Patterns of Sonographically Detectable Echogenic Foci in Pediatric Thyroid Carcinoma with Corresponding Histopathology: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Small echogenic foci within pediatric thyroid nodules are commonly seen by ultrasound and are one of the features used to determine the level of suspicion for malignancy. These are sometimes termed "microcalcifications," but their relation with malignancy is controversial due to the lack of standard terminology. Our aim was to evaluate sonographic patterns of echogenic foci in malignant pediatric thyroid nodules and describe the distribution of corresponding psammoma bodies and other histopathologic findings in thyroidectomy specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultrasounds of 15 pathologically proved malignant thyroid nodules in children were retrospectively reviewed by 2 radiologists who separately classified echogenic foci into the 4 morphologic patterns described in the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System and noted their presence and distribution. Interobserver agreement was assessed, and consensus was reached for nodules for which there was disagreement. Surgical pathology findings from thyroidectomy specimens were retrospectively reviewed for the presence and distribution of psammomatous and dystrophic/stromal calcifications and eosinophilic/sticky colloid. Ultrasound and histopathologic ratings were compared, and frequencies and percentages corresponding to observed agreement levels were calculated. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement between radiologists' sonographic assessments for the presence and distribution of echogenic foci ranged from 53% to 100% for all categories. Punctate echogenic foci were present in all nodules, and macrocalcifications, in 27%. Histopathology of the 15 nodules revealed that only 4 (27%) had psammomatous calcifications, while 9 (60%) had stromal calcifications and 8 (53%) had sticky colloid. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographically detectable echogenic foci in malignant pediatric thyroid nodules can be reliably classified on the basis of American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System, with punctate echogenic foci composing the most common subtype. These echogenic foci do not represent psammomatous calcifications most of the time; instead, more than half of the malignant thyroid nodules with echogenic foci contained stromal calcifications or sticky colloid.

Risk of hypertension in Yozgat Province, Central Anatolia: application of Framingham Hypertension Prediction Risk Score.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the risk of hypertension in 1106 Caucasian individuals aged 20-69 years in Yozgat Province, using the Framingham Hypertension Risk Prediction Score (FHRPS). According to FHRPS, average risk of developing hypertension over 4 years was 6.2%. The participants were classified into low- (<5%), moderate- (5% to 10%) and high- (>10%) risk groups. The percentage of participants that fell into these groups was 59.4%, 19.8% and 20.8% respectively. The proportion of participants in the high-risk group was similar to the 4-year incidence of hypertension (21.3%) in the Turkish population. Regression analysis showed that high salt consumption and low educational level significantly increased the risk of hypertension. Economic level, fat consumption, life satisfaction, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption were not correlated with risk of hypertension. This study shows that FHRPS can also be used for predicting risk of hypertension in Central Anatolia.

Risk of hypertension in Yozgat province, central Anatolia: application of framingham hypertension prediction risk score

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the risk of hypertension in 1106 Caucasian individuals aged 20-69 years in Yozgat Province, using the Framingham Hypertension Risk Prediction Score [FHRPS]. According to FHRPS, average risk of developing hypertension over 4 years was 6.2%. The participants were classified into low- [<5%], moderate- [5% to 10%] and high- [>10%] risk groups. The percentage of participants that fell into these groups was 59.4%, 19.8% and 20.8% respectively. The proportion of participants in the high-risk group was similar to the 4-year incidence of hypertension [21.3%] in the Turkish population. Regression analysis showed that high salt consumption and low educational level significantly increased the risk of hypertension. Economic level, fat consumption, life satisfaction, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption were not correlated with risk of hypertension. This study shows that FHRPS can also be used for predicting risk of hypertension in Central Anatolia

La présente étude transversale avait pour objectif d'estimer le risque d'hypertension de 1 106 Caucasiens âgés de 20 à 69 ans dans la province de Yozgat, sur la base de l'indice de risque de Framingham pour la prédiction de l'hypertension. Selon l'indice, le risque moyen de développer une hypertension sur 4 ans était de 6,2%. Les participants ont été classés en groupes à risque faible [< 5%], modéré [5% à 10%] et élevé [>10%]. Les pourcentages de participants qui correspondaient à ces groupes étaient de 59,4%, 19,8% et 20,8% respectivement. La proportion de participants dans le groupe à risque élevé était similaire à l'incidence de l'hypertension sur 4 ans [21,3%] dans la population turque. L'analyse de régression a montré qu'une consommation excessive de sel et qu'un faible niveau d'éducation augmentaient considérablement le risque d'hypertension. Le niveau économique, la consommation de graisse, le niveau de satisfaction dans la vie, l'activité physique, et la consommation de fruits et de légumes n'étaient pas corrélés au risque d'hypertension. L'étude montre que l'indice de Framingham peut aussi être utilisé pour la prédiction du risque d'hypertension en Anatolie centrale

Does level of antenatal care affect birthweight? Study of a Central Anatolian Region.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The objective of this research was to measure the impact of the level and quality of antenatal care (ANC) on the birthweight (BW) of hospital-born infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was cross-sectional research. This study was conducted at the maternity hospital and a private hospital in the center of the province of Yozgat, Turkey. Women (N=788) were included in the research who had a singleton live delivery at hospitals. RESULTS: It was found that adequate receipt of ANC was significant, although had little affect on BW; the number of ANC visits or whether ANC was adequate was not found to be significant. BW increased depending on primarily the mother's gestational age (GA) and then her age, height, and weight gained during pregnancy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is GA that impacts BW primarily. It is recommended that necessary interventions be made to minimize the factors leading to preterm births.