Quantitative Analysis of the Olfactory System in COVID-19: An MR Imaging Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anosmia or hyposmia, often accompanied by changes in taste, is recognized as a common symptom that can assist in the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pathogenesis of olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 is not yet fully understood. MR imaging represents a useful anatomic imaging method for the evaluation of olfactory dysfunction associated with varying etiologies, including viral infection, trauma, and neurodegenerative processes. This case-control study was conducted to compare quantitative measurements of olfactory anatomic structures between patients diagnosed with COVID-19 associated with persistent olfactory dysfunction and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study has a retrospective design. Cranial MR imaging was performed on all participants in both the patient and control groups. The bilateral olfactory bulb volume, olfactory tract length, and olfactory sulcus depth were measured in all patients. RESULTS: A total of 116 people aged 18-60 years, including 36 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and 80 controls, were included in the study. All measured values were compared between the patient and control groups. The right, left, and total olfactory bulb volume values were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group. The patient group also had significantly lower right and left olfactory sulcus depth and olfactory tract length values compared with those in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging findings can be used to demonstrate olfactory injury in patients with COVID-19. The olfactory pathway may represent an alternative route for virus entry into the central nervous system.

Can we use endocan level to determine severity of pancreatitis?

Background and study aims: Endothelial cell specific molecule-1 (ESM-1), also known as endocan, is a soluble proteoglycan secreted by human vascular endothelial cells. In some studies, it has been found that endocan have important effects on cell adhesion, inflammation and angiogenesis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the endocan level in patients with pancreatitis and the availability of endocan level in determining the severity of the disease. Patients and methods: A total of 42 patients with pancreatitis and 33 healthy individuals were included in the study. The serum endocan levels in patients were evaluated 1st and 3 th days after the symptom's onset. Current scoring systems and the relationship between the severity of the disease and endocan levels were evaluated. Results: The endocan levels of the patients on day 1 are significantly correlated only with the APACHE II score (p=0.039 r=0.319), while the endocan values on day 3 are significantly correlated with the BISAP (bedside index of severity in acute pancreatitis) (p=0.013 r=0.380), APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation)(p<0.001; r=0.53) and Ranson (p=0.037 r=0.32) scores. The cutoff level of endocan (day 3) was calculated 92.2 pg/ml (83% sensitivity and 50% specificity; p=0.039 area under the curve 0.706) for severe pancreatitis when considering the patients with a score of 8 or higher in the APACHE II scoring system. Conclusion: Serum endocan level can be used as a marker of prognosis in patients with pancreatitis. However, studies involving large populations are needed on this matter.

Quantitative analysis of healthy olfactory sulcus depth, olfactory tract length and olfactory bulb volume in the paediatric population: a magnetic resonance study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the normal reference values for olfactory sulcus depth, olfactory tract length and olfactory bulb volume in the paediatric population with routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and determine the relationship, if any, between these values and patient sex and age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients with a median age of 8 years (age range: 3-17 years), consisting of 45 males and 45 females with normal brain MRI scans were evaluated. The patients were divided into three subgroups based on age range, with n = 30 per subgroup; group 1: young children (3-6 years), group 2: children (7-11 years) and group 3: adolescents (12-17 years). In the cranial MRI examination of all groups, the right, left and total olfactory bulb volume values were measured in mm3, the right and left olfactory tract length values and the right and left olfactory sulcus depth values were calculated manually in mm. Demographic data including sex and age were recorded. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the age groups in terms of sex. Right-left olfactory sulcus depth; right-left olfactory tract length and right-left total olfactory bulb volume values increased significantly when they are compared in terms of age groups (p < 0.0001, = 0.028; < 0.0001, < 0.0001; < 0.0001, < 0.0001; < 0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference between right and left olfactory tract length and olfactory bulb volumes in all groups (p = 0.792 and p = 0.478), but the right olfactory sulcus depth was significantly larger than the left (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Especially as the age progresses, olfactory tract length and olfactory bulb volume dimensions of olfactory nerve and olfactory sulcus depth should be checked during diagnosis of respective illnesses in paediatric population.

