نسرین خراشادیزاده

Chest X-Ray (CXR) is a simple and low-cost imaging modality for recommendation or diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Radiographic findings of pulmonary TB could be considerably variable in different age groups. The goal of this study is to evaluate the incidence of radiologic findings of pulmonary TB in pediatric and adult age groups and to assess their dissimilarities. In this retrospective descriptive-analytical study, we reviewed CXR of the patients with pulmonary TB during 5 years, between September 2005 and August 2010, at against TB Center of Birjand University of Medical Sciences. The relation between age and radiographic findings, including lymphadenopathy, pneumonic consolidation, calcification, pleural effusion, atelectasia, bronchectasia, cavity and necrotic lesions, milliary pattern and normal CXR, was assessed. Of 197 patients which included 126 (64%) were female and 71 (36%) were male. Thirty two patients (16.2%) were children (aged 0-13 years) and 165 patients (83.8%) were adults (≥14 years). In pediatrics group, lymphadenopathy was the most radiographic finding (87.5%) and in adults group, pneumonic consolidation was the most radiographic finding (78.2%). In pediatric pulmonary TB, lymphadenopathy is the most common radiographic finding, in comparison to adults group in which pleural effusion, cavity and necrotic pulmonary lesions, bronchiectasis, calcification and milliary pattern are significantly more common.

Congenital anomalies of spine especially in the lumbosacral region represent an extensive spectrum from simple asymptomatic defect (spina bifida occulta) to complicated myelomeningocele with profound neurogenic deficits. The goal of the present study was to determine neural tube defects (NTDs) frequency in asymptomatic in apparently healthy adults in Birjand. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive one on 925 seemingly healthy individuals applying for employment in IRI police force in Birjand city in 2007. Radiographs of lumbosacral region were obtained in the anterior-posterior and lateral projections. Additional views were also acquired if indicated. All radiographs were examined by an experienced radiologist to detect any lumbosacral anomalies. Statistical analysis was well done by SPSS (version 12) at the significant level P<0.05. Mean age of the subjects was 23.6±5.5 years. 76% of the population were single and 68% of them had been born in South Khorasan province. 21.6% of the subjects had one of NTDs. The most prevalent anomaly was spina bifida (14.7%). The most common involved vertebra was S1 (11.7%) and the second most common anomaly was bilateral or unilateral sacralization of L5 (6%). According to the findings of the study asymptomatic lumbosacral disraphisms in the region are relatively common(21.6%) the most prevalent of which is spina bifida occulta involving S1 vertebra. Regarding the role of nutrition (folic acid) and genetics in the occurrence of these complications, more research on and attention to the diet of pregnant mothers are recommended. Although there are reasons supporting the occurrence of late appearing complications such as chronic and hernidiscal backaches, this congenital complications association requires more research.

Wolman's disease is a rare fatal autosomal recessive hereditary disorder caused by a chromosomal abnormality called "lysosomal acid lipase enzyme" that leads to accumulation of triglycerides and cholesterol esters in different body tissues of neonates. There is another form of the disorder called Cholesterol Ester Storage Disease, which is a benign adult form of it. Diagnosis is based on clinical, laboratory, and radiographic imaging. Prenatal diagnosis of the disease is based on `enzyme decrease through culturing amniocytes or chorionic villi. So far, 50 cases of the disease have been reported in the world. In this article a case of this fatal disease in a neonate in Birjand, South Khorasan of Iran is reported.