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Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

To evaluate the Turkey's nationwide HPV DNA screening program on the basis of first 1 million screened women. Women over age 30 were invited for population based screening via HPV DNA and conventional cytology. Samples were collected by family physicians and the evaluations and reports had been performed in the National Central HPV laboratories. The acceptance rate for HPV based cervical cancer screening after first invitation was nearly 36.5%. Since HPV DNA tests have been implemented, cervical cancer screening rates have shown 4-5-fold increase in primary level. Through the evaluation of all, HPV positivity was seen in 3.5%. The commonest HPV genotypes were 16, followed by 51, 31, 52 and 18. Among the 37.515 HPV positive cases, cytological abnormality rate was 19.1%. Among HPV positive cases, 16.962 cases had HPV 16 or 18 or other oncogenic HPV types with abnormal cytology (>ASC-US). These patients were referred to colposcopy. The colposcopy referral rate was 1.6%. Among these, final clinico-pathological data of 3.499 patients were normal in 1.985 patients, CIN1 in 708, CIN2 in 285, CIN3 in 436 and cancer in 85 patients and only pap-smear program could miss 45.9% of ≥CIN3 cases. The results of 1 million women including the evaluation of 13 HPV genotypes with respect to prevalence, geographic distribution and abnormal cytology results shows that HPV DNA can be used in primary level settings to have a high coverage rated screening program and is very effective compared to conventional pap-smear., (© 2017 The Authors International Journal of Cancer published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of UICC.)

Objective: To investigate the 5-year relative survival rates in gynecological cancers diagnosed and treated in Turkey by year 2009 and to compare the results with developed countries., Methods: Data of patients diagnosed for ovarian, corpus uteri or cervix uteri cancer at year 2009 are collected from 9 national cancer registry centers. Date of deaths are retracted from governmental Identity Information Sharing System (KPS). In order to calculate relative survival rates, national general population mortality tables are obtained from Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat). Hakulinen method is used for computing curves by R program. Data for European, Asian and some developed countries were obtained from official web pages., Results: A total of 1,553 patients are evaluated. Among these, 713 (45.9%) are corpus uteri cancers, while remaining 489 (31.5%) are ovarian and 351 (22.6%) are cervix uteri. Five-year overall relative survival rates are 85%, 50%, and 62% for corpus uteri, ovarian, and cervix uteri, respectively. These figures are between 73%-87% for corpus uteri, 31%-62% for ovarian and 61%-80% for cervix uteri in developed countries. Stage is the most important factor for survival in all cancers. Five-year relative survival rates in corpus uteri cancers are 92%, 66%, and 38% for localized, regional, and distant metastatic disease, respectively. These figures are 77%, 57%, and 29% for ovarian; 80%, 50%, and 22% for cervix uteri., Conclusion: This is the first report from Turkey giving national overall relative survival for gynecological cancers from a population based cancer registry system., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported., (Copyright © 2017. Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology)

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate nationwide gynecological cancer trends in Turkey., Methods: National cancer registry data (2009-2013) of Turkish Ministry of Health were evaluated. Ovarian, cervical, endometrial, vulvar, vaginal, and tubal cancers are evaluated with respect to age of diagnosis, incidence rates within years, stage, histological distributions, and mortality rates. Data were collected from active cancer registry centers, which increased from 23% in 2009 to 47.5% coverage of the whole population by 2012, and mortality data (2010-2015) were obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute., Results: A total of 16,023 gynecological cancers were evaluated among 116,940 female patients with cancer (13.7%). Average incidence for gynecological cancers was 22.7 of 100,000, representing 8437 total new cases annually. Incidence changes within time were not statistically significant, when evaluated for each tumor type. Estimated risk of gynecological cancer development before the age of 80 years was 3.08% (95% confidence interval, 3.07-3.09). The most common gynecological cancers were uterine corpus cancers, which were followed by ovarian and cervical carcinomas. Ovarian and uterine cancer incidences were closer to European levels rather than Asian countries, whereas cervical cancer incidence was extremely low. Gynecological cancers constituted an important fraction of cancer-related mortality in women by comprising approximately 10.35% of cancer-related deaths. Mortality rates due to gynecological cancers did not show a statistically significant increase within years., Conclusions: This is the first national cancer registry report to be published for gynecological cancers by the Turkish Governmental Department. As a result, Turkish gynecological cancer epidemiological data were consistent with the data obtained from European and developed countries rather than Asian countries, except for cervical cancer incidence, which is extremely low.

