RESUMEN
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that has a wide array of clinical manifestations. NF1 Vasculopathies constitute 0.4% to 6.4% of the findings and they often develop in the arterial circulation while venous involvement is rare. We present a case of a 73-year-old male with NF1 with an incidental finding of right neck swelling for 2 months. Different radiological modalities were performed, identifying the lesion as an internal jugular vein aneurysm. The patient was managed conservatively as he was asymptomatic in relation to the swelling. NF1 venous vasculopathies are rare but they have detrimental consequences such as rupture and severe hemorrhage in view of the fragility of the aneurysmal wall and the infiltration of the neurofibroma into the vessel. Hence, high clinical suspicion and selective imaging and follow-up is advisable for physicians.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The HALP score, measured based on hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet levels, is regarded as a novel scoring system that indicates the status of systemic inflammation and nutritional health. Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between HALP score and prognosis in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. METHODS: Between 1 January 2020 and 1 January 2022, 568 consecutive patients diagnosed with NSTEMI from a single center were included in the study retrospectively. The patients were divided into two equal groups according to the median HALP cutoff value of 44.05. Patients were followed for at least 1 year from the date of admission. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 62.3â ±â 10.6 years and 43.7% were female. In-hospital and 1-year mortality were found to be significantly higher in the group with low HALP scores (6.0 vs. 2.1%, Pâ =â 0.019 and 22.5 vs. 9.9%, Pâ <â 0.001, respectively). In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a cutoff level of 34.6 of the HALP score predicted 1-year mortality with 71% sensitivity and 65% specificity (area under the curve: 0.707, 95% confidence interval: 0.651-0.762, Pâ <â 0.001). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, higher mortality rates were observed over time in the group with lower HALP scores (log-rank test=16.767, Pâ <â 0.001). In Cox regression analysis, the HALP score was found to be an independent predictor of 1-year mortality (odds ratio: 0.969, 95% confidence interval: 0.958-0.981, Pâ <â 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found that a low HALP score could predict in-hospital and 1-year mortality in patients admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of NSTEMI.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of the accessory maxillary ostium (AMO) with mucosal thickening (MT) and maxillary sinus cysts (MSCs). STUDY DESIGN: This single-center retrospective study included patients who underwent paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) between November 2022 and February 2023. We excluded patients with natural maxillary ostium (NMO) occlusion. Two radiologists evaluated the presence of AMOs, MT, and MSCs in CT images and measured their dimensions using a three-dimensional volumetric analysis program. RESULTS: We included 125 patients (mean age: 36.47 ± 16.0 years; male/female: 67/58). In total, 65 patients (52%) had single or multiple AMOs. No significant relationship was found between the presence of an AMO and the presence of MT on either side (P ≥ .306). There was a statistically significant difference between the presence of an AMO and MSC on the right side (P = .002), but not on the left side (P = .477). The diameter of the AMO and the distance from the AMO to the maxillary sinus floor were not correlated with mucosal thickness or MSC volume, but the distance from the AMO to the sinus floor had a small positive correlation with total maxillary sinus volume. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an AMO and its increased diameter may not contribute to ipsilateral maxillary sinusitis in patients whose unilateral or bilateral NMOs are not occluded.
RESUMEN
Congenital hemophilia B is a rare X-linked recessive bleeding disorder caused by factor IX deficiency. Acquired hemophilia A is a rare, acquired bleeding disorder that presents with new-onset bleeding, especially in older adults, due to the development of auto-antibodies against factor VIII (FVIII). This case report presents the medical management of a patient with congenital hemophilia B and acquired hemophilia A. We highlight the limitations of maintaining factor levels with factor replacement therapy alone, particularly in hemophilia patients who have developed factor inhibitors. In addition, we draw attention to the need for dose escalation, the cost, and the need for immune-tolerance induction therapy. This case illustrates that when the current diagnosis does not explain the full clinical picture and laboratory data are inadequate, it is important to continue to seek alternative diagnoses and cost-effective treatment.
