The effects of serum cholesterol, LDL, and HDL levels on gallstone cholesterol concentration.

OBJECTIVE: Gallbladder stones are common in the Western world, and 70% to 80% of gallstones are cholesterol stones. This study investigates the effects of serum cholesterol, LDL, and HDL levels on gallstone cholesterol concentration. METHODOLOGY: The gallstones of 75 patients with cholelithiasis were examined using spectrophotometry. RESULTS: High serum cholesterol and LDL levels were associated with high cholesterol stone rates (86.7% vs. 40.0%, P < 0.001; 75.0% vs. 48.9%, P < 0.05, respectively). Similarly, high serum cholesterol and LDL levels were correlated with high gallbladder stone cholesterol concentrations (63.6% vs. 44.4%, P < 0.001; 62.3% vs. 46.0%, P < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, low serum HDL levels do not seem to affect the occurrence of gallbladder cholesterol stones (60.0% vs. 58.3%, respectively, P > 0.05) or gallbladder stone cholesterol concentrations (50.8% vs. 52.4%, respectively, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The relationship between cholesterol, LDL, and HDL levels and cholesterol gallstone formation is multifactorial and complex and is also dependent on other individual properties.

Acute mesenteric ischemia in young adults.

Acute mesenteric ischemia is commonly seen in old patients. This study was undertaken to show that mesenteric ischemia might be seen in individuals under 40 years of age and that its diagnosis is challenging. Twenty-six patients with acute mesenteric ischemia under the age of 40 were studied. The main symptom on admission was abdominal pain. Symptom duration varied between 12 h and 5 days. The medical history of the patients revealed that 9 had no previous diseases. Other 17 had predisposing factors in the first evaluation. None of the patients had any history of narcotic or drug abuse. Ten patients presented with signs and symptoms of sepsis and septic shock. Preoperative diagnosis was acute intestinal ischemia only in 6 patients. Preoperatively, all the patients had intestinal or colonic ischemia and necrosis; one had additional ischemia of the liver, stomach, duodenum, and pancreas. Six patients had massive intestinal necrosis. The overall postoperative complication and overall mortality rates were 61.5 and 26.9 %, respectively. Complications and mortality were determined to be associated with previous pulmonary disease, acidosis, presence of septic shock, acute renal failure, extent of the ischemia and extent of resection, second look operations, previous cardiac events, and the kind of affected bowel (colon involvement).

Sigmoid volvulus in the elderly: outcomes of a 43-year, 453-patient experience.

PURPOSE: The present study reviewed the clinical outcomes of 453 elderly patients with sigmoid volvulus (SV). METHODS: The clinical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 71.1 years of age, and 371 patients (81.9%) were male. Of the patients, 30.7% had recurrent volvulus, 34.6% had associated disease, and 16.5% suffered from shock. The correct diagnosis rate based on the clinical features was 66.4%. Radiography revealed SV findings in 64.9% of the patients. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were diagnostic in all cases. Nonoperative detorsion was performed in 323 patients (71.3%) with 77.4% success, 1.2% mortality, 4.0% morbidity, and 4.4% early recurrence rates. Emergency surgery was required in 215 patients (47.5%) and resulted in 24.2% mortality, 41.4% morbidity, 0.9% early recurrence, and 8.1% late recurrence rates. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly SV patients generally present with high percentages of recurrent volvulus, serious comorbidity, late admission, and shock. The clinical features may be less diagnostic. Radiological studies, particularly CT or MRI, may assist in an SV diagnosis. Nonoperative detorsion is advocated as the primary treatment. In emergency surgery, nonresectional or nonanastomotic procedures are preferred. The overall patient prognosis is grave, and the disease tends to recur.

Extravisceral primary hydatid cyst of the retroperitoneum.

