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Background: Despite not being the primary choice for vascular access in hemodialysis patients, permanent tunneled catheters are commonly utilized, but exhibit elevated rates of complications and dysfunction. This study retrospectively compares the dysfunction durations of symmetric and asymmetric-tipped permanent hemodialysis catheters. Materials and Methods: A total of 307 patients, undergoing the placement of either symmetric or asymmetric-tipped permanent tunneled catheters at our interventional radiology clinic between 2021 and 2023, were included. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the dysfunction rates associated with each type of catheter. Results: Among the included patients, 157 were male (51.1%), and 150 were female (48.9%), with an average age of 64.2±12.2 years. The catheters were predominantly placed in the right jugular in 242 patients (78.8%), followed by the left jugular in 59 patients (19.2%), and femoral placement in 6 patients (2%). Symmetric-tipped catheters were employed in 161 patients (52.4%), while asymmetric-tipped catheters were utilized in 146 patients (47.6%). During follow-up, the catheter dysfunction rate was significantly higher in split-tip catheters than in symmetrical-tip catheters (p <0.0001). Conclusion: The study revealed a statistically significant increase in catheter dysfunction for the asymmetric-tipped catheter type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Occupational accidents are anticipated to decline when unregistered employment declines because of more regulated working conditions, inspections, and opportunities for legal protection. In the study, the accuracy of this presumption was examined. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine how to protective legal regulations generate a relationship between occupational accidents and informal employment such as the Occupational Health and Safety Law in Turkey. METHODS: In the research, which was structured within the framework of the quantitative method, various levels of relationship chains were created between informal employment and occupational accidents using correlation and slope calculations. The official data set was created using secondary data from the Turkish Statistical Institute and the Social Security Institution. RESULTS: It has been determined that the low positive correlation (r = 0.166) between unregistered employment and occupational accidents in 2008–2012 (pre-legislation period) in Turkey changed to the medium-negative direction (r=–0.602) in 2013–2020 (legislation period). While the assumption that unregistered employment would decrease in the first period was confirmed, the hypothesis was falsified by the increase in occupational accidents despite the decrease in informality in the second period. CONCLUSION: This study is unique because it shows that in a developing country where unregistered employment is high, the protective regulations for work accidents do not reflect a decrease in the number of work accidents in the short and medium term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate whether patients undergoing percutaneous liver mass biopsy (PLMB) can be safely discharged following a two‐hour monitoring period. Methods: A multi‐center prospective analysis was conducted for 375 patients (196 males and 179 females), mean age 63 ± 12.45 years (range 37–89) who underwent PLMB between August 2023 and March 2024. Patients were monitored for 24 h, and complications were classified as minor or major. The timing of complications was categorized into three groups: within the first two hours, between the 2nd and 24th hours, and within 1 week after 24 hours. Results: Minor complications occurred in 18.93% (71/375) and major complications in 2.13% (8/375). Most minor complications (80.2%, 57/71) appeared within the first two hours, 12.7% (9/71) between 2 and 24 h, and 7.1% (5/71) after 24 h. All major complications (62.5%, 5/8) except late‐onset cases, occurred within the first two hours. No major complications occurred between 2 and 24 h. Late‐onset major complications occurred in 37.5% (3/8) after 24 h. Conclusion: The two‐hour monitoring period did not adversely impact patient management regarding minor complications and is safe for identifying all major complications except for late‐onset ones. Extending the post‐biopsy recovery period does not significantly improve patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel‐coated balloon angioplasty in the treatment of thrombosed arteriovenous fistulas. Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled study investigated the use of drug‐eluting balloons in the treatment of the thrombosis of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) at our center between January 2018 and January 2023. A total of 246 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 61.3 ± 11.5 years. Of the patients, 150 (61%) were male and 96 (39%) were female. Angioplasty was performed using a plain balloon (PB) in 126 patients (51.2%) and a drug‐coated balloon (DCB) in 120 (48.8%). The control images of the patients were obtained at the sixth and 12th months. Patency was evaluated during the follow‐up. