Tehran University Medical Journal

Investigating and comparing the thickness of prelamina and lamina cribrosa tissue of the optic nerve before and after treatment in patients with closed-angle and open-angle glaucoma

Mohammad Arish

Background: The thickness of the lamina, especially the lamina cribrosa and prelamina, can be important indicators of optic nerve damage and the severity of glaucoma. Changes in the thickness of these tissues after treatment can indicate improvement or reduction in intraocular pressure (ICP) and nerve protection. ICP produces a different response in the treatment of patients with closed-angle glaucoma (CAG) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG). The aim of this study was to compare the thickness of prelamina and lamina cribrosa tissue before and after treatment in CAG and OAG patients.
Methods: The present study is a descriptive-analytical study conducted on 56 glaucoma patients referred to an Al Zahra Eye Hospital (Zahedan) who had undergone trabeculectomy or laser iridotomy treatment from April to March 2022. Patients were divided into two equal groups, including CAG patients (n=28) and OAG patients (n=28), and at the beginning of the study, in terms of demographic variables, visual acuity, ratio of cup diameter to disc size (C/D), anterior segment depth (ACD), central corneal thickness (CCT), intraocular pressure (IOP) and prelamina and lamina cribrosa tissue thickness were investigated. the thickness of the lamina cribrosa tissue was measured as the distance between the anterior and posterior borders of the highly reflective area in the EDI-OCT horizontal section at the optic nerve head. The measurement of the thickness of the lamina cribrosa tissue was also measured to the extent of safety in the center where there were less vessels. Then CAG patients underwent laser iridotomy and OAG patients underwent trabeculectomy surgery. Before the treatment and after 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after the treatment, the patients underwent FU with the help of ONH OCT and the thickness of the prelamina and lamina cribrosa tissue was checked.

Results: After 6 months, the thickness of the lamina cribrosa in patients with CAG increased from 160.21 ± 30.21 µm to 201.73 ± 40.07 µm, and in the OAG group, it increased from 173.71 ± 39 µm to 182.86 ± 46.39 µm. The thickness of the prelamina tissue in patients with CAG increased from 155.46 ± 42.14 µm to 170.03 ± 35.31 µm, and in the OAG group, it increased from 172.57 ± 41.91 µm to 180.07 ± 32.06 µm (P<0.05 for all). Before treatment, the thickness of the prelamina tissue and the lamina cribrosa in patients with CAG was significantly less than in patients with OAG (P<0.05). After 6 months, the lamina cribrosa thickness in patients with CAG (201.73 ± 40.07 µm) was significantly greater than in patients with OAG (182.86 ± 46.39 µm) (P= 0.023).
Conclusion: The increase in the thickness of prelamina tissue and lamina cribrosa tissue after surgery in CAG and OAG patients using OCT imaging is different and the amount of increase in the thickness of lamina cribrosa tissue is more in CAG patients.

Evaluation of reduction mammoplasty outcomes in patients with severe gigantomastia using vertical design and free nipple areola graft: a case series

Ali Yavari

Background: Macromastia can have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life by causing physical discomfort and psychological distress. Reduction mammoplasty can provide both aesthetic and therapeutic benefits. In cases of gigantomastia, where extreme breast hypertrophy prevents the use of traditional pedicled techniques, breast amputation with a free nipple graft is always a considered surgical option. There are different presented methods and designs for this procedure. This surgery is highly beneficial for patients, and most of them report significant improvements in their quality of life and overall satisfaction with the final results.
Case Presentation: In this study, we employed reduction mammoplasty and a free nipple graft with a vertical design and superior pedicle preservation in patients with gigantomastia who were referred to Tehran Imam Khomeini Hospital Clinic during a period of five years (February 2020–February 2025). The patients were out of the range of fertility and were in the range of obesity (most of them had a BMI of over 35(kg/m²)). Then, patient satisfaction and quality of life improvement were evaluated with a standard questionnaire. Finally, complications during and after surgery were recorded. The surgery was performed on 17 patients. The distance from the sternal notch to the nipple was more than 40 cm, and the distance from the nipple to the inframammary fold (IMF) was more than 20 cm in all patients (confirming gigantomastia). Therefore, they were not candidates for pedicled mammoplasty. All the patients were satisfied with the results. Their quality of life, posture, back pain, neck pain, and other symptoms improved significantly. We recorded no cardiovascular complications during or after surgery.

