Ginger (zingiber officinale) might improve female fertility: A rat model.

BACKGROUND: Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a well known and extensively used antioxidant in traditional remedies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of ginger powder on ovarian folliculogenesis and implantation in rats. METHODS: There were two study groups. In the 5-day treatment group (one estrous cycle), 100 mg ginger powder, 200 mg ginger powder or distilled water was given for 5 days to the three subgroups each containing seven rats. In the 10-day treatment group, same doses were given for 10 days (two estrous cycle) to the three subgroups each containing seven rats. At the end of the 5th and 10th days, ovarian volumes, ovarian weights, primordial follicles, antral follicles, atretic follicles, and corpus luteum counts were assessed. To evaluate the angiogenic effects of ginger, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and for the antioxidant effects of ginger endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were examined in the ovaries and in the endometrium immunohistochemically. RESULTS: In the 5-day treatment group, antral follicle count and ovarian stromal VEGF were significantly high in the 100 mg ginger subgroup in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05). In the 10-day treatment group, endometrial VEGF and ovarian stromal eNOS were significantly high in the 100 mg ginger subgroup in comparison to the control group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference at 200 mg ginger dose both in 5-day and 10-day treatment groups. CONCLUSION: The increases in the antral follicle count and ovarian stromal VEGF in the 100 mg/5-day treatment subgroup indicate that ginger have positive effects on folliculogenesis in short term with low dose. Additionally, ginger may enhance implantation in rats in long term with low dose.

Cysts of the round ligament simulating inguinal hernia: report of a case.

We report on a 49-year-old woman with cysts of the round ligament causing a nonreducible mass of the groin. Cysts of the round ligament are rare. Physical findings were similar to those of an inguinal hernia. Such cysts are usually not considered in the differential diagnosis of groin hernias and might be identified only at the time of herniorraphy.

Interobserver agreement in salivary gland neoplasms by telepathology: An analysis of 47 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the discrepancies that prevailed among the members of the Head and Neck Pathology Working Group in Turkey in diagnosing salivary gland tumors, classified primarily according to myoepithelial origin, by utilizing telepathology. STUDY DESIGN: At least 4 representative images were obtained from each case of a total of 47 salivary gland tumors, and these were studied by 14 participants. The tumors examined were classified into 2 categories under behavior as malignant or benign, and also grouped into 2 categories under differentiation: those showing and those not showing myoepithelial differentiation. Representative areas from hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides were imaged by experienced pathologists. Images from the cases were recorded and distributed via compact disc. RESULTS: The participants in this study had a mean of 12.8 years' experience in pathology. The agreement ratios on tumors showing myoepithelial differentiation and malignancy were 86% and 81%, respectively. Basal cell adenocarcinoma gathered the lowest agreement of the myoepithelial differentiation among the tumors by 64%. The highest agreement (100%) was for 17 myoepitheliomas. While adenoid cystic carcinoma attained the highest ratio (95%), myoepithelial carcinoma had the lowest ratio (47%) of agreement on malignancy among the 19 observers. Accordingly, regarding benign tumors the ratio of agreement on the benignancy was 70%, with the highest percentage being 91% for basal cell adenoma. CONCLUSION: Electronic media acting as a usable technological tool for the distribution of pathology expertise may be used to obtain a second opinion about salivary gland tumors.

Laparoscopic resection of periadrenal paraganglioma mimicking an isolated adrenal hydatid cyst.

We present the case of a 64-year-old female with a periadrenal paraganglioma. The mass was diagnosed during abdominal ultrasonography performed to investigate right flank pain. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a lesion 48mm in diameter with an irregular hyperintense central margin, thickened septa, centrally located cystic component, and contrast enhancing peripheral portions. These findings made us think it was an isolated adrenal hydatid cyst. The mass was excised via laparoscopy without complications. Histopathological examination was consistent with periadrenal paraganglioma. We believe that the paraganglioma can mimic the radiological appearance of an isolated adrenal hydatid cyst, which should be taken into consideration during diagnosis.

