Traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts are pulmonary lesions that occur after either blunt or penetrating trauma and tend to be overlooked. Most of these lesions are self-limiting, benign lesion.

All pulmonary hydatid cysts should be surgically treated as soon as possible after their diagnosis in order to avoid complications. Most of these lesions, regardless of size, can be surgically managed with procedures that preserve the maximal lung parenchyma and yield excellent outcomes.

IntroductionIf common bile duct (CBD) stones (choledocholithiasis) are left untreated, they may cause increases in morbidity and mortality due to several conditions.AimIn this study, using transient biliary stenting following the failure of an initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) session, we aimed to show the effects of making the CBD stones smaller and easier to remove in the following session.Material and methodsIn 156 of 1300 (12%) patients with CBD stones, who underwent balloon screening and/or basket lithotripsy following ERCP and CBD cannulation, it was not possible to remove the stones in the first session. Of these 156 patients, 64 (4.9%) were further followed and tested following transient biliary stenting.ResultsIn the last ERCP following biliary stenting, the maximum stone sizes and stone indices were decreased in 54 (83%) patients and stone fragmentation was observed in 46 (72%) patients. Complete and incomplete removal was obtained in 40 (62.5%) and 24 (37.5%) patients, respectively.ConclusionsBiliary stenting, fragmentation and the reduction in the size of difficult common bile duct stones caused by the first session of ERCP may increase the chance of success in the next session of ERCP.

Aim. We aimed to determine the relation of asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) levels to atherosclerotic vascular disease and inflammation markers in type 2 diabetes. Methods. We recruited 50 type 2 diabetic patients with atherosclerosis, 50 type 2 diabetic patients without atherosclerosis, and 31 healthy control patients into our study. We obtained fasting serum and plasma samples and measured HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, C-peptide, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, hsCRP, fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total homocysteine, and ADMA levels. In addition, all of the patients were evaluated for carotid artery intima media thickness by ultrasound. We evaluated ADMA levels in healthy controls, diabetic patients with macrovascular complications, and diabetic patients without macrovascular complications and evaluated the relationship between ADMA levels and total homocysteine, inflammation markers, and macrovascular disease. Results. Mean ADMA values in non-MVD and control groups were significantly lower than in MVD group (0.39 ± 0.16, 0.32 ± 0.13, 0.52 ± 0.23, P < 0.05, resp.). These three variables (carotid intima-media thickness, inflammatory markers, and ADMA levels) were significantly higher in diabetes group than control (P < 0.05). Conclusion. There is a relationship between ADMA and macrovascular disease in type 2 diabetes, but further studies are needed to understand whether increased ADMA levels are a cause of macrovascular disease or a result of macrovascular disease.

IntroductionEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is used in the diagnosis and therapy of biliary tract diseases. The ERCP is an invasive procedure that does not increase complications in the elderly. Few studies have assessed the safety of ERCP in the elderly. Life expectancy is rising, which causes an increasing demand for ERCP in the elderly.AimTo show that therapeutic ERCP is safe and we compared the level of complications among the elderly (> 80 years of age) and the level among a younger group (< 65 years of age).Material and methodsThe study was designed retrospectively. The details of all patients 80 years of age and older undergoing ERCP were analysed. One hundred and fifty patients were included in each of the groups: > 80 years of age, older group A; and < 65 years of age, younger group B.ResultsIn group A, 4 cases (2.7%) of bleeding (all mild) was observed, and perforation was not observed. The ERCP-related mild pancreatitis was observed in 7 patients (4.6%). There were no cases of mortality during procedures of ERCP in group A. In group B 6 bleeding cases (4%) (all mild) were observed. Perforation was not observed in group B. ERCP-related mild pancreatitis occurred in 11 patients (7.3%). There were no cases of mortality during procedures of ERCP in group B. Our study showed that ERCP is a safe and effective procedure in elderly patients.ConclusionsOutcomes of ERCP for diagnostic and therapeutic success, and complication rates, are similar to those in younger patients. The ERCP is effective and safe in the elderly.

Various types of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation methods have been used in liver transplant operations. The main indications are portopulmonary or hepatopulmonary syndromes and other cardiorespiratory failure syndromes that are refractory to conventional therapy. There is little literature available about extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, especially after liver transplant. We describe our experience with 2 patients who had living-related liver transplant. A 69-year-old woman had refractory aspergillosis pneumonia and underwent pumpless extracorporeal lung assist therapy 4 weeks after liver transplant. An 8-month-old boy with biliary atresia underwent urgent liver transplant; he received venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy on postoperative day 1. Despite our unsuccessful experience with 2 patients, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and pumpless extracorporeal lung assist therapy for liver transplant patients may improve prognosis in selected cases.

Relationship between serum γ-glutamyltransferase levels… 85 INTROduCTION Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable disease associated with abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to hazardous particles or gases, particularly those found in cigarette smoke. Patients with COPD frequently experience exacerbations that have a negative effect on the quality of life, 1,2 pulmonary function, 3,4 and prognosis. 5 Moreover, episodes of exacerbation generate substantial social and financial costs. Therefore, effective prevention is important both for the patients and healthcare providers. Exacerbations of COPD are associated with the increased levels of various inflammatory markers, including neutrophils and macrophages in the airways as well as cytokines (particularly interleukin [IL] 6 and IL-8). 6 Pathologically, COPD exacerbations appear as "inflammatory flare-ups", regardless of the causative factor (bacterial or viral infections, air pollution, etc). 7 The presence of low-grade systemic inflammation with the elevated circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-8, and C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be correlated with restricted airflow in COPD, particularly in exacerbations. 8,9 Oxidative stress is

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