Impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the management decisions of breast cancer board on early-stage breast cancer

PURPOSE

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy accounting for 11.7% of all cancer cases, with a rising incidence rate. Various diagnostic methods, including 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT), play a crucial role in breast cancer diagnosis and staging. However, the unnecessary use of advanced imaging techniques such as PET/CT in early-stage breast cancer can have negative effects on both economics and patients. We aimed to investigate the impact of PET/CT on the management decisions of early-stage breast cancer patients by the breast cancer tumor board.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 81 patients with early-stage breast cancer who were evaluated by breast cancer tumor board from January 2015 to December 2020. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data, along with surgical procedures and treatment options, were documented and analyzed.

RESULTS

The results showed that 18F-FDG PET/CT had a moderate impact on treatment decisions of breast cancer tumor board, as only treatment decisions were changed in 14,86% of the patients. The surgical procedure decision of breast cancer tumor board changed in 12.35% of patients, while 87.65% of patients had consistent decisions before and after PET/CT. Pathological assessments revealed invasive ductal carcinoma as the most prevalent tumor type, and molecular subtypes were predominantly luminal B. PET/CT use had limited impact on surgical procedures and did not significantly alter treatment decisions of breast cancer tumor board in this early-stage breast cancer cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of adherence to the guidelines and appropriate use of PET/CT in early-stage breast cancer management. PET/CT should be reserved for cases where it is clinically warranted, considering the potential economic burden and minimal impact on treatment decisions of breast cancer tumor board in this patient population.

Addressing radiotherapy-induced fibrosis: the potential of platelet-rich plasma and infliximab for improved breast cancer management

Breast cancer treatment encompasses various therapeutic modalities, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Breast-conserving surgery has been an integral part of breast cancer management. However, radiotherapy, an important component of breast cancer management, can lead to complications, particularly fibrosis, affecting reconstructive surgery outcomes. We conducted an in vivo study using 48 female Wistar Albino rats, employing segmental mastectomy and radiotherapy to simulate post-mastectomy conditions. The rats were divided into six groups: control, mastectomy, mastectomy + radiotherapy, mastectomy + platelet-rich plasma (PRP) + radiotherapy, mastectomy + infliximab + radiotherapy, and mastectomy + infliximab + PRP + radiotherapy. Edema, hyperemia, inflammation, and fibrosis were assessed as indicators of tissue response. Histopathological analysis revealed that mastectomy + infliximab and mastectomy + infliximab + PRP groups showed significant reductions in fibrosis compared to other groups. Edema, hyperemia, and inflammation were also less severe in these groups compared to the control group. Radiotherapy-induced fibrosis is a major concern in breast reconstruction. Our study suggests that local PRP application and systemic infliximab administration, either alone or in combination, could mitigate the adverse effects of radiotherapy. This approach has the potential to improve reconstructive outcomes in patients undergoing or having the possibility to undergo radiotherapy. This is the first study showing the effectiveness of infliximab and PRP combination on wound healing. The provided experimental rat model might offer guidance for further research. This study provides insights into optimizing outcomes in reconstructive breast surgery, paving the way for further research and clinical studies.

Is methyl methacrylate fixator reliable for the treatment of gartland type IV supracondylar fractures?

Background

In childhood supracondylar fractures of the humerus, fixation with percutaneous Kirschner wire is the standard treatment. In the case of irreducible-unstable fractures, these can be defined as fractures in which reduction is not well-achieved or in which fixation cannot be achieved with the K-wire. Intraoperative management of these types of fractures may be difficult. Treatment with a methyl methacrylate fixator consisting of K-wire and methyl methacrylate cement, as defined by the senior author of the article, may be a good option for Gartland type IV supracondylar humeral fractures where the fracture is unstable in flexion and extension due to complete periosteal tearing.

