Is minimal invasive technique harmful in treatment of urethral stricture?

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate the effect of previous history of direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU) on success rate of open urethroplasty in patients with bulbar urethral stricture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 133 patients who underwent open urethroplasty for bulbar urethral stricture between January 2008 and May 2017. Patients with penile and fossa navicularis stricture were excluded. We evaluated the effect of previous history of DVIU on success rate of open urethroplasty in patients with urethral stricture. Success of open urethroplasty was defined as disappear of voiding symptoms with maximum flow rate above 15 ml/s. The patients were followed for complications and outcome. RESULTS: Mean age was 54.05 ± 16.5 years. Mean length of stricture was 23.74 ± 10.23 mm. Mean follow-up was 39.77 ± 28.0 months. A total of 76 patients (57.1%) had no history of DVIU. On the contrary, 15.8% had history of DVIU once, 12% had twice, and 15.2% had more than twice. Success rate of open urethroplasty in patients who had no history of DVIU was 84%. However, this success rate was 71.4% in patients who had history of DVIU (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: DVIU is easy, simple, and noninvasive technique in treatment of urethral stricture, so it is frequently used among urologists. However, it could not be an alternative technique to open urethroplasty. Internal urethrotomy can be used in some certain indications. Success rate of open urethroplasty can be affected by previous history of any endoscopic procedures.

Active surveillance or radical prostatectomy? Which treatment is best?

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the patients who are candidates for active surveillance and treated with radical prostatectomy. These patients were compared with other patients who had not met the criteria of active surveillance. METHODS: In total, 135 patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups. The patients in Group 1 had less than three positive cores, Gleason 6 (3 + 3) and PSA level equal to or less than 10 ng/ml. Patients in Group 2 had three or more positive cores, Gleason 6 (3 + 3) and PSA level equal to or higher than 10 ng/ml. Pathological results of each groups were compared. RESULTS: The patients' ages were between 52 and 76, and 50 and 77 in groups 1 and 2, retrospectively. There were 69 and 66 patients in groups 1 and 2, retrospectively. The mean age of patients, PSA levels, PSA density, and prostate volumes were 63.89 ± 5.89 years, 5.82 ± 1.84 ng/ml, 0.14 ± 0.07 and 51.21 ± 31.75 cc (Group 1) and 65.77 ± 6.36 years, 13.65 ± 17.11 ng/ml, 0.63 ± 1.03 and 45.44 ± 26.77 cc (Group 2). T2a, T2c, T3a and T3b were reported in 28 patients, 36 patients, 3 patients and 2 patients after pathological evaluation in Group 1,respectively. T2a, T2c, T3a and T3b were reported in 13 patients, 47 patients, 5 patients and 1 patient in the other group, respectively. CONCLUSION: The final pathology showed that there is no difference in the positive surgical margin, proportion of insignificant prostate cancer and Gleason upgrading between groups. The clinicians must be aware of the fact that active surveillance can be misdiagnosed in some patients (Tab. 2, Ref. 20).

Validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a multicenter, prospective study. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III). SETTING: This study was conducted in rehabilitation centers of three hospitals in Turkey. METHODS: Two-hundred and four (n=204) consecutive patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) were included in the study. Each patient was examined by two physicians. Neurologic impairment was measured according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) 2000 revised criteria. Backward and forward translation of SCIM-III was performed by native speakers in both languages. To measure the validity of SCIM-III, the scores were compared with patients' AIS grades, total motor scores and the Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36) subscale scores. SCIM-III was analyzed for test-retest reliability by the same rater on 49 patients during the follow-up evaluations. RESULTS: Total agreement values between raters changed between 75.9 and 100%. Kappa values were all above 0.6, and they were statistically significant. The Pearson's correlation values between the raters were very high and statistically significant. The Cronbach's α-values for the two consecutive raters were 0.865 and 0.896. Test-retest reliability was assessed by paired samples t-test, and no significant difference was observed. SCIM-III and SF-36 physical (r=0.339, P<0.005) and general health scores (r=0.200, P<0.005) showed correlation. All subscales of the SCIM-III, with the exception of self-care, had significant differences in comparison with the AIS grades. SCIM-III total and total motor scores showed correlation (r=0.585, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of SCIM-III was found to be valid and reliable.

