Fournier's gangrene originating from the perianal region or the urogenital area: does it make a difference?

OBJECTIVE: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a rare and serious disorder which is associated with high mortality. In the literature, there is no study evaluating clinician-, patient- and disease-related factors affecting disease outcomes according to aetiological variation in FG. In our study, laboratory results and Uludag Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (UFGSI) score, clinical characteristics and mortality rates were compared between FG originating from perianal or from urogenital regions. METHOD: Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) and UFGSI risk scores were calculated in patients with FG at presentation to the emergency department. The patients were assigned to two groups according to FG aetiology. RESULTS: It was observed that the number of debridement interventions and the need for colostomy were significantly greater in the perianal FG group, while the need for flap or reconstruction was significantly (p=0.002) higher in the genitourinary FG group. No significant difference was detected in mortality between groups and the difference in aetiology had no significant effect on the results of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, LRINEC or UFGSI scores. CONCLUSION: Laboratory results and UFGSI score were helpful in assessing disease severity independently from aetiology. The higher number of debridement interventions to protect anal function in the perianal group and the greater need for reconstructive surgery in the urogenital group were identified as factors that prolonged length of hospital stay.

Genetic, Surgical and Oncological Approach to Breast Cancer, with BRCA1, BRCA2, CDH1, PALB2, PTEN and TP53 Variants.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of germline variants in BRCA1, BRCA2, CDH1, PALB2, PTEN and TP53 in patients admitted to a medical genetics clinic with breast cancer and to assess these identified variants according to published genetic, surgical and oncological perspectives. Materials and Methods: Medical history, and cancer diagnosis information for 195 independent probands with operated breast cancer were collected from requisition forms and medical records. The exonic regions and exon-intron junctions in BRCA1, BRCA2, CDH1, PALB2, PTEN and TP53 genes were sequenced. Analysis of fastq files was performed on the Qiagen Clinical Insight-Analyse Universal with panel-specific pipeline and vcf files were interpreted clinically using Qiagen Clinical Insight-Interpret. Results: Gene variants (pathogenic, likely pathogenic and variants of unknown significance) were detected in 53 (27.2%). Detailed information about the patients (age of diagnosis, family history, gender), cancer stage, tumour characteristics (ER, PR, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status) and all information related to the detected variants (gene, location, nucleotide and amino acid change, exon number, impact, mutation classification, dbSNP number and HGMD variant class) were assessed. In total, 58 mutations were identified including 14 novel, previously unreported variants. Conclusion: Molecular characterization and identification of mutations have important implications for predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine, including genetic counseling and development of specific treatment protocols. We emphasize variants of unknown significance (VUS) as the clinical significance of VUS changes over time and variant classification is important for clinical molecular genetic testing and clinical guidance. This study may provide new insights into risk assessment for variants in CDH1, PALB2, PTEN and TP53, in addition to BRCA1 and BRCA2, which may prove useful for clinical management of breast cancer patients. Further studies are needed to identify the common gene variants in the Turkish population and evaluate the pathogenity of VUS.

Intrathyroidal Parathyroid Adenomas in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Clinical and Imaging Findings.

Objectives: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disease. Ectopic adenomas may cause a failed surgery which results in persistence or recurrence. Intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma (ITPA) is a rare reason for PHPT and site of ectopia. Herein, we aimed to investigate the clinical and imaging features of patients with ITPAs and the effectiveness of radiological tools for localization at a tertiary reference center. Methods: The files of 708 consecutive patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for PHPT in our department between January 2007 and December 2021 were investigated retrospectively. PHPT patients with ITPA were included in the study. Patients with missing data were excluded from the study. Clinicopathological features of the patients and radiological evaluation findings were investigated. Results: Twenty-eight (28/708: 3.9%) patients were included in the study. The complete intrathyroidal gland and subcapsular parathyroid gland were observed in 8 (1.1%) and 20 (2.8%) patients, respectively. The ultrasound and parathyroid scintigraphy revealed the accurate localization of ITPA in 25 (89.3%) and 18 (64.3%) patients, respectively. Additional imaging modalities were applied for 10 patients in which conventional localization studies were discordant or inconclusive. ITPAs were most commonly found in the lower gland (n=20) localization. All patients had a successful parathyroidectomy and neither persistence nor recurrence was occurred in the study group. Conclusion: The ITPAs are rare in PHPT. The ultrasound has a high diagnostic rate in experienced hands. The second-line imaging methods may be favorable in the presence of negative or discordant scans. The pre-operative localization studies can detect the ITPAs in most patients, so blind thyroidectomy should be avoided.

