Kozlowski type spondylometaphyseal dysplasia: a case report with literature review

Spondylometaphyseal dysplasia is a type of bone dysplasia characterized by vertebral and metaphyseal changes of varying severity. Diagnosis of the disease is difficult because the severity of bone involvement differs and symptoms change according to the age of the patient. In this study, radiographic findings of a 16 month-old male patient diagnosed as Kozlowski type spondylometaphyseal dysplasia is reported.     

Inflammatory Processes and Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) in Overlap Syndrome

We aimed to compare serum levels of the inflammatory mediators including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and their coexistence called overlap syndrome (OVS). In addition, we planned to investigate changes of these mediators with the treatment of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in OSAS and OVS. CRP, TNF-α, and ADMA levels were analyzed by ELISA method from blood samples withdrawn from patients with COPD (N?=?25), OVS (N?=?25), and moderate- to severe-stage OSAS (N?=?25). First blood samples were taken in the morning after polysomnography application, and second blood samples were taken from OSAS and OVS patients who underwent regular CPAP treatment. In comparison of three groups prior to CPAP treatment, ADMA level in OSAS were significantly lower than in COPD (p?=?0.009), but CRP and TNF-α were similar among groups. When we compared the parameters before and after CPAP treatment, the level of CRP in both OSAS and OVS decreased significantly (p?=?0.02, p?=?0.04), whereas TNF-α and ADMA levels did not display any significant differences. A decrease of serum CRP level in OVS and OSAS groups following effective CPAP treatment shows that CPAP is an effective treatment method for systemic inflammation.     

Paraurethral cyst: a case report

Paraurethral or Skene’s duct cyst is a rare cause of masses located in the inter-labial genitor-urinary region and their etiology is not fully known. These congenital cysts may be diagnosed easily by inspection in the initial physical examination of the new-borne. Radiological evaluation is helpful for differential diagnosis and in determining the proximal extension of the cystic pathology. Treatment alternatives are needle aspiration and non-surgical follow-ups leading to a spontaneous regression and surgery. In this report the radiological findings of a female newborn diagnosed with paraurethral cyst in US and MR examinations have been discussed.     

The clinical profile of nonmotor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease patients

OBJECTIVE: Recently described nonmotor fluctuations may cause disability in Parkinson's disease patients. These fluctuations are generally grouped as sensory, autonomic and psychiatric. The clinical spectrum and frequency of these fluctuating symptoms are not well-described. METHODS: We studied the relationship of nonmotor fluctuations with motor symptoms and determined the influence of age at disease onset, duration of disease, dosage and duration of levodopa treatment in the appearance of nonmotor fluctuations. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed a relationship of disease-related parameters with sensory and autonomic fluctuations but psychiatric fluctuations were only found to be associated with the duration of levodopa usage. The nonmotor fluctuations included in the study were observed during "on" periods as well as "off' periods. CONCLUSION: Nonmotor fluctuations had variable presentations. Moreover, their co-appearance with different types of motor fluctuations may be linked to the effect of other neurotransmitter systems acting synchronously with dopamine. Risk factors for sensory and autonomic fluctuations in patients with Parkinson's disease were early age of disease onset, longer duration and higher dose of levodopa use. Psychiatric fluctuations were only associated with higher doses of levodopa.     

Childhood diffuse panbronchiolitis: a case report

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening lower respiratory tract disease that is particularly common in Japanese people. If left untreated, it progresses to bronchiectasis, respiratory failure, and death. Lack of familiarity with DPB in the non-Far East may result in a failure to correctly diagnose and treat this disorder. We describe a child with DPB. We suggest that DPB is a sinopulmonary disease that is not exclusive to the Asian population and to adults. Its clinical and radiological features should be better known by pediatric pulmonary physicians.     

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in children: pigeon breeder's disease

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), an extrinsic allergic alveolitis, is a group of immunologically mediated, diffuse inflammatory lung parenchymal diseases. Pigeon breeder's disease (PBD) is one of the most common clinical forms of HP. It is caused by inhalation of various pigeon-derived materials and can present in different clinical forms. The diagnosis is difficult and the best diagnostic tool is correlation of onset of symptoms with time of exposure. Precipitating antibodies against the avian proteins form the characteristic precipitin reactions. The most effective treatment is avoidance of the antigens. Steroids, either systemic or topical (inhalational), can be used to treat HP. We report five children with different clinical forms of PBD in whom the diagnosis was confirmed by positive serum precipitating antibodies to avian proteins. Although the disease is rarely seen in children, it should be considered in any child with recurrent or unexplained respiratory symptoms. Nebulising steroids might be a useful alternative treatment for allergic alveolitis.     

Transplant coordination activities in the Başkent University Hospital Network

Our transplantation center adopted a new model of operation, with 3 affiliated centers of the Ba?kent University. The aim of this system is to standardize procedures related to organ procurement and transplantation, to increase organ donation, and to improve the quality of services. The transplant team is composed of a transplant coordinator, and transplant clinicians and surgeons. The transplant coordinator works independently, and promotes organ donation and procurement, organizes interviews with donor families, and is in contact with national and international organ-sharing organizations. The organs and tissues are transplanted in the Ankara hospital of the network if the cadaver organ source is one of the Ba?kent University hospitals. If no appropriate recipient is available, the organs and tissues are offered to the National Coordination Center for other transplantation centers. To implement this system most efficiently and effectively, periodic situation analyses were made.