Giant fusiform aneurysm of the vertebro-basilar artery presenting with stroke

The authors describe a case of giant fusiform aneurysm of the basilar artery presenting with ischemic symptoms. Angiography and CT revealed vertebro-basilar fusiform aneurysmal dilatation. Fusiform vertebro-basilar ancurysm is associated with various complications particularly brain stem infarction. Similar lesions in the literature are reviewed and the relationship between this clinical entity and cerebral ischemia, particularly brainstem infarction are discussed.     

Role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the treatment of mucormycosis

Several problems in the management of life-threatening mucormycosis remain unresolved, necessitating new methods of management. Four patients with histopathologically proven rhinocerebral mucormycosis were treated with high cumulative doses of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). All had multiple predisposing factors for mucormycosis, particularly leukemia and neutropenia. Two patients refractory to fluconazole therapy were treated with liposomal amphotericin B. The improvement in clinical manifestations was closely related to neutrophil recovery, and all patients were alive at the end of therapy. In addition to surgical debridement and antifungal therapy, G-CSF seems to have played a role in their survival.     

Kidney biopsy in the elderly: diagnostic adequacy and yield

International Urology and Nephrology - The number of kidney biopsies (KB) performed in elderly patients has been increasing. Safety and usefulness of elderly KB have been well established, whereas...     

Determination of oxidative stress parameters and DNA fragmentation on post-thawed buck semen in the presence of ram seminal plasma and fetal calf serum

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficiency of ram seminal plasma and fetal calf serum on freezing of buck semen. Twenty ejaculates were collected using an electro-ejaculator and split into six groups. While FCS additive was not used in A1, A2 and A3 groups, 10% FCS was added to B1, B2 and B3 groups. These groups were then edited according to whether the buck or ram SP was involved. The design of the groups was done as follows: Group A1 (control 1), group A2 without buck SP, group A3 containing ram SP instead of buck SP. Groups B1 (control 2), B2 and B3 were the FCS added forms of these groups. Progressive sperm motility percentages in Group A1 and Group B2 were found to be higher when compared to the lowest Group B3. There were no significant differences between the groups in neither the levels of reactive oxygen species nor the enzyme and glutathione activities. In conclusion, the lack of statistical difference between the groups suggested that despite the supplements used but only when the buck spermatozoa structure was healthy, the cell could preserve acrosome, DNA and the integrity of membrane.     

An independent indicator of erectile dysfunction is C-reactive protein/albumin ratio

Research has found that, instead of passive lipid-accumulated vascular damage, atherosclerosis which is the primary cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) can be seen as an active inflammatory cycle and that inflammation has a central role in the entire atherosclerotic process. As an inflammatory marker, serum C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio (CAR) may link to ED and ED severity. The CAR, demographic features and other criteria of 198 patients with ED who visited our outpatient clinic during March 2019–April 2020 were prospectively evaluated. The research also included healthy control subjects without systemic or infectious diseases. The mean difference of CAR between ED and no ED was statistically significant (0.55 ± 0.27 and 0.79 ± 0.49, p = .002 respectively). On the basis of the ROC analysis, CAR has a good ED diagnostic value with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.63 (95% CI:0.541–0.714) and better diagnostic performance to distinguish ED severity (AUC:0.73, 95% CI:0.620–0.842). Additionally, mean CAR gradually increased with increasing severity of ED (for all p < .001). The CAR has been described as an independent ED indicator in the multivariate analysis (p = .001OR = 8.934; 95% CI:2.449–32.583). Increased CAR is associated with ED severity and increased ED risk. For CAR predicting ED and ED severity, a considerable cut-off point was identified.     

Causes of increased renal medullary echogenicity in Turkish children

The primary disorders of 50 children with increased renal medullary echogenicity on renal ultrasound were studied; 28 girls and 22 boys aged from 1 month to 16 years were classified into four groups based on underlying disease and ultrasound findings. Group 1 was composed of 17 patients with distal renal tubular acidosis (34%); intense echoes throughout the pyramid were predominant. Group 2 consisted of 14 patients with vitamin D toxicity (28%) and an intense echogenic rim around the pyramids. Group 3 included 10 patients with different types of tubulopathies. A slight hyperechogenic rim around the sides and tip of the medullary pyramids was detected. Group 4 was made up of 9 patients with rare underlying conditions. Abdominal X-rays detected medullary calcinosis in only 12 (24%) of the total 50 patients. Ultrasonography appears to be an important tool in the early diagnosis of increased renal medullary echogenicity and medullary nephrocalcinosis.     

Biliary–enteric fistulas: report of five cases and review of the literature

Internal biliary fistulas (IBF) are seen rarely. Because the symptoms and signs of IBF are not specific and the diagnosis is not suspected, these patients are commonly investigated with plain abdominal films (PAF), ultrasonography (US), upper gastrointestinal series (UGIS), barium enema (BE), and computed tomography (CT), but not always with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The purposes of this article are (a) to attract attention of radiologists to presumptive findings of IBF, so as not to misdiagnose this unsuspected and rare disease, and (b) review of the literature while presenting radiologic features of our cases. Five cases of IBFs in which extrahepatic biliary tree communicating with duodenum (four cases) and colon (one case) are reported. Diagnostic work-up of cases were done by PAF, US, UGIS, BE, and CT. Aerobilia, which cannot be explained using other means, ectopic gallstone and small bowel dilatation, nonvisualization of the gallbladder despite no history of cholecystectomy, and thick-walled shrunken gallbladder adherent to neighboring organs were suggestive findings of IBF in our study. Knowledge of imaging findings suggestive of IBF and a high index of suspicion increase the diagnostic rate of IBFs. Received: 4 June 1998; Revision received: 28 July 1998; Accepted: 14 October 1998     

99mTc-gentamicin: Chemical and biological evaluation

^99mTc-Gentamicin complex, a new agent for renal studies, is prepared by the reduction of pertechnetate by stannous chloride. Organ distribution in rats and paper chromatography with Whatman 3MM paper [developed in n-butanol, acetic acid, and water (4:1:1)] were favored as analytical tools for determination of labeling parameters of ^99mTc-Gentamicin. A higher concentration of stannous ion is responsible for the formation of insoluble technetium species which concentrate in the liver. The mean kidney: liver ratio of 10.4:1 was obtained 1 h after injection. This confirms that scintigraphic delineation of kidneys is highly satisfactory.