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Objective:Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide. Diagnosis of CE is predominantly based on imaging techniques and serological tests are used in cases of non-characteristic imaging findings as diagnostic reference. However, serological test results cannot be completely reliable as they are affected by multi-factors. P-selectin and resistin are inflammatory markers that are altered during the acute stages of infection. In this purpose, inflammatory markers as P-selectin and resistin have been investigated for a potential diagnostic reference for CE diagnosis.Methods:A total of 60 patients who were diagnosed with CE and twenty-five healthy individuals were included in this study. Blood samples were obtained from all participants. Obtained sera were evaluated using the P-selectin and resistin ELISA kits for protein levels. Additionally, the relative expression of SELP (P-selectin) and RETN (resistin) genes were determined using the comparative CT (ΔΔCT) method between groups as CE patients with active and inactive cysts, CE patients and healthy controls.Results:SELP (13.9-fold change, p0.05). There was no difference between active and inactive CE patients in terms of P-selectin and resistin in gene and protein levels (p>0.05).Conclusion:Although there was no difference between the active and inactive CE patients, the good differentiation between the healthy controls and the CE patients suggested that resistin is a potential inflammatory diagnostic reference.

PURPOSEWe aimed to evaluate the success and failure rates and minor and major complications of percutaneous drainage of retroperitoneal abscesses.METHODSBetween 1990 and 2010, percutaneously drained 170 retroperitoneal abscesses in 150 patients (83 males, 67 females, median age 44.2 years, age range, 1–86 years) were included retrospectively. Percutaneous drainage of retroperitoneal abscesses was performed under the guidance of ultrasonography and fluoroscopy or computed tomography. Six abscesses were drained via single needle aspiration whereas 164 abscesses were drained via catheters of 6–14 F calibre using the Seldinger technique.RESULTSWhen all retroperitoneal abscesses are considered, success rates were found as follows: 75.3% cure (128/170), 7.7% temporization (13/170), 4.1% palliation (7/170). Failure rate was 12.9% (22/170). Recurrence rate was 10.6% (18/170), and 13 of the recurred abscesses were treated via second session percutaneous drainage. Mortality rate was 2.7% (4/150).CONCLUSIONPercutaneous drainage is the first treatment option for retroperitoneal abscesses due to procedural reliability, elimination of need for general anesthesia, better tolerability, and lower morbidity and mortality rates compared with the surgical methods. High cure, temporization, or palliation rates can be obtained via imaging-guided percutaneous drainage for all retroperitoneal abscesses with a safe access route.

PURPOSE:We aimed to evaluate the success and complication rates of image-guided pelvic abscess drainage with emphasis on factors affecting the clinical success.METHODS:During a 7-year period, 185 pelvic abscesses were treated in 163 patients under ultrasonography and fluoroscopy (n=140) or computed tomography (n=45) guidance with transabdominal (n=107), transvaginal (n=39), transrectal (n=21) and transgluteal (n=18) approaches. Abscess characteristics (etiology, number, size, intrastructure, microbiological content, presence of fistula), patient demographics (age, sex, presence of malignancy, primary disease, antibiotic treatments), procedure-related factors (guidance method, access route, catheter size) and their effects on clinical success, complications, and duration of catheterization were statistically analyzed. RESULTS:Technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 93.9%, respectively. Procedure-related mortality or major complications were not observed. Minor complications such as catheter dislodgement, obstruction, or kinking were detected in 6.7% of the patients. Clinical failure was observed in 10 patients (6.1%). Fistulization was observed in 14 abscesses. Fistulization extended the duration of catheter use (P < 0.001) and decreased the clinical success rate (P < 0.001). The presence of postoperative malignant, complex-multilocular abscesses, and fungus infection in the cavity extended catheter duration (P < 0.001, P = 0.018, and P = 0.007, respectively), whereas the presence of sterile abscess and endocavitary catheterization reduced the catheter duration (P = 0.009 and P = 0.011, respectively).CONCLUSION:İmage-guided pelvic abscess drainage has high clinical success and low complication rates. The only factor affecting the clinical success rate is the presence of fistula.

PURPOSE:We aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of fluoroscopy-guided gastroduodenal metallic stent placement with different approaches in malignant obstruction.METHODS:We retrospectively assessed 53 patients (33 men and 20 women; mean age, 58.7±15 years) who underwent stent placement between February 2004 and April 2014. All patients had unresectable tumors. The most common causes of obstruction were gastric (38%) and pancreatic cancers (36%). Uncovered self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) were placed under fluoroscopic guidance. In addition to transoral approach in 46 patients (86.7%), transgastric and transhepatic approaches were used in six patients (11.3%) and one patient (1.8%), respectively. Gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) was used to evaluate oral intake before and after stenting. Patients were followed until death or the end of the study.RESULTS:Technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 92%, respectively. The median stent patency was 76 days (range, 4–985 days). Mean preprocedural GOOSS score of 0.1 increased to postprocedural GOOSS score of 2.42 (P < 0.001). Afferent loop decompression was achieved in one symptomatic patient. Neither mortality nor major complications occurred due to stenting. Stent migration occurred in one patient (2%) and stent obstruction occurred in two patients (4%). Combined biliary and duodenal stenting were performed in 21 patients (40%). Post-stenting GOOSS scores were predictive of survival (P = 0.003).CONCLUSION:Fluoroscopic metallic stent placement for palliation of malignant gastroduodenal obstruction is safe and effective with high technical and clinical success rates and minimal complications. High technical success rates can be achieved using different approaches.

