Objectives. To measure delays from onset of symptoms to initiation of treatment in patients with smear-negative and smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis and to identify reasons for these delays. Methods. A total of 136 newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Results. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 65 smear-negative patients. There were 71 smear-positive patients in group 2. The median application interval was 10 days in group 1 and 14 days in group 2. While 24.6% of the patients had patient delay in group 1, patient delay was present in 33.8% of the patients in group 2 (P > 0.05). The median health care system interval was 41 days in group 1 and 16 days in group 2 (P < 0.0001). The most common reason for patient delay was neglect of symptoms by patient in both groups. A low index of suspicion for tuberculosis by physicians was the most common reason for doctor delays. Conclusions. Delays are common problem in smear-negative and smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Delays should be reduced to reach an effective tuberculosis control. Education of public and physicians about tuberculosis is the most important effort to reduce delays.

Lung pathologies associated with pleural thickening are presented along with similar clinical and radiological findings. The present study highlights the importance of the differential diagnosis verification of patients with pleural thickening. Video-assisted thoracoscophic surgery (VATS) is one of the most common diagnostic and therapeutic method used for this purpose. In this study, we aim to deliver our clinical investigation results on patients diagnosed with pleural pathology in the light of recent literature. Method: In this study, data of 40 patients that were applied single-port VATS pleural biopsy in our clinic between May 2012 and June 2014 were retrospectively assessed. Thoracic CT and pathology results were compared. Clinical diagnosis, radiologic findings, and biopsy results were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The average age of the patients is 59.15 ±12.13 (age range 23, 82). There was an environmental exposure to asbestos in 14 patients (35%). Twenty-five patients (62.5%) were followed-up with the diagnosis of mesothelioma with clinical and radiological findings, 8 patients (20%) of tuberculosis, 4 patients (10%) of pleural metastasis and 3 patients (7.5 %) of pleuritis. Histopathologically 8 patients (20%) were diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, 1 patient (2.5 %) was localized fibrous tumor, 2 patients were (5%) diagnosed with reactive mesothelial hyperplasia, 6 patients (15%) were malignant epithelial tumor metastasis, 16 patients (40%) were fibrinous pleuritis, 6 patients (15%) were chronic granulomatous inflammation, and 1 patient (2.5%) was chronic lymphocytic inflammation. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates insufficiency of thoracic CT for diagnosis and differential diagnosis due to similar clinical and radiological findings associated with pathological pleural thickening. Histopathologic examination is required for diagnosis. However, thoracic CT is still a method of radiographic imaging that is actively used in determination of pleural biopsy position, evaluation, and clinical monitoring of response to treatment.

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Aim This study aims to evaluate the relationship between hypomineralized second primary molars (HSPMs) and molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and to determine the prevalence of HSPM in different severities of MIH. Methods The study included a total of 345 children aged 7 to 11, affected with MIH at various severities. Scoring for HSPM defects was adapted according to the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry diagnostic criteria and applied by a single calibrated examiner. Comparative evaluation of HSPM at various MIH severities was tested using a single variable logistic regression analysis. An odds ratio at a 95% confidence interval was used to test the relation between HSPM and MIH. Results The prevalence of HSPM was 61.7% in MIH-affected children, whereas it was 2.6% in the control group (p < 0.001). The presence of HSPM and the increase in the number of affected teeth significantly raised the odds of the occurrence of MIH. HSPM prevalence was higher in children affected with milder MIH compared to those affected severely. The recorded defects were common as white-cream demarcated opacities without any loss of structure. Conclusion The prevalence of HSPM was significantly higher in children presenting MIH. Therefore, hypomineralization on the primary second molars pointed to an association between MIH and HSPM. For an early diagnosis of MIH, children presenting HSPM whose first permanent molars have not erupted yet should be followed up at regular intervals by pediatric dentists.