M. Ali Taş

Central Nervous System Tuberculosis in Children: A Review of 214 Cases

Objective. To study the clinical, laboratory, and treatment features observed in pediatric patients with tuberculous meningitis in Turkey. Study Design. Retrospective case review study. Methods. Review of medical records for demographic data, medical history, clinical manifestations, auxiliary test results, complications, and treatment of 214 children with central nervous system tuberculosis (TB) admitted to Dicle Universitys hospital between August 1988 and February 1996. Results. Of the 214 patients with tuberculous meningitis, 112 (52%) were male. The mean age at presentation was 4.1 years, with 165 patients (77%) younger than 5 years. Twenty-two patients (10%) were in the first stage of the disease, 120 (56%) in the second, and 72 (34%) in the third. Our epidemiologic data showed that 141 (66%) of the patients had a family history of TB, and 64 (30%) had a Mantoux skin test result of >10 mm of induration. Radiographic studies demonstrated abnormal chest findings in 187 patients (87%) (hilar adenopathy, 33%; infiltrates, 33%; miliary pattern, 20%; and pleural effusions, 1%, and 172 (80%) cases with hydrocephalus, 26% with parenchymal disease, 15% with basilar meningitis, and 2% with tuberculomas. Only 22 (13%) of 164 children had a positive acid-fast bacilli smear in cerebrospinal fluid, andMycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in 49 patients (30%). All the patients were treated with Isoniazid, rifampin, and streptomycin or pyrazinamide for 2 months, followed by 10 months of Isoniazid and rifampin alone. Also, all the patients received adjuvant treatment with steroids early in the course of treatment, and 140 of 172 cases with hydrocephalus had surgical intervention. The overall mortality rate was 23%. Conclusion. One or more of these findings: a family history of TB, positive tuberculin skin test results, abnormal cranial computed tomography, and/or cerebrospinal fluid analysis compatible with TBM were found in all but 3 children in our study. central nervous system, tuberculous meningitis, diagnosis, hydrocephalus, children.

Miliary Tuberculosis in Children: A Clinical Review

Miliary tuberculosis infection in childhood remains a significant health problem in developing countries. To characterize the clinical features of the disease, symptoms, signs and laboratory findings, associated infections and outcomes of the 23 children (14M, 9F) with miliary tuberculosis admitted to the Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey from 1990 to 1997 were analysed. Mean age of the patients was 3.7 y ranging between 6 months and 11 y. All but 3 patients were below 6 y of age, and 5 of the patients were under 1 y of age. All of the children had not received BCG vaccination except for 1 who was immunized after the age of 5 y. Only 6 children had a positive reaction to 5 TU tuberculin test at admission to hospital. Eight of the 23 subjects were infected in the family, and all were nonHIV infected cases. All of the children were diagnosed clinically and by a miliary infiltrate visible on chest roentgenogram. Five cases had positive culture results for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Duration of onset of symptoms prior to admission ranged between 15 d and 8 months with a mean of 58 d. The most frequently seen symptoms and clinical findings were fever in 17 cases, rales in 14, loss of appetite and weight in 10 and hepatosplenomegaly in 9 cases. Two cases had prior measles infection and 1 of the patients presented facial paralysis. Seven cases had also tuberculous meningitis. The outcome in general was good, with mortality in 2 cases.

Tuberculous peritonitis in 11 children: Clinical features and diagnostic approach

Abstract Background: Tuberculous peritonitis (TBP) is a rare manifestation of childhood tuberculosis characterized by long‐lasting abdominal symptoms and exudate and lymphocytes in the ascitic fluid. The diagnosis of TBP is rarely established unless a high index of suspicion is maintained.

Hair zinc and copper concentrations and zinc : copper ratios in pediatric malignancies and healthy children from Southeastern Turkey

AbstractTwenty-eight healthy and forty-six children with malignancy admitted to the Pediatrics Oncology Clinic and Outpatient Clinic of Dicle University, Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatrics in 1989–1990 were included into this study. The children under investigation were divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of 28 healthy children. Twenty-eight children with newly diagnosed malignant disease, before the start of treatment, formed Group 2. Group 3 consisted of eight of these 28 children together with 18 other children with malignancy in complete remission.1.Mean hair zinc and copper levels, and zinc/copper values for Group 2 were found to be 100.7±6.8 μg/g, 11.0±0.8 μg/g, and 10.0±0.8, respectively.2.The corresponding values for Group 3 were obtained as 143.5±6.3 μg/g, 7.6±0.4 μg/g, and 20.2±1.4.3.The values for Group 1 were 142.6±4.5 μg/g, 8.4±0.5 μg/g, and 19.0±1.4, respectively.4.The differences between control-active-phase and active-phase-remission groups were statistically significant (p<0.01), whereas almost the same values were obtained for the control and remission groups (p>0.05). These results were valid in cases where the comparisons of these three groups were performed also for the subgroups. It was shown that hair zinc and copper levels and zinc/copper values are useful parameters for the diagnosis and treatment of the children with malignancy because of the fact that hair reflects the integrated trace element concentrations of the body, not the present one.

