Hydatid cyst disease of the lung as an unusual cause of massive hemoptysis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Echinococcosis and/or hydatidosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases in the world. In Turkey, echinococcosis is an endemic disease, however, hydatid disease of the lung is uncommon and usually caused by <it>Echinococcus granulosus</it>.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>In this report we describe a 17-year-old male patient who presented with massive hemoptysis due to hydatid disease of the lung.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although it is one of the less common causes of massive hemoptysis, hydatid disease of the lung requires greater attention in countries, such as Turkey, in which hydatid cyst disease is common.</p

Serum Irisin Levels in Patients with Acute Atrial Fibrillation

Objective: The purpose of this research was to investigate whether changes in serum irisin levels can represent a marker of altered energy requirements in patients with acute atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing cardioversion (CV). Methods: The research was planned as a randomized, prospective case-control study. Patients presenting to the emergency medicine and cardiology departments of a university hospital due to acute AF were included in the study. Irisin levels were measured from serum specimens collected 24 and 72 hours (h) following restoration of sinus rhythm with CV in patients in AF rhythm. The values obtained were then compared using statistical analysis. Results: Thirty-one patients undergoing CV due to acute AF were enrolled. Mean irisin levels were studied from serum specimens collected 24 and 72 h following restoration of sinus rhythm with CV, and were then compared. No statistically significant difference was determined at comparison of patients’ basal to 24 h, basal to 72 h, and 24 to 72 h mean irisin values (p0.734, p0.958, and p0.643, respectively). Negative correlation was determined between basal serum irisin levels and LDL (r= -0.519, p= 0.002), but no significant correlation was observed with epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness. Conclusion: We determined no change in serum irisin levels studied 24 h and 72 h following return of normal sinus rhythm after CV from basal serum irisin levels in patients with acute AF. No correlation also was determined between serum irisin levels and EAT thickness

Effect of Ramadan on Emergency Department Attendances: A Retrospective Study

Aim: Changes in diet and lifestyle are often observed during Ramadan. These changes may affect visits to the emergency department (ED). However, it remains unclear how exactly visits to the ED are affected. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of Ramadan on visits to the ED. Materials and Methods: Hospital records and files of patients aged >17 years who visited a university hospital ED just before, during and immediately after Ramadan from 2014 through 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 44146 ED visits were evaluated. It was found that ED visits were lower during Ramadan than during other months (p<0.001). Further, during Ramadan, there was a significant increase in ED visits one hour after iftar and one hour before sahur (p<0.001). The number of forensic cases significantly decreased during Ramadan (p<0.001). Conclusion: During Ramadan, the number of ED visits decreased and the timing of the ED visits was altered. There was a significant increase in visits one hour after iftar and one hour before sahur

Grayanotoxin levels in blood, urine and honey and their association with clinical status in patients with mad honey intoxication

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between grayanotoxin levels in urine and blood of patients with mad honey intoxication and in the honey consumed, and the resulting clinical picture. The pilot data acquired from this study was analysed in National Forensic Service, Daejeon Institute, South Korea and first results were published as a preliminary study. Patients and methods: This descriptive study was conducted at a university hospital emergency department in Turkey. 25 cases diagnosed with mad honey intoxication were obtained the study. Samples of mad honey consumed by patients were obtained. Blood and urine specimens were collected at presentation to the emergency department. GTX 1 and GTX 3 levels from patients' blood, urine and honey consumed were investigated simultaneously using the LC-MS/MS system. Results: Mean GTX 1 concentration in blood was 4.82 ng/mL and mean GTX 3 level 6.56 ng/mL. Mean GTX concentration in urine was 0.036 μg/mL and mean GTX 3 level 0.391 μg/mL. Mean GTX I concentration in honeys consumed was 8.73 μg/gr and mean GTX 3 level 27.60 μg/gr. Conclusion: This descriptive study is show grayanotoxin levels in body fluids of patients with mad honey intoxication. No association was determined between grayanotoxin levels in blood and clinical data. Keywords: Mad honey, Grayanotoxin, LC-MS/MS, Blood, Urine, Pulse, Blood pressur

Can Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein (I-FABP) Be A Marker in the Diagnosis of Abdominal Pathology?

