Long-term isotretinoin use does not cause parenchymal liver change: Ultrasonographic study in 50 patients.

The effect of isotretinoin on liver enzymes and lipid profile is reported as rare and reversible. However, possible parenchymal liver changes have not been demonstrated so far. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasonography findings of the liver in patients receiving long-term isotretinoin therapy. We examined ultrasonographic findings of the liver together with serum alanin aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in 50 consecutive patients who have taken isotretinoin 10-40 mg daily for at least 6 months between January and December 2017. Of 50 patients examined, 40 were female, 10 were male. Mean age of the patients was 24.8 years. Five patients aged between 42 and 62 were found to have Grade 1 hepatosteatosis. Despite a moderate elevation, serum ALT, AST, and total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were in normal range in these five patients. Moreover, one patient had elevated ALT, and one another patient had elevated triglyceride level although both have normal liver ultrasonographic findings. Isotretinoin did not cause parenchymal liver changes as well as serum ALT, AST, and total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients who take it 10-40 mg daily for at least 6 months.

Tunneled catheters placed in bone marrow transplant patients: radiological and clinical follow-up results.

PURPOSE: To present the radiological and clinical follow-up results of 75 bone marrow transplant patients who underwent fluoroscopy-guided tunneled catheter placement between June 2001 and June 2004. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tunneled catheters were placed in 75 bone marrow transplant patients with fluoroscopic guidance. The left subclavian vein was used in 67 patients, whereas the right side was used in 9. RESULTS: The first attempt of catheter insertion was failed in 3 patients who then underwent contralateral catheter placement. No complications were noted during or immediately after the procedures. Late complications included 8 cases of infection, 2 cases of fibrin sheath formation, and 1 case of persistent hiccups, which began at the time of catheter insertion. Inadvertent catheter removal was noted in 4 cases. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopy-guided central venous catheterization should be preferred over the anatomical landmark technique due to its higher technical success rate, shorter procedure time, and lower complication rate. When placing a central venous catheter, multiple factors should be considered, such as catheter type, number of lumens, duration and frequency of pertinent treatments, and patient needs. The procedural and early post-procedural complications were mostly related to the placement technique; however, the late complications could have been prevented by nurse care and patient education.