6%) had anxiety disorder symptoms, and 309 (47.4%) had symptoms suggestive of depression. The independent predictors of depression were found to be the gender (OR = 0.253), age group (OR = 0.706), and the degree of burn (OR = 0.406), while the independent predictors of anxiety disorder included the gender (OR = 1.669), age group (OR = 1.58), the classified burn area (OR = 0.653), marital status (OR = 0.532), and education level (OR = 0.773). It is important to identify predictors of depression and anxiety after burn. The predictors can serve as indicators that these patients may benefit from mental health evaluations and treatment.

Comparative study of the consequences of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair surgery using open and endovascular surgical methods.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition. Open surgery and endovascular repair are the options for treating AAA. This study aimed to compare the frequencies of in-hospital complications and outcomes in two groups of patients who underwent AAA repair surgery using either an open or an endovascular repair method. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted on the records of 60 patients with AAA undergoing elective surgery repair using endovascular approaches or open surgery at Razi Hospital from 2010 to 2019. Patients' related information, including age, sex, changes in blood pressure, respiratory complications, renal complications, myocardial infarction, paraplegia, cloneischemia, lower limb ischemia, duration of hospital stay in intensive care unit and hospital, the dose of packed RBC, the dose of injectable narcotic analgesics, the need for vasopressor medication, duration of surgery, duration of postoperative oral feeding, and death during hospitalization were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients in two groups were studied. The mean age of patients was 72.4 ± 6.28 years, and most were male (86.7%). The incidence of renal complications (3.3%) and respiratory complications (0%), rate of decrease in arterial blood oxygen saturation, length of stay in ICU (median 2 vs. 4) and hospital (median 4.5 vs. 7), the need for vasopressor injection and the dose of packed RBC (median 0.4 vs. 3.33), the dose of narcotic analgesic injection (53.3%), duration of surgery (median 2.5 vs. 3), duration of postoperative oral feeding (median 23 vs. 54), and the incidence of death were significantly lower in the endoscopic surgery group. CONCLUSION: Endovascular surgery repairing the rupture of an AAA is associated with fewer postoperative complications and in-hospital death than open surgery.

The effect of physical activity level on the severity of diastolic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular events in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgeries. Investigators aimed to assess the effect of physical activity level on the diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV) in patients attending the preoperative visit. METHODS: This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on 228 patients referred to Poursina hospital from November 2021 to March 2022. To define the physical activity level, we used the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We categorized patients into inactive, minimally active, and health-enhancing physical activity groups. We also divided participants into three groups based on their daily sitting time. Also, echocardiographic parameters were calculated. The diastolic function of LV was evaluated, and its grading was defined from mild (grade1) to severe (grade 3). RESULTS: Results showed that patients with DD had significantly higher age and lower levels of education (P < 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). After assessing echocardiographic parameters, we found that E/e', TR Velocity, left atrial volume index, and pulmonary artery pressure had a statistically significant inverse relationship with physical activity level (P < 0.001 for all). Comparing physical activity level of subgroups showed that in HEPA (health-enhancing physical activity), the chance of developing grade 2 or 3 DD was reduced by 97% compared to the inactive group (OR = 0.03, P < 0.001). Still, there was no significant difference between the inactive and minimally active groups (P = 0.223). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed an inverse relationship between physical activity level and DD of the LV in a sample of 228 individuals attending the Anesthesia Clinic, independent of potentially confounding variables.Therefore, due to lower rate of DD in patients who are physically active, we can expect lower occurrence rate of cardiovascular events during surgery.

Evaluation of patterns, cause and risk factors of burns in patients with seizure.

