Current Management of Subretinal Hemorrhage in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss among individuals aged 65 years and older in the USA. For individuals diagnosed with AMD, approximately 12% experience varying levels of subretinal hemorrhage (SRH), which can be further classified by size into small, medium, and massive measured in disc diameters. SRH is an acute and rare sight-threatening complication characterized by an accumulation of blood under the retina arising from the choroidal or retinal circulation. Released iron toxins, reduced nutrient supply, fibrin meshwork contraction, and outer retinal shear forces created by SRH contribute to visual loss, macular scarring, and photoreceptor damage. SRH treatment strategies aim to displace hemorrhage from the foveal region and prevent further bleeding. Although there are no standardized treatment protocols for SRH, several surgical and nonsurgical therapeutical approaches may be employed. The most common surgical approaches that have been utilized are pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with multiple maneuvers such as the removal of choroidal neovascularization lesions, macular translocation, retinal pigment epithelium patch repair, SRH drainage, intravitreal injection of recombinant-tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), expansile gas and air displacement, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections. Nonsurgical therapeutical approaches include intravitreal anti-VEGF monotherapy, intravitreal tPA administration without PPV, and photodynamic therapy. This review article aims to explore the current treatment strategies and supporting literature regarding both surgical and nonsurgical, of SRH in patients with AMD. Moreover, this article also aims to highlight the distinct treatment modalities corresponding to different sizes of SRH.

The effect of pectus excavatum deformity on lung volume: fact or myth?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Most of the previous studies evaluating lung volume of pectus excavatum (PE) patients were based on spirometric measurements. We aimed to calculate lung volume of patients with PE and compare them with lung volume of patients without chest wall deformity using CT volumetry. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, preoperative chest CT of PE patients who underwent minimal invasive procedure between January 2012 and February 2018, were evaluated retrospectively. As a control group, age and sex matched patients who underwent chest CT scan in the same period were enrolled. Total, right and left lung volumes were calculated using an automated software. Haller indexes were measured for both groups. Lung volumes and Haller indexes compared between the two groups. We also compared left and right lung volumes in both groups. We evaluated whether there is a correlation across the Haller index and total lung volume. RESULTS: Total, right and left lung volumes were not statistically different between the two groups. While left lung volumes were significantly smaller in PE group (p = 0.041), there was no significant difference between the left and right lung volume in the control group (p = 0.12). Haller index and total lung volume showed no significant correlation between patients with the same age and gender (p = 0.14, R = -0.3). CONCLUSIONS: PE deformity does not reduce lung volume when compared to age and sex matched control group. Quantitative CT volumetric evaluation of lung gives valuable data about lung volume.

Tracheobronchial aspiration of foreign bodies and rigid bronchoscopy in children.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of cases of tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration due to life-threatening condition is observed during childhood. The aim of the present study was to describe our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of foreign body aspirations during childhood and review published literature. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-four patients under 16 years of age with a tentative diagnosis of foreign body aspiration were retrospectively evaluated according to age, sex, patient delay symptoms at presentation, foreign body type, localization and the diagnostic and therapeutic methods used. RESULTS: The most frequently aspirated objects were shelled nuts and seeds such as sunflower seeds, pistachio and hazelnuts. The chief symptom was cough. On physical examination, the most frequent findings were unilateral decrease of respiratory sound on the affected side with coarsening and bronchi. While 51% of cases presented a radiological finding, chest X-ray was normal in the other. All patients underwent rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia and a foreign body was identified in 137 (74.3%). The rigid bronchoscopy intervention was used in some cases, especially in the presence of tracheal foreign bodies of organic origin. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration is a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment is of utmost importance. Rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia should be performed in all patients suspected of foreign body aspiration, which could minimize mortality and morbidity if performed by experienced personnel with safe methods.

Trust the Capitonnage in the Giant Cyst: Case Report.

Cyst hydatid in the lung is still a health problem for many countries. It develops in the lung and can grow into the lung parenchyma. When it is diagnosed as a giant cyst, surgery should be performed. In the surgery, capitonnage is necessary to protect the lung parenchyma.

Use of Magill Forceps to Remove Foreign Bodies in Children.

