A Rare Orbital Pathology: A Large Orbital Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare sarcoma of the dermis. It is a malignant, locally aggressive, and infiltrative tumor with frequent recurrence. In this case, a 44-year-old woman presented with a 15-year history of a swelling in the medial canthus of the right eye that caused tearing. Imaging revealed a septated mass isodense to soft tissue that had eroded the medial wall of the orbit. Macroscopic examination showed an elastic, gray-brown, encapsulated, irregular mass measuring 45x35x22 mm. The surgical margins were positive, so adjuvant radiotherapy was started. The patient was followed for 2 years without recurrence. According to the literature, this mass is the largest orbital DFSP treated by globe-sparing primary resection.

Sirolimus treatment of a PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome presenting with melena.

BACKGROUND: PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) is an umbrella term including Cowden syndrome (CS), Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome (BRRS), PTEN-related Proteus syndrome (PS), and PTEN-related Proteus-like syndrome. One of the disorders in PHTS spectrum, CS is characterized by macrocephaly, mucocutaneous findings, gastrointestinal system (GIS) polyposis and an increased lifetime risk of GIS, breast, thyroid and other cancers. CASE: In this study, we report an adolescent patient presenting with recurrent life-threatening upper GIS bleeding as a result of hamartomatous polyposis. Genetic studies revealed a known pathogenic nonsense mutation confirming the initial diagnosis of CS. CONCLUSIONS: Additionally, we describe our therapeutic intervention to improve the patient`s clinical symptoms with sirolimus, which its use is infrequently addressed in the literature for pediatric age group harboring PTEN mutations.

Mitotic Activity in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Can we use Phosphohistone H3 Immunohistochemistry Instead of Hematoxylin and Eosin for Mitotic Count?

Objectives: In gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), malignancy potential is determined by the prognostic disease risk stratification based on mitosis, tumor size, and location. Phosphohistone H3 (PHH3) is an immunohistochemical marker showing mitotic activity in cells. In this study, we aimed to evaluate mitosis in GIST with PHH3, compare the results with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stained slides, and examine its relationship with other prognostic data. Methods: Clinicopathological findings and survival were determined in GIST cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2017. The prognostic risk score was calculated according HE- and PHH3-based mitosis. The cases were classified as Group I: HE + and PHH3 + and Group II: HE + and PHH3-. They were also grouped as those diagnosed before and after 2012 and the staining results of HE and PHH3 were re-analyzed. Results: Ninety-eight cases were included in the study. Mitosis was detected with both HE and PHH3 in 63.3% of the cases (62/98 cases) (Group I) while in 36.7% of cases, it was detected with HE but not with PHH3 (Group II). In only two cases, the risk score changed with PHH3 (very low → intermedier grade). The ratio of HE + and PHH3 + cases in 2012 and after was significantly higher than HE + and PHH3 - cases. A statistically significant relation was found between HE- and PHH3-based risk scores (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between HE-based risk score groups in terms of survival (p<0.05), while no difference was observed between the PHH3-based risk score groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: In GIST cases, PHH3 can be used to determine mitosis in more recent blocks, taking into account the technical conditions of the laboratory, but it does not seem to be superior to mitosis detected by HE. Research should continue on new survival determinants for GIST.

Clinicopathological Evaluation of 15 Ectopic Adrenal Tissues.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic adrenal tissue is a rare condition associated with embryological development defects seen in many different areas in the abdomen and pelvis. Here, we aimed to discuss the clinicopathological features of ectopic adrenal tissues diagnosed in our clinic, in light of the literature. METHODS: We included cases of ectopic adrenal tissues incidentally detected in the specimens from patients undergoing operation for various diagnoses during 2012- March 2020. The cases were examined according to gender, age, location and accompanying pathological diagnoses. During this period, 15 cases of ectopic adrenal tissues (6 paratubal, 3 paraovarian, 2 paratesticular, 1 spermatic cord, 1 paraaortic, 1 liver capsule, 1 omentum) were detected accompanied by two endometrial carcinomas, two serous cystadenomas, one seminoma, one mixed germ cell tumor, one bilateral ovarian serous carcinoma and hepatic high-grade colon adenocarcinoma metastasis. RESULTS: In this report, the fifth ectopic adrenal tissue accompanying a malignant testicular tumor, the fifth and sixth ectopic adrenal tissues occurring with ovarian serous cystadenoma, the first case observed with serous cystadenocarcinoma and the first case detected with hepatic adenocarcinoma metastasis are presented. Our cases are mostly women and adult men. CONCLUSION: Ectopic adrenal tissues can lead to hormonal problems and also to adrenal cortex and medulla neoplasms. Microscopically, they may be confused with clear cell gynecological and germ cell tumors. If the ectopic focus is misdiagnosed as an implant, a benign entity may be incorrectly reported as malignant. Also, it is important to prevent mis-staging in malignancies. For precise diagnosis, an immunopanel such as inhibin, melan A, and calretinin can be performed.

