BACKGROUND Dextrocardia situs inversus refers to the heart being a mirror image situated on the right side of the body. Distorted cardiac anatomy provides technical difficulties during fluoroscopy-guided transcatheter procedures. This is even more difficult in the case with percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC). Mitral valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive therapeutic procedure to correct an uncomplicated mitral stenosis by dilating the valve using a balloon. Here, we describe a case of a 25 years-old male with situs inversus and dextrocardia. CASE REPORT A 25 years-old man, having situs inversus and suffering from mitral stenosis was referred to hospital for PTMC. His initial examination findings were unremarkable and an electrocardiographic (ECG), trans-esophageal and transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation were performed. Mitral valve (MV) was dome shape and severely stenotic with mild mitral regurgitation (MR). Left ventricularejection Fraction (LVEF) was about 40%, Femoral arterial and venous punctures were made on the left side; the left femoral artery and vein were cannulated with a 5F arterial and 6F venous sheaths, respectively. Then special maneuvers were done to solve the mitral valve stenosis. At the end of the procedure, no MR was documented by checking LV angiogram and there were no signs of mitral stenosis (MS). CONCLUSION Mirror-image dextrocardia, as in our case, has been estimated to occur with a prevalence of 1:10,000. However, there are only a few case reports in the literature on PTMC in similar settings. This might be due to the fact that many of these patients undergo surgical commissurotomy due to the technical difficulties involved in a percutaneous procedure in general. Trans-septal catheterization is considered a technical challenge in anatomically malpositioned hearts, as it is fraught with a higher risk of cardiac perforation. Despite the challenging anatomy, PTMC has been demonstrated to be a safe and feasible option for MS in patients with unusual cardiac anatomy.

PURPOSE: The prevalence and differences of idiopathic (genetic) generalized epilepsies (IGEs) with atypical age of onset compared to classical IGEs is a matter of debate. We tried to determine the clinical and EEG characteristics of IGEs in various age groups. METHODS: All patients with a clinical diagnosis of IGE were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from 2008 through 2011. We subdivided the patients into four different age groups: 4years of age and under, 5-11years, 12-17years, and finally, 18years and above, at the time of their epilepsy onset. Syndromic diagnosis, sex ratio, seizure types and EEG findings were compared. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson Chi square test. RESULTS: 2190 patients with epilepsy were registered. 442 patients (20.2%) were diagnosed as having IGEs. Age of seizure onset was 12.4±6.9years. The peak age of onset had a bimodal appearance. Sixty-seven patients (15.2%) were four years and under at the time of the onset of their disease, 112 persons (25.3%) were 5-11years, 197 people (44.6%) were 12-17years of age, and 66 patients (14.9%) had 18years and above at the onset of their epilepsy. The sex ratio was significantly different between patients in group one compared to groups three and four. All expected seizure types (i.e., generalized tonic-clonic, absence or myoclonic seizures) and all expected EEG abnormalities were observed among all age groups, despite some differences in their prevalence. CONCLUSION: Although IGE syndromes are often age dependent and most of them appear within the first two decades of life, adult-onset IGE is not rare. Presentation of IGEs could be different in various age groups, but these differences do not offer pathognomonic or characteristic features at any age.

Aim. Atypical presentations of celiac disease (CD) have now been shown to be much more common than classical (typical) form. We evaluated the frequency of CD among adult patients with typical or atypical symptoms of CD. Materials and Methods. Patients referred to two outpatient gastroenterology clinics in Isfahan (IRAN) were categorized into those with typical or atypical symptoms of CD. IgA antitissue transglutaminase antibody was assessed and followed by duodenal biopsy. In patients for whom endoscopy was indicated (independent of the serology), duodenal biopsy was taken. Histopathological changes were assessed according to the Marsh classification. Results. During the study period, 151 and 173 patients with typical and atypical symptoms were evaluated (mean age = 32.8 ± 12.6 and 35.8 ± 14.8 years, 47.0% and 56.0% female, resp.). Frequency of CD in patients with typical and atypical symptoms was calculated, respectively, as 5.9%(9/151) and 1.25%(3/173) based on positive serology and pathology. The overall frequency was estimated as at least 9.2%(14/151) and 4.0%(7/173) when data of seronegative patients were also considered. Conclusions. CD is more frequent among patients with typical symptoms of malabsorption and these patients should undergo duodenal biopsy, irrespective of the serology. In patients with atypical symptoms, serological tests should be performed followed by endoscopic biopsy, and routine duodenal biopsy is recommended when endoscopic evaluation is indicated because of symptoms.