Effects of short-term dutasteride and Serenoa repens on perioperative bleeding and microvessel density in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the effects of short term use of dutasteride and Serenoarepens before transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) on the amount of intraoperative blood loss and microvessel density (MVD) of prostatic stromal and suburethral tissues in the patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 75 male patients who planned to have a TURP. The patients were randomly divided into three groups. The control group comprised 21 patients. Group 2 comprised 27 patients who used dutasteride 5 mg/day, and group 3 comprised 27 patients who used S. repens 160 mg/day for 5 weeks before the operation. The amount of intraoperative haemorrhage was calculated. Total blood loss, total blood loss/time, total blood loss/weight of resected tissue and total blood loss/weight/time were calculated for each patient and all were recorded. Sections from the prostatic stromal and suburethral tissues were examined for suburethral and prostatic MVD. RESULTS: The total amount of intraoperative blood loss, total blood loss/time, total blood loss/weight of resected tissue, total blood loss/weight/time, serum haemoglobin level change, prostatic MVD and suburethral MVD of the groups were compared. No significant statistical differences were found between the groups for any of these variables (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dutasteride and S. repens therapies were not superior to control in terms of the decrease in total blood loss during TURP. Moreover, MVD showed no statistical differences in the treatment groups compared with the control group.

Sarcoidosis involving the lacrimal, submandibular, and parotid glands with panda sign.

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous inflammation of unknown origin that varies in severity and distribution. We present a case of sarcoidosis with involvement of the skin, lacrimal, parotid, and submandibular glands. The patient had been previously misdiagnosed as having angioedema and allergic contact dermatitis; he had the rare finding of panda sign on gallium scintigraphy.

Perforated intestinal leiomyosarcoma as a metastasis of uterine leiomyosarcoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine leiomyosarcomas are relatively uncommon soft tissue neoplasms and rarely metastases to small bowel. In the current case; a patient is suffering from intestinal perforation due to metastatic leiomyosarcoma of the small bowel. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old woman underwent a modified radical mastectomy for infiltrating ductal cancer of the breast six years ago and a total abdominal hysterectomy for leiomyosarcoma of the uterus two years ago. About 2400 cGy total dose radiotherapy has also been applied after total hysterectomy for bone metastasis of breast cancer. She admitted to our clinic with the complaints of acute abdomen due to perforated small bowel metastasis of leiomyosarcoma during the radiotherapy. Laparotomy was performed and leiomyosarcoma of the ileum was removed totally. Histopathologic examination of the specimen confirmed the presence of the leiomyosarcoma in intestinal tissue samples. CONCLUSION: We aimed to present this unusual case which perforated presentation of the intestinal metastasis of uterine leiomyosarcoma.

Effect of finasteride treatment on suburethral prostatic microvessel density in patients with hematuria related to benign prostate hyperplasia.

INTRODUCTION: In the present study we evaluated the effect of short-term finasteride treatment on microvessel density (MVD) which is an indicator of prostatic angiogenesis in patients with hematuria secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 patients who were candidates for BPH surgery were prospectively included in the study. All patients had history of gross hematuria and evaluated by ultrasonography and cystoscopy. The patients were randomized two groups before surgery. The treatment group consisted of 13 patients who were given 5 mg finasteride daily for 4 weeks before surgery. The control group consisted of 17 patients who did not receive finasteride before surgery. During surgery, resected suburethral and hyperplastic prostate specimens were sent for histopathologic MVD determination separately. RESULTS: Mean MVD in the suburethral portion of prostate was significantly lower in patients treated with finasteride when compared with controls (9.08 +/- 5.6 and 13.94 +/- 5.90, respectively, p < 0.05). Mean MVD for the hyperplastic portion of prostate was similar for the finasteride and control groups (14.21 +/- 7.10 and 19.75 +/- 9.73, respectively, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The potential role of finasteride on hematuria related to BPH may be the suppressive effect on MVD in the suburethral tissue of prostate.

