ABSTRACT
The aim of this pilot study was to determine clinical and laboratory factors that predict amputation surgery and to evaluate the predictive value of soluble CD14 [sCD14], interleukin-6 [IL-6], and procalcitonin [PCT] in patients with diabetic foot ulcers [DFUs]. Twenty-seven [20 males, 7 females] Diabetic Foot Ulcers [DFU] patients admitted to our department were consecutively enrolled. The patients' demographics and wound characteristics were noted. IL-6, PCT, and sCD14 were measured at admission. Six of the 27 patients [22%] eventually underwent lower extremity amputation. Compared to the non-amputation group, a previous history of amputation [p=0.017], the presence of gangrene [p=0.044], the Wagner grade [p=0.011], the IL-6 concentration [p=0.018], the white blood cell count [WBC] [p=0.036], and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] [p=0.042] were significantly high in the amputation group. However, the sCOf4 and PCT concentration were not significantly different. We have shown for the first time that IL-6 may have predictive value for lower extremity amputation in patients with DFU. Further studies are needed to confirm its predictive value in this patient group
ABSTRACT
Chest wall radionecrosis is one of the rare complications of radiotherapy. In this case report, the results that were obtained with hyperbaric oxygen treatment [HBOT] in a patient with chest wall radiation necrosis refractory to the conventional treatment method are reported. It was seen that HBOT could be used for chest wall radionecrosis as a safe and effective treatment method.
ABSTRACT
We present a patient who developed visual loss after carbon monoxide [CO] poisoning and was treated with hyperbaric oxygen. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 21-year-old woman poisoned with CO [with coma lasting 4 h and carboxyhemoglobin level 46%] developed seizures and cortical blindness 3 days after poisoning. Four years later, her visual acuity was 0.2 in both eyes. An 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography [PET] scan showed reduced metabolism in the bilateral posterior temporal and occipital lobes. The patient received a total of 50 hyperbaric oxygen sessions over 3 months for visual loss and the visual acuity improved to 0.5 in both eyes. In addition, increased metabolism was detected in the brain in post-treatment PET scans. PET documented brain hypoperfusion 4 years after CO poisoning and hyperbaric oxygen therapy improved visual acuity. However, we cannot endorse routine use of hyperbaric oxygen for such patients, until results of further clinical trials demonstrate efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen in CO-induced chronic brain injury