Conclusion: Breast amputation with a free nipple graft is an efficient method for treating gigantomastia and is very safe for patients with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, high BMI, and those at infertile ages. A vertical design with superior pedicle preservation can provide both aesthetic and therapeutic benefits, leading to high patient satisfaction and improved quality of life.

During the first two weeks following shoulder labral repair between patients receiving interscalene block alone and those receiving interscalene block plus intravenous morphine

Reza Sahraei

Background: Shoulder labral repair surgery is associated with significant postoperative pain and restricted mobility. Inadequate pain management may lead to delayed rehabilitation, increased risk of chronic pain development, and higher opioid consumption. This study aimed to compare postoperative pain intensity during the first two weeks following shoulder labral repair between patients receiving interscalene block alone versus those receiving interscalene block combined with intravenous morphine.
Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial, 120 patients undergoing open rotator cuff repair at Chamran Hospital, Shiraz (June-December 2024) were allocated using balanced block randomization. Group 1 received preoperative interscalene block with 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine, while Group 2 received the same block plus intravenous morphine (1% mg/kg). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics such as mean and percentage and appropriate statistical tests such as Repeated measurement and Anova using SPSS software, version 21 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The significance level was considered to be (P<0.05).
Results: Demographic characteristics (age, sex, weight, ASA class) showed no significant intergroup differences (p>0.05). Pain scores were significantly lower at all time points in the combination therapy group compared to the block-only group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the combination of interscalene block with morphine was significantly more effective in reducing pain after rotator cuff surgery than interscalene block alone. This finding suggests that the use of morphine as an additional analgesic can enhance the analgesic effects of interscalene block and provide better pain relief. The combination of these two methods may cause a positive interaction in pain relief and reduce the need for other medications, which consequently prevents the side effects caused by additional analgesic drugs, and patients who receive the combination of these two treatment methods experience greater comfort and better functional improvement. However, it is recommended that further studies focusing on the precise dosage and timing of drug combinations be conducted to obtain more precise results regarding the optimization of pain management after rotator cuff surgery. Also, examining the long-term effects of this treatment method could help to better understand its advantages and disadvantages.

Investigating the level of anxiety in elective cataract surgery candidates

Bibi Mona Razavi

Background: Preoperative anxiety assessment allows for better analgesia in the postoperative period and a better experience for the patient. Previous studies have investigated anxiety factors specific to cataract surgery, reporting vision problems, particularly blindness, among the main preoperative fears. However, there is little research that fully and accurately investigates the causes and factors of anxiety in this population. Therefore, in this study, the factors related to anxiety in the elective eye patients.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the comparison of the level of anxiety in elective eye patients of Shahid Mohammadi Bandar Abbas Hospital in the spring and summer of 2023 was investigated. Patients referred to Bandar Abbas Shahid Mohammadi Hospital were included in the study according to the entry criteria and obtaining informed consent. In this study, after the approval of the research committee of the university, the necessary information was made by the researcher's checklist, which includes gender, age, causes of anxiety, patient's level of education, previous history of eye surgery, previous history of non-eye surgery and other underlying diseases. Was collected and the level of anxiety was measured in 2 stages before and after eye surgery based on VAS criteria.
Results: In this study, 85 (47.2%) patients were male and 95 (52.8%) were female. Also, most of the patients had a diploma-level education. Most patients mentioned a non-ocular surgery history (18.3%). Also, most of the patients (52.8%) noted an unknown cause as an anxiety-causing factor, and the least frequent among the anxiety-causing causes mentioned by the patients was the fear of death due to surgery. The level of anxiety in patients who had a history of non-ocular surgery was significantly lower. Patients who mentioned the unknown cause, the surgery itself, and financial problems as the cause of their anxiety experienced significantly higher preoperative anxiety and postoperative anxiety.
Conclusion: The level of anxiety in patients who have a history of eye and non-eye surgery is significantly lower. Preoperative anxiety and postoperative anxiety are significantly higher in patients who mention the unknown cause, the surgery itself, and financial problems as the cause of their anxiety.

