Purpose : To evaluate the prognostic value of the vertebral bone mineral density (BMD) on chest computed tomography (CT) in COVID-19 patients. Methods : The chest CT of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were evaluated for Pneumonia Severity Score (PSS) as the ratio of the volume of involved lung parenchyma to the total lung volume. In addition, BMD was manually measured from the vertebral corpus using axial CT images. The relationships of clinical variables, PSS and vertebral BMD with patient outcomes, namely mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation were investigated. Lower BMD was defined as ≤100 HU. Results : The study included 209 patients (118 males, 56.4%). As a result of the univariate analysis, the rates of mortality, ICU admission and mechanical ventilation were 17.2% (n=36), 24.8% (n=52), and 20.6% (n=43), respectively, and they were significantly higher among the patients with lower BMD (38.1 vs. 13.0%, p <0.001; 33.4 vs. 21.2%, p =0.002; and 38.1 vs. 8.2%, p <0.001, respectively). In the mortality group, PSS was significantly higher (median, 9 vs. 5; p <0.001) and vertebral BMD was significantly lower (median, 83 vs. 139; p <0.001). Severe clinical incidence was significantly higher in patients with lower BMD compared to those with higher BMD (39.7 vs 24.7% and p =0.028). There was a significant correlation between clinical classification and lower BMD (r=0.152 and p =0.028). The multivariate analysis revealed vertebral BMD [odds ratio (OR), 1.028; 95% CI, 1.011-1.045, p =0.001) and lower BMD (OR, 4.682; 95% CI, 1.784-12.287, p =0.002) as significant independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion : Vertebral BMD is a strong independent predictor of mortality that is reproducible and can be easily evaluated on the chest CT images of COVID-19 patients.

BackgroundAlthough liver biopsy is an easy procedure for hospitalized patients and outpatients, some complications may occur.ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficiency, complications, safety and clinicopathological utility of ultrasonographic-guided percutaneous liver biopsy in diffuse liver disease.Patients and MethodsIn our retrospective study, we evaluated ultrasound-assisted needle biopsies that were performed in outpatients from October 2006 to July 2010. The liver biopsies were performed following one-night fasting using the tru-cut biopsy gun (18-20 gauge) after marking the best seen and hypovascular part of the liver, distant enough from the adjacent organs.ResultsA total of 1018 patients were referred to our radiology department. Most of the patients had hepatitis B (60.6%). The biopsy specimens were recorded and sent to our pathology department for histopathological examination.ConclusionAccording to the results of our series, percutaneous liver biopsy using the tru-cut biopsy gun guided by ultrasonography can be performed safely. We resolve that routine ultrasound of the puncture site is a quick, effective and safe procedure. The complication rate is very low. The US-assisted percutaneous liver biopsy should be used for all cases.

Patients and Methods: This retrospective and descriptive study included the review of a total of 5238 pathology reports obtained from the medical records of the Somalia Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan Education and Research Hospital. Patient characteristics, lesion localization, and histopathology were recorded. Patients with an unconfirmed cancer diagnosis, borderline tumors, intraepithelial neoplasms and metastatic cancers were excluded from the study. The cases were classified according to gender, age, and organ involvement. Results: Of the 1306 patients included in the study, 50.9% (n=666) were female and 49.1% (n=640) were male, and the mean age was 51.1±19.4 years. Of the cases, 5.1% (n=67) were pediatric (0-17 years) and 35.8% (n=468) were in the 18-50 years range. The most common cancer was esophageal cancer (EC) for the overall data (n=284; 21.7%) and in both genders. EC peaked in the fifth decade, and the most common histological type was squamous cell carcinoma (n=256; 91.1%). Liver cancer was the second most common cancer overall (n=99; 7.6%) and in men (n=67; 10.5%). Cervical cancer was the second most common cancer among women (n=88; 13.3%) and ranked fourth in terms of overall incidence (n=88; 6.7%). Breast cancer was the third most common overall (n=95; 7.3%) and in women (n= 7; 13.1%). Conclusion: This study shows that in Somalia, EC is the most common cancer in both genders. These high rates in Somalia suggest that environmental factors and dietary habits may have an effect. To reduce the incidence of EC and prevent its development, the population of Somalia should be educated and effective planning should be undertaken.

Purpose To radiologically examine how the spleen size, which has important functions in hematological and immunological balance, is affected in COVID-19. Methods Between July 1 and August 31, 2020, consecutive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were analyzed. Among these patients, those who underwent chest computed tomography (CT) examination at the time of presentation, patients with follow-up CT due to clinical deterioration were included in the study. The CTs of the patients were evaluated in terms of spleen size and volume. Results A total of 160 patients (88 females, 55%) were included in the study. The mean time between the initial and follow-up CT was 7.2 ± 2.8 days. The splenic volume (244.3 ± 136.7 vs. 303.5 ± 156.3 cm 3 ) and splenic index (421.2 ± 235.5 vs. 523.2 ± 269.4 cm 3 ) values were significantly higher in the follow-up CT compared to the initial CT (p < 0.001). The increase in the splenic volume and splenic index values was 59.2 ± 52.4 cm 3 and 101.9 ± 90.3 cm 3 (p < 0.001), respectively. The COVID-19 severity score was significantly higher in the follow-up CT compared to the initial CT (3.7 ± 4.2 vs. 12.5 ± 5.7, respectively; p < 0.001). The spleen width measured separately on the initial and follow-up CTs showed a highest positive correlation (r = 0.982, p < 0.001). Conclusion Our study indicates that spleen size increases slightly-moderately in the first stages of the infection, and this increase is correlated with the COVID-19 severity score calculated on the chest CT data, and in this respect, it is similar to infections presenting with cytokine storm.

