Objectives. Retromolar canal (RC) is an anatomic structure, and due to increasing demand for surgical procedure in the retromolar area of the mandible, the identification of the retromolar canal has become an issue of clinical concern. It can innervate the third molar and some of the muscles around the posterior segment of the mandible, complicating surgical procedures in the retromolar area and root canal treatment of third molars. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and anatomical properties of RC in a western Iranian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods. Two hundred bilateral CBCT images were collected and screened in the three spatial planes for the presence of an RC. Anatomical properties and location of the RCs were assessed according to their course and distance from the surrounding structures. The relationship between the presence of RC and age, sex, side, and presence of second and third molars was also evaluated. Independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc test, paired t-test, and chi-square were used to compare groups. Results. At least one RC was observed in 22% of the mandibles. Its bilateral incidence was 5.5%. Two major types of canals were detected, namely, type I, following a straight or curved course from the mandibular canal (MC) to the retromolar area (47.3%), and type II, coursing from the retromolar area to the radicular part of the third molar (52.7%). Regarding linear measurements, the mean RC diameter and the mean distance to the MC, second, and third molars were 0.68 ± 0.31, 13.7 ± 2.8, 15.3 ± 3.0, and 7.3 ± 2.3 mm, respectively. Conclusion. Based on the results of this study, RC was found in 22% of the cases; thus, it should be considered as a normal anatomical variation in the Iranian population rather than a rare finding.

Background:Nowadays, by development of societies, health related quality of life has become a very important issue. Traditionally for health assessment, some indexes such as; morbidity, mortality, and life expectancy, have been taken into consideration but these factors are not able to assess life satisfaction. Objectives: The present study was aimed to investigate the relationship between rural women's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and domestic violence. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the rural districts of Kermanshah, Iran, 2012. Using multistage cluster sampling, 394 women were selected. They completed WHOQOL-BREF and Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS) questionnaires. Data analyzed by SPSS 16, using Pearson correlation and regression tests. Results: The mean scores of total QOL were 55.8 ± 12.9. There was significant inverse correlation between domestic violence dimensions and all health-related quality of life domains (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Domestic violence can affect rural women's health-related quality of life negatively. Regarding the hidden nature of domestic violence and its presence in all communities, taking into consideration policies to reduce violence through legal education and raising women awareness can positively affect women's quality of life.

Background: Nowadays, by development of societies, health related quality of life has become a very important issue. Traditionally for health assessment, some indexes such as; morbidity, mortality, and life expectancy, have been taken into consideration but these factors are not able to assess life satisfaction. Objectives: The present study was aimed to investigate the relationship between rural women's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and domestic violence. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the rural districts of Kermanshah, Iran, 2012. Using multistage cluster sampling, 394 women were selected. They completed WHOQOL-BREF and Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS) questionnaires. Data analyzed by SPSS 16, using Pearson correlation and regression tests. Results: The mean scores of total QOL were 55.8 ± 12.9. There was significant inverse correlation between domestic violence dimensions and all health-related quality of life domains (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Domestic violence can affect rural women's health-related quality of life negatively. Regarding the hidden nature of domestic violence and its presence in all communities, taking into consideration policies to reduce violence through legal education and raising women awareness can positively affect women's quality of life.