Asunto(s)
Hemofilia A , Hemofilia B , Humanos , Hemofilia A/complicaciones , Hemofilia B/complicaciones , Masculino , Factor VIII/uso terapéutico , Factor IX/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: To develop a new scoring system, the "Lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasound scoring system" (LEVDUS), to predict the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) localization in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included 182 patients aged ≥ 18 years. We used scoring according to thrombosis localization and stage in Doppler US. Patients with PE were divided into three categories based on the pulmonary artery (PA) location on CT pulmonary angiography. LEVDUS values were compared according to the PE classification. The threshold value was determined for the diagnosis of PE in the receiver operating characteristics analysis. Factors affecting the diagnosis of PE were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 182 patients were included (female patients: 55.5% [101/182]). The median age of the patients was 68 (IQR, 56-77). The rates of DVT and PE were 35.2% (64/182) and 52.7% (96/182), respectively. Although the median LEVDUS and d-dimer values in the subsegmental PE group were higher, LEVDUS was statistically significant but d-dimer was not (p = 0.005 and p = 0.022, respectively). In addition, both LEVDUS and d-dimer median values in the other PE groups were statistically significantly higher than the non-PE group (p < 0.001). The cut-off value for the diagnosis of PE was LEVDUS≥ 2.5. LEVDUS was 1.2-fold higher for the presence of PE. CONCLUSION: LEVDUS provides useful information in predicting the presence of PE in patients and provides a common diagnostic language between radiologists and emergency or clinic physicians.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis is a significant contributor to ischemic strokes, and carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as a pivotal treatment option. However, in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a concern, impacting the long-term patency of CAS. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of non-traditional lipid profiles, including the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), in ISR development. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study involved patients presenting at a tertiary healthcare facility with severe carotid artery disease between 2016 and 2020 who subsequently underwent CAS. A total of 719 patients were included in the study. The study cohort was divided into ISR and non-ISR groups based on restenosis presence, confirmed by angiography following ultrasonographic follow-up assessments. Non-traditional lipid indices, such as AIP, atherogenic index (AI), and lipoprotein combined index (LCI), were evaluated along with traditional risk factors. RESULTS: During a 24-month follow-up, ISR occurred in 4.03% of patients. To determine the predictors of restenosis, three different models were constructed in multivariate analysis for non-traditional lipid indices. Multivariate analysis revealed AIP as a robust independent predictor of ISR (OR: 4.83 (CI 95 % 3.05-6.63, p < .001). Notably, AIP demonstrated superior predictive accuracy compared to AI and LCI, with a higher Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.971. CONCLUSION: Non-traditional lipid profiles, especially AIP, were found to be associated with an increased risk of ISR and may serve as predictors of ISR in patients undergoing CAS.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study to determinate whether there is a relationship between the nutritional status and white matter integrity in older patients by using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). METHODS: The patients were evaluated by Mini-Nutritional Assessment Scale. The patients are categorized in the groups of well-nourished, risk of malnutrition, or malnourished, depending on the overall score> 23.5, 17-23.5, or 17; respectively. All patients had brain MRI and DTI. The mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD) values were calculated by ROI-based method in white matter tracts. RESULTS: Total of the 224 patients; 86 patients had normal nutrition status (group 1), 107 patients were diagnosed with malnutrition risk (group 2) and 31 patients were diagnosed with malnutrition (group 3). Significantly decreased FA values of genu of corpus callosum, forceps minor and significantly increased MD values of middle cerebellar peduncle, and superior frontooccipital fasciculus were detected in group 2 in comparison to group 1 (p < 0.05). After adjusting for the folate and age, MD and RD values of cingulum remained significantly higher and the AD values of superior cerebellar peduncle remained significantly lower in group 3 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition was associated with deteriorated DTI values, especially in cingulum and superior cerebellar peduncle. Assessing the nutritional status of older individuals is crucial to avoid its negative impact on brain. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Early diagnosis of malnutrition-related impaired WM integrity is important for prevention and intervention, and DTI is a useful non-invasive technique to be used for this purpose.