PURPOSEWe aimed to evaluate the survival benefit achieved with radiofrequency (RF) ablation of primary and metastatic lung tumors and determine significant prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival.METHODSForty-nine patients with lung cancer (10 primary and 39 metastatic) underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous RF ablation between June 2005 and October 2013. A total of 112 tumors (101 metastatic and 11 primary non-small cell lung cancer) were treated with RF ablation. Tumor diameter ranged from 0.6 to 4 cm (median 1.5 cm). Effectiveness of treatment, complications, and survival were analyzed.RESULTSPrimary success rate was 79.5% and local tumor progression occurred in 23 tumors. Among tumors showing progression, 10 were re-treated with RF ablation and secondary success rate was 87.5%. One-, two-, and three-year overall survival rates of 10 patients with primary lung cancer were 100%, 86%, and 43%, respectively. One-, two-, three-, four-, and five-year overall survival rates for 39 patients with metastatic lung tumors were 90%, 73%, 59%, 55%, and 38%, respectively. One-, two-, three-, and four-year overall survival rates for 16 patients with colorectal pulmonary metastases were 94%, 80%, 68%, and 23%, respectively. Complications occurred in 30 sessions (24.6%). Pneumothorax occurred in 19 sessions with seven requiring image-guided percutaneous chest tube drainage. Tumor status (solitary or multiple) and presence of extrapulmonary metastasis at initial RF ablation were significant prognostic factors in terms of recurrence-free survival.CONCLUSIONRF ablation is a safe and effective treatment with a survival benefit for selected patients with primary and secondary lung tumors.

PURPOSEWe aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections under ultrasonography (US) guidance for children with excessive drooling. MATERIALS AND METHODSBetween January 2006 and January 2011, 44 BTX-A injections into bilateral submandibular glands were performed in 20 children (mean age, 9.1 years; range, 3–16 years; gender, 15 boys and 5 girls) under intravenous sedation. Efficacy of the injections was evaluated 4–12 weeks after the injection. Severity of drooling was assessed using the Teacher Drooling Scale (TDS). If the patient or the patient’s caregiver reported a good initial response, injections were then repeated periodically when drooling reached the preinjection score. If there was no response or suboptimal response, a booster injection of BTX-A was given after one month. RESULTSTechnical success rate was 100%. No procedure-related major or minor complication was detected. One family (5%) reported intermittent problems with swallowing due to viscous saliva. A successful outcome was defined as a minimum two point reduction in TDS score. This outcome occurred for 8 of 20 patients four weeks after the first injection. After consecutive sessions, clinical success was achieved at the end of the 12 weeks for 16 patients (80%). The mean TDS score decreased from 4.75 to 2.1 at the end of the study for all patients (P < 0.05). Four patients did not respond to BTXA injection. Submandibular resection was applied to 3 of 4 unresponsive patients. Two patients had complete remission after surgery, but one patient showed excessive drooling that could not be controlled. CONCLUSIONUS-guided submandibular BTX-A injection is a safe and effective procedure in treating drooling in children. It can be performed under intravenous sedation and does not require general anesthesia.

Abstract Background Cystinosis is a multisystemic disease resulting from cystine accumulation primarily in kidney and many other tissues. We intended to study the evolution of less commonly seen extrarenal complications of cystinosis in a group of patients who have periods without cysteamine treatment. Methods Gastrointestinal and muscular complications of cystinosis were studied in a group of 21 patients. Results Twenty one patients were included in the study. Among them, 14 were homozygous and 3 were compound heterozygous for CTNS mutations. The median age of diagnosis was 15 months (range; 5 months-14 years) and the mean age at last visit was 11.3 ± 6.5 years. Nine patients (42%) had end stage renal disease at a mean age of 10.6 years (6.5–17 years). Abdominal ultrasonography and portal vein doppler ultrasonography were performed in19 patients, 14 of them (74%) had hepatomegaly, 10 patients (53%) had granular pattern or heterogeneity of liver. Only one patient had high transaminase levels and liver biopsy showed cystine crystals in the liver. Eleven patients (58%) had borderline or increased portal vein minimum and maximum flow velocities. One patient had CK level of 9024 U/L and electromyographic study showed active myopathic involvement. Two patients were found to have gastroesaphageal reflux only and 4 patients were found to have esophageal remnants in addition to reflux. Conclusions In addition to renal functions, extrarenal organs may be affected from cystine accumulation even in childhood, especially in patients who are incompliant to treatment, resulting in complications such as swallowing difficulty, hepatomegaly and portal hypertension.

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