Fournier's gangrene current approaches.

Fournier's gangrene is a rare but highly mortal infectious disease characterised by fulminant necrotising fasciitis involving the genital and perineal regions. The objective of this study is to analyse the demographics, clinical feature and treatment approaches as well as outcomes of Fournier's gangrene. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records and operative notes. Patient data were analysed by demographics, aetiological factors, clinical features, treatment approaches and outcomes. Twelve patients (five female and seven male) were enrolled in this study. The most common aetiology was perianal abscess (41·6%). Wound cultures showed a mixture of microorganisms in six (50%) patients. For faecal diversion, while colostomy was performed in six cases (50%), Flexi-Seal was used in two cases (16·6%). In four patients (33·4%), no faecal diversion was performed. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system was effective in the last four patients (33·4%). The mean hospitalisation period in patients who used NPWT was 18 days, while it was 20 days in the others. NPWT in Fournier's gangrene is a safe dressing method. It promotes granulation formation. Flexi-Seal faecal management is an alternative method to colostomy and provides protection from its associated complications. The combination of two devices (Flexi-Seal and NPWT) is an effective and comfortable method in the management of Fournier's gangrene in appropriate patients.

Pancreatic involvement in small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available concerning incidence, clinical picture, and prognosis for pancreatic metastases of small cell lung carcinoma. In this paper we review the related literature available in English language. CONCLUSIONS: Although pancreatic metastases are generally asymptomatic, they can rarely produce clinical symptoms or functional abnormalities. The widespread use of multi-detector computerised tomography (CT) in contemporary medical practice has led to an increased detection of pancreatic metastases in oncology patients. Tissue diagnosis is imperative because radiological techniques alone are incapable of differentiating them from primary pancreatic tumours. Pancreatic metastases occur in the relative end stage of small cell lung cancer. The main complications of these lesions, although rare, are acute pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice. Early chemotherapy can provide a survival benefit even in patients with mild acute pancreatitis or extrahepatic biliary obstruction.

The effect of pycnogenol on lymphatic nodes and adhesion during in a peritoneal adhesion model in rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of pycnogenol on peritoneal adhesions and additionally to investigate the immunohistochemical effects of free oxygen radicals and reactive lymph nodes detected in the adhesive tissue that was sampled surrounding the cecum on intra-abdominal adhesions. METHODS: Twenty-seven Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups. In group 1 (sham), laparotomy was performed and stitched up. In group 2 (control), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered 2 cc of saline. In group 3 (experimental), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered a sterile Pycnogenol derivative. The rats in all groups were re-laparotomized on postoperative day 7; samples were obtained from the peritoneal tissue surrounding the cecum, and the rats were sacrificed. RESULTS: In group 3, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of inflammation, lymph node size, and free oxygen radicals; these parameters tended to increase. In terms of fibrosis evaluated using H&E and MT, there was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: No positive outcomes indicating that pycnogenol reduces intra-abdominal adhesions were obtained. However, it caused severe inflammation in the tissue. Moreover, a significant increase in lymph node size was detected secondary to inflammation. Additionally, in immunohistochemical analyses conducted to detect oxidative stress, pycnogenol increased the production of free oxygen radicals in the tissue.

Diagnosing between papillary carcinoma and reactive papillary changes in an infarcted thyroid nodule after fine needle aspiration and accompanied by a synchronous brain stem astrocytoma.

A 22-year-old patient underwent fine needle aspiration of a nodule at the outer center of the right lobe of the thyroid, and it was reported to be Bethesda system category IV, Hurthle cell follicular neoplasia. The patient, who persented to Onsekiz Mart University Research and Application Hospital, underwent surgery. During right total thyroidectomy, an almost totally infarcted nodule and papillary structures around these infarcted areas were detected. Herein, we report on diagnostic challenges faced in confirming whether the infarcted nodule was a case of reactive papillary changes or an underdiagnosed papillary carcinoma and how the challenges were overcome using immunohistochemistry analysis and molecular genetic testing. In addition, we examined the case along with a literature review because an accompanying synchronous brain stem astrocytoma was detected in the patient after thyroidectomy.

A remnant suture can mimic malignancy after total thyroidectomy.

Foreign body reactions may develop against exogenous or certain endogenous materials. Cases of suture granuloma that develop against nonabsorbable suture material are rare complications of thyroid surgery. Because of these postoperative complications, a history of cancer prior to the operation suggests recurrence of cancer. Appropriate clinical, radiological, and pathological evaluation is highly important in such cases. Postoperative foreign bodies may remain undetected for years, but they sometimes cause lethal complications. KEY WORDS: Cancer mimicking, Foreign body, Suture granuloma, Thyroid surgery.