Succinate Dehydrogenase Complex Iron Sulfur Subunit B (SDHB) Immunohistochemistry in Pheochromocytoma, Head and Neck Paraganglioma, Thoraco-Abdomino-Pelvic Paragangliomas: Is It a Good Idea to Use in Routine Work?

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to detect Succinate Dehydrogenase Complex Iron Sulfur Subunit B (SDHB) frequency in paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas (PPGL) with immunohistochemistry; compare with Pheochromacytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) classification and analyse the differences between pheochromocytoma (Pheo), head-neck paragangliomas (HNPGL) and thoraco-abdominal-pelvic paraganglioma (TAPPGL) sub-groups. METHODS: A total 114 PPGL cases (73 HNPGL, 15 TAPPGL and 27 Pheo belonging to 112 cases) are included. Immunohistochemically, SDHB and Ki-67 are investigated and malignancy risks are determined by PASS classification. Results are assessed statistically with chi-square test and p <0,01 is considered significant. RESULTS: SDHB mutations are observed in 20 of 114 (17.54 %) PPGL cases, 3 (11,12%) of which is Pheo, 12 (16,44) is HNPGL, and 5 (35,71%) is TAPPGL (P <0,02). While 15/82 (18,29%) cases with SDHB mutations do not have a malignancy potential according to PASS classification, 5/32 (15,63%) cases has (p=0,73). TAPPGL, HNPGL and Pheo sub-groups have a significant difference between SDHB expression (p <0,02), malignancy potential according to PASS classification (p <0,0001) and Ki-67 proliferation index (p <0,0001). CONCLUSION: To identify patients for molecular pathological examination, routine application of SDHB immunohistochemistry to PPGL tumors are suggested especially in HNPGLs.

Culturally modified olfactory test adapted to East-Turkey: A comparison with Sniffin' Sticks.

BACKGROUND: Although the "Sniffin' Sticks" test (SST) is a widely used odor test, aplicability of odor tests is limited because of the high cost of the test and the regional-cultural differentiation of odor recognition. We aimed to evaluate our regional odor norms by applying the SST with a Modified odor test (MOT) we created for this study, and to develop a test similar to the SST, which was less expensive and probably had a higher odor definition for our region. METHODS: This study includes 201 healthy volunteers: 91 men and 110 women over the age of 18 were included in the study. Tests were compared by applying the SST and MOT to all volunteers. RESULTS: In all subjects, for the SST: the mean Threshold score (TS), Discrimination score (DS), and Identification score (IS) were, respectively, 10.73 ± 2.35, 11.11 ± 11.94 and 11.32 ± 2.15. TheTDI mean score was found to be 33.11 ± 5.9. In the TDI score, the 10th percentile value was found to be 26. For the MOT, the mean TS(mTS), DS(mDS), and IS(mIS) were 10.88 ± 2.31, 12 ± 2.06, and 11.95 ± 2.07, respectively, the modified test TDI(mTDI) mean was 34.68 ± 6.47. The mTDI 10th percentile value was found to be 26. In all volunteers, there was no statistically significant difference between the two tests for the mean threshold score, while the difference in the mean discrimination score, the average identification score, and the average TDI (thresold, discrimination, sum of identification scores) score was statistically significant (P < .01). CONCLUSION: This study is the first study to compare the SST and the MOT in our region. Making low-cost modifications by adding more probable smells to the smell tests and using them in studies involving more participants will be more meaningful in evaluating normative odor scores and will result in more widespread use.

