Objectives: The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the clinical and surgical outcomes of patients diagnosed with ovarian endometrioma in a hospital gynecology clinic and to investigate the safety and efficacy of treatment with laparoscopic surgery.
Methods: The data of 44 patients who were operated on for ovarian endometrioma were analyzed retrospectively.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 30.1±5.3 years. The mean cyst size was 7.0±5.3 cm. In all, 54% of the patients had dysmenorrhea, and 29.5% of the patients were infertile. Laparoscopy was successfully performed in all of the patients, and no complications were observed in any patient. Furthermore, it was found that ovarian reserve tests in the infertile patients were not negatively affected.
Conclusion: With sufficient experience, laparoscopy is a very safe and effective method of surgery in ovarian endometrioma. If a laparoscopic cystectomy is performed with the proper technique, it does not adversely affect ovarian reserve.

Objectives: High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a well-established procedure for the treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis originating from malalignment of the lower extremity. The current study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of closed-wedge HTO for the treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis and to reveal factors affecting the outcome.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with 138 patients who were operated on for medial knee osteoarthritis between 2000 and 2007 using closed-wedge HTO. Preoperative and follow-up physical examination findings, body mass index (BMI) values, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and Lysholm knee scores were reviewed. Radiographic evaluation included measurement of the mechanical axis preoperatively and the most recent follow-up orthoroentgenograms. The follow-up knee scores were evaluated according to preoperative mechanical axis, obesity, age, follow-up period, and gender of the patient. The mechanical axis measurement was assessed based on obesity, age, and follow-up period.
Results: The mean preoperative and latest follow-up mechanical axis was 4.92o±4.24o varus and 3.43o±3.74o valgus, respectively (p=0.0001). Improvement in the Lysholm (p=0.0001) and HSS (p=0.0001) knee scores was significant. The preoperative mechanical axis, obesity, follow-up period, and gender had no negative effect on the follow-up knee scores, whereas a preoperative age over 50 years had a negative effect on the follow-up knee score.
Obesity and the length of the postoperative follow-up period did not have a negative effect on the postoperative mechanical axis, whereas a preoperative age over 50 had a negative effect on the postoperative mechanical axis.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that medial knee osteoarthritis may be treated successfully with closed-wedge HTO. The analysis indicated that factors such as obesity, the degree of preoperative deformity, and gender do not adversely affect the success of treatment. However, a preoperative age over 50 adversely affected the outcome.

Objectives: Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) for acute cholecystitis (AC) is frequently performed in high-risk surgical patients as an alternative treatment modality. However, debate remains over whether or not an interval cholecystectomy for these patients should be performed. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of PC in high-risk surgical patients with AC.
Methods: Between September 2013 and June 2016, 27 of 952 patients with AC were treated with PC. The data collection included demographic variables, including comorbidities, the timing of the PC, the length of the hospital stay, the follow-up period, the complications related to PC, and readmission to hospital.
Results: There were 16 female and 11 male patients, with a mean age of 73±12.4 years (range: 49-97 years). Comorbid diseases included ischemic heart disease (n=6), diabetes mellitus (n=5), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=6), and others (n=10). The mean timing of PC was 2.2±1.4 days (range: 1-3 days). The mean length of hospital stay was 9.6±2.1 days (range: 7-14 days), and the catheter was removed after the first month. The mean follow-up period after the PC catheter removal was 19.6±8.6 months (range: 10-38 months). Only 6 patients (22.2 %) were readmitted to the hospital. Cholecystectomy was performed in 4 cases, and 2 responded to medical treatment.
Conclusion: Despite ongoing controversy about the management of AC in high-risk surgical patients, PC is an adequate and safely applicable procedure in this group of patients. However, an interval cholecystectomy should be considered in persistent cases, which account for a small percentage. Longer-term follow-up studies with a larger sample size are needed to support our results.

Objectives: Secondary thyroid surgery is rare, compared with primary thyroid surgery. However, secondary surgery has a greater risk of complications due to the formation of scar tissue as well as increased fragility of the tissues following the previous surgery. Several surgical techniques and strategies have been recommended to decrease the complication rate associated with secondary surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the complication rate in patients who underwent secondary thyroid surgery using a lateral approach and intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM).
Methods: The data of 44 patients who underwent secondary surgical intervention after thyroid surgery performed for benign or malignant thyroid disease (Group 1), and of 44 patients who underwent primary surgery (Group 2) were compared. Lobectomy patients with a histopathological result of malignant disease, whom were applied completion thyroidectomy were excluded from the study. Secondary surgery was performed using a lateral approach. Access was achieved between the anterior edge of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the strap muscles. In primary surgery, the thyroid lodge was entered through the midline. Standard IONM was applied in all cases. Hypocalcemia was defined as a serum calcium level of ≤8 mg/dL within the first postoperative 48 hours, regardless of clinical symptoms. Transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis was evaluated based on the number of nerves at risk. The lobectomy was considered to be high-risk with the presence of recurrence, Graves’ disease, substernal goiter, and application of central dissection.
Results: The mean age of Group 1 and 2 was 49.9±14.1 years and 45±12.6 years, respectively (range: 22-90 years; p=0.69). Female patients constituted 90.9% (n=40) of the population in Group 1 and 75% (n=33) of the patient population in Group 2 (p=0.87). In Group 1, 11 (25%) patients, and 7 (15.9%) patients in Group 2 underwent surgical intervention due to the presence of a malignant disease (p=0.29). Bilateral intervention was applied in 26 (59.1%) patients in Group 1 and 28 (63.6%) patients in Group 2. The rate of transient and permanent hypocalcemia in Groups 1 and 2 was 34.1% (n=15) vs 22.5%, and 2.5% (n=1) vs 0%, respectively, without any significant intergroup difference (p=0.237, p=1). In Group 1, 71 lobes were operated on, and there were 72 in Group 2. All of the interventions in Group 1 (100%), and 31.9% (n=23) of those in Group 2 were high-risk, and there was a significant intergroup difference (p<0.0001). The rate of transient and permanent vocal cord paralysis were 4.2% (n=3) vs 2.8% (n=2) and 6.9 % (n=5) vs 0% in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.719; p=0.245).
Conclusion: When performed with a meticulous and attentive technique, secondary surgical intervention can be applied without increasing the incidence of permanent complications. Though there is substantial risk associated with all of these procedures, the rate of vocal cord paralysis was similar to that seen after primary intervention, and was thought to be related to surgical experience and technique, as well as the use of IONM.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with active thyroid orbitopathy (TO) and to compare it with that of both healthy subjects and patients with inactive TO.
Methods: Twenty patients with active TO (Group 1), 25 patients with inactive TO (Group 2), and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (Group 3) were included in this study. Patients with other systemic and ocular diseases, patients with a history of intraocular or orbital surgery, and patients using systemic drugs were excluded. The VISA (vision, inflammation, strabismus, appearance) classification scheme was used to discriminate between active and inactive TO. The neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and the MPV of all participants were recorded. The NLR was calculated by dividing the neutrophil count by the lymphocyte count, and the result was compared between groups. The optimal cut-off value was determined for NLR and MPV and the data were compared with a one-way analysis of variance test and the ’Bonferroni post-test.
Results: The mean age was 45.4±13.4, 41.0±13.7, and 42.6±14.4 years in Group 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p=0.68). The NLR was 2.11 in Group 1, 1.56 in Group 2, and 1.47 in Group 3 (p=0.03). The ’Bonferroni post-test revealed a difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (p=0.01) and between Group 1 and Group 3 (p<0.001). The MPV was 10.76 fL in Group 1, 9.94 fL in Group 2, and 8.19 fL in Group 3 (p<0.001). The results of the ’Bonferroni post-test showed a difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (p=0.04), between Group 1 and Group 3 (p<0.001), and between Group 2 and Group 3 (p<0.001). The mean cut-off value obtained from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of NLR was 1.69 (sensitivity: 72%; specificity: 66%). The mean cut-off value obtained from ROC analysis of MPV was 9.95 (sensitivity: 63%; specificity: 66%).
Conclusion: High NLR and MPV values may be indicative of active inflammation in patients with TO."

Objectives: In cases of pancreatic lesions, surgery is often planned based only on imaging results and without a preoperative histological diagnosis, due to the high risk of malignancy in combination with the difficulty of invasive interventions and limited cytopathological evaluation. In this study, the records of 20 patients who had undergone a pancreatectomy procedure and who were diagnosed with nonneoplastic pancreatic lesions were retrospectively evaluated according to the clinical and histopathological findings.
Methods: A total of 122 cases of patients who underwent a pancreatectomy with suspicious lesions between 2004 and 2016 were retrospectively assessed in detail using the clinical and histopathological findings.
Results: Nonneoplastic lesions were observed in 20 (16%) of 122 patients who underwent a pancreatectomy. Histopathological examination revealed 11 cases of chronic pancreatitis, 1 hematoma, 1 instance of hemorrhagic necrosis secondary to trauma, 1 pseudocyst, 1 case of granulation tissue, 1 retention cyst, 1 bile duct cyst, 1 patient with Castleman disease, and 1 instance of fat necrosis were seen. In 1 patient, no evidence of disease was found. In addition, among the patients with chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis was observed in 1, adenomyoma of the ampulla of Vater was present in another, and a pseudocyst was found in a third.
Conclusion: A clinical and histopathological analysis of nonneoplastic lesions found in pancreatectomy patients was performed.