Effects of spinal anesthesia and laryngeal mask anesthesia on mood states during hemorrhoidectomy.

The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of laryngeal mask anesthesia (LMA) and spinal anesthesia on mood states in patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy. A total of 46 patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy for grade III and IV hemorrhoids were included in this study. LMA with fentanyl plus propofol was given to 23 patients, and spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine was administered to 23 patients. Mood changes were assessed preoperatively and 2 h postoperatively with the Profile of Mood States (POMS), which consists of 65 questions that are designed to measure 6 identifiable mood states (tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, and confusion). No significant differences were noted between the 2 groups in terms of baseline POMS global and subscale scores, except for scores regarding vigor. No significant mood changes were observed after hemorrhoidectomy in patients who were given LMA; however, an increase in total POMS score was reported in patients given spinal anesthesia. These findings suggest that mood score is affected by spinal anesthesia but not by LMA in patients who are about to undergo hemorrhoidectomy.

Hepatic hydatid disease in children and adults living in different areas in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical features of the hepatic hydatid disease in the operated children and adults living in the east and west part of Turkey. METHODS: Between January 2001 and May 2005, 105 patients were operated with the diagnosis of hepatic hydatid cyst in Trakya and Yuzuncu Yil University Hospitals, Turkey. The patients (n=105) were retrospectively evaluated in 4 groups; Edirne Ch: (18 children under 18 year-old) and Edirne Ad: (20 adults) were from Edirne, Van Ch: (22 children under 18 year-old) and Van Ad: (44 adults) from Van. The patients in each group were analyzed according to their clinical and radiological findings. RESULTS: The frequency of hepatic hydatid cysts in children was significantly higher in boys in Edirne Ch group and in girls in Van Ch group (p<0.05). In adults, the disease was also seen significantly higher in males in Edirne Ad group and females in Van Ad group (p<0.05). There were no difference symptoms of the disease, concomitant extra hepatic cysts and total cyst number in children and adults in the same region (p>0.05). The number of huge hepatic cysts and history of contact with animal were more common in children and adults living in Van. CONCLUSION: While the course of hepatic hydatid disease has the similar clinical features among the children and adults in the same region, remarkable regional differences have been found on it.

L-carnitine has a protective effect on the colonic mucosa during abdominopelvic radiotherapy in rats.

PURPOSE:: To evaluate histopathologically the radioprotective effect of L-carnitine on the colonic mucosa in rats undergoing abdominopelvic irradiation. METHODS:: Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: intraperitoneal administration of normal saline (group 1) or L-carnitine (300 mL/kg; group 2), followed in groups 3 and 4, respectively, by one dose of abdominopelvic radiation (20 Gy) 30 min later. Rats were sacrificed 5 days after radiation, and their descending colons were resected for histopathological evaluation of the presence and severity of damage. RESULTS:: Average damage scores did not differ significantly between groups 1 and 2 (0.13 ± 0.35 and 0.25 ± 0.46, respectively); the group 3 score was highest (10.25 ± 0.71), and the group 4 score (3.63 ± 1.41) was significantly lower than that of group 3 (both p = 0.0001). Pre-radiation L-carnitine administration significantly reduced mucosal thinning, crypt distortion, reactive atypia, inflammation, cryptitis, and reactive lymph-node hyperplasia (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:: L-carnitine had a radioprotective effect on rat colonic mucosa. L-carnitine use should be explored for patients with gastrointestinal cancer, who have reduced serum L-carnitine levels.

The radio-protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and thymoquinone in rats exposed to total head irradiation.

BACKGROUND: Many cancer patients treated with radiotherapy suffer severe side effects during and after their treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of irradiation and the addition of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and thymoquinone (TQ) on the oxidant/antioxidant system in the liver tissue of irradiated rats. METHODS: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups to test the radioprotective effectiveness of thymoquinone and caffeic acid phenethyl ester administered by intraperitoneal injection. Appropriate control groups were also studied. RESULTS: While liver tissue total oxidant status, lipid hydroperoxide level, and oxidative stress index were significantly increased in the irradiated (IR) group, compared with other groups, total antioxidant status, sulfhydryl levels, and paraoxonase (PON) activity were significantly decreased. Ceruloplasmin activity in IR plus TQ and IR groups was higher than the control group. Arylesterase and PON activities in IR plus TQ- and IR plus CAPE-supplemented groups were lower than those of control groups. CONCLUSIONS: TQ and CAPE decrease oxidative stress markers and have antioxidant effects, which also augment antioxidant capacity in the liver tissue of irradiated rats.

