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Biomedical subjects

F Balkanci

Publications and source records attributed to F Balkanci.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Budd-Chiari syndrome: a common complication of Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE: The Budd-Chiari syndrome is characterized by venous outflow obstruction of the liver, usually occurring as a consequence of thrombosis of the hepatic veins. Vasculitis is a major component of Behçet's syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of hepatic vein thrombosis in patients with Behçet's disease and to estimate the effect of this entity upon the clinical features and course of Behçet's syndrome. METHODS: During an 8-yr period from 1985 to 1994, from a total of 493 patients with Behçet's disease seen at Hacettepe University Hospital, the incidence and effect of hepatic vein thrombosis on the clinical course of Behçet's syndrome was investigated. The hepatic vein thrombosis in each case was documented by hepatic venography and confirmed by digital subtraction angiography, computed tomography, ultrasonography, and liver biopsy. Coagulation parameters including protein C, protein S, and anti-thrombin III levels were easured in each case. The survival of cases with Behçet's syndrome complicated by Budd-Chiari syndrome and the effect of the Budd-Chiari syndrome on the survival of individuals with Behçet's syndrome were determined using the Kaplan-Meier technique. RESULTS: Of the 493 cases of Behçet's syndrome, 53 (10.8%) were found to have one or more large vessel thrombosis. Of these 53 patients, 14 (26.4%) had hepatic vein thrombosis. Of these 14 patients, 8 had an additional inferior vena cava thrombosis and 4 had portal vein as well as total inferior vena cava thrombosis. Only two patients with isolated hepatic vein thrombosis were identified. These two patients and two additional patients with hepatic vein thrombosis plus thrombosis of the hepatic portion of the inferior vena cava are currently alive. Of the 10 patients with total inferior vena cava and hepatic vein thrombosis (4 also had portal vein thrombosis), all 10 died with a mean survival of 10.3 months. During the same time period, 37 patients obtained from a total of 1494 patients with clinical evidence of either portal hypertension, hepatic venous outflow obstruction or inferior vena caval obstruction without Behçet's syndrome were found to have a Budd-Chiari syndrome. Of these 37 patients, 19 (51%) had an identifiable underlying disorder responsible for their hepatic vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Based upon this experience, it appears as if Budd-Chiari syndrome is a relatively frequent complication of Behçet's disease. When individuals with Behçet's syndrome have BCS, concurrent thrombosis of the portal vein and inferior vena cava are often found, if the patency of these vessels is assessed. The clinical course of patients with Behçet's syndrome complicated by Budd-Chiari syndrome is poor. The extent of the vascular thrombosis within the inferior vena cava rather than the presence of the hepatic vein thrombosis per se is the major determinant of survival.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Traumatic aneurysm and arteriovenous fistula of the splenic artery.

Aneurysmal arteriovenous fistulas are rare and mostly seen in adults. A 13-year-old girl developed a subcapsular hematoma of the spleen following blunt abdominal trauma. Follow-up ultrasonography 4 months after the trauma revealed an aneurysm at the splenic hilum. Selective splenic angiography demonstrated the lesion to be an aneurysmal arteriovenous fistula. Repeat ultrasonography enabled us to be certain of the traumatic origin of the aneurysm and arteriovenous fistula which are very unusual in the pediatric age group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Pneumatised superior turbinate: a common anatomic variation?

Anatomic variations are important in preendoscopic CT evaluation of the paranasal sinuses. In this study, we investigated whether the superior turbinate could become pneumatised like the middle turbinate, pneumatisation of which is well-known. Images of 52 patients who underwent CT examination prior to endoscopic sinus surgery and who had normally aerated posterior ethmoidal cells and an unobscured nasal cavity were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were 12-68 years old (median age, 35 years); 28 were women and 24 were men. Pneumatisation of the superior turbinates was graded in two groups as minimal or marked. Pneumatisation was evident in 25 patients (48%). 13 unilateral (25%), 8 bilateral (15%) pneumatisations were detected in the group graded as minimal, whereas 1 unilateral and 3 bilateral pneumatisations were present in the markedly (8%) pneumatised group of patients. Superior turbinates were seemingly aerated through the posterior ethmoid cells. The superior turbinates can be pneumatised as the middle turbinate is a not frequent anatomic variation that should be taken into account in preendoscopic CT evaluation of the paranasal sinuses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Severe renal vasoconstriction and anuria after intravenous urography in a patient with renal impairment.

