Acta clinica Croatica
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Acta clinica Croatica · Nov 2023
ReviewTHE ROLE OF INTERFERON-GAMMA RELEASE ASSAYS IN DIAGNOSIS OF LATENT TUBERCULOSIS INFECTION IN CHILDREN.
Despite numerous published papers, diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in children is still an undefined area. The importance of this topic lies in the fact that one third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis. The majority of infected individuals are LTBI cases which make a reservoir for future active tuberculosis (TB) patients. ⋯ Nevertheless, in the diagnosis of LTBI in children, TST still has some advantages. However, generations of IGRAs have brought many diagnostic advantages that are emphasized in this review. In a difficult procedure of diagnosing LTBI in children, performance of IGRA could be the key factor in making decision whether to use preventive therapy or not.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Nov 2023
Case ReportsACUTE PAINFUL THYROIDITIS AND THYROTOXICOSIS AFTER PCI - A CASE STUDY.
Destructive thyroiditis is a self-limited disease characterized by acute release of preformed thyroid hormones. We present a patient with extremely rare acute painful thyroiditis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction without ST-elevation. ⋯ Because of the increasing number of patients referred to cardiac catheterization, invasive cardiologists should be aware of the potentially serious thyroid dysfunction that can result from iodinated contrast use. The aim of our paper is, in the light of the patient presented, to discuss the pathophysiology, clinical presentations, therapy and potential preventive measures in patients that develop thyroid dysfunction after PCI.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Nov 2023
Case ReportsISOLATED ABDUCENS NERVE PALSY AFTER LUMBAR PUNCTURE - A CASE REPORT.
Isolated abducens nerve palsy following lumbar puncture is a rare complication. In scientific literature, it has been mostly described after performing spinal anesthesia in anesthesiology literature rather than in neurological literature. Isolated abducens nerve palsy usually occurs from one to three weeks after performing lumbar puncture and it is important to connect it with this procedure and exclude other possible etiologies. ⋯ We also planned to treat the patient with epidural blood patch, which is usually successful when performed as soon as the diagnosis is established. Unfortunately, our patient refused diagnostic and therapeutic proposal, so it was impossible to know final outcome. In conclusion, we want to highlight these complications, especially to young doctors and specialists who might see it rarely.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Nov 2023
EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 IN THE EARLY HYPOXEMIC STAGE AND PATIENTS WITH VIRAL RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN TERMS OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION.
Arterial hypoxemia occurs in many COVID-19 patients. Hypoxemia is one of the causes of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Main pulmonary artery dilatation and the main pulmonary artery diameter (mPAD) to ascending aorta diameter (AAD) ratio of ≥1 are significant findings regarding PH. ⋯ This is the first study researching the effect of early hypoxemic stage COVID-19 infection on development of PH. As a result, it was specified that COVID-19 infection had no effects on mPAD, whereas it had a positive effect on AAD and thus led to a decrease in the mPAD/AAD ratio. Through these values, which could be easily calculated from thoracic CT images, the changes caused by COVID-19 infection on vessel diameters were put forward.
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Acta clinica Croatica · Nov 2023
PLANNING TO 'NEW NORMAL' DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AT GENERAL SURGERY DEPARTMENT: A TURKEY EXPERIENCE.
Planning of non-postponable treatments for cancer, trauma, emergency diseases, and follow-up and treatment of chronic diseases are inevitable for the ongoing pandemic and future pandemics. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of surgical applications and treatments made to the surgery department in the first 3 months of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective cohort study was performed from March 12, 2020 to June 1, 2020. ⋯ There was no difference in the number of emergency oncologic surgeries during 2020 as compared with 2019 and 2018 (16 vs. 8 and 13, p=0.149). In conclusion, COVID-19 significantly impacted the number of admissions to general surgery. However, cancer and emergency operations continued to be required, thus provisions need to be made to enable planning these interventions.