Palmoplantar keratoderma is associated with esophagus squamous cell cancer in Van region of Turkey: a case control study

BACKGROUND: Esophagus squamous cell cancer (ESCC) is the most common cancer in women with 20.2% and second in men with 10.7% relative frequency among all cancer cases diagnosed in Van Region in the east of Turkey. Ninety percent of all esophageal cancer cases are ESCC and 20–30% of them have family history of esophageal cancer. The most clear defined hereditary predisposition associated with ESCC is palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK). To examine the relationship between ESCC and PPK, we have carried out this case control study. METHODS: The case group consisted of 48 subjects who had new diagnosis of ESCC and did not receive any chemo or radiotherapy. The control group consisted of 96 healthy individuals who were visitors of their relatives in the hospital. Two control persons who matched for age, gender, living place (urban /rural) and region were selected for each case. All subjects were evaluated for PPK by dermatologist. Evaluation was graded as none, mild, evident and severe. None and mild subjects were classified as negative for PPK; and others as positive. Relationship between ESCC and PPK was evaluated with odds ratios and confidence intervals for cases with or without family history of ESCC. RESULTS: The PPK frequencies were 92.3% in ESCC cases with family history, 62.5% in ESCC cases without family history, 70.8% in all ESCC cases, and 28.1% in the control group. Odds ratios for cases with or without family history of esophageal cancer, and for the whole case group were found as 30.7 (95%CI = 3.8–247.4), 4.3 (95%CI = 1.9–9.8) and 6.2 (95%CI = 2.9–13.3) respectively. CONCLUSION: Presence of PPK lesions represents genetic susceptibility for ESCC. This susceptibility for ESCC is the highest among those who have PPK lesions and a positive family history of esophageal cancer. Furthermore, a PPK sufferer has an increased risk of developing ESCC even if there is no family history of esophageal cancer

Fournier Gangreni’ni Taklit Eden Massif Pelvik Sellülit: Olgu Sunumu ve Literatür Derlemesi

Introduction: Fournier’s gangrene (FG), a localized form of necrotizing fasciitis (NF), is a rapidly progressive infectious disease that particularly affects the genital area. Cellulitis, however, is a mild disease that affects the skin and extremities. Case Report: We report a case involving a 71-year-old woman with a rash, extending from her thigh to her breast, which had begun two days prior to her visit to the ER. She was referred to our clinic with an initial diagnosis of extensive pelvic cellulitis mimicking Fournier's gangrene. Following the first assessment (blood glucose >500 mg/dL, pyrexia of 38.3 °C), she was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she received antibiotics and dressings and was monitored. Showing a good recovery, she was discharged in two weeks. Discussion: In the diagnosis and treatment of Fournier's gangrene, significant advancements have been made since it was first described by Jean-Alfred Fournier in 1883. The disease’s morbidity and mortality, however, is still between 25% and 35%. Conclusion: In patients with FG, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are highly recommended.Giriş: Fournier gangreni Nekrotizan fasiitin localize formu olup, genellikle genital bölgede görülen ve hızlı ilerleyen enfeksiyöz bir hastalıktır. Sellülit ise daha çok ekstremite ve deride görülen daha ılımlı bir hastalıktır. Olgu Sunumu: 71 yaşında bayan hasta, öyküsünde son 2 günde gelişen her iki uyluktan başlayıp memelere kadar uzanan Fournier gangrenini taklit eden geniş pelvik sellülit ile başvurdu. İlk değerlendirmeden sonra (Kan şekeri >500 mg/dl, ateş 38,3 oC) hasta yoğun bakıma alındı, hastaya antibiyotik tedavisi verildi ve sık aralıklarla pansumanlar yapıldı. Hasta iki hafta içerisinde şifa ile taburcu edildi. Tartışma: 1883 yılında Jean-Alfred Fournier tarafından tanımlanan Fournier gangreni tedavisinde, o zamandan beri önemli gelişmeler olmuştur. Ancak, morbidite ve mortalitesi hala yüksektir (%25–35). Sonuç: Fournier gangrenli veya bizim hastamızdaki gibi geniş pelvik sellülitli hastalarda, tanı erken konulmalı ve tedavi gecikmeden yapılmalıdır

Massive Pelvic Cellulitis Mimicking Fournier's Gangrene: A Case Report and Review of The Literature

Introduction:Fournier’s gangrene (FG), a localized form of necrotizing fasciitis (NF), is a rapidly progressive infectious disease that particularly affects the genital area. Cellulitis, however, is a mild disease that affects the skin and extremities.Case Report:We report a case involving a 71-year-old woman with a rash, extending from her thigh to her breast, which had begun two days prior to her visit to the ER. She was referred to our clinic with an initial diagnosis of extensive pelvic cellulitis mimicking Fournier's gangrene. Following the first assessment (blood glucose >500 mg/dL, pyrexia of 38.3 °C), she was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she received antibiotics and dressings and was monitored. Showing a good recovery, she was discharged in two weeks.Discussion:In the diagnosis and treatment of Fournier's gangrene, significant advancements have been made since it was first described by Jean-Alfred Fournier in 1883. The disease’s morbidity and mortality, however, is still between 25% and 35%.Conclusion:In patients with FG, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are highly recommended

Does hormonal control obviate positive airway pressure therapy in acromegaly with sleep-disordered breathing?

SummaryIntroductionAcromegaly is a disease in which uncontrolled release of growth hormone occurs after closure of epiphyseal plates, causing changes in the body that can lead to sleep disordered breathing (SDB). No definite guidelines regarding the treatment of SDB in acromegaly are available. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of SDB in acromegaly and whether hormonal control alters the necessity of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy in acromegaly patients with SDB.MethodsForty-two acromegaly patients were included in the study and divided into two groups according to disease status, i.e., active or well controlled. All patients underwent polysomnography. Fourteen patients with active acromegaly were diagnosed with SDB and were evaluated for PAP therapy with polysomnography both before and 6 months after disease control was achieved.ResultsSleep-disorder breathing was diagnosed in 22 of 42 patients, 7 of 20 patients with controlled-disease and 15 of 20 patients with active diseases. There were significant reductions in respiratory disturbance index (RDI), apnea index, desaturation index, central apnea number, and rapid eye movement-phase RDI at the control polysomnography. Initially, PAP therapy was indicated in 12 of 14 patients and PAP therapy indication held in 11 patients after acromegaly control was achieved.ConclusionOur study revealed that over half of patients with acromegaly had SDB. Furthermore, SDB severity decreases with acromegaly treatment; however, this decrease does not change the indication for PAP therapy; therefore, PAP therapy should not be delayed in acromegalic SDB patients