Showing papers by "Başkent University published in 1996"

A case of human orotracheal myiasis caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica.

Abstract: A case of orotracheal myiasis in an 80-year-old man in coma for 1 week in the intensive care unit of Baskent University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, is reported. A number of larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica were recovered repeatedly from the mouth and from the intubation tube of the patient and were reared to adults to facilitate identification. This case history points out the risk of myiasis caused by W. magnifica in the unconscious, debilitated patient.

Spinal imbalance and decompensation problems in patients treated with Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation

Abstract: The basic principles of current idiopathic scoliosis treatment are three-dimensional correction and rigid fixation. Although it is accepted that Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation (CDI) meets these goals, there is concern about the potential risk of trunk imbalance and spinal decompensation during the derotation manoeuvre. The results of 45 patients with idiopathic scoliosis treated with CDI between December 1988 and August 1992 were retrospectively analysed. Mean age was 14.3 years and mean follow-up period was 48.6 months. An average correction of 49.6% was achieved in the major curves. The best results were obtained in King type III curves, with a 69.4% correction. Spinal imbalance was evaluated by measuring lateral trunk shift (LT), shift of head (SH) and shift of stable vertebra (SS). Decompensation was measured by the increase in secondary curves. When all curve types were included, the average preoperative LT value of 1.96 vertebral units (VU) was brought down to 0.91 VU postoperatively, achieving a 55.9% correction. Fourteen patients had an SH value of zero preoperatively and remained balanced after instrumentation. Of the 41 remaining patients, 21 achieved an SH value of zero postoperatively. When all cases were included, the average preoperative SH value was 1.0 VU, which was corrected to 0.42 VU with CDI (69% correction). An average correction of SS of 75.5% was obtained, with the mean preoperative value of 0.73 VU being corrected to 0.19 VU. At the last follow-up visit, a secondary curve had formed above the major curve in one patient, and three patients had a junctional kyphosis. Loss of correction in the frontal plane correlated with loss of correction of LT. The rigid and semiflexible lumbar curves had a tendency to progress when they were not instrumented, especially in type II curves. Junctional kyphosis could be prevented when concave laminar claws were used in the thoraco-lumbar region. It was concluded that spinal decompensation and imbalance could be minimized with careful preoperative planning, avoidance of overcorrection and use of long instrumentation in double major curves.

Persistent peripheral nerve pathologies in patients with electric burns.

Abstract: Clinical and electrodiagnostic evaluations were performed in 25 patients with electric burns who were injured 2 to 13 years before the study. Abnormal motor nerve conduct findings were detected in 12 of the patients. In nine patients, abnormalities were observed in more than one nerve. There was a positive relation noted between age and nerve lesions. Weakness was the most prominent clinical finding.

Tumors after renal transplantation.

Abstract: Immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplant recipients is complicated by an increased incidence of malign diseases, particularly with certain tumors. From November 1975 to December 1994, 1034 kidney transplantations were performed on 997 patients in our centers. Among these kidney recipients, 23 malignant diseases were observed in 22 patients (2.2%) in the post-transplant period. Thirteen (59.9%) of these patients were male and 9 (40.1%) were female; their mean age was 37.6 years (range 10–59). Eighteen (81.8%) of these transplants were from living-related donors and 4 (18.2%) were from cadaver donors. The immunosuppressive therapy consisted of Prednisolone + Azathiopurine + Cyclosporin A in 12 (54.5%) patients, Prednisolone + Cyclosporine A in 4 (18.2%) patients and Prednisolone + Azathiopurine in 6 (27.3%) patients. We observed basal cell carcinoma in 3 (0.3%) patients, squamous cell carcinoma in 3 (0.3%) patients, Kaposi’s sarcoma in 5 (0.5%) patients, lymphoma in 5 (0.5%) patients, bladder carcinoma in 2 (0.2%) patients, colon carcinoma in 1 (0.1%) Patient, cervix carcinoma in 1 (0.1%), breast carcinoma in 1 (0.1%), acute myelositic leukemia in 1 (0.1%) and thyroid carcinoma in 1 (0.1 %) patient. In one of the patients, 9 months after the diagnosis of bladder carcinoma, an adenocarcinoma of the caecum was observed. All patients were treated with the appropriate surgical and/or medical treatment modalities. Eleven patients died 9 to 129 months (mean 61.5 months) after transplantation, and the other 11 patients are still alive.

