Small bowel obstruction is a common clinical problem presenting with abdominal distention, colicky pain, absolute constipation and bilious vomiting. There are numerous causes, most commonly attributed to an incarcerated hernia, adhesions or obstructing mass secondary to malignancy. Here we present an unusual cause of a small bowel obstruction secondary to an incarcerated incisional hernia in association with an acute organoaxial gastric volvulus. and N. R. Kosai, H. S. Gendeh, M. Noorharisman, P. A. Sutton, S. Das
The aim of this study was to compare the isolation systems OptraDam® Plus and OptiDam™ with the conventional rubber dam in terms of objective and subjective parameters. The isolation systems were applied during the dental treatment of the patients. The time of preparation, placement, presence and removal were measured and the quality of isolation was evaluated. The median time of rubber dam placement was 76 s (Q1=62 s; Q3=111.25 s). The application time of OptraDam® Plus was significantly longer compared to the other systems (P ® plus. The results presented in this study could guide clinicians for choosing the most appropriate isolation system. and M. Kapitán, T. Suchánková Kleplová, J. Suchánek
BACKGROUND: Radio frequency (RF) and chemical peels have been used for nonablative skin rejuvenation. Both of these cause collagen remodeling in the dermis and neo-collagen formation resulting in facial rejuvenation. There is limited literature on the evaluation of collagen remodeling by objective methods. OBJECTIVE: To compare the benefits of monopolar radiofrequency and glycolic acid peels in facial rejuvenation with regards to histopathology and Ultrabiomicroscopic sonography (UBM). METHODOLOGY: In this study, forty patients with mild to moderate photoaging received four treatments with 3 weeks interval of monopolar radiofrequency on one side of face and glycolic acid peels in increasing concentrations (NeostrataR) on the other side. Pre and post treatment, 2 mm biopsies were taken from both preauricular areas and Ultrasonography using a 35 MHz probe was done from outer canthus of eye and nasolabial folds from both sides of face. A blinded assessment was done to measure the increase in the grenz zone and dermal thickness. RESULTS: In 35/40 patients there was a significant increase in the grenz zone on histopathology and decrease in subepidermal low-echogenic band (SLEB) on UBM of the nasolabial folds on both sides of the face (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency and chemical peels showed equal efficacy in the treatment of facial rejuvenation. and D. V. Wakade, C. S. Nayak, K. D. Bhatt
INTRODUCTION: The issue of resistance to antiplatelet therapy has raised many questions in the area of neurovascular diseases. The first objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of aspirin resistance in neurovascular patients with clinical non-responsiveness to aspirin treatment and a high-risk of atherothrombotic complications using two interpretable and independent methods (aggregation and PFA 100). The second objective was to find the correlation between both assays and to evaluate the results in groups at risk for various cerebrovascular diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Laboratory tests of aspirin resistance were performed in 79 patients with clinical non-responsiveness to aspirin treatment suffering from neurovascular diseases. Patients were divided into the two groups: expected low risk for aspirin resistance due to the first manifestation of a neurovascular disease (n = 34) and expected high risk due to the second clinical manifestation of a neurovascular disease (n = 45). RESULTS: The prevalence of aspirin resistance in both groups combined as determined by the PFA-100 and CPG techniques were 50.6% and 17.7%, respectively. No correlation was found between the two techniques. CONCLUSIONS: No significant prevalence of aspirin resistance was demonstrated by either method despite the heterogeneous pathophysiological mechanisms. However, we are presently unable to provide an accurate opinion on the value of laboratory test result or routine monitoring in clinical neurology. and M. Vališ, D. Krajíčková, J. Malý, R. Malý, I. Fátorová, O. Vyšata, R. Herzig
Psoriasis patients are often susceptible to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including atherosclerosis. Traditional markers (biochemical and inflammatory) and diagnostic tools could detect occlusive but not subclinical atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), has recently been recognised as a non invasive diagnostic tool for identification of premature atherosclerosis. Therefore we evaluated 80 psoriasis patients and 80 age sex matched healthy controls for serum leptin levels and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I ratio (apoB/apoA-I ratio) in relation with CIMT of carotid artery. Carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques were simultaneously measured by carotid sonography. Serum concentration of leptin and apolipoprotein were measured using enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and nephelometry respectively. Raised CIMT correlated to age of onset of the disease, serum leptin and apoB/apoA-I ratio in psoriasis patients. Taking into account, values that were above the 75 percentile of the three markers (leptin, apoB/apoA-I ratio and CIMT) the odds ratio was 4.26 (2.06-8.80 CI). Leptin and apoB/apoA-I ratio showed significant cumulative association with CIMT. Results of predictive analysis supports measurement of CIMT along with estimation of serum leptin and apoB/apoA-I ratio for prediction of premature atherosclerosis in psoriasis patients. and K. Asha, S. B. Sharma, A. Singal, A. Aggarwal
