Carbon monoxide intoxication in geriatric patients: How important are lactate values at admission?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics and treatment modalities of elderly patients with carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication. The secondary aim was to evaluate the importance of plasma lactate values in the diagnosis of acute CO intoxication in geriatric patients. METHODS: Data on geriatric patients who were admitted to the emergency department of Atatürk University Medical Faculty between January 2013 and April 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 197 cases included in the study, 97 were in the intoxication group and 100 were in the control group; 82.5% of the intoxication cases had mild neurological symptoms and 17.5% had severe neurological symptoms. Carboxyhemoglobin levels were significantly higher in patients with severe neurological symptoms (p = 0.031). All patients with severe neurological symptoms received hyperbaric-oxygen therapy (p < 0.001). In the intoxication group, lactate levels were significantly higher than in the control group (p = 0.001). The specificity for lactate 4 mmol/L and above was found as 98.0% with a positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 84.5% and 53.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: High initial lactate levels may be a guide for cases with nonspecific symptoms in geriatric patients with suspected CO intoxication.

Lower and upper limb length of urban and rural 7-11 years old Turkish school children.

This study was carried out on 779 male and 755 female 7-11 years old children, who are students of the primary schools in Diyarbakir city center and center connected areas. The average values of lower and upper extremity lengths of children in center and rural primary schools have been compared, and the results have been analyzed with the Student t-test. The relation between lower and upper extremity length averages and height is shown by correlation coefficients. It is observed that in the 11 years old boy's group and in the 9 years old girl's group of the center primary schools the total arm lengths are longer (p < 0.01). Upper and lower extremity lengths are increasing parallel to height. Iliospinal heights are obviously longer in the 11 year old group of boys and the 7, 9 and 11 year group of girls in the center primary school.

Congenital anomalies of left renal vein and its clinical importance: a case report and review of literature.

Detailed knowledge of the anatomy and anomalies of renal veins is necessary for retroperitoneal surgery and venographic procedures. According to Thomas (1970, Arch. Surg. 100: 738-740), the anomalies of renal veins are more frequent than estimated. The number of surgical procedures and radiologic examinations related to the retroperitoneum are increasing, and therefore pathologic conditions of the retroperitoneal area have been discussed more frequently. We report on a retroaortic left renal vein joining the left common iliac vein, discuss the embryology and clinical importance of renal vein anomalies, and give an overview on the relevant literature.