Evaluation of patients admitted with musculoskeletal tuberculosis: sixteen years’ experience from a single center in Turkey

Abstract Background The aim of our study was to describe musculoskeletal system tuberculosis (TB) as a single-center experience. Methods This is a retrospective observational study conducted at a TB Dispensary in the east Mediterranean part of Turkey between 2004 and 2020. The clinical and demographic characteristics including age, gender, involvement location and duration of illness, presenting complaint, local examination findings, treatment outcome were retrieved and analyzed from the case files. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics version 17.0 (IBM). The normality of data analysed by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov. The descriptive statistics were reported as mean ± standard deviation, medians, and ranges (min-max). Results Overall, 31 patients (3.2 % of all TB cases) with a mean age of 44.2 ± 16.7 years had musculoskeletal tuberculosis. The mean duration of treatment was 12.9 ± 5.5 months. Of the 31 patients, six (19.4 %) had concomitant pulmonary TB. One of the patients was in the pediatrics age group, and two of them were in the geriatric group. The most affected area was the vertebra. The most common complaint of the patients was back pain and seen in 22 patients (70.9 %). Conclusions The physicians should be suspicious about the diagnosis of musculoskeletal TB disease. If the diagnosis and treatment are delayed, spinal damage and other consequences might be incurable.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of patients admitted with musculoskeletal tuberculosis: sixteen years’ experience from single center in Turkey

10.21203/rs.3.rs-224407/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mikail Ozdemir ◽

Hanife Gulnihal Ozdemir

Keyword(s):

Single Center ◽

Single Center Experience ◽

Common Complaint ◽

Duration Of Illness ◽

Kolmogorov Smirnov ◽

Case Files ◽

Duration Of Disease ◽

The Mean ◽

Spinal Damage ◽

Local Examination

Abstract Background The aim of our study was to elaborate musculoskeletal system TB (tuberculosis) as a single-center experience. Methods This is a retrospective observational study conducted at a TB Dispensary in the east Mediterranean part of Turkey between 2004 and 2020. The clinical and demographic characteristics including age, gender, involvement location and duration of illness, presenting complaint, local examination findings, treatment outcome were retrieved and analyzed from the case files. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics version 17.0 (IBM). The normality of data analysed by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov. The descriptive statistics were reported as mean ± standard deviation, medians, and ranges (min-max). Results Overall, 31 patients (3.2%) (14 males, 17 females) with a mean age of 44.2 ± 16.7 years had musculoskeletal tuberculosis. The mean duration of disease was 12.9 ± 5.5 months. Of the 31 patients, six (19.4%) had concomitant pulmonary TB. One of the patients (3.2%) was in paediatrics age group, and two of them (6.4%) were in geriatric group. The most affected area was the vertebra. The most common complaint of the patients was back pain and seen in 22 patients (70.9%). Conclusions The physicians should be suspicious about the diagnosis of musculoskeletal TB infection. If the diagnosis and treatment is delayed, spinal damage and other consequences might be incurable.

Download Full-text

Abstract 65: Intrathecal Nicardipine for Cerebral Vasospasm Post Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - A Single Center Experience

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.65 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Ofer Sadan ◽

Chen Feng ◽

David T Pearce ◽

Jacqueline Kraft ◽

Cederic Pimentel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽

Cerebral Ischemia ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Effective Treatment ◽

Cerebral Vasospasm ◽

Delayed Cerebral Ischemia ◽

Low Grade ◽

Single Center ◽

Duration Of Treatment ◽

Single Center Experience

Introduction: Cerebral vasospasm leading to delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is one of the most significant factors impacting functional outcome in patients diagnosed with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Effective treatment in this setting is lacking. We now report a single center retrospective cohort experience with intrathecal (IT) Nicardipine for this indication. Methods: All patients discharged between 2013-2017 diagnosed with non-traumatic SAH, either aneurysmal or idiopathic, were included in the analysis. Demographics, risk factors, clinical courses, radiological DCI, and functional outcomes were analyzed. Results: 1,085 patients were admitted with aneurysmal (n=796) or idiopathic (n=289) SAH. The mean age was 54.5±14.1 and 67.7% were women. Low grade hemorrhage (WFNS 1) was found in 42.4%, medium (WFNS 2-3) in 26.9%, and high grade (WFNS 4-5) in 30.7%. Cerebral vasospasm was diagnosed in 36.6% of the patients, and 85.4% of those received IT Nicardipine (n=339). Only 8.4% of all patients required angiography to treat vasospasm. TCD data was available for 159 patients who received IT Nicardipine. Treatment reduced mean velocities in all arteries within one day by 15.4% on average (p<0.01). This reduction was sustained for the duration of treatment. Nineteen patients (1.8%) suffered from bacterial ventriculitis, and no statistically significant correlation was noted between IT treatment and infection (OR 1.06 95%CI[0.42-2.7]). The incidence of radiological DCI, identified by blinded assement of imaging, was 9.4% and clinical DCI was 5.7%. In this cohort, 65.5% had a favorable functional outcome (mRS≤2) at 90 days. Conclusions: In a retrospective analysis, off-label IT Nicardipine is a safe and potentially effective treatment for cerebral vasospasm and prevention of the subsequent cerebral ischemia. Being the largest of its kind, this cohort could serve as a baseline for future clinical trial designs assessing IT Nicardipine safety and efficacy in a prospective, controlled fashion.