Brown tumors are bony lesions caused by rapid osteoclastic activity, which rare involved jaws. Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) is associated with different pathogenetic mechanisms--disorder of calcium-phosphate metabolism, impaired metabolism of vitamin D, increased parathyroid activity that lead to extreme concentrations of parathormone. The authors report two cases of jaw enlargement in patients received haemodialysis with excessive increase values of alkaline phosphatase and parathormone in serum. The patients were treated surgically with corrective procedures in maxillo-facial area. ROD of the jaws could be severe complication in dialysis patients with end stage of CKD if no appropriate care aimed at correction or prevention of parathyroid hyperfunction was applied to them. and PF. Pechalova, EG. Poriazova
Concha bullosa (CB) is among the most common anatomic variations of sinonasal anatomy. Although usually asymptomatic, CB can occasionally cause nasal obstruction or headache. Obstructions within the mucociliary transport system can develop into a mucocele or mucopyocele. A 48-year-old female, with a history of progressive headache and nasal obstruction, was referred to our department. Paranasal sinus tomography revealed a nasal mass in the left nasal cavity resembling a mucopyocele in the middle turbinate. Under general anesthesia, the purulent material was aspirated, and the lateral part of the left turbinate was resected. Mucopyoceles are common within the paranasal sinuses, but uncommon with CB; thus, they should be considered in patients with a large hyperemic nasal mass. and K. Sari, Z. K. Gencer, Y. Kantekin
INTRODUCTION: Cellulitis remains a very serious disease even today. Mortality, which varied between 10-40%, has been reduced owing to the standard securing of airway patency and use of an appropriate surgical treatment approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 195 patients were hospitalised for cellulitis at the University Hospital in Hradec Králové during 2007-2011. The following parameters were evaluated: age, gender, dependence of incidence of the disease on the season of the year, frequency of attacks of the particular areas and their clinical characteristics, aetiology of the inflammation, types of patient complaints, prevalence of current systemic diseases, results of microbiological and selected laboratory analyses, socio-economic status of the patients, and duration of patient stay at the hospital. Statistical analysis was performed by using Pearson's correlation coefficient, the statistical significance level was p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39.8 years. The group of 195 patients included 108 (55%) males and 87 (45%) females. The mean time between the first symptoms of the disease and admission to the Department was 5 days. From among the 195 patients, 116 (59.5%) were working persons, 79 (40.5%) were non-working (children, students, unemployed persons, women on maternity leave, retired people). The odontogenic origin of the disease was verified in 173 (88.7%) patients. In total, 65 (33.3%) patients had no coinciding complicating systemic disease, 22 (11.3%) patients had diabetes mellitus. The most frequent symptom of cellulitis was painful swelling, found in 194 (99.5%) patients, followed by jaw contracture, found in 153 (78.5%) patients. CONCLUSION: The results are largely very similar to those of previous studies performed in other countries, except that we found no correlation between the prevalence of cellulitis and the socio-economic status, nor have we confirmed Klebsiella pneumoniae sp. as the cause of cellulitis in patients with diabetes mellitus. and H. Doležalová, J. Zemek, L. Tuček
Denosumab is a human monoclonal antibody representing a novel therapy of osteoporosis. Contrary to always other antiosteoporotic drugs, it is not contraindicated in advanced chronic kidney disease, as its pharmacokinetic does not differ from patients with normal kidney function. However, published case reports in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients stopped the therapy after single dose because of hypocalcemia. We present a case of successful treatment of osteoporosis in a young hemodialysis patient with repeated denosumab doses. and Sylvie Dusilová Sulková, Jiří Horáček, Roman Šafránek, Petr Gorun, Ondřej Viklický, Vladimír Palička
