Successful caspofungin treatment of multidrug resistant Candida parapsilosis septicaemia in an extremely low birth weight neonate

Candida septicaemia with multidrug resistance is an uncommon event in preterm neonates. We present an extremely low birth weight infant (gestational age of 27 weeks, birth weight of 980 g) who developed congenital Candida parapsilosis septicaemia. Because the fungus was resistant both to amphotericin B and fluconazole, caspofungin was chosen for therapy. The fungus was successfully eradicated without any clinical or laboratory adverse effects.     

Propylthiouracil-related hemorrhagic diathesis: a case report and review of the literature

We present an unusual case of a drug-related hemorrhagic diathesis. One month prior to admission, the patient was diagnosed at another medical center as having Graves' disease and propylthiouracil therapy (PTU) was initiated. Since clinical recovery was not achieved, the PTU was quickly increased to an unconventional daily dose of 1,000 mg. The patient was referred to our hospital because of spontaneous epistaxis, multiple ecchymoses and prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), which developed soon after the increase in PTU dose. Drug-related hemorrhagic diathesis was considered, after other possible causes had been eliminated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of spontaneous hemorrhage due to PTU use.     

Subungual osteochondroma: a diagnostic dilemma

Osteochondroma is the most common skeletal neoplasm of all benign bone tumors. However, it rarely occurs subungually. In this location, the lesion may penetrate the skin, causing nail deformity, and can easily be misdiagnosed. We report two cases of subungual osteochondroma of the distal phalanges of the first toes with cutaneous penetration and discuss the clinical, histologic, and radiographic features and the treatment options.     

A case of endometrial stromal sarcoma with curvilinear calcification

BACKGROUND: Although many histopathological, clinical, and imaging findings of ESS have been described, intense calcifications have not been reported previously. CASE: A 54-year-old female was admitted with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. Gynecologic examination revealed a huge, firm pelvic mass extending up to the epigastrium. Transabdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrated a well-demarcated uterine mass containing heterogeneous solid and cystic areas and a centric curvilinear calcification. Histopathological diagnosis was established as undifferentiated high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. CONCLUSION: Endometrial stromal sarcomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of uterine masses containing curvilinear calcifications.     

Conservative restoration with resin composites of a case of amelogenesis imperfecta

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is an inherited enamel dysplasia involving both dentitions with no other systemic effects. The hereditary pattern is autosomal or X-related dominant or recessive. Its prevalence is approximately 1:14,000-1:16,000. It can be classified as hypocalcified, hypoplastic and hypomaturated according to clinical, radiological, histological and hereditary findings. This study presents a case of hypomaturated type AI in a 16-year-old young man that was successfully treated with different types of resin composites. The patient was regularly recalled during the one-year postoperative period. Radiographic and clinical examinations at recall revealed no evidence of complications associated with the restored teeth or their supporting structures.     

Stimulation of lymphocyte proliferation and inhibition of nitric oxide production by aqueous Urtica dioica extract

The immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory activities of aqueous Urtica dioica extract were investigated for their effect on the mitogenic response of murine splenocytes and nitric oxide production by murine peritoneal macrophages in vitro. It was found that this extract stimulated the proliferation of T-lymphocytes and suppressed NO production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages without affecting cell viability.     

Epinephrine plus argon plasma or heater probe coagulation in ulcer bleeding

AIM:To compare the effectiveness of argon plasma coagulation (APC) and heater probe coagulation (HPC) in non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.METHODS:Eighty-five (18 female,67 male) patients admitted for acute gastrointestinal bleeding due to gastric or duodenal ulcer were included in the study.Upper endoscopy was performed and HPC or APC were chosen randomly to stop the bleeding.Initial hemostasis and rebleeding rates were primary and secondary end-points of the study.RESULTS:Initial hemostasis was...