Splenic rupture in a parental donor undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilization

Peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) are now widely used as a source of progenitor cells for allogeneic transplantation. Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is used to mobilize PBPCs for collection by leukapheresis. Although side effects of mobilization are generally benign, adverse effects have been reported. The authors present a case of spontaneous splenic rupture, without splenomegaly, in a parental donor undergoing PBPC mobilization, review the literature regarding this adverse event, and explore issues regarding donor safety.     

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha in diastolic dysfunction

BACKGROUND: Active relaxation develops as a result of sequestration of calcium into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and is controlled mainly by sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) and phospholamban.Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) downregulates both of these proteins, so it may play a role in the development of abnormal relaxation. However, a possible relationship between TNF-alpha and diastolic dysfunction has not been sufficiently evaluated in vivo. We investigated whether circulating levels of TNF-alpha increased in patients with relaxation abnormality. METHODS: Forty hypertensive patients with normal left ventricular systolic function were enrolled in the study. Age-adjusted values of echocardiographically measured mitral inflow velocities, E-wave deceleration time and isovolemic relaxation time were used to define normal and abnormal relaxation. Twenty of the patients (mean age 59.2 +/- 10.6) had a relaxation abnormality (group I), and the twenty other patients (mean age 45.9 +/- 7.9) had a normal diastolic function (group II). TNF-alpha levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of interventricular septal thickness, posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass, ejection fraction, plasma creatinin level, and medication. Patients with a relaxation abnormality were older than those with a normal diastolic function (p < 0.001). TNF-alpha levels were similar in both groups (62.1 +/- 46.0 pg/ml for group I, and 48.7 +/- 51.4 pg/ml for group II, p = 0.089). CONCLUSION: In this preliminary study, we demonstrated that TNF-alpha levels did not increase in patients with a relaxation abnormality. However, we think that a possible relationship between TNF-alpha and diastolic dysfunction should be clarified by further studies involving a larger number of patients with a wider spectrum of diastolic dysfunction.     

Traumatic spinal cord injuries in Turkey.

Spinal cord lesions have various aetiologies, and trauma is one of the leading causes. Patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) often have motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunctions and require a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. In this study 1694 SCI patients were investigated, including the frequency, and the distribution by age, sex, profession, aetiology, clinical status and year of occurrence. Traumatic SCI is more frequent among males than females and among those between the ages of 15 and 39 years. Regarding the aetiology, traffic accident comprised 35.41% of the total cases, the second most common cause was falls with 29.51%, and the third was high velocity bullet wounds: 21.95%.     

Results of the combined treatment of paediatric intraspinal tumours.

In this article 98 patients with paediatric intraspinal tumours are presented. All were evaluated according to their ages, sex, signs and symptoms. The patients also had radiological and histopathological studies; and the results of surgical, physical medicine and rehabilitation and of radiotherapy are discussed and compared with the results of patients reported in the literature.     

Prevalence of hepatitis A in children and adolescents in Adana,Turkey

The present study was aimed at determining the seroprevalence of anti-HAV in children and adolescents in the city of Adana, Turkey. The overall prevalence of anti-HAV was 44.4% (316/711). The prevalence increased with advancing age i.e. 28.8% (2.1-6 yr), 49.8% (6.1-12 yr), and 68% (12.1-16.5 yr) (P < 0.0001). Seroprevalence was significantly lower in children less than 6 years and belonging to higher socioeconomic status.     

Ruptured aneurysm of noncoronary sinus of Valsalva: demonstration with magnetic resonance imaging

There are few published reports regarding imaging findings of sinus of Valsalva aneurysms (SVA) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present an unusual form of ruptured SVA, emphasizing the diagnostic importance of MRI among a range of imaging techniques. This case report describes a case of idiopathic (thought to be congenital in origin), acutely symptomatic ruptured noncoronary SVA diagnosed by MRI and confirmed with conventional angiography and surgery. MRI accurately showed aneurysm size, location, and rupture into the right atrium and provided valuable information about this rare lesion.     

Breast lesions with high signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images

Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast supplies much information concerning the signal characteristics of a lesion. Among these, high signal intensity on non-fat saturated T1-weighted imaging (WI) is a special finding. Such a finding may result from different causes, such as a paramagnetic substance or fatty, bloody or proteinaceous content. In this article, we present hyperintense breast lesions on T1-WI.     

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of breast juvenile papillomatosis

Juvenile papillomatosis is a rare disease affecting young women. Here we present magnetic resonance imaging features of two cases with histopathologically proven juvenile papillomatosis of the breast and review some of the relevant literature. Case 1 exhibited bilateral, well-bordered breast masses, with complex cystic and solid components. The kinetic evaluation showed continuous and plateau patterns. Case 2 featured a giant mass with a few cystic and many solid nodular components and filled the entire right breast. The kinetic evaluation showed a continuous curve.     

Mean platelet volume in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The mean platelet volume (MPV), the accurate measure of platelet size, is considered a marker and determinant of platelet function. MPV can be a potentially useful prognostic biomarker in patients with cardiovascular disease. After reviewing literature, we hypothesized that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood may be a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) in adulthood. The aim of this study was investigation of MPV and platelet count (PLT) in children with ADHD and healthy subjects. The MPV and the PLT were measured in 70 children with ADHD (aged 6–16 years), and compared with 41 healthy controls. The MPV was found to be significantly increased in ADHD group compared to control group (p = .006). There was no significant difference in the PLT between groups (p > .05). To our knowledge, this was the first study of investigating the levels of MPV and PLT in children with ADHD. Although significance and cause of increased MPV level in ADHD remain unclear in present study, further studies are warranted to investigate relationships among MPV, ADHD in childhood and CHD in adulthood.