Asunto(s)
Imagen de Difusión Tensora , Desnutrición , Estado Nutricional , Sustancia Blanca , Humanos , Imagen de Difusión Tensora/métodos , Femenino , Masculino , Anciano , Sustancia Blanca/diagnóstico por imagen , Desnutrición/diagnóstico por imagen , Evaluación Nutricional , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Anisotropía , Evaluación Geriátrica/métodos , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
Arterial thrombus associated with the surgery can be seen in postsplenectomy cases, but there is no clear data in patients diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). A 52-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department due to ecchymotic skin changes. Her initial platelet count was 6000/mm 3 ; after two courses of high dose-dexamethasone, intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab, splenectomy was planned for the patient whose platelet count was again <40 000/mm 3 . She presented to the emergency department with complaints of pain and pallor in the right arm in the second week of follow-up. There was a mural thrombus that caused approximately 50% stenosis in the lumen at the division site in the aortic arch, proximal of the right subclavian artery. The patient's clinic was found to be associated with the presence of an aberrant right subclavian artery and postoperative thrombocytosis/inflammation after elimination other prothrombotic conditions.
Asunto(s)
Púrpura Trombocitopénica Idiopática , Esplenectomía , Trombosis , Humanos , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Púrpura Trombocitopénica Idiopática/complicaciones , Trombosis/etiología , Complicaciones Posoperatorias , Arteria SubclaviaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Septic arthritis (SA) is a serious bacterial infection that must be treated efficiently and timely. The large number of culture-negative cases makes local epidemiological data important. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the etiology, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic approach of SA in children in Turkiye, emphasizing the role of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques in the diagnosis. METHODS: In this multi-center, prospective study, children hospitalized due to SA between February 2018 and July 2020 in 23 hospitals in 14 cities in Turkiye were included. Clinical, demographic, laboratory, and radiological findings were assessed, and real-time PCR was performed using synovial fluid samples. RESULTS: Seventy-five children aged between 3 and 204 months diagnosed with acute SA were enrolled. Joint pain was the main complaint at admission, and the most commonly involved joints were the knees in 58 patients (77.4%). The combination of synovial fluid culture and real-time PCR detected causative bacteria in 33 patients (44%). In 14 (18.7%) patients, the etiological agent was demonstrated using only PCR. The most commonly isolated etiologic agent was Staphylococcus aureus, which was detected in 22 (29.3%) patients, while Streptococcus pyogenes was found in 4 (5.3%) patients and Kingella kingae in 3 (4%) patients. Streptococcus pyogenes and Kingella kingae were detected using only PCR. Most patients (81.3%) received combination therapy with multiple agents, and the most commonly used combination was glycopeptides plus third-generation cephalosporin. CONCLUSIONS: Staphylococcus aureus is the main pathogen in pediatric SA, and with the use of advanced diagnostic approaches, such as real-time PCR, the chance of diagnosis increases, especially in cases due to Kingella kingae and Streptococcus pyogenes.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the maxillary sinus ostium 2D area (SOA) and the development of mucosal cysts of the maxillary sinus (MMC). METHODS: Thirty patients (≥ 18 years) with unilateral MMC who underwent paranasal sinus CT (PNsCT) were included in this single-center retrospective study. Non-MMC sinus was used as the control group. Cyst and air volume of the maxillary sinuses, diameter, and 2-dimensional area of the ostium of the patients were calculated in the 3-dimensional volumetric analysis program. Both correlation and linear regression model analyses were performed for the relationship between MMC and SOA. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included (mean age of 42.30 ± 17.62 years). A total of 15/30 (50%) were male. The mean SOA in patients with MMC (8.91 ± 1.10 mm2) was lower than in patients without MMC (12.94 ± 1.35 mm2), which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The mean sinus ostium diameter in patients with MMC (2.12 ± 0.71 mm) was higher than in patients without MMC (1.91 ± 0.82 mm), which was statistically insignificant (p = 0.295). There was a statistically significant, good level of negative linear correlation between SOA and total cyst volume (TCV) [correlation coefficient (r) = - 0.680, p < 0.001]). As a result, the regression model consisting of "Age, Sinus air volume, and TCV" variables is a good model and has statistically significant relations with SOA. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, small SOAs contribute to the development of MMC. There was a negative correlation between SOA and TCV. In addition, 2D area measurement may be a more accurate method instead of diameter measurement.