BACKGROUND: Hydatid cyst (HC) continues to be endemic in the Mediterranean countries, such as Turkey. Living in a rural area is an important risk factor for the disease. HC is most commonly seen in the liver and lungs, but retroperitoneal hydatid cyst is very rare. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic findings and surgical treatment of this unusual lesion. METHODS: Between 1979 and 2004, 14 cases with primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst were treated surgically at our clinic. RESULTS: Symptoms included flank pain in eight (57.1%) and palpable mass in six patients (42.8%). The cyst was located in the right retroperitoneum in seven patients (50%), left retroperitoneum in five patients (35.7%), retrovesical region in one patient (7.1%) and paravesical region in one patient (7.1%). Surgical approaches were right paramedian extraperitoneal approach in four patients, left paramedian extraperitoneal approach in two patients and midline transperitoneal approach in eight patients. Total pericystectomy was chosen as the surgical procedure in all patients except in five (35.7%), who had partial cystectomy for cysts located near the vital structures. There were no complications and mortality postoperatively. CONCLUSION: A primary HC of the retroperitoneum is a distinct clinical entity that must be considered when caring for a patient with a retroperitoneal mass in endemic regions. It should be treated after the diagnosis is confirmed without any delay because of secondary spillages due to perforations and other possible complications.

Recombinant human growth hormone modulates the hepatic acute-phase response and P-selectin in burned rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on serum constitutive proteins, cytokines, P-selectin, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in the thermally injured rats.Sprague-Dawley rats (64 males) were given 30% total body surface area full thickness scald burn. They were randomly divided to receive either 2.5mg/kg per day im rhGH or saline (control). Rats were sacrified on postburn days 1, 2, 5, and 7, and serum constitutive proteins, cytokines, P-selectin, and IGF-1 levels were measured.Serum IGF-1 levels were increased on days 2, 5, or 7 after burn in rhGH-treated rats compared with controls (P<0.001, <0.01 and <0.001, respectively). Serum transferrin and albumin levels were increased on days 7 after burn in rhGH-treated rats compared with controls (P<0.05). The cytokines increased after thermal injury. The rhGH decreased serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on postburn days 1 compared with controls (P<0.001). Serum levels of interleukin-1 were decreased on days 1 and 2 after burn in rhGH treated rats compared with controls (P<0.001, <0.01, respectively). Rats receiving rhGH showed significantly increased P-selectin levels at 5 and 7 postburn days compared with controls (P<0.001). Our data indicate that rhGH, given after thermal injury, increased albumin, transferrin, IGF-1, and P-selectin levels and decreased serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 levels.

Cecal volvulus: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction.

Cecal volvulus is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. In this report, we present a 41 year-old patient with cecal volvulus, and we discuss this very rare entity.

Hepatic Alveolar Echinococcosis that Incidentally Diagnosed and Treated with R1 Resection.

In this report, we present an incidentally diagnosed and surgically treated patient with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Comparison of peritoneal tumor imaging using conventional MR imaging and diffusion-weighted MR imaging with different b values.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of DW MRI with two different b values in identifying peritoneal tumors in oncology patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with known malignancy underwent abdominal and pelvic MRI before surgery. MRI included free-breathing DWI with b values of 400 and 800 s/mm2, T1-weighted fat-suppressed spoiled gradient-echo, T2-weighted fat-saturated turbo spin-echo, and 5-min delayed gadolinium-enhanced imaging. Two observers reviewed images for peritoneal tumors at ten anatomic sites within consensus. The results of laparatomy and histopathological evaluation were compared with MRI results. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of identifying peritoneal metastases were calculated for conventional MRI, combined DWI with a b value of 400 s/mm2 and conventional MRI, and combined DWI with a b value of 800 s/mm2 and conventional MRI by consensus of two observers. RESULTS: One-hundred and twenty-five peritoneal metastasis sites were confirmed by surgical and histopathological findings. Conventional MRI alone identified 72 peritoneal metastases (sensitivity, 0.58; specificity, 0.87; accuracy, 0.67). Combined DWI with a b value of 400 s/mm2 and conventional MRI revealed 106 peritoneal metastases (sensitivity, 0.85; specificity, 0.88; accuracy, 0.85). Finally, combined DWI with a b value of 800 s/mm2 and conventional MRI revealed 103 peritoneal metastases (sensitivity, 0.83; specificity, 0.94; accuracy, 0.86). CONCLUSION: DWI with a high b value provides complementary information that can improve the detection of peritoneal tumors when combined with conventional MRI. We recommend combined MRI and DWI with a high b value for increasing the sensitivity and accuracy of the preoperative detection of peritoneal tumors.