Materials and Methods

The short-term and mid-term results of 27 patients between the ages of 4-12 with Gartland type IV supracondylar fracture of the humerus treated with methyl methacrylate fixation were reviewed. The patients were scored in terms of function and cosmetic satisfaction.

Results

A total of 19 of the 27 patients treated with the methyl methacrylate fixator had full elbow motion function and rated the outcome of the treatment as excellent, which was judged by orthopedic surgeons on the basis of Flynn's criteria. Six patients had nearly full elbow motion and evaluated their recovery outcome as good. Two patients reported nearly full range of motion (ROM) and evaluated the method as moderate in terms of treatment.

Discussion

Treatment with the methyl methacrylate fixation method is an inexpensive method that allows early joint mobilization, provides strong biomechanical stability, ensures good outcomes, and should be considered in the treatment of irreducible and unstable supracondylar fractures of the humerus.

AB1076 IS THERE AN ADDITIONAL IMPACT OF STIMULATING CD8+ LYMPHOCYTES TO DETECT LATENT TUBERCULOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES?

Background

Purified protein derivative skin test (PPD) or interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) are used as diagnostic tools to detect latent tuberculosis. QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) is a new test that detects latent tuberculosis. Antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (ESAT-6 and CFP-10) are used. The test contains two tubes: TB1 and TB2. TB1 tube contains peptides of these antigens that induce CD4+T cell response while TB2 tube contains peptides designed to stimulate both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The amount of interferon gamma releases from those cells are determined by ELISA method. In patients with recent exposure to tuberculosis, there is an increased amount of CD8+ expression in comparison to patients with past exposure to tuberculosis.

Objectives

To investigate the additional impact of stimulating CD8+ lymphocytes with QFT-Plus test in order to detect latent tuberculosis in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Methods

Hacettepe University Rheumatology Biologic Registry Database (HURBIO) database was used in this study. QFT-Plus test of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SPA) between January 2018 and March 2021 during work up before biologic/targeted therapy were analysed, retrospectively. Positivity of any of tubes has been reported as QFT (+). The impact of each tube on QFT positivity is analysed.

Results

1480 patients (946 (64%) SPA, 534 (36%) RA) were enrolled. 957 patients were women. The median age was 45 (min-max:18-82). Totally 12.2% of patients had been reported as QFT(+). In 6% of QFT (+) patients only TB2 tube is positive (Table 1).

Table 1.

The impact of each tube on QFT-Plus positivity

QFT-Plus test (n=1480)Negative86.2%Indeterminate1.5%PositiveOnly TB1 tube positivity8% of positively reported patients12.2% of all patientsOnly TB2 tube positivity6% of positively reported patientsTB1 and TB2 positivity86% of positively reported patients

Conclusion

Disease inflammatory cascades along with ongoing usage of immunosuppressive agents could affect results of QFT-plus assay in rheumatic diseases. TB2 tubes stimulating CD8(+) T lymphocytes have additional impact in detecting latent TB infection in patients with RA and SpA.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1187 DO IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE AGENTS AFFECT IGRA TESTS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

Background

Tuberculin skin test (PPD) or interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) are used to detect latent tuberculosis infection. Induration of 15 mm or more is considered positive in any person whereas this cut-off is ≥5 mm for immunosuppressed individuals such as Rheumatoid arthritis. Since IGRAs are dependent on normal T-cell function, it may result in false-negatives for among RA patients due to disease itself and immunosuppressive drugs.

Objectives

We aimed to compare IGRA results of RA patients using high dose DMARDS vs. not using any of them.

Methods

Totally 534 RA patients among Hacettepe University Rheumatology Biologic Registry Database (HURBIO) database was enrolled into this study. QFT-Plus test of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) between January 2018 and March 2021 during work up before biologic/targeted therapy were analysed, retrospectively. The patient group was divided into two according to the drugs have been using at the time of IGRA test. Patients using methotrexate ≥ 10 mg or leflunomide (any dose) or steroids (≥7.5 mg prednisolone) or any combination thereof were classified as the “High Dose” group. The other group consisted of patients who did not take these drug doses. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, drugs and doses used, and hemogram, sedimentation, and CRP values of the patients were recorded. QuantiFERON test was recorded as positive, negative, indeterminate.

