How complicated can be a case with immune thrombocytopenic purpura?: postsplenectomy arterial thrombosis.

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.

Relationship between maxillary sinus mucosal cyst and sinus ostium 2D area in three-dimensional volumetric paranasal CT images.

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.

Differentiation of lung and breast cancer brain metastases: Comparison of texture analysis and deep convolutional neural networks.

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.

The effect of thrombocytapheresis on hemogram and biochemistry parameters in patients with essential thrombocytemia.

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.

Effect of extracorporeal photopheresis on survival in acute graft versus host disease.

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.

A rare case liver hydatid cyst containing multiple calculi.

The hydatic cyst disease, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is a potentially lethal, which can be found anywhere in the world, but especially in endemic areas such as the Mediterranean Basin, North Africa, Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Middle East. This parasite is mainly found in the liver (3/4 of the cases), being asymptomatic in most cases and discovered accidentally on a routine abdominal ultrasound or an ultrasound done for diagnosing other pathologies. Liver hydatid cyst threatment is multimodal, which includes medical, surgical, and interventional radiologic techniques. KEY WORDS: Complication, Echinococcus Granulosus, Lithiasis, Liver Hydatid Cyst.

Does ferritin level affect the outcomes of autologous stem cell transplantation equally in all diseases?

BACKGROUND: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the effect of ferritin levels on the outcomes of autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with MM or lymphoma. METHODS: In this study, 170 patients with measured ferritin levels within one month before transplantation who underwent ASCT with the diagnosis of MM or lymphoma were evaluated. The cut-off value of ferritin was determined as 500 ng/mL to evaluate the transplant outcomes in both groups. The hematological recovery status/duration, febrile neutropenia rate, hospitalization time, transplant-related mortality (TRM) in the first 100 days, and OS were evaluated according to the ferritin level RESULTS: Of all patients, 105 (61,8%) were diagnosed with MM and 65 (38.2%) with lymphoma. Ferritin levels had no statistically significant effect on the engraftment status/times, the febrile neutropenia rates, and hospitalization times of both lymphoma and myeloma patients (p > .05). Ferritin level was not significantly associated with TRM in MM (p = .224). However, in lymphoma, ferritin level was significantly associated with TRM (33.3% for ferritin level ≥500 ng/L vs. 5.3% for ferritin level ng/mL, p = .005). There was no statistically significant correlation between ferritin value and OS in MM group [ferritin level ≥ 500 ng/L: 39.9 months (95% CI: 33.7-46.1) and ferritin level 500 ng/mL: 39.4 months (95% CI: 36.5-42.2), p = .446]. Ferritin level was significantly associated with OS in patients with lymphoma [ferritin level ≥ 500 ng/L: 22.1 months 95% CI: 14.7-29.5), ferritin level 500 ng/mL: 27.3 months (95% CI: 22.4-32.2), p = .038] CONCLUSION: High ferritin level is important prognostic factor on survival after ASCT in patients with lymphoma.

Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on ultrasound findings of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine-related lymphadenopathy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported axillary lymphadenopathy (LAP) as a side effect of the anti-COVID-19 vaccine. However, the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)s on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine-related LAP have not been investigated. PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the effects of NSAIDs on temporal changes in sonographic findings of COVID-19 vaccine-associated LAP. METHODS: Our single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted between October 2021 and April 2022. We included patients (aged ≥ 18 years) who applied with complaints of swelling in the ipsilateral axillary region after the COVID-19 vaccine and had axillary region ultrasound (US) scans in electronic medical records within 30 days pre-vaccination. The serial US was performed on the third, 10th, and 30th days post-vaccination. RESULTS: Our study included 38 patients with a median age of 36 (IQR, 32-43) years. In 18 (47.4%) patients used NSAIDs in the early post-vaccination period. Measurements of LAPs on ultrasound scans increased at day 3 post-vaccination compared with pre-vaccination both in NSAID users and non-users. On the 10th day, a statistically insignificant decrease in LAP diameters and cortical thickness was observed in NSAID users compared to non-users. On the post-vaccination 30th day, axillary LAPs regressed similarly in both groups. CONCLUSION: In our study, post-vaccine NSAID use had no statistically significant effect on the course of axillary LAPs.

