Pleural flap to prevent lobar torsion: a novel technique

Lobar torsion is reported as very rare but sometimes catastrophic complication if overlooked during the early postoperative period following a lobectomy, though it is totally preventable. In this novel technique, a piece of parietal pleural flap is harvested from the posterior wall of the chest using a hook diathermy while keeping its upper border as close to the apex as possible. Finally, distal end of the flap is secured to the upper edge of the lobe using a fine monofilament absorbable suture. This procedure not only protects the lobe from rotation but also maintains continuous expansion of the lung in the early postoperative period and may, therefore, be a good option to prevent such a serious complication in selected patients following a lobectomy.     

Erythropoietin stimulates wound healing and angiogenesis in mice.

Erythropoietin exerts hematopoietic effects by stimulating proliferation of early erythroid precursors. Nonhematopoietic effects of erythropoietin have also been shown. It may act as a new angiogenic factor in wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the effect of systemic administration of recombinant human erythropoietin on wound healing in mice. Dorsal incisional wounds were performed in mice, which were then divided into two groups; a group treated for 7 days with recombinant human erythropoietin, and a control group. Sacrificing animals on day 7, the wound tissues were collected for analysis of wound breaking strength, malondialdehyde, a marker of lipid peroxidation, hydroxyproline, an index of reparative collagen deposition, reduced glutathione levels, and for histological evaluation. The immunohistochemical determination of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which is believed to be the most prevalent angiogenic factor throughout the skin repair process, was also studied. The treatment significantly increased wound breaking strength by decreasing malondialdehyde and increasing hydroxyproline levels on day 7 after wounding. No statistically meaningful change was observed in reduced glutathione content. VEGF was immunostained significantly more on wound tissue of treated animals compared to the control group. Recombinant human erythropoietin treatment may be effective in wound healing due to inhibition of lipid peroxidation, deposition of collagen, and VEGF expression in wound area.     

The diagnostic value of image guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy in equivocal mediastinal masses

Background and aims The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of image guided percutaneous fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy in equivocal mediastinal masses.Patients Sixty-six patients with an equivocal mediastinal mass who underwent FNA biopsy between 1993 and 2003 were eligible for final analysis. The cytological and definitive diagnosis of masses were grouped as primary 22 (33%)−30 (46%) and secondary (metastatic) neoplasms 18 (27%)−18 (27%) and nonneoplastic lesions 20 (30%)−18 (%27) respectively.Results The diagnostic accuracy (%95 C.I.) of FNA biopsy for primary mediastinal neoplasms, secondary neoplasms and nonneoplastic lesions were found to be 93.3 (83.8–98.2)%, 100 (95.1–100)%, 93.3 (83.8–98.2)%, respectively.Conclusion Image guided percutaneous FNA biopsy is a safe and highly accurate diagnostic method for equivocal mediastinal masses.     

CASE OF FASCIOLIASIS: EXTRACTION WITH ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOGRAPHY

Fascioliasis is a worldwide zoonotic infection with fasciola hepatica and fasciola gigantica. The zoonoses are particularly endemic in sheep‐raising countries and are also endemic in Turkey. Clinical features of fascioliasis relate to the stage and intensity of infection. Fasciola hepatica infection comprises two stages: hepatic and biliary, with different signs and symptoms. Cholestatic symptoms may be sudden, but, in some cases, they may be preceded by a long period of fever, eosinophilia and vague gastrointestinal symptoms. We reported a case with fever and upper‐quadrant abdominal pain since 3 months that comes from an area endemic for fasciola hepatica, with suspected imaging about fasciola hepatica in common bile duct on ultrasonography. After that, fasciola hepatica was extracted with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.     

Rheumatoid arthritis and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis: an unusual case

SUMMARY: Renal involvement is not uncommon in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Many RA patients have renal dysfunction either secondary to the drugs used to treat arthritis or because of the chronic inflammation. Renal pathologies have often included amyloidosis, drug-related renal disease and mesangial glomerulonephritis. However, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis has only been rarely reported. We report a case of rheumatoid arthritis associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis that rapidly progressed to end-stage renal disease.     

Re-redo cervical mediastinoscopy for a recurrent lung cancer

Indian Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery -     

IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GLAUCOMA AND HELICOBACTER PY-LORI?

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Participants: 137 patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), 85 control subjects and 250 patients with gastric symptoms participated Methods: The presence of H. pylori infection in glaucoma patients, and glaucoma incidence in H. pylori infected patients