Antioxidant Activity of Syringic Acid Prevents Oxidative Stress in l-arginine-Induced Acute Pancreatitis: An Experimental Study on Rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of antioxidant treatment with syringic acid (SA) on l-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) using biochemical and histopathologic approaches. A total of 30 rats were divided into 3 groups. The control group received normal saline intraperitoneally. The AP group was induced by 3.2 g/kg body weight l-arginine intraperitoneally, administered twice with an interval of 1 hour between administrations. The AP plus SA group, after having AP induced by 3.2 g/kg body weight l-arginine, was given SA (50 mg kg(-1)) in 2 parts within 24 hours. The rats were killed, and pancreatic tissue was removed and used in biochemical and histopathologic examinations. Compared with the control group, the mean pancreatic tissue total oxidant status level, oxidative stress index, and lipid hydroperoxide levels were significantly increased in the AP group, being 30.97 ± 7.13 (P < 0.05), 1.76 ± 0.34 (P < 0.0001), and 19.18 ± 4.91 (P < 0.01), respectively. However, mean total antioxidant status and sulfhydryl group levels were significantly decreased in the AP group compared with the control group, being 1.765 ± 0.21 (P < 0.0001) and 0.21 ± 0.04 (P < 0.0001), respectively. SA reduces oxidative stress markers and has antioxidant effects. It also augments antioxidant capacity in l-arginine-induced acute toxicity of pancreas in rats.

The Effect of Systemic Carnitine Administration on Colon Anastomosis Healing in an Experimental Sepsis Model.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine, with its known antioxidant properties and positive effects on wound healing, on the healing of colon anastomosis in a cecal ligation and puncture sepsis model in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10 (n = 10). Groups 1 and 2 had laparotomy and colon anastomosis performed. Groups 3 and 4 had cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and colon anastomosis performed. Rats in Groups 1 and 3 were given 15 mL/kg intraperitoneal 0.9% isotonic NaCl, while the rats in Groups 2 and 4 were given 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal L-carnitine. On the postoperative fifth day, the rats were sacrificed and the burst pressure of anastomosis, histopathological effects, and tissue hydroxyproline levels were investigated. RESULTS: In Groups 2 and 4, the anastomosis burst pressure and histopathological results in both noninfected abdomen and presence of peritonitis were statistically high compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Though the hydroxyproline levels were also high, there was no statistically significant difference for this parameter (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings obtained from the experimental sepsis model showed that healing of anastomosis in both the presence of peritonitis and noninfected abdomen was positively affected by the systemic administration of L-carnitine and this may contribute to the safety of anastomosis.

Radioprotective effects of Nigella sativa oil against oxidative stress in liver tissue of rats exposed to total head irradiation.

OBJECTIVE: Many cancer patients treated with radiotherapy suffer severe side effects during and after their treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of irradiation and the addition of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on the oxidant/antioxidant system in the liver tissue of irradiated rats. METHODS: A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into three groups of equal numbers. The control group received neither NSO nor irradiation but received 1-ml saline orally. The irradiation group (IR) received total head 5 gray (Gy) of gamma irradiation as a single dose, plus 1-ml saline orally. The IR plus NSO group received both total head 5 Gy of gamma irradiation as a single dose and 1 g/kg/day NSO orally through an orogastric tube starting one hour before irradiation and continuing for 10 days. RESULTS: While liver tissue total oxidant status (TOS), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) level, and oxidative stress index (OSI) were significantly increased in the IR group compared to the control group, total antioxidant status (TAS), sulfhydryl (-SH) levels, and PON activity were significantly decreased. Cp activity in the IR plus NSO and IR groups was higher than in the control group. ARYL activity in the IR plus NSO supplemented group was higher than that in other groups. CONCLUSIONS: NSO reduces oxidative stress markers and has antioxidant effects, which also augments the antioxidant capacity in the liver tissue of rats.

Laparoscopic repair of combined right diaphragm and liver injuries with a sharp object: a case report.