A rare cause of recurrent priapism: hereditary angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema is a rare disease, which is caused by deficiency of compleman c1 esterase inhibitor regulatory protein in the compleman system. Priapism is involuntary, painful and prolonged erection of penis more than 4 h without sexual desire. In this case report, we elucidated a patient diagnosed with hereditary angioedema while he had recurrent priapism.

Ultrasonographically guided obturator nerve block for bilateral adductor spasticity in a paraplegic patient.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report defining an interventional procedure. OBJECTIVES: To reveal the role of the ultrasonography in nerve blocks at difficult anatomical locations of the obturator nerve. SETTING: The study was conducted in Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: A paraplegic patient with lower limb adductor spasticity treated with phenol block using the guidance of ultrasonography. RESULTS: After treatment of the adductor spasticity by obturator nerve block the patient achieved an upright standing position with a walker. Hygienic care was improved and spasticity-related pain was reduced. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound is a challenging tool for nerve blocks. Ultrasound guidance seems as an essential approach for the blocking of the nerves with variable anatomical courses, such as the obturator nerve.

Can spinal cord injury patients show a worsening in ASIA impairment scale classification despite actually having neurological improvement? The limitation of ASIA Impairment Scale Classification.

BACKGROUND: In our clinical training program, which includes probable American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (AIS) grade changes in the event of recovery, we have noticed some confounding results regarding the AIS grading in spinal cord injury (SCI) patient case examples who are expected to recover. We also observed an individual case that showed a conflict between AIS grade conversion and neurological changes in European Multicenter Study on Human Spinal Cord Injury study. STUDY DESIGN: The analysis of SCI case examples for the probable AIS grade changes in the event of recovery. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the possible problems with AIS classification in SCI cases involving presumed motor and sensory changes, and to clarify the possible causes of the inverse relationship between the motor/sensory changes and AIS conversion in certain conditions. SETTING: Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: We studied the case examples of reference from the 2011 revision of International Standards for the Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury. RESULTS: We encountered the same unique problem of deteriorating AIS grades within the critical zones of conversion when presumed neurological improvement took place, and vice versa. CONCLUSION: When recovery occurs without observing any motor or sensory changes while taking only the AIS into account, it would be possible to make an incorrect conclusion. This is most likely an indication of a limitation of the AIS. To enlighten this paradox, the large amount of data in SCI databases should be reanalyzed.

H-FABP, cardiovascular risk factors, and functional status in asymptomatic spinal cord injury patients.

BACKGROUND: This was a cross-sectional study in the setting of a rehabilitation hospital. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the serum levels of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). A further goal was to examine whether there is a relationship between H-FABP levels and Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) scale, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) status, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: The study included 56 SCI patients and 37 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects who had not been diagnosed with coronary artery disease in the past. RESULTS: Serum H-FABP levels were significantly higher in patients with SCI than in control subjects: paraplegia group, 18.5 ± 11.4; tetraplegia group, 16.3 ± 9.1; control group, 6.7 ± 5.1 ng/ml (p < 0.001). There was no difference between the other cardiac enzymes (troponin I, AST, ALT, CK, CK-MB, and LDH) among the groups. The relationship between the serum H-FABP levels and FAC status was examined. There was a negative correlation between FAC status and H-FABP levels (p < 0.001, r = - 0.581). Patients with complete SCI were divided into two groups according to the level of the lesion: (lesion levels in C6-T6, n = 25; lesion levels in T7-L2, n = 11). In patients with complete motor injury, H-FABP levels were higher in subjects with injuries above T6 than in those with injuries below T6 (24.21 ± 10.1 and 14.1 ± 10.4, respectively; p = 0.011). Serum levels of H-FABP were higher in SCI patients with MetS (n = 10) than in those without MetS (n = 46; 25.8 ± 11.6 ng/ml vs. 16.42 ± 10.3 ng/ml, respectively; p = 0.014). Patients were then divided into two groups according to SCI duration: < 12 months (n = 27) and > 12 months (n = 29). H-FABP levels showed statistically significant differences between the two groups (14.8 ± 11.7 ng/dl and 20.9 ± 9.9 ng/dl, respectively; p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: H-FABP is related to MetS and FAC status in asymptomatic SCI patients.

