Relationship between combined systemic inflammatory indices with presence and severity of hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to determine the levels of systemic inflammation markers and the combined systemic inflammation indices in hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) patients and to investigate the association between the severity of the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 83 pregnant women with HG and 100 healthy pregnant women matched for gestational age as a control group. We grouped the HG patients according to the Modified Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis/Nausea (PUQE) scoring system as mild, moderate, and severe. We calculated the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), MPV-to-lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR), RDW-to-platelet ratio (RPR), Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI), and Aggregate Systemic Inflammation Index (AISI). RESULTS: NLR, PLR, SII, SIRI, and AISI levels were significantly higher in the HG group. These indices tended to increase as the severity of the disease increased. We found NLR, PLR, SII, SIRI, and AISI indices as the independent risk factors for the presence and severity of HG. The SIRI index, which has the highest area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity values, was determined as the most powerful diagnostic tool in the diagnostic evaluation of the presence (AUC: 0.695; p < 0.001; sensitivity: 54%; specificity: 75%; cut-off: 3.14) and severity (AUC: 0.785; p < 0.001, sensitivity: 82%; specificity: 68%; cut-off: 2.74) of HG. CONCLUSIONS: Our study results showed that combined systemic inflammatory indices (NLR, PLR, SII, SIRI, and AISI) are associated and correlated with the presence and severity of HG. These indices are independent risk factors for the presence and severity of HG. Combined systemic inflammatory indices are diagnostic in determining the severity of HG. The SIRI index has the best diagnostic power for both the diagnosis of HG and the determination of the severity of HG.

Prevalence of iron deficiency at the first age of the infants hospitalized in neonatal period.

Iron deficiency (ID) is a global health problem. We aimed to determine the prevalence of ID at the first year of life in infants who were hospitalized in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and investigate the effects of various factors on iron status. One year follow-up data of 219 infants who were discharged from NICU was retrospectively evaluated. ID anemia and ID without anemia were detected in fifteen infants (6.8%) and five (2.3%) infants, respectively. We concluded that, due to prophylactic iron treatment and close follow-up, hospitalization in neonatal period did not have any adverse effect on iron status at first year of life.

A neonatal case of left ventricular noncompaction associated with trisomy 18.

A neonatal case of left ventricular non-compaction associated with trisomy 18: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy and exact etiology is still unknown. Trisomy 18 is the second most common autosomal trisomy in live-born infants. LVNC has been described in association with other dysmorphic features, association with trisomy 18 has not been reported previously in a neonate. LVNC broadens the cardiac anomalies associated with trisomy 18.

Relationship of vascular variations with liver remnant volume in living liver transplant donors.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the relationship between the portal vein and hepatic artery variations and the remaining liver volume in living donors in liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study, triphasic abdominal computed tomography images of 180 live liver donor candidates were analysed retrospectively. Portal veins were divided into four groups according to the Nakamura classification and seven groups according to the Michels classification. The relationship between vascular variations and remnant liver volume was compared statistically. RESULTS: According to the Nakamura classification, there were 143 (79.4%) type A, 23 (12.7%) type B, 7 (3.9%) type C and 7 (3.9%) type D cases. Using the Michels classification, 129 (71%) type 1, 12 (6.7%) type 2, 24 (13%) type 3, 2 (2.2%) type 4, 10 (5.6%) type 5, 1 (0.6%) type 6, and 2 (1.1%) type 7 cases were detected. There was no significant difference in the percentage of the remaining volume of the left liver lobe between the groups (p = 0.055, p = 0.207, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Variations in the hepatic artery and portal vein do not affect the remaining liver volume in liver transplantation donors.

Pitfalls in the diagnosis of complicated pulmonary hydatid disease.

The aim of this study was to present the pitfalls in the diagnosis of complicated pulmonary hydatid disease and to discuss the unusual radiological presentations of this endemic disorder in Turkey. We retrospectively evaluated 34 patients (12 females) aged between 8 and 64 years, who were operated on at our centre between 1991 and 1998 and diagnosed with complicated pulmonary hydatid cyst histopathologically. Computerized tomography (CT) scans of these patients were reviewed double-blind by two radiologists. The patients were then divided into two groups: group 1: initial radiological impression is pulmonary hydatid cyst and group 2: initial radiological impression is not pulmonary hydatid disease. These two groups were evaluated in terms of symptoms, radiographical presentation and laboratory tests. The presence of cystic appearance, water-lily sign, ring enhancement concomitant with intact cysts unanimously led the radiologists to the diagnosis of complicated pulmonary hydatid cyst, whereas solid appearance and presence of bronchial obliteration made the diagnosis unlikely. In such circumstances patient history, laboratory findings and bronchoscopic evaluation helped the diagnosis. In conclusion, in endemic regions like Turkey, atypical radiological presentation of complicated pulmonary hydatid disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of solid pulmonary lesions.

Review of cases with cystic hydatid lung disease in a tertiary referral hospital located in an endemic region: a 10 years' experience.

BACKGROUND: Echinococcus disease is endemic in sheep-and cattle-raising areas world wide. Its prevalence is also high in the Mediterranean region including Turkey. OBJECTIVE: To determine the presentation, approach to surgical treatment and outcome of hydatid disease in an endemic region. METHODS: From January 1989 to December 1998 288 patients, aged between 1 and 71 years with a mean age of 31 years (134 female, 154 male), were operated on for pulmonary hydatidosis. Clinical charts of the patients were reviewed retrospectively in a tertiary referral hospital. RESULTS: Of 288 patients, 30 patients were asymptomatic, the rest (89%) were symptomatic, cough and chest pain being the most common symptoms. Fifty-three patients (18%) had associated liver hydatid cysts. Bilateral lung hydatid cysts were present in 18 patients (6%). Recurrent hydatid cysts were observed in 33 patients (11%). Seventy-seven patients (27%) presented with complicated hydatid cysts. Postoperative morbidity was observed in 3 patients [bronchopleural fistula (2), infection of the cyst space (1)] and postoperative mortality in 1 patient who presented with hydatid lung disease associated with liver and brain cysts. In the remaining 98. 6%, no complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, hydatidosis is still an important public health problem in Turkey and in an endemic country such as Turkey hydatid lung disease should be considered initially in a patient presenting with a corresponding chest roentgenogram and a compatible epidemiologic history. Surgery is indicated in all symptomatic and/or enlarging or infected cysts. When necessary lobectomy or wedge resection can be the procedure of choice. Single-stage combined resection is preferred in hydatid lung disease with associated liver hydatid cysts. Total postoperative complication and mortality rate is low and we recommend a close follow-up of the operated cases to diagnose postoperative recurrence early in its course.