Background: Association of NOD2 (CARD15) gene mutations with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is well known. We herein aimed to investigate the role of familial Mediterranean fever-associated MEFV variations in IBD patients as additional regional-specific risk factor., Study: One hundred thirty-seven (78 female, 56.9%) IBD patients [62 Crohn's disease (CD), 75 ulcerative colitis (UC)] were enrolled into the study. The diagnosis of all patients was confirmed by colonoscopy, histopathology, and the clinical findings. One hundred one healthy donors' samples were used as healthy controls. All patients were genotyped for the most common E148Q, M608I, M694V, and V726A variations of the MEFV and R702W, G908R, and 1007fs of the NOD2., Results: The overall MEFV variation frequency was found to be higher in the IBD (25.5%) patients (28% in UC, 22.6% in CD) compared with controls (9.9%, P=0.006). This association was stronger with the penetrant exon 10 variations (M694V, M680I, V726A; odds ratio =4.5, P=0.001). Contribution of M694V was higher compared with the other variations (14.5% in CD, 17.3% in UC and 3% in controls, odds ratio =6.039, 95% confidence intervals, 1.7-20.7, P=0.002). The overall frequency of 3 NOD2 variants in the IBD group was not different from that of controls., Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the MEFV variations may be an additional susceptibility factor for IBD in certain parts of the world where the carrier rate is high, and the genetic background of the IBD patients may show regional changes.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate how trauma characteristics and outcomes differ between genders in a rural hospital., Methods: Records of trauma patients admitted to a state emergency department (ED) in eastern Turkey, between January 2006 and December 2007 were reviewed and data were analysed based on gender., Results: In total, 5379 (87.0%) men and 806 (13.0%) women, totalling 6185 patients, were assessed. Mean age was 26.5 (1 month - 80 years) years for men and 24.7 (2 month - 81 years) years for women. Men comprised 90.2%, 81.3% and 77.3% of the patients injured by assault, motor vehicle incidents and falls, respectively. Women comprised a significantly larger share of suicide attempts (70.8%) than men. Of the men injured, 90.6% were discharged after treatment in the ED. The per cent of hospitalised women (5.8%) was increased compared with the per cent of hospitalised men (p=0.011). There was a higher frequency of transfer among women (8.6%) when compared with men (p<0.001). Women had a mortality frequency of 1.2%, which was similar to the mortality per cent calculated for men., Conclusions: Men were at an increased risk for trauma, especially assault. The percentage of women injured and admitted to the ED due to assault was low compared with statistics reported in the literature. However, assault is the most common cause of trauma among women. The high per cent of hospitalisation and transfer among women may indicate that women are exposed to more severe trauma, and therefore experience increased morbidity compared with men.

