Devrim Akinci

Percutaneous Drainage of 300 Intraperitoneal Abscesses with Long-Term Follow-Up

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous drainage of intraperitoneal abscesses with attention to recurrence and failure rates. A retrospective analysis of percutaneous treatment of 300 intraperitoneal abscesses in 255 patients (147 male, 108 female; average age: 38 years; range: 40 days to 90 years) for whom at least 1-year follow-up data were available was performed. Abscesses were drained with fluoroscopic, sonographic, or computed tomographic guidance. Nine abscesses were drained by simple aspiration; catheter drainage either by Seldinger or trocar technique was used in the remaining 291 abscesses with 6F to 14 F catheters. Initial cure and failure rates were 68% (203/300) and 12% (36/300), respectively. Sixty-one abscesses (20%) were either palliated or temporized. The recurrence rate was 4% (12/300) and nine of them were cured by recatheterization, whereas three of them were treated by medication or surgery. The overall success and failure rates were 91% (273/300) and 9% (27/300), respectively, with temporized, palliated, and recatheterized recurred abscesses. The 30-day mortality rate was 3.1% (8/255). The mean duration of catheterization was 13 days. Intraperitoneal abscesses with safe access routes should be drained percutaneously because of high success and low morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rates.

Percutaneous Transcatheter Ethanol Sclerotherapy and Catheter Drainage of Postoperative Pelvic Lymphoceles

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and long-term results of percutaneous transcatheter ethanol sclerotherapy (PTES) for postoperative pelvic lymphocele treatment. Fifty-two patients who were referred for lymphocele treatment were included in this study. Sixty lymphoceles of 52 patients were treated by percutaneous treatment with or without ethanol sclerotherapy. Lymphoceles developed in 47 and 5 patients, who underwent gynecologic malignancy operation (31 ovarian cancer, 6 cervix cancer, 10 endometrial cancer) and renal transplantation, respectively. Lymphoceles were catheterized by ultrasonography and fluoroscopy guidance using the Seldinger technique. Lymphoceles smaller than 150 mL underwent single-session ethanol sclerotherapy and the others were treated by multiple-session ethanol scleortherapy. In 10 patients, percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy could not be performed and they were treated only by percutaneous catheter drainage. The mean lymphocele volume was 329 mL (15–2900 mL). The mean catheterization duration was 11.8 days (1–60 days). The mean follow up time was 25.8 months (2–64 months). The initial treatment was successful in 46 out of 50 (91%) lymphoceles treated with PTES and 7 out of 10 (70%) lymphoceles treated with percutaneous catheter drainage. Minor complications (secondary infection and catheter dislodgement) were noted in seven (11.6%) patients. Recurrence developed in four and three patients who were treated by PTES and percutaneous catheter drainage, respectively. Five of these patients were treated with PTES without further recurrence. Percutaneous transcatheter ethanol sclerotherapy is an effective and reliable method for the treatment of postoperative lymphoceles.

Cytomegalovirus-related congenital nephrotic syndrome with diffuse mesangial sclerosis

This case report describes congenital nephrotic syndrome in a 2-month-old girl associated with cytomegalovirus infection. Histological examination on renal biopsy showed diffuse mesangial sclerosis and cytomegalic inclusion bodies in the tubular cells and in some glomeruli. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) titer in serum was high. Remission of pulmonary and renal symptoms was achieved with ganciclovir in 3 weeks. No recurrence of proteinuria was observed during the follow-up period of 14 months. These finding suggested a causal relationship between congenital nephrotic syndrome and cytomegalovirus infection.

Percutaneous Placement of Peritoneal Port-Catheter in Patients with Malignant Ascites

We report our experience with a radiologically placed peritoneal port-catheter in palliation of malignant ascites. Port-catheters were successfully placed under ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic guidance in seven patients (five women, two men) who had symptomatic malignant ascites. The long-term primary patency rate was 100%. The mean duration of catheter function was 148 days. Seven patients had a total of 1040 port-days. Two patients received intraperitoneal chemotherapy via the port-catheter. There were no procedure-related mortality and major complications. Minor complications such as ascitic fluid leakage from the peritoneal entry site, migration of the catheter tip to the right upper quadrant, and reversal of the port reservoir occurred in four patients. None of these complications affected the drainage and required port explantation. In patients with symptomatic malignant ascites, a peritoneal port-catheter can provide palliation and eliminate multiple hospital visits for repeated paracentesis with high patency and low complication rates.