The effect of G-CSF used after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on engraftment times and platelet suspension replacement numbers.

BACKGROUND: With the use of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the duration of neutrophil engraftment and hospitalization were shortened. However, there is no consensus on the effect of G-CSF on platelet engraftment time. The primary aim of our study is to determine the effect of G-CSF use on platelet engraftment time after HSCT. Secondary purposes are to determine the number of platelet suspension, number of erythrocyte suspension and incidence of acute graft versus disease after HSCT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who had allogeneic stem cell transplantation at our center between 01.01.2011 and 01.01.2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups as those who received and did not receive G-CSF after transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were included. While 32 patients were given post-HSCT G-CSF support, the other 32 patients were not given. Neutrophil engraftment time and length of hospital stay were shorter in the group receiving G-CSF (p < 0.05). Platelet engraftment time was shorter in the group that did not receive G-CSF (p < 0.05). The incidence of acute GVHD of the patients in group 1 tended to be higher than the patients in group 2 (40.6 % vs 15.6 %, p = 0.052). Post-HSCT platelet suspension was less in the group that did not receive G-CSF, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.173). CONCLUSION: While the positive effect of post HSCT G-CSF use on duration of neutrophil engraftment and hospitalization is evident, its effects on platelet engraftment need to be investigated.

The role of hematological parameters in distinguishing acute appendicitis from lymphoid hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: One of the most misdiagnosed appendicular pathologies is lymphoid hyperplasia (LH) that can be managed con-servatively when identified early and is self-limiting. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare acute appendicitis (AA) with LH in terms of hematological parameters to determine whether there is a hematological predictor to distinguish the two diseases. METHODS: Complete blood cell counts of patients with AA were compared with those having LH. RESULTS: One-hundred-ninety-five patients (118 male/77 female) underwent appendectomy. Histopathological examination re-vealed acute AA in 161 patients (82.6%), and negative appendectomy (NA) in 19 patients (9.7%). Of the NA specimens, 16 were LH (8.2%). Thirteen patients (6.7%) had AA with simultaneous LH. White blood cell count (p=0.030, neutrophil (p=0.009), neutrophil per-centage (p=0.009), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (p=0.007) were significantly higher in AA whereas lymphocyte count (p=0.027), lymphocyte percentage (p=0.006) were significantly higher in LH. Multi logistic regression analysis revealed white blood cell count as the only independent predictor in distinguishing AA from LH with a 69.1% sensitivity, 80.0% specificity, 77.5% positive predictive value, and 72.1% negative predictive value. The cut-off value for white blood cell count was 11.3 Ku/L, and every one unit (1000/mm3) increase in white blood cell count raises the risk of AA by 1.24 times, while values below this value will increase the likelihood of LH. CONCLUSION: The most predictive complete blood count parameter in distinguishing LH from AA appears to be as white blood cell count.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging Features of the Auditory Pathways in Patients With Vestibular Schwannoma After Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

Objective In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there is any change in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters in ipsilateral and contralateral auditory pathways after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKR) in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) and the relationship between radiosurgery variables. Methods Sixty-six patients were evaluated with MRI and DTI before and after GKR. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured from the bilateral lateral lemniscus (LL), inferior colliculus (IC), medial geniculate body (MGB), and Heschl's gyrus (HG). Results There was no significant difference in ADC and FA values obtained from bilateral LL, IC, and MGB before and after radiosurgery. However, there was a significant difference between pretreatment and post-radiosurgery contralateral HG ADC values. The ADC values obtained from the contralateral HG and IC positively correlated with the duration after radiosurgery. As the duration after radiosurgery increases, the difference between the ADC values obtained from ipsilateral and contralateral HG also increases. Conclusion The high ADC values in the contralateral HG after radiosurgery may indicate microstructural alterations such as demyelination and axonal loss. Radiation exposure doses to the brainstem and cochlea are the most important factors that can cause microstructural damage to the auditory pathways. When planning radiosurgery, extreme care should be taken to prevent the harmful effects of radiation on the auditory pathways.