Asunto(s)
Quistes , Seno Maxilar , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto Joven , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Femenino , Seno Maxilar/diagnóstico por imagen , Estudios Retrospectivos , Quistes/diagnóstico por imagen , Tomografía Computarizada de Haz Cónico , Membrana MucosaRESUMEN
Objective: Excessive hypertensive response to exercise testing is associated with adverse cardiovascular events such as left ventricular hypertrophy and atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, we examined the relationship between electromechanical delay and excessive hypertensive response to exercise testing. Methods: Twenty-five people who had a hypertensive response to the exercise stress test and 28 people who were similar in age and gender with a normal blood pressure response in the exercise stress test as the control group were included in the study. Results: There was no statistical difference between the study groups in blood pressure holter values, conventional echocardiography findings, and exercise stress test findings. Lateral PA-TDI time (the time from the beginning of the P wave measured by tissue Doppler imaging to the beginning of the A' wave), left atrial electromechanical delay, and interatrial electromechanical delay were observed to be significantly longer in the hypertensive response group to exercise stress test compared with the control group (74.0±6.3 vs. 68.8±5.7, p=0.003; 24.7±7.0 vs. 19.6±7.1, p=0.013; 36.8±8.5 vs. 30.6±6.6, p=0.003, respectively). Conclusions: Early detection of electromechanical delay non-invasively may be useful in this patient group in predicting the development of new AF risk.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Metastases are the most common neoplasm in the adult brain. In order to initiate the treatment, an extensive diagnostic workup is usually required. Radiomics is a discipline aimed at transforming visual data in radiological images into reliable diagnostic information. We aimed to examine the capability of deep learning methods to classify the origin of metastatic lesions in brain MRIs and compare the deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) methods with image texture based features. METHODS: One hundred forty three patients with 157 metastatic brain tumors were included in the study. The statistical and texture based image features were extracted from metastatic tumors after manual segmentation process. Three powerful pre-trained CNN architectures and the texture-based features on both 2D and 3D tumor images were used to differentiate lung and breast metastases. Ten-fold cross-validation was used for evaluation. Accuracy, precision, recall, and area under curve (AUC) metrics were calculated to analyze the diagnostic performance. RESULTS: The texture-based image features on 3D volumes achieved better discrimination results than 2D image features. The overall performance of CNN architectures with 3D inputs was higher than the texture-based features. Xception architecture, with 3D volumes as input, yielded the highest accuracy (0.85) while the AUC value was 0.84. The AUC values of VGG19 and the InceptionV3 architectures were 0.82 and 0.81, respectively. CONCLUSION: CNNs achieved superior diagnostic performance in differentiating brain metastases from lung and breast malignancies than texture-based image features. Differentiation using 3D volumes as input exhibited a higher success rate than 2D sagittal images.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias Encefálicas , Neoplasias de la Mama , Melanoma , Adulto , Humanos , Femenino , Neoplasias de la Mama/diagnóstico por imagen , Redes Neurales de la Computación , Neoplasias Encefálicas/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias Encefálicas/secundario , PulmónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Essential thrombocythemia is one of the chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms characterized by clonal proliferation of myeloid cells with variable morphological maturation and hematopoietic activity.It is characterized by excessive clonal platelet production with a tendency to thrombosis and bleeding. Thrombocytapheresis is the removal of platelets by apheresis techniques. Thrombocytapheresis is generally recommended in patients with essential thrombocythemia with acute, severe thrombotic or hemorrhagic events. METHODS: The study included 39 patients who were diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia, started cytoreductive and aspirin therapy, and underwent thrombocytapheresis due to the development of acute severe thrombotic or hemorrhagic events, diagnosed in the adult hematology clinic of Inönü University Turgut Ozal Medical Center. Hemogram and biochemistry values of the patients were scanned retrospectively. RESULTS: After thrombocytapheresis, a statistically significant difference was found between the first and last measurements of hemoglobin, mean platelet volume, White blood cell, neutrophil, platelet, platelet distribution width, creatine, lactate dehydrogenase, fibronogen and calcium levels of the patients. CONCLUSION: The use of thrombocytapheresis in patients with essential thrombocytosis causes a rapid decrease in platelet values as well as an effect on hemogram and biochemistry parameters. Other hemogram and biochemistry parameters such as platelet value should be monitored in patients.
