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Biomedical subjects

V Tahan

Publications and source records attributed to V Tahan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Sarcoidosis after use of interferon for chronic hepatitis C: report of a case and review of the literature.

Although interferon has not been classified in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis, it may rarely lead to this disease during treatment of chronic hepatitis C. The case of a 36-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis C who developed sarcoidosis within 10 weeks of treatment with recombinant interferon-alpha2a and ribavirin is described and all seven similar cases published in English from 1989 to 2001 are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Spontaneous hematoma of the rectus abdominis muscle: a rare cause of acute abdominal pain in the elderly.

A rectus abdominis sheath hematoma (RSH) is uncommon. It may mimic other acute abdominal disorders. The underlying conditions are trauma, coagulation disorders, or anticoagulant therapy, complications related to operations, subcutaneous injections to the abdominal wall, although it can also develop spontaneously. Acute abdominal pain and a palpable mass after muscular strain such as coughing, sneezing, and twisting were features highly suggestive of RSH. The diagnostic means of choice is computerized tomography. The treatment is usually conservative, but surgery may be needed in cases with large or progressing hematomas or with severe symptoms. We herein report an elderly woman presenting with an acute painful abdominal mass, without any underlying conditions, which was diagnosed as spontaneous RSH. She needed an operation. We concluded that RSH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in the elderly, even in the absence of underlying conditions.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed2003

Adrenomedullin in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.

AIM: Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a potent vasodilator peptide. ADM and nitric oxide (NO) are produced in vascular endothelial cells. Increased ADM level has been linked to hyperdynamic circulation and arterial vasodilatation in cirrhotic portal hypertension (CPH). The role of ADM in non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is unknown. plasma ADM levels were studied in patients with NCPH, compensated and decompensated cirrhosis in order to determine its contribution to portal hypertension (PH) in these groups. METHODS: There were 4 groups of subjects. Group 1 consisted of 27 patients (F/M: 12/15) with NCPH due to portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis (mean age: 41+/-12 years), group 2 consisted of 14 patients (F/M: 6/8) with compensated (Child-Pugh A) cirrhosis (mean age: 46+/-4), group 3 consisted of 16 patients (F/M: 6/10) with decompensated (Child-Pugh C) cirrhosis (mean age: 47+/-12). Fourteen healthy subjects (F/M: 6/8) (mean age: 44+/-8) were used as controls in Group 4. ADM level was measured by ELISA. NO was determined as nitrite/nitrate level by chemoluminescence. RESULTS: ADM level in Group 1 (236+/-61.4 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that in group 2 (108.4+/-28.3 pg/mL) and group 4 (84.1+/-31.5 pg/mL) (both P<0.0001) but was lower than that in Group 3 (324+/-93.7 pg/mL) (P=0.002). NO level in group 1 (27+/-1.4 micromol/L) was significantly higher than that in group 2 (19.8+/-2.8 micromol/L) and group 4 (16.9+/-1.6 micromol/L) but was lower than that in Group 3 (39+/-3.6 micromol/L) (for all three P<0.0001). A strong correlation was observed between ADM and NO levels (r=0.827, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Adrenomedullin and NO levels were high in both non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic portal hypertension and were closely correlated, Adrenomedullin and NO levels increased proportionally with the severity of cirrhosis, and were significantly higher than those in patients with NCPH. Portal hypertension plays an important role in the increase of ADM and NO. Parenchymal damage in cirrhosis may contribute to the increase in these parameters.

Adrenomedullin↗
PubMed2003

Epidemiology of viral hepatitis in the Mediterranean basin.

The prevalence of viral hepatitis is high and remains a serious public health challenge throughout the world. New molecular biology techniques provided a better understanding of the viruses over the last decades. Novel therapeutic options seem to be promising but preventing measures including donor screening, immunization against hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), universal use of disposable syringes and implementation of better hygienic conditions play a major role in the control of viral hepatitis. The Mediterranean basin has special demographic and socioeconomic features. We reviewed in this article the seroepidemiological features of viral hepatitis in this particular region. Improving general conditions led to a tendency to be infected in older ages with HAV. Hepatitis B and C virus still remain to be the major causes of chronic hepatitis. The seroprevalence of hepatitis D virus, which was once endemic in the Mediterranean region seem to decrease nowadays whereas hepatitis E virus is still prevalent in some areas. Other viruses such as hepatitis G virus (HGV), TT virus (TTV) and SEN virus do not seem to be a major problem and their clinical importance remains to be determined in further studies.

Hepatitis, Viral, Human↗
PubMed2002

Tuberculous lymphadenopathy in adults: a review of 35 cases.