Extramedullary myeloma in ectopic parathyroid adenoma: A case report.

Extramedullary myeloma, a subgroup of multiple myeloma, is a rare condition characterised by extra-skeletal infiltration of clonal plasma cells. Although parathyroid adenoma's co-morbidity with multiple myeloma is common, extramedullary myeloma, an ectopic parathyroid adenoma has not been reported in the literature. This is the first study in literature that presents extramedullary myeloma that infiltrated ectopic parathyroid adenoma in the mediastinum after multiple myeloma treatment. In its course of relapse, the extramedullary myeloma created mass effect and no laboratory findings were present due to its non-secretory nature.

BRAF V600E mutation in papillary thyroid cancer is correlated with adverse clinicopathological features but not with iodine exposure.

INTRODUCTION: BRAFV600E activating mutation is the most frequent genetic abnormality in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. We aimed to evaluate the association between BRAFV600E mutation and well-established prognostic clinicopathological characteristics as well as iodine exposure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2000 to 2012, the data of PTC patients admitted to Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Education and Research Hospital in Turkey were reviewed retrospectively. Clinicopathological parameters were collected. BRAFV600E mutation was analysed by DNA sequencing method in tumour specimens. We hypothesised thatBRAFV600E mutation prevalence is positively correlated with prolonged iodine exposure and expected to be higher in the second half of the recruitment period due to the increment in time spent from the iodisation process of the table salt in our country. Thus, iodine exposure was categorised as short-term (2000-2006) and long-term (2006-2012). RESULTS: A total of 197 patients were accrued. The study population predominantly consisted of conventional variant. A statistically significant relationship was observed betweenBRAFV600E mutation presence and age (p = 0.03), conventional variant PTC (p = 0.00002), T4 stage (p = 0.002), vascular invasion (p = 0.036), thyroid capsule invasion (p < 0.00001), extrathyroidal tissue invasion (p < 0.00001), and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.00001). When categorised as long-term and short-term, iodine exposure was not statistically significantly related withBRAFV600E mutation; however, there were far more PTC cases in the long-term group (86.3% vs. 13.7%). CONCLUSION: We revealed that BRAFV600E mutation is associated with adverse clinicopathological parameters. There appeared to be no relation between long-term iodine exposure and BRAFV600E.

The Mitochondrial DNA Control Region Might Have Useful Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers for Thyroid Tumors.

The literature suggests that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) defects are associated with a large number of diseases including cancers. The role of mtDNA variations in thyroid cancer is a highly controversial topic. Therefore, we investigated the role of mt-DNA control region (CR) variations in thyroid tumor progression and the influence of mtDNA haplogroups on susceptibility to thyroid tumors. For this purpose, in total, 108 hot thyroid nodules (HTNs), 95 cold thyroid nodules (CTNs), 48 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) samples with their surrounding tissues and 104 healthy control subjects' blood samples were screened for all mtDNA CR variations using Sanger sequencing. We found that MtDNA haplogroup U was significantly associated with susceptibility to benign thyroid entities. In addition, eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (T146C, G185A, C194T, C295T, G16129A, T16304C, A16343G and T16362C) in the mtDNA CR were associated with the occurrence of benign and malign thyroid nodules in the Turkish population. As compared with samples taken from a healthy Turkish population and HTNs, the frequency of C7 repeats in D310 polycytosine sequence was found to be higher in CTNs and the PTC samples. In addition, the frequency of somatic mutations in mtMSI regions including T16189C and D514 CA dinucleotide repeats were found to be higher in PTC samples than benign thyroid nodules. Conversely, the frequency of somatic mutations in D310 was found to be higher in HTNs than CTNs and PTCs. In conclusion, mtDNA D310 instability does not play a role in the tumorigenesis of PTC but the results indicate that it might be used as a diagnostic clonal expansion biomarker for premalignant thyroid tumor cells. In addition, D514 CA instability might be considered as a prognostic biomarker for benign to malign transformation in thyroid tumors.

