Ali Bekir Kurt

Mounier-kuhn syndrome (tracheobronchomegaly): An analysis of eleven cases

Mounier‐Kuhn syndrome (MKS) is a congenital disorder characterized by tracheobronchomegaly resulting from the absence of elastic fibers in the trachea and main bronchi or atrophy and thinning of the smooth muscle layer. In this syndrome, dead space associated with tracheobronchomegaly increases and discharge of secretions decreases because of ineffective coughing. The most common complications are recurrent lower respiratory tract infections and bronchiectasis. We examined the clinical characteristics, radiological features, and related complications of patients with MKS.

Swyer–James–Macleod syndrome mimicking an acute pulmonary embolism: A report of six adult cases and a retrospective analysis

In patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), a pulmonary radiograph may reveal oligemic fields (the Westermark sign) associated with sites of occlusion of the pulmonary arteries, interruption or loss of the artery line (the knuckle sign), and even unilateral hyperlucency attributable to reduced overall lung vascularity. In Swyer–James–Macleod syndrome (SJMS), which develops as a result of bronchiolitis obliterans, unilateral hyperlucency is evident because of emphysema and hypoplasia of the pulmonary artery and its branches. Therefore, SJMS cases with clinical and laboratory data compatible with PE may in fact be confused with PE. The cases of six adult patients who were initially presumed to have PE but on further investigation were diagnosed with SJMS are presented in this report, which thus can serve as a guide for diagnosis of similar cases in future.

Recurrent pneumonia due to olive aspiration in a healthy adult: a case report

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) of healthy adults is an extremely unusual condition due to functional swallowing reflex. It may be seen more common in patients who have primary underlying causes such as neurological diseases, mental retardation, alcohol or sedative misuse. FBA in adults can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are nonspecific and chest X-rays may be normal. Occult FBA may lead to a mistaken clinical diagnosis of asthma, bronchitis, chronic pneumonia, recurrent pneumonia and bronchiectasis (1, 2). In Turkey, olive consumption at breakfast is very common particularly among adults. We presented a case of olive aspiration which is extremely rare. A 64-year-old female adult patient was admitted to our clinic with a 1-week history of fever, productive cough and shortness of breath. Vital signs on admission revealed a pulse of 80 beats/min, blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg, respiratory rate of 14 breaths/min and a temperature of 37.5°C. Chest examination revealed crackles on the right lower area. The rest of the systemic examination was unremarkable. Chest X-ray revealed pneumonic infiltrates in the right middle and lower lung zones. The laboratory tests on admission showed a leucocyte count of 12 300/μL (4.0–10/μL) with 72% neutrophils. C-reactive protein was at 18 μmol/L (0–0.5 mg/dL). She was diagnosed with community acquired pneumonia involving the right lower lobe and parenteral antibiotic therapy was initiated. As learned from the patient medical history, she had been hospitalized because of right lower lobe pneumonia