Download Full-text

MO291RITUXIMAB IS EFFECTIVE AND SAFE IN ADULTS WITH STEROID-DEPENDENT NEPHROTIC SYNDROME: A LONG-TERM, SINGLE-CENTER EXPERIENCE

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation ◽

10.1093/ndt/gfab104.0049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Gemma Patella ◽

Alessandro Comi ◽

Giuseppe Coppolino ◽

Nicolino Comi ◽

Giorgio Fuiano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nephrotic Syndrome ◽

Case Series ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Single Center ◽

Single Center Experience ◽

Steroid Dependent ◽

The Mean ◽

Steroid Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome

Abstract Background and Aims Steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) may require a prolonged multi-drug therapy with risk of drug toxicity and renal failure. Rituximab (RTX) treatment has been found to be helpful in reducing the steroid dosage and the need for immunosuppressants (ISs), but little data are currently available regarding very long-term outcomes in adults. We herein describe a long-term, single-center experience of RTX use in a large series of adults with SDNS. Method We studied 23 adult patients with SDNS (mean age 54.2±17.1 y; 65% male; BMI 28.5±4.7), mostly consequent to membranous (47.8%) or focal glomerulonephritis (30.2 %) who were eligible to start a RTX regimen. Before entering the RTX protocol, proteinuria and eGFR were 7.06±3.87 g/24h and 65.9±28.2 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively; albumin and CD19/CD20 ratio were 2.9±0.9 g/L and 0.99±0.01 respectively; the mean number of ISs was 2.39±0.89 and the mean annual rate of relapses was 2.2±0.9. Results Patients were followed over a mean follow-up of 64 months (range: 12-144). After RTX (mean dose: 1202.1±372.4 mg) the rate of relapses was virtually nullified (p<0.001). eGFR remained roughly stable (62.1±19.8 ml/min/1.73 m2, p=NS), while proteinuria, albumin, CD19/CD20 and BMI all significantly improved (p ranging from 0.01 to 0.001). The mean number of additional ISs was also reduced (0.44±0.12; p<0.001) and RTX enabled discontinuation of steroids in 13/23 (56.5%) patients. No major adverse events related to therapy were recorded. Conclusion Findings from this large case-series with a remarkable very long follow-up reinforce the role of RTX as an efficient and safe weapon to improve outcomes in adult patients suffering from SDNS.

Download Full-text

A simplified laparoscopic-assisted gastrostomy technique: a single center experience

Annals of Pediatric Surgery ◽

10.1186/s43159-019-0011-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hesham M. Sheir ◽

Tamer A. Wafa ◽

Abdelrahman Elshafey ◽

Mohamed Elzohiri

Keyword(s):

Single Center ◽

Single Center Experience ◽

Endoscopic Gastrostomy ◽

Major Complications ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group A ◽

The Mean ◽

Gastrocutaneous Fistula ◽

Group B ◽

Laparoscopic Assisted

Abstract Background Although percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is considered simple and effective, major complications have been reported because of the partly blind placement technique. Laparoscopic gastrostomy was described to overcome most of the problems and the contraindications of PEG. Various modifications have been reported to anchor the stomach to the abdominal wall. This study aims at highlighting a single center experience using a simplified technique for gastrostomy and evaluates its outcome. Results The age of the patients ranged from 7 days to 3 years (mean 11.75 ± 12 months in group A and 16 ± 3 months in group B). The mean body weight at time of gastrostomy was 6.5 ± 4.6 kg in group A and 7.5 ± 2 in group B. The mean operative time was 24.8 ± 4 min in group A and 25 ± 1.6 in group B, ranging from 18 to 31 min. The incidence of gastrostomy-related complications was 20% (three cases) in group A versus 12.5% (one case) among patients included in group B. Yet, this difference was statistically insignificant (p = 0.651). No major complications were reported apart from persistent gastrocutaneous fistula in one out of eight cases followed after removal of the gastrostomy (12.5%). There is no significant difference in the outcome either in neonates or in patients less than 5 kg. Conclusions The described simple technique of laparoscopic-assisted gastrostomy is easy, effective, and with a very low incidence of complications. It is also equally safe in neonates and children less than 5 kg.

