We aimed to analyze the diagnostic value of mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width, which are also known as the markers of platelet count, in acute and perforated appendicitis. The data of 202 patients who applied to general surgery clinic in Mustafa Kemal University Hospital from 2007 to 2012 with acute appendicitis were analyzed retrospectively. The findings were separated to two groups due to the perforation status (perforated vs. non-perforated). Age, sex, leukocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width were examined. The mean age of the patients was 35.8. Twenty-one of all cases were perforated appendicitis (10.4 %), and the rest was acute appendicitis (non-perforated) (n = 181, 89.6 %). The mean platelet volume value was 9.8 ± 2.1 fL; mean thrombocyte count, 340.9 × 10(9)/L; and mean platelet distribution width value, 18.3 %. There were statistically significant differences between sex and age, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocyte, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width. There was a positive correlation between mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and platelet. Age, leukocyte, platelet, mean platelet volume, and platelet distribution width were higher in cases with perforation as a comparison with non-perforated cases. We think that mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width may be valuable markers to detect the risk of perforation in early periods of acute appendicitis.

Aim of the studyThis study explores the efficacy of oral glutamine in the prevention of acute radiotherapy-induced esophagitis in patients with lung cancer who are treated with thoracic radiotherapy.Material and methodsThis study was planned as a retrospective randomized experimental study. Forty-six patients with lung cancer, who were treated and kept under control between January 2008 and January 2010, were included in the study by the Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group (n = 21) was given prophylactic oral powder glutamine (daily 30 g), while the second group (n = 25) was not given oral glutamine.ResultsThere were 21 patients in Group 1 (45.7%) and 25 patients in Group 2 (54.3%). No significant statistical difference was observed between the two groups in terms of age, gender, stage, histopathological type, treatment choice, received radiation doses, esophagus length in RT field, or location of the tumor (p > 0.05). A significant statistical difference was observed between the glutamine-supplemented group (first group) and the glutamine-free group (second group) according to the grade of esophagitis (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsIn our retrospective randomized experimental study, we determined that the severity of acute radiotherapy-induced esophagitis might be decreased with oral glutamine in patients with lung cancer who were treated with thoracic radiotherapy.

In the case of civil war in the bordering countries, it is recommended that precautions are taken, such as transformation of nearby civilian hospitals into military ones and employment of experienced trauma surgeons in these hospitals to provide effective medical care. Damage control procedures can avoid fatalities especially before the lethal triad of physiological demise occurs. Rapid transport of the wounded to the nearest medical centre is the key point in countries neighbouring a civil war.

Hepatic hydatid cyst (HC) caused by

ÖZET Amaç: Trombosit ile ilgili doku hasarı ve inflamasyon son zamanlarda ilgi çeken bir konudur. Daha önce de belirtildiği üzere, akut pankreatitli (AP) hastalarda trombosit önemli rol oynamaktadır. Bizim amacımız, AP hastalarda trombosit aktivasyonu ve trombosit sayısının belirteci olarak bildirilen MPV'yi araştırmaktır. Gereç ve yöntem:Çalışma grubu 30 AP hastası ve 30 kontrol hastasından ibaret olup yaş, cinsiyet ve BMI oranları eşleştirilmiştir. MPV değerleri ve trombosit sayıları ölçüldü.Bulgular: Akut pankreatit hastalarında MPV değerleri kontrol grubuyla karşılaştırıldığında ileri derecede yüksek bulunmuştur (8.82±1.33 vs. 7.94±0.54 fL sırayla; p < 0.01). Trombosit sayısı AP hastalarda kontrol grubuyla karşılaştırıldığında anlamlı olarak düşük bulunmuştur (223.0±46.2 vs. 295.3±58.9 ×109/L sırayla; p < 0.001). Creaktif protein seviyesi ise AP hastalarında kontrol grupla karşılaştırıldığında anlamlı olarak yüksekti. Korelasyon analizinde trombosit ve MPV değerleri serum CRP değerleriyle korele olduğu görüldü (p < 0.01; r = -0.364, r = 0.406 sırayla). AP hastalarında trombosit aktivasyonunu gösteren MPV değerinin yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Trombosit sayısı ise düşük bulunmuştur. İnflamasyon belirteci olarak bilinen CRP seviyesi ise MPV değeri ve trombosit sayıları ile koreledir.Sonuç: Sonuç olarak, AP hastalarında artmış MPV seviyesi AP'nin teşhisi için bir markır olabilir.Anahtar kelimeler: Akut pankreatit, MPV, trombosit sayısı, trombosit aktivasyonu, inflamasyon ABSTRACT Objectives: Platelet contributed tissue damage and inflammations have been of increased interest. It was previously suggested that platelets have an important role in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). We aimed to assess the mean platelet volume (MPV) which is described as an indicator of platelet activation and platelet count in patients with AP. Materials and methods:The study group consisted of 30 patients with AP and 30 control subjects who were matched for age, gender, body mass index (BMI). MPV values and platelet counts were measured on admission.Results: Mean platelet volume was significantly higher among patients with AP when compared with control group (8.82±1.33 vs. 7.94±0.54 fL respectively; p < 0.01). Platelet count was significantly lower among AP patients when compared with control group (223.0±46.2 vs. 295.3±58.9 ×109/L respectively; p < 0.001). The level of CRP was significantly higher in patients with AP compared with control group. Platelet and MPV were correlated with serum CRP levels in correlation analysis (p<0.01; r = -0.364, r = 0.406 respectively). We have shown increased MPV, an indicator of platelet activation, in patients with AP. The platelet count was found to be decreased in patients with AP. MPV values and platelet counts were correlated with serum C-reactive protein level that is known as an inflammation marker. Conclusion:In conclusion, increased MPV level in AP may be a marker for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. J Clin Exp Invest 2011; 2 (4): [362][363][364][365]