Case Report: Brucellosis Mimicking Tuberculous Meningitis in a Child.

Neurobrucellosis is rare in children, presenting with a variety of clinical manifestations, including meningitis, meningoencephalitis, cranial neuropathies, and intracranial mass-like lesions. We present a case of a 17-year-old girl admitted to the hospital in Istanbul for headache. Lumbar puncture showed elevated intracranial pressure, monocytic pleocytosis, elevated total protein, and hypoglycorrhachia. Brucella melitensis grew from the cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was treated with doxycycline, rifampin, amikacin, and ceftriaxone and showed persistent sensorineural hearing loss. It is essential to consider brucellosis in the differential diagnosis of infectious neurological disease in areas where the disease is endemic. Serologic tests and cultures are needed for diagnosis, and efforts need to be made to identify the infecting organism to the species level to guide zoonotic source control efforts.

Pediatric wound infections following 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquakes: case series.

BACKGROUND: The Kahramanmaras earthquakes in Turkey on February 6, 2023, resulted in more than 100 000 injuries and 50 500 deaths. The main causes of morbidity and mortality in earthquake-affected patients include crush syndrome, trauma-related extremity injuries, and wound infections. OBJECTIVE: To investigate infective complications, causative microorganisms, treatments, and treatment responses in pediatric patients. METHODS: The case series involved 12 earthquake victims admitted to a tertiary treatment center between February 9 and 24, 2023. Wound sample cultures were obtained from patients with infected wounds via wound secretions and tissue samples collected during surgery. RESULTS: Nine patients were male (75%), and the mean age of patients was 12.6 ± 3.7 years. Seven patients (58.3%) experienced crush syndrome. Seven patients (58.3%) underwent fasciotomy operations. The main infectious complications were wound infections (58.3%) and urinary tract infections (25%). Nine different organisms were found to cause wound infection, with Enterococcus faecium (41.6%), Acinetobacter baumanii (33.3%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.6%) being the major bacterial isolates. All Acinetobacter strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR). CONCLUSION: Major disasters such as earthquakes are rare, and infections are the major complications that increase morbidity and mortality. Initial appropriate treatment contributes to improved outcomes, as MDR strains are common pathogens in these patients.

The use of fosfomycin in infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens, especially pneumonia in children: a five-year retrospective single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Fosfomycin is gaining increasing attention for its activity against MDR or XDR pathogens. Currently, IV fosfomycin is a potential option for treating various infections, including urinary tract infections, pneumonia and skin infections when first-line treatments fail. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the demographic, clinical, microbiological and treatment modality of children received IV fosfomycin to treat infections caused by MDR pathogens since there are few data on the use of fosfomycin in children. METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively with patients under 18 years of age who were treated with IV fosfomycin for at least 72 h due to infections caused by MDR pathogens between January 2019 and October 2023 at Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye. Data on demographic and clinical features, microbiological findings, treatment modalities and side effects were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-five children, for a total of 32 cases of infection episodes, with a mean age of 11.4 ±â€Š3.92 years who received IV fosfomycin were included. The most frequent comorbidity was chronic pulmonary diseases, and the most common infection needed for IV fosfomycin was MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. In all cases, fosfomycin was administered in combination with other antibiotics, mainly meropenem-colistin (68.7%) or meropenem (15.6%). Twenty-two (71.9%) cases had favourable clinical responses at the end of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that IV fosfomycin may be an effective treatment option for MDR pathogens in the paediatric population. Nevertheless, careful stewardship is necessary to maintain efficacy and reduce antimicrobial resistance selection risk.

Purpura fulminans secondary to varicella-zoster virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Purpura fulminans (PF) is a rare, life-threatening condition involving consumptive coagulopathy and intravascular thrombosis, causing purpura and necrosis in the skin and soft tissue. CASE REPORT: A 4-year-old Tajik girl with PF secondary to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection presented with purplish red, diffuse, painful lesions localized to the entire right leg. Her vaccination status was unknown, and she did not have concurrent chronic illness. Ten days before admission, the girl was admitted to another hospital in Tajikistan with a diagnosis of chickenpox and PF. She was then transferred to the hospital of the authors of the current report due to the enlargement of lesions to the gluteal region, a change in the color of lesions from red to black, and the detection of arterial thrombosis via Doppler ultrasonography. Multiple surgical debridements were performed to manage tissue necrosis, and the patient's right leg was amputated at the 18th week of admission. The patient was discharged after 26 weeks of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Although VZV infections mostly cause mild and self-limiting eruptive disease, they can progress, with life-threatening complications, including PF. To prevent VZV infection and resulting complications, immunization with live attenuated vaccines and maintaining population immunity above a certain threshold are the most important strategies to prevent the circulation of the virus.

