Evaluation of Hepatitis C in 20 Years: A Turkish Experience

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection still maintains its importance since it is one of the most important causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our hospital, located in İstanbul, which is the 10t most crowded city in the world, has a patient cohort where epidemiological change can be observed due to its deep-rooted history and serving people of different nations in terms of settlement. Main aim in this study is to evaluate the change in HCV epidemiology in our country over the years. Methods: Patients who were at the age of 18 and above and whose HCV-RNA was positive between January 2001 and January 2021 were evaluated. Results: 1.166 patients whose HCV genotype was determined were evaluated. The mean age of the population is 52±14.75 years, 83.53% of all patients was infected with genotype 1 (GT1), 8.23% with GT3, 5.83% with GT2, 2.23% with GT4 and 0.17% of them with GT5. While the GT1 rate decreased in patients over the years, an increase was found in other GTs. GT1 and GT2 were more common in females (p<0.001); GT3 and GT4 were more dominant in males (p<0.001). The mean age of females was high in all genotypes. The mean age of GT3 was significantly lower than the other groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Although GT1 is still dominant in our country, GT3 and GT4 have been increasingly seen over the years, suggesting that the genotype distribution may change in the coming years due to uncontrolled migration and effective direct-acting antivirals

Lagophthalmos and Frozen Globe as the Initial Presentation of Invasive Breast Carcinoma

A 75-year-old woman presented with six months history of progressing lagophthalmos and immobility of the left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the orbit demonstrated infiltration of orbital fat and the extra-ocular muscles. We performed transverse blepharotomy of the left eyelid to correct lagophthalmos; and during surgery, we took a biopsy sample from levator muscle and orbital fat. After the operation, the patient was able to close her eyelids, and epithelial problems were resolved. Biopsy revealed fibro-vascular, muscle and fat tissue infiltrated with minimally differentiated carcinoma cells. Breast examination revealed a nodule in the left breast. Biopsy of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of invasive breast carcinoma. Orbital manifestation of metastases, such as diplopia, lagophthalmos or pain may reduce life quality of the patients and must be evaluated on a multidisciplinary basis

Analysis of Age as a Possible Prognostic Factor for Transcanalicular Multidiode Laser Dacryocystorhinostomy

Purpose. To assess the prognostic value of age on the outcome of transcanalicular multidiode laser dacryocystorhinostomy (TCL-DCR) in patients with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). Methods. The medical records of TCL-DCR performed between March 2009 and September 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Inclusion criteria include over 20 years of age, similar mean follow-up period, and similar mean duration of stenting. The main outcome is surgical success. The effect of age on success rate is also evaluated. Results. The anatomical success was 52% in Group 1 (20–30 years), 56% in Group 2 (31–40 years), 64% in Group 3 (41–50 years), 76% in Group 4 (51–60 years), and 88% in Group 5 (over 60 years). The statistical difference among Group 1 and Group 5, in terms of surgical success rate, was found to be significant (P=0.009). Additionally, the 20–30-year-old patients had a failure rate 6.76 times higher than that of the over-60-year-old patients (P=0.009; 95% CI, 1.605–28.542). Conclusion. TCL-DCR is a surgical treatment option for NLDO for which a skin incision can be avoided. The success rate of TCL-DCR for younger population is lower when compared with elderly population

Outcome of external dacryocystorhinostomy and monocanalicular intubation in patients with total obstruction of one canalicus

PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate the outcomes of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and mono-canalicular intubation in patients with total obstruction of one canalicus. METHODS: Sixteen eyes of 16 patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction and a single canaliculus obstruction who had undergone external DCR and monocanalicular intubation of the intact canaliculus were retrospectively included in the present study. The monocanalicular tube (Mini Monoka) was left in place for at least two months. Munk epiphora grading for the evaluation of epiphora and irrigation was performed both preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 46 ± 14.2 (range, 18 to 76) years. The inferior canaliculus was obstructed in nine eyes (group A) and the superior canaliculus was obstructed in seven eyes (group B), respectively. Eight eyes had chronic dacryocystitis and two of these eyes also had a history of acute dacryocystitis attack. Mean preoperative Munk scores were 3.89 in group A and 4.0 in group B. Ocular surface irritation occurred in one eye in group A. Artificial eye drops were prescribed and early tube removal was not performed. Spontaneous tube dislocation was recorded in one eye in group B. No other corneal, punctal, or canalicular complications were found. At six months, irrigation of intact canaliculus was patent in all eyes. Mucoid discharge, conjunctival hyperemia, and chronic conjunctivitis were also resolved. Postoperative Munk scores were 1.11 ± 0.9 in group A and 0.86 ± 0.9 in group B. Of note, preoperative and postoperative Munk scores were significantly different in both groups (group A, p = 0.006; group B, p = 0.017). The postoperative Munk scores were not statistically different between the two groups (p = 0.606). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction and a total of one canaliculus obstruction, external DCR and monocanalicular intubation of the intact canaliculus is an effective surgical option

Cervicofacial emphysema following unilateral external dacryocystorhinostomies: A case report

Cervicofacial emphysema (CFE), mostly seen after trauma or dental procedures, is an unexpected, extremely rare condition after uncomplicated dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). It may be misdiagnosed as angioedema or necrotizing fasciitis. In this article, we present the case of a 40-year-old female with CFE twice after uncomplicated unilateral DCR for left and right sides on different operative days. CFE was confirmed by computed tomography, demonstrating extensive air within subcutaneous tissues of the face, neck, and orbital cavity. Subcutaneous crepitation supported the diagnosis. This is the first case report, to the best of our knowledge, describing a patient with recurrent massive CFE after each unilateral DCR

A Rare Complication of External Dacryocystorhinostomy: Transient Orbicularis Muscle Weakness

In this study, we present 4 patients with transient orbicularis oculi muscle weakness following external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Preoperative and postoperative records of 4 patients who presented with either a delay in blinking or lagophthalmos on the first postoperative day were evaluated. None of the patients had a history of facial palsy or any symptom of lagophthalmos. All 4 patients had undergone external DCR without silicone intubation under general anesthesia. Three of the patients had a delay in blinking, while one patient developed a 4-mm lagophthalmos postoperatively. A mild punctate keratopathy was observed in one patient. The condition resolved in all patients after an average of 8 weeks. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2014; 44: 413-5

Electropolymerization of Cu-II-(N,N '-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)-2-aminobenzylamine) on platinum electrode: Application to the electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide

WOS: 000292230800031The complex of copper (II) with N,N'-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)-2-aminobenzylamine (H2L) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, UV-vis. and FT-IR spectroscopy. The results showed that the tetradentate ligand coordinated to the Cu(II) ion through the azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen atoms. The prepared complex [CuL] was electropolymerized on platinum electrode surface in a 0.1 mol dm(-3) solution of lithium perchlorate in acetonitrile by cyclic voltammetry between 0 and 1.6V vs. Ag/Ag+. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), conductance measurements, FT-IR and SEM were used to characterize polymer film of Cu(II) complex. The reduction of hydrogen peroxide on poly[CuL] has been investigated mainly in phosphate buffer medium (pH 7.2), between 0 and -0.8 V versus Ag/Ag+ at a scan rate 0.1 V s(-1). (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved