Investigation of the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection using the 14C-urea breath test.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection by evaluating for the presence of H. pylori infection in patients with glaucoma using the 14C-urea breath test (14C-UBT). METHODS: Using 14C-UBT, H. pylori infection positivity was compared between a group of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and a control group with normal intraocular pressure and a normal optic disc or normal perimetry. RESULTS: The 14C-UBT was positive in 18 (51.42%) out of 35 patients in the glaucoma group and in 15 (42.85%) out of 35 patients in the control group. H. pylori infection positivity rates were similar between the glaucoma and control groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the 14C-UBT, there is no association between primary open-angle glaucoma and H. pylori infection.

Investigation of the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection using the 14C-urea breath test / Investigação de associação entre glaucoma e infecção pelo Helicobacter pylori pelo teste respiratório da ureia 14C

ABSTRACTPurpose:To investigate the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection by evaluating for the presence of H. pylori infection in patients with glaucoma using the 14C-urea breath test (14C-UBT).Methods:Using 14C-UBT, H. pylori infection positivity was compared between a group of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and a control group with normal intraocular pressure and a normal optic disc or normal perimetry.Results:The 14C-UBT was positive in 18 (51.42%) out of 35 patients in the glaucoma group and in 15 (42.85%) out of 35 patients in the control group. H. pylori infection positivity rates were similar between the glaucoma and control groups (p>0.05).Conclusion:According to the 14C-UBT, there is no association between primary open-angle glaucoma and H. pylori infection.

RESUMOObjetivo:Investigar a associação entre glaucoma e infecção por H. pyloripor meio do teste para a presença de infecção por H. pylori em pacientes com glaucoma usando o teste de respiração da ureia 14C (14C-UBT).Métodos:Foi feita uma comparação em relação a positividade H. pyloriutilizando 14C-UBT entre um grupo de pacientes com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto e um grupo controle com pressão intraocular normal e sem verificação de disco óptico glaucomatosa.Resultados:O 14C-UBT foi positivo em 18 (51,42%) dos 35 pacientes no grupo de glaucoma e em 15 (42,85%) dos 35 pacientes no grupo de controle. As taxas de positividade foram semelhantes entre os grupos de glaucoma e de controle e não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos (p>0,05).Conclusão:De acordo com o 14C-UBT, não há associação entre o glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto e H. pylori.

Orbital compression syndrome complicated by epidural hematoma and wide cephalohematoma in a patient with sickle cell disease.

Orbital wall infarctions resulting in orbital and epidural hematomas are rare manifestations of sickle cell disease (SCD). We report orbital compression syndrome associated with an epidural hematoma and wide cephalohematoma in a 15-year-old boy with SCD. An infarcted orbital bone was observed on magnetic resonance imaging and three-phase bone scintigraphy with Technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate. The patient recovered completely without surgical intervention at the end of the fourth week. Prompt diagnosis and proper management are critical for complete recovery.

Reconstruction of isolated mandibular bone defects with non-vascularized corticocancellous bone autograft and graft viability.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to discuss the use of non-vascularized bone grafts in mandibular reconstruction and their viability. METHODS: In this study, 11 patients with mandibular defect treated by surgery using non-vascularized bone grafts between 2011 and 2012 were reviewed. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative 3-dimensional computerized tomography scan for surgical planning and evaluation of success after surgery. Grafts were used for defects caused by mandible tumors in 2 patients and firearm injuries in 9 patients. Reconstruction was achieved by using various non-vascularized bones, including iliac crest, fibula and scapula. To improve graft supply, periosteum of the grafts was spared and multiple bores were created on the graft during surgery by drilling. At the postoperative period, Dextran 70 and Bencyclane Hydrogen Fumarate was given in order to enhance micro-circulation. On the postoperative day 5, 15 and 30, Tc-99m methylenediphosphonate scintigraph, blood-pool single photon emission computed tomography and it's bone phase were performed in order to assess viability of bone grafts greater than 3cm. RESULTS: Mean age was 32. 27±13.33 (min=10-max=56). Of the 11 patients, 10 (90. 9%) were men and 1 (9. 1%) was woman. Mandibular defects were at right corpus in 3 patients; at right ramus and angulus in 1 patient; at left corpus in 1 patient; at left ramus and angulus in 1 patient; at left ramus, angulus and corpus in 1 patient; left parasymphysis in 1 patient; at bilateral corpus in 1 patient; at symphysis in 1 patient and at whole segment from right corpus to left one in 1 patient. The following grafts were used: iliac crest grafts in 9 cases, scapula graft in 1 case and fibula graft in 1 case. The smallest graft used was 1×2cm in size, while the greatest, single piece graft was 7cm in size. The greatest multi-piece graft was a fibula graft of 14cm in length. All grafts with a size of 3 and 7cm had been supplied at the end of first month. No bone resorption or donor site morbidity was observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: Non-vascular bone grafts can be successfully used in isolated bone defects of mandible in case of appropriate graft selection for fitting anatomical region. A single piece iliac crest grafts up to 7cm can be revascularized in long-term.