BACKGROUND: Burns following convulsion could be an important problem for patients with epilepsy. In the present study we aimed to identify the pattern and the cause of burns in these patients. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that was performed in 2017-2019 in Guilan on 40 patients with burns following seizure. The information in the records of patients were reviewed. We collected data including age, sex, marital status, occupation, place of residence, length of hospital stay, anatomy of the burn site, percentage of burn, degree of burns, cause of burns and disease outcome. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 42.2±2.99 years. Seven cases (17.5%) had burns due to fire, 5 cases (12.5%) due to gas explosion, 3 cases (7.5%) due to electrocution, 15 cases (37.5%) with hot water, 1 case (2.5%) with hot liquids, 5 cases (12.5%) with hot surface, 1 case (2.5%) with hot bath, 2 cases (5%) with hot food and 1 case (2.5%) with hot glue. The mean burning percentage of patients was 19.3±3.18%. The most common patterns of burns were observed as 7 (17.5%) upper limbs and 7 (17.5%) lower limbs. The mean duration of hospitalization was 5.05±0.69 days ranging from 1 to 18 days. 37 patients (92.5%) recovered partially and 3 patients (7.5%) died. CONCLUSION: Hot water, fire and hot surface are most common causes of burns and there were significant direct correlations between age with percentage of burns and duration of hospitalization. We believe further studies should evaluate the preventive strategies in this regard.

Traumatic brain injuries in children during COVID-19 pandemic: a national report from northern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that referral cases of traumatic injuries have decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic both in childhood and in adulthood. Still we have very little evidence of referrals due to traumatic brain injury among children during the COVID-19 outbreak. The present study aimed to describe epidemiological and clinical features of pediatric traumatic brain injuries. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on all patients under 15 years with any evidence of head trauma, referring to Poursina teaching hospital, a referral center for trauma and road accidents in northern Iran. The patients' data were retrospectively collected by reviewing the hospital recorded files and the trauma-specific hospital information system. RESULTS: Of all 543 pediatric traumatic injuries referred to our hospital during the two pointed periods, 166 had any evidence of head and neck injuries leading to an overall prevalence rate of 30.6%. In this regard, the prevalence rate of head/neck injuries was estimated to be 140 out of 436 within a pre-COVID-19 period (32.1%) and 26 out of 107 within the COVID-19 period (24.3%) indicating no significant difference between the two time periods (P = 0.243). However, assessing the rate of head/neck injuries pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods according to patients' age showed a higher rate of such injuries in pre-COVID-19 as compared to COVID-19 periods in patients aged less than two years (55.6% versus 37.5%, P = 0.013) as well as aged 2 to six years (45.8% versus 30.0%, P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: The rate of admission of children due to traumatic brain injury during the COVID-19 period does not show a significant change compared to before, and only in children under 6 years of age a decrease in referrals due to brain trauma during the COVID-19 period was observed.

Traumatic injuries in children during COVID-19 pandemic: a national report from northern Iran.

BACKGROUND: There are no comprehensive and accurate statistics on epidemiology and clinical features, especially during the COVID-19 period. The present study tries to describe the pediatric traumas in a referral treatment center in northern Iran during the COVID-19 period and to compare the available statistics with the years before pandemics to examine the differences in the epidemiology of this event in our country. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 543 children under 15 years admitted to this hospital due to different types of traumas in the first six months of 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) and the first six months of 2020 (coinciding with the peak of the pandemic). The information was retrospectively collected by reviewing the hospital recorded files and the trauma-specific hospital information system. RESULTS: In total, 436 children were referred before the COVID-19 pandemic period and 107 within the pandemic outbreak. The peak age of patients admitted was 2 to 6 years (32.0%) and 70.5% were male. Most of the pointed children had normal weight. The most common mechanism of trauma before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was falling from a height (46.3% versus 42.1%), followed by road accidents (35.6% versus 36.4%). The overall prevalence of penetrating trauma was 6.9% and 9.3%. The most common body sites affected were the head and neck (32.1%) followed by extremities (before the COVID-19 period) and extremities (29.0%) followed by the head and neck (24.3%) (in the COVID-19 period). The overall rates of multiple trauma before and within the pandemic were also 35.6% versus 35.5%. In children aged 12 to 15 years, road accidents were more reported during the COVID-19 pandemic period (68.4% versus 50.9%) and contrarily falling from a height more before the pandemic (25.5% versus 0.0%). In children under two years of age, head and neck trauma was more reported before the COVID-19 period than in the COVID-19 period (55.6% versus 35.5%), while at this age, limb trauma was more common during the COVID-19 period than before (5.6% versus 20.8%) (P = 0.043). In lean children, abdominal and pelvic trauma were mainly seen in the COVID-19 period (28.6% versus 2.6%) (P = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Referrals of children from traumatic injuries decreased during the COVID-19 period. However, the main differences in the mechanism of trauma and the type and severity of traumatic injuries to children in this period emphasize the provision of specific guidelines for trauma management in children.