Clinical outcome of gallstone ileus; a single-centre experience of case series and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Gallstone ileus (GI) is a rare entity which is seen in 0.5% of patients with cholelithiasis. In this study, we aimed to share our clinical approach to GI, to present our long-term results and to draw clinicians' attention to this rare entity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 11 patients with GI whose medical records were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Majority of the 11 patients were female (63.7%, n:7) and the mean age was 71.9 ± 14.10 (range: 50-91). Most common presenting complaints were vomiting (n: 9) and abdominal pain (n: 9). The mean interval from the onset of symptoms to the hospital admission was 3.8 ± 0.75 (range 3-5) days. Rigler triad in abdominal computed tomography (CT) was detected in all cases. Enterolithotomy, one-step procedure and conservative treatment were performed in five (45.4%), four (36.3%) and two (18.1%) patients, respectively. Enterolithotomy group was found to have higher risk according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, shorter operation time and less intraoperative blood loss. CONCLUSION: Although enterolithotomy is the first choice for patients with GI, one-step procedure should be kept in mind as a more advantageous technique in low-risk patients.

Analysis of the Factors Affecting Survival in the Patients who Underwent Curative-Intent Gastrectomy due to Gastric Adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of clinicopathological factors on overall survival in the patients who underwent curative-intent gastrectomy due to gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: The medical records of 644 patients who underwent gastrectomy between January 2007 and January 2017 in our clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Among these patients, 359 patients were included in this study. The impact of several prognostic factors on survival was investigated. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.2±11.6 (29-83). Male/female ratio was 2.12. The median follow-up time was 19 months (CI=10.1-31.1). Median overall survival was 23±2.3 months (CI=18.3-27.6). Splenectomy, R1 (microscopically incomplete) resection, and advanced stage were independent risk factors for poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: R1 resection, splenectomy, and advanced TNM stage were associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer. Splenectomy should be avoided in the absence of direct invasion of the tumour or metastasis of lymph nodes on splenic hilum to prevent postoperative infectious complication-related mortality.

Ineffective esophageal motility assessment in patients with and without pathological esophageal acid reflux.

ABSTRACT: Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM), defined as minor esophageal motility disorder, is also the most common esophageal motility disorder. The relationship between gastro-esophageal reflux disease is still controversial. Our aim in this study is to evaluate whether there are differences in terms of demographic, endoscopic, or motility findings between IEM patients with pathological esophageal acid reflux and physiological reflux.Patients diagnosed with IEM according to the Chicago classification v3 with high-resolution manometry (HRM) before acid monitoring constituted the study group of our investigation. The patients were divided into 2 groups as patients with pathological esophageal reflux and patients with physiological reflux according to 24-hour acid monitoring. Demographic data, endoscopic findings, and HRM findings were compared between 2 groups.A total of 62 patients who were diagnosed with IEM according to the Chicago classification v3 were included in the study. Patients in the physiological reflux group were 7 years younger on average than the pathological reflux group. Esophagitis rates were significantly higher in the pathological reflux group (P = .033). Lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure, integrated relaxation pressure, and the presence of hernia were found to be similar in the 2 groups (P = 392, P = 182, P = 657, respectively). The rate of severe IEM was also similar between the 2 groups (P = .143).The fact that the physiological reflux patient group is younger may suggest that the IEM develops in the early period and then reflux accompanies the picture with advancing age.

The factors that affect the mortality of emergency operated ASA 3 colon cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: colorectal cancers take third place among cancer-related deaths and 10-28% of these patients are admitted with the necessity of emergency surgical intervention. The main propose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting mortality in ASA 3 colorectal cancer patients who undergo emergency surgery. METHODS: between 2010 and 2017 ASA 3 patients who underwent emergency colon cancer surgery were included in the study. All of the study group was evaluated within the first 30-day time-frame. The results were obtained by a statistical comparison of the data of patients with and without mortality. RESULTS: one hundred and twenty eight patients included in the study. There was no statistical difference in the demographic data of the groups and the indications of the operation. The differences and durations of surgery also did not make any statistical difference. The complication rate was the same according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. CONCLUSION: despite the screening programs applied in colorectal cancers, applications to emergency services and procedures performed under emergency conditions are still at high levels. Surgical operations, which have to be performed in patients with impaired metabolic status, carry major risks for patients, but their outcomes are also satisfactory for them.