Investigation into the frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection with carbon 14 urea breath test in patients with vitiligo.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Vitiligo is a common, acquired depigmenting skin disorder. The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and autoimmune dermatological disease has been previously reported. However, the frequency of HP infection in patients with vitiligo has not been reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of HP infection with the carbon 14 (C14) urea breath test (UBT) in patients with vitiligo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 34 patients (18 males and 16 females) with vitiligo and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. HP infection was diagnosed using the C14 UBT (Heliprobe). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 19. RESULTS: The frequency of HP infection was 64.7% in the patient group and 33.3% in the control group according to the C14 UBT (chi- square test, P = 0.012). HP infection frequency is statistically significantly higher in patients with vitiligo. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation of the frequency of HP positivity in patients with vitiligo. To better understand the role of HP in vitiligo as an etiological or initiating factor, further experimental and clinical studies with a greater number of patients are needed.

Effect of radioactive iodine therapy on lacrimal gland functions in patients with hyperthyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy is preferred in the treatment of hyperthyroidism because of its effectiveness, noninvasiveness, and low costs. I has been detected in extrathyroidal tissues, such as in gastric mucosa, salivary glands, and lacrimal glands. To the best of our knowledge, there is no publication concerning the effects of RAI therapy for hyperthyroidism on tear production. In the present study, we evaluated whether or not the lacrimal glands are affected after RAI therapy when compared with pretreatment period. METHODS: The Schirmer and tear break-up time (TBUT) tests were used to assess 32 eyes of 16 patients with conditions that were diagnosed as hyperthyroidism before and at 3 and 6 months after RAI treatment. In addition, pretreatment values of patients were compared with that of controls. It was evaluated whether or not a correlation exists between the results and the dose or iodine uptake values. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between pretreatment values of Schirmer and TBUT tests obtained in the patient group and those of the control group (P > 0.05). In the patient group, there was a significant difference between the posttreatment and pretreatment values (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between uptake values obtained at 24 hours and the values obtained by TBUT and Schirmer tests on both eyes at 3 and 6 months. At 6 months, the uptake value at 24 hours was 28.83 ± 60 for both eyes in patients with TBUT test values less than 10, whereas it was 39.25 ± 7.88 for the right eye and 39.00 ± 6.85 for the left eyes in patients with TBUT test values greater than 10. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we concluded that the decrease in mucin and aqueous production occurs due to affected lacrimal glands by RAI therapy; however, this effect is not dose dependent.

Orbitomaxillomandibular reconstruction with free osteomyocutaneous fibular flap and lower trapezius myocutaneous flap.

Several types of flaps and techniques have been used in the reconstruction of maxillomandibular defects. Myocutaneous flaps of the fibula, the scapula, the rib, the iliac bone, the radial forearm, the rectus abdominis, the anterolateral thigh, the latissimus dorsi, and the pectoralis major have been used either alone or in combination for this purpose.The aim of the current study was to discuss a 17-year-old patient with a gunshot injury who underwent orbitomaxillomandibular bone reconstruction using free fibular graft shaped as 3 pieces and soft tissue reconstruction using lower trapezius myocutaneous flap in conjunction with the surgical approach used.

Thyroid hemiagenesis, ectopic submandibular thyroid tissue, and apparent persistent subclinical thyrotoxicosis.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic thyroid tissue (ETT) is a rare embryological abnormality characterized by the occurrence of thyroid tissue in a site other than its usual location. Thyroid hemiagenesis (HA) is also a very rare abnormality in which one thyroid lobe does not develop properly during embryology. We report a patient with left HA, submandibular ETT, and persistent mildly suppressed serum thyrotropin (TSH). PATIENT: A 38-year-old female patient was admitted with complaints of sweating and palpitations. She had no symptoms of neck compression. Thyroid ultrasonography revealed heterogeneity and hypoechogenicity of the right lobe and absence of the left lobe, the latter being confirmed by computed tomography. There was no ETT in the neck. A thyroid Tc-99m pertechnetate scan demonstrated two distinct areas of radiotracer uptake, one in the right lobe of the thyroid gland and one in the right submandibular region and lobe, but no uptake in the left thyroid bed. The serum free triiodothyronine was 2.89 pg/mL (2.5-3.9 pg/mL), and the serum free thyroxine was 0.86 ng/dL (0.61-1.12 ng/mL). The serum TSH was 0.11 mIU/L (0.34-5.60 mIU/L). CONCLUSIONS: This may be the first reported patient with HA and submandibular ETT. The patient probably also had thyroiditis with mild intermittent thyrotoxicosis based on her suppressed TSH and ultrasonography imaging of the right thyroid lobe.