BACKGROUND Celiac disease (CD) has been found in up to 10% of the patients presenting with unexplained abnormal liver function tests (LFT). As there is no precise data from our country in this regard, we investigated the prevalence of CD in patients presenting with abnormal LFT. METHODS From 2003 to 2008, we measured IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase (t-TG) antibody (with ELISA technique) within the first-level screening steps for all patients presenting with abnormal LFT to three outpatient gastroenterology clinics in Isfahan, IRAN. All subjects with an IgA anti-tTG antibody value of >10 μ/ml (seropositive) were undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and duodenal biopsy. Histopathological changes were assessed according to the Marsh classification. CD was defined as being seropositive with Marsh I or above in histopathology and having a good response to gluten free diet (GFD). RESULTS During the study, 224 patients were evaluated, out of which, 10 patients (4.4%) were seropositive for CD. Duodenal biopsies were performed in eight patients and revealed six (2.7%) cases of Marsh I or above (four Marsh IIIA, two Marsh I), all of them had good response to GFD. The overall prevalence of CD among patients with hypertransaminasemia, autoimmune hepatitis, and cryptogenic cirrhosis was determined as 10.7%(3/28), 3.4%(2/59), and 5.3%(1/19), respectively. CONCLUSION Serological screening with IgA anti-tTG antibody test should be routinely performed in patients presenting with abnormal LFT and especially those with chronic liver diseases including hypertransaminasemia, autoimmune hepatitis, and cryptogenic cirrhosis.

PURPOSE: Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is characterized by absence attacks with stereotyped electrographic discharges. Epidemiologic data concerning early-onset CAE is scarce. We tried to specifically analyze the early-onset CAE and compare it with typical CAE. METHODS: In this retrospective study, all patients with a clinical diagnosis of CAE were recruited in the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from 2008 to 2011. We considered the age of onset at four years or earlier as early-onset and above four years as typical CAE. Age, gender, age at seizure onset, seizure type(s), epilepsy risk factors, and EEG findings of all patients were registered routinely. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi square and Fisher's Exact tests. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were diagnosed as having CAE. Sixteen patients (35%) had early-onset and 30 (65%) patients had typical CAE. Sex ratio (female to male) in early-onset was 7:9 and in typical CAE was 19:11 (P=0.2). Generalized tonic-clonic and myoclonic seizures were reported in both early-onset and typical CAE. The differences were not statistically significant. Epilepsy risk factors were similarly reported in both conditions. The EEG findings were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: We did not observe any significant differences between early-onset and typical childhood absence epilepsies with respect to the demographic, clinical and electroencephalographic characteristics.

