ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown an association between systemic hypertension and intraocular pressure (IOP). We analyzed the relationship between the decreases of the blood pressure (BP) and IOP in hypertensive patients. METHODS: The study includes a total of 214 patients: 158 hypertensive and 56 normotensive patients as study and control groups, respectively. The IOP of each eye in both the groups was measured once with a noncontact tonometer at presentation and an hour after BP reduction to normal in the study group. We analyzed the reduction in IOP with decreasing BP. RESULTS: In the study group, the mean IOP was 15.29 ± 4.05 mmHg in the right and 15.11 ± 3.78 mmHg in the left eyes. The mean IOP measured an hour after the patients became normotensive was 13.78 ± 4.06 mmHg in the right and 13.51 ± 3.82 in the left eyes. There was a statistically significant decrease in the IOPs (P < 0.001). The mean IOP in the control group was 13.54 ± 3.51 mmHg in the right and 13.20 ± 3.33 mmHg in the left eyes. The mean IOP at presentation in the study and control groups was found to be significantly different (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients in the study group showed a significantly higher IOP compared to patients in the normotensive group. Furthermore, patients in the study group showed a significant reduction in IOP after BP reduction. This may indicate that uncontrolled hypertension poses a risk for prolonged higher IOP. Prolonged higher IOP can be considered a risk factor for the glaucoma.
ABSTRACT
Tracheal rupture is mostly traumatic or iatrogenic. A few cases of spontaneous tracheal rupture have been reported in literatüre and all of them have been described posterior membraneous wall which is the weakest portion of trachea. In most of such cases, predisposing factors that weaken the tracheal structure were present. We presented the first case of spontaneous anterolateral tracheal rupture as a result of coughing that caused no respiratory distress and that spontaneously recovered without any complications. A 24 year old male presented to the emergency department with sore throat. After eating chicken shawarma, the patient felt a lump in his throat and coughed. After coughing, a tearing like and severe pain developed at his neck's front region radiating to his shoulders and back. On past medical history, the patient had no known diseases and had no history of use of medications. Physical examination findings were unremarkable except for neck tenderness. Pneumomediastinum, free air within the cervical fascias and a 4mm tracheal mural defect on the left anterolateral side at the level superior to the manubrium was observed in computerised tomography scan of neck and chest. The patient had no shortness of breath and therefore urgent surgery was not considered. Increase in free air was not seen in the control x-rays 6 hours later. The patient with a foriegn nationality left the emergency at his own will. He was contacted one month later via telephone. The patient said that his neck pain subsided and had no other complaints.