Introduction Esophageal foreign body (FB) in all age groups can cause serious morbidity or mortality. The study aims to report our experience retrieving FBs from the upper esophagus in children using Magill forceps. Materials and Methods In this study, 88 patients (45 males [51.1%] and 43 females [48.9%]) were presented with suspected FB ingestion. FB ingestion was determined via endoscopic analysis, or lateral and posterior-anterior radiographies, including oropharynx, neck, chest, and abdomen. Cases were classified into seven groups, according to history, diagnostic method, and postintervention findings, as follows: (1) coins, (2) toys, (3) metals, (4) bones, (5) battery, (6) glass, and (7) food. A laryngoscope was used to elevate the larynx and expose the esophageal entrance. Magill forceps were advanced into the esophagus and opened to observe and extract the FB. Results All 88 patients who underwent endoscopic examination due to suspected FB ingestion were confirmed to have ingested a FB. Median age was 12 years; 15 patients were aged < 5 years; 63 (71.5%) were diagnosed based on routine radiographic findings, and others were diagnosed based on physical findings and history. The most common type of FB was coins ( n = 51 [57.9%]). Mean surgical duration was 20 minutes. Conclusion FBs located at cervical esophageal level are usually the most difficult to remove. Magill forceps should be used before other methods.

Incidental Transient Cortical Blindness after Lung Resection.

Transient vision loss after major surgical procedures is a rare clinical complication. The most common etiologies are cardiac, spinal, head, and neck surgeries. There has been no report on vision loss after lung resection. A 65-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with lung cancer. Resection was performed using right upper lobectomy with no complications. Cortical blindness developed 12 hours later in the postoperative period. Results from magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted investigations were normal. The neurologic examination was normal. The blood glucose level was 92 mg/dL and blood gas analysis showed a PO 2 of 82 mm Hg. After 24 hours, the patient began to see and could count fingers, and his vision was fully restored within 72 hours after this point. Autonomic dysfunction due to impaired microvascular structures in diabetes mellitus may induce posterior circulation dysfunction, even when the hemodynamic state is normal in the perioperative period. The physician must keep in mind that vision loss may occur after lung resection due to autonomic dysfunction, especially in older patients with diabetes mellitus.

Giant Benign Mediastinal Masses Extending into the Pleural Cavity.

Introduction The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of surgery to remove huge mediastinal masses and their pathology. Surgical resection was chosen for accurate diagnosis and treatment of the huge mediastinal masses extending into the pleural cavity. Methods Records were reviewed for eight patients who had the diagnosis of huge benign mediastinal masses and who underwent operation; details of the patients and operations were recorded. Results Mean age was 34.5 (range 22 to 44) years, and male-to-female ratio was 2:6. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to evaluate the location and extent of the abnormality and to characterize the tissue components of the mass. Most of the tumors were located in the posterior mediastinum. The most frequent presenting symptom was exertional dyspnea. The majority of cases underwent posterolateral thoracotomy, and complete resection was possible in seven patients. Partial resection could only be performed in one. The mean diameter of the resected masses was 15 × 10 cm. Histopathologic examination revealed 3 neurogenic tumors, 2 teratomas, 1 thymolipoma, and 1 ectopic thyroid, and 1 hemangioma. Minor complication was seen in two cases. Conclusion The presurgical thoracic MRI provided correct diagnosis along with radiologic characterization and topography. Surgery must be the preferred treatment in huge benign mediastinal masses.

Increased ischemia-modified albumin and malondialdehyde levels in videothoracoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Videothoracoscopic surgery leads to general organ hypoperfusion by reducing mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and end-diastolic volume index. Oxidative stress occurs as a result of hypoperfusion. Evaluation of the short-term effects of videothoracoscopic sympathectomy on serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with primary hyperhidrosis was aimed. METHODS: Twenty-six patients who underwent videothoracoscopic surgery were contributed in this study. Venous blood samples were obtained from these patients 1 h before and after the surgery. IMA, MDA, and NO levels were measured in serum samples by colorimetric methods. Albumin concentrations were also measured for each sample, and albumin-adjusted IMA levels were calculated. RESULTS: Postoperative IMA, albumin-adjusted IMA, and MDA values were significantly higher compared to the preoperative values (P = 0.003, 0.027, 0.018, respectively). However, postoperative NO levels were lower than the preoperative values (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative albumin concentrations, and there was no significant correlation between the parameters tested. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that elevation in MDA and IMA levels after videothoracoscopic surgery was caused by increased oxidative stress due to minimal ischemia-reperfusion injury after the infusion of CO2 during the surgical process. Videothoracoscopic sympathectomy operation causes a decrease in NO production, and this should be taken in consideration when evaluating nitrosative stress in videothoracoscopic surgery.

[Penetrating cardiac injury in blunt trauma: a case report]. / Künt travmada penetran kardiyak yaralanma: Olgu sunumu.