Download Full-text

Early Treatment of Ruptured Blood Blister-Like Aneurysms of the Internal Carotid Artery With Flow Diverters Using Single Antiplatelet Therapy: A Single-Center Experience With Long-Term Follow-Up

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.708411 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Anil Tanburoglu ◽

Cagatay Andic

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Early Treatment ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Single Center ◽

Related Complication ◽

Single Center Experience ◽

The Mean

Background and Purpose: Blood Blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are rare entities of cerebral aneurysms. FD use in acutely ruptured aneurysms, timing of treatment and antiplatelet regimen are main debate topics in clinical practice when the treatment decision is flow diversion. The aim of this study is to report the safety and efficacy of a single-center FD treatment for ruptured BBAs in the early phase of SAH using the SAPT regimen.Material and Method: This study involved a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database. Records of patients admitted to our clinic and treated by endovascular route on ruptured BBA between January 2013 and December 2020 were reviewed. Ruptured supraclinoid ICA BBAs treated with FD devices with SAPT within 48 h from ictus of SAH are included. BBA of atypical anatomic locations, other endovascular techniques performed, and delayed admissions (>48 h) were excluded from the study. Demographic, clinical and angiographic features of patients and aneurysms, FD types and numbers, periprocedural complications, immediate and follow-up angiographic and clinical outcomes were recorded.Results: A total of six patients with ruptured BBAs treated via FDs within 48 h and used SAPT were included in the study. The mean age was 41.6 years (range from 34 to 45 years), and four of six patients were female. All patients were treated within 48 h after ictus, and the mean treatment day was 1.33 days. One patient received ticagrelor, and five patients received prasugrel as SAPT for one year after treatment. No procedure-related death and rebleeding were recorded. One (16.7 %) treatment responsive procedure-related complication occurred (transient ischemia). Overall good outcome rate was 83.3%. One patient died due to pneumonia. The immediate control angiograms showed complete occlusions of BBAs in one patient (16.6%). The complete occlusion rate was 100 % for five survivors at the control angiogram. The median follow-up was 49.5 months.Conclusion: This single-center experience suggests that early treatment (<2 days) within SAH of ruptured BBAs with FDs using SAPT is safe and effective in terms of clinical and radiological long-term outcomes.

Download Full-text

How effective is cyanoacrylate closure in small saphenous vein insufficiency? A single center experience

Vascular ◽

10.1177/17085381211051494 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 170853812110514

Author(s):

Görkem Yiğit

Keyword(s):

Success Rate ◽

Saphenous Vein ◽

Treatment Method ◽

Technical Failure ◽

Single Center ◽

Single Center Experience ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

The Mean ◽

Anatomic Success

Objectives The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and early outcomes of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) ablation in small saphenous vein (SSV) insufficiency. Methods In this single-center, retrospective, single-arm study, NBCA ablation was performed in 80 patients with SSV insufficiency between September 2018 and May 2020. Primary outcomes (anatomic success rate and occlusion rate) and secondary outcomes (VCSS and AVVQ scores) of the patients were analyzed. Results No technical failure and device-related complications were encountered. Anatomic success rate was 100% after procedures. Each treated SSV was occluded on colored Doppler ultrasonography immediately after the procedure, and all veins remained occluded at 2 weeks after the procedure. Partial recanalization was observed in five patients at 12-month follow-up. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed an occlusion rates at 6 months and 12 months follow-up were 97.5% and 93.75%, respectively. The mean pretreatment VCSS (4.72 ± 2.04) decreased to 1.61 ± 0.93, 0.87 ± 0.58, and 0.73 ± 0.52 at 2 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment, respectively ( p < .001). The mean pretreatment AVVQ score (11.92 ± 2.23) decreased to 8.2 ± 1.89, 4.2 ± 1.16, and 3.32 ± 1.19 at 2 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment, respectively ( p < .001). The Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, and Pathophysiology clinical classification at 12 months demonstrated a significant reduction in disease severity compared with preoperative values ( p < .001). There was no mortality and major adverse events including anaphylaxis and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) related to procedure after follow-ups. Moreover, there were no symptoms or signs of any sural nerve injury and no cases of skin necrosis, infection, or hyperpigmentation. In addition, no hematoma, deep venous thrombosis, and hypersensitivity reactions were observed. Phlebitis-like abnormal reaction was observed in three patients (3.8%). Conclusions In conclusion, in patients with SSV insufficiency, NBCA ablation with VenaBlock® system appears to be an effective and reliable treatment method. At the 12-month follow-up, the NBCA of SSVs showed a low recanalization rate and had a satisfactory improvement on the VCSS and AVVQ scores.

