Gamze Numanoglu

Eosinophil infiltration, gastric juice and serum eosinophil cationic protein levels in Helicobacter pylori-associated chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer.

INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori is one of the main causes of gastroduodenal diseases, such as chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. It has been shown that eosinophils increase in the stomach in H. pylori infection. Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) is a cytotoxic molecule secreted by the activated eosinophils. However, there are no sufficient data about the role of ECP in H. pylori infection and its effect on ulcer development. In this study we investigated the gastric eosinophilic infiltration, gastric juice and serum ECP levels in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer associated with H. pylori. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four H. pylori-positive and 20 H. pylori-negative patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy after admitting with dyspeptic complaints were enrolled in the study. Twenty-one of the H. pylori-positive patients had gastric ulcer while 23 patients had none. During endoscopy, multiple gastric biopsies and juices were taken. In gastric biopsies, H. pylori and eosinophilic infiltration were assessed. Additionally, gastric juice and serum ECP levels were measured. RESULTS: Eosinophil infiltration, gastric juice ECP levels, and gastric juice/serum ECP ratios in the H. pylori-positive group were greater than in the H. pylori-negative group (p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference regarding serum ECP levels between the two groups (p > 0.05). When H. pylori-positive patients were compared with regard to gastric ulcer presence, however, there was no significant difference in gastric eosinophil infiltration, gastric juice ECP levels, serum ECP levels, and gastric juice/serum ECP ratios (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that eosinophils and eosinophil-released ECP may contribute to inflammatory changes seen in chronic gastritis, whereas there is no proof that they play a role in ulcer development.

Primary spinal extranodal Hodgkin's disease at two levels

About 90% of Hodgkins disease cases originate from lymph nodes whereas 10% from extranodal regions. Patients rarely present with spinal cord compression due to epidural Hodgkins disease. Primary spinal extradural Hodgkins disease which does not have any other organ involvement in the body is even rarer. A 39-year-old male patient who complained of lumbar pain had normal findings upon neurological examination. Radiological examination revealed a mass on the epidural space at level L3 and the involvement of the vertebral corpus accompanied by the involvement of C6 vertebral body. Primary focus could not be identified despite further investigation. The patient underwent L3 laminectomy and posterior decompression and biopsy was obtained from the lesion extending to epidural space. The pathological result was reported as lymphocyte dominant type Hodgkins disease. Flow cytometry was performed to the lesion, also. The patient was evaluated as Stage 4A according to Ann Arbor classification. Postoperative radiotherapy was applied to lumbar and cervical region. In the literature we have not come across any case of primary spinal extranodal Hodgkins disease with involvement at two levels. In conclusion, although it might be extremely rare, primary spinal extranodal Hodgkins disease with involvement at two levels might be observed.

Guttate psoriasis-like lesions following BCG vaccination.

A 7-year-old boy presented to our clinic with a 1-week history of guttate psoriasis-like lesions after BCG vaccination. Although the patient did not have any history of psoriasis, his father and uncle had a history of psoriasis vulgaris. He was treated successfully with topical corticosteroid. Complete healing was seen after 3 weeks and the patient was still in remission 4 months after the cessation of the therapy. We proposed that patients who have psoriasis or predisposition to psoriasis must be carefully followed after BCG vaccination.

Effect of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage on Wound Healing in Flap Surgery: Histological Evaluation

The aim of this study was to find out the effect of CSF leakage on wound healing after flap surgery. Sixteen male Wistar rats were used. The superiorly based rectangular dorsal skin flap 3 × 3 cm was elevated at the interscapular region. Through this opening, paraspinal muscle dissection and three-level bilateral laminectomy were done. Finally, a dura defect with a diameter of 3–4 mm was created. In the control group, laminectomy was performed as in the study group but the dura was left intact. Persistent CSF leakage was confirmed using isotope cisternography. At the end of 2-week study period, there was no necrosis, infection, or dehiscence of the flap in either group. On necroscopy, cyst formation over the dura defect was detected in 4 animals of the study group. Another gross finding in this group was intensive vascularization of the undersurface of the flap and wound bed. With HE staining, the tissue sections from the study group revealed new vessel formation with small diameter, increase in the reactional mesenchymal tissue, granulation tissue, degeneration of the striated muscle fibers, dystrophic calcifications, fat necrosis, and coagulation necrosis (ischemic necrosis). In the control group, there was only minimal lymphocytic invasion of the subdermal plane. In this study, we have shown that CSF leakage itself has effects on wound healing in the absence of known causative factors.

Colonic Tuberculosis Mimicking Tumor Perforation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Although the exact relationship between colonic tuberculosis and carcinoma of the colon is not well known, a number of studies published in the literature have reported that these two pathologies can be found at the same patient, coincidentally. Coexistence of colonic adenocarcinoma, tuberculosis, and abscess at the same anatomic location in a patient is an extremely rare condition. We herein report the second case of colonic adenocarcinoma together with colonic tuberculosis and abscess , which was diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis of paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens, mimicking the tumor perforation.

Malignant solitary cylindroma of the scalp

Cylindroma is a rare tumor which originates from skin appendages and occurs predominantly on the scalp and face. It is considered to be benign, but malignant transformation has been reported. It has two distinct clinical presentations, solitary and multiple. A review of the literature revealed that the majority of malignant cylindromas occur among multiple type cylindromas. Only 36 malignant cylindromas have been reported, and only 9 were of the solitary type. A case with a solitary type of cylindroma exhibiting malignant transformation of the scalp is presented.

The comparison of vessels in elective and spontaneous abortion decidua in first trimester pregnancies : importance of vascular changes in early pregnancy losses

Background. To determine whether adequate trophoblastic migration and maternal placental perfusion occurs in cases of early pregnancy loss, we compared vessels in elective abortion decidua with those in spontaneous abortion decidua.