Asunto(s)
Trombocitemia Esencial , Adulto , Humanos , Trombocitemia Esencial/complicaciones , Trombocitemia Esencial/terapia , Plaquetoferesis/métodos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Plaquetas , Recuento de Plaquetas , HemorragiaRESUMEN
AIM: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the presence of calcified plaques and stents in coronary arteries as evaluated by the chest computed tomography severity score (CT-SS) and mortality rates in patients with COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis was conducted of 492 patients (≥18 yrs) who were hospitalized between March and June 2020. All included patients had RT-PCR tests positive for COVID-19. A radiologist recorded pulmonary imaging findings and the presence of coronary calcified plaque and / or stent, sternotomy wires, and cardiac valve replacement on initial non-contrast chest CT. Also, cardiothoracic ratios (CTR) were calculated on chest CTs. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses and a chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) tree analysis, which was developed as a predictive model for survival of COVID-19 patients according to chest CT findings. RESULTS: The mean CT-SS value of the patients with coronary plaque was 11.88±7.88, and a significant relationship was found between CT-SS with coronary calcified plaque (p<0.001). No statistical difference was found between CT-SS and coronary stent (p=0.296). In multivariate analysis, older age was associated with 1.69fold (p< 0.001), the presence of coronary calcified plaque 1.943fold (p=0.034) and higher CT-SS 1.038fold (p=0.042) higher risk of mortality. In the CHAID tree analysis, the highest mortality rate was seen in patients with coronary plaque and CTR>0.57. CONCLUSION: The presence of coronary artery calcified plaque and cardiomegaly were high risks for severe prognosis and mortality in COVID-19 patients and may help to predict the survival of patients.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of patient-induced artifacts on the diagnostic performance of the COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS) and the computed tomography chest severity score (CT-SS). METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis of patients aged 18 years and older who were admitted to the authors' hospital with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and underwent chest CT between July and November 2021 was conducted. Patients' chest CT scans were examined by 3 radiologists for CT-SS and CO-RADS classifications. Patient-based artifacts, including metal artifacts, incomplete projection artifacts, motion artifacts, and insufficient inspiration, were identified by 3 readers who were unaware of each other. For statistical analysis, interreader agreement was investigated using Fleiss kappa () agreement analysis. RESULTS: The study population included 549 patients with a median age of 66 years (IQR, 55-75 years), 321 (58.5%) of whom were men. According to the overall CO-RADS classification, the highest interreader agreement was in patients without CT artifacts ( = 0.924), while the lowest interreader agreement was in patients with motion artifacts ( = 0.613). For the CO-RADS 1 and 2 patient groups, insufficient inspiration decreased the interreader agreement most ( = 0.712 and = 0.250, respectively). For the CO-RADS 3, 4, and 5 patient groups, motion artifacts reduced the interreader agreement most ( = 0.464, = 0.453, and = 0.705, respectively). For total CT-SS, the highest kappa value was in patients without artifacts ( = 0.574), while the lowest kappa value was in patients with motion artifacts ( = 0.374). DISCUSSION: The CT technologist can avoid patient-induced artifacts by placing patients carefully on the CT table, giving patients necessary instructions before CT acquisition, and selecting optimal scanning parameters. The authors are not aware of another study in the literature investigating the effects of patient-based artifacts on interreader agreement of CO-RADS classification and CT-SS for COVID-19. CONCLUSION: CT artifacts degrade image quality and might lead to interreader disagreement of CO-RADS classification and CT-SS for patients with COVID-19.