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a serious health issue and one of the world most devastating epidemics. An estimated 1.5 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2013, and an estimated 37 million people with AIDS have died worldwide since the epidemic has begun. HIV infection is known for its oral manifestations which causes discomfort and pain for infected individuals. The objective of this study was to document oral conditions of HIV positive patients and the pattern and frequency of oral and dental lesions. METHODS: All patients with confirmed HIV infection who were treated at the Department of Dentistry, University Hospital in Hradec Králové, were examined. RESULTS: During the study period, 29 HIV positive patients were examined and treated--19 men, 10 women, with mean age of 32.9 years (range 22-58 years). 72.41% patients received ART. In total, all patients underwent 186 visits. The most frequent treatments were associated with teeth and periodontal lesions (71.80%), oral mucosal lesions were diagnosed and treated only in 3.96% cases. CONCLUSION: Since the introduction of ART, the frequency of oral mucosal lesions is minimal in patients with HIV infection. and M. Šembera, V. Radochová, R. Slezák
BACKGROUND: The goal of this prospective study was to determine the frequency of micrometastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx in whom elective neck dissection was indicated (cN0). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 12 patients (10 males and 2 females) were enrolled in the study. The age ranged 42-73 years (median 62 years). Elective neck dissection was performed in all patients (8 ipsilateral, 4 bilateral) and a total of 256 lymph nodes were removed and sent for microscopic examination. RESULTS: The presence of tumor cells in cervical lymph nodes was found in 5/12 (42%) patients. Micrometastases of SCC were found in two patients and isolated tumor cells (ITC) in two other patients. In the remaining one patient with oropharyngeal SCC, a micrometastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) was detected. Positive lymph nodes were localized in level II in three patients with SCC of larynx, hypopharynx and tongue base, respectively, in level I in one patient with SCC of oral tongue and in level III in one patient with PTC. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that SCC of head and neck has a high potential for creating micrometastases which frequency is higher compared to clinically detected macrometastases. Therefore, elective neck dissection or radiotherapy of the neck should be considered in patients with high risk of occult metastases or micrometastases. and P. Čelakovský, D. Kalfeřt, K. Smatanová, V. Chrobok, J. Laco
AIM: The purpose of this study was to develop a revised version of the Brief Bedside Dysphagia Screening Test for determining penetration/aspiration risk in patients prone to dysphagia. The priority was to achieve high sensitivity and negative predictive value. METHODS: The study screeners conducted bedside assessment of the swallowing function in 157 patients with a neurological (mainly stroke) or an ear, nose, and throat diagnosis (mainly head and neck cancer). The results were compared with a gold standard, flexible endoscopic examination of swallowing. RESULTS: For the neurological subgroup (N = 106), eight statistically significant bedside assessment items were combined into the Brief Bedside Dysphagia Screening Test-Revised (BBDST-R). Cut-off score 1 produced the highest sensitivity (95.5%; 95% confidence interval CI [CI]: 84.9-98.7%) and negative predictive value (88.9%; 95% CI 67.2-96.9%). CONCLUSION: The BBDST-R is suitable for dysphagia screening in departments caring for patients with neurological conditions. and P. Mandysová, E. Ehler, J. Škvrňáková, M. Černý, I. Bártová, A. Pellant
In view of the high anti-oxidative potential oftocotrienol, the role of the tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) of palm oil in preventing pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) was explored in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial in an urban teaching hospital. Healthy primigravidae were randomized to receive either oral TRF 100 mg daily or placebo, from early second trimester until delivery. Out of 299 women, 151 were randomized into the TRF arm and 148 into the placebo arm. A total of 15 (5.0%) developed PIH. Although there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of PIH (4/151 or 2.6% in the TRF arm vs. 11/148 or 7.4% in the placebo arm, p = 0.058) between the two arms, there was a tendency towards a lower incidence of PIH in the TRF arm compared to the placebo arm. With TRF supplementation, the relative risk (RR) of PIH was 0.36 (95% CI 0.12-1.09). In conclusion, although TRF from palm oil does not statistically significantly reduce the risk of development of PIH in the population studied, the 64% reduction in incidence of PIH is substantial. The findings warrant further clinical trials, particularly in high risk populations. and ZA. Mahdy, HH. Siraj, H. Khaza'ai, MS. Mutalib, MH. Azwar, MA. Wahab, AZ. Dali, R. Jaafar, NA. Ismail, MA. Jamil, N. Adeeb