Unusual presentation of cat scratch disease: case report.

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an infection caused by Bartonella henselae, presents with non-specific symptoms like lymphadenopathy, fever, and fatigue. It can progress to disseminated disease, leading to complications such as liver and splenic micro abscesses, osteomyelitis, encephalitis, and uveitis. Diagnosis is challenging due to varied presentations and limited tests. Treatment involves supportive care, with severe cases requiring antimicrobial therapy. In this report, we present a case of Cat scratch disease characterized by an atypical clinical manifestation, hepatosplenic and paravertebral involvement.

Challenging Treatment of Disseminated Aspergillosis in a Child With Nephrotic Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis is an opportunistic infection with an increasing incidence and a high mortality rate. It is seen in immunocompromised patients as well as in immunocompetent patients. Here, we present disseminated aspergillosis in a child with nephrotic syndrome treated with long-term and aggressive systemic antifungal treatment and intraventricular (IVent) liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) as well as surgical excision and drainage due to difficulty in management. CASE REPORT: A 10-year-old boy with nephrotic syndrome on steroid therapy was admitted with limping and weakness. The cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple intraparenchymal scattered abscesses. The largest one was excised and drained. Abscess culture revealed Aspergillus fumigatus and histopathological examination revealed septate hyphae compatible with Aspergillosis. Intravenous (IV) voriconazole was started, and IV L-AmB was added. The size of lesions and perilesional edema continued to increase, and then IVent L-AmB was added. With IVent and systemic antifungal treatment, regression of the lesions was observed. He was followed up with oral voriconazole and weekly IVent L-AmB. After 2 and a half months, he was re-operated because of increased lesion size, number and perilesional edema, and IV voriconazole and other salvage antifungal therapies were started. Since the lesions had decreased and remained stable, IV voriconazole was switched to oral therapy, and he was followed up as an outpatient. Immunodeficiency diseases were excluded by immunological and genetic tests. CONCLUSION: Management of central nervous system aspergillosis can be challenging despite long-term and aggressive systemic and IVent antifungal treatment as well as surgical excision and drainage.

When is the Ideal Time to Calculate the Vasoactive Inotropic Score as a Predictor of Mortality and Morbidity in Cardiac Surgery? A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prediction of vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) on early mortality and morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to determine the ideal time for score calculation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included patients who underwent isolated on-pump CABG surgery between November 2021 and November 2022. Pre, intra, and postoperative data were obtained by retrospective chart review. The final VIS value in the operating room (VISintra) and the highest VIS value in the first 24 hours in the intensive care unit (VISmax) were calculated. The patients were divided into two groups; Group 1 who developed early postoperative morbidity and mortality and Group 2 who did not. And the data were analyzed by groups. RESULTS: A total of 221 patients with a mean age of 63.49 ± 9.96 years were evaluated and 73 (33%) were in Group 1. The cut-off value for VISintra was determined to be 6.20, VISmax was 6,05. VISintra and VISmax values were significantly higher in the poor outcome group. Multivariate analysis showed that only VISmax value was an independent variable on mortality-morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results imply that the vasoactive inotropic score is an easy and inexpensive score to calculate and can be used as a specific scoring system to predict poor early outcomes in CABG patients. According to statistical analyses, the most predictive time among VIS measurements was VISmax, the highest value calculated in the ICU in the first 24 hours postoperatively.

Effects of Preoperative Nutritional Status and Lymphocyte Count on the Development of Early-term Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Although there are publications in the literature stating that parameters related to the nutritional status of patients are associated with the clinical outcomes of those with coronary artery disease, it is also stated that there is insufficient data on the relationship between nutritional indices and long-term outcomes and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted with patients who underwent isolated elective on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in our hospital. Patients who underwent emergency coronary artery bypass grafting or those with known atrial fibrillation in the preoperative period were excluded. Patients were analyzed and compared in two groups according to the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: The data of 93 coronary artery bypass grafting patients (71 [76%] males) with a mean age of 62.86 ± 9.53 years included in the study were evaluated. Both groups had similar preoperative ejection fraction value, hemoglobin level, age, number of distal bypasses, and postoperative mortality rates. Although the mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamping times were higher in Group 1, they were not statistically significant. In our study, the mean prognostic nutrition index value was 51.76 ± 3002. CONCLUSION: According to our study results, there was no statistically significant difference between prognostic nutrition index values and the development of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting, which is similar to some publications in the literature. We think that it would be beneficial to conduct randomized studies involving more patients on this subject.

