Paradox in the cubital tunnel syndrome—frequent involvement of left elbow: first report

Objective

Cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) is the second most common compression neuropathy in the arm, but the existence of a compressive cause has not been determined conclusively and the majority of the cases are idiopathic. In this paper, involvement sides of limbs of patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were studied.

Material and methods

Between October 2008 and December 2011, the clinical assessment of consecutive operated patients with cubital tunnel syndrome in Rize Education and Research Hospital were analysed. The diagnosis and severity of syndrome was based on electro-diagnostic study.

Results

This study included 57 consecutive patients with cubital tunnel syndrome (39 men, 18 women; mean age, 44,7 years; range, 23–79 years; mean age, 44,7 years; range, 23–79 years); 31 patients underwent surgical treatment. Involvement was on the right side in 18 and on the left in 39 patients. Severity scores and MCV were statistically significant between sides.

Conclusion

Profound involvement with cubital tunnel was found in left elbow. According to the finding of non-dominant elbow involvement in our study, the exact etiology and ideal management of cubital tunnel syndrome continues to be heavily debated.     

Intracranial hemorrhage in infants as a serious,and preventable consequence of late form of vitamin K deficiency: a selfie picture of Turkey,strategies for tomorrow

Purpose

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding is one of the most common causes of acquired hemostatic disorder in early infancy. Although vitamin K is practiced routinely after every birth in Turkey, children with type of vitamin K deficiency bleedings (L-VKDB) can be encountered. We aimed to evaluate the clinical features of the children with L-VKDB reported from Turkey.

Methods

Between 1995 and 2013, 48 studies reporting 534 children with L-VKDB were evaluated in this study.

Results

Of the 534 reported children (178 girls, 356 boys), 486 (91 %) were extremely breastfed. The most common bleeding sites were intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal, and umbilical in 414 (77.4 %), 33 (6.2 %), and 33 (6.2 %) children, respectively, and 35 (6.6 %) children had been diagnosed incidentally without any bleeding. The etiology of 399 (74.7 %) children were classified as idiopathic, whereas 135 (25.3 %) were secondary. Intramuscular vitamin K was administered in 248 (46.4 %), not administered in 228 (42.7 %), and the administration of vitamin K were not determined in 58 (10.9 %) children. The outcomes of Turkish cohort showed that 111 (20.8) children died, 257 (48.1 %) cases developed neurologic deficit (mainly epilepsy and psychomotor retardation), and only 166 (31.1 %) patients recovered without squeal.

Conclusions

The compliance of prophylactic measures in Turkey does not seem to be satisfactory. As a further measure of tomorrow, we vigorously emphasize that a national surveillance program may be initiated. An additional intramuscular dose or oral supplementation of vitamin K especially for exclusively breast-fed infants may reduce this catastrophic problem in our country.     

Beneficial effects of Etanercept on experimental necrotizing enterocolitis

Purpose

Tissue damage in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) of infants occurs as a result of an uncontrolled inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to investigate any potential anti-inflammatory effects that Etanercept may have on the inflammatory response in an experimental NEC model in newborn rats.

Methods

Newborn pups were randomized into three groups immediately after birth (Control, NEC + Placebo and NEC + Etanercept). Pups in the NEC + Placebo and NEC + Etanercept groups were subjected to an NEC-inducing protocol (hypercarbia, hypothermia and hyperoxia) twice a day for 3 days. Pups in the NEC + Etanercept group were given an intraperitoneal injection of Etanercept. Rats were harvested for biochemical and histopathological examinations.

Results

The histopathological injury score of rats in the NEC + Placebo group was significantly higher compared to the NEC + Etanercept and Control groups (p < 0.05 for both comparisons). Tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and malondialdehyde were higher in the placebo group compared to the Etanercept group.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that Etanercept attenuates intestinal tissue damage in NEC by reducing inflammation and blocking the production of free-oxygen radicals, while also reducing tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β.     