The relationship between viral infections and acute pancreatitis (AP) is not well-defined and universally accepted. Although an association is debated due to lack of solid evidence, a vast number of case reports suggest a possible interrelation. Influenza A virus is one of the most common infectious pathogens in humans but the incidence of subclinical or overt AP during the course of flu is unknown. We report a case of AP, which occurs shortly after a H1N1 infection during the pandemic in 2009., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background/aims: There is an increasing interest for a link between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). There is no study in the literature which examines the relationship between OSAS and esophageal functions in adults with impedance. We first evaluated the role of reflux in OSAS with simultaneous polysomnography and impedance-pHmetry and then investigated whether the effect of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment changes in these parameters., Methodology: Twenty two OSAS patients who had applied to sleep laboratory between September 2007 and May 2008 were consecutively enrolled to the study. Twenty four hours esophageal impedance study was performed during polysomnographic recording. At least 50% of all apneas in patients must proceed with a reflux event in 2 minute intervals in order to be considered reflux related apnea patient., Results: Pathologic reflux episodes were determined in 20 patients (8 were weakly acidic, 12 were acidic). Reflux dependent apnea was found in 6 patients. There was endoscopically esophagitis in all reflux related apnea patients. There was a negative correlation between initial mean SaO2 and gas reflux events at night (p=0.004, r =-0.588) and mixed reflux events at night (p=0.02, r=0.493). There was a statistically significant regression of AHI (apnea hypopnea index) after 3-months PPI treatment (p=0.012)., Conclusions: Reflux may trigger apnea in some of the OSAS patients. Therefore, each OSAS patient must be inquired about esophageal and extraesophageal symptoms of reflux.

Background: Levels of prohepcidin, a homeostatic regulator of iron absorption, are altered in chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis. However, data on the potential alterations of prohepcidin in patients with HBV-related liver disease are scarce. We investigated whether serum prohepcidin is related to iron overload and perenchymal dysfuction in HBV-related liver disease., Methods: Three groups of subjects were studied: 66 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 32 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis, and 42 healthy controls without evidence of liver disease. Serum levels of prohepcidin were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay., Results: Serum prohepcidin levels were significantly lower in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis (175.85 ± 71.5 ng/ml) than in patients with chronic hepatitis B (209.02 ± 62.7 ng/ml P < 0.05) and controls (222.4 ± 128.4 ng/ml, P < 0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders, prohepcidin was found to be an independent predictor of ferritin levels in multiple linear regression analysis (β = -1.10, t = -3.11, P < 0.01)., Conclusion: These results demonstrate that prohepcidin levels are reduced in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis and are an independent correlate of serum ferritin.

Objective: Recently, mucosal changes of small bowel were defined by developing new imaging techniques including capsule endoscopy (CE) in portal hypertensive patients. However, the clinical impact of these changes is unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the additional cause of blood loss in portal hypertensive patients., Material and Methods: A total of 444 portal hypertensive patients, hospitalized in our clinic between 2005 and 2007, were evaluated. Patients with obscure bleeding were enrolled to this prospective case-control study. CE was performed in 21 patients who met inclusion criteria. Gastroscopy, colonoscopy and computerized tomography/small bowel enema were performed in all patients., Results: Fourteen cirrhotic and seven noncirrhotic portal hypertensive patients were enrolled to this study. Mean age of patients was 47.9±15.6 years, and 13 of 21 were male. Small bowel varices were found in 7 patients (1 active bleeding) and other mucosal abnormalities in 10 patients (vascular ectasia, erosion and edema, 1 active bleeding). Although two of them were normal, jejunal malignant mass was found in two patients (1 active bleeding). Of 21 patients, 19 (90.5%) patients had portal hypertensive abnormalities (including varices). However, ileal varices rate was 57.1% (4 patients) in noncirrhotic portal hypertensive patients and 21.4% (3 patients) in cirrhotics., Conclusion: Ninety percent of patients had portal hypertensive abnormalities in small bowel and one-third of them had small bowel varices. Small bowel varices and vascular ectasia were the main causes of obscure bleeding in portal hypertensive patients.

Background and Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has long been accepted as benign; however, recent evidence suggests that the disease may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, although the natural course of the disease is still unclear. This study was designed to comparatively evaluate electron microscopic features of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)., Methods: Quantitative and semi-quantitative ultrastructural evaluations were performed on liver biopsies from 23 patients, 10 with NAFL and 13 with NASH., Results: No statistically significant difference was noted between NAFL and NASH patients in ultrastructural features of hepatocytes including megamitochondria, intramitochondrial crystalline inclusions, mitochondrial matrix granules, foamy cytoplasmic appearance, electron-lucent and glycogen-containing nuclear regions, lipofuscin granules, or an increased frequency of vesicles containing electron-dense material in peribiliary Golgi zone; however, the mitochondrial diameter was significantly higher in the NASH patients. Intercellular distance and microvilli between hepatocytes, collagen and electron-dense material accumulation in the space of Disse, electron-dense material accumulation and microvillus density in bile canaliculi did not differ significantly between the groups., Conclusions: Our data show that, although NAFL and NASH can be distinguished by their distinct light microscopic features, ultrastructural characteristics are similar, which suggests that NAFL may also have the potential to progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis like NASH.