A 4-Year-Old Child with a Giant Cerebral Hydatid Cyst: A Case Report.

Echinococcosis is the most common cestode infection globally caused by the Echinococcus species. The most common organ involvement is the lungs and liver, but other organs can be rarely involved. Here, we present a case with a giant cerebral hydatid cyst. A 4-year-old boy presented with abnormal gait and walking at Marmara University School of Medicine Pendik Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye in September 2022. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed a cyst of 13 cm in diameter. The cyst was enucleated successfully with no rupture. Oral albendazole therapy was started. There was no eosinophilia, and the echinococcal indirect hemagglutination test was negative. Ultrasonography detected an anechoic cystic lesion in the liver. He was evaluated for deep-organ involvement; however, no cysts were detected in other organs. The histopathological examination was compatible with a hydatid cyst. Although intracranial hydatid disease in children is rare, it should be considered among the differential diagnoses in patients with neurological symptoms, especially in endemic regions.

Effects of Preoperative Nutritional Status and Lymphocyte Count on the Development of Early-term Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Retrospective Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although there are publications in the literature stating that parameters related to the nutritional status of patients are associated with the clinical outcomes of those with coronary artery disease, it is also stated that there is insufficient data on the relationship between nutritional indices and long-term outcomes and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted with patients who underwent isolated elective on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in our hospital. Patients who underwent emergency coronary artery bypass grafting or those with known atrial fibrillation in the preoperative period were excluded. Patients were analyzed and compared in two groups according to the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Results: The data of 93 coronary artery bypass grafting patients (71 [76%] males) with a mean age of 62.86 ± 9.53 years included in the study were evaluated. Both groups had similar preoperative ejection fraction value, hemoglobin level, age, number of distal bypasses, and postoperative mortality rates. Although the mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamping times were higher in Group 1, they were not statistically significant. In our study, the mean prognostic nutrition index value was 51.76 ± 3002. Conclusion: According to our study results, there was no statistically significant difference between prognostic nutrition index values and the development of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting, which is similar to some publications in the literature. We think that it would be beneficial to conduct randomized studies involving more patients on this subject.

Popliteal access for endovascular procedures in femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease.

Introduction: Even though it has been reported that femoropopliteal artery endovascular revascularization is often performed with antegrade femoral artery interventions, which are technically relatively challenging, having the advantage of better control, it has also been reported that recanalization failure may occur in approximately 20% of patients and some materials have been developed for this reason. Aim: To evaluate the safety of retrograde popliteal artery intervention and our procedural success rate for symptomatic femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease. Material and methods: A total of 95 endovascular revascularization procedures were performed for treating symptomatic occlusive peripheral artery disease in the study period. Inclusion criteria were defined as patients who underwent endovascular revascularization procedures for symptomatic femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease. Patients who underwent a percutaneous endovascular procedure for iliac artery or below-knee arterial occlusive disease in the same session and patients who had previously undergone peripheral arterial bypass grafting or endovascular treatment for existing femoropopliteal artery disease were excluded. Results: We evaluated 45 peripheral endovascular procedures performed on 39 patients with a mean age of 62.49 ±11.38 years in our hospital for chronic femoropopliteal artery occlusive disease. Twelve (26.7%) of the endovascular treatment procedures were performed with retrograde access through the popliteal artery (Group 2). In neither group were any complications of arterial rupture, distal embolism, early thrombosis, or pseudoaneurysms observed. Conclusions: We are of the opinion that the retrograde popliteal artery technique is an effective and safe intervention option in endovascular revascularization, particularly in the revascularization of the long segment and complex femoropopliteal artery occlusions.