Does Primary Hyperparathyroidism Have an Association with Thyroid Papillary Cancer? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship between primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). METHODS: The perioperative findings of 275 patients with pHPT who underwent surgery between January 2014 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-one patients were diagnosed with pHPT and PTC concurrently. Pathology results and demographic findings of these patients were compared with 186 patients who underwent thyroidectomy and diagnosed with PTC at the same time interval. RESULTS: The co-occurrence of pHPT and PTC was 11.3% (31/275). The median ages of the pHPT, pHPT + PTC, and PTC groups were 55, 57, and 50 years old, respectively (p < 0.001). The diameter of tumor was smaller in the pHPT + PTC group [median 7 mm (range 0.5-25 mm) vs. 15 mm (range 1-100 mm)], with higher rates of microcarcinomas (p < 0.001), than the patients in the PTC group. Examination of tumor morphology showed higher rates of tumor capsule invasion and multicentricity in the pHPT + PTC group than those in the isolated PTC group (p = 0.02, p = 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSION: The pHPT + PTC group had significantly smaller tumor diameter than the PTC group. This result may support the idea that pHPT leads to overdiagnosis of PTC. However, observation of high rates of tumor capsule invasion and multicentricity in the pHPT + PTC group may suggest an associative etiology with more aggressive PTC.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Prognostic Factor in Laryngeal Carcinoma.

Aim of this study; investigate whether neutrophils/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could be used as a prognostic factor in larynx cancer. The correlation between preoperative peripheral blood NLR and age, gender, smoking, alcohol use, clinical stage and differentiation degree was examined. One hundered fourty-four patients in Dicle University Department of Otorhinolaryngology between the years of 2005 and 2014 were included in the study. Clinical and preoperative laboratory data of patients were screened retrospectively from archive files of otorhinolaryngology and the pathology results were screened retrospectively from archive files of pathology. The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the department and carried out in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki as amended in 2013. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 15.0 software package for Windows (SPSS inc., Chicago, IL, USA). There was a significant difference between NLR and clinical stage (p = 0.003) smoking (p = 0,001) and alcohol use (p = 0.001). When NLR was analyzed in detail according to the degree of tumor differentiation; significant differences were observed between G1 and G2 (p = 0.007) and between G1 and G3 (p = 0.001). Light of these findings, NLR is a cheap and easily accessible marker which can be used as a prognostic faxtor in laryngeal cancer. It is thougkt to shed light on the studies which will be conducted with more patients.

Biochemical and pathologic factors affecting technetium-99m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile imaging results in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: Technetium 99 m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (Tc-99m MIBI) scintigraphy represents the most commonly utilized imaging modality for the detection of the diseased gland in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). In this study, we aimed to identify potential biological factors with an impact on MIBI sensitivity. METHODS: A total of 147 patients with surgically confirmed parathyroid adenomas were assessed retrospectively. Data including medical history, biochemical and hormonal measurements, cervical US, Tc-99m MIBI scans as well as pathology reports were retrieved and recorded. RESULTS: Of the 147 patients, there were a total of 77, 39, and 31 cases with a positive, negative, and suspicious parathyroid adenoma on Tc-99m MIBI scan, respectively. Serum calcium (Ca), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25 (OH) D levels were comparable among MIBI positive and negative patients [Ca: 11.5 ± 0.9 vs 11.3 ± 0.9 mg/dL (P = 0.42); PTH: 216 (146-347) vs 194 (140-317) pg/mL (P = 0.45); 25(OH)D: 8.4 (5.7-18.2) vs 10.0 (4.7-23.3) ng/mL (P = 0.64), respectively]. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) staining was negative in both groups. Also, pathological examination of tissue preparations revealed no difference in terms of the volume of the adenomas, incidence of cystic adenomas, cell-type dominance (oxyphilic cell), percent fat, and Ki-67 ratio in MIBI positive and negative groups. The rate of hyalinization was 13% in MIBI positive and 28% in MIBI negative subjects, the difference being statistically significant (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Presence of hyalinization in parathyroid adenomas was found to be negatively correlated with MIBI scan results.

