No abstract

Psoriasis is known to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. High‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) is a marker of inflammation and an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. We aimed to assess the correlation between hs‐CRP and subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic patients. In 60 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and 60 age‐ and gender matched healthy controls, we evaluated the serum hs‐CRP level and mean intima‐media thickness of the common carotid artery (MIMT‐CCA). Psoriatic patients had higher levels of hs‐CRP (median, 2.25 mg/L; IQR, 0.98‐3.80; and range, 0.29‐11.60) than did those in the control group (median, 1.03 mg/L; IQR, 0.36‐2.15; and range, 0.10‐3.35). Psoriatic patients also had higher mean MIMT (0.74 ± 0.19 and 0.54 ± 0.12, respectively, and P < .0001) compared with healthy subjects. The serum level of hs‐CRP was significantly correlated with MIMT (P < .0001). Our results indicate that psoriatic patients have a higher risk of subclinical atherosclerosis and hs‐CRP may be a useful marker for future risk of cardiovascular diseases in these patients. So, not only does anti‐inflammatory drugs play a key role in the treatment of psoriasis, but also they may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by decreasing level of inflammatory markers including hs‐CRP.

No abstract

Inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases such as vitiligo may be associated with systemic disorders, including endocrine and cardiovascular diseases, due to some similarities in the pathogenesis. It was aimed to evaluate metabolic syndrome and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with vitiligo. Seventy patients with nonsegmental vitiligo and 70 age-matched and gender-matched healthy controls participated in the study. These participants were investigated for metabolic syndrome criteria. The mean intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (MIMT-CCA) of the subjects was measured for assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis. Metabolic syndrome and subclinical atherosclerosis were significantly more frequent in vitiligo patients compared with the controls (P = .006 and P = .002, respectively). In addition, metabolic syndrome and subclinical atherosclerosis had positive, significant correlations with the severity and duration of vitiligo (P = .031 and r = .482; P < .01, respectively). Our study suggested that patients with vitiligo, especially those with more chronic and severe disease or concomitant metabolic syndrome, are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of metabolic syndrome in patients with vitiligo to prevent cardiovascular complications were recommended. K E Y W O R D S atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery, metabolic syndrome, vitiligo 1 | INTRODUCTION Vitiligo is an acquired skin disease characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes and the depigmentation of the skin and/or mucous membranes. The pathogenesis of vitiligo is not well known, though research has indicated the role of both genetic and environmental factors through a complex combination of inflammatory, immunologic, oxidative stress, and neural mechanisms. 1-3 Vitiligo may be associated with other autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Addison disease, and type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). 1,2,4 In addition, some studies have reported an increased incidence of type 2 DM, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome in vitiligo patients. 5 Proinflammatory cytokines that contribute to the pathogenesis of vitiligo such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 are known to have a role in the development of insulin resistance as well as atherosclerosis. 6 Nastaran Namazia and Maliheh Amani contributed equally to this study.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is one of the major types of lung cancers in which metastasis is not uncommon. Hereby, we report a case of pulmonary adenocarcinoma with multiple muscular, cutaneous, pancreatic and peritoneal metastases. Actually, all these features occurring in one patient makes it an extraordinary case. A rare anatomic variation, double inferior vena cava (IVCs), was another rare manifestation in this case.

No abstract

Background: In brain metastatic lesions, peritumoral edema assessed by advanced imaging modalities is reported to have infiltration by neoplastic cells; however, determining the tumor border is still inaccurately depicted even by applying such modalities. More importantly, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of this area for predicting tumor-related characteristics such as diametric and morphologic characteristics of lesions, as well as their primary source, remain uncertain. Objectives: In the current study, we aimed at assessing the value of ADCs in both intratumoral and peritumoral areas to determine the metastatic brain tumor source and to predict the morphological characteristics of the tumor. Methods: This study was conducted on 80 biopsy-proven patients with brain metastasis and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) examination. All tumor characteristics including the number and size of lesions, the origin of metastasis, the zone of metastasis, and the presence of necrosis or edema in the lesions were collected based on imaging. The origins of the metastasis were also determined. Results: The ADCmin and ADCmean values of the peritumoral area were strongly associated with the grade of edema in this area; however, none of the values could accurately predict the origin of metastasis. Determining the ADCmin and ADCmean in the intratumoral area could not be indicators for lesion characteristics such as size and location of the lesion, the presence of necrosis or edema, as well as the source of the metastatic tumor such as breast or lung. Similarly, the ADCmin and ADCmean in the peritumoral area could not be an effective predictor for determining the source of metastasis and also diameter, location, or necrotic nature of the tumor and only can predict the edematous pattern of the lesion. Conclusions: The ADC values in both intratumoral and peritumoral areas of the brain tumor metastatic lesion may not be predictive for the assessment of tumor morphology or its origin.

Abstract:Introduction: Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) is a benign and slow growing tumor that originates exclusively from the conus medullaris and cauda equina nervous tissue. It occurs more commonly in young patients. In addition, clinical presentations are non-specific and may mimic benign conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice for evaluating this tumor. We hereby report on two young patients with long-lasting non-specific symptoms, which were clinically attributed to benign conditions. However, cauda equina tumor was revealed on MRI in both patients. Case report: Two cases of cauda equina MPE, a 19-year-old female and a 38-year-old male, with different clinical manifestations are reported. The first patient presented with paresis and paresthesia of the lower limbs, and the second patient's complaint was chronic low-back pain and urinary incontinence. In both cases, MRI detected a tumor originated from the cauda equina, and histopathologic examination was compatible with MPE. Conclusion: Cauda equina tumors should be considered as a differential diagnosis in the young patients presented with neurologic deficits in the lower limbs, sphincter or erectile dysfunction, and even a simple low-back pain (particularly when symptoms are long-lasting and/or progressive).