CT findings of abdominal tuberculosis in 12 patients.

Our purpose was to evaluate the Computed Tomography (CT) findings of the abdominal tuberculosis (TBC) retrospectively which was diagnosed histopatologically. This study included 12 patients. All patients were evaluated by abdominal CT study. Most findings of CT studies were mesenteric calcified or noncalcified lymphadenopathies, ascites, thickened intestinal wall located on the right lower quadrant of abdomen, thickening of peritoneum, mottled soft-tissue densities in omentum and mesenterium. In addition, one of the patients had bilateral calcified adrenal glands and one of them had calcified mass in adrenal gland. If peritoneal thickening, ascites, abdominal lymphadenophaties and thickened intestinal walls are obtained, TBC should be considered in differential diagnosis in developing countries.     

Neonatal osteofibrous dysplasia associated with pathological tibia fracture: a case report and review of the literature

Osteofibrous dysplasia is a rare and benign disease that originates from the tibia or fibula. The symptoms of osteofibrous dysplasia include painless enlargement and bowing of the tibia and pain occurring in the presence of pathological fracture. Herein a male infant who was admitted with redness and swelling on the right leg and diagnosed as pathological tibia fracture due to left tibia osteofibrous dysplasia on the third day of life was presented. To our knowledge, this is the earliest presentation of osteofibrous dysplasia with a pathological fracture in a neonate. Therefore, it must be suspected in neonatal bone fractures.     

The relationship between the MEFV genotype, clinical features, and cytokine-inflammatory activities in patients with familial mediterranean fever

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by periodic attacks of fever and polyserositis. The effects of the MEFV genotype differences on clinical picture and inflammatory activity have not been well documented. The aim of this study was to investigate levels of conventional inflammation markers, procalcitonin, interleukin levels, TNF-alpha, and C5a levels in patients with FMF who had different MEFV genotypes and compare them with those of healthy subjects. The study consisted of 41 patients with FMF (F/M: 23/18), and 31 healthy subjects (F/M: 18/13). Tests were performed during the attack-free period. White-blood cell count, CRP and IL-8 levels were higher in patients with FMF than in healthy subjects (p < 0.05) and also higher in M680I carriers than in the patients with M694V allele carriers. However, ESR, fibrinogen, procalcitonin, IL-6, C5a, TNF-alpha, and IgD levels were not significantly different between patients and healthy subjects (p > 0.05). Arthralgia or arthritis was significantly higher in M694V carriers than in non-M694V carriers (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the clinical features and inflammatory-cytokine activities were higher in patients with FMF during the attack-free period than in healthy subjects, and the different genotype might be related to different clinical pictures.     

Assessment of survival rates compared according to the Tamai and Yamano classifications in fingertip replantations

Background:The fingertip is the most frequently injured and amputated segment of the hand. There are controversies about defining clear indications for microsurgical replantation. Many classification systems have been proposed to solve this problem. No previous study has simultaneously correlated different classification systems with replant survival rate. The aim of the study is to compare the outcomes of fingertip replantations according to Tamai and Yamano classifications.Results:Of the 34 fingertips, 26 (76.4%) survived. Ten (66.6%) of 15 digits replanted in Tamai zone 1 and 16 (84.2%) of 19 digits replanted in Tamai zone 2 survived. There were no replantation failures in Yamano type 1 injuries (100%) and only two failed in Yamano type 2 (75%). Replantation was successful in 14 of 20 Yamano type 3 injuries, but six failed (70%). The percentage of success rates was the least in the hybridized groups of Tamai zone 1-Yamano type 2 and Tamai zone 1-Yamano type 3. Although clinically distinct, the survival rates between the groups were not statistically significantly different.Conclusions:The level and mechanism of injury play a decisive role in the success of fingertip replantation. Success rate increases in proximal fingertip amputations without crush injury.     

Are there any differences between antagonist administration on days <6 and ≥6 of Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation on assisted reproductive technique outcomes?

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of antagonist administration on stimulation on days <6 and ≥6 of COH on assisted reproductive technique (ART) outcomes.

A comparison of different hemorrhoidectomy procedures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pain level, analgesic consumption, operation time, bleeding and early complications after open and closed hemorrhoidectomy using a harmonic scalpel (HS) and classical methods. METHODS: Between January 2005 and January 2006, 87 patients with grade III-IV hemorrhoids, admitted in General Surgery Clinic, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey were enrolled in the study. They were randomized into open HS (n=22), closed HS (n=22), Miligan Morgan (n=22), and Ferguson (n=21) hemorrhoidectomy. Patients were evaluated for postoperative pain, painkiller consumption, bleeding and operation time. RESULTS: Bleeding volume was significantly lower in Groups I-II (p<0.001). Operation time was significantly shorter in Group I (p<0.001). Postoperative pain and pain at the time of first defecation, was significantly lower in Groups I-III (p<0.001) compared with the other 2 groups and lower during days 2-6 in Group I compared to the Group III (p<0.004). Visual Analogue Scale results were similar in Groups II and IV. Analgesic consumption in Groups I-III was significantly lower than Groups II-IV (p<0.001). Oral analgesic consumption during 2-5 postoperative days was lower in Group I than in Group III (p<0.007) and similar in closed hemorrhoidectomy group. CONCLUSION: The use of HS in hemorrhoidectomy reduces postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, operation time, and bleeding. Harmonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy is an effective, comfortable, and safe procedure. Use of suture in hemorrhoidectomy is a major cause of postoperative pain.