ObjectivesUrinalysis is one of the most commonly performed tests in the clinical laboratory. However, manual microscopic sediment examination is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and lacks standardization in high-volume laboratories. In this study, the concordance of analyses between manual microscopic examination and two different automatic urine sediment analyzers has been evaluated.Design and methods209 urine samples were analyzed by the Iris iQ200 ELITE (İris Diagnostics, USA), Dirui FUS-200 (DIRUI Industrial Co., China) automatic urine sediment analyzers and by manual microscopic examination. The degree of concordance (Kappa coefficient) and the rates within the same grading were evaluated.ResultsFor erythrocytes, leukocytes, epithelial cells, bacteria, crystals and yeasts, the degree of concordance between the two instruments was better than the degree of concordance between the manual microscopic method and the individual devices. There was no concordance between all methods for casts.ConclusionThe results from the automated analyzers for erythrocytes, leukocytes and epithelial cells were similar to the result of microscopic examination. However, in order to avoid any error or uncertainty, some images (particularly: dysmorphic cells, bacteria, yeasts, casts and crystals) have to be analyzed by manual microscopic examination by trained staff. Therefore, the software programs which are used in automatic urine sediment analysers need further development to recognize urinary shaped elements more accurately. Automated systems are important in terms of time saving and standardization.

Hydatid disease, though known to occur in most organs and areas of the body, is extremely rare in skeletal muscle. In this article the authors present a case of a primary muscular hydatid cyst, originating from the adductor muscle group, causing obstruction of the femoral artery and vein.

Concomittant severe coronary artery disease and lung malignancies occur rarely. Combined conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with lung resection posses several perioperative and postoperative problems related to extracorporeal circulation and heparinization. The avoidance of CPB may be advantageous by decreasing blood loss, pulmonary complications and hospital stay. Further, exposure to the immunosuppresive and inflammatory effects of CPB may have deleterious impact on tumor growth and dissemination. Off-pump CABG makes the combined procedure safer as it abolishes the complications of CPB. We report two patients with the diagnosis of severe coronary artery disease and lung malignancies, underwent off-pump CABG and lung resections in the same surgical setting.

We describe a case of infrarenal abdominal coarctation in a 44-year-old woman who presented with severe uncontrolled hypertension. She had no signs of lower limb ischemia with normal distal pulses. Electron beam tomography revealed abdominal aortic coarctation extending from the superior mesenteric artery to the inferior mesenteric artery with a diameter of 9 mm. Also, at the level of coarctation, the aortic branches including the renal arteries were in a serpentine shape.

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is an occlusive vascular disease traditionally known to be almost exclusive to young male smokers. The disease was considered to be extremely rare in women, seen only as isolated, novel case reports in the literature. In the past decade, however, a dramatic increase in the incidence of female TAO has been observed. In this paper the authors report 7 cases of clinically and angiographically verified female TAO. The world literature in regard to the diagnostic criteria, changing incidence, and etiology is reviewed. They conclude that the increased use of tobacco among young women in the past two to three decades is responsible for this dramatic change.