ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Lymphadenopathy (LAP) is a common problem in the pediatric patient. History, physical examinations (PE), ultrasounds, and blood tests were often obtained while studying such lesions. Malignancy should be highly suspected in certain conditions. This study evaluates the relationship between malignant LAP and risk factors for pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of matched patients are reviewed, and data are retrospectively collected. History, PE findings, laboratory data, ultrasound findings, and pathological findings were recorded and analyzed. The median values (interquartile range, IQR) were expressed for continuous variables, and the number of patients (percentage) for categorical variables. Comparisons between groups were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the chi-squared test. The significance was set as p value < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 142 pediatric patients underwent a biopsy in our department for LAP from July 2004 to August 2021. Among them, 108 (76.1 %) patients had benign lesions, and 34 (23.9 %) had malignancies. Weight loss, fixed LAP, firm consistency, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) exceeding 240 U/L were more related to malignant LAP than other risk factors. Multiple regression analysis revealed two independent risk factors. The receiver operating characteristic curve regarding LDH level predicting malignancy revealed a sensitivity of 79.31 % and specificity of 36.51 % by applying the criterion as 230 U/L. CONCLUSIONS: For pediatric LAP, history-taking and physical examinations remained the most important approaches. Ultrasounds, serum LDH, and other laboratory studies may only provide clues. The cutoff level of LDH revealed low sensitivity and specificity for malignant LAP. With firm LAP, which is fixed, a biopsy for tissue proof should be performed.
ABSTRACT
Climate and temperature have long been considered in relation to human diseases and mortality. In this study, we investigated whether daily temperature and humidity and patients' personal history affect the volume of peritonsillar abscesses (PTAs). We included 52 patients with PTAs who were admitted to the emergency department of the study hospital; their computed tomography data were analyzed, and PTA volume was measured. We investigated the possible correlation between PTA volume and mean/minimum/maximum temperature and humidity. Furthermore, we obtained personal history data, including information on drinking status, smoking status, dental problems, and patients' treatment experiences at local clinics before visiting the emergency department. The mean PTA volume was 3.93 mL, which was significantly correlated with temperature differences between 1 and 2 days before hospitalization and the day of hospitalization (Pâ <â .05) and also with a lack of treatment experience at local clinics (Pâ <â .001). However, no significant correlation was noted between PTA volume and the mean/minimum/maximum temperature and humidity on the day of hospitalization (Pâ >â .05). Similar findings were obtained for drinking status, smoking status, and dental problems (Pâ >â .1). PTA volume appears to be strongly associated with temperature differences between 1 and 2 days before hospitalization and the day of hospitalization. Patients with treatment experience at local clinics exhibited substantial increases in PTA volume. Thus, an increased PTA volume may be observed in patients who visit the emergency department without any treatment experience at local clinics or from environments that differ considerably from their current environment in terms of temperature.
Subject(s)
Peritonsillar Abscess , HumansABSTRACT
The primary treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is radiotherapy. In rare cases, patients with NPC treated with radiotherapy may develop radiation-induced sarcoma (RIS), a malignant tumor, in the field of previous radiation. The prognosis is poor, and complete surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment. We report a case of radiation-induced nasopharyngeal sarcoma after radiotherapy for NPC with suspected lung and liver metastases in a 69-year-old woman.
ABSTRACT
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the major complications with increased oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia stimulates the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). However, hyperglycemia directly triggers the interaction between AGEs and transmembrane AGEs receptors (RAGE), which enhances oxidative stress and increases the production of inflammatory substances. Therefore, diabetes plays a pivotal role in kidney injury. Hydralazine, a vasodilator and antihypertensive drug, was found to have the ability to reduce ROS, oxidative stress, and inflammation. We applied Hydralazine co-culture with AGEs in rat mesangial cells (RMC) and to renal ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury models in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Hydralazine significantly decreased AGEs-induced RAGE, iNOS, and COX-2 expressions in RMC. Compared to the diabetic with AKI group, hydralazine decreased inflammation-related protein, and JAK2, STAT3 signaling in rat kidney tissue. Our studies indicate that Hydralazine has the potential to become a beneficial drug in the treatment of diabetic acute kidney injury.