Results

353(66.1%) RA patients were in the high dose patient group and also 287(81.3%) of these patients were female, the median age was 55 years (min:19- max:82). The high dose group was older than the other group. When the two groups were compared, no statistically significant difference was found between comorbidity, and smoking (Table 1). While QFT positivity was detected in 37 (10.5%) patients in the high-dose group, it was found to be positive in 37 (20.4%) patients in the other group (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference regarding acute phase reactants, hemogram including lymphocyte counts and IFN-gamma levels in the tubes between these two groups.

Table 1.

Comparison of RA patients’ groups using high-dose immunosuppressives and not using any of them

High Dose Methotrexate or Leflunomide or Steroid (+), (%)66.1High Dose Methotrexate or Leflunomide or Steroid (-), (%)33.9P ValueFemale81.375.10.09Age, med (min-max)55 (19-82)52 (19-81)0.01Diabetes Mellitus1110.50.84Hypertension30.624.90.16Chronic Renal Failure0.300.66Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease4.23.30.59Coronary Artery Disease3.76.10.20History of malignancy0.81.70.40SmokingNever4952.50.19Ever24.127.6Quit26.318.8Leukocyte,*103/mlMedian (min-max)7.6 (2.8-28.8)7.9 (3.5 – 20.8)0.26Neutrophil,*103/ml4.8 (0.2-23.0)5.0 (1.5-19.1)0.18Lymphocyte,*103/ml1.9 (0.4-5.9)1.8 (0.5-5.3)0.67Thrombocyte,*103/ml285 (117-669)285.5 (60-724)0.79Hemoglobine,g/dL12.8 (7.7-17.9)12.8 (9.3-16.6)0.41Sedimentation,mm/saat30 (2-294)28 (2-104)0.27C Reactive Protein,mg/dl1.1 (0.1-62.8)1.1 (0-20.7)0.96QuantiFERON-TB Gold-Plus (QFT-Plus)10.520.40.00Nil med (min-max)0.07 (0-2.7)0.05 (0-0.85)0.48QFT-Plus TB-1 med (min-max)1 (0->10)0.99 (0->10)0.25QFT-Plus TB-2 med (min-max)1 (0->10)1.1 (0->10)0.42Mitogen med (min-max)10 (0->10)9.5 (0->10)0.27MethotrexateNot Taking31.433.7Less than 10 mg44.266.310 mg and more24.40LeflunomideNot Taking25.8100Taking74.20HydroxychloroquineNot Taking25.240.9Taking74.859.1SulfasalazineNot Taking62.661.9Taking37.438.1SteroidsNot Taking4.219.9Less than 7.5 mg66.380.17.5 mg and more29.50

Conclusion

Our results confirmed a significantly lower QFT-Plus positivity in patients with RA taking methotrexate ≥ 10 mg or leflunomide (any dose) or steroids (≥7.5 mg prednisolone). Physicians should be careful in interpretation of QFT-Plus in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Further analysis including flow cytometry analysis is required to better identifying cut-offs for immunosuppressive individuals and patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

The Investigation of Cognitive Functions and Clinical High Risk Status for Psychosis in First-Degree Relatives of Patients with Substance Induced Psychotic Disorder

Introduction

The etiology of substance-induced psychotic disorder (SIPD) is an important research area to study.

Objectives

It is aimed to investigate clinical risk status for psychosis, schizotypal features and neurocognitive functions in siblings of the patients who have been diagnosed as SIPD and who have no family history of psychotic spectrum disorder.