Diaphragmatic Mesothelial Cysts in Children: Radiologic Findings and Percutaneous Ethanol Sclerotherapy

OBJECTIVE We describe CT, MR, and sonography findings of diaphragmatic mesothelial cysts and the results of percutaneous treatment with ethanol. All cysts were bilobulate and showed extrahepatic location between the right liver lobe and diaphragm. CONCLUSION Radiologic findings are helpful in diagnosing diaphragmatic mesothelial cysts, which should be managed conservatively. Percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy should be the first choice of treatment if necessary.

Impact of amlodipine or ramipril treatment on left ventricular mass and carotid intima-media thickness in nondiabetic hemodialysis patients

Objective: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and atherosclerosis are frequently observed in uremic patients and they have appeared as an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of ramipril and amlodipine on left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in nondiabetic hypertensive hemodialysis patients. Methods: A total of 112 hemodialysis (HD) patients were included in this study. Patients were randomly allocated to receive ramipril or amlodipine for 1 year. Blood pressure (BP) measurements, LVMI, and CIMT were assessed at baseline and 6-month intervals. Biochemical parameters and inflammatory markers were also determined at the initiation and during the study period. Results: Similar BP decrease was observed in treatment groups. During follow-up, LVMI and CIMT progressed likewise in both treatment groups despite BP control. However, subgrouping analyses due to the pattern of left ventricular geometry showed that LVMI in patients with eccentric LVH increased, whereas LVMI decreased in subjects with concentric LVH under antihypertensive treatment. Discussion: BP control with ramipril or amlodipine could not provide adequate protection for development or progression of atherosclerosis and eccentric type of LVH in nondiabetic HD patients.

Combination of extremity computed tomography angiography and abdominal imaging in patients with musculoskeletal tumors

Purpose: To introduce a comprehensive computed tomography (CT) protocol for the evaluation of patients with musculoskeletal tumors by combining extremity CT angiography and abdomen CT in a dynamic multidetector CT study. Methods: Single contrast bolus was used for each study in 4 patients with musculoskeletal tumors involving the lower extremities. Extremity CT angiography and abdominal CT were acquired sequentially by 4-channel multidetector CT. Technical parameters for extremity CT angiography were as follows: detector collimation, 4 mm × 1 mm; pitch, 1.75; slice thickness, 1.25 mm; reconstruction interval, 1 mm; coverage, 42 cm; and table speed, 14 mm/s. Thick and thin maximum intensity projections, volume renderings, and multiplanar reformats with or without bone subtraction were used to display vascular supply of the extremity mass and adjacent vascular structures. Results: Satisfactory images of the extremity arterial system and abdomen were obtained in all patients. The mean delay time for CT angiography was 25 seconds. Extremity CT angiography demonstrated feeding arteries of a fibular giant cell tumor and a large lymphomatous mass. The same protocol was used for the evaluation of a distal tibial osteosarcoma and a fibular chondrosarcoma. In 2 patients, early venous return was noted, indicating vascularity of the tumors. In all patients, the relation of osseus masses to adjacent vascular structures was visualized as well as the bony anatomy. Conclusion: Extremity CT angiography and abdominal staging CT can be combined in a single dynamic multidetector CT protocol in patients with musculoskeletal tumors, resulting in a reduction of costs, acquisition time, and contrast dose as well as an improvement in patient management. The same protocol can also be used in trauma patients.

