Fusun Topcu

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Caused by Environmental Exposure to Asbestos in the Southeast of Turkey: CT Findings in 117 Patients

Background and Objectives: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is reported to be common in the southeast of Turkey, as a result of environmental asbestos exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the computed tomography (CT) features of MPM in patients with a history of asbestos exposure. Methods: The CT scans of 117 patients who had a diagnosis of MPM were retrospectively evaluated. Additionally, CT findings of histologic subtypes were compared. Results: The most common CT findings included pleural effusion (n = 104, 89%), pleural thickening (n = 96, 82%), mediastinal pleural involvement (n = 77, 66%) and interlobar fissural involvement (n = 62, 53%). Histologic subtype analysis was performed in 89 patients; of these, epithelial, sarcomatous and mixed types were identified in 46, 23 and 20 patients, respectively. An analysis of CT findings demonstrated that the involvement of mediastinal pleural (91%), interlobar fissure (87%) and lung parenchyma (48%) was significantly more frequent in sarcomatous type, as compared to epithelial (61% and p < 0.01; 35 and 4%, p < 0.0001, respectively) and mixed types (65% and p < 0.05; 10% and p < 0.0001; 10% and p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between pericardial involvement and chest wall involvement (r = 0.42, p < 0.05) in sarcomatous type. Similarly, lymphadenopathy and parenchymal involvement (r = 0.23, p < 0.02), pericardial and chest wall involvement (r = 0.25, p < 0.01), chest wall and interlobar fissural involvement (r = 0.25, p < 0.01) were significantly correlated, when CT findings of all histologic subtypes were combined. Conclusions: These results suggest that although CT findings of MPM vary, they may provide valuable clues to the diagnosis, at least in patients with a history of asbestos exposure. In addition, the presence of extensive lesions may suggest MPM of sarcomatous subtype.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Some Pleural Sclerosing Agents Used for Control of Effusions in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Review of 117 Cases

Background and Objectives: Management of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has been an important clinical issue regardless of the treatment modality employed. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of oxytetracycline (OT), Corynebacterium parvum (CP), and nitrogen mustard (NM) in the management of pleural effusion associated with MPM. Methods: One hundred and seventeen patients who had stage-2 MPM or over according to the Butchart staging system and unilateral or bilateral pleural effusion took part in the study. The patients received either OT (35 mg/kg), CP (7 mg), or NM (0.4 mg/kg) through a chest tube for pleurodesis. The association between several clinical parameters and patient survival was also investigated. Results: OT was applied to 59, CP to 29 and NM to 29 cases. A statistical analysis of the results obtained by these agents have demonstrated that OT (30 days, 81%; 90 days, 76.2%) and CP (30 days, 86.2%; 90 days, 79.3%) led to a significantly higher rate of successful pleurodesis as compared to NM (30 days, 48.2%; 90 days, 41.3%; p <0.05). Although the procedure was generally well tolerated by the patients, the NM-treated group experienced significantly more nausea-vomiting (46.1%) and hypotension (35.8%) compared to patients who received OT (nausea-vomiting and hypotension 4.3%; p < 0.001) and CP (nausea-vomiting and hypotension 5.1%; p < 0.001). Furthermore, we found that thrombocytosis, chest pain and weight loss were significantly associated with poor prognosis, whereas epithelial type had a positive effect on survival. Conclusion: These results suggest that OT and CP may be used as effective sclerosing agents for pleurodesis in the control of pleural effusions associated with MPM, without major side effects.

Incidence of tuberculosis disease and latent tuberculosis infection in patients with end stage renal disease in an endemic region.

Aim. Patients in chronic renal failure suffer impaired cellular immunity and have an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB). Our aim in this multicenter study was to determine the incidence of TB and to evaluate latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in hemodialysis patients. Methods. We retrospectively evaluated the frequency of TB in 779 dialysis patients at 13 hemodialysis centers in five different cities in Southeast Turkey. The tuberculin skin test (TST) was conducted in 733 patients to detect LTBI. Results. The mean age of the patients was 51.2 ± 15.9 years; 398 (51.1%) of the patients were female, and 53.9% of patients had a BCG scar. The mean dialysis duration time was 35.1 ± 33.4 months. TB was diagnosed in 34 cases. The incidence rate of TB in patients undergoing hemodialysis was 3.1%. Ten patients had a history of TB before beginning hemodialysis, and 24 patients had a history of TB after beginning hemodialysis. A diagnosis of TB was made based on clinical data in eight patients and microbiologically or pathologically in 26 patients. The median time between the initiation of dialysis to the diagnosis of TB was 11 months. Extrapulmonary TB occurred in 45.8% of cases, and the most common site of involvement was the lymph nodes. The TST was positive in 61.8% of TB patients and in 37.5% of those with no history of TB. Conclusions. The incidence of TB is high in hemodialysis patients, and they should be evaluated periodically to exclude insidious infection and reduce morbidity and mortality.

