Objectives In COVID-19, severe lung involvement develops in some patients. The reason for the predisposition to lung involvement in some patients is not yet fully understood. Genetic variabilities in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) may explain why some patients are more susceptible to lung injury. Thus, the ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism was investigated in COVID-19 patients with and without lung involvement. Methods The study involved 216 patients who were divided into two groups as with and without pulmonary involvement according to their thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan findings. The ACE I/D gene polymorphism was determined. Results Carriers of the DD genotype had a 4.05-fold (OR=4.05, 95% CI: 1.66–9.86, p=0.001) greater incidence of pulmonary involvement. The probability of lung involvement was 2.41-fold higher in D allele carriers (OR=2.41, 95% CI: 1.62–3.60, p=0.000). The I allele was found to be protective and diminished the occurrence of lung involvement (OR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.28–0.62, p=0.000). Conclusions In COVID-19 patients, the I allele may lower the risk of lung injury and provide a protective effect. Conversely, the D allele may raise the risk of lung injury and lead to poor outcomes.

ObjectiveGeriatric patients have more complicated appendicitis, which leads to higher morbidity and mortality rates. Sarcopenia has been shown to have a negative impact on patients undergoing surgery. This study aims to reveal the predictive value of computerized tomography‐assessed (CT‐assessed) sarcopenia for complicated appendicitis in geriatric patients.MethodsOne‐hundred fifty‐four patients’ with acute appendicitis age, gender, co‐morbidities, appendicitis status, and body mass index (BMI) values were analyzed. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) and related measurements were evaluated.ResultsFifty‐two percent of the patients had complicated, and 48% had uncomplicated appendicitis. There was a statistically significant difference between uncomplicated and complicated cases regarding BMI, SMI, and muscle area values (P < 0.05). The cutoff point by Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve analysis was conducted for SMI and showed 71% sensitivity and 52% specificity (P = 0.042). Multivariate analysis has shown that comorbidities are significantly more associated with complicated appendicitis than sarcopenia.ConclusionGeriatric patients with lower BMI, decreased muscle area, and CT‐detected sarcopenia have an increased risk of complicated appendicitis. Comorbidities are also important risk factors. Surgeons should be aware of factors leading to complicated appendicitis, which may cause higher morbidity and mortality rates in elderly patients.

Objectives: To measure tympanic bone thickness (anterior-superior, anterior-inferior, and inferior wall), external ear canal length, and tympanomandibular distance that can be useful in cases that undergo tympanic bone resection. Materials and Methods: The temporal computed tomography (CT) images of 349 patients were retrospectively evaluated. The anterior-inferior, anterior-superior, and inferior wall thicknesses; tympanomandibular distance; and external auditory canal (EAC) bone canal length were measured from the narrowest part of the canal. The shapes of the EAC in the coronal and sagittal planes were also examined. Results: The numbers of female and male patients were similar, and the mean age was 49.45±13.95 years. The anterior-superior, anterior-inferior, and inferior wall thicknesses were 1.92±0.60, 2.54±0.74, and 9.16±2.20 mm, respectively. The anterior-superior and anterior-inferior wall thicknesses and canal lengths were greater on the right side (P<0.001). All measurement values were higher in males, except right tympanomandibular distance (P<0.05). A non-significant negative correlation was found between the age of the participants and the left anterior-inferior wall and tympanomandibular distance on both sides. Intra-observer agreement was high for all measurements. We observed four main shapes in the external ear canal in the coronal plane: Type 3, Type 2, Type 1, and Type 4 in order of frequency on the right, and Type 2, Type 3, Type 1, and Type 4 on the left. In the sagittal plane, we detected three shapes: oval (74.4%), triangular (16.3%), and round (9.4%). Conclusion:The anterior wall thicknesses and tympanomandibular distance should be measured on preoperative temporal bone CT to safely perform tympanic bone anterior resection, which is required in some otological procedures, and also to prevent temporomandibular joint damage.

Corynebacterium türleri sıklıkla klinik örneklerden izole edilmekle birlikte, normal cilt florasında yer almaları nedeniyle enfeksiyon ve kolonizasyon ayrımı yapmak zor olabilmektedir. Literatür değerlendirildiğinde C tuberculostearicum enfeksiyonları nadirdir. Altmış bir yaşındaki erkek hasta kliniğimize ateş, bel ve bacaklarda ağrı ve yürümede güçlük şikayeti ile başvurdu. Hastanın kliniği ve radyolojik bulguları spondilodiskitisle uyumluydu. Hastanın operasyonda alınan kültüründe C. tuberculostearicum üredi. Günümüzde Corynebacterium türleri hastanede gelişen enfeksiyonlarda ve/veya immün sistemi baskılanmış olanlarda ortaya çıkan enfeksiyonlarda etken olabilmektedir veya etken olarak karşımıza çıkabilmektedir. Olgumuzda olduğu gibi uzamış hastane yatışı olan ve altta yatan ciddi komorbiditeleri olan hastalarda çoklu ilaç direnci olan suşlar akla gelmeli ve C. tuberculostearicum’un enfeksiyon etkeni olabileceği göz önünde bulundurulmalıdır.