Objective: We aimed to determine the influence of a medical school program on altering the opinion of medical students on disaster myths., Methods: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted in October 2005 in Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey, with the participation of 191 (83.0%) first-year and 232 (80.8%) sixth-year medical students. The opinions of the students with regard to 22 disaster myths and the influence of the medical school program on these opinions were evaluated. Chi-square test was used in the statistical analysis., Results: One hundred and fifty-nine first-year (83.2%) and 178 (76.7%) sixth-year students had knowledge about disasters (chi2=2.75, P=0.972). Television was cited as the leading source of knowledge among both first-year (63.9%, 122) and sixth-year (62.1%, 144) students. The medical school was the last resource for knowledge as reported by first-year students (0.5%, one student), and ranked fourth as a knowledge resource according to sixth-year students (47.0%, 109 students). Statistically significant differences were determined in opinions between the two groups of students, with sixth-year students having a higher rate of correct answers in only seven myths. In 17 myths, the number of correct responses for both groups was below 60%., Conclusion: If the myths and realities in disaster situations are valid, we demonstrated that the medical education curriculum at one of the leading medical faculties in Turkey failed to correct the misconceptions of the medical students. As the opinions of students regarding disaster myths may reflect those of their trainers, similar surveys conducted among the faculty would be informative.

Background: Acquired hepatocerebral degeneration (AHD) and hepatic myelopathy (HM) are rare complications of chronic liver disease and are usually resistant to medical therapy., Materials and Methods: The clinical and laboratory findings of 14 male and 2 female patients with AHD or HM were evaluated., Results: The prevalence of AHD and HM was 2% inpatient case series in the last 10 years. The median age of the patients (5 Child's B and 11 Child's C) was 48.7 years (28 to 66 y), and the mean known duration of the liver disease was 75 months (24 to 194 mo). The median time of onset of neurologic findings after diagnosis of the liver disease was 14.5 months. Eight patients who had marked spastic paraparesis or tetraparesis were included in the HM group and all others had AHD group. Sixty-nine percent of the patients had a spontaneous or surgical portosystemic shunts, and the remaining dense retroperitoneal collaterals. During the follow-up period of median 29 months (4 to 72 mo), 12 patients died while waiting for liver transplantation, and these patients suffered from the several complications of chronic liver disease more than the living patients. A marked improvement was observed in 2 of the patients (1 with AHD and the other with HM) at 6 and 8 months after the liver transplantation, respectively., Conclusions: Our data suggest that liver transplantation had an important effect on the improvement in these patients.

Abnormal immune response to gliadin, genetic, and environmental factors play a role in the pathogenesis of celiac disease (CD). Non-responsiveness to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is related to genetic features. Certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes are more prevalent among non-responders to HBV vaccination. There is also a strong relationship between CD and these HLA genotypes. This study investigates the relationship between CD and non-responsiveness to HBV vaccination, with an emphasis on genotypic co-incidence. No statistically significant difference was noted between the ages and gender of CD patients and control subjects. Baseline serum IgA, IgM, and IgG levels of all CD patients were normal. Responsiveness to HBV vaccination was observed in 17 (68%) CD patients and all (100%) control subjects (P = 0.006). In conclusion, CD should also be sought in unresponders to HBV vaccine who are not immunosuppressed.

