Discoid meniscus in children and adolescents. Our experience in the treatment and follow-up

The purpose of this study was to review the clinical results of partially external meniscectomy performed on 33 arthroscopies in paediatric patients with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. In this retrospective cases series, a partial meniscectomy was performed in all patients. Patients age ranged between 4 and 14 years with an average of 9 years. We used the Watanabe classification for the morphological study of the discoid menisci. Clinical results were determined according to a modified Ikeuchi scale. The results were 25 excellent, two good and one poor. Complications were presented in four patients who developed osteochondritis of the external condyle and external tibial plateau. The arthroscopy is considered a diagnostic and treatment method in symptomatic external discoid meniscus.     

Psoas abscess due to retroperitoneal tuberculous lymphadenopathy

A case of psoas abscess occurring during treatment of tuberculous lymphadenopathy is described. There was no evidence of a bony origin for this abscess. It appears likely that it arose from involved glands on the posterior abdominal wall.     

Cholera, 1991--old enemy, new face]

The cholera epidemics of the XIXth century are described and reviewed. The extent, incidence and case-fatality rate for the disease in the seventh pandemic are described. The global epidemiological situation and its trend at the end of 1991 are analysed. A review of cholera epidemiology highlights the factors that might explain the less tragic nature of the disease today. The role of water, food and direct contagion in transmission of cholera over the last 20 years is considered in the light of recent studies and with special reference to the epidemic in Latin America, where the intense emotion aroused by the disease has prompted vigorous action that could produce significant and lasting progress in the health field.     

Present status of undergraduate urological education in Turkey: is standardization necessary?

23 medical faculties exist in Turkey at the moment and 2 others are being established. Considering that all these faculties run their own programs independently, different education systems might effect the standard of doctors and health care. All of the new graduates in this country face a centralized examination for postgraduate posts in teaching hospitals or start an obligatory service under the authority of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. This necessitates standardization in medical education to provide equal facilities and opportunities to all young doctors. Questionnaires, replied to by the urology departments of medical faculties, reflect a wide range of teaching periods in urology with a broad spectrum of topics. Under these circumstances it is advisory to agree on both the time period and content of a standard urology program, as well as other subjects, for better health care and equal chances in centralized examinations.     

Immunohistochemical differentiation of atypical hyperplasia vs. carcinoma in situ of the breast.

The distinction between atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma in situ in breast lesions can be difficult. The identification of myoepithelial cell layers may be helpful in establishing a diagnosis of proliferative breast disease vs. intraepithelial neoplasia. We reviewed pathologic material on 20 cases of atypical hyperplasia and 29 cases of carcinoma in situ. Immunohistochemical stains were employed against muscle-specific actin, S-100 protein, and cytokeratin to identify myoepithelial cells and to recognize different staining patterns. In atypical hyperplasia, muscle-specific actin staining identified myoepithelial cells in fine branching fibrovascular layers or as scattered cells between other proliferating cells. This pattern was absent in carcinoma in situ. S-100 protein showed more positive staining in atypical hyperplasia than in carcinoma in situ with patterns distinct from muscle-specific actin. Immunostaining for cytokeratin demonstrated distinctly different patterns between the two lesions. This study suggests that muscle-specific actin, S-100 protein, and cytokeratin in combination may assist in distinguishing proliferative breast disease with atypia from carcinoma in situ.     

Current approaches in the treatment of bladder cancer and policy in Marmara University Hospital

Bladder cancer is one of the malignancies encountered frequently in urological practice. Since the three main treatment modalities (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) may be used alone or together, there are many treatment options. In this paper the current approaches in the treatment of bladder tumours are reviewed and the policy in Marmara University Hospital is described.