Aytaç Gülcü

Percutaneous embolization of persistent urinary fistula after partial nephrectomy using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate.

Abstract

Percutaneous Treatment of Hydatid Liver Cysts in Children as a Primary Treatment: Long-term Results

PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness and long-term results of percutaneous treatment for hydatid liver cysts in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-four pediatric patients (15 male, 19 female; ages 4-17 years; mean age, 9.4 years) with 51 hydatid liver cysts underwent ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous treatment with albendazole prophylaxis. There were 15 type II lesions with membrane detachment and 36 type I lesions resembling simple hepatic cysts with pure anechogenic content or small echogenic reflections and a regular well-delineated wall. The method of US-guided puncture, aspiration, injection of hypertonic saline solution, and reaspiration was preferred for 21 lesions. For the remaining 30 larger cysts, the intervention was performed with the same percutaneous technique but followed by catheterization, drainage, control cystography, and sclerotherapy with ethanol. During follow-up, US examinations were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months for the first year and yearly thereafter. RESULTS Percutaneous treatment of hepatic hydatid disease was successful in 33 patients (97.1%). During follow-up, US findings in the lesions changed significantly; at year 1, the inner content of the lesions became heterogeneous with a semisolid appearance, and the mean reduction in volume was 81.4%. At 2-year follow-up, most hydatid cysts had become solid in nature and the reduction in volume reached 65%-99% (mean, 85.1%). There were no recurrences or additional lesions after the follow-up of 1-6 years (mean, 3.1 years). Average hospital stay for the whole group in this study was 3.5 days. CONCLUSIONS The long-term results of percutaneous liver hydatid cyst treatment in children are in accordance with the results in adults. Percutaneous treatment of uncomplicated type I and type II liver hydatid cysts in pediatric patients is an efficient and safe treatment with short hospitalization.

Effects of sildenafil on ocular perfusion demonstrated by color Doppler ultrasonography

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sildenafil on ocular hemodynamics by color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU). In all, 38 patients with erectile dysfunction diagnosed by International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Sexual Health Inventory of Men (SHIM) scores were included into the study. After taking 100 mg of oral sildenafil citrate, all patients underwent CDU examination of central retinal artery at 60 and 75 min and CDU examination of cavernosal artery at 20, 60 and 75 min. All of the side effects during and after the test were also recorded. The mean cavernous artery peak systolic flow velocity increased significantly after sildenafil. However, no significant change was determined in central retinal artery flow parameters including peak systolic flow velocity, end-diastolic flow velocity, resistive index, pulsatility index, volume and diameter. Five patients experienced ocular side effects. No significant change was observed in retinal artery CDU measurements of patients having ocular side effects. Sildenafil has no effect on ocular hemodynamics on the basis of CDU. Ocular side effects may be the result of other changes in retinal photoreceptors rather than the ocular circulation.

A possible new risk factor in diabetic patients with erectile dysfunction: homocysteinemia

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Increasing levels of homocysteine (Hcys) are related to decreased nitric oxide synthesis in the vascular endothelium and also to erectile dysfunction (ED). We investigated the traditional risk factors of ED and plasma levels of Hcys in diabetic patients. METHODS Sixty-two men with type 2 diabetes and ages of between 40 and 70 years were included in the study. Detailed medical and sexual history and physical examination were performed. Erectile function was assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function. All participants were evaluated for fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B-100, vitamin B(12), folic acid, and plasma Hcys levels. Patients were evaluated for diabetic neuropathy. Colored penile Doppler ultrasonography was used to detect vascular abnormalities in diabetic patients with ED. RESULTS Fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, and HbA1c levels were significantly higher in diabetic patients with ED (P<.05). In addition, Hcys levels were slightly high in diabetic patients with ED (P=.079). Logistic regression analysis revealed that high levels of HbA1c (P<.01) and Hcys (P<.05), and smoking status (P<.01) were the main determinants of the presence of ED in our diabetic population. CONCLUSION We conclude that traditional risk factors, poor metabolic control, and smoking are important in ED generation in diabetic patients. In addition, Hcys, which is an important risk factor in atherogenesis, seems to be important in ED generation in diabetic patients.

Ghrelin and adipokines as circulating markers of disease activity in patients with Takayasu arteritis

IntroductionThe current markers of disease activity in Takayasu arteritis (TA) are insufficient for proper assessment. We investigated circulating levels of unacylated and acylated ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin and their relationships with disease activity in patients with TA.MethodsThis study included 31 patients with TA and 32 sex-, age- and body mass index-matched healthy controls. Disease activity was assessed in TA patients using various tools, including Kerrs criteria, disease extent index-Takayasu, physicians global assessment, radiological parameters, and laboratory markers. Plasma unacylated and acylated ghrelin, and serum leptin and adiponectin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsUnacylated and acylated ghrelin levels were found to be significantly lower in TA patients than that in healthy controls. Patients with active disease had lower unacylated ghrelin levels than those with inactive disease and had lower acylated ghrelin levels than healthy controls. Ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with various parameters of disease activity. The leptin/ghrelin ratio was significantly higher in TA patients than controls. It was positively correlated with disease activity. There was a positive correlation between unacylated and acylated ghrelin and a negative correlation between leptin and ghrelin. There was no statistical difference in adiponectin levels between TA patients and controls. The radiological activity markers were positively correlated with other parameters of disease activity.ConclusionsThis study suggests that plasma unacylated and acylated ghrelin levels may be useful in monitoring disease activity and planning treatment strategies for patients with TA. The serum leptin level and leptin/ghrelin ratio may also be used to help assess the disease activity.

