Catheter malposition during a direct radionuclide cystography — case report

We reported a 15-year-old girl with a history of mild left vesicoureteral reflux who underwent direct radionuclide cystography in our department. Bladder catheterization was mistakenly placed in the vagina. The filling phase showed vagina and uterine cavity which was similar to vesicoureteral reflux. The procedure was repeated with correct catheterization of the bladder and no vesicoureteral reflux was noted

Detection of protein-losing enteropathy by 99m Tc-UBI scintigraphy

nd localizing site of protein loss

Effects of radioiodine therapy on fertility indicators among men with differentiated thyroid cancer: A cohort study

Background: Following thyroidectomy, radioiodine therapy is the standard management of differentiated thyroid cancer. The effects of such treatment on testicular function remained a concern for cases and clinicians. Objective: We aimed to observe changes in fertility indicators in men treated with ablation. Materials and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 18 men with differentiated thyroid cancer from June to December 2020 underwent thyroidectomy plus radioiodine therapy. Participants were grouped based on iodine dose (8 men with 30 mCi vs. 10 men with ≥ 150 mCi). Baseline values (VB) of the follicular stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and sperm analyses were measured 3 wk before iodine ablation and repeated 3 (V3) and 12 (V12) months later. They were analyzed once as a whole and once based on their groups via ANOVA and Friedman’s tests where appropriate. Results: The mean age of participants was 35.61 ± 9.74 yr. Follicular stimulating hormone levels showed a significant trend among all participants (VB: 12.51 ± 1.72, V3: 13.54 ± 1.41, and V12: 13.10 ± 1.67 IU/mL; p < 0.001). Luteinizing hormone showed a similar pattern (VB: 4.98 ± 1.27, V3: 5.65 ± 1.29, and V12: 5.21 ± 0.95 IU/mL; p < 0.001). Testosterone levels did not differ significantly from baseline. Sperm count decreased at the first checkpoint and returned to normal after 12 months (VB: 38.22 ± 19.40, V3: 32.05 ± 17.96, and V12: 36.66 ± 18.81 million/mL; p < 0.001). Sperm motility and morphology did not change significantly. Conclusion: Our research showed that even less than 5 GBq irradiation could induce a transient testicular dysfunction in the first 3 months of therapy, but it was mostly reversible after 12 months. Key words: Follicle-stimulating hormone, Iodine-131, Male infertility, Semen analyses

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the referral patterns for SPECT myocardial perfusion? A single center experience

Objective(s): We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of referrals for SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) as well as changes in the clinical and imaging characteristics.Methods: We respectively reviewed 1042 SPECT-MPI cases performed in a 4-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic (PAN; n=423) and compared their findings with those acquired in the same months before the pandemic (PRE; n=619).Results: The number of stress SPECT-MPI studies performed during the PAN period significantly dropped compared to the number of studies carried out in the PRE period (p = 0.014). In the PRE period, the rates of patients presenting with non-anginal, atypical and typical chest pain were 31%, 25% and 19%, respectively. The figures significantly changed in the PAN period to 19%, 42%, and 11%, respectively (all p-values <0.001). Regarding the pretest probability of coronary artery disease (CAD), a significant decrease and increase were noticed in patients with high and intermediate pretest probability, respectively (PRE: 18% and 55%, PAN: 6% and 65%, p <0.001 and 0.008, respectively). Neither the rates of myocardial ischemia nor infarction differed significantly in the PRE vs. PAN study periods.Conclusion: The number of referrals dropped significantly in the PAN era. While the proportion of patients with intermediate risk for CAD being referred for SPECT-MPI increased, those with high pretest probability were less frequently referred. Image parameters were mostly comparable between the study groups in the PRE and PAN periods

Diagnostic value of diuretic ultrasound in evaluating the need for reoperation in children undergoing pyeloplasty

Abstract Background Pyeloplasty currently stands as the standard treatment for UPJO. Our study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of sonographic parameters following Lasix administration in patients who underwent pyeloplasty to predict the recurrence of obstruction and the need for reoperation. Methods The study included 70 children with UPJO who underwent pyeloplasty. Renal ultrasound was performed on patients three to six months after pyeloplasty. Following the Lasix administration, the changes in ultrasound parameters at the 18th and 30th minute were documented. Within two weeks, patients underwent radioisotope renography. Diuretic ultrasound's diagnostic value in predicting the need for reoperation was assessed through a comparison with radioisotope renography. Results The average age of the patients was 3.94 ± 3.52 years. Anteroposterior diameter of the renal pelvis (APD) changes at 18 and 30 min, and the average APD after surgery at 18 and 30 min was significantly higher in patients requiring reoperation. The best cutoff point of APD changes in the 18th minute was 9.50 (sensitivity = 91.7%, specificity = 82.8%). The best cutoff point of APD after surgery in the 18th minute was 25.90 (sensitivity = 91.7%, specificity = 81.0%). The best cutoff points of the resistive index (RI) in the 18th and 30th minutes were reported as 0.70 (sensitivity = 41.7%, specificity = 50.0%) and 0.71 (sensitivity = 41.7%, specificity = 37.9%), respectively. Conclusions The assessment of ultrasound findings following pyeloplasty has revealed that changes in APD can serve as a reliable means for assessing the efficacy of the operation

Association between Clinical Characteristics and Laboratory Findings with Outcome of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Report from Northeast Iran

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first discovered in December 2019 in China and has rapidly spread worldwide. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and their association with the outcome of patients with COVID-19 can be decisive in management and early diagnosis. Data were obtained retrospectively from medical records of 397 hospitalized COVID-19 patients between February and May 2020 in Imam Reza Hospital, northeast Iran. Clinical and laboratory features were evaluated among survivors and nonsurvivors. The correlation between variables and duration of hospitalization and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) was determined. Male sex, age, hospitalization duration, and admission to ICU were significantly related to mortality rate. Headache was a more common feature in patients who survived (p=0.017). It was also related to a shorter stay in the hospital (p=0.032) as opposed to patients who experienced chest pain (p=0.033). Decreased levels of consciousness and dyspnea were statistically more frequent in nonsurvivors (p=0.003 and p=0.011, respectively). Baseline white blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher in nonsurvivors (p<0.001). Patients with higher WBC and CRP levels were more likely to be admitted to ICU (p=0.009 and p=0.001, respectively). Evaluating clinical and laboratory features can help clinicians find ways for risk stratifying patients and even make predictive tools. Chest pain, decreased level of consciousness, dyspnea, and increased CRP and WBC levels seem to be the most potent predictors of severe prognosis