Methods

This study included 41 healthy siblings of patients who have been diagnosed as SIPD according to DSM-V and 41 healthy controls without family history of psychiatric disorders (matched on age, gender, and years of education). The data collected with sociodemographic and clinical data form, Digid Span Test, Trail Making Test A, Trail Making Test B, Verbal Fluency Test and Stroop Test, Comprehensive Assesment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS) and Structured Interview for Schizotypy-Revised.

Results

It is determined that %41.5 of siblings and %7.3 of healthy controls are in one of the clinical high risk groups for psychosis according to CAARMS. There is significant difference in Trail Making Test A error and Trail Making Test B error and correction, verbal fluency test- lexical fluency-perseveration mean scores between siblings of patients and healthy controls.

Conclusions

Siblings of patients with SIPD have more schizotypal features than healthy control group and they take part more frequent in one of high risk group for psychosis. Schizotypal features are known as trait factor and show genetic predisposition. Siblings who are in high risk groups have more schizotypal features and it may point that predisposition to psychosis is more related to underlying genetic predisposition than environmental factors and social stressors.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Olfactory bulb volume in patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus: an MRI evaluation

AIM

To investigate changes in olfactory bulb (OB) volume in patients with idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This multicentric retrospective study included a test group of 23 patients with NPH (10 male and 13 female patients) and a control group of 27 healthy participants without hydrocephalus. The OB volume in all participants had been measured using cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the NPH group, positivity for disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus (DESH) was also evaluated.

RESULTS

The OB volumes of the NPH group (R 38.29 ± 9.34 mm³ and L37.52 ± 9.59 mm³) were significantly lower than those of the control group (R 45.87 ± 7.33 mm³ and L48.41 ± 7.62 mm³) bilaterally. There were no significant differences between right and left OB volumes in the NPH group. Nine of the 23 patients were DESH positive and 14 were DESH negative. There were no significant differences between OB volumes of the DESH positive and DESH vpatients in the NPH group. In both groups, there was a positive correlation between right and left OB volumes. There were no significant correlations between OB volumes and age or gender. In the NPH group, there were no significant correlations between DESH positivity and OB volumes.

CONCLUSION

OB volume decrease and olfactory problems should be taken into account in idiopathic NPH patients. When expanded ventricles and decreased OB volume are observed at cranial MRI, a diagnosis of idiopathic NPH should be considered.

Relationship Between Proliferative Breast Lesions and Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Objective

The prognosis of breast cancer (BC) is determined directly based on the stage of disease at the time of diagnosis. Proliferative breast lesions (PBLs) are an important risk factor for BC development. The risk of developing BC varies according to the presence of extent of proliferation in the breast lesions. We aimed to investigate the effect of BC risk factors on the PBLs in this study.

Materials and Methods

Patients who visited the surgical clinic of the university during the past 6 years who presented with PBLs with or without atypia by fine/core needle aspiration biopsy were included in this study. The relationship between PBLs and BC risk factors such as the age, mass size, Body Mass index (BMI), smoking, sports activity, BC family history, the use of hormone replacement therapy, number of pregnancies, and the duration of breastfeeding were compared.

Results

A total of 74 (96.1%) of all patients were women and three were men. The median age of the patients was 38 (range: 19-74) years; the cut-off value of age was 35.5 years. The mean age of patients with PBL-with atypia (PBL-WA) was higher (p=0.005) in the malignant group based on the final pathology and radiological imaging features (for both, p<0.001). The mean size of the mass was large at 2.53±1.33 (1-6) cm; and the cut-off value of the tumor size was 2.5 cm. The mean size was greater in the PBL-WA patients (p=0.171) in the malignant group based on the final pathology and radiological characteristic (respectively, p=0.004 and p=0.016). The mean BMI was 26.8±4.4 kg/m² (18.8-35.1) and the cut-off value was 25.4 kg/m². BMI was greater in the PBL-WA group and in the malignant group based on the final pathology (respectively, p=0.002 and p=0.001). Smoking was positive in 66.2% (n=51) of the patients, and it was high in the PBL-WA patients (p=0.001). The percentage of patients with no sports activity was 63.6% (n=49), while it was 20.8% (n=16) for those with once a week sports activity and 15.6% (n=12) for those with twice a week activity. There was family history of BC in 16.9% (n=13) of all patients. The number of positive cases of family history of BC was greater in the malignant group (p=0.001). Hormone replacement therapy was recorded in 11.7% (n=9) of the patients. The mean numbers of pregnancies (2.1±2.4) and breastfeeding duration (32.5±37.4 months) were low in the benign groups due to the relatively lower average age of the patients.