Background and Study Aims: Increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels with negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA by hybridization is a common problem in Turkey where is a mild endemic region. We aimed to evaluate the causes of elevated ALT levels in patients who are negative for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA (by hybridization) for at least 6 months., Patients-Methods: Forty-nine patients were enrolled in this study. Histological changes [histological activity index (HAI), and the extent of fibrosis] were assessed according to the Knodell scoring system and steatosis were graded by Brunt's classification for NAFLD in all patients., Results: A mean age of the patients was 34.9 +/- 12.1 years (16-70). 43 (87.8%) of them were male. Mean ALT level was 95 +/- 39.7 IU/L (50- 258). Hyperglycemia (>100 mg/dL) and hyperlipidemia were found in 12 and 24 patients, respectively. Hepatic steatosis (7 patients grade 1; 5 patients grade 2; and 7 patients grade 3), ground-glass hepatocyte, chronic hepatitis, and Wilson disease were found in liver biopsy in 38.8%, 32.6%, 26.6%, 2%, respectively. Mean HAI was 6.5 +/- 3.6 (4-12) in chronic hepatitis. Seven patients (53.9%) were in stage 1 and 2 while 6 patients (46.1%) were in stage 3 and 4., Conclusions: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of elevated ALT levels in HBeAg negative/HBV DNA negative patients. Chronic hepatitis B was found in 26.6% of these patients.

Background/aims: Pneumatic dilatation is a safe and most effective treatment for achalasia. We analyzed the long-term results of pneumatic dilatation in primary achalasia by objective and subjective findings., Methodology: Pneumatic dilatation was performed in patients that were diagnosed with primary achalasia in our manometry laboratory between 1993-1999 years. We evaluated patients with clinical, radiologic, endoscopic and manometric results before treatment. Mean esophageal diameters on the level of the lower esophageal sphincter and middle esophagus were measured by barium esophagograms. The patients were clinically reevaluated after one week and barium esophagograms were repeated one month later after dilatation. Clinical examination, endoscopy and manometry were done at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and repeated yearly for follow-up period. A statistical comparison of pre- and posttreatment on the frequency of dysphagia, radiological diameter of the esophagus and manometric data was performed using unpaired t tests and chi2 tests., Results: Pneumatic dilatation was performed on 50 adult patients with a mean age 41.42+/-18.07 years. A single dilatation was successful in forty patients (80%) and two to three dilatations were performed in ten (20%) patients. The median number of dilatations was 1.26. In the postdilatation period, mean short-term (< 1 year) and long-term (2-7 years) clinical improvement was 82.8% and 66.85% respectively. The mean diameter of the esophagus was regressed to 26.51+/-7.69 mm from 36.66+/-11.23 mm (p<0.001) and the mean diameter of the lower esophageal sphincter was increased to 8.38+/-3.12 mm from 2.58+/-1.13 mm (p<0.001) with pneumatic dilatation. The mean pretreatment pressure of lower esophageal sphincter was 41.14+/-11.34 mmHg and these values were 18.79+/-7.85 mmHg (p<0.001), 13.18+/-9.53 mmHg (p<0.001) in the 1st, and 5th years of the posttreatment period, respectively. The mean pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter was 31.78+/-8.91 mmHg in nonresponder patients during the posttreatment period; there was no significant difference prior to pneumatic dilatation (p>0.1). Surgical operation was performed on 5 patients (10%), who had no benefit from pneumatic dilatation., Conclusions: Pneumatic dilatation is an effective procedure in the treatment of primary achalasia during the short- and long-term period. Treatment evaluation can possibly be made objectively with radiographic and manometric alterations of esophagus that occurred after pneumatic dilatation.

