Intrathoracic lipomas demonstrated by computed tomography

Nine cases of intrathoracic lipoma are reported. Computed tomography (CT) proved to be helpful in the diagnosis and management of these cases. The attenuations of the masses ranged from -70 to -140 Hounsfield units (HU). In 4 cases, needle biopsies were taken, confirming lipoma with mature fat cells. One patient also had a coelomic cyst with an attenuation of 20 HU, which was confirmed at thoracotomy. Another had an atypical lipoma which infiltrated the thoracic wall but was benign. In conclusion, we recommended investigation with CT scan for the diagnosis of lipoma.     

Arterial elasticity and plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin in type 2 diabetic patients treated with thiazolidinediones

Background Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) improve peripheral insulin sensitivity, but the effect on arterial stiffness is less clear. The aim of the present study was to assess the differential effect of pioglitazone or rosiglitazone on arterial stiffness and plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Thirty-five type 2 diabetic subjects were randomly assigned to receive pioglitazone (30 mg/day; n = 14), rosiglitazone (4 mg/day; n = 11), or placebo (medical nutrition therapy; n = 10) for 12 weeks. Changes in plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, adiponectin, and leptin were evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks. In parallel, large arterial compliance (C1) and small arterial compliance (C2) were measured at baseline and at the end of treatment period. Results At 12 weeks, the rosiglitazone (P = 0.026) and pioglitazone (P = 0.004) groups had a significant increase from baseline in adiponectin that was not seen in the medical nutrition therapy group. No significant changes in plasma leptin and in C1 and C2 elasticity indexes were observed over the entire study period in any of the treatment groups. Conclusions In this study of patients with type 2 diabetes, treatment with TZDs was associated with a significant improvement in adiponectin levels, although no significant effects were seen on leptin levels and arterial elasticity.     

Larrey hernia complicated with colonic obstruction in a 77-year-old woman: a case report

Congenital Larrey hernia has a rare incidence and is frequently diagnosed in the later decades of life. This case study presents a 77-year-old woman with Larrey hernia and an intestinal obstruction complication, treated with laparatomic surgery.     

Intracolonic multiple pebbles in young adults： Radiographic imaging and conventional approach to a case

INTRODUCTION The frequency of foreign body detection in gastrointes- tinal system is less in adulthood compared to childhood. Accidentally swallowed pins account for most of the for- eign bodies found in adult gastrointestinal systems. Oral dental implant…     

Effect of hormone replacement therapy on ocular hemodynamics in postmenopausal women.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy on ocular hemodynamics in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Ocular Doppler ultrasonography was performed in 20 postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and in 20 women without treatment, as the control group. Central retinal artery (CRA), posterior ciliary artery (PCA) and ophthalmic artery (OA) flow velocities and vascular resistances were measured prospectively by a radiologist blinded to the therapy. There were no associated systemic or ocular diseases or any medication history. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients on HRT was 50.05 +/- 4.5 yrs (range 44-62). The mean age of the control group was 52.8 +/- 4.09 yrs (range 46-65). The mean duration of HRT was 1.6 +/- 1.4 yrs (range 3 months - 5 years). There were no differences between the groups in terms of flow velocities, vascular resistivities or pulsatility indices of OA, CRA and PCA (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: HRT is essential in postmenopausal women for relief of vasomotor symptoms, cardioprotection and prevention of osteoporosis. Even though vaso-occlusive complications of hormone preparations have been reported, we did not observe any changes in ocular hemodynamics detectable with Doppler ultrasonography.     

Coexistence of left-sided inferior vena cava, deep vein thrombosis of the upper and lower extremities and prothrombotic polymorphisms in a young patient: a case report.

A literature review suggests an interaction between an anomaly of the inferior vena cava and thrombophilia in the pathogenesis of deep vein thrombosis. Genetic thrombotic abnormalities have been found in some of the subjects having venous thromboembolic diseases. We report a case of a young man presenting with venous thrombosis of the upper and lower extremities, left-sided vena cava inferior and with combination of heterozygosity of the mutation of the genes Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677 and Factor V 1691.     

Regional cerebral blood flow in schizophrenia before and after neuroleptic medication

In order to investigate cerebral perfusion changes induced by neuroleptic drugs, we performed 99Tc(m) hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPET). Fifteen patients (nine drug naive, six non-naive) diagnosed by using the DSM-III-R criteria, and 10 right-handed age and sex matched normal volunteers were included in this study. The SPET study was performed with 740 MBq 99Tc(m)-HMPAO by using a 128 x 128 matrix, 30 s/frame for a total 64 view over 360 degrees before and after 1 month of neuroleptic treatment. A semiquantitative method was used for the analysis. Patients were clinically assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). There was no significant regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) difference between the patient group and control group in whole-brain regions except in the left temporal lobe. Although clinical scores of the patients improved after neuroleptic treatment no statistically significant difference was found in the rCBF between pre- and post-treatment. Moreover, there was no statistically significant correlation between the rCBF and BPRS in any region. These results suggest that there was a discrepancy between the clinical situation and rCBF in schizophrenia and the lateralized temporal lobe blood flow, which may have important implications for the evaluation of patients with schizophrenia.     

Choledochal cysts in adults and the importance of differential diagnosis

Background/Purpose: Choledochal cysts, congenital cystic dilatations of the hepatobiliary tree, present diagnostic dilemmas. In countries where hydatid disease is endemic, this rare pathology may be overlooked. The importance of this issue led us to reexamine our clinical material to evaluate our findings and management. Methods: This study examined 12 patients (11 females, 1 male) who were treated at the University of Istanbul, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, with the diagnosis of choledochal cyst between 1981 and 2000. The cases were examined retrospectively, and the complaints, diagnostic methods, findings, and management were discussed. Results: Ten of the cysts were type I (83.3%), one was type II (8.3%), and one was type IV (8.3%). Three of the patients underwent operation with the diagnosis of liver hydatid cyst, but during the operation the cysts were found to be choledochal cysts. In six of the patients, the cysts were correctly diagnosed, and they were excised. Conclusions: Contemporary approaches to treating choledochal cysts focus on total removal of the cyst. In a country where hydatic diseases are endemic, hepatobiliary cystic lesions are often misdiagnosed clinically and radiologically as hydatid cysts. Considering that percutaneous and laparoscopic approaches are being increasingly adopted for treatment of hydatid cysts, the problematic area must be subjected to thorough examination for cystic lesions. The possibility of choledochal cysts must always be kept in mind; otherwise, an unfavorable process may begin for both patient and surgeon. Received: February 6, 2002 / Accepted: August 14, 2002 Offprint requests to: E. Gorgun Coskun sok. No. 2/5, Cihangir 80060, Istanbul, Turkey This study was presented at the 5th National Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery Meeting, Kusadasi, Turkey, October 2001