Purpose: To report the type and severity of ocular injuries sustained by the survivors of a bomb-loaded explosion that occurred in Mogadishu, Somalia on December 28, 2019. Patients and Methods: The recorded data included age, gender, wounded eye, initial examination of ocular injuries and associated systemic injuries, initial visual acuity, anterior and posterior segment examinations. The type of injury (open vs closed globe), the injured zone of the globe, and the presence of a relative afferent pupil defect were evaluated in all cases where possible. Results: After the explosion, ocular injuries were detected in 28 of 114 patients in our hospital. Thirty-two eyes of 28 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 32.4 ±6.7 years. The number of open-globe injuries was more than that of closed-globe injuries (26 vs 6; 81.25% vs 18.75%, respectively). Zone 1 was the most affected zone in open-globe injuries (18/26 eyes, 61.6%), followed by Zone 3 in six (23%) patients and Zone 2 in four (15.4%) patients. Sixteen open-globe injuries were laceration type (61.5%) and 10 (38.5%) were rupture type. An intraocular foreign body was detected in eight (30.8%) eyes with open-globe injuries. A total of 28 patients had 11 (39.3%) isolated eye injuries, whereas 17 (60.7%) had concomitant systemic injuries. Conclusion: The frequency of blast-related ocular injuries is increasing. Today, the increase in the use of vehicle-borne improvised explosives in terrorist-related explosions leads to more frequent and serious ocular injuries.

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Background To describe the severity and types of blast-related extremity injuries and the presence of accompanying vascular injuries (VI) and amputation, and to identify the associated factors affecting the treatment management and clinical course. Methods The study included 101 patients with extremity injuries caused by a bomb explosion. The radiographs and computed tomography angiographies of the patients were evaluated in terms of injury patterns, presence of penetrating fragments and fractures, and localization (upper or lower extremity) and type (open or closed) of injury. The Gustilo-Anderson classification was used for open fractures. According to their severity, open fractures classified as types 1 and 2 were included in Group 1 and those classified as type 3A, 3B and 3C in Group 2. Results As a result of blast exposure, 101 (57.7%) patients had extremity injuries, of which 76 (75.2%) presented with at least one fracture. Of the total of 103 fractures, nine (8.8%) were closed and 94 (91.2%) were open. Thirty-eight (40.4%) of the open fractures were located in the upper extremities, and 56 (59.6%) in the lower extremities and pelvis. Open fractures were most frequently localized in the femur (n = 20; 21.2%), followed by the tibia (n = 18; 19.1%). The majority of patients with open fractures were in Group 1 (71.4%). The duration of hospital stay was longer in Group 2 (12.1 ± 5.8 vs. 6.3 ± 6.7 days, p <  0.0001, respectively). Mortality among patients in Group 2 (45.0%) was significantly higher than in Group 1 (8.0%) (p <  0.0001). Similarly, the injury severity score (ISS) was higher in Group 2 (median 20 vs. 9, p <  0.0001). VI was present in 13 (12.9%) of all patients, and amputation in seven (7.9%). Conclusion The presence of severe open fractures, VI, and high ISS score can be considered as important factors that increase morbidity and mortality. In extremity traumas, through the secondary blast mechanism, contaminated-fragmented tissue injuries occur. Therefore, we believe that it will be beneficial to apply damage control surgery in places with low socioeconomic level and poor hygienic conditions.

Purpose: To evaluate the changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), axial length, and ocular surface in patients with end-stage renal failure after singlesession hemodialysis treatment and to examine the correlation of these findings with systemic hemodynamic parameters. Patients and Methods: A total of 112 eyes of 112 patients enrolled in a hemodialysis treatment program for three times a week (approximately four hours per session) for at least three months in our hospital between December 2019 and March 2020 were included in the study. Approximately 30 minutes before and after hemodialysis, the best-corrected visual acuity measurement, slit-lamp examination, IOP measurement, and dilated fundus examination with the Goldmann applanation tonometer were performed in all patients. The axial length measurement was undertaken by ultrasonic biometry, and the CCT measurement by ultrasonic pachymetry. The ocular surface evaluation was performed based on the tear breakup time (BUT), basal secretion time (BST) and keratoepitheliopathy score. Blood pressure, serum osmolarity, and body weight were measured before and after hemodialysis. Results: The mean IOP decreased from 12.2 ± 3.5 to 10.8 ± 2.2 mmHg, and the mean decrease was 1.4 ± 2 mmHg, indicating statistical significance (p<0.001). The mean CCT dropped from 502 ± 41.2 to 494.1 ± 35.4 μm, and the mean decrease was 8.1 ± 7.7 μm, which also indicated a statistically significant change (p<0.001). The mean axial length was reduced from 23.1 ± 0.8 to 22.9 ± 0.8 mm. The reduction in the axial length was significant with an average value of 0.26 ± 0.15 mm (p<0.001). When the ocular surface changes were examined, BUT decreased from 7.4 ± 3.1 to 6.3 ± 2.5 s, BST from 8.6 ± 1.7 to 6.6 ± 1.3 mm, and the keratoepitheliopathy score increased from 0.36 ± 0.61 to 1.59 ± 0.93, and all these changes were statistically significant (p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the axial length change and the IOP change (r=0.202, p=0.03). A significant correlation was also observed between BST and plasma colloid osmotic pressure (r=−0.268, p=0.004). In addition, there was a strong correlation between serum osmolarity and the keratoepitheliopathy score (r=−0.437, p<0.001). Conclusion: Hemodialysis causes significant changes in IOP, CCT, axial length, and ocular surface. These changes should be considered in the ophthalmological examination of patients after the hemodialysis session.