Background: Few data are available on the specific care giving-related problems of stroke patient’s caregivers and factors that influence the burden of these caregivers. Aim: To study the influences of the active rehabilitation process on anxiety, depression, care burden and perceived social support level of stroke patients caregivers. Design: A prospective clinical trial. Setting: Patients and caregivers entering a rehabilitation program at a university hospital in Turkey. Populations: Ninety patients with a first episode of stroke and 90 caregivers responsible for their care were recruited for our study. Methods: Patients and caregivers were assessed before and after the active rehabilitation process. The functional disability level of the patients was assessed by Functional Independence Measure (FIM). The Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS) and the Beck Depression Scale (BDS) were used for anxiety and depression assessment, the Zarit Care Burden Scale (ZCBS) for care burden assessment and the Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MDSPSS) for perceived social support assessment. Results: A statistically significant rise is observed in the special person sub-assessment of MDSPSS in both female and male caregivers. Also, a significant decrease in care burden, anxiety and depression levels of caregivers was noted after the rehabilitation program (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Caregivers accept the rehabilitation period as important social support in addition to the support provided by family and friends. Also, our positive results were associated with an improvement in the patients’ functional level and an increase in the acquisition of knowledge and skill required of caregivers in order to provide care during rehabilitation. Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: The rehabilitation team should be aware of the fact that the perceived care burden may be greater due to the lack of knowledge concerning available resources and due to the inability to cope with stress effectively. and A. Y. Karahan, S. Kucuksen, H. Yilmaz, A. Salli, T. Gungor, M. Sahin
Still's disease is an inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. First-line therapy is based on corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) but the frequency of relapses and corticosteroid-induced adverse events are limiting factors. The efficacy of intravenous tocilizumab (TCZ) has been shown at a dose of 8 mg/kg but the corticosteroid-sparing effect of intravenous low-dose TCZ followed by subcutaneous (SC) injection in the course of the disease has been poorly investigated. We report the case of a 28-year old Caucasian woman presenting a relapse of Still's disease eleven months after diagnosis under treatment with 6 mg of methylprednisolone. TCZ at a dose of 4 mg/kg every 2 weeks was combined with 32 mg of methylprednisolone, followed by 162 mg SC every 3 weeks. Evolution was rapidly favourable with a decrease in corticosteroid doses. We reviewed previously published cases. and X. Vandemergel, F. Vandergheynst
The present article describes two unrelated cases of progressive myoclonic epilepsy (PME) of the Lafora's disease and Unverricht-Lundborg types who were treated with topiramate (TPM) as add-on therapy for their myoclonus. After the initiation of topiramate therapy both cases responded with marked decrease in myoclonic seizure frequency and improvement of quality of life. Topiramate appears to be a useful alternative agent in cases of PME and could be consider for adjunctive therapy. and CF. Demir, HH. Ozdemir, B. Müngen
BACKGROUND: A few reports demonstrate the occurrence of egg allergy in adolescent and adult patients suffering from atopic dermatitis and the association of this allergy to other food and aeroallergens. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the occurrence of egg allergy in patients suffering from atopic dermatitis at the age 14 years and older and to evaluate the relationship between egg allergy or egg sensitisation and the sensitisation to dust, mites, feather, and animal dander. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Complete dermatological and allergological examination was performed. These parameters were examined: food allergy and food sensitisation to egg white and yolk, to mites, animal dander (mixture), feather and dust. The statistical evaluation of the relations among egg allergy, egg sensitisation and sensitisation to mites, animal dander (mixture), feather and dust was performed. Two hundred and eighty eight patients were included in the study (90 men, 198 women, with the average age 25.2). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Egg allergy was recorded in 5% and egg sensitisation in 20% of patients; sensitisation to dust is recorded more often in patients with positive results in sIgE for egg white and/or yolk. and J. Čelakovská, K. Ettlerová, K. Ettler, J. Bukač