Neonatal tetanus: A continuing challenge in the southeast of Turkey

Neonatal tetanus (NT) still causes significant mortality in developing countries, although in 1989 WHO adopted the goal of eliminating the disease by 1995–2000. To characterize the regional characteristics, clinical charts of 55 neonates (42 males and 13 females) admitted to the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Ward of Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey with the diagnosis of NT from 1991 to 1997 were reviewed. Mean age at admittance was 8.9±4.3 days with a range of 3–25 days. Mean period for the appearance of first symptoms was 5.8 days ranging between 1 and 21 days. Mean birth weight of the patients was 3369±560 g. All patients were from rural areas and were delivered at home by untrained traditional birth attendants with no prior antenatal healthcare services. Razor blade (55%), scissors (27%), and knife (18%) were the instruments used to cut the cord in non-hygienic conditions. No mothers had prior vaccination with tetanus toxoid during their pregnancy. Spasticity (76%), lack of sucking (71%), trismus (60%), fever (49%), omphalitis (44%), irritability (24%), risus sardonicus (22%), and opithotonus (15%) were the most common presenting signs and symptoms. Age at admission <7.5 days and symptoms of onset <4.9 days, risus sardonicus and opisthotonus were associated with fatal outcome. All patients were treated with human tetanus immunglobulin or equine tetanus antitoxin where available, antibiotic therapy by penicillin G (100.000U/kg/day) and intravenous high dose diazepam (40mg/kg/day). Overall mortality rate was 40% (22 cases), without any equipment for mechanical ventilation. Health education of mothers and birth attendants, promotion of hospital delivery and prenatal tetanus immunization of all pregnant women particularly in rural areas are recommended, if NT is to be prevented.

Kene Isırması Nedeniyle Başvuran 19 Olgunun Değerlendirilmesi

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of carbamazepine onserum lipid levels in epileptic patients who were on long-termcarbamazepine monotherapy. The study group were comprised of 30epileptic patients (10 female, 20 male) who have been on carbamazepinemonotherapy for at least one year whereas control group consisted of 30 ageand sex matched healthy controls. Serum cholesterol (total cholesterol,HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol) and triglyceride levels were measuredand LDL/HDL ratio was calculated in all subjects. Serum HDL cholesteroland triglyceride levels of study group were significantly higher than controlgroup whereas serum LDL cholesterol levels and LDL/HDL ratios of studygroup were lower than control group. Mean total cholesterol level of studygroup was lower than control group, however the difference did not reachstatistical significance level. Because of its effect on cholesterol levels, longterm carbamazepine could possibly have a positive influence in decreasingthe risk of developing aterosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Long termprospective follow-up studies would be helpful to us in enlightening this issuedefinitely.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin is a preventive factor in mortality of childhood tuberculous meningitis.

OBJECTIVES Studies have been done that have focused on the efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination in the prevention of cases of childhood tuberculous meningitis (TBM). However the efficacy of the vaccination in the prevention of mortality has not been sufficiently evaluated. This study aimed to determine the main features of TBM cases in childhood and to evaluate the factors related to mortality, proving the protective effect of BCG vaccination in childhood TBM. METHODS In a retrospective approach, all consecutive cases of TBM in children that occurred between 1997 and 2005, at Dicle University Hospital, were studied. The following data were evaluated: demographic aspects, admission symptoms, radiology and laboratory findings, BCG vaccination status, tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity, and mortality rates. RESULTS In total, 172 cases of childhood TBM were evaluated (mean age 53.3±55.7 months; 109 boys (63.4%)). The majority of these cases (70.4%) had typical TBM symptoms on admission. BCG vaccination data were available for 152 (88.4%) cases and 29 of them (19.1%) were positive. The TST was performed for 143 patients (83.1%) and 28 (19.6%) were found positive. Hydrocephalus was identified in 118 patients (68.6%) on computed tomography examination. A shunt was placed in 79 cases (45.9%). In total, 24 patients (14.0%) died in the hospital. TST negativity was a significant factor for mortality (p=0.012). BCG positivity was found to be a preventive factor from mortality (p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS BCG vaccination is effective in the prevention of TBM-associated mortality in childhood. TST negativity may be a sign of a poor prognosis in TBM cases.

Akut Viral Hepatit A Olguların Klinik ve Laboratuar Bulgularının Değerlendirilmesi

Ectopic neurohypophysis is an anomaly of the Pituitary gland which may be associated with short stature due to Growth hormone deficiency. MRI is the modality of choice in diagnosing this condition. We present a case of pituitary dwarfism and ectopic neurohypophysis with clinical and radiological findings. 21 year-old male admitted with short stature. All hormones, except prolactin, of anterior hypophysis were low. Bright spot was ectopically located at level of median eminence on enhanced MRI of hypophysis and stalk of hypophysis was not observed. Ectopic neurohypophysis may be present with pituitary dwarfism. Cranial MRI may be useful to investigate related pathologies in such cases.

Siklik Kusma Sendromu

Ectopic neurohypophysis is an anomaly of the Pituitary gland which may be associated with short stature due to Growth hormone deficiency. MRI is the modality of choice in diagnosing this condition. We present a case of pituitary dwarfism and ectopic neurohypophysis with clinical and radiological findings. 21 year-old male admitted with short stature. All hormones, except prolactin, of anterior hypophysis were low. Bright spot was ectopically located at level of median eminence on enhanced MRI of hypophysis and stalk of hypophysis was not observed. Ectopic neurohypophysis may be present with pituitary dwarfism. Cranial MRI may be useful to investigate related pathologies in such cases.