Efficacy of intranasal ketamine and midazolam for pediatric sedation: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients feel significant fear and anxiety when undergoing surgeries. The ideal drug and its administration route have not been found yet. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intranasal (IN) ketamine and midazolam as premedication in children. METHODS: We studied 71 eligible pediatric patients undergoing elective urologic surgeries, aged 2 to 6 years. The degree of sedation and separation scores was compared between the two groups. Additionally, hemodynamic parameters, before premedication, after induction of anesthesia, and during surgery were documented and compared between two groups. Postoperatively, any side effect was recorded as well. RESULTS: Finally, the data from 71 children were analyzed. Recovery time was significantly longer in group K (ketamine) compared to group M (midazolam); 27.86±4.42 vs 38.19± 6.67 minutes respectively (P=0.01). No significant difference was observed in terms of sedation score between two groups of K & M; 3.29±0.78 vs 3 ±0.71 respectively (P=0.17), and not regarding separation score; 2.51±0.61 & 2.31±0.52 respectively (P=0.01). Vital signs were kept within the physiological limits in both groups with no marked fluctuations. CONCLUSION: To produce sedation in young children, both midazolam and ketamine were effective and safe by IN route.

General Anesthesia-Related Neurotoxicity in the Developing Brain and Current Knowledge and Practice of Physicians at Guilan Academic Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Recent articles about the topic of the anesthetic agents-related neurotoxicity have currently attracted the attention to the issue in the anesthesiology community. However, specialists in other fields should also be aware of this potential risk. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and practice of physicians at Guilan academic hospitals regarding general anesthesia-related neurotoxicity. METHODS: Firstly, the responsible anesthesia resident explained the purpose of this work to Guilan faculty and residents and if they agreed to participate a questionnaire containing 12 items was filled via a face to face interview. RESULTS: A response rate of 100% was achieved (271 responders from 271 eligible study responders). Also, 89 (33.1%) responders were attending, 180 (66.9%) were residents, 112 (41.6%) were female, and 157 (58.4%) were male. The mean years of experience was 8.8 ± 4.82 (2 - 28 years). According to the achieved data, the majority of the precipitants did not believe in GA toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This paper revealed that the current curriculum does not sufficiently address the anesthesia-related neurotoxicity problem. Indeed, the need for training and communication with non-anesthesia medical colleagues was highlighted.