Download Full-text

Endovascular Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction—Who Benefits Most? Insights From a Single-Center Experience

Journal of Endovascular Therapy ◽

10.1177/1526602819829903 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 181-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Nicolas Diehm ◽

Stefanie Marggi ◽

Yasushi Ueki ◽

Dagmar Schumacher ◽

Hak Hong Keo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Erectile Dysfunction ◽

Balloon Angioplasty ◽

Erectile Function ◽

Clinical Effectiveness ◽

Drug Eluting Stent ◽

Single Center ◽

Single Center Experience ◽

Unselected Patient ◽

Endovascular Revascularization ◽

The Mean

Purpose: To report the 1-year outcomes of a single-center, all-comers registry aimed to assess effectiveness and safety of endovascular revascularization for atherosclerotic erectile dysfunction (ED) in an unselected patient cohort. Materials and Methods: Between April 2016 and October 2017, 50 consecutive patients (mean age 59.6±10.3 years) underwent endovascular revascularization for ED owing to >50% stenosis in 82 erection-related arteries. Patients were treated by means of standard balloon angioplasty (16%), drug-coated balloon angioplasty (27%), or drug-eluting stent (55%) implantation. The primary feasibility outcome measure was the incidence of a minimum clinically relevant improvement of ≥4 in the 6-question International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire (IIEF-6) score at 12 months. Clinical effectiveness was improvement in erectile function as quantified in the mean difference (MD) of the IIEF-15 score at 3 and 12 months as well as the mean changes in IIEF-15 questions 3 and 4. Results: Procedure success was achieved in 49 (98%) of 50 patients. At 12 months, 30 (65%) of 46 patients achieved a minimum clinically relevant improvement in the IIEF-6 score. The overall IIEF-15 score, as well as scores for questions 3 and 4, improved in 32 (65%) of 49 patients, 28 (57%) of 49 patients, and 29 (60%) of 48 patients, respectively. Change in the overall IIEF-15 score at 12 months was consistent among subgroups, except for elderly patients [MD −5.0 (95% CI −9.7 to −0.2), p=0.041] and those with hypertension [MD −11.0 (95% CI −20.5 to −1.5), p=0.025], who showed less improvement. Conclusion: Endovascular revascularization was safe and efficacious in the majority of ED patients through 1 year.

Download Full-text

Bivalirudin anticoagulation during cardiac surgery: a single-center experience in 141 patients

Perfusion ◽

10.1177/0267659109106109 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 7-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

A Koster ◽

S Buz ◽

T Krabatsch ◽

R Yeter ◽

R Hetzer

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Blood Loss ◽

Transfusion Rate ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Single Center ◽

Off Pump ◽

Single Center Experience ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

The Mean ◽

Procedural Success

The feasibility of bivalirudin for anticoagulation during cardiac surgery has been confirmed in four multicenter clinical trials. Here, we report our single-center experience with bivalirudin anticoagulation in “on-pump” and “off-pump” cardiac surgery in a large number of patients with and without heparin antibodies. Data of patients who underwent cardiac surgery with bivalirudin anticoagulation between 06/2003 and 12/2007 at our institution were reviewed. Assessment included procedural success, blood loss, transfusion requirements, re-exploration rates and drug-related complications during the procedures. There were 141 patients treated with bivalirudin, of whom 40 had heparin antibodies. In 26 patients, “off-pump” coronary artery bypass grafting was performed and the remaining 115 patients had surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The procedural success rate after 7 days and after 30 days was 99.4%. The mean blood loss after “off-pump” surgery was 833 ± 310 ml, with a transfusion rate of 30%. The mean blood loss after “on-pump” surgery was 750 ± 494 ml, with a transfusion rate of 56%. Two patients needed re-exploration due to persistent hemorrhage. Overall transfusion rates were increased in patients with heparin antibodies. The current investigation demonstrates that, in experienced hands, bivalirudin anticoagulation can be performed with excellent procedural success and low complication rates during “on-pump” and “off-pump” cardiac surgery. Recent problems associated with the production of heparin have emphasized the urgent need for an alternative for use beyond the limited indication of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Download Full-text