Percutaneous transhepatic drainage of inaccessible postoperative abdominal abscesses.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transhepatic drainage of inaccessible postoperative intraabdominal abscesses under sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between February 2005 and September 2010, 30 abscesses were treated in 30 patients. Procedures were performed with sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance under i.v. sedation and local anesthesia. Factors affecting results were evaluated statistically. RESULTS The technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 97%. The procedures were performed with 8-, 10-, and 12-French locking pigtail catheters. The catheters were in place for a mean duration of 75 days if a fistula was present and 15 days in the absence of fistula. Major complications were not detected during treatment. The rate of minor complications (catheter dislodgement, obstruction, kinking) was 20%. Most of the complications were managed by exchange, revision, or increase in size of the catheter. When use of an 8-French catheter was compared separately with use of 10- and 12-French catheters, the rate of minor complications was found to be significantly higher for the 8-French group (p < 0.05). Five abscesses had fistulous communication with the pancreatic duct, jejunum, and biliary system. The mean duration of catheter use was increased by the presence of a fistula (p < 0.05). When single-microbe, polymicrobial, and culture-negative abscesses were compared, the difference between groups with respect to mean duration of catheter use was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Mean duration also did not differ significantly between patients with an abscess volume greater than and those with an abscess volume less than 100 mL (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Transhepatic drainage of intraabdominal abscesses under sonographic and fluoroscopic guidance is safe and effective. Abscess content and volume did not affect drainage time, but the presence of a fistula increased the duration of catheter use. The rate of catheter-related complication was highest in the group with 8-French catheters. The rates in the groups with 10- and 12-French catheters did not differ significantly. We suggest the use of 10-French catheters for transhepatic drainage.

US-guided botulinum toxin injection for excessive drooling in children

PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections under ultrasonography (US) guidance for children with excessive drooling. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between January 2006 and January 2011, 44 BTX-A injections into bilateral submandibular glands were performed in 20 children (mean age, 9.1 years; range, 3-16 years; gender, 15 boys and 5 girls) under intravenous sedation. Efficacy of the injections was evaluated 4-12 weeks after the injection. Severity of drooling was assessed using the Teacher Drooling Scale (TDS). If the patient or the patients caregiver reported a good initial response, injections were then repeated periodically when drooling reached the preinjection score. If there was no response or suboptimal response, a booster injection of BTX-A was given after one month. RESULTS Technical success rate was 100%. No procedure-related major or minor complication was detected. One family (5%) reported intermittent problems with swallowing due to viscous saliva. A successful outcome was defined as a minimum two point reduction in TDS score. This outcome occurred for 8 of 20 patients four weeks after the first injection. After consecutive sessions, clinical success was achieved at the end of the 12 weeks for 16 patients (80%). The mean TDS score decreased from 4.75 to 2.1 at the end of the study for all patients (P < 0.05). Four patients did not respond to BTXA injection. Submandibular resection was applied to 3 of 4 unresponsive patients. Two patients had complete remission after surgery, but one patient showed excessive drooling that could not be controlled. CONCLUSION US-guided submandibular BTX-A injection is a safe and effective procedure in treating drooling in children. It can be performed under intravenous sedation and does not require general anesthesia.

Comparison of Long-Term Results of Percutaneous Treatment Techniques for Hepatic Cystic Echinococcosis Types 2 and 3b

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term results of a modified catheterization technique for percutaneous treatment of hepatic cystic echinococcosis (CE) types 2 and 3b and to retrospectively compare the results of puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR); standard catheterization; and the modified catheterization technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-three patients (37 male, 36 female; 75 cysts) with CE types 2 and 3b who underwent percutaneous treatment from March 1991 to August 2008 were included. Informed consent from all patients and approval of the ethics board were obtained. Patients were 6-79 years old. Twenty-three cysts (30.6%) were treated with PAIR, 26 (34.7%) with standard catheterization, and 26 (34.7%) with the modified catheterization technique. The results of the three techniques were statistically compared. RESULTS Among all patients, the cysts decreased in volume by 61.1% (range, 5-100%). Cysts recurred in 11 (47.8%) patients treated with PAIR, three (11.5%) treated with standard catheterization, and one (3.8%) treated with the modified catheterization technique. The recurrence rate was not significantly different between standard catheterization and the modified catheterization technique (p > 0.05), whereas significantly more recurrences developed after PAIR than with the other two techniques (p < 0.05). Twelve (16.4%) major and 16 (21.9%) minor complications developed. Significantly fewer major complications occurred with PAIR than with the modified catheterization technique, but the difference between standard catheterization and the other two techniques was not significant. CONCLUSION Treatment of CE types 2 and 3b with the modified catheterization technique was associated with a recurrence rate lower than what is seen with other techniques, and therefore it appears to be a safe, reliable, and efficient alternative.