Objectives: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) decreases the risk of sudden death in the appropriate patients. However, a relationship between ICD shocks and increased mortality and morbidity has been suspected. This report is an investigation of an association between ICD shocks and the Tei index, an echocardiographic parameter now commonly used to predict cardiovascular events.
Methods: The basic characteristics of 250 patients with chronic heart failure who had an ICD implanted and 2 years of follow-up device recordings were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who received shock therapy during follow-up were compared with those who did not, based on demographic and other characteristics and the Tei index.
Results: The mean Tei index value of ICD shock recipients was significantly higher than the score of non-recipients of ICD shock (0.70±0.10 vs 0.56±0.10; p<0.001). The percentage of patients for whom it was primary prevention who received either appropriate or inappropriate ICD shocks was 28.9%, whereas in those who received an ICD for secondary prevention, the percentage was 71.1% (p<0.001). ICD shock recipient patients were older, and had a greater rate of hypertension and smoking pack-years compared with those to whom an ICD shock was not delivered (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated a relationship between the Tei index and ICD shocks, either appropriate or inappropriate. The Tei index is a simple method to predict ICD shocks.

Objectives: The growing aging population and the difficulties they often face in accessing health services brought attention to home care units. Home care units provide services that make it easier for the elderly to meet their healthcare needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics of patients who were served by the home care unit of one hospital family medicine clinic and to assess the services provided.
Methods: The records of patients who were served by the home care unit of one hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2016,were retrospectively screened. The age, gender, diagnosis, frequency of home care visits, requested consultations and examinations, emergency service requests, and the details of patients who died were recorded. The data were statistically analyzed with a chi-square test and Student’s t-test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: In 2016, 716 (64.8%) female and 389 (35.2%) male patients (total n=1105) were served by the unit. The mean age of the group was 78.24±15.43 years. When separated by age group, 87.1% of the patients were aged ≥65 years. There were more female patients than males among those older than 65 years, while the reverse was true among patients younger than 65 years of age. The most common diagnosis in the study group was Alzheimer's disease, followed by essential hypertension and diabetes mellitus. An average of 6.54 visits was made during the year. More than half (n=624, 56.5%) of the patients were visited 4 or more times. The number of visits increased with greater age. Overall, Alzheimer's disease patients received 3 or fewer visits, while 4 or more visits were made to patients with essential hypertension and endocrine disorders.
A hemogram was requested for 83% (n=917) of the patients, biochemical tests for 63.5% (n=702), complete urinalysis for 34.9% (n=386), and a hormonal assay for 65.1% (n=719). In all, 39.3% (n=432) of the patients sought emergency service at least once. Consultations were not requested for 24 (2.2%) patients. A neurology consultation was the most frequently requested, for a total of 6 (0.25%) patients. During this period of follow-up, 114 (10.4%) patients died. Alzheimer's disease was statistically significantly correlated with mortality (39.5%, n=45; p=0.031).
Conclusion: Given the aging population, the provision of home health care services is growing in importance. It is most commonly expected to serve patients over 65 years of age and those with neurological diseases. In this study, patients with a diagnosis of essential hypertension or an endocrine disorder were visited more often. Multiple illnesses among elderly patients often lead to a greater number of tests and visits, and abnormal/erroneous results also contribute to the number of visits. Requests for unnecessary analyses affect the individual and society as a result of the economic and social burden incurred. It is important to assess patients from a multidisciplinary and biopsychosocial perspective and to increase the number of adequately trained staff in order to offer quality healthcare.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and laboratory findings of patients followed up with a diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Methods: This retrospective study included 15 boys diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the Pediatric Neurology Department between July 2008 and July 2016. The presenting symptoms; level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and creatine kinase (CK); ophthalmological findings; echocardiography (ECHO) results; findings on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); genetic analysis results; and muscular biopsy findings were evaluated.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 5.2±2.3 years (range: 11 months-8 years) and the mean age at the onset of DMD was 4.1±2.2 years (range: 10 months-6 years). The ALT level ranged between 67 and 527 IU/L, the AST between 44 and 455 IU/L, and the CK between 931 and 19,595 IU/L. The genetic analysis determined deletions in 12 (80%) and duplications in 2 (13%) patients.
Conclusion: Parents with a DMD-affected child should be provided with genetic counseling in order to make decisions about future pregnancies.