We retrospectively reviewed clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic features of 35 patients (25 female, 10 male, mean age: 33 years, range: 16-70) with tuberculous lymphadenopathy (TB LAP) which had been followed since 1980. The diagnosis was established by tissue sampling in 32 cases (caseating granulomatous adenitis in 89%) or presence of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in the aspirate in 2 cases and in the drainage in 1 case. Paraffin-embedded granulomatous tissues were stained by Ehrlich-Ziehl-Neelsen (EZN) and also Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (n = 21). The patients were admitted with enlarging LAP (34%), draining LAP (9%), and both systemic complaints and enlarging LAP (57%). Cervical lymph nodes were the most frequently involved site (77%). Pathologic findings on chest X-ray were seen in 23%. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was higher than 100 mm/hour in 25% and associated with systemic complaints. Tuberculin skin test was positive in 91%. AFB could not be seen in any granulomatous tissue (n: 21), but PCR study was positive in 33% (7/21). All patients were given anti-TB treatment (INH,RMP,EMB and/or PZA). Surgical excision of draining LAP with surrounding inflammatory tissues in addition to the medical treatment was needed in 2 cases. Clinical improvement was obtained within 3 months of the treatment and ESR returned to normal within 5 months. After completion of the treatment, 22 patients were followed-up; mean duration was 3 years, and none relapsed. In conclusion, a patient with TB LAP generally presents with a few small, painless, cervical lymph nodes, which are slowly enlarging. For exact diagnosis, excisional biopsy for histologic and microbiologic studies is essential. Use of anti-TB drugs is the main therapeutic option.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Changes in malondialdehyde levels in bronchoalveolar fluid and serum by the treatment of asthma with inhaled steroid and beta2-agonist.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Recent data suggest that clinical indices of the patients with asthma may not correlate with the underlying inflammatory process. We aimed to measure the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), which is a marker of lipid peroxidation, a free radical-mediated process, before and after a well-accepted treatment of asthma. METHODOLOGY: Nine non-smoking females and five non-smoking males with mild-moderate asthma were included. Twenty-four age- and sex-matched, non-smoking healthy people (17 females and seven males, mean age 32.1 years, range 20-59) were included for control. After initial evaluation, spirometry, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and blood sample were maintained. The patients were treated with twice-daily salmeterol inhaler (100 microg/d) and fluticasone propionate inhaler (500 microg/d). One month later the investigations were repeated. Serum MDA levels before treatment were compared with both the levels after treatment and levels of controls. Malondialdehyde levels of BAL were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: Serum MDA level of the patient before treatment was 6.7+/-0.8 nmol/mL, significantly higher than that of healthy controls; 3.8+/-0.4, P < 0.001. One month after the treatment, serum MDA level decreased to 5.3+/-0.7 nmol/mL (P < 0.001). However, this level is still significantly higher than healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Forced expiratory volume in 1 s level of the patients increased from 2.43+/-0.79 L to 3.50+/-1.21 L after the treatment (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although treatment with beta2-agonist and corticosteroid inhalers for the duration of 1 month reduced lipid peroxidation significantly, it was still at a level significantly higher than healthy controls. The treatment may need a longer duration to improve lipid peroxidation or an alternative regimen which is more effective in controlling inflammation may be warranted.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2000

Tuberculous subcutaneous abscesses developing during miliary tuberculosis therapy.

Although rare, paradoxical subcutaneous abscesses may develop during appropriate treatment of miliary tuberculosis. While the pathogenesis of this phenomenon is not clear, some theories have been postulated. A case of a 37-y-old woman diagnosed as having miliary tuberculosis who developed subcutaneous abscesses within the 5 months of antituberculous treatment is described and all 6 similar cases published in English from 1954 to 1999 are discussed.

Abscess↗
PubMed2000

Diaphragmatic Morgagni hernia in adulthood: correct preoperative diagnosis is possible with newer imaging techniques.

Morgagni hernia is a rare type of diaphragmatic hernia. It is frequently associated with elusive clinical and radiological findings in the adult and consequently, diagnosis and appropriate therapy are usually delayed. We describe a case in which a Morgagni hernia presented as a right sided cardiophrenic mass on a routine chest X-ray. The diaphragmatic defect was further confirmed by computed tomography (CT), by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the chest. The defect was closed by a prolene mesh.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Anorectal melanoma metastatic to the breast.

Anorectal melanoma is an extremely rare malignancy with poor prognosis. Patients generally present with a sensation of mass and rectal bleeding, which is usually attributed to hemorrhoids or polyps. It can not be diagnosed early because of these benign symptoms, so it is bulky at the time of presentation. Despite aggressive surgery, 5-year survival is less than 10%. We present a case of inoperable anorectal melanoma which metastasized to the left breast and abdominal lymph nodes. We also briefly reviewed the appropriate literature, emphasizing the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Anus Neoplasms↗