THE RESULTS OF PARATHYROID HORMONE ASSAY IN PARATHYROID ASPIRATES IN PRE-OPERATIVE LOCALIZATION OF PARATHYROID ADENOMAS FOR FOCUSED PARATHYROIDECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH NEGATIVE OR SUSPICIOUS TECHNETIUM-99M-SESTAMIBI SCANS.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the results of parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay in parathyroid aspirates to determine uniglandular disease by an endocrinologist-performed ultrasound (US) in patients with discordant or negative technetium-sestamibi scans and to evaluate whether this procedure increases the number of focused parathyroidectomies (FPs). METHODS: We analyzed the data of 65 patients who underwent an endocrinologist-performed US-guided parathyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with PTH wash-out, retrospectively. The results of PTH wash-out procedure and the reports of parathyroid surgery and pathology were reviewed. RESULTS: Of 65 patients, 54 had positive PTH wash-out results. The median serum PTH level of patients with positive and negative PTH wash-out results was 143 (25 and 75% interquartile range [IQR], 114 to 197) versus 154 (IQR, 115 to 255) pg/mL (P = .45), and the median PTH in FNA was 3,533 (IQR, 1,481 to 3,534) versus 6.0 (IQR, 1 to 6) pg/mL (P<.001), respectively. Forty-five patients underwent surgery. Of the operated patients, 42 had positive PTH wash-out results and had successful FP. Four patients with redo surgery had positive PTH wash-out results and were successfully re-operated with FP. Of 11 patients with negative PTH wash-out results, 3 had bilateral neck exploration (BNE) surgery and 2 patients were successfully operated, while surgery was unsuccessful in 1 patient, despite BNE. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that endocrinologist-performed US and parathyroid FNA with PTH wash-out increases the number and success of FPs. In particular, patients with redo surgery may benefit from this procedure. ABBREVIATIONS: 4D-CT = four-dimensional computed tomography BNE = bilateral neck exploration FNA = fine-needle aspiration FNAB = fine-needle aspiration biopsy FP = focused parathyroidectomy IQR = 25 and 75% inter-quartile range PHPT = primary hyperparathyroidism PPV = positive predictive value PTH = parathyroid hormone 99mTc = technetium US = ultrasound.

The protective effect of intratympanic dexamethasone on streptomycin ototoxicity in rats.

The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the protective role of intratympanically administered dexamethasone on the inner ears of rats that were exposed to streptomycin ototoxicity. Twenty-four adult Wistar albino rats were separated into 4 groups: Group 1 (only streptomycin), Group 2 (only intratympanic dexamethasone), Group 3 (streptomycin and intratympanic dexamethasone), and Group 4 (streptomycin and intratympanic saline). All rats were evaluated with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) tests before the start of treatment and on the day it ended. On the 45th day, after the final DPOAE tests, animals of all groups were sacrificed under general anesthesia. The differences between the amplitudes of DPOAE results were determined, and hearing results were statistically analyzed. Also, the cochleas of each rat were histopathologically evaluated under a light microscope with hematoxylin and eosin staining. In the intratympanic dexamethasone group it was observed that cochlear hair cells were mostly protected. No significant difference was seen between the DPOAE results before and after treatment (p >0.05). On the other hand, loss was observed in the hearing functions and hair cells of the rats that received streptomycin and streptomycin plus intratympanic saline (p <0.05). In the streptomycin plus intratympanic dexamethasone group, the cochlear hair cells were partially protected. A significant difference was observed when the DPOAE results (DP-grams) of the streptomycin plus intratypmanic dexamethasone group were compared to those of the streptomycin plus intratympanic saline group (p <0.05). After the experimental study, ototoxic effects of the administration of streptomycin and intratympanic dexamethasone were observed on the rats' cochlear hair cells. We conclude that intratympanic dexamethasone has protective effects against this cochlear damage in rats.

Relationship of mast cell density with lymphangiogenesis and prognostic parameters in breast carcinoma.

