Steroid Responsiveness of Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Southeastern Region of Turkey

Background. Our aim was to determine the prognostic factors effective in the response to steroid treatment and relapse frequency. Patients and Methods. In this study, we evaluated 84 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome followed-up from 1997–2002. The variables were analyzed with respect to medical history, physical examination, laboratory findings, response to treatment, and factors associated with remissions and relapses. Our study group consisted of 62 children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), 11 children with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and 11 children with diffuse mesangial proliferation (DMP). Results. According to response to steroids; 57.1% were steroid-sensitive with infrequent relapses, 22.6% were steroid-dependent with frequent relapses, and 20.2% were steroid-non-responders. Significantly high non-responder ratios to steroids were found in children with initial hypertension and hematuria (p < 0.05). Although patients older than six years were found to be associated with steroid non-response (p < 0.05), the number of relapses were found to be increased with an increasing number of infections (p < 0.05). The time period for the first relapse was found to be statistically correlated with relapse numbers of the first 6 (p = 0.001) and 12 (p = 0.01) months. Conclusion. The time span between initial presentation and remission and the number of infections were significant for relapse frequency. The existence of hematuria and hypertension and age greater than 6 years at initial presentation were associated with steroid non-responsiveness. The likelihood of developing resistance to the treatment should be emphasized early to the parents of patients bearing these risk factors, and hence the possible disappointment in the family should be prevented.     

Classification of Giardia duodenalis parasites in Turkey into groups A and B using restriction fragment length polymorphism

PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis was used to determine the relation of Giardia duodenalis Groups A and B. Of these, 17 (85%) were found as Group A in symptomatic cases; 22 (92%) were Group B in asymptomatic cases by using PCR-RFLP (p < 0.001). Interestingly, 5 (83%) were Group A in examination of endoscopy aspirates of symptomatic cases, as 5 (83%) were Group B in asymptomatic cases.     

Local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma that simulated multiple renal arteriovenous fistulas after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: Report of a rare case

Herein we report a patient who was initially thought to have renal arteriovenous fistulas 3 months after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for a small renal mass. After timely intervention using selective renal artery embolization, computed tomography 9 months post‐surgery showed persistent renal arteriovenous fistulas and nodular lesions in the perirenal fat. The patient then underwent radical nephrectomy, and histopathological examination showed underlying recurrent clear cell renal cell carcinoma invading the intraparenchymal arteries and veins, which was simulating multiple high‐flow renal arteriovenous fistulas.     

The relationship between serum vitamin D levels and health-related quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients

International Urology and Nephrology - We aimed to investigate the relationship between Vitamin D level and quality of life in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis as renal replacement therapy....     

Comparison of types 2 and 3 quadratus lumborum muscle blocks

Die Anaesthesiologie - The efficacy of quadratus lumborum muscle block (QLB) in abdominal surgery is known; however, the efficacy of different QLB types is unclear. The objective of this study was...