Sigmoid volvulus.

In sigmoid volvulus (SV), the sigmoid colon wraps around itself and its mesentery. SV accounts for 2% to 50% of all colonic obstructions and has an interesting geographic dispersion. SV generally affects adults, and it is more common in males. The etiology of SV is multifactorial and controversial; the main symptoms are abdominal pain, distention, and constipation, while the main signs are abdominal distention and tenderness. Routine laboratory findings are not pathognomonic: Plain abdominal X-ray radiographs show a dilated sigmoid colon and multiple small or large intestinal air-fluid levels, and abdominal CT and MRI demonstrate a whirled sigmoid mesentery. Flexible endoscopy shows a spiral sphincter-like twist of the mucosa. The diagnosis of SV is established by clinical, radiological, endoscopic, and sometimes operative findings. Although flexible endoscopic detorsion is advocated as the primary treatment choice, emergency surgery is required for patients who present with peritonitis, bowel gangrene, or perforation or for patients whose non-operative treatment is unsuccessful. Although emergency surgery includes various non-definitive or definitive procedures, resection with primary anastomosis is the most commonly recommended procedure. After a successful non-operative detorsion, elective sigmoid resection and anastomosis is recommended. The overall mortality is 10% to 50%, while the overall morbidity is 6% to 24%.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in the diagnosis of gastric tumors and discuss the diagnostic importance and potential use of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Beginning in March 2009, DW-MRI was added to the routine abdominal and pelvic MR examination for all patients imaged at our institution. A total of 21 patients (12 men and 9 women; mean age 55±6.3SD, range: 39-74 years) with known gastric malignancy were referred to our MR unit. All MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5-T MRI scanner (Magnetom Avanto, Siemens Healthcare). The evaluation of the DW-MRI examinations was made by radiologists' consensus. Changes in the signal intensity of the lesions were determined by their appearance in images at b=50, 400, and 800 s/mm(2) and in ADC maps. Results were compared with histopathological findings. RESULTS: All of the gastric tumors in this study showed high signal intensity in DW-MRI and low signal intensity in ADC maps. Mean ADC values for gastric tumor and normal gastric wall were 0.892±0.23 SD mm(2)/s and 1.453±0.35 SD mm(2)/s respectively. The mean ADC values of gastric tumors were significantly lower than that of the normal gastric wall. CONCLUSION: DW-MRI and ADC values together can successfully differentiate gastric tumors from normal gastric wall.

Ileosigmoid knotting.

Ileosigmoid knotting (ISK) is the wrapping of the ileum around the sigmoid colon and its mesentery or vice-versa. The incidence of ISK is not well known, but it generally occurs in areas with a high incidence of sigmoid volvulus, and it is common in adult males. The etiology of ISK is controversial. The main symptoms are abdominal pain, distention, obstipation, and vomiting, while the main signs are abdominal distention and tenderness. There are no specific blood tests for diagnosing ISK. Plain abdominal X-ray radiographs demonstrate a dilated sigmoid colon and multiple small intestinal air-fluid levels. Abdominal CT demonstrates a twisted and dilated sigmoid colon with whirled sigmoid mesentery, in addition to twisted and dilated small intestinal segments. The accurate preoperative diagnosis of ISK is difficult. After rapid and prompt resuscitation, emergency surgery is needed in the treatment of ISK. In gangrenous cases, resection with primary anastomosis is preferred, while, in nongangrenous cases, untying of the knot may be performed as a sole surgical procedure, or a volvulus-preventing procedure may be added. The mean mortality rate for ISK is 6.8-8% in nongangrenous and 20-100% in gangrenous cases.

Hepatic hydatid disease: radiographics findings.

