Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography findings in choroidal and retinal tumors

ObjectivesTo report the swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) findings in choroidal and retinal tumors.MethodsA retrospective noncomparative interventional case series of 60 eyes having various choroidal and retinal tumors imaged with SS-OCTA (Topcon DR1 Triton Plus, Tokyo, Japan) between September 2018 and February 2020 was conducted. Inclusion criteria were tumor thickness <4 mm, tumor base diameter <10 mm, and tumor location at the posterior pole.ResultsChoroidal nevi usually demonstrated well-defined borders, hyperreflective internal structure, and no outer retinal involvement on SS-OCTA. Choroidal melanoma, in contrast to nevi, usually had ill-defined borders (p = 0.018), mixed hyperreflective–hyporeflective or hyperreflective internal structure (p = 0.014), and demonstrated outer retinal involvement (p < 0.001). Circumscribed choroidal hemangioma usually presented with well-defined borders, a hyperreflective internal tumor structure with multiple dilated interconnected tumor vessels intermixed with signal void areas representing connective tissue. Optic disc melanocytomas showed a hyporeflective plexus related to blocking of signal by the pigment and an intact radial peripapillary capillary network. There was flow on the surface and slightly deeper within the lesion on B-scan angiography overlay. Retinal astrocytic hamartomas had well-defined borders and a hyperreflective vascular plexus in the superficial and deep retina. Outer retina and choriocapillaris showed hyporeflective change due to shadowing/masking from calcium or high blood flow in the lesion.ConclusionsEach of the different retinal and choroidal tumors studied in this series presented with different SS-OCTA features to aid in the differential diagnosis of these conditions. Good quality images are obtained in patients with good fixation and tumors <3 mm in thickness located at the posterior pole.Subject terms: Outcomes research, Eye cancer     

8-F2-isoprostane,thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase levels in children with obsessive–compulsive disorder

Abstract

Purpose: Accumulating data demonstrate that oxidative stress may play a crucial role in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). This study aimed to investigate the role of 8-F2-isoprostane, thioredoxin (Trx), and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) in children with OCD.

Materials and methods: Thirty-three drug-free children with OCD and 35 healthy controls were included in this study. The severity of OCD symptoms was assessed via the Children’s Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. The severity of anxiety levels was determined through the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders. Plasma levels of 8-F2-isoprostane, Trx, and TrxR were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Results: Plasma 8-F2-isoprostane, Trx, and TrxR levels did not show any significant differences between patient and control groups. There were no significant correlations between plasma levels of these antioxidants and severity of OCD.

Conclusions: Findings of this study did not support the involvement of oxidative stress in the etiology of childhood OCD.     

Physical therapy,corticosteroid injection,and extracorporeal shock wave treatment in lateral epicondylitis

The aim of this study was to compare—clinically and ultrasonographically—the therapeutic effects of physical therapy modalities (hot pack, ultrasound therapy, and friction massage), local corticosteroid injection, and extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) in lateral epicondylitis (LE). Fifty-nine elbows of 59 patients with LE were randomized into three treatment groups receiving either physical therapy, a single corticosteroid injection, or ESWT. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess pain intensity, Jamar hydraulic dynamometer for grip strength, finger dynamometer for pinch strength (before treatment, on the first, third, and sixth months of treatment). All subjects were also evaluated with ultrasonography before and 6 months after treatment. In all groups, VAS scores of the patients were found to decrease significantly on the first, third, and sixth months of treatment. With respect to grip strength evaluations, the increase after treatment was significant only on the first month in group II; on the first and third months in group I; and on the first, third, and sixth months of treatment in group III. Pinch strength and ultrasonographical findings did not change during follow-up in any group. We imply that physical therapy modalities, corticosteroid injection, and ESWT have favorable effects on pain and grip strength in the early period of LE treatment. The increase in grip strength lasts longer with ESWT. On the other hand, ultrasonographic findings do not change in the first six months of these treatment methods.     

The effects of parental monitoring on the quality of life and diet quality of adolescents with type 1 diabetes

International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries - The burdens of type 1 diabetes management in adolescence adversely affect their quality of life, reduce adherence to diet, and worsen...     

Management of people with diabetes during Ramadan

In the UK, Islam is the second largest religion after Christianity and there are about 2.5 million Muslims living in the UK. Fasting is obligatory for all healthy adult Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, no food, drink, or medication is allowed between dawn and sunset. As a result of different research results there is no agreement on whether it is safe for Muslim diabetics to fast. Through dialogue between health professionals and patients, it is usually possible to facilitate at least some safe fasting for those who wish to observe this annual ritual. In this article some key pointers will be given for health professionals to consider with the aim of improving the quality of care of Muslim patients with diabetes during Ramadan.     

Characteristics of Children with Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Ankara: A Single Centre Experience

The purpose of the study was to define characteristics of children with acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Eighty children hospitalized with acute carbon monoxide poisoning were recruited prospectively over a period of 12 months. Sociodemographic features, complaints and laboratory data were recorded. When the patient was discharged, necessary preventive measures to be taken were explained to parents. One month later, the parents were questioned during a control examination regarding the precautions that they took. The ages of the cases were between one month and 16 yr. Education levels were low in 86.2% of mothers and 52.6% of fathers. All families had low income and 48.8% did not have formal housing. The source of the acute carbon monoxide poisoning was stoves in 71.2% of cases and hot-water heaters in 28.8% of cases. Three or more people were poisoned at home in 85.1% of the cases. The most frequent symptoms of poisoning were headache and vertigo (58.8%). Median carboxyhemoglobin levels at admission to the hospital and discharge were measured as 19.5% and 1.1% (P < 0.001). When families were called for re-evaluation, it was determined that most of them had taken the necessary precautions after the poisoning incident (86.3%). This study determined that children with acute childhood carbon monoxide poisoning are usually from families with low socioeconomic and education levels. Education about prevention should be provided to all people who are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning before a poisoning incident occurs.