Changes in serum phosphorus level in patients with severe burns: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The second most abundant mineral in the body, phosphorus (P), is absorbed in the small intestine after ingestion enhanced by 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D, and its excretion is exclusively regulated by the kidney. It is clinically significant, aside from its disturbance in burn ICU patient's P mechanism. The increasing rate of morbidity and mortality among the patients can be associated with severe hypophosphatemia. The current study aimed at investigating the changes in serum P levels in the early period after burns, the relationship between serum P level and TBSA (total body surface area) of burn, and the impact of hypophosphatemia on patients' clinical outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The current prospective, observational study was conducted on 137 patients hospitalized in the burn intensive unit (BICU) of Velayat Sub-specialty Burn and Plastic Surgery Center from December 2015 to May 2017. According to the TBSA percentage, the patients were divided into three groups. The level of serum P was determined in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th days of hospital stay and before discharge. To evaluate the trend of P changes in the sixtime-points, the average changes along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used for multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures (repeated measures ANOVA). A P-value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant. The analyses were performed using SPSS software, version 19 (SPSS Inc.). RESULTS: Totally, 137 patients (70% male, mean age 32 ± 21years, and TBSA 32.6 ± 14%) were included in the study. The overall incidence of hypophosphatemia was 75.1%. Hypophosphatemia developed as early as 1.66 ± 0.136 (95%CI: 1.4-1.9) days after injury. The highest decrease in the serum P level was observed on the 3rd and 5th days after burn as 2.78 mg/dL and 2.85 mg/dL, respectively (P-value = 0.001). A correlation was observed between TBSA and serum P level. The mean serum P level decreased with increasing the percentage of burns. There was a correlation between serum P level and mortality; therefore, a decrease in serum P level increased the patient's mortality rate (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current study highlighted that hypophosphatemia is often observed in patients with burn injuries during their hospitalization. It is potentially beneficial to identify patients at risk of hypophosphatemia. Therefore, it is suggested that P level be assessed regularly in patients with burn injuries for the timely initiation of P replacement therapy.

Blood Urea Nitrogen to Creatinine ratio in Differentiation of Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Bleedings; a Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

INTRODUCTION: Finding easily accessible and non-invasive methods for differentiating various sources of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding before performing endoscopy and colonoscopy is of great interest. The present study was designed with the aim of evaluating the screening performance characteristics of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to Creatinine (Cr) ratio in this regard. METHODS: The present diagnostic accuracy study was performed on patients with acute GI bleeding presenting to emergency department from 2011 to 2016, in a retrospective manner. BUN/Cr ratio was calculated for all patients and its accuracy in differentiation of upper and lower GI bleedings, confirmed via endoscopy or colonoscopy, was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 621 patients with the mean age of 59.49±17.94 (5 - 93) years were studied (60.5% male). Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of BUN/Cr ratio for predicting the source of GI bleeding was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.57 - 0.68). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of BUN/Cr ratio at 35 cut-off point were 19.63% (95%CI: 16.69 - 23.45), 90.16% (95%CI: 83.11 - 94.88), 89.09 (95%CI: 81.35 - 93.98), 21.53 (95%CI: 18.09 - 25.39), 8.16 (95%CI:4.76 - 13.98), and 3.65 (95%CI: 3.44 - 3.87), respectively. CONCLUSION: Considering the relatively proper specificity and positive predictive value of BUN/Cr ratio, in cases that bleeding source cannot be determined using other non-invasive methods, values higher than 35 can predict upper GI bleeding with high probability. However, due to the low sensitivity, values less than 35 are not diagnostic.

Significance of Cardiac Troponin I Elevation in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial dysfunction is frequently described as an underlying cause of mortality in traumatic brain injury (TBI) known as brain-cardiac link. However the impact on prognosis of a disease remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed at investigating the correlation between TBI and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) rise and in-hospital mortality rate among patients with TBI. METHODS: In the current prospective study TBI patients with abbreviated injury scale score (AIS) > 3 and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score ≤ 8 with cTnI measurement within the first 24 hours of admission were evaluated. Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U and Logistic Regression tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 166 eligible patients were studied .The mean age of the cases was 37.64 ± 17.21 years, largely under 65 (93.4%) and male (86.7%).The most common injuries were cerebral contusion (35.1%), while motor vehicle crash (MVC) was the most common cause of injuries (83.73%); 59 % of the patients showed detectable cTnI concentrations within 24 hours of admission; 65.7% of the patients expired; they showed higher levels of cTnI compared to survivors that showed lower levels, 0.148 ± 0.074 vs 0.057 ± 0.055, respectively (P < 0.001). Moreover, a significant association was observed between mortality rate and lower admission GCS 3.49 ± 1.08 vs 6.79 ± 1.66, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increased cTnI levels could be a predictor of mortality among patients with TBI. Its measurement and investigation for therapeutic strategies could lead to better management of these cases.