Background/aims: Evaluation of clinical, demographic and epidemiologic features of ulcerative colitis and therapy response of these patients., Methodology: Retrospectively, 116 patients (64.7% female) were enrolled in this study. Mean age and mean follow-up period were 36+/-16, 5+/-2 years, respectively., Results: The most common anatomic involvement was pancolitis (60.3%) and the others were as follows: left side 25%, rectum 13.8% and ileum (backwash ileitis) 0.9%. Extraintestinal manifestations were observed in 42.2% of patients (sacroiliitis 12%, primary sclerosing cholangitis 7.6%, pyoderma gangrenosum 2.4%, peripheral arthropathy 1.6%, autoimmune hepatitis 1.6%, steatosis 12.9%, gallstone 0.8%, perianal fistulas 0.8%, sagittal sinus thrombosis 0.8%, psoriasis 0.8%). Multiple extraintestinal manifestations were observed (primary sclerosing cholangitis + pyoderma gangrenosum) in 2 patients. Colonic perforation due to toxic megacolon was observed in only one patient during follow-up period. The mean period for remission was 3.7 months in 72% of patients with pancolitis by the treatment of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) (2-3 gr/day) + methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) +/- (for maintenance of remission) azathioprine (AZT) (1.5-2 mg/kg/day); 3.7 months in 72% of left-sided colitis by 5-ASA +/- corticosteroid enemas +/- methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) +/- (for maintenance of remission) AZT (1.5-2 mg/kg/day) and 3.7 months in 62.5% of patients with distal colitis by 5-ASA (p.o. +/- enema) +/- corticosteroid enemas. Colectomy was performed on 7 patients refractory to these treatments. Six patients (4 of them had pancolitis) were treated with cyclosporine (Cys) (4 mg/kg/day, p.o.). Only one patient, a non-responder to Cys therapy, had colectomy. The mean remission time was 4.7 months in 80.6% of patients with extraintestinal involvement and 3.2 months in 71.2% of patients without extraintestinal involvement (P=0.002)., Conclusions: Medical therapy was generally enough for the treatment. Cys and/or surgery can be another choice for the patients that do not respond to the medical therapy. Extraintestinal manifestations do not change the remission rate, but prolong the time to catch remission.

Background/aims: Cyclosporin-A is used as alternative medical therapy in steroid refractory ulcerative colitis with severe activity. In spite of known effectivity, the long term results of cyclosporin-A therapy is not clear for today., Methods: The results of 13 steroid refractory patients that treated with cyclosporin-A were retrospectively assessed. Cyclosporin-A was started as orally, 8 mg/kg/day in 4 patients and intravenously, 4 mg/kg/day in 9 patients. Intravenous therapy changed to oral therapy one week after beginning. Patients also received 5-ASA and azathioprine. Steroid was tapered., Results: Ten patients responded to treatment in a mean of 9 days (range: 2-30 days). Three unresponded patients underwent total colectomy on 7, 11 and 19th day of therapy. Ten initially responded patients received the drug for average 4.9 months. Of these, four relapsed during and one relapsed soon after therapy. Four of 5 relapser patients underwent colectomy. One patient that not accepted surgical intervention is still receiving medical therapy. Remaining 5 patients, 38% of total group; 50% of patients that initially responded, maintain the remission at the end of average 17 months of follow up period., Conclusion: Cyclosporin-A therapy in severe ulcerative colitis that is refractory to steroids, provides initial remission in 80% of patients and allows 40% to retain their colon for 1 year.

In this paper, 105 patients with Crohn's disease, (47 M, 58 F), mean age 37.4 +/- 42 years were evaluated clinically, demographically and epidemiologically. Mean age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 26.5 +/- 10.9 years. Follow-up period was 2.7 +/- 2.1 years on average. On admission, symptoms or signs were as follows: right lower quadrant pain 90.5%, abdominal mass 18.1%, enterocutaneous fistula 11.4% and subileus 9.5%. Diagnosis of Crohn's disease was established during appendectomy in 14 patients (13.3%). Family history of inflammatory bowel disease was determined only in six patients (5.7%). Intestinal localization were as follows: ileo colonic 52%, ileal 38%, colonic 10%. Clinical forms were inflammatory (68%), fistulous (23%) and obstructive (9%). Sacroiliitis (7.6%), ankylosing spondylitis (4.7%), erythema nodosum (2.9%), pyoderma gangrenosum (1%) were detected as extraintestinal manifestations. Of the patients, 12.4% underwent surgical intervention due to abscess drainage in 6.6%, fistulectomy in 3.8%, stricture resection in 1.9%. Medical therapy alone was sufficient in 75.3% of patients. As a result, our cases mentioned in this paper reflect the general characteristics of Crohn's disease and prominence of regular visits and treatment.

