Ahmet Sebe

Bio: Ahmet Sebe is an academic researcher from Çukurova University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Emergency department & Poison control. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 50 publications receiving 428 citations.

Ruptured hydatid cyst following minimal trauma and few signs on presentation.

Abstract: Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus characterised by cyst formation in any organ, although the liver is the most commonly involved. Hydatid cysts can rupture either spontaneously or following trauma. Surgical treatment can be life-saving. This paper reports the atypical presentation of a young girl admitted to the emergency department. She presented with pain on her palms due to falling down a few steps. Because of the rebound tenderness on the right upper quadrant of her abdomen on physical examination, bedside ultrasonography was performed to identify the underlying cause, and promptly revealed a 62 x 72 mm lobular cyst on the right lobe of the liver with free fluid in the subcapsular area. Shortly afterwards, urticaria developed. Fluid resuscitation, methylprednisolone and diphenylhydramine were administered intravenously. Afterwards she was taken to the operation room for unroofing, drainage and capitonage. In conclusion, primary care and emergency physicians should perform a complete physical examination on all admitted patients with vague symptoms and a high index of suspicion for a ruptured hydatid cyst, even following trivial trauma, especially in endemic regions.

Trends in acute adult poisoning in a ten-year period in Turkey: factors affecting the hazardous outcome.

Abstract: AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends in acute adult poisoning data during ten years in university emergency department and determine the factors of hazardous outcome such as severe clinical status, prolonged hospital stay and mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of 4569 poisoned patients admitted to Emergency Department (ED) of Qukurova University, School of Medicine in Adana. RESULTS: The mean age of 2988 females (65.4% of the patients) was 24.5+/-10.1 years, whilst the mean age of 1581 male patients (34.6%) was 29.5+/-13.2 years (p=0.001). Of the poisonings 80.0% were suicidal; 69.4% of the women and 30.6% of the men committed suicide. The most common types of poisonings were ingestion of drugs (58.4%), organophosphates (23.9%) corrosives (3.4%), mushrooms (1.7%), methanol (2.4%), carbon monoxide (2.1%) and unknown (8.1%). Of the total 96.0% were discharged from emergency department, 1.4% transferred to IC and 2.6% died. CONCLUSIONS: Young people and women are high-risk groups for acute poisoning and drug poisoning was found to be the most common type of poisoning. The poisoning by psychoactive drugs is increasinging in the recent years and organophosphates poisoning seems to be still a serious problem in such an agricultural area. However, while the ratios of prolonged hospitalization and mortality are decreasing, suicidal poisoning is seriously increasing (Tab. 4, Fig. 2, Ref. 34). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk. Language: en

Role of intravenous lipid emulsions in the management of calcium channel blocker and β-blocker overdose: 3 years experience of a university hospital.

Abstract: Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of lipid emulsion as antidotal therapy in severe calcium channel blocker (CCB) and β-blocker (BB) intoxications. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study in which we have summarized data of patients who were admitted to a university-based emergency department in a period of 3 years and were given intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) to manage cardiogenic shock due to CCB and BB overdose. Results: We identified 15 patients who received ILE therapy for CCB and BB toxicity. Hospitalization durations variated between 3 and 33 days (mean 7.46 ± 7.41 days). Drug exposures included CCBs (n = 8, 53.3%), CCBs and paracetamol (n = 1, 6.6%), and BBs (n = 6, 40%). ILE therapy was effective in 12 patients (80%). Three patients (20%) had resistant hypotension, one of whom progressed to pulmonary edema. Adverse effects of ILE therapy were seen in three patients (20%). Two patients underwent mechanical ventilation. Two patients developed hy...

Life-threatening uvular angioedema caused by Ecbalium elaterium.

Abstract: Ecbalium elaterium, known as the wild or squirting cucumber, is a hairy perennial herbaceous vine of the Cucurbitaceae family, endemic to the Mediterranean region. All parts of the plant are toxic, particularly the gherkin-like fruits. It is frequently used in the treatment of sinusitis by nasal aspiration in some parts of the Mediterranean. The studies regarding to Ecbalium elaterium, argue that it has an anti-inflammatory characteristic. Two cases of uvular oedema have been ascribed to the undiluted use of this substance. Since they can threaten life, similar cases arising with the improper use of herbals should not be ignored in the emergency department. In this paper we present a life-threatening uvular angioedema caused by nasal aspiration of undiluted juice of squirting cucumber.

Organophosphate poisoning associated with fetal death: a case study.

Abstract: The increasing use of organophosphorus insecticides in agriculture and inside homes and schools, as well as its widespread existence in the environment, poses a potential health hazard. As the use of these agents increases, acute and chronic exposure has become more common. As with other organophosphates, chlorpyrifos kills insects and other animals, including human beings, because of its toxicity to the nervous system. Exposure of pregnant women to organophosphates is an important clinical entity because of its effects on two organisms--mother and fetus. There are few reports about fetal toxicity of organophosphates in the literature because of the relatively few cases reported. In this paper we report a case of intoxication from chlorpyrifos, an organophosphorus compound, during pregnancy, causing fetal death.

Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice—Evidence-Based Approach from the Writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: The Sixth Special Issue

Abstract: The American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) Journal of Clinical Apheresis (JCA) Special Issue Writing Committee is charged with reviewing, updating, and categorizing indications for the evidence-based use of therapeutic apheresis in human disease. Since the 2007 JCA Special Issue (Fourth Edition), the Committee has incorporated systematic review and evidence-based approaches in the grading and categorization of apheresis indications. This Seventh Edition of the JCA Special Issue continues to maintain this methodology and rigor to make recommendations on the use of apheresis in a wide variety of diseases/conditions. The JCA Seventh Edition, like its predecessor, has consistently applied the category and grading system definitions in the fact sheets. The general layout and concept of a fact sheet that was used since the fourth edition has largely been maintained in this edition. Each fact sheet succinctly summarizes the evidence for the use of therapeutic apheresis in a specific disease entity. The Seventh Edition discusses 87 fact sheets (14 new fact sheets since the Sixth Edition) for therapeutic apheresis diseases and medical conditions, with 179 indications, which are separately graded and categorized within the listed fact sheets. Several diseases that are Category IV which have been described in detail in previous editions and do not have significant new evidence since the last publication are summarized in a separate table. The Seventh Edition of the JCA Special Issue serves as a key resource that guides the utilization of therapeutic apheresis in the treatment of human disease. J. Clin. Apheresis 31:149-162, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.