Acute renal failure caused by radiocontrast agents remains a severe problem, particularly in patients with risk factors. There is debate concerning the pathophysiology of contrast media-induced acute renal failure, including, but not limited to, renal ischemia or tubular damage. Vascular ischemia is considered a major contributor because consistent changes in renal hemodynamics have been recorded experimentally. We describe a patient who has a typical course of contrast-associated renal failure manifested by severe renal vasoconstriction and backflow of the contrast agent during renal angiography performed after 6 days of an intravenous urography. Such degree of renal vasoconstriction is noteworthy in that this particular case might serve as a model in delineation of the pathogenetic mechanisms of acute renal failure after contrast media administration.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1996

Aneurysmatic arteriovenous fistula complicating splenic injury.

A child with a posttraumatic aneurysmatic arteriovenous (AV) fistula located in the spleen is presented. The fact that the increased use of more conservative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in splenic injuries might lead to underestimation of some uncommon complications is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Renovascular hypertension due to Takayasu's arteritis demonstrated by Tc-99m ethylenedicysteine captopril scintigraphy.

A 34-year-old woman with severe hypertension underwent Tc-99m ethylenedicycteine (Tc-99m EC) captopril renal scintigraphy. There was bilateral parenchymal retention of the tracer suggesting renal artery stenosis. Angiography confirmed bilateral renal artery stenosis and also demonstrated contour irregularities of the abdominal aorta, and stenosis in mesenteric and subclavian arteries with increased collateral circulation consistent with Takayasu's arteritis. In light of this case of renal artery stenosis, it was concluded that Tc-99m EC can be used successfully as a potential renal agent in the diagnosis of renal involvement in patients with Takayasu's arteritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Technetium-99m-ethylenedicysteine in the diagnosis and follow-up of renovascular hypertension.

Technetium-99m-ethylenedicysteine (99mTc-EC) captopril scintigraphy performed in a patient with severe hypertension revealed increased parenchymal retention in the left kidney, suggesting renal artery stenosis. After angiographic confirmation of renal artery stenosis, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed on the left renal artery. Captopril scintigraphy after PTA showed normal findings with no evidence of parenchymal retention, consistent with reversal to normal kidney functions. In light of this case of renal artery stenosis, it was concluded that 99mTc-EC can be used successfully as a potential renal agent in the diagnosis and follow-up of renovascular hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The diagnosis of renovascular hypertension with technetium-99m-ethylenedicysteine captopril scintigraphy.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors present preliminary findings on the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension with technetium-99m-ethylenedicysteine (99mTc-EC). METHODS: Thirty-nine patients referred to the nuclear medicine department with clinical evidence of renovascular hypertension were included in the study. Baseline and captopril scintigraphies were done on separate days after the injection of 185 MBq of 99mTc-EC. All patients had angiographic correlation and 9 patients were shown to have renal artery stenosis. RESULTS: Quantitative analysis of the data showed no significant changes of perfusion index (PI), split renal function (SRF), and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) values between pre- and postcaptopril studies in patients with significant renal artery stenosis (P > 0.05). Baseline and postcaptopril values for PI, SRF, and ERPF were measured as 128 +/- 21 and 116 +/- 12 mL/minute, 47 +/- 1 and 50 +/- 2 mL/minute, and 250 +/- 18 and 231 +/- 20 mL/minute, respectively. However, time to maximum activity (Tmax), time to half maximum activity (T 1/2), time to two thirds of maximum activity (T 2/3), and residual cortical activity (RCA) values showed marked changes with a rising renogram curve (P < 0.05). Baseline and postcaptopril values for Tmax, T 1/2, T 2/3, and RCA were measured as 3.1 +/- 0.1 and 20.2 +/- 1 minute, 5.4 +/- 0.4 and 45.4 +/- 3.1 minutes, 3.1 +/- 0.2 and 33.7 +/- 4.1 minutes, and 27 +/- 4 and 215 +/- 34 minutes, respectively. All scintigraphic studies showed good correlation with angiography and no false-positive or false-negative results were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study demonstrates that 99mTc-EC has good potential for the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension and that a single diagnostic criteria, specifically a rising renogram curve, seems adequate. However, the authors' initial results should be confirmed in a broader patient population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Is portal hypertension due to liver cirrhosis a major factor in the development of portal hypertensive gastropathy?