An extraordinary case in whom gastrointestinal stromal tumor and low-grade malignant lymphoma are seen together in the stomach.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal system (GIS) is the most common site of involvement of all primary extranodal lymphomas. Gastric lymphoma constitutes 3-6% of all primary stomach malignancies. Stomach is also the commonest site of involvement of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). We would like to report these rare synchronous tumors in the same patient. CASE: A 68-year-old male was admitted to the internal medicine clinics with the complaints of abdominal distension. Physical examination was normal. On abdominal computed tomography a 12 x 14 x 22 cm sized giant tumoral mass was detected in left hypochondrium. A total gastrectomy was performed. Two distinct neoplasms were detected; one of which was located in the posterior wall of the stomach with the size of 24 x 16 x 13 cm, and the other one was localized in the fundus of the stomach and its size was 6 x 5 x 2 cm. Pathological evaluation revealed the diagnosis of GIST at the posterior wall and low-grade malignant lymphoma from the mass localized in the fundus of the stomach. DISCUSSION: Two primary tumors are not seen so often together in the stomach. Adenocarcinoma and associated tumors including gastric lymphoma (especially MALT lymphoma), carcinoid, leiomyosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma constitute most of the reported series. Rarely adenocarcinoma and associated GIST cases were reported. It is important to report concurrent gastric lymphoma and GIST case since it is extremely rare in the English literature.

The correlation between serum prostate specific antigen levels and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.

INTRODUCTION: Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is a common pathological finding in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In the present study, we evaluated the correlation between serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and extent and aggressiveness of inflammation in surgical specimens of patients who underwent to surgery for BPH without any evidence of clinical prostatitis. METHODS: Histological sections of the prostatic tissues of 52 patients were scored for the extent of inflammation and aggressiveness of inflammation, using the four point scale designed by Irani et al. Extent of inflammation is graded from 0 to 3 according to the degree of invasion of inflammatory cells in prostate tissue. Aggressiveness of inflammation is graded from 0 to 3 according to the degree of contact or disruption of prostatic glandular epithelium by inflammatory cells. The serum PSA levels in different inflammation grades were compared. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between inflammation and aggressiveness scores (r = 0.39, P < 0.01). Median PSA levels in grades 1, 2 and 3 extent of inflammation were 2.4, 5.2 and 5.7 ng/ml, respectively. There was not any significant difference between these grades for PSA. Furthermore, median PSA levels in grades 1, 2 and 3 aggressiveness of inflammation were 4.4, 4.8 and 8.7 ng/ml, respectively. There was a significant difference between grades of aggressiveness of inflammation and PSA levels. CONCLUSION: High serum PSA levels may correlate with asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis with high aggressiveness score in BPH patients without clinical prostatitis.

Schwannoma originating from the infraorbital nerve: a case report.

A 16-year-old female admitted to otolaryngology outpatient clinic with the complaints of pain and replacement of her left eyeball upwards. Radiological imaging demonstrated a solid mass inferior to the left globe. The anterior wall of the maxilla was thinned and the mass pushed the orbital floor inferiorly. Following subciliary incision, the bone over the mass was removed from the orbital rim and the mass was exposed. The mass originated from the infraorbital nerve. The mass was excised and the orbital rim, malar region and the orbital floor were reconstructed by a titanium mesh. The histopathological report was "schwannoma". Seven cases of schwannomas arising from the infraorbital nerve reported in English literature. In this paper we report a case of infraorbital schwannoma and review the literature.

Case report: cavernous sinus metastasis of the parotid carcinoma: a very unusual case.

Cavernous sinus is an uncommon site of metastasis for the head and neck tumors, and especially for the tumors of parotid gland. The case reported here is the second reported case of parotid carcinoma metastatic to the cavernous sinus, proven by histopathology. Also it is the first reported parotid gland acinic cell carcinoma metastasis to the cavernous sinus.

Bilateral ureteral fibroepithelial polyps and review of the literature.

Despite being the most common forms of benign ureteral neoplasms, ureteral fibroepithelial polyps are rare and their etiology is still unknown. To our knowledge, we report the fourth case of bilateral fibroepithelial polyps in the English literature with a discussion of clinical features and etiology.