SUMMARYObjectivesBiochemical markers play an important role in the early diagnosis of abdominal pain. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of intestinal type fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) in patients with abdominal pathology.MethodsThis prospective and descriptive study was performed at the University Hospital Emergency Department. Serum I-FABP levels of patients presenting with acute abdominal pain were measured at time of admission and were compared with those of healthy individuals.ResultsThe mean I-FABP level of the 171 patients enrolled in this study was 170.1±543.4 pg/ml, while that of a healthy control group was 61.4±47.4 pg/ml. Although I-FABP levels were higher in the patient group, this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). However, I-FABP levels of patients with mesenteric ischemia and intra-abdominal mass were significantly higher than those of healthy individuals (p≤0.05).ConclusionsI-FABP levels that are evaluated at time of admission in patients presenting with abdominal pain to the emergency department are significantly higher in patients with mesenteric ischemia and intra-abdominal mass than are those of healthy individuals

Analysis of patients presenting to the emergency department with carbon monoxide intoxication

Objectives: Carbon monoxide is a potentially fatal form of poisoning. The exact incidence is unclear, due to cases being undiagnosed or reported as fewer than the real number. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is of proven efficacy in the treatment of CO intoxication.The purpose of this study was to describe the general characteristics of carbon monoxide (CO) intoxications presenting to the emergency department and to investigate troponin I values and the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in these patients. Material and methods: Patients presenting to the emergency department with CO intoxication over one year and patients with such intoxications receiving HBOT were examined retrospectively. Results: One hundred seventy-one patients were included; 140 (81.9%) were poisoned by stoves, 18 (10.5%) by hot water boilers and 10 in (5.8%) by fires. COHb levels were normal in 49 of the 163 patients whose values were investigated, and were elevated in 114 patients. Mean COHb value was 16.6. Troponin I values were investigated in 112 patients. These were normal in 86 patients and elevated in 26. Mean troponin I value was 0.38 ng/ml. One hundred twenty-three of the 171 patients in the study were discharged in a healthy condition after receiving normobaric oxygen therapy, while 48 patients received HBOT. Forty-two (87.5%) of the patients receiving HBOT were discharged in a healthy condition while sequelae persisted in five (10.4%). One patient died after 15 session of HBOT. Conclusion: Although elevated carboxyhemoglobin confirms diagnosis of CO intoxication, normal levels do not exclude it. Troponin I levels may rise in CO intoxication. No significant relation was observed between carboxyhemoglobin and receipt of HBOT. A significant correlation was seen, however, between troponin I levels and receipt of HBOT. Keywords: Carbon monoxide intoxication, Hyperbaric oxygen, Troponin I, Echocardiograph

National External Quality Assessment follow-up: 2010-2017 Turkish experience

Objective: Medical laboratories encounter critical obstacles in External Quality Assessment (EQA) practices that are key to assessment of the analytical period. Present study aims to unveil the challenges in nationwide interlaboratory harmonization and suggest practical solutions

Current practice of autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization in adult patients with multiple myeloma and lymphoma: The results of a survey from Turkish hematology research and education group (ThREG)

WOS: 000423246100009PubMed ID: 29153305Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) is an established treatment option for adult patients presenting with multiple myeloma (MM), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and various subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in upfront and/or relapsed/refractory disease settings. Although there are recently published consensus guidelines addressing critical issues regarding autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization (HPCM), mobilization strategies of transplant centers show high variability in terms of routine practice. In order to understand the current institutional policies regarding HPCM in Turkey and to obtain the required basic data for preparation of a national positional statement on this issue, Turkish Hematology Research and Education Group (ThREG) conducted a web-based HPCM survey. The survey was designed to include multiple-choice questions regarding institutional practice of HPCM in adults presenting MM, HL, and NHL. The representatives of 27 adult HCT centers participated to the study. Here we report the results of this survey shedding light on the real world experience in Turkey in terms of autologous HPCM mobilization strategies in patients presenting with MM and lymphoma. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

An epidemiological study to evaluate the use of vitamin K antagonists and new oral anticoagulants among non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients in Turkey- AFTER-2 study design

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common causes of preventable ischemic stroke and is related to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of data in Turkey on the use of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), and time in therapeutic INR range (TTR) in vitamin K antagonist users and AF management modality. In this multi-center trial, we aimed to analyze, follow and evaluate the epidemiological data in non-valvular AF patients