Simultaneous multiple organs immature teratomas: a case report and literature review.

Primary simultaneous multiple organs teratomas are extremely rare. They usually arise in the gonads, and only 1-3 % of them arise in the mediastinum. We present a case of simultaneous multiple organs immature teratomas who was admitted to Razi hospital because of cough, dyspnea, and left-side supraclavicular mass. Computed tomography (CT) showed a big mass with multiple high densities, nodular, semi-solid, heterogenic structures on the left side of the neck, left-side anterior mediastinum, right-side middle mediastinum and right-side suprarenal region. CT-guided needle biopsy was performed and histopathological study showed immature teratoma. After performing neoadjuvant therapy, the tumors were removed. The patient underwent chemo radiation therapy on the mediastinum and abdomen. On 6-months follow-up, he was asymptomatic. This case is being reported because of the rarity of multiple organs immature teratomas and informing other clinicians about managing these cases.

Effectiveness of spinal anesthesia combined with obturator nerve blockade in preventing adductor muscle contraction during transurethral resection of bladder tumor.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether spinal anesthesia combined with obturator nerve blockade (SOB) is effective in preventing obturator nerve stimulation, jerking and bladder perforation during transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this clinical trial, 30 patients were randomly divided into two groups: spinal anesthesia (SA) and SOB. In SA group, 2.5 cc of 0.5% bupivacaine was injected intrathecally using a 25-gauge spinal needle and in SOB after spinal anesthesia, a classic obturator nerve blockade was performed by using nerve stimulation technique. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between jerking in both groups (p=0.006). During the TURBT, surgeon satisfaction was significantly higher in SOB group compared to SA group (p=0.006). There was no significant correlation between sex, patient age and location of bladder tumor between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Obturator nerve blockade by using 15 cc lidocaine 1% is effective in preventing adductor muscle spasms during TURBT.

Comparison of the Effects of Low-Dose Midazolam, Magnesium Sulfate, Remifentanil and Low-Dose Etomidate on Prevention of Etomidate-Induced Myoclonus in Orthopedic Surgeries.

BACKGROUND: Etomidate is a potent hypnotic agent with several desirable advantages such as providing a stable cardiovascular profile with minimal respiratory adverse effects and better hemodynamic stability compared with other induction agents. This drug is associated, however, with myoclonic movements which is characterized by a sudden, brief muscle contractions as a disturbing side-effect. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to compare the effectiveness of low- dose midazolam, magnesium sulfate, remifentanil and low-dose etomidate to suppress etomidate-induced myoclonus in orthopedic surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A double-blind clinical trial study was conducted in an academic hospital from September 2014 to August 2015. Two hundred and eighty-four eligible patients, American society of anesthesiologists class I - II, scheduled for elective orthopedic surgery were randomly allocated into four equal groups (n = 71). They received premedication with intravenous low-dose midazolam 0.015 mg/kg, magnesium sulfate 30 mg/kg, remifentanil 1 µg/kg and low-dose etomidate 0.03 mg/kg two minutes before induction of anesthesia with 0.3 mg/kg intravenous etomidate. Then the incidence and intensity of myoclonus were evaluated on a scale of 0 - 3; 0 = no myoclonus; 1 = mild (movement at wrist); 2 = moderate (movement at arm only, elbow or shoulder); and 3 = severe, generalized response or movement in more than one extremity, within ninety seconds. Any adverse effect due to these premedication agents was recorded. RESULTS: The incidence and intensity of myoclonus were significantly lower in the low-dose etomidate group. The incidence rates of myoclonus were 51 (71.85%), 61 (85.9%), 30 (42.3%) and 41 (57.7%), and the percentages of patients who experienced grade III of myoclonus were 30 (58.8%), 32 (52.5%), 9 (30%) and 14 (34.1%) in the midazolam, magnesium sulfate, etomidate and remifentanil groups, respectively. The incidence and intensity of myoclonus were significantly lower in the low-dose etomidate group (P = 0.0001). No notable adverse effect was detected in our patients during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous etomidate 0.03 mg/kg prior to induction can effectively reduce the incidence and severity of myoclonus linked to etomidate.