Conclusion

Based on our analysis, age is an extremely important aspect for assessing PBLs. The age of the patient was statistically significantly greater in the patients with malignant lesions in all groups. The factors lesion size, BMI, smoking habit, and BC family history were also more frequent in the malignant groups. The rate of sports activity was lower in the malignant groups. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate patients individually when evaluating PBLs. It is recommended to evaluate PBLs together with BC risk factors for the better understanding.

IS IRON DEFICIENCY A RISK FACTOR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THYROID AUTOANTIBODIES IN EUTHYROID WOMEN WITH REPRODUCTIVE AGES?

Contex

The first trimester of pregnancy is the most sensitive period in terms of thyroid hypofunction. Iron deficiency has been associated with both thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity.

Objective

We aimed to investigate whether iron deficiency is a risk factor for thyroid autoimmunity in non-pregnant women at childbearing age.

Design

This cross- sectional study was conducted in non-pregnant women who presented to the Internal Medicine Policlinic between January 2018 and December 2018 in the University of Health Sciences "Fatih Sultan Mehmet" Training and Research Hospital.

Methods

Three hundred fifty-eight non-pregnant women of reproductive ages (203 iron deficient-ID, 155 control) participated in this study. Women with known thyroid disease, currently undergoing treatment for thyroid disease or whose thyroid function tests were outside the reference range were excluded from the study. Blood sample was taken after at least 8-10 hours of fasting for measurement of serum iron (Fe), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), serum ferritin (SF), whole blood count, thyroid function tests (fT4, TSH), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb). The patients with SF levels ≤ 15 ng/dL were accepted as iron deficiency.

Results

The group with ID had higher TSH and lower T4 values that did not reach statistical significance compared to the control group (p=0.101 and p=0.098, respectively). Antibody positivity was more frequent in the ID group than in the control group (35.96% vs. 20.65%, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Iron deficiency is associated with thyroid autoimmunity and it should be considered as a risk factor for screening thyroid antibody, particularly in pregnancy planning women.

Effects of infliximab against carbon tetrachloride-induced intestinal injury via lipid peroxidation and apoptosis

Carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄) is often employed in the production of chlorofluorocarbons, petroleum refining, oil and rubber processing, and laboratory applications. Oral, subcutaneous, and inhalation exposure to CCL₄ in animal studies have been shown to be capable of leading to various types of cancer (benign and malignant, liver, breast, and adrenal gland tumors). The present study also evaluated the protective role of infliximab (INF) against the deleterious effects of CCL₄ on the intestinal system. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups, control (n = 8), CCL₄ (n = 8), and CCL₄ + INF (n = 8). The control group received 1 mL isotonic saline solution only via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. The CCL₄ group received a single i.p. dose of 2 mL/kg CCL₄. The CCL₄ + INF group received a single i.p. dose of 7 mg/kg INF followed 24 h later by a single dose of 2 mL/kg CCL₄. All rats were euthanized 2 days following drug administration. CCL₄ group samples also exhibited diffuse loss of enterocytes, vascular congestion, neutrophil infiltration, an extension of the subepithelial space and significant epithelial lifting along the length of the villi with a few denuded villous tips. In addition, CCL₄ treatment increased intestinal malondialdehyde (MDA) level and caspase-3 positivity. On the other hand, INF decreased MDA levels, caspase-3 positivity, and loss of villous. Our findings suggest that CCL₄ appears to exert a highly deleterious effect on the intestinal mucosa. On the other hand, INF is effective in preventing this CCL₄-induced intestinal injury by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