Comparison of the Effects of Low-flow and Normal-flow Desflurane Anaesthesia on Inflammatory Parameters in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: According to previous studies, anaesthesia type has an important effect on immune response. However, there are limited data determining the effect of low-flow and normal-flow desflurane anaesthesia on inflammatory parameters. This study aimed to investigate the effect of low-flow and normal-flow desflurane anaesthesia on inflammatory parameters in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: A total of 92 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were retrospectively included in this study. The patients were divided into the following 2 groups according to the type of anaesthesia they received: low-flow desflurane anaesthesia group (fresh gas flow rate: 0.5 L min-1) and normal-flow desflurane anaesthesia group (fresh gas flow rate: 2 L min-1). Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were obtained before the procedure and 6 hours after the end of the procedure for all patients. RESULTS: Although pre-procedural NLR and PLR were similar between the normal-flow and low-flow anaesthesia groups, post-procedural NLR (4.38±2.00 vs. 3.51±1.37, p=0.023) and PLR (144.38±71.04 vs. 120.58±35.35, p=0.037) were significantly higher in the normal-flow anaesthesia group. In addition, compared with pre-procedural values, post-procedural NLR (from 2.31±1.02 to 4.38±2.00, p<0.001) and PLR (from 125.60±50.97 to 144.38±71.04, p=0.017) were significantly increased in the normal-flow anaesthesia group, whereas post-procedural NLR (from 2.88±2.51 to 3.51±1.37, p=0.135) and PLR (from 121.86±42.78 to 120.58±35.35, p=0.847) did not change significantly in the low-flow anaesthesia group. CONCLUSION: The study results indicated that postoperative inflammatory response was significantly lower with low-flow desflurane anaesthesia than with normal-flow desflurane anaesthesia.

The Effectiveness of Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Determining Radiological Response after Radiosurgery in Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in demonstrating functional changes in the tumor in determining the response to treatment after radiosurgery in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) is not clear yet. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the change in total tumor volume (TTV) in terms of radiological response in patients who had VS and were treated with radiosurgery and investigated the relationship between the TTV, follow-up times and DTI parameters. METHODS: Thirty-one patients were assessed using DTI and MRI. TTV, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and fractional anisotropy (FA) were calculated. Patients were divided into three groups: those who responded to the treatment (group 1) (n=11), those who did not (group 0) (n=9) and those who remained stable (group 2) (n=11). RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 28.81±14 months. ADC values increased in patients with VS after radiosurgery (p=0.004). There was no statistical difference in the FA values. A significant reduction in TTV after radiosurgery was detected in group 1 (p=0.003). ADC values increased significantly after radiosurgery in group 2 (p=0.04). Although there were no significant differences, ADC values after radiosurgery increased in group 1 and group 0. CONCLUSIONS: ADC values continuously increase due to radiation damage in the period before the tumor volume shrinks after radiosurgery. We think that it is not appropriate to diagnose inadequate treatment or progression only when TTV is evaluated in terms of response to treatment in the early period after radiosurgery.

Effects of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibition on pulmonary arterial stiffness in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