OBJECTIVES: The gastric mucosa of patients with portal hypertension frequently manifests changes in its appearance that are readily identifiable by endoscopy. Many of these can be sources of bleeding, and some imply the presence of systemic disease. Although portal hypertension is critical in development of portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), the role that other factors might play in its pathogenesis is uncertain. METHODS: Four groups of subjects were studied prospectively: 37 with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis, 26 noncirrhotic subjects with portal hypertension due to extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (PVO), nine cirrhotic patients with extrahepatic PVO, and 57 control subjects. The diagnosis in each case was based on a combination of clinical data, needle liver biopsy, ultrasonography, splenoportography, and upper GI endoscopy. RESULTS: Snake skin, scarlatina rash, diffuse hyperemia, and diffuse bleeding were frequent endoscopic gastric findings in cirrhotic patients. These findings were seen less frequently in noncirrhotic patients with portal hypertension due to PVO than in cirrhotic patients (p< 0.0001). The highest incidence was seen in cirrhotic patients with PVO (P< 0.001). Positive correlations existed among the endoscopic findings, the clinical estimate of the cirrhosis severity (Child-Pugh grade), and the size and appearance of esophageal varices (Beppu score). No endoscopic findings of the gastric mucosa enabled one to distinguish between groups. Hypergastrinemia was present in cirrhotics with and without PVO but not in noncirrhotic patients with portal hypertension resulting from isolated PVO. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the endoscopic findings of PHG are affected by the severity of the underlying liver disease and the presence or absence of coexisting PVO. There is no association between PHG and the presence of gastric varices. Thus, the development of the gastric lesions characteristic of PHG requires not only portal hypertension but also some other consequence of parenchymal liver disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Interlocking detachable coil occlusion in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms: preliminary results.

PURPOSE: To present our preliminary experience with the recently developed interlocking detachable coils in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Two aneurysms of the basilar tip, two of the internal carotid artery, and one of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery were treated by an endovascular technique using interlocking detachable coils. Three of the patients had undergone unsuccessful surgical clipping. Three-month and 1-year control angiograms were obtained. RESULTS: In all patients but one, who had an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery, the aneurysmal sac was occluded with preservation of the parent artery and did not show recanalization on the follow-up control angiograms. In the other patient who had a wide-necked aneurysm of the internal carotid artery, the sac could not be totally obliterated and showed contrast filling in the neck remnant at 3-month angiography. None of the patients experienced neurologic deficit after treatment. CONCLUSION: Because they are soft and retrievable, interlocking detachable coils, with their immediate coil release design, may provide an alternative to surgery in the future treatment of endovascular aneurysms.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Coarctation of the abdominal aorta with left renal artery and splenic artery aneurysms.