Objectives: Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a severe complication of cirrhosis, leading to death in nearly all of cases in the absence of liver transplantation. Several treatments have been attempted as a bridge to liver transplantation. Promising results have been shown with terlipressin and albumin treatment. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate our patients with HRS and the effects of combined therapy of terlipressin and albumin on survival., Patients and Methods: Twenty two patients (15 with type 1 HRS and 7 with type 2 HRS) who were admitted to our clinic between 1996 and 2001, were enrolled. All 7 pts with type 1 HRS were given terlipressin 2-4 mg/day and albumin 2 x 20 g/day for 6 days (range: 3-14)., Results: Rate of mortality in hospital was 64% in total group, 80% in type 1 and 29% in type 2. Additionally rate of death was 57% in type 1 patients that received terlipressin+albumin and 100% in unreceived ones (p<0.05)., Conclusion: In this retrospective study, survival following improvement in renal function was noted in nearly half (43%) of type 1 patients that received terlipressin+albumin. Parameters associated with response to terlipressin+albumin and increased survival should be defined better in a large cohort of cirrhotic patients with HRS.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome has yet not been sufficiently assessed in noncirrhotic portal hypertension. The prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome was determined in 31 consecutive patients with noncirrhotic portal hypertension (19 idiopathic portal hypertension, 7 portal vein thrombosis, 5 congenital hepatic fibrosis) and 46 patients with liver cirrhosis. Contrast echocardiography was carried out in all patients. Macroaggregated albumin lung perfusion scans were performed in patients with positive contrast echocardiogram. Hepatopulmonary syndrome was detected in 5 (10.8%) cirrhotic and 3 (9.7%) noncirrhotic portal hypertensive patients (2 idiopathic portal hypertension, 1 portal vein thrombosis). All patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome had an increased shunt fraction (13-62%) and a decreased diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (40-79%), and 7 of them were hypoxemic (PaO2, 31.6-69.8 mm Hg). These findings show that hepatopulmonary syndrome may occur in both liver cirrhosis and noncirrhotic portal hypertension and that portal hypertension is the predominant etiopathogenic factor related to hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Background/aims: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia in the cardia of a patient group with high incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection presenting for elective upper endoscopy. We also re-evaluated the relation between intestinal metaplasia in the cardia and gastroesophageal reflux disease, smoking, alcohol history, H. pylori infection, Barrett's esophagus and intestinal metaplasia elsewhere in the stomach., Methodology: Sixty patients presenting for elective upper endoscopy were included in this study. Prior to undergoing endoscopy each patient was questioned with regard to the clinical indication and symptoms including heartburn, regurgitation, and dysphagia. In addition, a smoking and alcohol history were recorded. Endoscopic biopsies: 1) one from the midantrum on the lesser curvature, 2) one from the incisura angularis, 3) one from the mid-corpus on the lesser curvature, 4) one from the columnar side of the squamocolumnar junction, 5) one from the squamous side of the squamocolumnar junction, 6) one from 2 cm distal to the esophagogastric junction, 7) one from across the squamocolumnar junction. Slides were stained using a combination of hematoxylin-eosin with Alcian blue at pH 2.5 for intestinal metaplasia. Each specimen was examined for the presence of H. pylori., Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 63%. Prevalence of the H. pylori infection was significantly lower in the patients with intestinal metaplasia of the cardia than in the patients without intestinal metaplasia of the cardia (P = 0.025). There was a positive correlation between the age of the patients and having intestinal metaplasia of the cardia (r = 0.286, P = 0.008). There was no relationship between intestinal metaplasia of the cardia and pyrozis, regurgitation, dysphagia, history of alcohol and smoking esophagitis determined by endoscopy or histopathology, sex, intestinal metaplasia elsewhere in the stomach (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: The incidence of the intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia in Turkey is less than that of western countries. Intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia negatively correlates with H. pylori infection. And there was no relationship between gastric cardia intestinal metaplasia and reflux disease. Further investigations are needed for determining the premalign lesion and etiologic factors for cancer of the gastric cardia.