The sacubitril/valsartan combination is an important agent used in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Pulmonary artery stiffness (PAS) is an index developed to evaluate the pulmonary vascular bed. Changes in pulmonary vascular structures in HFrEF patients can affect PAS. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on PAS in HFrEF patients. One hundred fifty HFrEF patients, who received sacubitril/valsartan therapy and continued for at least 6 months without interruption, were examined retrospectively. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels (NT-proBNP), NYHA classes, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ) scores, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classes and echocardiograpic parameters such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), right ventricle myocardial performance index (RV-MPI), Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular fractional area change (RV-FAC) and PAS changes were evaluated before and 6 months after sacubitril/valsartan treatment. PAS was calculated by using the maximal frequency shift and acceleration time of the pulmonary artery flow trace measured in the echocardiogram. PAS values were significantly reduced (23.8 ± 2.8 vs 19.1 ± 3.1 kHz/ms, p < 0.001) after the sacubitril/valsartan treatment. Sacubitril/valsartan treatment was associated with significant improvements in NYHA class and MLWHFQ scores; significant reductions in the NT-proBNP levels, mPAP, and RV-MPI, and significant increases in LVEF, TAPSE, and RV-FAC (p < 0.05). The significant reduction in the PAS value was significantly correlated with the improvements in the MLWFQ scores, NT-proBNP levels, mPAP, RV-MPI, TAPSE and RV-FAC. In HFrEF patients, switching from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy to sacubitril/valsartan may result in reduction in PAS.

Comparison of prolene and progrip meshes in inguinal hernia repair in terms of post-operative pain, limitation of movement and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to compare the techniques applying prolene mesh and progrip-self fixating mesh in terms of post-operative pain, limitation of movement and quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted from November 2014 to January 2016 in Department of Surgery, Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital. The study recruited 50 male patients, aged 18 and over and was carried out as a double blinded procedure. Twenty-five patients were randomly selected to receive hernia repair by progrip self-fixating mesh and 25 patients were treated with hernia repair with suture fixation method by using prolene grafts, and patients' pain follow-up was performed with face-to-face or telephone interviews with VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and return to daily routine activities were evaluated with SF-36 (Short Form-36) quality of life scale. Recurrent hernias and emergency cases were excluded. RESULTS: The pain scores were lower and a statistically significant difference was achieved in patients in whom progrip self-fixating mesh was used in the early postoperative period. Both methods gave statistically similar results in terms of pain and quality of life. CONCLUSION: In the literature, there are some evidence that the repair applied with progrip self-fixating graft has more positive outcomes compared to the repairs applied with suture fixation. It is concluded that there is a need for longer follow-ups and larger series of cases in order to achieve a definite result.

[Our clinical experience and follow-up results in hydatid cyst cases: a review of 393 patients from a single center]. / Nossa experiência clínica e resultados no acompanhamento de casos de cisto hidático.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hydatid cyst is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus. The aim of our study is to present the clinical features of the patients who were treated for hydatid cyst, determine the interventional techniques and anesthesia methods used and review the occurred complications in detail. METHODS: This study included 393 patients who were followed up and/or treated with the diagnosis of hydatid cyst between January 2013 and November 2018. The patients' data was evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 31.0±17.2 years. Of the patients, 111 (28.4%) had more than one cyst and 36 (9.2%) patients had multi-organ involvement. Six of the patients refused the intervention or was transferred to another hospital. Among the remaining 387 patients, 335 (85.2%) received general anesthesia and intubation, 9 patients (2.3%) received general anesthesia and laryngeal mask airway, 39 patients (9.9%) received sedoanalgesia and 4 patients (1%) received regional anesthesia. Perioperative mortality was developed in one patient. The most common periopertaive complication was allergic reaction (1.5%), whereas the most common post-operative complications were atelectasis (3.3%) and biliary fistula (3%). The mean Intensive Care Unit stay (ICU) was 1.9±1.1 days in patients requiring ICU. Recurrence during the 40±17 months follow-up occurred in 8.4% patients. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiologists have an important role in the management of hydatid cyst patients. Patients should be evaluated exhaustively in terms of multi-organ involvement and the presence of more than one cyst in the same organ. The type of treatment procedure and the localization of the cysts determine the anesthetic management.

