The significance of initial lactate levels in emergency department presentations of abdominal wall hernia.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal wall hernias are a frequent cause of abdominal pain-related emergency department visits. Our study aimed to establish the connection between lactate levels and patient outcomes in those with abdominal pain due to abdominal wall hernias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our research followed a retrospective, observational, and descriptive approach and two center. We included patients who visited the emergency department for abdominal pain and were confirmed to have abdominal wall hernias through ultrasound. RESULTS: We enrolled 493 patients meeting the criteria. Median age was 65 years, with 54% (n = 266) being male. Regarding outcomes, 40.5% (n = 200) were hospitalized, 27.7% (n = 137) underwent surgery, and 7.9% (n = 39) underwent bowel resection. Mortality rate during hernia-related hospital admission was 0.6% (n = 3). For hospitalized patients, there were significant differences in white blood cell count, neutrophil count and percentage, platelet count, lymphocyte count, and percentage (p < 0.05). Patients undergoing resection showed significant differences in neutrophil count, neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte count, and lymphocyte percentage (p < 0.05). Lactate levels were statistically significant in all patient groups requiring hospitalization, surgery, and resection (p < 0.05). Sensitivity and specificity of lactate test results indicated in patients undergoing bowel resection, lactate values ≥1.96 mmol/L had a specificity of 64%, sensitivity of 71%, and a negative predictive value of 96% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Low lactate levels in patients presenting to the emergency department with abdominal pain caused by abdominal wall hernias have a high negative predictive value for excluding strangulation and the need for bowel resection. Therefore, we recommend the use of lactate as an additional diagnostic tool in emergency department presentations related to abdominal wall hernias.

A novel risk prediction tool for contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is higher than 20% in patients with chronic kidney disease. In this study, we sought to define the predictors of CIN and develop a risk prediction tool in patients with chronic kidney disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients aged 18 years and older who underwent invasive coronary angiography with an iodine-based contrast media between March 2014 and June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Independent predictors for CIN development were identified and a new risk prediction tool was created that included these predictors. RESULTS: In total, 283 patients included in the study were divided into those who developed CIN (n=39, 13.8%) and those who did not (n=244, 86.2%). Male gender (OR: 4.874, 95% CI: 2.044-11.621), LVEF (OR: 0.965, 95% CI: 0.936-0.995), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.711, 95% CI: 1.094-2.677), and e-GFR (OR: 0.880, 95% CI: 0.845-0.917), were identified as independent predictors for the development of CIN in the multivariate analysis. A new scoring system has been designed that can score a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 8 points. Patients with a new scoring system score of ≥4 were at approximately 40 times higher risk of developing CIN than others (OR: 39.9, 95% CI: 5.4-295.3). The area under the curve value of CIN's new scoring system was 0.873 (95% CI, 0.821-0.925). CONCLUSIONS: We found that four easily accessible and routinely collected variables, including sex, diabetes status, e-GFR, and LVEF, were independently associated with the development of CIN. We believe that using this risk prediction tool in routine clinical practice may guide physicians to use preventive medications and techniques in high-risk patients for CIN.

A rare cause of hypophysitis: tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVES: Hypophysitis is a heterogeneous inflammatory disease of pituitary gland. As it causes headache and visual defects, it mimics sellar tumors in clinical and radiological aspects. It may occur due to primary or secondary causes. Tuberculosis is one of the rare secondary causes of the hypophysitis. Subject and Results. A 30-year-old male patient presented with fatigue and headache. Panhypopituitarism was considered due to the results and the diagnostic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed sagittal section diamater of pituitary gland higher than normal. Biopsy of the pituitary gland was concordant with the granulomatous hypophysitis. Other possible diagnosis was excluded. CONCLUSION: The tubercular hypophysitis, as a result of performed tests, is discussed hereby, in the case report.