Duplication of the spleen accompanied by multiple anomalies of the thorax and abdomen: a rare case.

Duplication of the spleen, classified as a polysplenia syndrome, is a very rare anomaly. Polysplenia is a complex syndrome with a broad spectrum of abnormalities. Other abnormalities accompanying polysplenia have been previously reported. In this paper, we present a case of duplication of the spleen accompanied by multiple anomalies in the thorax and abdomen.

A computed tomography-based morphometric study of the styloid process.

BACKGROUND: The styloid process (SP) refers to a cylindrical piece projecting from the inferior of the temporal bone, situated anterior to the stylomastoid foramen. It is an anatomic formation close to major vessels and nerves, and its excessive elongation results in pathologies leading to anatomical disorders, such as Eagle's syndrome. Several studies have been conducted on SP in relation to its close proximity to vessels and nerves, but there is no study that reveals its distance to important anatomical formations, such as the internal auditory meatus (IAM), carotid canal (CC), cochlea, tegmen tympani (TT) and tragus. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of Eagle's syndrome based on morphometric measurements of SP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient files archived in the Radiology Department of Adiyaman University Training and Research Hospital were retrospectively examined. The study was carried out on the data of patients for whom specialist radiologists found no pathology findings on the computed tomography images. A total of 77 individuals (36 females and 41 males) aged 22 to 54 years were included in the study. The length of SP and its distances to IAM, cochlea, CC, TT and tragus were obtained using computed tomography radiological measurements. RESULTS: When the individual measurements performed on computed tomography images were evaluated in men and women, no significant difference was found concerning the distance between SP and various anatomic structures in close proximity to SP (p > 0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference between the genders in length of the right SP (p = 0.003) and left SP (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This anthropometric study revealed the standard morphometric measurements of SP. We believe that the data obtained will help clinicians to identify and diagnose pathologies more easily.

Epicardial fat thickness is associated with severity of disease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the BODE index is an important tool for the prognostic assessment of COPD patients. It is well known that epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is related to CVD. However, there are very few data about the relationship between EFT and BODE index. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between EFT and BODE index in patients with COPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively included 157 patients with COPD and 45 controls in the present study. All patients underwent pulmonary function tests and six-minute walking test. EFT and other echocardiographic parameters were measured using transthoracic echocardiography on admission. Patients were divided into four quartiles according to the BODE index scores (Quartile-1 (Q1): 0-2 points; Quartile-2 (Q2): 3-4 points; Quartile-3 (Q3): 5-6 points; Quartile-4 (Q4): 7-10 points). High sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) and other biochemical parameters were measured in all participants. RESULTS: COPD patients had higher EFT values compared with control group (p<0.05). When COPD patients were classified according to BODE index quartiles, the highest EFT values were observed in Q1 compared with other quartiles (p<0.05, for all). EFT values showed a decreasing trend from Q1 to Q4. Furthermore, EFT was independently associated with BODE index (ß=0.405, p<0.001), Hs-CRP (ß=0.300, p<0.001) and diabetes (ß=0.338, p<0.001) in multivariate linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that EFT is independently and negatively associated with the severity of disease as indicated by BODE index in patients with COPD.

Evaluation of Cardiovascular Changes in Children with BAVs.