Hydatid disease (HD) is a unique parasitic disease that primarily affects the liver and is endemic in many parts of the world. There are four types of hydatid cysts (HCs) with various levels of organ involvement. All four HC types can be seen in the liver, with the right lobe being the most common site of involvement. There are many potential intrahepatic and extrahepatic complications that affect the liver and other organs. Intrahepatic complications include vascular and biliary complications and infection. With rare portal vein compression and decreased vascular supply, the involved lobe may show atrophic changes while the other lobe becomes hypertrophic. Intrahepatic biliary dilatation results from large cysts compressing intrahepatic ducts or due to cyst rupture into the biliary ducts. Cyst infection may also occur via a similar mechanism. Extrahepatic complications result from exophytic growth and hematogeneous dissemination. Exophytic growth causes migration of cysts into the lungs, mediastinum, heart and peritoneum. Hematogeneous dissemination involves all other organs.

Serum potassium levels in sigmoid volvulus.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the serum potassium concentrations in patients with sigmoid volvulus (SV), which is a rare large bowel obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 86 patients with SV were reviewed retrospectively, while the records of 41 patients diagnosed with obstructive rectosigmoid cancer (ORC) were considered as the control group and as such, served as a source for comparison. RESULTS: The analysis revealed a mean serum potassium concentration of 3.9 ± 0.6 mEq/L for the patients with SV, while the mean potassium concentration was 3.9 ± 0.5 mEq/L for the patients diagnosed with ORC (t:0.1, P>0.05). The number of hypokalemic and hyperkalemic patients identified in this study sample were 11 versus 5 patients and 1 versus 0 patients, respectively for the SV and ORC groups (x(2) = 0.1 and 0.5, respectively with a P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No cause-and-effect relationship was observed between the serum potassium concentrations and SV. The serum potassium concentration is not pathognomonic for SV.

Hepatocellular damage following burn injury demonstrated by a more sensitive marker: alpha-glutathione S-transferase.

Following burn injury, some complex reactions are initiated that are mainly managed by the liver and that can cause injury at the liver. Alpha glutathione S-transferase (alpha-GST) is a sensitive marker that is very sensitive in the monitoring of hepatocellular damage. We tried, in this study, to demonstrate liver injury in burn patients using alpha-GST. Forty-four patients with burn injury treated at the Burn Treatment and Care unit of the Atatürk University Medical School between July 2006 and July 2007 were included in the study. Patient data were collected. Three blood samples were taken from the patients (at admittance [first sample], 120 hours after admittance [second sample], and on the fourteenth day [third sample]) for the analysis of alpha-GST, alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase activities, and albumin and c-reactive protein levels. There was a statistically significant difference between alpha-GST activities of the study group at admission (P<.001), on the fifth day (P<.001), and the 14th day (P<.001) and those of the control group. There was a decrease in alpha-GST activities during the hospitalization period. Alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase activities in all three samples of the study group were not different from each other and from the values obtained from the control group. The albumin levels of the study group were significantly different from those of the control group. The c-reactive protein levels of the study group were different from those of the control group at admission, on the fifth day, and fourteenth day (P<.001, P<.001, and P<.01). Our findings suggest that burn injury causes liver injury, and alpha-GST can be used to demonstrate this.

Serum sodium levels in sigmoid volvulus.

OBJECTIVE: Sigmoid volvulus (SV) is an uncommon type of large bowel obstruction. This study sought to determine serum sodium concentrations in patients with SV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 89 patients with SV and 40 patients with obstructive rectosigmoid cancer (ORC) were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean serum sodium concentrations in patients with SV and in those with ORC were 138.4±4.5 mEq/L and 137.7±3.2 mEq/L, respectively (t:0.7, P>0.05). The numbers of hyponatremic and hypernatremic patients were 13 vs. 4 and 1 vs. 0, respectively, in the SV and ORC groups (x2:0.5, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: No cause-effect relationship was determined between serum sodium concentrations and SV.