Rating Opportunity for Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Initiation Index (ROLIN)

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.767756 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Petru Ifteni ◽

Paula-Simina Petric ◽

Andreea Teodorescu

Keyword(s):

Antipsychotic Treatment ◽

Adherence To Treatment ◽

Duration Of Illness ◽

Distribution Of Values ◽

Kolmogorov Smirnov ◽

The Mean ◽

Poor Outcomes ◽

Long Acting ◽

Coefficient Of Skewness ◽

Smirnov Test

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric condition with devastating consequences for the individual's functionality and leading to severe disability. Lack of insight and non-adherence to treatment remain the most important factors in the progression of the disease to chronicity. Despite their proven effectiveness in preventing relapses, reducing morbidity and mortality, long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) are still underused. One of the causes invoked is the lack of guidelines or protocols for initiating LAIs.Objective: The aim of this article is to present Rating Opportunity for Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Initiation Index (ROLIN), a clinician-rated index that rates the important factors of the disorder across seven items: age, duration of illness, relapses, antipsychotic treatment response, family support, antipsychotic existing formulation and adherence.Method: A retrospective study in which all patients with schizophrenia discharged on oral antipsychotics without LAIs treatment lifetime were evaluated with ROLIN for opportunity for LAIs initiation.Results: Of 225 consecutive patients, 126 patients (56%) had a strong indication for initiating LAI (score between 25 and 35). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for checking the normal distribution of values (95% CI for the mean = 9.5781 to 20.4219; 95% CI for the median = 6.5920 to 24.8161; SD = 9.7907; Coefficient of Skewness = 0.0743; Coefficient of Kurtosis = −1.1377).Conclusion: This paper proposed an instrument designed to improve treatment in schizophrenia using a simple conceptual model which integrates important predictors of good or poor outcomes.

Download Full-text

Cutaneous Melanoma Arising in Congenital Melanocytic Nevus: A Retrospective Observational Study

Dermatology ◽

10.1159/000510221 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Stefano Caccavale ◽

Giulia Calabrese ◽

Emanuela Mattiello ◽

Paolo Broganelli ◽

Alice Ramondetta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Melanocytic Nevus ◽

Small Sample ◽

Retrospective Observational Study ◽

Congenital Melanocytic Nevus ◽

Single Center ◽

Single Center Experience ◽

The Mean ◽

Congenital Melanocytic Nevi

Background: Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are benign proliferations of melanocytes usually present at birth. The magnitude of the melanoma risk for CMN is controversial, generating an ongoing debate on the best approach to manage these lesions. Objective: To perform a retrospective, observational study with the aim to evaluate the prevalence of CMN-associated melanomas in tertiary referral centers, as well as the eventual correlation between clinical, dermoscopic, and histological features of CMN-associated melanomas. Methods: A single-center retrospective observational study was performed on all clinical and dermoscopic images of histologically confirmed melanomas arising on CMN over a 14-year period (January 2005 to March 2019). Results:Our database included 2,159 melanomas in the considered period. Of those, 27 (1.3%) were CMN-associated melanomas. The mean age of patients with CMN-associated melanoma was 33 years (range, 11–70 years). The mean diameter of CMN-associated melanoma was 18 mm (range, 6 mm to 20 cm), and 56% were located on the back. Twenty-one (77.8%) of CMN-associated melanomas arose on small CMN (<1.5 cm), 5 (18.5%) on medium-sized CMN (1.5–19.9 cm), and 1 (3.7%) on a large/giant type (≥20 cm). The majority of CMN-associated melanomas (63%) exhibited a globular dermoscopic pattern in their benign part, while a blue-white veil and irregular blotches were the most frequent dermoscopic features in the malignant part. About three quarters of melanomas occupied 10–50% of the nevus surface. Breslow thickness was higher in melanomas involving less than 10% of nevus surface (mean thickness, 1 mm) than in those affecting 10–50 and >50% of the nevus surface (0.8 and 0.7 mm, respectively). Conclusions: In our series, small CMN was the most frequent type of CMN-associated melanoma. Although the risk of melanoma is increasing by the increasing size of CMN, our finding is definitely related to the much higher prevalence of small CMN in the general population as compared to the prevalence of intermediate-sized and large CMN. Limitations: Small sample size, single-center experience, retrospective design.

Download Full-text