Role of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Increasing Femoral Venous Blood Flow After Total Hip Prosthesis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the role of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in increasing femoral venous blood flow after total hip prosthesis and to evaluate its potential effects on preventing postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 64 patients who underwent total hip prosthesis were randomly separated into two groups. The NMES group (n=32) received low-molecular-weight heparin+NMES. And the non-NMES group (n=32) received a low-molecular-weight heparin+compression bandage. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups in terms of the presence of preoperative and postoperative leg edema. The calf diameter was significantly lower in the NMES group than in the non-NMES group in both the preoperative (p=0.003) and postoperative (p=0.008) period. Although the femoral vein peak velocity (VPV) was similar between the groups in the preoperative period, it was significantly higher in the NMES group than in the non-NMES group postoperatively (p=0.001). The femoral VPV after total hip prosthesis increased more in the NMES group (43.2%) compared with the non-NMES group (16.3%). In the non-NMES group, the D-dimer value in the preoperative period was lower than on postoperative days one and five (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the D-dimer values on postoperative days one and five. In the NMES group, a statistically significant difference was determined between the preoperative and postoperative test results (F(2.93)=20.86, p=0.001). The preoperative D-dimer values were compared to the postoperative values on the first and fifth day, and according to the post hoc test results, the D-dimer values were significantly lower on the fifth postoperative day than on the first postoperative day, and the preoperative value was significantly lower than the fifth postoperative day value (p<0.05).  Conclusion: Although the two groups were similar in terms of leg edema, there was a significant increase in femoral VPV in the NMES group. This could indicate a potential effect of NMES in preventing postoperative DVT and needs to be confirmed with further studies.

Does second generation n-butyl cyanoacrylate embolization really smooth in greater saphenous vein closure?

BACKGROUND: Cyanoacrylate (CA) has been used as an embolizing agent in the treatment of greater saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency in recent years and the results regarding the use of this method have started to be published. To the best of our knowledge, the publications in literature do not mention about a significant negative effect of endovenous CA (EVCA) embolization. We aimed to evaluate the effects and undesirable events of this relatively new treatment method and compare them with literature, using the follow-up data of our patients. METHODS: Patients who had GSV insufficiency for at least 3 months and were treated with EVCA embolization because of this disease were included in the study. Patients were excluded if they had deep vein thrombosis (DVT), excessive tortuous GSV, and peripheral neuropathy. Hospital archive records were reviewed and undesirable events like DVT, thrombophlebitis, and pain related to this treatment procedure were recorded. RESULTS: EVCA embolization procedure was performed in a total of 54 patients with an average age of 49.36 ± 13.06 years for the purpose of treating GSV insufficiency. One patient was observed to develop n-butyl CA (NBCA) extension of approximately 5 mm from saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) to the main femoral vein and painful thrombophlebitic reaction was observed in 6 extremities at the first control examination. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, while EVCA embolization is a treatment option with similar success rates to endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA), it should be kept in mind that there may be a possibility of developing thrombophlebitis and NBCA extension or thrombus extension to the deep veins.

Comparison of arterial CO2 estimation by end-tidal and transcutaneous CO2 measurements in intubated children and variability with subject related factors.

Transcutaneous PCO2 (PTCCO2) and end-tidal PCO2 (PETCO2) measurement methods serve as alternatives to arterial PCO2 (PaCO2), providing continuous non-invasive monitoring. The objective of this study was to evaluate the PTCCO2 and PETCO2 methods with actual PaCO2 levels, and to assess the variability of measurements in relation to subject-related factors, such as skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness and presence of pulmonary diseases. PTCCO2, PETCO2 and PaCO2 were measured at the same time in intubated pediatric subjects. Subjects' demographic characteristics, clinical features, laboratory parameters, skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness were identified. The study was carried out on 102 subjects with a total of 1118 values for each method. In patients with non-pulmonary disease, the mean difference between PTCCO2 and PaCO2 was - 0.29 mmHg (± 6.05), while it was 0.44 mmHg (± 6.83) bias between PETCO2 and PaCO2. In those with pulmonary diseases, the mean difference between PTCCO2 and PaCO2 was - 1.27 mmHg (± 8.32), while it was - 4.65 mmHg (± 9.01) between PETCO2 and PaCO2. Multiple linear regression demonstrated that increased subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, core body temperature and inotropic index were related with higher PTCCO2 values relative to the actual PCO2 values. Other factors, such as skin tissue thickness, presence of pulmonary disease, measurement location and measurement times were non-significant. The PTCCO2 method has higher reliability than the PETCO2 method, and PTCCO2 measurements are not influenced by most subject-related factors; however, core body temperature, inotropic index and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness can lead to significant differences in PCO2 measurement.

