Background:Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is increasingly used to treat patients with breast cancer, but the reliability of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) following chemotherapy is in doubt. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate studies that examine the results of SLNB after NAC to assess identification rate (IR) and false-negative rate (FNR).Materials and Methods:Systemic searches were performed in the PubMed, ISI Web of Sciences, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from January 1, 2000, to November 30, 2016, for studies of SLNB after NAC for breast cancer and followed by axillary lymph node (LN) dissection in two subgroups: initially node negative and node positive converted to node negative. Two reviewers independently review quality of included studies. A random-effects model was used to pool IR and FNR with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and heterogeneity among studies was assessed by I2 and Q-test.Results:A total of 23 studies with 1521 patients in the initially node-negative subgroup and 13 studies with 1088 patients in the node-positive converted to node-negative subgroup, were included in this meta-analysis with IR and FNR of 94% (95% CI: 92–96) and 7% (95% CI: 5–9) in the initially node-negative subgroup and 89% (95% CI: 85–94) and 13% (95% CI: 7–18) in the node-positive converted to node-negative subgroup, respectively.Conclusion:Our meta-analysis showed acceptable IR and FNR in initially node-negative group and it seems feasible in these patients, but these parameters did not reach to predefined value in node-positive converted to node-negative group, and thus, it is not recommended in these patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic significance of CA 125 in Acute Appendicitis (AA) along with the changes in its levels about clinical symptoms and lab findings. Methods: Patients referred at the emergency department of Madani hospital with the suspicion of AA and right iliac fossa pain were enrolled in this study. Preoperative CA 125 levels along with C-reactive Protein (CRP) and complete blood count were obtained. Lab findings, signs and symptoms were recorded for all the patients. Statistical analysis was conducted based on CA 125 < 16.4 U/mL and ≥ 16.4 U/mL using the logistic regression model, where variables such as fever, anorexia, CRP and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) were added to the model. Results: Of 207 patients with the mean age of 26.55 ± 0.967 years, 48.8% of them were males and 51.20% were females. 122 of the total patients had CA 125 ≥ 16.4 U/mL. Anorexia was significantly associated with increased levels of CA 125. CA 125 was 2.14 times higher in patients presenting anorexia. However, ESR, CRP and fever were not associated with the elevation of CA 125. Based on the contour plot, it was deduced that leukocytosis at its lowest and erythrocyte sedimentation rate at its highest levels is associated with the maximum concentration of serum CA 125. Conclusion: Based on the findings from this study, CA 125 cannot be considered as a reliable diagnostic variable for acute appendicitis. Levels of CA 125 may vary with the severity of AA.

Background Serotonin-containing cells are abundantly found in the appendix. Studies have shown that acute appendicitis is likely to be characterized by altered urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), an active serotonin metabolite. The aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic potential of 5-HIAA as a biomarker for acute appendicitis. Method This cross-sectional study enrolled patients referred at the Madani Hospital, with right iliac fossa pain, suspected to having the acute appendicitis. Before the initiation of the basic treatment and surgery, urine samples were obtained from the patients. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the analysis of 5-HIAA urinary levels. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using SPSS v18. Results Of 129 patients included in the study with the mean age of 29 years, 62 (48.1%) were men and 67 (51.9%) were women. Appendectomy was performed in 96 patients, where 81 cases were that of acute appendicitis. The mean levels of 5-HIAA in acute appendicitis group and in the negative appendectomy group was not statistically significant. The sensitivity of the test was 54.3% based on 7.4 ​μmol/L as cut-off %-HIAA value. Conclusion Our study reports that 5-HIAA urine concentration is not a reliable diagnostic marker for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Background: Trauma is known as a third leading cause of mortality among all-aged patients. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate pre-trauma physiological factors and trauma-related factors that can increase the risk of mortality among the adult and geriatric patients. Method: In this longitudinal data analysis study, 500 non-penetrating adult trauma patients who were referred to (Shahid Madani Hospital) from January 2019–December 2019 were enrolled. Information such as age, sex, occupation, place of residence, hospitalization and surgical history, underlying illnesses, medications (such as antihypertensive drugs, etc.), lab findings (complete blood cell and creatinine levels) were recorded in the form of a questionnaire. The patients were divided in group A (aged 65 and above) and group B (aged below 65 years). The data obtained was analyzed statistically using SPSSv18. Result: The mean age of all patients under study was 51.6 years. Among all participants, 68% (341) were male and 32% (159) were female. Regarding the cause of trauma, group A had significantly greater incidence (p-value = 0.001). The two groups were also significantly different in terms of the region of the injury (p-value = 0.014). Furthermore, underlying diseases were also statistically significant among the two groups (p-value = 0.0093). There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of smoking and drugs (p-value = 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). Finally, the mortality rate in patients older than 65 years old (4.3%) was significantly higher than those in patients under the age of 65 years (2.9%) (p-value = 0.0001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that among the trauma patients aged below 65 years and those aged 65 years and above, underlying illness, mortality rate, usage of drugs, cause of trauma, type of injury, vital signs, white blood cell count and platelet count, hemoglobin and serum creatinine vary significantly. Highlights

Objectives: Patients presented with penetrating trauma are immediately given an initial x-ray scan followed by the desired treatment. Intercostal nerve block in chest trauma patients is effective in pain management. The aim of this study is to investigate the need of second chest x-ray in penetrating chest trauma patients, following intercostal nerve block and evaluation of pain and other clinical parameters. Method: In this a randomized controlled trail, 100 patients with thoracic trauma were examined from June 2019–December 2019. All patients who entered the study underwent an intercostal nerve block by 5 mg of lidocaine. The results from normal and abnormal chest x-ray groups were compared following the block, in terms of the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) score and hemodynamic parameters. Result: Among the two groups, normal second x-ray vs delayed hemopneumothorax, systolic blood pressure, rate of respiration and heart rate were not significantly at the time of admission and the time following the nerve block. However, this difference was significant in terms of visual analog scale score among the two groups.We also report that the VAS difference of more than 2.5 points has the specify of 76.5 and a sensitivity of 92.8 for the diagnosis of normal/stable patients. Conclusions: Intercostal nerve block reduces pain in patients who are not presented with hemopneumothorax, whereas, patients otherwise are presented with the significant pain. Second x-ray in patients with reduced pain in response to the nerve block, might not be necessarily required. Highlights