The objectives of this study were to investigate left ventricular (LV) function, aortic dilation, and atherosclerosis in children with mildly deteriorated isolated bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) function using echocardiographic studies and biochemical markers of atherosclerosis and to correlate results with normal children. Biochemical analyses indicating cardiovascular risk of atherosclerosis and vascular changes in the aorta in relation to BAV were performed in 41 children aged 5-15 years old with isolated BAV and in 25 children with tricuspid aortic valves. Evaluations of aortic valve structures and functions; examinations of the LV M-mode and ascending aorta Doppler; and measurements of the LV Tei index (MPI), propagation velocity, ascending aorta at four levels, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were performed. There were no statistically significant differences in CIMTs, plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9, tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor-1 levels, or other biochemical parameters indicating cardiovascular risk or atherosclerosis between study and control groups. Deterioration of LV function, which could not be seen with M-mode echocardiography, was evident by MPI. MPI values in the study versus control groups were 0.46 ± 0.080 versus 0.40 ± 0.086 (p < 0.05). Diameters of the aorta in the study and control groups were 19.7 ± 4.7 and 17.2 ± 2.8 mm (p < 0.05) at the sinotubular junction level and 20.6 (14.4-40.5) and 18.3 (12.4-24) mm at the ascending aorta level (p < 0.05). Increased aortic valve insufficiency was related to increased aortic diameter. No sign of atherosclerosis was detected in children with BAV. Deterioration of LV function was seen using MPI, and aortic dilation was related to the severity of aortic valve insufficiency.

Coronary collateral circulation in patients with chronic coronary total occlusion; its relationship with cardiac risk markers and SYNTAX score.

BACKGROUND: Compared to patients without a collateral supply, long-term cardiac mortality is reduced in patients with well-developed coronary collateral circulation (CCC). Cardiovascular risk markers, such as N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and high-sensitive cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) are independent predictors for cardiovascular mortality. OBJECTIVES: The main goal of this study was to examine the relationship between CCC and cardiovascular risk markers. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 427 stable coronary artery disease patients with chronic total occlusion (mean age: 57.5±11.1 years). The patients were divided into two groups, according to their Rentrop scores: (a) poorly developed CCC group (Rentrop 0 and 1) and (b) well-developed CCC group (Rentrop 2 and 3). NT-proBNP, hs-CRP, hs-cTnT, uric acid and other biochemical markers were also measured. The SYNTAX score was calculated for all patients. RESULTS: The patients in the poorly developed CCC group had higher frequencies of diabetes and hypertension (p<0.05 for both). Compared to the well-developed CCC group, the SYNTAX score, Hs-cTnT, hs-CRP, NT-proBNP, uric acid, neutrophil count and mean platelet volume (MPV) values were higher in patients with poorly developed CCC (p<0.05 for all). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, hs-cTnT (ß=0.658, 95% CI=0.589-0.735, p<0.001) and NT-proBNP (ß=0.991, 95% CI=0.987-0.995, p<0.001) as well as hs-CRP and diabetes were independent predictors of CCC. CONCLUSION: Cardiac risk markers, such as NT-proBNP, hs-cTnT and hs-CRP are independently associated with CCC in stable coronary artery disease with chronic total occlusion.

Early onset marfan syndrome: Atypical clinical presentation of two cases.

Early onset Marfan Syndrome (eoMFS) is a rare, severe form of Marfan Syndrome (MFS). The disease has a poor prognosis and most patients present with resistance to heart failure treatment during the newborn period. This report presents two cases of eoMFS with similar clinical features diagnosed in the newborn period and who died at an early age due to the complications related to the involvement of the cardiovascular system.

Cardiovascular changes in children with coarctation of the aorta treated by endovascular stenting.

The aim of this study was to investigate the echocardiographic, biochemical short- and mid-term effects of the stenting procedure on left ventricular function, aortic stiffness, elasticity and systemic hypertension in children with coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Fifteen patients with native or recurrent CoA and 30 healthy controls who were sex and age matched were included in the study. The blood pressure values, echocardiographic measurements, elastic functions of ascending aorta and serum N-Terminal ProBNP (NT-ProBNP) levels were recorded prospectively before and at the first and sixth month after stenting. The mean arterial pressure recorded before stenting was 134.4±16.3 mm Hg; at the sixth month it was 115.5±9.5 mm Hg and in the control group it was 107.3±9.4 mm Hg. Although blood pressure levels were lower compared with the pre-stenting measurements (P<0.05), they were still significantly higher compared with the control group (P<0.05). Although a significant reduction was detected in the LVMIz at the end of the sixth month (50.4±14.3 g m(-2.7)) compared with the baseline (66.6±17.9 g m(-2.7); P<0.05), it was still higher compared with the control group (35.7±6.2 g m(-2.7); P<0.05). The baseline aortic elasticity (6.4±3.4 cm(2) dyn(-1) 10(-6)) was lower compared with the control group (10.0±1.7 cm(2) dyn(-1) 10(-6); P<0.05), and prestenting aortic stiffness was higher than that of the control group (5.6±1.6 dyn(-1) 10(-6); 2.5±0.45 dyn(-1) 10(-6); P<0.05). A statistically significant negative correlation was detected between the pressure gradient at the lesion site and aortic elasticity (r: -0.53, P: 0.04). Although resolution of the coarctation by endovascular stenting led to a reduction in the arteriopathy that had already begun before treatment, it was demonstrated that these children did not completely return to normal.

Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with Legionnella infection.

This is the first report of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) related to Legionnella pneumophilia infection. A 13-year-old boy presented with acute dysphagia and dyspnea. He lived in a rural area and had a history of drinking potable deep-hole water. The patient was intubated because of increased respiratory distress. A positive direct fluoresein antigen test confirmed L. pneumophilia infection in BAL. One week after the first admission, acute weakness was noticed including the lower extremities and was more prominent in the distal than the proximal portions. GBS was considered as the initial diagnosis. Tests for all causes known to trigger GBS were negative. Specific serology for L. pneumophilia IgG was positive. He was treated with intravenous immunoglobulins and discharged with minor weakness and difficulty in walking in the second month. On the basis of this case, L. pneumophilia should be included in the etiologic spectrum of GBS.

The effect of melatonin on plasma oxidant-antioxidant skeletal muscle reperfusion injury in rats.

We investigated the effects of melatonin administration on skeletal muscle ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) by assessing plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total glutathione (GSSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 32) were randomized into four groups: group 1 served as time controls; group 2 were the test animals; group 3 received melatonin (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally prior to the induction of ischaemia; and group 4 received melatonin (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally prior to the reperfusion period. Administration of melatonin prior to reperfusion significantly decreased the elevated MDA concentration caused by IRI, and significantly elevated GSSH concentrations, which had been reduced by IRI. Ischaemia-reperfusion injury significantly increased activities of GPX, SOD and MPO, and melatonin administration reversed this effect. In conclusion, a pharmacological dose of melatonin showed significant protective effects against IRI by decreasing lipid peroxidation, MPO, SOD and GPX enzyme activities and regulating glutathione content.

Experience of Turkish parents about their infants' teething.

AIM: To evaluate Turkish parents' experience about their infants' teething; which symptoms they have seen and attributed to teething and how they have acted to manage these symptoms. METHODS: A questionnaire form was applied by face-to-face interview to 335 families who have children less than 18 months of age and have at least one tooth. They were asked questions to clarify the eruption time and sequence of primary teeth of their infants and whether their infants had some symptoms they attributed to teething. RESULTS: The mean eruption time of the primary teeth was 7.4 +/- 2.0 months, with a range of 3-17 months. Teeth eruption time was found similar in both genders. Teeth eruption time of the term and preterm infants was similar. (P > 0.05). The first tooth erupted was the lower central incisor in the 288 infants (86.0%) and upper central incisor in 44 infants (13.1%). Most of the families (98.8%) reported that their children had suffered from at least one of the symptoms that were mentioned in the questionnaire. The most commonly reported symptom was increase in biting, followed by irritability and fever. Of the children who were taken to a health care centre, in 78.8% the symptoms were attributed to teething and in 7.1% a bacterial infection was found and antibiotics were prescribed. CONCLUSION: When an infant at teething age has some symptoms, they may be attributed to teething but other possible causes must be ruled out first.

Fludrocortisone treatment in a child with severe cerebral salt wasting.

