Knowledge and experience of radiologists working in Istanbul on radiographic contrast medium anaphylaxis

Radiologists are among the physicians with the highest probability of encountering cases with anaphylaxis. Therefore, they should be familiar with the recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the level of knowledge of the radiologists about the current diagnostic criteria and management of anaphylaxis in addition to their personal experiences on radiographic contrast medium (RCM) induced systemic reactions. Radiologists working in Istanbul were randomly selected and asked to fill out a 16-item questionnaire related to their experience on radiographic contrast medium anaphylaxis and knowledge about current anaphylaxis diagnosis and management guidelines. The study group consisted of 106 physicians 11 (10.4%) of whom have reported that they had encountered anaphylaxis due to radiographic contrast medium during their own practice. They have also reported two cases of mortality due to RCM. Most of the physicians were familiar with the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and about two thirds of them chose epinephrine as the first-line medication for treatment of anaphylaxis. Radiologists may encounter patients with RCM-induced anaphylaxis. Therefore they should be aware of the diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis

ASSESSMENT OF HIPPOCAMPAL VOLUMES IN INFANTS WITH A HISTORY OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS

Purpose: To assess the hippocampal damage that occurs soon after a meningitic episode with a view to obtaining data that might contribute to an understanding of whether such changes were likely to be caused by the meningitis

Knowledge and experience regarding perioperative anaphylaxis among anesthesiologists in Istanbul

Anesthesiologists are among the physicians with the highest probability of encountering cases with anaphylaxis. Therefore, they should be familiar with recent developments in anaphylaxis diagnosis and treatment. This study assessed the personal experiences and knowledge of the current diagnostic criteria and management of anaphylaxis among anesthesiologists. Anesthesiologists working in Istanbul were randomly selected and requested to complete a 16-item questionnaire related to their experiences with perioperative anaphylaxis and knowledge about current anaphylaxis guidelines. The study group consisted of 203 physicians; 10.8% of them reported having experienced any case with perioperative anaphylaxis during their own practice. The leading responsible agents were penicillins and other antibiotics (36.3%), followed by neuromuscular blocking agents (32%). Most of the physicians reported hypotension as the most important sign of anaphylaxis under general anesthesia and preferred epinephrine as the first-line medication during anaphylaxis. Antibiotics and neuromuscular blocking agents were the most common causative agents identified in the cases of perioperative anaphylaxis experienced by our study group. Like other health care providers, anesthesiologists should be aware of recent advances in anaphylaxis diagnosis and treatment

Baby-skin care habits from different socio-economic groups and its impact on the development of atopic dermatitis

Skin care practices of children vary among communities and are based on experience, tradition and culture. It was aimed to determine the baby-skin care approaches of mothers from three different socio-economic groups and its effect on the development of atopic dermatitis. The study comprised mothers with children under 2 years of age from three different socioeconomic groups in Istanbul in the first half of 2014. A questionnaire with 38 items related to demographic variables, feeding habits, and baby-skin care were distributed to the mothers and asked to fill at sight. The study comprised of 207 children with 69 from lower socio-economic group, 92 children from group middle socio-economic and 46 children from higher socio-economic group. Mean age was 8.48, 8.74, and 10.98 months, respectively. Atopic dermatitis was reported in 19% of the children from higher socio-economic and 9% of the children in other two groups each. The proportion of using no care products after bath was found to be lower in children with atopic dermatitis from all three groups. The proportion of using wet wipes for diaper care was significantly lower in children with atopic dermatitis in comparison to children without atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis was more common among children from higher socioeconomic group and skin care after bath seems to be an important factor in the development of atopic dermatitis

Anaphylaxis: Turkish National Guideline 2018

Anaphylaxis is an acute and potentially fatal systemic reaction that sould be recognized and managed by all helthcare professionals. This is the first national guideline of Turkish National Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology on diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis. The guideline is prepared by Anaphylaxis Interest Group with the incorporation of 20 allergy/immunology specialists and the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, symptoms and signs, diagnosis/differentials, and acute and long-term management of anaphylaxis are reviewed in detail