Asunto(s)
Artefactos , COVID-19 , Masculino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Femenino , COVID-19/diagnóstico por imagen , Estudios Retrospectivos , Laboratorios , Movimiento (Física) , Prueba de COVID-19RESUMEN
Background: Obesity affects microvascular structures. The effect of obesity on the ocular vascular system can be evaluated by changes in the choroidal thickness (CT) and retrobulbar blood flow (RBF). Objectives: To evaluate the CT and RBF parameters in obese patients with various body mass index (BMI) values and compare these parameters with normal weight, healthy subjects. Design: A prospective study. Methods: The study included 102 eyes of 102 female patients. Patients were divided into three groups according to BMI as group 1 with a BMI of 18.5-24.99 (n = 32), normal weight group; group 2 with a BMI of 30-34.99 (n = 35), as obese class I; and group 3 with a BMI of 35-39.99 (n = 35), as obese class II. The peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index, and pulsatility index values of the central retinal artery (CRA) and ophthalmic artery (OA) were evaluated with color Doppler ultrasonography. CT was measured at the subfoveal area and at 500-µm intervals nasal and temporal to the fovea up to a distance of 1500 µm by using the enhanced depth imaging technique of optical coherence tomography. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with a Goldmann applanation tonometry. Results: There was a significant difference in IOP values within the groups with the highest values in group 3 (17.6 ± 2.1 mmHg) and the lowest in group 1 (12.4 ± 1.7 mmHg). The CT in groups 2 and 3 was found to be statistically significantly lower than that in group 1 at all measurement points (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between CT at all measurement points and BMI (p < 0.001). The mean CRA PSV, EDV, and OA EDV values were statistically significantly lower in each obese group than those values in group 1 (p < 0.001). The OA PSV values were significantly lower in group 3 (36.5 ± 5.9 cm/s) than those in group 2 (43.8 ± 4 cm/s) and group 1 (44.6 ± 5.2 cm/s) (p < 0.001). Also, significant associations were found between BMI and CRA PSV, CRA EDV, and OA PSV values (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Obesity may predispose to eye pathologies by changing the ocular vascular circulation.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is the main non-pharmacological approach accompanying systemic medical treatments in steroid-resistant acute or chronic graft versus host disease. The study aimed to examine the effect of ECP on survival in acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD). METHODS: A total of 35 patients who were followed up in the adult hematology clinic of Inönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center for aGVHD were included in the study. Stem cell transplantation and ECP application parameters that may affect the survival of the patients were examined. RESULTS: In aGVHD using ECP, the degree of involvement affects survival. Involvements with a clinical and laboratory score (Glucksberg system) of 2 and above significantly reduced survival. The duration of ECP use is associated with survival. Especially, 45 days and longer use increases survival (hazard ratio, P-value <.05). The duration of steroid use was found to be effective in survival in aGVHD (P < .001). ECP administration day (P = .003), duration of steroid use (P < .001), duration of ECP use (P = .001), and grade of aGVHD (P < .001) affect survival. CONCLUSION: ECP use is effective in survival in patients with aGVHD score ≥2. In patients with aGVHD, especially the use of 45 days and longer has a positive effect on survival. The duration of steroid use is associated with survival in aGVHD.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate whether white matter (WM) integrity is impaired in vitamin B12 and folate deficiency with Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in older patients. METHODS: All the patients aged ≥65 years admitted to the geriatric clinic and performed DTI-MRI were included in the study. DTI parameters (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity) were calculated by ROI-based method in white matter tracts. Deficiency threshold for vitamin B12 were defined as <200 pg ml-1 and <400 pg ml-1 separately; and for folate as <3 ng ml-1 and <6 ng ml-1, separately. RESULTS: DTI was performed to older patients having serum vitamin B12 level (n = 106, mean age = 80.7±7.7, 66% female) and folate level (n = 101, mean age = 80.7±7.5, 67.3% female). Significantly lower FA and higher MD and RD levels were observed in multiple WM areas including superior and middle cerebellar peduncles, cingulum and genu of corpus callosum in patients with vitamin B12 <400 pg ml-1 (p < 0.05). DTI indices also showed significant changes in the genu of corpus callosum, and right and left superior longitudinal fasciculus in patients with folate <6 ng ml-1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folate may be associated with impaired white matter integrity in elderly even at high laboratory levels, and DTI is a useful method to detect it. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Early detection of impaired WM integrity caused by micronutrient deficiencies poses a great significance in terms of prevention and intervention, and DTI is an effective non-invasive method to be used for this purpose.