INTRODUCTION: A previous study has employed shear-wave ultrasound elastographic imaging to assess corneal rigidity in an ex-vivo porcine eye model. This study employs the same modality in vivo in a rabbit eye model in order to assess lens, ciliary body and total ocular rigidity changes following the instillation of atropine and pilocarpine. METHODS: Ten non-pigmented female rabbits were examined. Measurements of the lens, ciliary body and total ocular rigidity as well as lens thickness and anterior chamber depth were taken with the Aixplorer system (SuperSonic Imagine, Aix-en-Provence, France) with the SuperLinear™ SL 15-4 transducer in both eyes at baseline as well as after pilocarpine and atropine instillation. The IOP was also measured with the TonoPen tonometer. RESULTS: Changes in rigidity in the examined areas following atropine instillation were statistically not significant. Ciliary body rigidity was significantly increased whereas lens and total ocular rigidity were significantly reduced following pilocarpine instillation. The decrease in lens rigidity following pilocarpine was significantly associated with the respective increase in ciliary body rigidity. CONCLUSIONS: Shear-wave ultrasound elastography can detect in vivo rigidity changes in the anterior segment of the rabbit eye model and may potentially be applied in human eyes, providing useful clinical information on conditions in which rigidity changes play an important role, such as glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation syndrome or presbyopia. and E. T. Detorakis, E. E. Drakonaki, H. Ginis, N. Karyotakis, I. G. Pallikaris
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common malignancy in the world's female population and with the highest lethality index among gynecological tumors. The prognosis of metastatic disease is usually poor, especially in platinum-resistant cases. There are several options for the treatment of metastatic disease resistant to platinum derivates (e.g. paclitaxel, topotecan and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin), all of which are considered equipotent. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is a liposomal form of the anthracycline antibiotic doxorubicin. It is characterized by more convenient pharmacokinetics and a different toxicity profile. Cardiotoxicity, the major adverse effect of conventional doxorubicin, is reduced in PLD as well as hematotoxicity, alopecia, nausea and vomiting. Skin toxicity and mucositis, however, emerge as serious issues since they represent dose and schedule-limiting toxicities. The pharmacokinetics of PLD (prolonged biological half-life and preferential distribution into tumor tissue) provide new possibilities to address these toxicity issues. The extracorporeal elimination of circulating liposomes after PLD saturation in the tumor tissue represents a novel and potent strategy to diminish drug toxicity. This article intends to review PLD characteristics and the importance of extracorporeal elimination to enhance treatment tolerance and benefits. and O. Kubeček, M. Bláha, D. Diaz-Garcia, S. Filip
INTRODUCTION: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) became standard of care for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) under the age of 65 years. We routinely perform ASCT for newly diagnosed MM since 1996 in our department. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all 285 transplants in 185 patients done for MM from January 1996 till December 2010. We analyzed overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) regarding conditioning, stage, complete or very good partial remission (CR, VGPR) achievement, renal impairment, single vs. double transplant. RESULTS: Estimated 10-years survival of the whole set of patients is 39% (median survival 95 months). Patients with renal impairment show same OS as those without (p = 0.22). Patients show similar overall survival and event free survival regardless of type of transplant. We observed better outcome in terms of overall survival in patients treated with new drugs (p = 0.0014). Reaching CR or VGPR was not translated into better OS (p = 0.30) and EFS (p = 0.10). Also stage of the disease and whether single or double transplant was used did not make any significant difference in the outcome. CONCLUSION: Stem cell transplantation greatly improved outcome of patients with MM. Poor outcome of allogeneic transplantation in our group of patients is related to high transplant related mortality (20% vs. 0%) and unexpected high relapse rate. There is a trend towards better survival, when new drugs are incorporated at any time in the course of the disease. This fact supports hypothesis that use of these drugs with ASCT should translate into better long-term outcome. and J. Radocha, V. Maisnar, A. Zavrelová, M. Cermanová, M. Lánská, M. Kmonícek, L. Jebavý, M. Bláha, J. Malý, P. Zák