Goksel Kiter

Trace elements as a component of oxidative stress in COPD

Objective:  The purpose of this study was to assess the serum concentrations of those trace elements that act as a component of oxidative stress in COPD patients. Clinically stable COPD outpatients (n = 26) and healthy controls (n = 24) were studied.

Water-pipe smoking effects on pulmonary permeability using technetium-99m DTPA inhalation scintigraphy

ObjectiveAlthough extensive work has been done on cigarette smoking and its effects on pulmonary function, there are limited number of studies on water-pipe smoking. The effects of water-pipe smoking on health are not widely investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of water-pipe smoking on pulmonary permeability.MethodsTechnetium-99m DTPA inhalation scintigraphy was performed on 14 water-pipe smoker volunteers (all men, mean age 53.7 ± 9.8) and 11 passive smoker volunteers (1 woman, 10 men, mean age 43.8 ± 12). Clearance half-time (T 1/2) was calculated by placing a monoexponential fit on the time activity curves. Penetration index (PI) of the radioaerosol was also calculated.ResultsPI was 0.58 ±0.14 and 0.50 ± 0.12 for water-pipe smokers (WPS) and passive smokers (PS) respectively. T1/2 of peripheral lung was 57.3 ± 12.7 and 64.6 ± 13.2 min, central airways was 55.8 ± 23.5 and 80.1 ± 35.2 min for WPS and PS, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). FEV1/FVC% was 82.1 ± 8.5 (%) and 87.7 ± 6.5 (%) for WPS and PS, respectively (0.025 < p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionsWe suggest that water-pipe smoking effects pulmonary epithelial permeability more than passive smoking. Increased central mucociliary clearance in water-pipe smoking may be due to preserved humidity of the airway tracts.

Confident Diagnosis of Bronchobiliary Fistula Using Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography

We report the utility of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) using gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) in the diagnosis of bronchobiliary fistula associated with liver hydatid cyst. Contrast-enhanced MRC clearly delineated the leakage of contrast agent from the biliary duct and its communication with the bronchial tree. Providing functional information about physiologic or pathologic biliary flow in addition to the display of biliary anatomy, contrast-enhanced MRC stands as a robust technique in confidently detecting bronchobiliary fistula and bile leaks.

Extrapulmonary involvement in patients with sarcoidosis in Turkey

Background and objective:  Extrapulmonary sarcoidosis is common, and is almost always associated with concomitant thoracic involvement. Extrapulmonary manifestations vary on the basis of gender, age at presentation and ethnicity. The aim of this study was to investigate extrapulmonary involvement in patients with sarcoidosis in Turkey.

FREQUENCY OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN ASYMPTOMATIC β-THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS AND THE ROLE OF PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN EVALUATION

In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the frequency of pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in asymptomatic thalassemia major (TM) patients, and to investigate the impact of pulmonary function test (PFT) and CO diffusion results on the evaluation of pulmonary hypertension. Data from 50 asymptomatic patients with TM over age 10 were evaluated. Pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed in 10 patients (20%). High tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity was found in 14% of adults and in 25% of children. Pulmonary function test including CO diffusion testing results were not different between the TM patients with or without pulmonary hypertension. In conclusion, PHT was frequent among TM patients even they were asymptomatic and although PFT results has shown lack of association, it should be investigated in larger population.

Endobronchial lipomatous hamartoma: an unusual cause of bronchial obstruction (2007: 7b)

Imaging findings were reported in an unusual case of endobronchial lipomatous hamartoma obstructing the left mainstem bronchus. Computed tomography readily demonstrated the presence of fat density within the lesion narrowing the differential diagnosis to endobronchial lipoma or lipomatous hamartoma.

Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Functions of Workers Employed in Turkish Textile Dyeing Factories

Dyes are known to be a causative agent of occupational asthma in workers exposed to them. We have evaluated respiratory symptoms among textile workers. The study population comprised 106 exposed workers and a control (unexposed) group. Data were collected by a questionnaire. PFTs (Pulmonary Function Test) were performed. Among the exposed workers 36.8% defined phlegm. Respiratory symptoms were not significantly different between two groups. The employment duration of the exposed workers with phlegm was longer than those without phlegm (p = 0.027). The mean % predicted of FEF25–75 of the exposed workers was found to be significantly lower than the control (unexposed) group (p = 0.01). Our study suggests that textile dyeing might cause respiratory symptoms in workers.

Severe sleep apnea syndrome diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction.

A 55-year-old man with acute myocardial infarction and no heart failure, had episodes of severe oxygen desaturation and apnea, while his hemodynamic parameters were stable. Sleep recordings revealed severe sleep apnea, and pulmonary function tests showed bronchial obstruction. Apnea and desaturation resolved on bilevel positive airway pressure. Patients with acute myocardial infarction who have apnea and hypoxemia without evident heart failure should be evaluated for sleep disorders.

Binasal cannula versus face mask for oxygen therapy in patients with chronic pulmonary disease.

Oxygen therapy, which is ordered frequently for patients with chronic pulmonary disease, remains a cornerstone of modern medical practice. This study was conducted to compare the efficiency and comfort of a binasal cannula versus a face mask during oxygen therapy. Sixty hypoxemic patients participated in this randomized controlled study. While each patient was hypoxemic, arterial blood gas analysis was performed before oxygen supplementation was begun. Arterial oxygen saturation was continuously monitored during oxygen therapy with a face ask or a binasal cannula. Subjects were allowed to return to their oxygen saturation level in room air before the device for oxygen treatment was changed. The same procedure was then repeated with the other device. Patient comfort was evaluated through the use of a questionnaire that was completed after each treatment period. The mean age±standard deviation was 62±13 y. No statistically significant difference was noted in oxygen saturation levels achieved with the 2 devices. The binasal cannula reached target oxygen levels (P=.007) more quickly than the face mask. The binasal cannula was reported to be significantly more comfortable (P=.0001), and had significantly fewer reports of dyspnea and restlessness, and was less of a nuisance (P=.019, P=.0001, and P=.0001, respectively). The binasal cannula was preferred for oxygen therapy by 71% of study patients. Although the efficiency of the 2 devices did not differ remarkably, Transmission and reproduction of this material in whole or part without prior written approval are prohibited. the binasal cannula was regarded as a more comfortable and time-saving device for delivery of oxygen therapy to hypoxic patients.

Occupational Exposure and Thoracic Malignancies, Is There a Relationship?

Occupational Exposure and Thoracic Malignancies, Is There a Relationship ?: Sevin BASER, et al. Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Pamukkale University Medical Faculty, Turkey—The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of occupational exposure in the occurrence of lung cancer.