Granulomatous mastitis: Presentations, diagnosis, treatment and outcome in 206 patients from the north of Iran.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to review the clinical presentations, diagnostic methods, treatment options and outcome of patients with Granulomatous Mastitis (GM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, we indentified 206 women who met the required histological criteria of (GM). RESULTS: Thirty eight (18%) of these women had taken antibiotics before their diagnosis of GM. The most common symptoms in remaining 168 symptomatic women were breast mass. The most common ultrasonographic and mammographic finding was large irregular hypo echoic masses and an irregular mass, respectively. As a diagnostic tool, fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed in 33 (19.5%) and core needle biopsy with or without ultrasound was done in 92 (55%) of patients while successful rate was 13 (39%) and 87 (94.5%), respectively. The remaining 43 (25.5%) of women underwent surgical excisions. Only 6 (3%) patients improved with antibiotics and 200 (97%) of women who did not respond to antibiotics, were treated with steroid and among them 144 (72%) improved. Treatment with combination of methotrexate and steroid was done in 56 (28%) patients and was effective in 40 (71%) of them. Sixteen (8%) patients were treated with a combination of steroid and bromocriptine which was effective in 5 (31%) patients. A wide surgical excision was performed in 11 (5.5%) patients who were nonresponsive to steroid and methotrexate and bromocriptine therapy. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that clinical and imaging findings of (GM) have overlapped with malignancy. The best diagnostic method is core needle biopsy. Corticosteroids are in the first line of treatment with a good therapeutic response.

Effect of gabapentin on morphine consumption and pain after surgical debridement of burn wounds: a double-blind randomized clinical trial study.

BACKGROUND: Burn pain is recognized as being maximal during therapeutic procedures, and wound debridement can be more painful than the burn injury itself. Uncontrolled acute burn pain increases the stress response and the incidence of chronic pain and associated depression. Although opiates are excellent analgesics, they do not effectively prevent central sensitization to pain. The anticonvulsant gabapentin has been proven effective for treating neuropathic pain in large placebo-controlled clinical trials. Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated antihyperalgesic effects in models with central neuronal sensitization. It has been suggested that central neuronal sensitization may play an important role in postoperative pain. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gabapentin on morphine consumption and postoperative pain in burn patients undergoing resection of burn wounds. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 50 burn patients received a single oral dose of gabapentin (1200mg) or placebo 2h before surgery. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl and maintained by infusingpropofol, remifentanil, and 50% N2O in O2. All patients received patient-controlled analgesia with morphine at doses of 2.5 mg bolus and a lock-out time of 10 min for 24h before the operation. Pain was assessed on a visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and during movement at 1,4,8,12,16,20, and 24 h before the operation. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, mean arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, sedation score, and morphine consumption were studied. RESULTS: All the enrolled patients were able to complete the study; therefore, data from 50 patients wereanalyzed. The VAS scores at rest andduring movement at 1,4,8,12,16,20, and 24 h after the operation were significantly lower in the gabapentin group than in the placebo group (P < 0.05). Morphine consumption was significantly lessr in the gabapentin group than in the placebo group (P < 0.05). Sedation scores were similar in the 2 groups at all measured times. There were no differences in adverse effects between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A single oral dose of 1200mg gabapentin resulted in a substantial reduction in postoperative morphine consumption and pain scores after surgical debridement in burn patients.