Effect of ursobil on prevention of gallstone formation in patients following bariatric surgery

Amir Ashrafi

Background: Gallstones are a common gastrointestinal complication following bariatric surgery, potentially resulting in cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis. These complications arise due to biliary homeostasis alterations and rapid postoperative weight loss. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been shown to reduce biliary cholesterol saturation, thereby preventing gallstone formation. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Ursobil (UDCA) in preventing gallstones in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted study was conducted at Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, from October 2022 to March 2023. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board. Patients aged 18 to 65 years with a BMI between 35 and 65 kg/m² were eligible. Exclusion criteria included a history of gallstones, previous bariatric or cholecystectomy surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, recent UDCA use, or bleeding disorders. Participants were divided into two groups: the case group received 600 mg of UDCA daily for six months postoperatively, while the control group received no UDCA. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed before surgery and six months afterward. Outcome measures included gallstone formation, weight loss, need for cholecystectomy, and health-related quality of life, assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire.
Results: The two groups were comparable in terms of age, gender distribution, and baseline BMI. The mean weight loss was similar between groups after six months. Gallstone formation occurred in 1.7% (n=1) of the UDCA group compared to 15% (n=9) of the control group (P=0.012). None of the patients in the intervention group required cholecystectomy, whereas 11.7% (n=7) in the control group underwent the procedure (P=0.011). Quality of life scores were higher in the UDCA group, though not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Oral administration of UDCA effectively and significantly reduces the risk of gallstone formation and the need for cholecystectomy in post-bariatric surgery patients. Routine use of UDCA during rapid weight loss phases may improve clinical outcomes and reduce gallstone-related complications. Preventive use of UDCA may effectively and significantly reduce gallstone-related morbidity in patients undergoing rapid weight loss.

Comparative study of two methods of vertical reduction mammaplasty by reverse T method and purse method

Sadrollah Motamed

Background: Introduction & Objective: Reductive mammoplasty, which is performed for medical or cosmetic reasons, can be carried out with different techniques. In this study, we compare the results obtained from vertical mammoplasty surgery with reverse T method and purse method in patients.
Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we examined sample consisted of 58 patients referred to the 15- KORDAD educational center in Tehran for reductive mammoplasty surgery. In all patients, the scar length was 12 cm and the resected was 300 g. Patients were followed up in the first week, 1 and 3 months after surgery, and conducted photographism was assessed based on Vancouver and patient and observer scar assessment scal (POSAS) criterion .The duration of wound restoration and the presence of redness and discharge (secretion) complications or long-term itching were assessed.
Results: The obtained results showed that age, body mass index and resection weight did not have statistically significant difference between the reverse T incision groups and the purse method. However, the duration of surgery (minute) in reverse T group was longer than the purse method, which was statistically significant. Postoperative scars rate using POSAS criterion were not significantly different between the two groups in terms of redness, discharge and itching complications. Postoperative scar rate using Vancouver criterion were not significantly different in terms of hyper and hypopigmentation, vascularity and high and medium scale satisfaction, but in terms of Pliability and wound height were higher in the purse group and were significantly different. Complications of seroma, nipple areola necrosis and anesthesia in nipple areola and infection and hematoma were not significantly different in both groups.
Conclusion: Reverse T-mammoplasty had a longer operation time, but satisfaction was higher in this method, but only in a good scale. The Pliability and height of the wound were higher in the purse group.

An overview of the types of neural networks used in the examination of panoramic radiographic images: a narrative review

Seyyede Zohreh Seyyedsalehi

With the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence across clinical disciplines, a variety of artificial neural networks (ANNs) have become indispensable tools for endowing computer systems with advanced analytical power. Dentistry, as an information‑rich branch of medicine, routinely generates and must interpret large, complex datasets from imaging and diagnostic records. Consequently, researchers have increasingly directed their attention toward intelligent, automated techniques for analyzing dental data. This study therefore surveys and synthesizes the methods that have been applied to the intelligent and automated analysis of such data, highlighting the prevailing trends in current literature.The majority of the examined investigations relied on panoramic radiographic images of the teeth orthopantomograms (OPG) as their primary source material. Three overarching technical objectives repeatedly emerged: first, tooth diagnosis, meaning the reliable separation and identification of each individual tooth from its neighbors; second, sample segmentation, that is, the piece‑by‑piece analysis of visual information within the image; and third, semantic segmentation, namely, the contextual interpretation of information extracted from the radiograph. Depending upon which of these objectives was pursued, researchers selected different neural‑network architectures and configurations. Across the reviewed corpus, input images were typically subjected to preprocessing steps such as normalization, noise reduction, and contrast enhancement before being supplied to a neural network for training, thereby preparing the data for subsequent machine interpretation. In several instances, the raw output produced by the neural network underwent additional post‑processing, a stage designed to refine the preliminary results and enhance overall accuracy. The comparative analysis presented here concentrates on how effectively the various neural‑network models fulfilled the three technical objectives described above. The surveyed articles reveal two dominant analytical approaches. In the intelligent problem‑solving paradigm, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) overwhelmingly predominate. Conversely, in the automated paradigm, investigators favor classical, non‑learning algorithmic techniques. Work employing ANNs consistently emphasizes image comprehension, segmentation, feature extraction, feature classification, network modeling, and careful variable tuning to promote effective learning that aligns with each study’s stated objectives.

