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Biomedical subjects

A Göcmen

Publications and source records attributed to A Göcmen.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

The role of environmental and occupational exposures in Turkish immigrants with fibre-related disease.

Environmental exposure to tremolite and erionite causes endemic diseases of the lung and pleura in Turkey. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of these exposures and further occupational exposures on fibre-related diseases in Turkish immigrants living in Belgium. The study included 51 males and 17 females that emigrated < 1-38 yrs ago. Most of them (n=46) had nonmalignant pleural lesions, one had asbestosis and one had mesothelioma. Environmental asbestos exposure was likely for the majority of patients (60%), but there were also reports of possible occupational asbestos (n = 14) and erionite (n = 2) exposure. Tremolite was the main fibre type in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Elevated concentrations of amosite or crocidolite were detected in only two patients. The delay elapsed since the end of the environmental exposure had no influence on the asbestos body or the tremolite fibre concentrations in the BALF of Turkish immigrants. Most fibre-related diseases in Turkish immigrants are probably due to environmental rather than occupational exposure. Precise information about geographical origin and occupation should be obtained when investigating these patients. Mineralogical analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid gives valuable information on the type and intensity of exposure, especially in patients with both environmental and occupational exposure.

Adult↗

[Pneumococcal spondylodiscitis. A case report].

We report on a case of a 66 years-old patient suffering weight loss and lumbar pain, localized at L2-L3. A spondylodiscitis was revealed by CT and MRI; intervertebral disc puncture was positive for Pneumococcus Pneumoniae. The clinical evolution was good with the anti-bacterial treatment, while the patient developed a synostosis L2-L3. Incidence, bacteriology, imaging and therapy of spondylodicitis are discussed.

Aged↗

Is BCG vaccine innocent?

Four patients admitted to the Hacettepe University Department of Pediatric Surgery between 1987 and 1995, two with Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) lymphadenitis and two with multisystem postvaccination tuberculosis (MPT), are presented. The hospital records and records of the Ministery of Health Tuberculosis Control Department were evaluated to determine the complications of BCG vaccine. The most common complication was lymphadenitis with or without suppuration (0.3 per thousand - 3 per thousand). Surgical intervention was required in two BCG lymphadenitis cases and two cases of MPT. Involved lymph nodes were excised in two lymphadenitis cases. Colostomy and percutaneous nephrostomy was performed in the first case of MPT in addition to triple antituberculous drug therapy. Although BCG lymphadenitis is self limited, chronically discharging nodes and tumor-like lymphadenopathy masses need to be excised. On the other hand, MPT has a silent nature with resistance to antituberculous drug therapy. Surgical intervention may be required, directed to the involved systems.

BCG Vaccine↗

Tuberculous spondylitis and intermittent chemotherapy in childhood.

The general characteristics and treatment of childhood tuberculous spondylitis are reviewed. Most of the patients (79 per cent) were under 5 years old with girls being in greater number. Twenty-six patients used classical antituberculous chemotherapy and five were given intermittent chemotherapy. There was no significant difference in the mean period of inactivation of the disease (2.8 v. 2.9 months) or in post-treatment angle of kyphosis (33 degrees v. 37.6 degrees) between the classical and intermittent chemotherapy groups. In addition to drug therapy, plaster jacket and immobilization were adequate in four children whereas 27 underwent surgery with only two requiring radical operations. In children with tuberculous spondylitis, intermittent drug treatment is a good alternative due to effectiveness and convenience of use and radical surgery should be reserved for selected cases.

Child, Preschool↗

Treatment of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis with a diphosphonate--preliminary results of a case.

A diphosphonate, disodium etidronate, a compound known to inhibit microcrystal growth of hydroxyapatite was given to a 3.5-year-old girl with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) that was symptomatic. The drug was used for approximately 36 months in a single daily dose of 15 mg/kg. No significant side effects were encountered with somewhat clearing of lung bases in chest radiograms and subjective improvement in general condition. These findings suggest a role of diphosphonates in the treatment of PAM.

Calcinosis↗