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Objective: Management of tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a challenging healthcare problem especially in reproductive age women. The aim of this study is to determine the current role of image-guided primary percutaneous drainage in avoidance of surgical intervention in the management of TOA. Material and Methods: A total of 76 patients hospitalized in our tertiary care center with the diagnosis of TOA were retrospectively evaluated. The study population was divided into 2 groups based on the treatment modalities as antibiotic treatment (n=48) and image-guided percutaneous drainage (n=28) and evaluated in terms of clinical and laboratory characteristics and the requirement for surgical intervention. Results: Surgical intervention was required in 1 (3.6%) patient treated with percutaneous drainage and in 10 (20.8%) patients treated with antibiotics (p=0.036). The choice of treatment modality was independent of demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory findings. The size of TOA in percutaneous drainage group was significantly larger compared to the antibiotic treatment group (mean 6.75±1.886 cm versus 5.92±5.88 cm, respectively, p=0.047). Rehospitalization during follow-up was higher among patients treated with antibiotics only compared to percutaneous drainage group (p=0.06). Conclusion: Percutaneous drainage is an acceptable treatment option including large-sized TOA and decreases the requirement of surgical intervention in selected cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Health workers must be prepared for the changes and developments due to the ever-increasing proportion of elderly individuals within the general population. This study aimed to identify the general attitudes of students of the Faculty of Medicine of Celal Bayar University (CBU) toward senility and evaluate differences in the attitudes of students at different stages of medical education. Materials and Method: This study was conducted between October and December 2014 and included a total of 406 students attending the Faculty of Medicine of the CBU. A questionnaire form composed of three sections was used to collect data. Results: The age range of study participants was 18-27 years (average age, 21.04 years), 60.8% were females, and 91.4% had a nuclear family structure. When assessing overall UCLA scores according to the stage of medical education, the average scores of first-year students were found to be higher than other year groups. The results of the UCLA questionnaire demonstrated significantly higher overall scores concerning attitudes toward older persons in female students compared with male students. No significant differences in KOGAN questionnaire scores concerning attitudes toward older people were observed between male and female students. Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that attitudes toward the elderly change negatively as students progress through medical education. In addition, female students had more positive attitudes toward elderly patients than male students. Considering the expectations from the healthcare providers of the elderly population, who are more fragile compared to normal individuals, it should be envisaged that the responsibilities of physicians have increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]