Coronary angiography findings in lung injured patients with sulfur mustard compared to a control group.

Aims and Objectives: We evaluated the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Sulfur mustard (SM) exposed veterans. We also evaluated the relationship between exposure to SM and angiography findings and compared angiography findings of SM exposed individuals with unexposed ones after two decades from the time of exposure to SM. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 200 consecutive patients (100 SM exposed vs. 100 unexposed) undergoing angiographic assessments due to CAD. Results: The coronary angiography findings between two groups were significantly different ( P < 0.001). Ninety two (92%) patients in SM exposed group and 82 (82%) in unexposed group had abnormal findings in their coronary arteries ( P = 0.031). Conclusions: The incidence of CAD and angiographic changes were significantly increased with exposure to SM. Further studies on cardiovascular effects of SM are needed.

Factors Influencing the Visual Acuity of Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE: To investigate correlated factors on final visual acuity in conjunction with fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). METHODS: Twenty-four patients (36 eyes) with typical findings of chronic CSCR based on medical records, FA and OCT results were enrolled in this study. We investigated demographic findings, initial and final visual acuity (VA), and some typical findings of FA including the type of leakage pattern, the existence of a gravitational tract and an abnormal hyperfluorescent area centered on the fovea. We also investigated OCT findings to examine serous retinal detachment, outer photoreceptor layer (OPRL) preservation, continuity of the inner segment (IS) and the outer segment (OS) of the photoreceptor layer in case of macular attachment, and other typical findings. The converted logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution VA was used to investigate the statistical correlation with these FA and OCT findings. RESULTS: An abnormal hyperfluorescent area within 1 macular photocoagulation study disc area on FA and cystoid degeneration on OCT were correlated with poor final VA of less than 20 / 40. However, the preserved OPRL and the continuity of IS / OS junction were correlated with a good final VA of 0.5 or more. CONCLUSIONS: These specific findings could be associated with recurrent or persistent subretinal fluid and could be important parameters of decision for treatment.

"Misery Collaterals" as Poor Angiographic Findings: Definition, Classification, and Practical Application

OBJECTIVE: Unique internal carotid artery angiographic findings have been found especially in very poor grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) patients before and during the endovascular coiling. The author investigates their patterns and classifies them into four subtypes. METHODS: Among Hunt&Hess grade IV, V SAH patients, the author could gather eight patients who showed abnormal intracranial circulation in cerebral catheter-based angiography. RESULTS: The author introduces new term 'misery collaterals' first and has classified them into four types with the case illustrations. Type 1 is the worst condition defined as almost no intracranial circulation. Type 2 is the condition of little intracranial circulation with contrast filling just only at vessels of brain base, type 3 is of no or little cortical circulation with contrast filling at bilateral large vessels of brain base through circle of Willis channel and type 4 is of visible bilateral cortical circulation but delayed intracranial circulation time. The prognosis of these eight patients showed misery collaterals were disappointed. CONCLUSION: These finding can be used as the supportive information in deciding a management plan in poor grade SAH patients.

Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Coronary Heart Disease in Elderly

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome, a concurrence of disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism, over- weight and abdominal fat distribution, dyslipidemia and hypertension, is associated with subsequent de- velopment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, especially coronary heart disease. The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome and coronary heart disease in elderly greater than 65 years old. METHODS: Eighty two elderly patients greater than 65 years old who underwent coronary angiography were divided into two groups with metabolic syndrome or without metabolic syndrome, and assessed the association with coronary angiographic finding. The metabolic syndrome factors and cardiovascular risk factors of JNC 7 were investigated to assess the relationship with coronary heart disease in elderly. Coronary heart disease was defined as 50% or greater diameter in stenosis of coronary artery in coronary angiography. RESULTS: In elderly patients with metabolic syndrome, coronary angiographically abnormal findings(p<0.05) and multi vessel disease findings(p<0.05) were presented significantly higher than non metabolic syndrome patients. In elderly patients with 3 and more cardiovascular risk factors of JNC 7, coronary angiographically abnormal findings(p<0.05) and multi vessel disease findings(p=0.059) were presented more than the other patients. Diabetes mellitus was related significantly with coronary heart disease(p value 0.044). CONCLUSION: In elderly patients, metabolic syndrome was significantly related with coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus had strong relationship with coronary heart disease. Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors of JNC 7 should be further evaluated to assess the relationship with coronary heart disease in the future.

A Case of Huge Tentorial Meningioma: Case Report

The authers describe a case of huge tentorial meningioma in 32 year old female patient. Her clinical complaints were bifrontal headache and visual impairment. CT scan revealed huge supratentorial and infratentorial enhanced tumor mass. The tumor mass was removed in one stage.