Doppler US evaluation of renal biopsy complications in children

PURPOSE Percutaneous renal biopsy plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of renal disease in children, but it does carry some complications. As most cases are vascular in origin, Doppler ultrasonography (US) has clear benefits in terms of detecting bleeding and assessing vascular damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Doppler US in detecting possible complications after percutaneous renal biopsy in pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was performed using the data obtained from all pediatric patients who underwent renal biopsy in our institution between 1999 and 2011. RESULTS A total of 175 biopsies were performed in 172 patients (48.3% male, 51.7% female) ranging in age from 1 to 17 years (mean, 8.7 years). Of 175 biopsies, 42 (24.0%) led to complications. Overall, 52 complications (25% major, 75% minor) occurred following 42 biopsies. CONCLUSION Doppler US examination is capable of and helpful in detecting possible vascular complications such as pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula and improves the management of these patients after biopsy. It is important to recognize the Doppler US appearance of complications associated with percutaneous renal biopsy and to perform close follow-up with Doppler US in the first 24 hours.

Bilateral orbital pseudotumor in a patient with Takayasu arteritis: a case report and review of the literature.

Abstract Inflammatory orbital pseudotumor is often associated with rheumatologic disorders. It has been reported commonly with ANCA-associated vasculitides, especially granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s granulomatosis). There are also a few cases of large vessel vasculitis such as giant cell arteritis and Behcet’s disease. Here, we report a patient with undiagnosed Takayasu arteritis presenting with proptosis and diplopia, with later diagnosis of an inflammatory pseudotumor of the orbit. In this case, we believe extensive involvement of blood vessels, including bilateral pulmonary artery stenosis, and elevated inflammatory markers that show disease activity may be related to pseudotumor formation in Takayasu arteritis. Since this is an unusual and unreported presentation of the disease, better estimation of a causal relationship may be possible in the future with further information. In conclusion, although uncommon, this case highlights that orbital pseudotumor may be an important finding in Takayasu arteritis. For early diagnosis, better treatment, and good prognosis, it should be considered in patients presenting with ocular symptoms similar to the other vasculitides.

Unusual case of severe late-onset cytomegalovirus-induced hemorrhagic cystitis and ureteritis in a renal transplant patient.

Abstract Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common in solid organ transplant recipients and accounts for the majority of graft compromise. Major risk factors include primary exposure to CMV infection at the time of transplantation and the use of antilymphocyte agents such as OKT3 (the monoclonal antibody muromonab-CD3) and antithymocyte globulin. It most often develops during the first 6 months after transplantation. Although current prophylactic strategies and antiviral agents have led to decreased occurrence of CMV disease in early posttransplant period, the incidence of late-onset CMV disease ranges from 2% to 7% even in the patients receiving prophylaxis with oral ganciclovir. The most common presentation of CMV disease in transplant patients is CMV pneumonitis followed by gastrointestinal disease. Hemorrhagic cystitis is a common complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The condition is usually due to cyclophosphamide-based myeloablative regimens and infectious agents. Even in these settings, CMV-induced cases occur only sporadically. Ureteritis and hemorrhagic cystitis due to CMV infection after kidney transplantation is reported very rarely on a case basis in the literature so far. We report here a case of late-onset CMV-induced hemorrhagic cystitis and ureteritis presenting with painful macroscopic hematuria and ureteral obstruction after 4 years of renal transplantation. The diagnosis is pathologically confirmed by the demonstration of immunohistochemical staining specific for CMV in a resected ureteral section. We draw attention to this very particular presentation of CMV hemorrhagic cystitis with ureteral obstruction in order to emphasize atypical presentation of tissue-invasive CMV disease far beyond the timetable for posttransplant CMV infection.

A Rare Cause of Renovascular Hypertension: Takayasu Arteritis with Only Renal Artery Involvement

Takayasu arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects mainly the aorta, main branches of aorta, and pulmonary arteries with unknown etiology. Disease affecting solely the renal arteries is rare. We will present a case that had hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis where the etiology was type 2 Takayasu arteritis, affecting renal arteries.

Multiple distant metastases in a case of malignant pleural mesothelioma

Introduction Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a malignant of mesodermal neoplasm and arises from multipotential mesothelial or subserosal cells of the pleura, pericardium and peritoneum. Case A seventy five year-old male patient was admitted with chest and lower limb pain. He was a heavy smoker and exposed to environmental asbestos in his childhood. PET-CT scans showed multiple pathological FDG uptakes in lungs and other organs. Biopsies performed from lung and anterior thigh muscles were reported as epitheloid type malignant pleural mesothelioma. Discussion We emphasize that unexpected distant metastases can be observed in MPM and occasionally primary diagnosis can be determined by the biopsy of the metastatic regions. This case also points out the role of PET-CT in the staging of malign mesothelioma by determining different metastatic sites.