Long bone fractures are rarely seen in newborns. Though the femoral bone is more fragile, occasionally the humeral bone may fracture. Presently described is a rare case of a humeral fracture occurring at birth. A female infant born by vaginal delivery to a 35-year-old multipara woman at the 40th gestational week was hypotonic and in respiratory distress. Resuscitation was performed for 15 minutes. Bilateral Moro reflexes could not be elicited. Radiological evaluation revealed a left humeral diaphysis fracture. Humeral fractures are generally associated with the increase in cesarean deliveries; however, a newborn may also experience trauma during difficult labor and vaginal delivery. Pregnant women should be informed about the potential occurrence of long bone fractures, particularly as a result of necessary obstetric maneuvers performed during a breech delivery. In addition, it should be emphasized that cesarean delivery does not completely eliminate the risk of trauma to the infant.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic, noncaseating granulomatous disease with an unknown etiology. The liver is one of the most frequently affected organs. This case is presented to emphasize that hepatic granulomatous foci can lead to a determination of etiology in a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. A 53-year-old-female patient with complaints of fatigue and abdominal pain was admitted to the clinic of gastroenterology. The blood levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were markedly increased. The autoimmune parameters were negative. A Tru-Cut biopsy (Becton, Dickinson and Co., Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) of the liver was performed based on the initial diagnoses of tuberculosis, lymphoma, and sarcoidosis. Histopathological evaluation revealed noncaseating granulomatous inflammation with Grade 3 macrovesicular steatosis. An investigation for hepatic sarcoidosis was recommended. The angiotensin-converting enzyme levels were 5 times higher than normal. Based on this result, the diagnosis was sarcoidosis with hepatic involvement. The treatment and follow-up of the patient continues.

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the central nervous system that is characterized by fever, headache, and sleep disorders. Among the causes of meningoencephalitis are bacterial and viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and drug reactions. This case report describes a male patient who experienced hemiplegia following encephalitis. A 35-year-old patient consulted a physician with complaints of fever and headache. The clinical evaluation was encephalitis and the patient was treated accordingly. A severe neurological deficit developed, and the patient became bedridden, After treatment, the patient was included in an inpatient physical therapy program and was subsequently discharged with the ability to walk using parallel bars. The aim of this case report was to draw attention to the rehabilitation process applied after the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with hemiplegia that developed as a complication of encephalitis.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy of the peripheral nervous system. Involvement of the dorsal root ganglia and the medulla spinalis in GBS is rare, especially in an axonal form. Herein, we report the case of a 53-year-old woman with classic GBS and involvement of the T8-L1 dorsal root segments. Dorsal root and spinal involvement should be kept in mind in all types of GBS when patients present with segmental or dermatomal sensory impairment.

Stroke and Parkinson's disease are 2 major causes of movement impairment and a decreased ability to perform daily activities. The aim of this case series was to demonstrate the difficulty of rehabilitation in stroke patients with accompanying parkinsonism. Four stroke patients with parkinsonism who underwent rehabilitation at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic between March and May of 2016 were evaluated. The Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE), the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), the Barthel Index (BI), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Stroke Impact Scale version 3.0 (SIS) were used in the assessment. Of the 4 patients, 3 were female, and the mean age was 74.5±9.3 years. The mean hospital stay was 19±5.3 days. The initial test scores recorded were low, and they remained low at the time of discharge. After rehabilitation, the mean FIM score in the group was 42% of the maximum possible score, the mean SMMSE was 55%, the BI was 18%, the BBS was 0.08%, and the SIS was 25%. Three patients required a wheelchair, and 1 patient could ambulate with a walker at discharge. A stroke accompanied by parkinsonism negatively affects mobility and functional status, primarily through the deterioration of balance. In this study, cognitive function was reduced to half of the maximum, and the balance and function loss was more than 50%. Barthel index; berg balance scale; functional independence measure; mini-mental state examination; parkinsonism; stroke; stroke impact scale.