Cardiac injuries may rarely be observed due to blunt thoracic traumas. Cardiac injury often creates a life-threatening condition requiring urgent surgical intervention, and follow-up of these patients should be carefully carried out in the perioperative period. These injuries depend on various factors including clinical presentation, type of injury, the time that passes until the patient reaches the hospital, bleeding, cardiac tamponade, or additional injuries. This article aimed to report a case who suffered penetrating cardiac injury in blunt thoracic trauma. Evaluated in the emergency department due to a motor vehicle accident, the 61-year-old male patient's chest x-ray revealed pulmonary contusion, rib fractures and cardiac tamponade. The patient was operated emergently. Right atrial injury was observed in the operation. The cardiac injury was repaired with primary suture technique. Cardiac injury in patients with blunt thoracic trauma is likely to be observed. In these patients, careful physical examination, early diagnosis, and treatment are very important.

Evaluation of Platelet Indices in Lung Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to determine platelet indices such as platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), Plateletcrit (PCT) platelet count (PLT) in lung cancer cases, and evaluate any relationships between these parameters and stage or histologic types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study covered 44 lung cancer patients and 47 healthy subjects. Platelet indices including PLT, PCT, MPV, PDW were estimated and compared with normal subjects. The results were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: The PDW value was significantly higher in the cancer group compared to the control group; however, the values for PCT and MPV were lower. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest potential use of platelet indices in diagnosis of lung cancer.

Dyspnoea and chest pain as the presenting symptoms of pneumomediastinum: two cases and a review of the literature.

Pneumomediastinum is the presence of air in the mediastinum. It may occur as spontaneous, traumatic, or iatrogenic pneumomediastinum. Although spontaneous pneumomediastinum is usually observed in healthy young men, traumatic pneumomediastinum may be caused by blunt or penetrating trauma to the chest and neck. Pneumomediastinum is a clinical condition with potential complications that cause high morbidity and mortality rates. Pneumomediastinum also may develop without tracheal or oesophageal injury after spontaneous or blunt chest, neck and facial injuries, and it may be accompanied by pneumothorax. We treated two patients who had pneumomediastinum. Case 1 was a 20-year-old man who had pain and dyspnoea around the sternum for one hour, as a result of a blow from an elbow during a football match. Case 2 was a 23-year-old man who had a two-day history of dyspnoea and chest pain with no history of trauma. In both patients, diagnosis of pneumomediastinum was confirmed with thoracic computed tomography scans, and the condition resolved within five days of in-patient observation. In conclusion, the diagnosis of pneumomediastinum should be considered for all patients who present to the emergency department with chest pain and dyspnoea.

Bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary hyperhydrosis: a review of 335 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary hyperhydrosis. METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2011, a total of 335 patients (192 male, 143 female, mean age 28.3 years) who underwent bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary hyperhydrosis were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Hyperhydrosis occurred in the palmar and axillary region in 175 (52.23%) patients, in only the palmar region in 52 (15.52%), in the craniofacial region in 44 (13.13%), in only the axillary region in 42 (12.53%), and in the palmar and pedal regions in 22 (6.56%) patients. Bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy was performed in all patients. The mean follow-up period was 24 (6-48) months. The initial cure rate was 95% and the initial satisfaction rate was 93%. There was no mortality in this study. The complication rate was 15.82% in 53 patients. CONCLUSION: Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy for the treatment of primary hyperhydrosis was effective, with low rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite the appearance of postoperative complications, such as compensatory sweating, patient satisfaction with the procedure was high and their quality of life improved.

Clinical experience of repair of pectus excavatum and carinatum deformities.

OBJECTIVE: We present the results of surgical correction of pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC) deformities in adults, and also report a new method of sternal support used in surgery for PE deformities. METHODS: We present the results of 77 patients between the ages of 10 and 29 years (mean 17) with PE (n = 46) or PC (n = 31) deformities undergoing corrective surgery from 2004 to 2011, using the Ravitch repair method. Symptoms of the patients included chest pain (15%) and tachycardia (8%). Three patients underwent repair of recurrent surgical conditions. RESULTS: All of the patients with dyspnoea with exercise experienced marked improvement at five months post operation. Complications included pneumothorax in 5.1% (n = 4), haemothorax in 2.6% (n = 2), chest discomfort in 57% (n = 44), pleural effusion in 2.6% (n = 2), and sternal hypertrophic scar in 27% (n = 21) of patients. Mean hospitalisation was eight days. Pain was mild and intravenous analgesics were used for a mean of four days. There were no deaths. Results after surgical correction were very good or excellent in 62 patients (80%) at a mean follow up of three years. Three patients had recurrent PE and were repaired with the Nuss procedure. In three patients who underwent the Ravitch procedure, a stainless steel bar was used for sternal support instead of Kirschner wire. CONCLUSION: Pectus deformities may be repaired with no mortality, low morbidity, very good cosmetic results and improvement in cardiological and respiratory symptoms.