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, fistula location, or stenosis length. No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding the number of complications observed during and after the procedure. At the end of the sixth month, the patency rate was found to be 86.7% in the DCB group and 78.6% in the PB group. The 12th‐month patency rate was 77.5% in the DCB group and 57.9% in the PB group. A significant difference was detected between the two groups in relation to the 6th‐ and 12th‐month patency rates (p = 0.034 and p = 0.046, respectively). Conclusion: Drug‐coated balloon angioplasty is an effective approach to the treatment of thrombosed AVFs, especially in terms of prolonging primary patency and reducing the need for secondary procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid nodules are a prevalent health issue in society. Interventional radiological methods are successfully applied for both the diagnosis and treatment of nodules. Diagnostically, a fine-needle aspiration biopsy and a core needle biopsy can be performed to ascertain the benign or malignant nature of a lesion. In recent years, imaging-guided percutaneous treatment methods have become popular in the treatment of thyroid nodules. Aspiration, ablation, and embolization are techniques employed in the treatment process. In this study, we aimed to discuss the current role of interventional radiology in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules, which occupy an important place in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Biliary strictures can occur as a result of various benign or malignant processes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of percutaneous endobiliary brush biopsy in the diagnosis of intrabiliary lesions. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study was conducted between January 2022 and April 2023, involving a total of 16 patients. Of the patients, 10 were male (62.5%), and 6 were female (37.5%). The average age of the patients was 68.1±8. All patients underwent the procedure using an endobiliary biopsy brush under ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance. Results: Technical success was achieved in all patients (100%). Cell detection was not observed in biopsy samples from 2 patients (12.5%), resulting in a diagnostic success rate of 87.5%. Access was made to the right biliary system in 14 patients (87.5%) and to the left biliary system in 2 patients (12.5%). Biopsy locations included the common bile duct in 12 patients (75%), hepatic hilum in 2 patients (12.5%), and bilioenteric anastomosis line in 2 patients (12.5%). The mean fluoroscopy time was 16.2±7.1 minutes. The average radiation dose was 660±370 mSv. Pathological diagnosis revealed malignancy in 8 patients (50%) and benign findings in 6 patients (37.5%). Liver abscess requiring drainage developed in 2 patients (12.5%). Conclusion: Percutaneous endobiliary brush biopsy performed under imaging guidance is an effective and reliable method for the diagnosis of biliary lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary subungual squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the toe is rare in the literature and frequently late or misdiagnosed. Lack of awareness among physicians of the specific clinical findings, the indolent course of the disease, and the high prevalence of benign conditions of the nail unit may account for delays in diagnosis. In addition to difficulties in identifying the true incidence of this tumor, a standardized therapeutic approach does not currently exist. We present a case of subungual SCC of the first toe without bone invasion. The tumor was diagnosed early, treated with conservative surgical excision, and showed no recurrence or metastasis after 2 years of follow-up.

Objective Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has immunomodulatory, antithrombotic, cardiovascular, antimicrobial, and antineoplastic effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antiapoptotic and immunomodulator effects of intraperitoneal HCQ on hypoxic–ischemic (HI) injury in newborn rats. Study Design Wistar albino rats, 7 to 10 days old, were randomly divided into three groups: hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) group, HIE treated with HCQ group, and Sham group. Left common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia model were performed in HIE and HCQ groups. The HCQ group was treated with 80 mg/kg intraperitoneal HCQ every 24 hours for 3 days, while Sham and HIE groups were given physiological saline. After 72 hours, rats were decapitated and brain tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, TUNEL, and IL-1β for histopathological grading and neuronal cell injury. Results Neuronal apoptosis was statistically lower in all neuroanatomical areas in the HCQ group compared with the HIE group. IL-1β-stained areas were similar in both HCQ and HIE groups but significantly higher compared with the Sham group. Histopathological grading scores were found to be lower in the HCQ group on the left parietal cortex and hippocampus region. Conclusion In this study, we have shown for the first time that HCQ treatment decreased apoptosis in HI newborn rat model in both hemispheres. HCQ may be a promising adjuvant therapy in neonatal HIE. Key Points HCQ decreased neuronal apoptosis in the ischemic penumbra of the rat brain. HCQ attenuates hypoxia–ischemia-induced brain injury in neonatal rats. HCQ has no anti-inflammatory effect on HI injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the role of lung ultrasound (LUS) score in the closure of hemodynamically insignificant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and the clinical findings of the patients before and after closure. Methods: The study groups (107 preterm neonates under 34 gestational weeks) were classified as hemodynamically significant PDA (group 1), hemodynamically insignificant PDA with closure therapy (group 2), hemodynamically insignificant PDA without closure therapy (group 3), and no PDA group (group 4) based on the echocardiography. 6‐ and 10‐region LUS scores were compared for each group. Results: There was a significant difference between groups 1 and 3 on first, third, and seventh days. In contrast, groups 1 and 2 had similar LUS scores on the first, third, and seventh days. There was a negative correlation between LUS scores on the first and third days and gestational age, birth weight, the first‐ and fifth‐minute APGAR scores, and there was a positive correlation between aortic root to left atrium ratio, and PDA diameter/weight ratio. Conclusion: We observed that LUS scores in patients with hemodynamically insignificant PDA treated with closure therapy were similar to in patients with hemodynamically significant PDA. Thus, LUS score can have role in PDA closure in preterm neonates. However, more comprehensive studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]