In many cancers, mast cell density (MCD) in the tumor microenvironment is associated with tumor progression and, to a greater extent, angiogenesis. Our study was designed to investigate the correlation between MCD, tumor lymphangiogenesis, and several well-established prognostic parameters in breast cancer. One hundred and four cases of invasive breast carcinoma diagnosed in our clinic between 2007 and 2011 were included. Mast cells and lymphatic vessels were stained with toluidine blue and D2-40, respectively, and their densities were calculated in various areas of tumors and lymph nodes. The variables of MCD and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) were compared using prognostic parameters as well as with each other. As tumor size and volume increased, MCD increased comparably in metastatic lymph nodes; intratumoral and peritumoral LVD also increased. Lymphovascular invasion, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion, and estrogen receptor positivity were positively related to intratumoral MCD. The relationship between peritumoral MCD and nontumoral breast tissue MCD was statistically significant. Stage was correlated with MCD in metastatic lymph nodes. Metastatic lymph node MCD and intratumoral MCD were also significantly related. Stage, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and metastatic lymph node MCD were all correlated with intratumoral and/or peritumoral LVD. As nuclear grade increased, intratumoral LVD became higher. In breast carcinoma, MCD, depending on its location, was related to several prognostic parameters. Notably, mast cells may have at least some effect on lymphangiogenesis, which appears to be a predictor of tumor progression.

Review of Hydatid Cyst with Focus on Cases with Unusual Locations.

OBJECTIVE: This study has been conducted so as to contribute to health statistics of hydatid cyst by the data obtained from our clinic, and to discuss hydatid cysts in unusual locations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Cases diagnosed as hydatid cyst at Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Research and Education Hospital Pathology Clinic between 2007 and 2015 have been evaluated based on criteria such as age, sex and location. RESULTS: A total of 364 cases, 209 females and 155 males, have been included in the study. The subjects in the cases are aged between 4 and 81 (mean: 38.84). Regarding the sites, 254 (69.8℅) of the cases are located in liver, and 53 (14.6℅) in the lung. Fifty-seven cases (15.6℅) have been detected in unusual sites other than the lung or liver. The rate of isolated organ involvement, other than the lung and liver, has been found to be 10.3℅. CONCLUSION: Since hydatid cyst can be found in all the body sites, it should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of all cystic lesions.

Correlation of BRAF mutation and SUVmax levels in thyroid cancer patients incidentally detected in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.

The prognostic importance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose avidity in primary thyroid tumor and molecular basis responsible for its mechanism has not yet been well characterized. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between the maximum standardized uptake levels and B-type Raf kinase mutation positivity in incidentally detected papillary thyroid cancer patients during 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography examination. We retrospectively evaluated 6873 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography scans of consecutive subjects from a database search for tumor staging in 2014 at our hospital Nuclear Medicine Center. In total, 135 patients had focal 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the thyroid. Of these, 76 patients had fine-needle aspiration biopsy. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-maximum standardized uptake of the positron emission tomography-detected nodules was recorded. B-type Raf kinase (V600E) mutation and p53 protein expression were evaluated in papillary thyroid cancer patients. The incidence of thyroid incidentaloma in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-maximum standardized uptake scans was 2 % (135/6873). Of the 76 patients evaluated, 41 % (n = 31) were diagnosed papillary thyroid cancer. B-type Raf kinase mutation was positive in 51 % (17/30) of the papillary thyroid cancer patients. Maximum standardized uptake levels of the nodules (≥1 cm) were significantly higher in B-type Raf kinase-mutated papillary thyroid cancer patients than in non-mutated patients [16.6 (10.4-27.9) vs. 9.7 (6.8-11.1); P = 0.007]. Correlation analysis revealed that maximum standardized uptake was significantly associated with B-type Raf kinase mutation positivity (r = 0.519; P = 0.005). Logistic regression analysis showed an association between maximum standardized uptake and B-type Raf kinase mutation positivity even after adjustment for age and gender (P = 0.01). B-type Raf kinase mutation is closely related to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography maximum standardized uptake levels in patients with incidentally detected papillary thyroid cancer.

Efficacy of N-Acetylcysteine on Wound Healing of Nasal Mucosa.