In this study, two cases of biopsy-proven pancreatic tuberculosis are reported. The patients presented with fever, anorexia, fatigue, abdominal pain and weight loss. A differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin was conducted. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a cystic mass image in the pancreatic head in one patient, and a hypodense lesion in the pancreatic head in the other. The first patient was diagnosed by a wedge biopsy specimen obtained in the exploratory laparotomy. The other patient was diagnosed by percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Both patients were successfully treated with quadruple antituberculous therapy for 12 months. We concluded that especially in young patients who present with a mass in the pancreas, pancreatic tuberculosis should be considered among the differential diagnoses, particularly in developing countries and immunosuppressed individuals.

A 28-year-old man with compensated cirrhosis of the liver (Child B) and after 4 episodes of esophageal variceal bleeding received prophylactic endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy in our Gastroenterology Clinic for 8 consecutive months. Sclerotherapy of the esophageal varices had been performed at monthly intervals until variceal obliteration was achieved. Both the intravariceal and paravariceal injection techniques were used and injections were repeated periodically as necessary. On the 8th month, 1 week after the 4th sclerotherapy procedure, the patient complained of swelling on his right shoulder and on his right arm. There was jugular congestion and swelling of his right arm and right shoulder. The patient was hemodynamically stable. An X-ray of brachial venography revealed an obstruction of the vena subclavia dextra. During follow-up, the jugular congestion and swelling of his right arm gradually subsided spontaneously over a 6-month period without any need for medication. There has been no recurrence of his symptoms during the 1-year follow-up period. Now, he is still well clinically. This experience suggests that endoscopic injection sclerotherapy may cause thrombosis of the subclavian vein which have been never seen before.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of spontaneous ascitic infection (SAI) in different cirrhotic groups, the risk factors for development of SAI, and the efficacy of cefotaxime therapy., Design: A prospective study., Setting: In-patient clinic of a university hospital., Patients: Eighty cirrhotic patients with ascites were assigned to four groups: hepatitis B or D virus-related 34, alcoholic 18, hepatitis C virus-related 14, miscellaneous 14., Interventions: Paracentesis was performed on 80 patients during 92 consecutive hospitalizations. Ascitic fluid was cultured by the method of bedside inoculation of blood culture bottles with ascites. The patients with SAI were treated with cefotaxime (2 g, three times daily, intravenously) for 5 days., Main Outcome Measures: Frequency of SAI in cirrhotic groups; clinical, bacteriological and biochemical findings of SAI; rate of recovery-from infection., Results: Twenty SAI episodes (22%) were found in 16 patients; 8 episodes were spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, 2 bacterascites, and 10 culture-negative neutrocytic ascites. SAI occurred more frequently in patients with hepatitis B or D virus-related liver cirrhosis (32%) than in the alcoholic (6%, P < 0.05), hepatitis C virus-related (14%) or miscellaneous (14%) cirrhotic groups in multivariate analysis, independent predictive factors associated with the development of SAI are chronic hepatitis B virus infection, ascitic fluid total protein and serum bilirubin. Escherichia coli was obtained in 5 of 10 positive ascitic fluid cultures. Cure of the infection was achieved in 95% of episodes. Hospitalization mortality rate in infected patients was 20%., Conclusion: Spontaneous ascitic infection occurs in approximately 20% of cirrhotic patients hospitalized with ascites. The patients with low ascitic protein concentration, high serum bilirubin level or hepatitis B virus cirrhosis are more predisposed to SAI. Cefotaxime may be an effective first-choice antibiotic for ascitic fluid infection.