Does Biomass Exposure Affect Serum MDA Levels In Women

Abstract It is believed that the inhalation of biomass fuel, a substance that is used for bread baking and heating in rural areas, is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary symptoms. The products of biomass are claimed to affect the oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, which plays a significant role in such a disease COPD. In our study, the serum level of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) was accepted as a marker of oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, and it was measured by the thiobarbituric acid method. A total of 43 women living in the central and rural areas of Diyarbakir was chosen randomly for the study and they were divided into two groups. The first group, also called the study population, consisted of 28 women living in rural areas. The mean age of the sample was 43 yr (range 31–63 yr). All were healthy and nonsmokers. Among these women the mean duration of the exposure to biomass was 12 h/wk for 25 yr. The mean MDA level (±SD) was 3281 ± 0.789 nmol/ml. The second group, the control population, consisted of 15 healthy women of age 42 yr (range 30–65 yr). They were again nonsmokers and healthy. These women were selected from the central Diyarbakir. The mean MDA level (±SD) was 1.474 ± 0.630 nmol/ml. The difference between two populations were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, we believe that the high level of serum MDA in women is a result of biomass exposure.

High-Resolution Computed Tomography in Cases with Environmental Exposure to Asbestos in Turkey

Background and Objectives: Although all parts of the lung can be affected as a consequence of asbestos exposure, most CT protocols tend to scan only the middle and lower parts of the thorax. The aim of this study was to investigate parenchymal and pleural lesions of persons exposed to environmental asbestos, using a high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) protocol scanning the whole thorax. Methods: We analyzed the chest radiographs and HRCT scans of 26 patients who presented bilaterally with multiple pleural plaques related to environmental asbestos exposure. Results: Twenty-four cases (92%) had an abnormal HRCT suggestive of asbestosis. Apart from common HRCT changes related to asbestosis, we detected apical pleural thickening (APT) in 9 cases as well as a coarse honeycomb pattern adjacent to APT in 7 of these cases. Cavitary lesions due to pulmonary tuberculosis were observed on HRCT scans from 4 patients in total. Neither apical pulmonary fibrosis nor cavitary lesions were visible on chest radiographs. Conclusions: We suggest that the HRCT protocol for examining asbestos-exposed individuals with pleural plaques on chest X-rays should include the whole thorax, since the asbestos-related pathologies may involve all parts of the lung.

The Relationship of Fluid Overload as Assessed by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Hemodialysis Patients

Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is common disease among hemodialysis (HD) patients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, its pathogenesis has not been completely elucidated. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of PAH in HD patients, as well as the relationship between fluid status and PAH. Material/Methods We enrolled 77 HD patients in this study. Multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA) was used to assess fluid status. BIA was performed before and 30 min after the midweek of HD. Overhydration (OH)/extracellular water (ECW)% ratio was used as an indicator of fluid status. Fluid overload was defined as OH/ECW ≥7%. Echocardiographic examinations were performed before and after the HD. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was defined as systolic pulmonary artery pressure at rest (sPAP) higher than 35 mmHg. Results PAH was found in 33.7% of the HD patients. OH/ECW and the frequency of fluid overload were significantly higher in HD patients with PAH than those without PAH, whereas serum albumin and hemoglobin levels were significantly lower. sPAP level was significantly higher in HD patients with fluid overload than in those without fluid overload after hemodialysis session. Furthermore, sPAP, OH/ECW levels, and the frequency of PAH were significantly reduced after HD. We also found a significant positive correlation between sPAP and OH/ECW. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated fluid overload to be an independent predictor of PAH after HD. Conclusions PAH is prevalent among HD patients. This study demonstrated a strong relationship between fluid overload and PAH in HD patients.