Hydroxyproline and Total Protein Levels in Gingiva from Patients Treated with Phenytoin and Cyclosporine-A.

Abstract: Hydroxyproline (Hyp) and total protein levels were studied in gingiva from patients treated with phenytoin (PHT) and cyclosporine-A (CSA) The study included 5 groups of subjects : PHT and CSA groups with and without gingival overgrowth (PHT-GO+), (PHT-GO-), (CSA-GO+), (CSA-GO-), and periodontally healthy controls (C) After taking clinical measurements, gingival samples were harvested by gingivectomy or excising one or two papillae from the posterior areas The samples were analyzed biochemically In the PHT groups, both Hyp and total protein levels were significantly higher than in the C group The differences between the PHT-GO+ and PHT-GO-groups were not statistically significant In the CSA groups, total protein levels were significantly higher than in controls while no significant difference was found in Hyp levels The differences between the CSA-GO+ and CSA-GO-groups were not statistically significant When the PHT and CSA groups were compared, Hyp levels were significantly higher in the PHT-GO+ group than in the CSA-GO+ groupTotal protein level differences between the PHT and CSA groups were not statistically significant Correlations between age, plaque index, gingival overgrowth index, Hyp and total protein levels were analyzed and most were found not to be statistically significant PHT appears to stimulate both collagen and total protein synthesis in gingiva while CSA seems to have a stronger effect on total protein synthesis This suggests that the mechanisms underlying PHT-and CSA-induced gingival overgrowth are different and further comparative studies are needed

The Turkish experience of poliomyelitis before and after a vaccination campaign.

Abstract: It is very important that the poliovirus is eradicated as it has caused serious and permanent disabilities during the present century. In order to achieve success in the rehabilitation of poliomyelitis patients the role of vaccination campaigns as an essential part of preventive medical care should be appreciated. After every vaccination campaign successful results have been obtained. Thus we are optimistic that if these vaccination campaigns are carried out successful results will be achieved as was obtained after the 1985 vaccination campaign. As is understood from our report, according to the results of the 1985 vaccination campaign successful long-term results have been achieved. The results of the 1995 campaign will also be seen at a future date as this article does not report them. We appreciate the cooperation and support given by WHO during the staging of these campaigns.

Preliminary report: Effect of cobaltous ion on cerebral vasospasm in a rabbit subarachnoid hemorrhage model

Abstract: Experimental studies have suggested what the primary role is of free radical products in the development of vasospasm. It has been suggested that the degradation products of hemolysis trigger free radical reactions leading to lipid peroxidation is subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Therefore, Fe2+, a degradation product of hemoglobin, seems to be the most important substance in the pathogenesis of vasospasm. Cobaltous ion was shown to be a powerful inhibitor of lipid peroxidation in biological membrane. Eleven rabbits were anesthetized and received 5 ml of autologous arterial blood into the cisterna magna. Group 1 (n=6) received 0.1 mg/kg cobalt solution intratecally via the cisterna magna simultaneously with blood. Group 2 (n =5) underwent sham operation as a control group. Forty-eight hours later the rabbits were deeply anesthetized and the brainstem was quickly removed and put under the operating microscope to measure the basilar artery diameter. Afterwards, the upper part of the brainstem was used for lipid peroxidation measurement and the lower part for the histopathological examination. Significant vasospasm was observed in four and moderate vasospasm in one rabbit of group 2; mild vasospasm was seen in five rabbits and moderate vasospasm was seen in one rabbit of group 1. There was no vasospasm in the control group. A statistically significant increase in the levels of lipid peroxide was found in the brainstem of group 2. These data demonstrate that cobaltous ion represents a promising therapeutic tool in vasospasm after SAH.