Vitamin D levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood of premature and full-term infants at birth: a case-control study

Farkhondeh Jamshidi

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with various complications, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and neonatal infections. This study aimed to measure the level of vitamin D in the umbilical cord blood of full-term and premature babies and consider the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women.
Methods: In this case-control study, maternal vitamin D levels and umbilical cord blood vitamin D levels were estimated in March 2023 at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz. The information obtained from questionnaires and laboratory measurements was statistically analyzed. Two groups of term or preterm infants delivered vaginally were enrolled in this study. As part of routine delivery room protocols, 2 mL of umbilical cord blood was collected from each neonate in a non-heparinized tube. The results were determined, and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was determined. The samples were categorized into three groups based on vitamin D serum levels: less than 20 ng/ml (severe deficiency), 20-29 ng/ml (moderate deficiency), and higher than 30 ng/ml (normal group).
Results: In this study, 39 term infants (55.7%) and 31 preterm infants (44.3%) participated. The mean umbilical cord blood vitamin D levels were 44.15 ± 24.33 ng/mL in term infants and 30.98 ± 17.05 ng/mL in preterm infants. Similarly, maternal vitamin D levels averaged 17.09 ± 7.87 ng/mL for term pregnancies and 18.76 ± 6.6 ng/mL for preterm pregnancies. Preterm babies had higher odds of underlying diseases (OR: 2.31, 95% CI: 0.51-10.53). Multivitamin consumption was more prevalent among mothers of premature babies (71%). No significant differences in vitamin D levels were found between term and preterm babies or their mothers (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of multivitamin consumption among pregnant women, particularly those at risk of preterm delivery. The increased likelihood of underlying conditions and delayed recovery of vitamin D levels in preterm infants underscores the need for targeted interventions. Moreover, healthcare providers should emphasize vitamin D supplementation and monitoring.

Comparison of changes in right ventricular echocardiographic indices in pregnant women in the third trimester and non-pregnant women

Fatemeh Omidi

Background: Changes in the heart during pregnancy, especially changes in the left side of the heart, have been evaluated in various studies. However, alterations in the right ventricle have not been well studied. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the changes in echocardiographic indices of the right ventricle in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 30 pregnant women, as case group, in their second trimester who were referred to the perinatology clinic of Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran, were examined by trans-thoracic echocardiography From April 4, 2023, to April 10, 2024. The results of the control group were compared with 30 age-matched non-pregnant and healthy women, as the control group. Exclusion criteria included multiple gestation, maternal age > 40, underlying cardiovascular disease, and significant obstetric or fetal complications. Hemodynamics and demographic data including age, height, weight, and body mass index were recorded and compared. Also, the anatomical and functional indices of the right ventricle were evaluated and compared.
Results: 60 participants were enrolled in this study. The two investigated groups were similar in terms of age, but the weight, height, and BMI were significantly different in the two groups; Such that weight and body mass index were significantly higher in pregnant women and height in non-pregnant women (p<0.05). Comparison of echocardiographic indices showed that tricuspid regurgitation gradient (TRG) and fractional area change (FAC) were significantly different in the two groups (in pregnant women, TRG index was higher and FAC index was lower (p<0.05)). Right atrium area, RV length, base of RV, mid of RV, and Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion showed no significant differences between case and control group.
Conclusion: FAC and TRG indices were significantly different between pregnant women and the control group. Paying attention to the changes in the normal values of these variables in pregnant women can be useful in improving the diagnosis of disorders and preventing the occurrence of cardiac events during pregnancy.

Investigating the level of consciousness during cardiopulmonary resus-citation in a patient with areduced level of consciousness caused by electric shock; "a new approach” a letter to editor

Ebrahim Espahbodi