Environmental Asbestos-Related Pleural Plaque in Southeast of Turkey

ABSTRACT It is known that many malignant and benign pleural diseases occur due to environmental exposure to mineral fibers. Calcified pleural plaque (CPP) is an important sign of asbestos exposure on chest radiographic examination. To study the possible change in the prevalence of CPP and diffuse pleural thickening 3 decades after cessation of asbestos exposure. CPP were detected in 29.9% of the villagers; 4.7% had diffuse pleural thickening and 0.7% had asbestosis. The significant variable for CPP and diffuse pleural thickening was age. The youngest villager with CPP was 33 years of age and the prevalence of CPP increased with an increase in age. The reason for our cases with CPP being of advanced age is the discontinuation of asbestos exposure. This finding enables us to suggest that environmental asbestos-related disease will gradually decrease in future decades.

Asthma phenotypes in Turkey: a multicenter cross-sectional study in adult asthmatics; PHENOTURK study.

To evaluate asthma phenotypes in patients with asthma from different regions of Turkey.

Adherence to GOLD guideline treatment recommendations among pulmonologists in Turkey

Background Low adherence to Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guideline recommendations has been reported worldwide. There has been no study on the adherence to GOLD guidelines for COPD treatment in Turkey. Objectives To investigate the rates of adherence to GOLD 2010 guidelines for COPD treatment among pulmonologists. Design A multi-center, cross-sectional, observational study was carried out in eleven pulmonary outpatient clinics across Turkey. Adherence to GOLD was evaluated through hospital records. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Results Study included 719 patients (mean age: 62.9±9.7 years; males 85.4%) of whom 16 was classified as GOLD Stage I, 238 as II, 346 as III, and 119 as IV, and only 59.5% received appropriate treatment. Rates of guideline adherence varied across GOLD stages (I, 6.3%; II, 14.7%; III, 84.4%; and IV, 84%). Causes of inappropriate therapies were overtreatment (Stage I, 100% and Stage II, 91.1%), undertreatment (Stage III, 3.3% and Stage IV, 10.9%) and lack of treatment (Stage II, 3.8%; Stage III, 2.3%; and Stage IV, 5.9%). The most preferred regimen (43.4%) was long-acting β2-agonist-inhaled corticosteroid-long-acting muscarinic antagonist. Overall, 614 patients (89%) received treatment containing inhaled corticosteroid. Conclusion Pulmonologists in Turkey have low rates of adherence to GOLD guidelines in COPD treatment. Inappropriateness of therapies was due to overtreatment in early stages and excessive use of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in all disease stages.

Effects of atorvastatin on smoking-induced alveolar injury in rat lungs

BACKGROUND Smoking is one of the most serious health care issues worldwide, as one third to one half of all people who smoke eventually use tobacco habitually. Chronic smoke exposure causes airway and lung parenchymal inflammation and the destruction of alveolar cell walls. Statins may have anti-inflammatory effects that would play a role in preventing the cellular damage associated with smoking. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate whether atorvastatin protects against smoking-induced inflammation in alveolar epithelial type I (ATI) and type II (ATII) cells in the lungs of rats. METHODS Adult male albino Wistar rats (200-250 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups and exposed to cigarette smoke 8 hours per day for 15 days. During that 15-day period, the 2 treatment groups received atorvastatin 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg/d in 2 mL of methyl cellulose solution and the control group received 2 mL of methyl cellulose solution alone, all via nasogastric catheter. After the 15 days, the lungs were excised and the tissues were examined by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Thirty rats were divided into 3 groups of 10 rats each. All rats survived the 15 days. In the atorvastatin 0.5-mg group, no changes were found in the ATI cells or in the blood-air barrier. In the atorvastatin 1.0-mg group, we observed hyperplasia in the common basal membranes. Hypertrophy, mitochondrial crystolysis (MC), and intracytoplasmic edema (ICE) were detected in the ATI cells in the 1.0-mg group, while chromatin condensation, atrophic appearance, cell shrinkage, and cyto-plasmic vacuolization were observed in the ATII cells. The rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) tubules of the ATII cells appeared spiral-shaped. In the control group, minimal ICE was detected in the ATI cells. However, microvillus deformation, pseu-dopod formation, edema, mitochondrial swelling, and MC were observed in the ATII cells. We also observed MC, several pinocytic vesicles, and normal rER tubules in the endothelial cells of the control group. CONCLUSIONS The administration of atorvastatin 0.5 mg/kg/d was associated with some attenuation of lung injury caused by smoke inhalation in these rat lungs. However, atorvastatin 1.0 mg/kg/d was associated with lung damage. Future studies are needed to evaluate the dose-response relationship of atorvastatin to smoking-induced alveolar damage.