Factors affecting anxiety, depression, and stress among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma during COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with chronic disease whose treatments are limited may experience depression, anxiety, and stress-related symptoms, as well as an increase in the levels of these conditions. This study aims to determine the factors affecting the depression, stress, and anxiety levels of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients due to the fear of COVID-19 exposure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 118 patients with advanced HCC treated with non-transplant treatment options or on the waiting list due to the lack of a donor were enrolled. To evaluate the stress, depression, and anxiety levels during the COVID-19 process, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) were administered to 118 patients through a face-to-face interview. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were recorded, and the primary endpoint measure was the total score of DASS. In addition, the multilayer perceptron (MLP) model was constructed to predict the scores of the DASS-21 total. RESULTS: There were significant differences between DASS depression (p=0.010; p=0.030) DASS anxiety (p=0.010; p=0.010) and DASS total (p=0.046; p=0.023) scores in terms of gender and protective effect of the vaccine. Also, a significant difference between gender for the CAS scale was determined (p=0.044). The median score of the DASS total in the COVID-19 group was higher than in the non-COVID-19 group; however, the increase was not significant. MLP model revealed that chronic disease, gender, age, place of residence, smoking, type of vaccine, and COVID-19 exposure were the most important predictors for the DASS total. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic disease, gender, and age were prominent factors in predicting the DASS-21 total score in HCC patients. Therefore, the crucial factors were clinically considered for managing depression, stress, and anxiety in HCC patients.

A rare disease: a single-center experience of cerebral alveolar echinococcosis in 12 operated patients.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have evaluated 12 patients with cerebral alveolar echinococcosis (AE). All patients underwent surgery for cerebral AE. We aimed to demonstrate the relationship between the demographic properties of patients and surgical outcomes as well as surgical suggestions about surgical approaches. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were analyzed according to demographic properties, hepatic/ pulmonary AE lesion existence, symptoms, neurological and radiological examination, histopathological findings, and outcome after treatment. RESULTS: Preoperative diagnosis based on the history of the patient, neurological examination, serological tests, and radiology. When enhanced radiological imaging like MR-Tractography and intraoperative neuromonitoring is combined with precision surgical methods cerebral AE is treatable. Ten of twelve cerebral AE patients had favorable outcomes after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: AE of the brain is a rare but life-threatening parasitic disease. Wherever the primary focus is, surgery for cerebral involvement of AE is challenging but safe with appropriate surgical techniques and the help of radiological examination.

Effects of extracorporal shock wave therapy on symptomatic heel spurs: a correlation between clinical outcome and radiologic changes.

Plantar heel pain, a chronic and disabling foot alignment, occurs in the adult population. Extracorporal shock wave therapy (ESWT) offers a nonsurgical option in addition to stretching exercises, heel cups, NSAI, and corticosteroid injections. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ESWT on calcaneal bone spurs and the correlation between clinical outcomes and radiologic changes. The study involved 108 patients with heel pain and radiologically diagnosed heel spurs. All patients underwent ESWT once a week for 5 weeks at the clinic. Each patient received 2,000 impulses of shock waves, starting with 0.05 mJ/mm2 (1.8 bar) and increasing to 0.4 mJ/mm2 (4.0 bar). Standard radiographies of the affected heels were obtained before and after the therapy. Clinical results demonstrated excellent (no pain) in 66.7% of the cases, good (50% of pain reduced) in 15.7% of the cases, and unsatisfactory (no reduction in pain) in 17.6%. After five ESWT treatments, no patients who received shock wave applications had significant spur reductions, but 19 patients (17.6%) had a decrease in the angle of the spur, 23 patients (21.3%) had a decrease in the dimensions of the spur, and one patient had a broken spur. Therefore, results showed no correlation between clinical outcome and radiologic changes. The present study supports the finding that even with no radiologic change after ESWT therapy, the therapy produces significant effects in reducing patients' complaints about heel spurs.