Work Productivity Loss in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Beyond the medical treatment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there are other issues which influence the quality of life adversely. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the IBD patients' illness on working and education life. METHOD: The participants were invited to participate in the online survey from the Turkish Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Patient Association network. The data was analysed and then discussed to improve the health-related quality of working and education life. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen patients had ulcerative colitis (UC) (57.2%), and 86 had Crohn's disease (CD) (42.8%). There was a statistically significant difference in UC between retirement age group 1 (<40 age) and groups 2 (40-49 ages) and 4 (60-65 ages) (p < 0.05). There was the same significant difference in CD. Even though the data did not have significant statistical difference, there was clustering around negative perceptions the patients have about their working and education lives. CONCLUSION: Our survey revealed a very strong causative relationship between work and IBD involving problems before, during, and at the end of employment. Young patients lower their career expectations, and that announces a clear need to support them and improve career guidance.

Rectum mucinous adenocarcinoma metastasis to bilateral breast in a male patient: A case report.

A 47-year-old male presented to our clinic with complaints of mass in both breasts. In the patient's history, he had undergone low anterior resection for rectum mucinous adenocarcinoma 2 years ago. The masses in both breasts of the patient were excised. Mucinous adenocarcinoma metastases were reported in the pathologic evaluation of the masses. Metastasis should be considered in patients with bilateral breast mass and previously diagnosed cancer even if the patient is male.

Carcinoma Showing Thymus-Like Elements: A Rare Malignant Tumor of the Thyroid Gland.

Carcinoma showing thymus-like elements (CASTLE) is a rare tumor arising in the thyroid gland. Fewer than 100 patients with this tumor, those predominantly from Eastern Asia, have been reported before. We present the first CASTLE case from Turkey. A 51-year-old male was admitted with a complaint of a neck mass and hoarseness. A laryngoscopic examination revealed left vocal cord paralysis. Neck ultrasonography showed a tumor which was compressing the esophagus and had invaded the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy, a unilateral central-compartment neck dissection, and following adjuvant radiotherapy. Intraoperative nerve monitoring was performed during the operation to preserve the contralateral nerve. He completed a 3-year follow-up period after the completion radiotherapy, and no recurrence was observed. The treatment is controversial, although surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy appears to be the best choice. In cases of RLN destruction due to tumor invasion, we recommend using intraoperative nerve monitoring to preserve the contralateral RLN to avoid devastating complications, such as a tracheostomy.

Chest wall metastasis of endometrial cancer: case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common female cancer and also distant metastases to the chest wall associated with these tumors are seen less common. Surgical treatment options for metastases of endometrial cancer are limited. Case: A 57-year-old patient who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy + bilateral salpingo oophorectomy and received adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrioid-type adenocarcinoma of the endometrium and tuba is presented. The patient initially presented with pleural effusion 8 years ago and the tumor was detected while during etiologic screening. The patient had no problems after adjuvant chemotherapy and had been living in another city when she presented with a mass on the chest wall measuring 20 × 15 × 12 cm 8 years after the initial diagnosis and distant organ metastasis due to the first surgery was detected. The mass was first thought to be a sarcoma and the tru-cut biopsy revealed a metastatic lesion that was immunohistochemically similar to the first surgical specimen. The mass was resected with a wide radical excision and 'no touch' technique. The patient was then discharged with no postoperative complications. Conclusion: Here in, a case with a distant organ metastasis due to an endometrioid-type adenocarcinoma is presented accompanied by literature data.

Postoperative hemorrhage complications following the Whipple procedure.

OBJECTIVES: Although the Whipple operation is an essential surgical technique, its high morbidity (30% to 60%) and mortality (5%) are problems to be addressed. The incidence of postoperative hemorrhage has been reported between 5% and 16% in the literature. In this study, the data and results regarding postoperative hemorrhage complications from our clinic were evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The files of 185 patients who had undergone Whipple operation in our hospital in the last five years were evaluated retrospectively, and the causes of hemorrhage were attempted to be determined. RESULTS: It was found that 6 out of the 13 (7%) patients who had hemorrhage died. In six of there 13 cases, hemorrhage occurred due to fistulas from the portal vein, gastroduodenal artery, and pancreatic arteries at variable periods. Two cases were found to have developed disseminated intravascular coagulation as a result of sepsis. Early intervention was performed in two cases who bled from the meso veins and in one case who bled from the portal vein. Laparotomy and hemostasis were performed in a patient who bled from the gastric anastomosis line. In a patient who had been taking low molecular weight heparin, bleeding from the drains and nasogastric tube stopped following the cessation of the drug. CONCLUSION: Preventive procedures such as connection of the vascular structures, use of vascular sealants, omental patching during surgery, and reducing the risk of complications by using somatostatin analogs were performed to prevent hemorrhages after Whipple operations. In addition to standard methods, angiography and embolization have emerged as effective methods in the diagnosis and treatment of hemorrhages. Furthermore, determination and elimination of independent risk factors, such as jaundice, affecting fistula formation and bleeding in the perioperative period, is important for prevention.

Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy using intraoperative ultrasonographic localization for primary hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy: report of two cases.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) in pregnancy is a rare entity associated with increased maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Diagnosis of pHPT is challenging in pregnancy. Approximately 80% of the cases are asymptomatic, while the most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, polyuria, polydypsia, and cloudy vision in symptomatic patients. Since the most common cause of pHPT in pregnancy is adenoma, such in the general population, focused anterior or lateral approach is recommended due to shorter operation time, less risk for the fetus, and lower complication risk. Performing intraoperative ultrasonography to do the incision just over the adenoma provides quicker access to the adenoma and intraoperative parathormone assay confirms the surgical cure. Laryngeal mask anesthesia causes lesser sore throat, laryngospasm, coughing, and rapid recovery as compared to endotracheal intubation anesthesia. This study aimed to present the management of two pregnant patients diagnosed with pHPT and who underwent minimally invasive parathyroidectomy under intraoperative ultrasonography and laryngeal mask anesthesia at the second trimester of gestation. To the best of our knowledge, parathyroidectomy under laryngeal mask anesthesia in pregnancy has never been described before.

Predictive Factors for Lymph Node Metastasis and the Effect on Survival in Early Gastric Cancer Patients with Radical Gastric Resection.

OBJECTIVES: Selected patients with early gastric cancer (GC) are treated endoscopically. Lymph node metastasis (LNM) in the T1 stage may also be detected during surgical resection for early GC. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with LNM and the effect on survival. METHODS: A total of 63 patients with tumor invasion stage T1a or T1b who were operated on for early GC between 2010 and 2018 were included in the study. Parameters were investigated retrospectively to identify predictive factors for LNM and overall survival. Significance was defined with a 2-sided p-value of <0.05. RESULTS: Among the 63 patients, 21 (33.3%) had LNM. Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (p=0.02) and a high-grade tumor (p=0.02) were significantly associated with LNM. The overall survival rate was 73.0%. The number of patients with LNM was greater among the deceased patients compared with the censored group (p=0.03). The median follow-up time of the entire group was 28 months (range: 12-55 months) while it was 23 months (range: 7-39 months) in the deceased group and 33.5 months (15.5-60 months) in the censored group (p=0.06). The mean survival was 62.36 months in patients with LNM and 71.99 months in those without LNM (p=0.09). The cut-off value determined for the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was 2.33 and it was an effective value in survival analysis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment should be considered for early GC patients with high-grade tumors and cases demonstrating LVI. The overall survival was shorter in patients with a high NLR value and LNM.

Multifocality related factors in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the main type of the well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas. Multifocality is regarded as a poor prognostic factor for PTC. METHODS: Documents of 777 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 305 PTC patients were included. Patients with multifocal PTC were included in Group 1, and patients with unifocal PTC were included in Group 2. RESULTS: There were 165 patients (54.0%) in Group 1 and 140 patients (46%) in Group 2. The pathological mixed variant of PTC was significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0,005). Lymph node metastasis (LNM) was detected at 9.6% and 3.5% in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p = 0,028). Micro PTC rates were 28.4% and 40.7% in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (p = 0,017). Tumor size and pathologically mixed-type and fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results were significantly different between multifocal and unifocal Micro PTC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Multifocality is more frequent in patients with tumors ≥1 cm and mixed-type tumors. LNM is found more often in multifocal tumors. The presence of micropapillary tumors can be predicted preoperatively by ultrasound-guided FNAB. Mixed-type pathology is also a predictive factor for multifocality.