Our clinical experience and follow-up results in hydatid cyst cases: a review of 393 patients from a single center / Nossa experiência clínica e resultados no acompanhamento de casos de cisto hidático

Abstract Background and objectives: Hydatid cyst is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus. The aim of our study is to present the clinical features of the patients who were treated for hydatid cyst, determine the interventional techniques and anesthesia methods used and review the occurred complications in detail. Methods: This study included 393 patients who were followed up and/or treated with the diagnosis of hydatid cyst between January 2013 and November 2018. The patients' data was evaluated retrospectively. Results: The mean age of the patients was 31.0 ± 17.2 years. Of the patients, 111 (28.4%) had more than one cyst and 36 (9.2%) patients had multi-organ involvement. Six of the patients refused the intervention or was transferred to another hospital. Among the remaining 387 patients, 335 (85.2%) received general anesthesia and intubation, 9 patients (2.3%) received general anesthesia and laryngeal mask airway, 39 patients (9.9%) received sedoanalgesia and 4 patients (1%) received regional anesthesia. Perioperative mortality was developed in one patient. The most common periopertaive complication was allergic reaction (1.5%), whereas the most common post-operative complications were atelectasis (3.3%) and biliary fistula (3%). The mean Intensive Care Unit stay (ICU) was 1.9 ± 1.1 days in patients requiring ICU. Recurrence during the 40 ± 17 months follow-up occurred in 8.4% patients. Conclusions: Anesthesiologists have an important role in the management of hydatid cyst patients. Patients should be evaluated exhaustively in terms of multi-organ involvement and the presence of more than one cyst in the same organ. The type of treatment procedure and the localization of the cysts determine the anesthetic management.

Resumo Introdução e objetivos: Cisto hidático é uma zoonose causada por Echinococcus granulosus. O objetivo do estudo é apresentar as características clínicas dos pacientes submetidos a tratamento de cisto hidático, determinar as técnicas intervencionistas e os tipos de anestesia utilizados, e revisar as complicações ocorridas, em detalhe. Método: Este estudo incluiu 393 pacientes que foram acompanhados e/ou tratados com o diagnóstico de cisto hidático, entre janeiro de 2013 e novembro de 2018. Os dados dos pacientes foram avaliados retrospectivamente. Resultados: A idade média dos pacientes foi 31,0 ± 17,2 anos. Do total de pacientes, 111 (28,4%) tinham mais de um cisto, e 36 (9,2%) apresentavam comprometimento em vários órgãos. Seis pacientes recusaram a intervenção ou foram transferidos para outro hospital. Dentre os 387 pacientes remanescentes, 335 (85,2%) receberam anestesia geral e intubação, 9 (2,3%) anestesia geral e máscara laríngea, 39 (9,9%) sedação e analgesia, e 4 (1%) anestesia regional. Houve um óbito no período perioperatório. Reação alérgica foi a complicação perioperatória mais comum (1,5%), e no pós-operatório observou-se mais atelectasia (3,3%) e fístula biliar (3%). O tempo médio de internação na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva foi 1,9 ± 1,1 dias para aqueles que necessitaram desses cuidados. Recidiva durante o seguimento de 40 ± 17 meses ocorreu em 8,4% dos pacientes. Conclusões: Os anestesiologistas têm um papel importante no tratamento dos pacientes com cisto hidático. Os pacientes devem ser avaliados exaustivamente em relação a comprometimento de vários órgãos e presença de mais de um cisto no mesmo órgão. O tipo de procedimento terapêutico e a localização dos cistos determinam a conduta anestésica.

