Background & Objectives : One of the first steps in diagnosis of pleural effusion is distinction between exudative and transudative types. The aim of this study was to assess C – reactive protein (CRP) level as one of the diagnostic marker for differentiation of exudative from transudative pleural effusions.

  Methods : In this descriptive and sectional study, 80 patients with confirmed pleural effusion were assessed. These patients were divided into two groups based on Light´s criteria. Serum and pleural CRP were measured with Latex Agglutination Test.

  Results : Out of 80 patients with pleural effusion 26 were transudative (32.5%) and 54 were exudative (67.5%). In exudative group, 72.2% of cases were CRP positive (1+ to 3+), and in transudative group, only 38.5% of cases were CRP positive (p < 0.05). There was no significant differences between different exudative pleural effusion etiologies (infectious and non infectious, malignant and non malignant and tuberculosis) and the number of CRP positive cases (p > 0.05). The rate of CRP positivity in exudative pleural effusion group was more than transudative group (p < 0.05).

  Conclusion: According to our study it seems that CRP criterion could help in distinction between exudative and transudative types of pleural effusion.

  Background & Objectives : Scalp defects have various etiologies which included scalp cancers, trauma, burns, congentital vascular lesions (Hemangioma & arteriovenous malformations), acquired & congenital skin defect such as aplasia cutis and infections. These defects need different reconstructive methods. The aime of this study was to determine the etiology of scalp defects and out come of various reconstructive methods.

  Methods : This was a descriptive study and based on the patient’s files during two years from 2004 to 2006. All patients operated for scalp defects were included in the study. Different methods of reconstructive surgery were considered and results analyzed using descriptive statistics.

  Results : The study included 75 patients, (52 males and 23 females) with the mean age of 42 years old. In most cases the scalp defect was in the temporoparietal region and most defects were reconstructed using tissue expander (TE). The most common cause of scalp defects was Basal cell corconoma (primary and recurrence) and the most common primary reconstructive method was skin graft. The second cause of scalp defects was burn scar and in these cases the most common reconstructive method was TE. Operative complications in this study were partial necrosis of the graft or distal flap that was repaired by using the repeated skin graft. In one case there was infection of tissue expander that was extracted.

  Conclusion: The most common cause of scalp defect were Basal Cell Carcinoma and burn respectively and in these cases the skin graft and TE were the most common reconstructive methods respectively .