Postoperative nasal mucosa healing is a highly complex and organized process, and the success rates of endoscopic sinus surgery and septoplasty surgeries are closely associated with the postoperative wound healing processes. In this experimental study, the authors' aim was to use histopathologic examination to investigate the effects of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) on the wound healing of rat nasal mucosa after mechanical trauma. Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the nontreated group (N = 7), the control saline group (N = 7), and the NAC group (N = 7). No treatment was given to the nontreated group for 15 days. The control saline group received intraperitoneal injection of saline (2.5  mL/kg, intraperitoneal) for 15 days and the NAC group was intraperitoneally injected with NAC at a dose of 300  mg/kg/day for 15 days. At the beginning of the study, unilateral mechanical nasal trauma was induced with an interdental brush inserted through the right nostril in all rats. Samples were stained using hematoxylin and eosin solution, and were examined by a pathologist using a light microscope. The severity of inflammation was milder in the NAC group compared with that in the nontreated and saline groups (P < 0.05). The subepithelial thickness index was lower in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Goblet cell loss was reduced in the experimental group compared with the nontreated and saline groups (P < 0.05). NAC decreases inflammation and goblet cell loss. Therefore, NAC has potential beneficial effects on the wound healing of nasal mucosa in rats.

[Evaluation of smell function changes in pregnancy]. / Gebelikte koku fonksiyon degisiminin degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the olfactory function changes among pregnant women in varying trimesters and non-pregnant women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five healthy pregnant women and 14 non-pregnant women were included in the study. Volunteer pregnant women were divided into three subgroups including the first trimester, second trimester, and third trimester. All volunteers were tested with the smell bottle test battery. The content of the test was consistent with the Sniffin' sticks including three detailed olfactory function tests, namely olfactory threshold (OT), olfactory discrimination (OD), and olfactory identification (OI). Total results of these three tests were defined as TDI scores. RESULTS: TDI score and test scores of the pregnant women in the first trimester statistically significantly decreased compared to pregnant women in other trimesters and non-pregnant women (p<0.05). Pregnant women in the second and third trimesters had similar olfactory function scores to the non-pregnant women (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The olfactory function changes are observed in women during pregnancy. In particular, decreased smell sensitivity in the first trimester returns to normal scores towards the end of pregnancy.

Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on myringosclerosis development in the tympanic membrane of rat.

Myringosclerosis is hyalinization and calcification of certain areas of the tympanic membrane, especially the fibrous lamina propria layer and appears as white sclerotic lesions. Ventilation tube insertion is one of the most performed operations in the pediatric otorhinolaryngology practice to treat chronic otitis media with effusion. Myringosclerosis is a very common sequela of ventilation tube insertion. In this experimental study, our aim was to show the histopathological effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on myringosclerosis development in rat tympanic membrane after myringotomy. The rats were randomly categorized into four experimental groups including the comparison group (n = 4), non-treated group (n = 7), the saline (control) group (n = 7), the caffeic acid phenethyl ester group (n = 7). Non-treated group did not receive any treatment for 15 days. Saline (2.5 mL/kg, intraperitoneal) was administered to the third group once a day for 15 days. Fourth group received caffeic acid phenethyl ester intraperitoneally once a day at a dose of 10 µmol/kg for 15 days. Myringotomy was performed on the right tympanic membrane of all rats except comparison group using a sterile pick with the help of an operating microscope. Histopathological examination of myringosclerosis formation was done by a pathologist under light microscope. In histopathological analysis of groups, the severity of inflammation was milder in caffeic acid phenethyl ester group compared to non-treated and saline groups (p < 0.05). There was less myringosclerotic plaques in caffeic acid phenethyl ester group than in non-treated and saline groups (p < 0.05). TM thickness measurements were very close to each other in non-treated and saline groups. The tympanic membrane thickness of caffeic acid phenethyl ester group was much thinner than the other two groups (p < 0.05). Caffeic acid phenethyl ester decreases inflammation severity and the formation of myringosclerotic plaques. These two effects resulted in thinner tympanic membranes of rats which were treated with caffeic acid phenethyl ester. As a result, caffeic acid phenethyl ester has potential preventive effects on myringosclerosis development after myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion.