Intestinal lymphangiectasia as a first manifestation of neuroblastoma

In this report we describe an unusual case of neuroblastoma that presented with an initial manifestation of protein losing enteropathy secondary to intestinal lymphangiectasia.     

The effect of triamcinolone acetonide aqueous nasal spray on the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND: In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of triamcinolone acetonide aqueous (TAA) intranasal spray that was used for 2 months to treat allergic rhinitis (AR) on the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus (NCSA). METHODS: A total of 125 adult AR patients (study group) and 133 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled for the study. The subjects were diagnosed with AR after a detailed history, physical examination, and prick testing. The AR subjects were administered TAA in a daily dosage of a 220-microg intranasal route. Nasal cultures were obtained on the 1st (baseline), 55th, and 60th days, and the subjects in the last two cultures of whom S. aureus was detected were accepted as NCSA. RESULTS: After all exclusion criteria were used, 110 AR and 114 control group subjects were enrolled in the study. Based on the culture results that were obtained on the 55th and 60th days, 10 (%9.1) patients from the study group and 18 (%15.7) individuals from the control group were defined to be NCSA (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of TAA treatment for AR does not increase the prevalence of NCSA. However, additional studies with a larger series are required to explain the effects of steroids on nasal colonization of S. aureus.     

The acute effects of sildenafil on tear functions

The acute effects of 50 mg of sildenafil on tear functions were evaluated in 12 impotent patients. Mean tear breakup time, cotton thread, and Schirmer I tests were 19.42±6.45 s, 13.92±6.63 mm, and 16.58±12.19 mm, respectively before sildenafil and 20.33±10.40 s, 10.92±6.14 mm, and 18.08±12.36 mm, respectively, 1 hour after sildenafil. The results suggest that sildenafil does not adversely affect tear functions. The authors have stated that they do not have a significant financial interest or other relationship with any product manufacturer or provider of services discussed in this article. The authors also do not discuss the use of off-label products, which includes unlabeled, unapproved, or investigative products or devices.     

MR imaging of treated prostate cancer

Many management options are available to patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging plays an important role in initial staging of prostate cancer, but it also aids in tumor detection when there is clinical or biochemical suspicion of residual or recurrent disease after treatment. The purpose of this review is to describe the normal appearances of the prostatic region after different kinds of treatment for prostate cancer and to discuss how these appearances differ from those of recurrent and residual disease. Several MR imaging techniques used in evaluating patients with prostate cancer are described, including conventional MR imaging sequences (mainly T1- and T2-weighted sequences), MR spectroscopic imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast agent-enhanced MR imaging. Clinical considerations, together with the different approaches for interpreting serum prostate-specific antigen values in the posttreatment setting, are also presented. All forms of treatment alter the MR imaging features of the prostatic region to a greater or lesser extent, and it is important to be able to recognize expected posttreatment appearances and distinguish them from the features of recurrent or residual cancer to aid subsequent clinical management.     

Hypertrophic olivary degeneration in children: four new cases and a review of the literature with an emphasis on the MRI findings

Injury to the dentato-rubro-olivary pathway causes hypertrophy and enlargement of the inferior olivary nuclei, which is called hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD). To date, adult cases of HOD have usually been reported, and there are only a few individual paediatric cases with limited radiological emphasis in the literature. We present the clinical and MRI findings of four new paediatric cases with HOD. Three of the patients had a posterior fossa surgery, and one did not have an identifiable cause.     

Clinical features, outcome and cost of hyponatremia-associated admission and hospitalization in elderly and very elderly patients: a single-center experience in Turkey

Purpose

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder in hospitalized patients. Clinical features, outcome and cost of hyponatremia-associated admission and hospitalization in elderly and very elderly patients are not well known.

Methods

Elderly (>64 years) patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) and hospitalized between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010, were evaluated. Hyponatremia was defined as serum sodium level below 135 mmol/L. Hyponatremic patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 150, 65–74 years old) and group 2 (n = 103, >74 years old).

Results

A total of 4,960 patients above 65 years of age admitted to ED and hospitalized were included. Prevalence of ED in group 1 and group 2 was 4.1 % (150/3,651) and 7.8 % (103/1,309), respectively (p < 0.001). Vomiting and diarrhea were the most important complaints. A total of 111 (43.8 %) patients were being treated with renin–angiotensin system (RAS) blockers. Mortality, morbidity and hospital cost increased in parallel to decrease in serum Na⁺ level and increase in age. Group 2 subjects had not only higher intensive care need (p < 0.01) and mortality rates (p < 0.01), but also higher hospital cost burden (p < 0.05) compared to group 1. Alzheimer’s disease was one of the most common co-morbidity in patients, particularly in group 2 (5.3 % vs. 21.3 %, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Hyponatremia-associated hospitalization is an important and potentially lethal condition in elderly and very elderly patients. Clinicians should be careful when prescribing RAS blockers and diuretics in elderly patients.     

Aminoguanidine prevents testicular damage–induced‐2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) in male rats

In this study, it was aimed to determinate protective effects of aminoguanidine (AG) against reproductive toxicity caused by 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD), an environmental contaminant. Thirty‐two rats were equally divided into four groups; the first group was kept as control and given corn oil as carrier. In second and third groups, TCDD and AG were orally administered at the dose of 2 μg kg^?1 per week and 100 mg kg^?1 per day for 45 days, respectively. In fourth group, TCDD and AG were given together at the same doses. Although TCDD significantly increased the formation of TBARS, it caused a significant decline in the levels of GSH, CAT, GPx and SOD in rats. On the other hand, AG, given together TCDD, reversed TCDD effects on TBARS SOD, GSH, GPx and CAT. In addition, sperm characteristics negatively affected and histopathological deformation occurred with TCDD exposure. However, AG treatment partly prevented these toxic effects of TCDD on spermatological parameters and histopathological changes. In conclusion, TCDD exposure induces testicular damage (oxidative stress, histopathological damage and sperm parameters), and AG treatment reversed TCDD‐induced testicular damage in rats. Thus, AG may be useful for the prevention and treatment of TCDD‐induced male infertility problems.