Tugana Akbas

Safety, efficacy and outcomes of the new GreenLight XPS 180W laser system compared to the GreenLight HPS 120W system for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in a prospective nonrandomized single-centre study.

INTRODUCTION We compare and evaluate the safety, efficacy, and short-term outcomes of the new GreenLight XPS 180W (GL-XPS) laser system with the former generation GreenLight HPS 120W (GL-HPS) system for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a prospective nonrandomized single-centre study. METHODS From May 2012 to June 2013, 161 consecutive patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to BPH were included: 88 patients were treated with the GL-HPS system and 73 were treated with the GL-XPS system. The perioperative variables International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), and maximum flow rate (Qmax) were recorded at baseline, at one month and 6 months. Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was assessed at baseline. RESULTS The mean age was 70.2 years in the GL-HPS group and 68.6 years in the GL-XPS group. Prostate volumes were 62.3 mL and 61.3 mL, respectively. Both groups showed significant postoperative improvement in the IPSS, QOL, Qmax variables compared to baseline levels. There were no significant differences in improvement in IPSS and QOL between groups. However, both operating and catheterization times were shorter in patients in the GL-XPS group. The overall postoperative complication rate was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION Both GreenLight systems provide safe, effective tissue vaporization with significant clinical relief of BPH obstruction. The GL-XPS system appears more favourable with regard to reduced operating and hospitalization time, suggesting more cost-effective and efficient tissue removal.

Bone complications after pelvic radiation therapy: evaluation with MRI.

The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence, distribution and MRI characteristics of pelvic bone complications after radiation therapy.

Cecum perforation induced by mycophenolate mofetil after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A case report and review of literature

GI perforation after stem cell transplantation is extremely rare and is associated with poor prognosis. In addition, the clinical limitations of MMF are associated with GI intolerance and hematologic suppression. However, the exact mechanism whereby MMF induces changes in GI mucosa is unknown. Currently, there is no definite method to distinguish between GI toxicity associated with MMF and GVHD. It is important to recognize association between MMF and the histologic changes mimicking GVHD, given that GVHD is a significant differential diagnosis in stem cell transplant patients. MMF‐induced colitis and GI perforation are extremely rare but should be considered in patients presenting with diarrhea and abdominal pain. Histology and clinical features are helpful to distinguish this condition from ischemic colitis. Early recognition of GI perforation is necessary for proper diagnosis and subsequent intervention. Emergency medical treatment and laparotomy have been shown to reduce the risk of fatal complications in patients presenting with GI symptoms suspected of GI perforation.

Intraoperative sonographic guidance for intracavitary brachytherapy of cervical cancer.

To describe the role and benefits of intraoperative sonographic (US) guidance in intracavitary brachytherapy of cervical cancer.

Computed tomography based evaluation of prostatic fiducial marker migration between the periods of insertion and simulation

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether significant fiducial marker migration occurs between the periods of prostatic marker insertion and computed tomography (CT) performed for radiotherapy planning and if a waiting period is necessary. Material and methods Thirty-nine patients with prostate adenocarcinoma underwent fiducial marker insertion before radiotherapy between June 2013 and December 2015. Three markers were inserted by one radiologist under the guidance of transrectal ultrasonography. All patients underwent CT three hours after insertion to confirm the number and position of fiducial markers. Radiotherapy planning CT was performed on an average of 11 days (range 7-20) after insertion. CT images were imported into treatment planning system to analyze the position of fiducial markers. Point- based marker match algorithm was used to find the distance of marker migration. The mean and maximum distances between each fiducial markers were calculated. Results The mean distance of migration was 1.029±0.42 mm (range 0.23-1.93 mm) and the maximum distance was 1.361±0.59 mm (range 0.25-2.74 mm). The distance of marker migration was not statistically significant for the groups organized according to the timing of marker insertion, prostate volume, patient age, prostate specific antigen level and Gleason score. Conclusion According to our results significant fiducial marker migration did not occur during the interval between insertion and treatment planning CT. It should be taken into consideration that performing simulation on the same day as marker insertion might prevent increased cost and delayed radiation therapy by saving the patients from extra visits to the clinic.

Eye Movement Disorders Following Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation on FK506 (Tacrolimus) and Ganciclovir

FK506 (tacrolimus) is an immunosuppressive drug and more potent than cyclosporine. FK506 is widely used for immunosuppression in the prevention and treatment of graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and solid organ transplantation. Neurotoxicity is a recognized complication of FK506 therapy, but ptosis and weakness of eye abduction unilaterally has not been reported in association with FK506 administration to date. We discuss a 13-year-old male patient who developed ptosis and weakness of eye abduction unilaterally 90 days after transplantation with bone marrow from an unrelated donor, for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in this case report. FK506 therapy was administered for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis and CMV infection was treated with ganciclovir. The physical examination findings completely resolved 72 to 96 hours after concomitant FK506 and ganciclovir treatment were terminated.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Neurologic Complications Through the Treatment of Childhood Leukaemia and Lymphoma

Leukaemia and lymphoma constitute nearly 40% of all pediatric malignancies [1]. In the past, central nervous system (CNS) complications of childhood leukaemia and lymphoma were rare because of the rapid fatality of the disease. Recent imaging modalities and treatment procedures such as aggressive chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, intrathecal treatment, and cranial irradiation have improved the prognosis, but frequency of the neurologic complications has also increased [2]. In conclusion, the wide spectrum of CNS abnormalities that occur during and after treatment for leukaemia is related to the disease itself and to the treatment. The purpose of this study was to present the main imaging features of CNS complications of childhood leukaemia and lymphoma related to the primary disease and developed through the treatments. The imaging findings of neurologic complications in pediatric patients with leukaemia and lymphoma were retrospectively reviewed and then they were correlated with medical records or histopathological diagnoses. The neuroimaging features have been classified into 3 main categories [3].