The effect of prophylactic penicillin treatment on the course of arthritis episodes in patients with Behçet's disease. A randomized clinical trial

Objective. Because exposure to streptococcal antigens might be a major disease activity—provoking factor in Behçet's disease, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of benzathine penicillin in the prophylaxis of recurrent arthritis episodes during the course of this disease. Methods. A prospective, randomized study design was used to allocate patients to receive colchicine alone or colchicine plus benzathine penicillin for 24 months. Results. The duration, severity, and pattern of arthritis episodes were found to be similar in the 2 treatment groups, but the number of arthritis episodes was significantly reduced, and the duration of episode-free time significantly prolonged, in the penicillin group compared with the colchicine-alone group. Conclusion. Penicillin treatment was demonstrated to offer adjunctive benefits in the prevention of arthritis episodes which are not obtainable with colchicine monotherapy. This finding could provide additional evidence for antigen triggering in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease.     

Recommendations for Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin and Antiviral Prophylaxis Against Hepatitis B Recurrence After Liver Transplantation

The combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and potent nucleos(t)ide analogs after liver transplantation is considered as the standard of care for prophylaxis against hepatitis B virus recurrence. However, the recommended doses, route of administration, and duration of HBIG administration remain unclear. Moreover, hepatitis B immunoglobulin-free prophylaxis with potent nucleos(t)ide analogs has shown promising disease outcomes in preventing hepatitis B virus recurrence. The current recommendations, produced by the Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver, Acute Liver Failure and Liver Transplantation Special Interest Group, suggest a reduced need for hepatitis B immunoglobulin administration with effective long-term suppression of hepatitis B virus replication using potent nucleos(t)ide analogs after liver transplantation.     

Carcinoma of the fourth part of the duodenum: Report of a case

Primary carcinoma of the duodenum is rare, accounting for only 0.35% of all gastrointestinal carcinomas, and carcinoma of the fourth part of the duodenum constitutes approximately 10% of duodenal carcinomas. Since the predominant symptoms of tumors in this part of duodenum are related to upper intestinal obstruction, the diagnosis is usually made late. We report the case of a 66-year-old man who presented with anemia, weight loss, and upper intestinal obstruction, and was found to have advanced primary carcinoma of the fourth part of the duodenum by upper gastrointestinal series and computed tomography (CT). A review of the literature indicates that survival, which is related to nodal status, the grade of the tumor, and surgical results, seems to be longer in patients with carcinoma in this part of the duodenum compared to those with carcinomas in other parts of the duodenum. Moreover, segmentary resection has been reported to achieve a favorable outcome.     

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) therapy is protective for renal function and prevents hyperparathyroidism in renal allograft recipients

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (calcitriol) therapy has been extensively used for posttransplant osteoporosis. Beside its effect on bone metabolism, calcitriol has an important immunomodulatory effect. We evaluated the effects of oral calcitriol therapy on allograft function and parathyroid hormone levels after renal transplantation. The patients were retrospectively selected from a renal transplant patient population who received calcitriol (group 1, n = 59, 36 male/23 female, follow-up: 52.8 +/- 12.2 months) compared with group (group 2, n = 52, 42 male/9 female, follow-up: 62.0 +/- 24.4 months) without calcitriol therapy after renal transplantation. Calcitriol therapy was started 24.0 +/- 19.1 months posttransplantation. All patients were under three-drug immunosuppression. The pretransplant and posttransplant data were studied retrospectively. Additionally, creatinine levels before and after the initiation of calcitriol therapy were recorded at 6 months intervals for 3 successive years. Our results were analyzed according to the first and third year on therapy data. According to the first year data, there were no differences in patient groups in terms of creatinine and iPTH levels. In the third year, the patients in group 1 showed significantly lower creatinine (P = .01) and iPTH (P < .04) levels and needed lower pulse steroid doses (P < .04). According to a Friedman repeated measures variance test, the creatinine level was significantly lower among group I (P < .04) at 3-year follow-up. In conclusion, even a delayed start of calcitriol therapy after renal transplantation exerts a protective effect on renal allograft function and prevents the development of hyperparathyroidism.