Hyponatremia is a common complication of intracranial disease or surgery. An evaluation should be undertaken to determine whether cerebral salt wasting (CSW) or inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone is present as a cause. Since the treatment principles are completely different in the two pathological states, differential diagnosis is very important. CSW is defined as the renal loss of sodium leading to hyponatremia and decreased extracellular fluid volume. In the literature, it has been noted that mineralocorticoid administration can be useful in CSW cases. We herein present an 11-year-old boy who developed hyponatremic seizures after intracranial tumor resection. He was diagnosed with CSW on the basis of high urinary sodium excretion and increased urine output, together with signs and symptoms of dehydration. Despite intensive fluid and salt therapy, we were unable to decrease the urinary output. Therefore, fludrocortisone therapy was administered and his urinary output and sodium excretion were decreased and his serum sodium level was normalized. In conclusion, in addition to fluid and salt replacement, mineralocorticoid supplementation also seems to be a safe and effective treatment for CSW.

Giant cell pneumonia in a leukemic child in remission: a case report.

Giant cell pneumonia is a rare and uncommon type of lung infection developing as a complication of measles, especially in immunocompromised patients, whether their immune systems are affected primarily or whether they have acquired immune defects. As well as being uncommon, it is also atypical because of absence of the characteristic rash and of absent or low antibody titers against measles in most of the cases. It is known that cellular immunity is more important than humoral immunity in the host response to measles, so hypogammaglobulinemic patients with normal cellular immunity usually recover uneventfully from measles and also have the characteristic rash. We report a case with giant cell pneumonia that was confirmed by postmortem histopathological examination. We especially want to point out that even in the absence of rash, with the clinical and radiological features of pneumonia, measles should be considered in a patient, whether in remission or not, receiving immunosuppressive treatment.

The effect of H. pylori in perforation of duodenal ulcer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: H. pylori has been described as an opportunistic pathogen attracted by changes in the gastric mucosa caused by inflammation and ulceration. However, the role of H. pylori infection in the perforation of duodenal ulcers has not yet been clearly determined. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients undergoing laparotomy for repair of a perforated duodenal ulcer. METHODOLOGY: Patients who underwent surgery for a perforated duodenal ulcer in our Surgical Unit between January 1994 and July 1996 were included in this study. The study population consisted of eighteen patients with a mean age of 32.7 (21-48) years. All of the patients were male. Patients with chronic duodenal ulcer perforation and with no contraindications for definitive surgery, such as peritonitis, shock (blood pressure <90 mm Hg), age >60 years, or more than a 12-hour elapse from the time of perforation, were treated by bilateral truncal vagotomy and Weinberg pyloroplasty. The ulcer was excised with the pyloric ring. The cut was then extented by about 2 cm on both the gastric and duodenal sides. Two biopsies were taken from the antral mucosa by endoscopic biopsy forceps. The defect was closed transversely. The ulcer specimen and the antral biopsies were fixed separately in 10% formalin solution and sent to the department of Histopathology. The specimens were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and examined for H. pylori . Sections of the ulcer specimen were especially investigated for the presence of H. pylori through all layers of the ulcer. RESULTS: H. pylori was found in the antral biopsies of 16 patients (88.8%). In seven of the ulcer specimens (38.8%), H. pylori was present in the mucosa and also extended through the wall of the ulcer. H. pylori was positive in the antral biopsies of all patients with H. pylori present in the ulcer wall. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, H. pylori was present at a high ratio in the antral biopsies of patients with duodenal ulcer perforation. The presence of H. pylori throughout the ulcer wall to a considerable extent emphasizes the fact that eradication of H. pylori is important in the treatment of perforated duodenal ulcer.

Treatment of acute sigmoid volvulus.

Thirty-eight patients were treated for acute sigmoid volvulus in 9 years. Non operative decompression treatment was performed in 7 patients, and 31 patients underwent exploratory laparatomy (25 for suspected bowel necrosis and 6 for unsuccessful non operative treatment). Sigmoid resection and reanastomosis was performed in 5 of the 12 cases with gangrenous bowel and 10 of the 19 with viable bowel. There were no mortality and no morbidity related to the anastomoses. The results have shown that reanastomosis after sigmoid resection could be performed safely in selected cases of acute sigmoid volvulus even if there is bowel gangrene.