Efficacy of alfuzosin and sildenafil combination in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are frequently encountered in ageing males. We compared the efficacy of alfuzosin 10 mg alone or in combination with sildenafil 50 mg in the treatment of LUTS due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. One hundred male patients older than 45 years were randomized to two groups containing 50 patients each; one group receiving alfuzosin 10 mg and the other group alfuzosin 10 mg combined with sildenafil 50 mg. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum flow rate (Q(max)), prostate volume and post-void residual urine were evaluated. The mean age was 60.2 ± 17.8. Mean data of evaluated parameters in both groups at the end of 3rd month compared with baseline values are given respective order as; 5.1 (26.8%) and 5.8 (28.2%) points decreases in IPSS; 1.6 (41.1%) and 1.8 (45%) points decreases in QoL; and 3.4 (29.6%) and 3.4 (33%) points increases in Q(max) . The outcomes of our study cannot be interpreted in such a way to report that alpha blocker-PDE5 inhibitor combination has a better efficacy than alpha blocker treatment alone in patients with LUTS.

Incidence of acute hepatitis B in patients with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case survey. OBJECTIVE: To examine incidence and clinical characteristics of hepatitis B infection in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Inpatient clinic within a physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital specialized in rehabilitation. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 161 patients with SCI. INTERVENTIONS: Patients' records were investigated and the status of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV), anti-hepatitis B surface antigen positivity, alanine aminotransferase levels, duration of hospitalization and cost were recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of acute hepatitis B. RESULTS: Six patients were diagnosed with acute hepatitis B on the first hospitalization for rehabilitation. A total of 11 patients (4.2%) were HBsAg positive with a previously established diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection, 1 patient (0.4%) was anti-HCV positive. After a follow-up of 6 months, three of the acute hepatitis B patients progressed into chronic hepatitis B stage. In acute hepatitis B patients' initiation of the rehabilitation was delayed, duration of hospitalization was increased. CONCLUSIONS: After SCI, patients are at high risk of acute hepatitis B infection. A high rate of chronicity may be associated with impaired immune response, secondary to neurological deficit. Screening and vaccination protocols may prevent the spread of the hepatitis B infection, healthcare losses and financial loss.

Relationship between decreased bone mineral density and subclinical atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to compare measurements of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: The CAC of the women was measured with electron beam tomography using a GE Imatron C150 XP EBT scanner. Subjects with calcium scores above 0 were classified as CAC(+); those without detectable coronary calcium were classified as CAC(-). BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Patients were divided into two groups, depending on the T scores of their lumbar spine, into those with normal bone and those with osteopenia-osteoporosis. RESULTS: The proportions of patients classified as CAC(+) were 20% in the normal group and 60% in the osteopenia-osteoporosis group (p = 0.037). BMD values in L1-4 were 1.13 +/- 2.29 and 0.98 +/- 2.79 g/cm(2) in the normal group and osteopenia-osteoporosis group, respectively and the mean total CAC scores were 1.34 +/- 1.2 and 69.0 +/- 20.5, respectively. The CAC scores of patients with osteopenia-osteoporosis were significantly higher compared with those of the normal group (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: The study shows that postmenopausal women with decreased bone mineral density may have higher risk of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

Occupation in spinal cord injury patients in Turkey.

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the changes in the occupation of patients after spinal cord injury (SCI) and the factors that cause this change. SUBJECTS: The study involved 192 Turkish patients (41 female, 151 male) who had suffered SCI. The mean age of patients was 36.1+/-12.0 years. The mean follow-up time was 43.4+/-38.0 months. Before injury, 138 patients were employed in gainful occupations, 26 patients were housewives, 10 were retired, 7 were students and 11 patients were unemployed. Only 15 patients (7.8%) returned to their original occupations after injury. Thirteen patients (6.8%) are currently working in another job; 1 patient (0.5%) is a student; 10 (5.2%) are retired as was earlier; 40 (20.8%) are retired on grounds of disability; 26 (13.5%) are housewives; and 87 patients (45.3%) are currently unemployed. METHODS: Prospective data collection through a face-to-face interview on an established SCI Turkish sample. RESULTS: In our study, the rate of returning to work was found to be 14.6%. In the evaluation of factors affecting return to work after injury, educational level (P=0.00), pre-injury employment (P=0.01) and bladder-emptying method (P=0.03) were statistically significantly correlated with return to work. CONCLUSION: In this study, education, pre-injury employment and bladder-emptying method were found to be important factors in returning to work after SCI.