OBJECTIVES Dentists use radiographs in their daily practice. Their knowledge and behaviour towards radiographic examination can affect patients' exposure to radiation. The aim of this study was to survey the knowledge and behaviour of Iranian dentists regarding oral radiology safety standards. METHODS 1000 questionnaires were given to the participants of the 48th Annual Congress of the Iranian Dental Association, of which 700 were returned. The participants were asked about demographic data, primary knowledge of radiation protection, selection criteria, radiographic equipment and technique, methods of patient and personnel protection and management of radiographic waste. Descriptive analysis of data was performed. RESULTS 44% of respondents said the initial radiograph they took was of the periapical view of a limited area. 12% preferred the periapical paralleling technique. F-speed film was used by 9% and E-speed film by 62%. Only 2% had digital receptors. Proper exposure time was selected by 26.5%. The use of long and rectangular collimators was 15% and 6%, respectively. 34% occasionally covered their patients with both thyroid shields and lead aprons. 36% used the position and distance rule correctly for their own protection. Proper disposal of the used processing solutions and the lead foils were done by only 1% and 3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS It can be concluded that the majority of dentists in the study group did not select the proper method, material and equipment in order to minimize the exposure of their patient to unnecessary radiation in dental radiography.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of left ventricular function (LV) is one of the most important tasks of echocardiography. Left ventricular longitudinal function has been recognized to differentiate myocardial disorders better than ejection fraction (EF) alone. But recent parameters are still dependent on image quality and time consuming. METHODS: Transthoracic echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, strain imaging and assessment of longitudinal function with a tissue motion annular displacement (TMAD) tracking algorithm were performed in 152 patients with various cardiac pathologies and 47 healthy volunteers in a clinical routine setting. RESULTS: Measures of longitudinal function such as LV peak systolic strain (SR, r² = 0.88, p < 0.001) and peak systolic strain rate (SRR, r² = 0.78, p < 0.001) correlated highly with TMAD. Tissue motion annular displacement was ultrafast and less time-consuming compared to strain imaging (8.2 ± 2.2 s, p < 0.001). Significantly more patients with reduced image quality could be analyzed compared to strain imaging (p < 0.001). The intra- and inter-observer variabilities were very low with 1.3 ± 1% and 1.7 ± 1.2%. Tissue motion annular displacement correlated well with clinical parameters (NYHA, r = -0.71, p < 0.001) as well as NT-proBNP (r = -0.73, p < 0.001) and identified patients with structural heart disease with a significantly higher sensitivity 92.1% and specificity 95.7% than did EF, SR, SRR or NT-proBNP (Cut-off:14.2%, p < 0.01). In a subgroup of patients with systemic light chain amyloidosis and preserved EF (>50%, n = 54), TMAD was significantly reduced, especially in those without any signs of cardiac involvement and was superior to other parameters of longitudinal function (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tissue motion annular displacement is a rapid, sensitive and reproducible method for the assessment of LV longitudinal function, which is less dependent on image quality.

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common work-related conditions affecting all populations both in industrialized and non-industrialized countries, with reported high prevalence and incidence rates and huge direct and indirect costs. Among various suggested causes of LBP, dysfunction of back muscles, particularly lumbar multifidus and transverse abdominis, has been the subject of considerable research during last decades. Of the available imaging techniques, ultrasound (US) imaging technique is increasingly used to assess muscle dimensions and function as a valid, reliable and non-invasive approach. The purpose of the present study was to review the previously published studies (1990-2009) concerning the merit of US imaging of lumbar and abdominal muscles with particular attention to its clinical application in patients with LBP. Studies showed wide variation in terms of methodology, sample size, procedure, definition of LBP, heterogeneous sample, method of analyzing US imaging, US imaging parameters, etc. However, a convincing body of evidence was identified that supports US imaging as a reliable and valid tool both to differentiate patients with LBP from normal subjects and to monitor the effect of rehabilitation programs.

BACKGROUND: The possible role of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in extra-intestinal diseases has been suggested. The main purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of infection with HP in two groups of patients with epilepsy: patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), compared to healthy controls. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study a random sample of adult patients above 18 years of age with a diagnosis of IGE or TLE were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from January 2009 through June 2011. A group of healthy individuals were included as control group. For all patients and controls a urea breath test (UBT) was requested. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with IGE, 28 patients with TLE and 33 individuals as control were recruited. Positive UBT was observed in 21 individuals (61.8%) with IGE, 50%(14 patients) of patients with TLE and 72.7%(24 individuals) in control group. The difference between patients with IGE and control group was not significant (P=0.3). The difference between patients with TLE and control group was not significant either (P=0.068). CONCLUSION: The rate of HP infection was not higher in patients with epilepsy compared to healthy individuals. At the moment, there is not enough epidemiological data to support the role of HP infection in patients with either IGE or TLE.