Association of arterial thromboembolism location with presence of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: Since nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is persistent in nature, patients with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation are at life-time risk for development of thromboembolic events. Several novel oral anticoagulants have entered the market and there has been a growing body of evidence regarding their efficacy in prevention of ischemic stroke and arterial thromboembolism. The present study sought to compare the baseline characteristics between patients presenting with upper and lower extremity arterial thromboembolism developed secondary to nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. METHODS: This retrospective study was made up of patients presenting with acute upper or lower extremity arterial thromboembolism as the first presentation of atrial fibrillation. Patients were included if they had acute upper or lower critical limb ischemia symptoms lasting for less than one week. Patients in whom chronic peripheral artery disease was diagnosed were also excluded to prevent potential confounding. RESULTS: Overall, 46.9% of patients presented with upper extremity arterial thromboembolism and 53.1% of patients presented with lower extremity arterial thromboembolism. None of the baseline characteristics showed significant difference between patients with upper and lower extremity arterial thrombosis. CONCLUSION: It was observed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of extremity involvement of acute arterial thromboembolism occurring in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in our study, and we think that acute arterial thromboembolism must be taken into consideration as one of the first signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation.

High preoperative monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein ratio is associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation and mortality in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: The monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio has recently emerged as an indicator of inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio with postoperative atrial fibrillation and mortality in coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: Six hundred and sixty-two patients who were in sinus rhythm preoperatively and who had isolated coronary artery bypass grafting were retrospectively included in the study. Patients who had atrial fibrillation in the early postoperative period were enrolled in group 1 ( n = 153); patients who remained in sinus rhythm in the early postoperative period were included in group 2 ( n = 509). The clinical and demographic data of the patients, biochemical and complete blood count parameters, preoperative monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and operative and postoperative data were recorded. Results: Preoperative monocyte counts ( P = 0.0001), monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio ( P = 0.0001) and C-reactive protein levels ( P = 0.0001) were significantly increased in group 1. In the first month, 8 patients in group 1 (5.2%) and 5 patients in group 2 (1.0%) died, which was statistically significant ( P = 0.003). In univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, an elevated preoperative monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio ( P = 0.03) and C-reactive protein levels ( P = 0.0001) were predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Preoperative monocyte counts ( P = 0.001), monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio ( P = 0.0001) and the use of inotropic support ( P = 0.0001) were also predictors of mortality in the early postoperative period. Conclusions: We have observed that high preoperative monocyte count/ high-density lipoprotein ratio was associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting operation.

A practical and inexpensive proximal anastomosis technique in calcified aorta.

Patients with severely calcified aorta have high risk of atheroemboli and bleeding during cardiac surgery. Clamping the ascending aorta to initiate cardiac arrest or to perform proximal anastomosis is a challenging problem. Beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting without aortic clamping is usually accepted as the best solution. Herein, we present a feasible and inexpensive proximal anastomosis technique without using aortic clamps for patients with severely atherosclerotic aorta.

Augmentation of arterial blood velocity with electrostimulation in patients with critical limb ischemia unsuitable for revascularization.

Aim This pilot study aimed to reveal whether combination of electrostimulation with iloprost treatment achieves better results compared to iloprost alone in patients with critical limb ischemia. Material and methods Patients were randomized into Group 1 ( n = 11, mean age: 65.3 ± 4.2 years, received iloprost infusion protocol alone) or Group 2 ( n = 11, mean age: 62.9 ± 6.7, received iloprost infusion plus standardized protocol of peroneal nerve electrostimulation). Electrostimulation was delivered with 1 Hz frequency, 27 mA current, and 200 ms pulse width. Peak blood flow velocities in the anterior and posterior tibialis arteries were measured with duplex ultrasound. Results There was a slight insignificant increase in blood velocity in anterior tibialis artery in Group 1 (from 17.6 ± 13.0 to 18.6 ± 13.1, p = 0.57), whereas the increase in Group 2 was marked (from 23.8 ± 18.3 to 32.2 ± 19.7, p = 0.01). Blood velocity in posterior tibialis artery also increased in both groups, but it was not of statistical significance. No significant difference was found between two groups in regard to final pulse oximetry oxygen saturation levels. Conclusion Electrostimulation of the peroneal nerve caused a substantial increase in anterior tibialis artery blood velocity when used as an adjunct to medical therapy in patients with critical limb ischemia.