Difficulties in treatment of CSF leakage associated with a temporal meningocele.

Temporal meningocele is a rarely encountered pathology. It is caused by communication between the subarachnoid space of the middle fossa and lateral extension of the sphenoid sinus. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressures and the hydrostatic pulsatile forces may lead to the development of pitholes on the middle fossa at the sites of arachnoid villi with herniation of dura/arachnoid or brain tissue into the sinus. We describe an adult patient who presented with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea due to a temporal meningocele. She was first operated on transsphenoidally, but the CSF rhinorrea did not cessate, therefore she was operated transcranially five days after the first operation. There has been no CSF rhinorrhea for three and a half years. Transcranial temporal encephalocele repairment is more effective than transsphenoidal surgery. Recurrent CSF leaks can occur due to both the increased CSF pressure and the insufficient operation technique.

'Use of electrothermal vessel sealing with LigaSure device during laparoscopic splenectomy'.

PURPOSE: Main causes of conversion to open surgery are uncontrolled bleeding from splenic hilum and capsular injury of spleen during laparoscopic splenectomy (LS). We present the use of LigaSure in laparoscopic splenectomy for hemostasis. MATERIAL & METHOD: Between January 2005 and May 2006, LS was performed in a total of 29 patients (6 male and 23 female) with a mean age of 35.44 +/- 13.63. Indications for splenectomy were idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in 20 patients, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in 2, hereditary spherocytosis (HS) in 3, lymphangioma in 2, hodgkin lymphoma in 1 and splenic cyst in one patient. LS was performed in the right semilateral position with three 10 mm trocars. LigaSure was used in dissection and division of splenic ligaments and hilar vascular structures. RESULTS: Conversion to open surgery was necessary in one patient due to peroperative bleeding. The mean duration of the operation was 71.3 +/- 19.8 minutes and the estimated blood loss was 85 +/- 23 ml. The diameter and the weight of the spleen were 10.7 +/- 2.68 cm and 250 +/- 90 g, respectively. There was no mortality. Postoperative complications included pancreatic fistula, trocar site infection and deep venous thrombosis that were encountered in three patients. These were managed without morbidity. The overall complication rate was 10.3% (n = 3). The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 2.86 +/- 1.59 days. CONCLUSION: LigaSureTM use in LS had easy application, provided sufficient hemostasis, and shortened the operative time.

Bilateral abducens nerve palsy following ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm: report of 2 cases.

Isolated abducens nerve palsies associated with intracranial aneurysms have rarely been reported. Their association with anterior communicating artery (ACoA) is even rarer. Intracisternal clot formation and elevated intracranial pressure has been proposed to be the responsible mechanisms. Herewith, we report two cases of bilateral abducens palsies following ruptured ACoA aneurysms and speculated the possible mechanisms. Opening of Liliequist's membrane provides clinical improvement due to CSF release.

Evaluation of third ventriculostomy outcome by measuring optic nerve sheath diameter in adult hdyrocephalus / Evaluación del resultado de la ventriculostomía endoscópica midiendo el diámetro de la vaina del nervio óptico en la hidrocefalia adulta