Introduction. Diaphragm injuries develop following penetrating or blunt traumas. The purpose of the case report is to present a 28 year old male patient with stable hemodynamic findings treated with laparoscopic approach following a liver injury combined with a right diaphragm injury caused by a sharp penetrating object. Case. 4 cm long transverse laceration was observed near the middle axillary line in the 6th right intercostal space in the examination performed on a 28 year old male patient who applied to the emergency service due to sharp penetrating object injury. Respiratory sounds were decreased in the right side and the examination revealed sensitivity in the abdomen. Elevation in the right diaphragm and hemopneumothorax was monitored in chest X-ray and computerized tomography. Closed subaqueous thorax drain was placed and the patient was taken to the surgery with a right diaphragm injury prediagnosis. Laparoscopic exploration was performed to the patient with stable hemodynamic findings by entering through 10 mm port above the abdomen. 6 cm long injury at the right side of diaphragm and approximately 2 cm deep at the deepest point and 5 cm long linear laceration was observed in the 7th segment of the liver. The diaphragm was repaired laparoscopically with sutures that do not melt on their own. Tampon was applied to the laceration in the liver and bleeding control was performed with suture. Patient was discharged on the 3rd day because he had no problems during postoperative follow-ups. Result. No noticed right side diaphragm rupture and possible concomitant visceral organ injuries following a penetrant injury that can cause significant mortality and morbidity should be definitely kept in mind. The detection of right side diaphragm and liver injury is vital with high mortality in case of delayed diagnosis, and direct radiography and computerized tomography are helpful in the diagnosis. Surgical treatment with laparoscopic approach is a method that leads to less hospitalization duration and less pain in cases that are hemodynamically stable.

Agenesis of isthmus of the thyroid gland in a patient with graves-basedow disease and a solitary nodule.

The thyroid is a vascular endocrine gland with two lateral lobes connected by a narrow, median isthmus. Although a wide range of congenital anomalies of the thyroid gland has been reported in the literature, agenesis of the thyroid isthmus is a very rare congenital anomaly. Thyroid isthmus agenesis does not manifest clinical symptoms, and it can be confused with other thyroid pathologies. We describe a patient with no isthmus of the thyroid, associated with Graves-Basedow disease. Thyroid isthmus agenesis should be kept in mind in order for surgical procedures involving thyroid pathologies to be carried out safely.

The effect of pycnogenol on lymphatic nodes and adhesion during in a peritoneal adhesion model in rats

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effects of pycnogenol on peritoneal adhesions and additionally to investigate the immunohistochemical effects of free oxygen radicals and reactive lymph nodes detected in the adhesive tissue that was sampled surrounding the cecum on intra-abdominal adhesions. Methods: Twenty-seven Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups. In group 1 (sham), laparotomy was performed and stitched up. In group 2 (control), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered 2 cc of saline. In group 3 (experimental), after laparotomy was performed, punctate hemorrhage was induced by cecal abrasion in the cecum and each rat was intraperitoneally administered a sterile Pycnogenol derivative. The rats in all groups were re-laparotomized on postoperative day 7; samples were obtained from the peritoneal tissue surrounding the cecum, and the rats were sacrificed. Results: In group 3, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of inflammation, lymph node size, and free oxygen radicals; these parameters tended to increase. In terms of fibrosis evaluated using H&E and MT, there was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3. Conclusions: No positive outcomes indicating that pycnogenol reduces intra-abdominal adhesions were obtained. However, it caused severe inflammation in the tissue. Moreover, a significant increase in lymph node size was detected secondary to inflammation. Additionally, in immunohistochemical analyses conducted to detect oxidative stress, pycnogenol increased the production of free oxygen radicals in the tissue.

L-carnitine has a protective effect on the colonic mucosa during abdominopelvic radiotherapy in rats

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate histopathologically the radioprotective effect of L-carnitine on the colonic mucosa in rats undergoing abdominopelvic irradiation. METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: intraperitoneal administration of normal saline (group 1) or L-carnitine (300 mL/kg; group 2), followed in groups 3 and 4, respectively, by one dose of abdominopelvic radiation (20 Gy) 30 min later. Rats were sacrificed 5 days after radiation, and their descending colons were resected for histopathological evaluation of the presence and severity of damage. RESULTS: Average damage scores did not differ significantly between groups 1 and 2 (0.13 ± 0.35 and 0.25 ± 0.46, respectively); the group 3 score was highest (10.25 ± 0.71), and the group 4 score (3.63 ± 1.41) was significantly lower than that of group 3 (both p = 0.0001). Pre-radiation L-carnitine administration significantly reduced mucosal thinning, crypt distortion, reactive atypia, inflammation, cryptitis, and reactive lymph-node hyperplasia (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: L-carnitine had a radioprotective effect on rat colonic mucosa. L-carnitine use should be explored for patients with gastrointestinal cancer, who have reduced serum L-carnitine levels.