201Tl Scintigraphy in the Evaluation of Palpable and Nonpalpable Breast Lesions: Correlation with Mammography and Ultrasonography

Aim: Our goal was to determine the clinical usefulness of TI-201 to identify breast cancer in patients with suspicious breast lesions on clinical examination, and/or abnormal radiologic (mammography and/or ultrasonography) findings. Methods: TI-201 scintigraphy were performed in sixty-eight patients with 70 breast abnormalities (51 palpable, 19 nonpalpable) and compared with mammography and ultrasonography (US). Early (15 min) and late (3 h) images of the breasts were obtained following the injection of 111 MBq (3 mCi) of TI-201. Visual and semiquantitative interpretation was performed. Results: Final diagnosis confirmed 52 malignant breast lesions and 18 benign conditions. TI-201 visualized 47 of 52 (90%) overall malignant lesions. Thirty-eight of 40 (95%) palpable and 9 of 12 (75%) nonpalpable breast cancers were detected by TI-201 scintigraphy. The smallest mass lesion detected by TI-201 measured 1.5x1.0 cm. Eleven breast lesions were interpreted as indeterminate by mammography and/or sonography. TI-201 scintigraphy excluded malignancy in 7 of 8 (88%) patients with benign breast lesions interpreted as indeterminate. Five of the 18 (28%) benign breast lesions showed TI-201 uptake. None of the fibroadenoma and fibrocystic changes accumulated TI-201. TI-201 scintigraphy, mammography and ultrasonography showed 90%, 92%, 85% overall sensitivity and 72%, 56%, 61% overall specificity respectively. Twenty-one of the 28 (75%) axillary nodal metastatic sites were also detected by TI-201. In malignant and benign lesions, early and late lesion/contralateral normal side (L/N) ratios were 1.58 ± 0.38 (mean ± SD) and 1.48 ± 0.32 (p >0.05), 1.87 ± 0.65 and 1.34 ± 0.20 (p<0.05) respectively. The mean early and late L/N ratios of malignant and benign groups did not show statistical difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: Overall, TI-201 scintigraphy was the most specific of the three methods and yielded favourable results in palpable breast cancers, while it showed lower sensitivity in nonpalpable cancers and axillary metastases. Combined use of TI-201 scintigraphy with mammography and US seems to be useful in difficult cases, such as dense breasts and indeterminate breast lesions.

SERUM IRISIN LEVEL INCREASES THROUGHOUT THE GESTATIONAL PERIOD AND IT DOES NOT PLAY A ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT OF GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS

INTRODUCTION

Irisin is a recently discovered novel adipomyokine that induces an increase in total body energy expenditure, improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. It has been shown that circulating levels of irisin are low in patients with obesity, diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance. However, the information about the level of circulating irisin in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is controversial.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Serum irisin was measured by an ELISA in a longitudinal prospective cohort study in 221 women. There were 156 healthy pregnant and 65 women with GDM.

RESULTS

Circulating irisin levels were significantlly higher in the middle pregnancy compared with early pregnancy levels in healthy pregnant women and in women with GDM. Serum irisin levels were found to be lower in GDM compared to healthy pregnant women during first trimester but the difference was not observed throughout the pregnancy and it was comparable in middle pregnancy. There was a significant inverse correlation of BMI with serum irisin (r = -0.193, p = 0.004) and between HbA1c and mean glucose of OGTT with serum irisin (r =-0.377, p =0.0001) and (r = -0.147, p:0.03) in the early pregnancy of pregnant women repectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that serum irisin level increases throughout the gestational period from early to middle pregnancy in women with GDM, but there is no effect of irisin on the development of GDM.

Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy in Pseudocholinesterase Deficiency: A Case Report

Introduction.