Objective: It is difficult to demonstrate the success of the procedure in patients with third ventriculostomy. We evaluated that optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement, which can reflect intracranial pressure, may be a criterion for decision of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) success. Methods: 28 adult patients suffering long overt standing ventriculomegaly (LOVA) who performed ETV were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups as successful (group A) and failed ETV group (group B) according to their postoperative evaluation. ONSD was measured on pre- and post-operative computed tomography (CT) and Evan's index (EI), diameter of third ventricule (V3), the patency of ETV stoma and periventricular edema were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: The mean ONSD was measured as 6.39±0.92mm for the right eye, 6.50±0.91mm for the left eye on preoperative CT. The mean ONSD by CT (after surgery) was 4.89±0.87mm for the right eye, 5.02±0.1mm for the left eye (p<0.05). Postoperative group A and group B were compared according to ONSD measurement; mean ONSD in group A was 4.52±0.69mm for the right and 4.59±0.9mm for the left, mean ONSD in group B was 5.82±0.51mm for the right and 6.1±0.32mm for the left (p<0.05). The best ONSD value for detecting failed ETV was 5.40mm (sensitivity 90%, specifity 75%, AUROC 0.938) for right and 5.91mm (sensitivity 90%, specifity 75%, AUROC 0.950) for left. EE was measured as 0.39±0.12mm on preoperative MRI and 0.39±0.12mm on postoperative MRI (p=0.3). V3 was measured as 14.7±2.47mm on preoperative MRI and 10.47±1.99mm on postoperative MRI (p<0.05). Conclusion: The statistical values obtained from study show that the ONSD measurement can help in the postoperative evaluation of patients, who had a ETV surgery (AU)

Objetivo: Es difícil demostrar el éxito del procedimiento en pacientes con ventriculostomía premamilar. Evaluamos que la medición del diámetro de la vaina del nervio óptico (ONSD), que puede reflejar la presión intracraneal, puede ser un criterio para la decisión del éxito de la ventriculostomía endoscópica (VE). Métodos: En este estudio retrospectivo se incluyeron 28 pacientes adultos que sufrían ventriculomegalia marcada de larga evolución (LOVA) que realizaron VE. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos, según su evaluación postoperatoria: el grupo de ETV exitosa y el grupo fallido. La ONSD se midió en tomografía computarizada (TC) pre- y postoperatoria, y el índice de Evan (IE), el diámetro del tercer ventrículo (V3), la permeabilidad del estoma VE y el edema periventricular se evaluaron mediante imágenes de resonancia magnética (IRM). Resultados: La ONSD media se midió como 6,39±0,92mm para el ojo derecho, 6,50±0,91mm para el ojo izquierdo en la TC preoperatoria. La ONSD media por TC (después de la cirugía) fue de 4,89±0,87mm para el ojo derecho, 5,02±0,1mm para el ojo izquierdo (p<0,05). El grupo postoperatorio A y el grupo B se compararon según la medición ONSD. La media de ONSD en el grupo A fue de 4,52±0,69mm para el derecho y de 4,59±0,9mm para el izquierdo; la media de ONSD en el grupo B fue de 5,82±0,51mm para el derecho y 6,1±0,32mm para el izquierdo (p<0,05). El mejor valor de ONSD para detectar VE fallida fue de 5,40mm (sensibilidad 90%, especificidad 75%, AUROC 0,938) para el derecho y 5,91mm (sensibilidad 90%, especificidad 75%, AUROC 0,950) para el izquierdo. IE se midió como 0,39±0,12mm en la IRM preoperatoria y 0,39±0,12mm en la IRM postoperatoria (p=0,3). V3 se midió como 14,7±2,47mm en la IRM preoperatoria y 10,47±1,99mm en la RM postoperatoria (p<0,05) (AU)

Antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels in erythrocytes of patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer.

In this study, levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities were investigated in the erythrocytes of patients with oesophageal and gastric cancers. Erythrocytes were obtained from 17 patients with oesophageal cancer, 37 patients with gastric cancer and 20 healthy controls. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation marker, and activities of copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined using spectrophotometric methods. MDA levels and CuZn-SOD activity were significantly higher and GPx and CAT activities significantly lower in patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer than in controls. There were no statistically significant differences in the parameters measured in relation to disease stage in either patient group. These results indicate significant changes in the antioxidant defence system in patients with oesophageal and gastric cancer. It is postulated that this may lead to enhanced action of oxygen radicals, resulting in lipid peroxidation.