Both coarctation of the abdominal aorta, and splenic artery aneurysm reside in the hilus, a rare but extremely important pathological condition. Herein a 36-year-old woman hospitalized for uncontrolled hypertension is presented. Aortography demonstrated segmental abdominal aortic coarctation with left renal artery and splenic artery aneurysms. Medical control of hypertension was not possible and thoracoabdominal bypass with a prosthetic graft was undertaken. Left renal artery aneurysm was resected and aorto-renal saphenous vein bypass was performed. But splenic artery aneurysm was left in situ because it was asymptomatic and less than 2 cm in diameter. Postoperatively the patient was normotensive. Although the pathogenesis of such lesions remain unknown, it may be to congenital or related medial degeneration as demonstrated histologically.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The "pseudo-cholangiocarcinoma sign" in patients with cavernous transformation of the portal vein and its effect on the serum alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to identify the underlying disorder responsible for portal venous thrombosis and cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV). All patients with this finding underwent a thorough medical examination with intent to determine the cause and biochemical consequences of CTPV. METHODS: During an 8-yr period, a total of 1247 patients with clinical evidence of portal hypertension were examined using ultrasonography. Forty four of these 1247 patients were found to have CTPV. In each case, the finding of CTPV was confirmed by portography using either splenoportography or arterial portography, with digital subtraction angiography. These 44 patients were studied in an effort to determine the etiology of the cavernous transformation. In addition, the specific reason for the increased serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels in 35 of the 44 cases was evaluated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (34 patients), percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (one patient), and by CT in 19. The surgical findings in 10 of these 44 patients, who ultimately underwent splenectomy and portal venous decompression for bleeding, were reviewed in light of the ultrasonographic, portographic, and ERCP findings in the same 10 patients. RESULTS: The underlying disorder responsible for cavernous transformation was found to be Behcet's disease in seven patients, chronic liver disease in four, congenital hepatic fibrosis in five, congenital protein C deficiency in one, and a prior abdominal operation for cholelithiasis in one patient. Despite a full clinical, radiological, hematological, and chemical evaluation, no etiology for CTPV was found in the remaining 26 patients. All of these later cases had no indication for liver biopsy or evidence for parenchymal liver disease. In these 26 patients, the serum levels of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase ranged from mild to moderately increased compared with the moderately to markedly increased levels present in the 18 patients having an identifiable underlying liver disease. Irregular, undulating narrowing and nodular extrinsic defects, the so-called "pseudo-cholangiocarcinoma sign" was present in 33 of the 35 patients who underwent either ERCP or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. No such findings were observed in 10 control cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension but without CTPV, who also underwent ERCP. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that mildly increased serum alkaline phosphatase and direct reacting bilirubin levels occur in cases with CTPV associated with a pseudo-cholangiocarcinoma sign. Presumably, these enzyme elevations are a result of compression of the biliary tree by the venous collaterals that run along the extrahepatic biliary tree. None of the 33 cases with this sign had cholangiolar carcinoma. Thus, when a patient with splenomegaly but without documentable parenchymal liver disease demonstrates an increase in the serum direct reacting bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels, CTPV and the presence of large extrahepatic venous collaterals partially obstructing the biliary tree should be suspected.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cavernous transformation of the portal vein: a common manifestation of Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, multisystem inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology, which is characterized by recurrent aphthous ulcers of the mouth and genitalia, uveitis with hypopyon, and a diffuse vasculitis that involves the arterial and venous systems. From January 1968 to July 1993, 66 of 844 patients with BD seen at the Hacettepe University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, experienced a vascular complication other than peripheral thrombophlebitis. The vascular complication in each case was identified based upon a combination of clinical data, digital subtraction angiography, CT, and ultrasonography findings. Six of these 66 (9.1%) had cavernous transformation of the portal vein. Five of these six had additional large vein involvement resulting in the Budd-Chiari syndrome with or without inferior vena caval obstruction. Based upon this experience, it can be concluded that portal vein thrombosis is not a rare complication of BD. When patients with BD are found to have or develop splenomegaly, portal vein thrombosis should be suspected and investigated. If hepatomegaly and ascites are detected, Budd-Chiari syndrome due to hepatic vein thrombosis should be suspected. Finally, if hepatosplenomegaly, ascites, and dependent edema of the lower body are present, thrombosis of the inferior vena cava should be suspected.

Behcet Syndrome↗
PubMed1995

Acute abdomen due to gastric volvulus: diagnostic value of a single plain radiograph.

A 2(1)/2-year-old child was admitted to hospital with acute abdominal pain and vomiting. A single large air-fluid level without additional bowel gas was seen on plain abdominal radiography. At laparotomy organoaxial volvulus of the stomach was found and partial gastric resection performed. A single bubble appearance may indicate gastric volvulus.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1994

Rare anomaly of the aortic arch complex with extreme degenerative changes. A case report.

A forty-one-year-old woman with a rare anomaly of the aortic arch complex is described. The case closely resembles a combination of right cervical aortic arch and right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery with additional tortuous right-sided aortic arch structures, absent left common carotid artery, and right common carotid artery originating from the left side of the aortic arch.

Adult↗