Treatment of wounds is very important and was subject of different investigations. In this regard, natural substance plays crucial role as complementary medicine. Various studies reported that aloe vera has useful effects on wounds especially cutaneous wounds healing. Therefore in the current review, we examined the effect of aloe vera on cutaneous wound healing and concluded that although aloe vera improves the wound healing as well as other procedures both clinically and experimentally, more studies are still needed to approve the outcomes.

Background and Purpose:Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare disease with acute and fulminant manifestation. This infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Herein, we reviewed the manifestations, underlying conditions, medical treatments, and surgical interventions in ROCM patients admitted to a tertiary referral center in northern Iran over a seven-year period.Materials and Methods:In a retrospective analysis, 15 cases of ROCM were identified from 2007 to 2013 in Bu Ali Sina Hospital, Sari, Iran. All the ROCM cases were clinically diagnosed and confirmed by histopathological and/or mycological examination. The relevant demographic data, clinical, ophthalmic, and neurologic manifestations, underlying conditions, medical treatments, and surgical interventions were recorded and analyzed.Results:The mean age of the patients was 54±11 years (age range: 28–70 years); 26.7% of the patients were male and 73.3% female (male: female ratio of 1: 2.7). Uncontrolled diabetes was noted in at least 86.7% (13/15) of the cases. The maxillary sinuses were the most frequently involved sites (66.7% of the cases) followed by the ethmoid sinus. Amphotericin B in combination with surgical debridement was used in the treatment of 80% of the cases. Furthermore, 73.3% of the patients who were diagnosed early and underwent medical and extensive surgical debridement of the infected tissues survived.Conclusion:Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is considered to be the main predisposing factor for ROCM. To prevent and reduce mortality rate of this acute disease, early diagnosis based on clinical findings and biopsy is recommended.

Chronic rhinosinusitis is a chronic inflammation of the nasal and paranasal cavities. However, the main pathophysiology of these chronic conditions is poorly described and seems to be multifactorial.In the present study, we reviewed the computed tomography (CT) scans of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis to identify a probable association between the anatomical variations and chronic inflammation in the sinonasal region.Prospective study of the axial and coronal CT scans of 206 chronic rhinosinusitis patients between September 2010 and January 2012 was performed.The study population involved 100 males (48.5%) and 106 females (51.4%) with a mean age of 39 years. The ostiomeatal complex was reported patent in 43 subjects and was blocked in 36 patients. The nasal septa were significantly deviated in 117 (56.7%) patients. Turbinate hypertrophy was reported in 55 (26.6%) patients. Retention cyst was observed in 56 (27.1%) participants. Concha Bullosa and polyps were reported in 36 (17.47%) and 38 (18.44%) patients, respectively. Maxillary sinus was the most common site of involvement (67 patients).Our investigation revealed that there is a strong association between the presence of anatomical variations and chronic inflammation in the paranasal sinuses.

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Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis is an inflammatory-infectious disease involved paranasal sinuses as a common site of microbial pathogens and infections in patients suffering from the disease. The disease is labeled chronic when it lasts for more than 12 weeks. Objectives: As these infections constitute an important cause of morbidity it can be a strong life-threatening factor, in this investigation we examine the bacterial strains involved in development of chronic rhinosinusitis. Materials and Methods:This research was a prospective study of the bacterial strains involved in development of chronic rhinosinusitis in patients referred to Bou-Ali Sina Hospital in Sari, Iran. The study population included 253 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Samples were collected from all patients' nasal discharge, which were cultured to investigate the type of microbial infection. The staining methods were Gram staining, Chinese ink staining, acid-fast staining and Papanicolaou staining. Finally, specific tests for detection and differentiation of the strains were performed. Results: Out of 253 patients, 124 (49.1%) were adult male, 49 (19/36%) were adult female and 80 patients (31.62%) were children under 5 years. The most common clinical symptoms including post-nasal drip (40.47%) and headache (32.62%). In general, the most isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (37.1%) and Pneumococcus (23.53%). Conclusions: In this study, it was found that S. aureus and Pneumococcus contributed the most to development of chronic rhinosinusitis.