Effects of sacubutril/valsartan on nutritional status in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition commonly occurs in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Sacubitril/valsartan, which is an AT1 neprilysin inhibitor, has been shown to reduce mortality and hospitalization in patients with HFrEF. However, its effects on nutritional status remain unclear. METHODS: Sacubitril/valsartan was initiated in 164 symptomatic patients with HFrEF receiving an optimal medical treatment with angiotensin inhibition (mean age: 63 ±â€Š20 years; 120 males, 60% ischemic cause). The New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and nutritional statuses of the patients were evaluated at the switching to AT1 neprilysin inhibitor and at the 6th-month follow-up of the maximum sacubitril/valsartan dose using the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and prealbumin. RESULTS: After the sacubutril/valsartan treatment, a significant reduction in the number (%) of malnourished patients was observed according to CONUT (before 47% vs. after 7%, P < 0.001), GNRI (before 39% vs. after 19%, P < 0.001), PNI scores (before 36% vs. after 12%, P = 0.002), and prealbumin (before 41% vs. after 12%, P < 0.001). Also significant changes were observed at the baseline and follow-up in the mean scores of the three different nutritional indexes and prealbumin levels [CONUT: 2.68 ±â€Š2.5, 1.02 ±â€Š1.0 (P < 0.001); GNRI: 97.1 ±â€Š9.7, 101.2 ±â€Š5.9 (P < 0.001); PNI: 38.8 ±â€Š4.8, 41.6 ±â€Š3.7 (P < 0.001); prealbumin: 14.6 ±â€Š6.9 mg/dl, 17.1 ±â€Š5.2 mg/dl (P < 0.001)]. Overall, the patients exhibited a significant functional improvement following the initiation of sacubitril/valsartan: 23% of the patients improved by two NYHA classes, 48% improved by one NYHA class, and 39% remained stable. CONCLUSION: In patients with HFrEF, the switch from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy to sacubitril/valsartan resulted in a significant improvement in both nutritional and functional statuses.

Tunneled Peritoneal Catheter Placement in Palliation of Malignant Ascites: A Study with Two Different Types of Catheters.

OBJECTIVES: Malignant ascites (MA) is abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity and has negative effects on the quality of life. The purpose of this retrospective study is to explore feasibility, safety and efficacy of tunneled peritoneal catheter placement using both peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis catheters in the palliation of MA. METHODS: Between October 2013-June 2016, thirty patients with resistent MA underwent tunneled peritoneal catheterisation in our interventional radiology department. Tunneled peritoneal catheter (TPC) was placed in 22 (n=22/30; %73) patients, tunneled hemodialysis catheter (THC) was placed in 8 patients (n=8/30; %27). Routine visits were scheduled for months 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 of the catheterization, and the records were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The overall duration of catheterization varied from 2 to 334 days (mean 66.4 ± 68.5, median: 57 days). Catheters remained intact in 29 patients (96.7%) until the endpoint. There was one (3.3%) malfunctioning catheter among both groups. Overall, four patients developed infection, which were classified into major (n=2/30, %6.7) and minor (n=2/30, %6.7) complications according to SIR criteria. CONCLUSION: Tunneled peritoneal catheterization using both TPCs and THCs provided a safe method with relatively high patency, and low infection and systemic complication rates in the palliation of MA.

Evaluation of left atrial volume and function by real time three-dimensional echocardiography in anemic patients without overt heart disease before and after anemia correction.

There are few data on the effects of low hemoglobine levels on the left atrium (LA) in anemic patients. Our aim was to evaluate left atrial (LA) volume and functions in anemic patients using real time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and also to investigate changes in variables of LA after the correction of anemia. In total, 55 iron-deficiency anemia patients without traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and 30 age- and gender-matched controls were studied. Assessments included history, physical examination and echocardiography. Of the 55 patients with anemia enrolled, 50 (39 females and 11 males 40.3 years) were followed and underwent echocardiography after correction of the anemia. LA maximum volume (LAVmax), LA minimal volume (LAVmin), LAVmax index (LAVI), before atrial contraction volume (LAVpreA), LA total emptying fraction, LA active emptying volume were higher in anemic patients. LA passive emptying fraction was significantly lower in anemic patients. Following correction of anemia, LA volume and function parameters were observed to be significantly reduced. Moreover, significant increase was noted in LA passive emptying fraction. Correlation analysis was performed and a significant negative correlation was noted between the percentage change in hemoglobin level and percentage change in LAVI (r = - 0.382, p = 0.003). It was shown that volume and functions of LA are impaired in anemic patients. However impaired parameters were improved after correction of anemia. It may be thought that RT3DE LA parameters can be used as an important preclinical marker of disease pathogenesis before developing heart failure or atrial arrhythmia.