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BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of a pandemic with high mortality. In the present study, the effects of the lipase/lymphocyte ratio on mortality were investigated in cases diagnosed with Covid-19 and acute pancreatitis. METHODS: A total of 21 patients who were diagnosed with Covid-19 and acute pancreatitis, 34 patients who were not diagnosed with COVID-19 but diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, and 55 healthy control groups were divided into 3 groups and included in the study retrospectively. The patients who had positive RT-PCR (real-time polymerized chain reaction) test results were included in the study. Complete blood count and biochemical values of the patients were compared with those of the control group. RESULTS: When the data of the cases diagnosed with COVID-19 and acute pancreatitis were examined retrospectively, the amylase, lipase, lipase/lymphocyte ratio, and D-dimer levels were found to be signifi cantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.01). In the ROC analysis, the amylase, lipase, and lipase/lymphocyte ratio had a high AUC (area under the curve) value (0.993 / 0.949 / 0.978, respectively). CONCLUSION: The lipase/lymphocyte ratio can be used in cases diagnosed with Covid-19 and acute pancreatitis to predict mortality (Tab.

The aim of present study was to investigate the dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis as oxidative stress marker in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Materials and methods:A total of 77 participants consisting of 32 patients with DKA and 45 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis (TDH) [total thiol-native thiol/disulfide changes] were measured in both groups (patient group and control group) using a brand new method developed by Erel and Neselioglu. Half of the difference between total thiol and native thiol concentrations gives the amount of disulfide bond. Results: Total thiol, native thiol, and disulfide levels in blood were found to be low. The levels of total thiol (P < 0.001) and native thiol (P < 0.001 ) were significantly lower in patients with DKA than in the control group. At the same time, the level of disulfide was nonsignificantly lower in the patient group than the control group (P = 0.388). The level of IMA was higher in the patient group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion:The total thiol, native thiol, and disulfide levels in DKA decrease in favor of oxidative stress.

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Introduction. The most prominent complications of cocaine use are adverse effects in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Free air in the mediastinum and subcutaneous tissue may be observed less frequently, whereas free air in the spinal canal (pneumorrhachis) is a very rare complication of cocaine abuse. In this report we present a case of pneumorrhachis that developed after cocaine use. Case. A 28-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department with shortness of breath, chest pain, and swelling in the neck and face which started four hours after he had sniffed cocaine. On physical examination, subcutaneous crepitations were felt with palpation of the jaw, neck, and upper chest area. Diffuse subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumorrhachis were detected in the computed tomography imaging. The patient was treated conservatively and discharged uneventfully. Discussion. Complications such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pneumoperitoneum that are associated with cocaine use may be seen due to increased intrathoracic pressure. The air then may flow into the spinal canal resulting in pneumorrhachis. Emergency physicians should know the possible complications of cocaine use and be prepared for rare complications such as pneumorrhachis.