Benign nodular goiter causing upper airway obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Benign nodular goiter (BNG) can cause narrowing of the upper airway. In some rare cases, obstruction of the upper airway also occurs. The following paper reports our experiences with regard to BNG patients who experienced obstruction of the upper airway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the records of 13 patients with acute airway obstruction due to BNG who were admitted to the General Surgery Department of Ataturk University Medical School between January 2000 and December 2007. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with airway obstruction secondary to BNG were hospitalized during this period. There were two males and 11 females, and the mean age was 58.5 years (range 37-74 years). For all patients, the primary symptom upon admission was defined as respiratory distress; all patients had varying degrees of respiratory distress upon admission. Three of the patients underwent emergent endotracheal intubation in the emergency room. A preoperative radiological evaluation was performed with thyroid ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT). There were retrosternal or substernal components of the BNG in nine patients. Twelve patients underwent operations, while one patient with mild respiratory distress elected not to be operated on. Ten patients underwent total thyroidectomies, while two patients underwent near-total thyroidectomies. One patient with retrosternal goiter also underwent a median sternotomy. Three patients received a tracheostomy after the operation. Suction drains were utilized in all operations. During the post-operative period, two patients suffered from voice impairment, and seven patients experienced hypocalcemia. Two patients died. Pathological examination of the thyroidectomy tissue revealed BNG in all cases. In addition, two patients had micropapillary carcinomas. CONCLUSION: Although BNG causing upper airway obstruction is rare, it is an important clinical entity because of the need for emergent operation, the increased rate of complications, and high mortality.

Solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas.

Solid pseudopapillary tumors of the pancreas, known as Frantz tumors, are rare pancreatic tumors that occur predominantly in women, with very few cases reported in men. We present the case of a 27-year-old female patient who came to the emergency room with an intense upper abdominal pain associated with nausea and vomiting and a palpable mass in the left upper quadrant. She was initially diagnosed with a post-traumatic pancreatic pseudocyst. The patient underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenic preservation; the histopathological report showed a pseudopapillary solid tumor of the pancreas without malignant cells. In this report, a case of rare solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas is described. Our objective was to report an infrequent case of pancreatic pseudopapillary tumor and to carry out a review of the literature.

The use of harmonic scalpels in thyroidectomies: clinical experiences.

OBJECTIVE: Many studies have been conducted to investigate the efficacy of harmonic scalpels in thyroidectomies. Here, we present our clinical experiences with the instrument. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at the General Surgery Department of the Ataturk University School of Medicine between January 2005 and July 2008. It was a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Patients with benign nodular goiter (BNG) were included in the study and randomly divided into three groups. The first group consisted of 47 patients, the second group consisted of 57 patients, and the third group consisted of 41 patients. Patients in the first group underwent the classical thyroidectomy. Those in the second group had only the superior thyroid arteries and veins ligated (with silk or polyglactin), while the other vascular structures were divided using a harmonic scalpel. In the third group, all arteries and veins of the thyroid gland were divided using a harmonic scalpel. In each group, mean operation time, amount of bleeding, amount of postoperative drainage, and other postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Operation time was significantly lower for patients in the third group. The degree of bleeding and postoperative drainage was lower in the second and third groups with respect to the first group. There was no significant difference among the groups in terms of the development of transient hypocalcemia or voice impairment. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of harmonic scalpels for a thyroidectomy is safe, shortens operative time, and decreases intraoperative bleeding.

Typhoid intestinal perforations: twenty-six year experience.

BACKGROUND: Typhoid fever (TF) is a severe febrile illness caused by Salmonella typhi. One of the most lethal complications of TF is ileal perforation (TIP). Although the mortality of associated with TIP has decreased slightly over the past decade, it is still high. METHODS AND RESULTS: The records of the 82 surgically treated patients with TIP were evaluated retrospectively. There were 64 men with the mean age of 36.3 years (range: 7-68 years). In surgical treatment, debridement with primary closure was performed in 32 patients (39.0%), and wedge resection with primary closure was performed in 9 (11. 0%), resection with primary anastomosis in 9 (11.0%), and resection with ileostomy in 32 (39.0%). The most common postoperative complication was wound infection, which occurred in 24 patients (29.3%). The overall morbidity was highest in the ileostomy group. The overall mortality was 11.0% (9 patients). Age, gender, number, and localization of the perforations (p > 0.05) were not found to affect mortality, but prolonged preoperative period (p < 0.001), extended peritoneal contamination (p < 0.01), and ileostomy procedure (p < 0.001) were found to influence the increase in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Early and appropriate surgical intervention with effective preoperative and postoperative care may improve survival in TIP.