Pseudocholinesterase (PCHE) deficiency is an inherited condition, in which recovery from anesthetic agents like succinylcholine and mivacurium is slow and complicated with prolonged paralysis of respiratory muscles in susceptible patients. Succinylcholine is used very frequently as a muscle relaxant during the procedure.

Objectives.

In Bakirkoy research and training hospital for psychiatric and neurological diseases, 24.310 patients were hospitalized for acute conditions and 3490 of these patients were treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in 3 years. We present a very rare case that we encountered in our practice; a severe PCHE deficiency case that could have complicated the modified ECT procedure unless necessary precautions were taken.

Aims.

Detection of PCHE levels of all patients eligible for ECT is part of our pre-ECT assessments procedure, and the case presented here shows the benefits of this method.

Methods.

The patient is a 29-year-old woman, with a 15 year history of schizophrenia. She was hospitalized for homicidal risk and refusal of treatment. Inadequate clinical response with pharmacological interventions and continuous aggressive excitations directed us to consider ECT.

Results.

After the detection of PCHE deficiency (PCHE level: 126 U/L), we performed the modified ECT with propophol and rocuronium instead of succinylcholine as usual. Sugammadex 100 mg was used for fastening the recovery. Response to treatment, which is recorded with positive and negative syndrome scale, was good and we completed 9 ECT sessions without complication.

Conclusions.

Screening for PCHE levels in the pre-ECT assessments is efficacious in order to decrease the complications of the ECT procedure.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Use of lithium in acute mania in adolescents

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the use of lithium followed recommended practice in acutely manic adolescent inpatients. This study was a 12-month retrospective review of patients with manic episode admitted to Bakırköy Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Education and Research Hospital. Length of stay, medication data, serum levels and adverse effects were recorded for patients who started lithium treatment within average of 7 days of admission (n = 52). Average length of stay was 23.63 (SD = 17.6). The maximum dose prescribed within 24 h of starting treatment was 721.15 mg (SD = 239.5). The maximum daily dose was reached in an average of 7 days to 1136.5 mg (SD = 336.4). The average time after starting treatment until the first recorded serum level was 5 days. The average serum level reached was 0.5 mEq/L (SD = 0.22), which was raised to 0.6 mEq/L (SD = 0.3) at discharge with an average daily dose of 1038.46 mg (SD = 460). In 8 admissions (15.4%), one adverse effect was recorded that could have been related to lithium treatment but adverse events did not lead to discontinuation of drug. The literature supports that rapidly attained high serum levels are associated with positive outcomes. In this current study, clinicians used a relatively slow dose titration and lower serum levels were obtained suggesting that lithium was not considered as a primary agent for treating mania. Taking advantage of lithium especially for the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder and tolerability may have driven these findings.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Insulinoma: an evaluation by a single institution

INTRODUCTION

Insulinoma is a rare pancreatic islet cell tumour that is associated with hypoglycaemia. Diagnosis of the disease, localisation of the tumour and surgical therapy may be challenging and the aim of this study is to evaluate the problems concerning insulinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The surgical records of patients who were operated on for insulinoma at Hacettepe University Department of General Surgery between January 1980 and December 2006 were evaluated retrospectively. The evaluated parameters were the gender and ages of the patients with symptoms, signs, diagnostic tools and surgical methods.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were included in the study. There were 17 male and nine female patients. The median age was 34. The median diagnostic period was 285 days. Abdominal computer tomography was the most frequently used diagnostic method. A total of 15 enucleations, nine distal pancreatectomies and three pancreaticoduodenectomies were performed. Histopathologically most of the tumours were benign islet cell tumours.

CONCLUSIONS

There are still difficulties in the diagnosis, localisation and histopathologic evaluation of insulinoma. Appropriate pre-operative evaluation, through exploration and palpation of the pancreas during the surgery, as well as experienced centres are important to increase the success of the surgery of insulinoma.