INTRODUCTION: This research aimed to explore the correlation between Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) and physical disability among individuals suffering from symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 89 individuals diagnosed with knee OA were enrolled. The severity of OA was assessed radiologically using the Kellgren–Lawrence staging method. The Knee Injury and OA Outcome Score was utilized to assess pain intensity, symptoms, daily functional ca-pacity, engagement in sports/recreation, and knee-related quality of life (QoL). The CIRS scores for all participants were calculated by the same researcher. Throughout this process, both the Kellgren–Lawrence staging and CIRS calculations were overseen by the same researcher to maintain consistency.
RESULTS: Seventy patients (78.7%) were female. 19 were male (21.3%). The mean age was 56.8 years. The mean body mass index was 30.1kg/m². Knee OA was bilateral in 81 patients (91.1%). The radiological severity of knee OA was stage II or III in 73 subjects (82.02 %). The mean Knee Injury and OA Outcome Score pain severity, symptoms, activities of daily living, sport/recreation, and knee-related QoL scores were 55.4, 19.05, 59.8, 34.2, and 54.7, respectively. A significant correlation was observed between CIRS score, and KOOS Symptoms and KOOS QoL (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In this study, there was a significant relationship between the number of comorbid diseases of the patients and their knee-related QoL.

INTRODUCTION: One of the purposes of laparoscopic surgery is being minimally invasive. In this context, we compared sling suture-assisted two-port techniques with the standard four-port technique in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
METHODS: A retrospective clinical study was planned and 96 patients over 18 years of age with gallstone disease were recruited from Zeynep Kamil Women and Children’s Diseases Training and Research Hospital between November 2019 and June 2021. Two-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 48 patients (Group 1) and standard four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Group 2) in other 48 patients. The duration of surgery, postoperative pain, cosmetic appearance, analgesic use, complication rates, the duration of hospital stay, and return to work times were compared.
RESULTS: The largest stone diameter, sac wall thickness, number of attacks, and pain radiating to back (p=0.007, p=0.001, p=0.013, and p=0.010, respectively) were significantly higher in the Group 2 than in the Group 1. The operation time was significantly lower (p=0.026) in the Group 2. The Numerical Rating Scale was used to assess postoperative pain. Although the 3rd day score was significantly higher (p=0.02) in the Group 2, no difference was found in the 3rd week evaluation (p=0.115). In the Group 2, postoperative symptoms, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, duration of hospital stay, and time to return to work were significantly higher (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.034, and p<0.001, respectively).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: For standard four-port cholecystectomy, the two-port and two-suture assisted technique is a good alternative for selected cases. It can be applied successfully and is cosmetically effective.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotics resistance in bacteria is an important public health problem recently. Resistance rates vary from country to country, from region to re-gion, and even from hospital to hospital. Recently, tigecycline and colistin have been widely used due to increasing multi-resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in colistin and tigecycline intrinsic-resistant bacteria ratio and the effects of these drugs on the hospital flora throughout the hospital due to the widespread use of these drugs.
METHODS: In our microbiology laboratory, clinical samples were processed according to the general microbiology procedure. Bacterial identi-fication and antibiogram susceptibility tests were performed with VITEK®2 Compact, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (bioMérieux, France). Results were eval-uated according to CLSI and EUCAST criteria. The data were scanned retrospectively between the years 2012 and 2019. Chi-square test was used in statistical analysis. Significance was evaluated at the p<0.05 level.
RESULTS: While the number of Escherichia coli isolates decreased over the years, an increase was detected in Klebsiella spp. tigecycline intrinsic-resistant bacteria, Proteus spp., Providencia spp., and Pseudomonas spp. When evaluated with the general number of bacteria isolated over the years, Pseudomonas spp., a three-fold increase was found in 2018 and 2019 and in colistin intrinsic-resistant bacteria, Morganella spp., Proteus spp., Providencia spp., Yersinia spp., Burkholderia spp., and Eliseabethkingea spp. No statistically significant increase was detected. A significant increase was detected in Serratia spp.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Changes were detected in intrinsic-resistant bacteria and in antibiotic distribution. The antibiotic drugs used affect the entire flora, including the microbiota. The importance of patient care and antibiotic management should be emphasized, targeted therapies treatments should be made that the micro-biota will not change, or fecal transplantation methods, which are new methods to replace microbiota, should be investigated.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of the applications of glass ionomer bone cementin (GIBC), which is used to ensure ossicular chain continuity in otologic surgery between incus-stapes and malleus-stapes.
METHODS: In the study, the medical records of 28 patients who were operated on for chronic otitis media or conductive hearing loss with intact membranes in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic of a training and research hospital between January 2006 and June 2009, GIBC was used for hearing reconstruc-tion in the operation, and the necessary file information was obtained were evaluated retrospectively. Pure tone averages (PTA) and air bone gaps (ABG) were measured in the pre-operative and post-operative pure tone audiogram evaluations of the patients, and the results were compared statistically.
RESULTS: While the pre-operative mean PTA of the patients was 51.3±12.8, this figure was found to be 26.6±13.7 in the post-operative audiological evaluation. Again, while the pre-operative ABG average was 36.9±9.2, this value was measured as 10.8±5.2 postoperatively. The difference between pre-operative and post-operative averages was statistically significant (p<0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The use of GIBC to bridge the malleus and stapes in ossicular chain reconstruction, especially in cases where incudostapedial joint defects and incus are not suitable for use, is suitable for hearing results, ease of use, cost advantage, and biocompatibility.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to appraise the performance of the rapid antigen detection test (RADT) which is an immunochromatographic test to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen, compared to a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
METHODS: Nasopharyngeal samples were taken from 185 volunteers and SARS-CoV-2 RADT and RT-qPCR tests were performed simultaneously. The results were evaluated in the light of parameters such as age, gender, cycle threshold (Ct) values of RT-qPCR, and symptoms.
RESULTS: RT-qPCR and SARS-CoV-2 RADT results of 148 participants from our study group were compatible, inconsistency was observed in the results of 37 participants. In general, the sensitivity and specificity for RADT were 63% and 100%, respectively. In the heterogeneous study group, the accuracy of the antigen test was found to be 80% (Cohen’s K=0.690, 95%, p<0.001). When the Ct value was <20, the accuracy of the test was 85%>.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results highlight that COVID-19 antigen detection with the RADT we used has the potential to present as an alternative diagnostic method in patients with high viral load, especially in the early and infective stages of disease.

INTRODUCTION: Myocarditis is a non-ischemic inflammation of the cardiac muscle and causes non-specific and variable electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, indicating the inflammatory process. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and nature of ECG changes and arrhythmias in patients diagnosed with acute myocarditis (AM).
METHODS: This retrospective study included 75 patients diagnosed with AM between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022, at our institution. The diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and imaging procedures.
RESULTS: Of the 75 AM patients evaluated, 67 (89.3%) were male, with a median age of 15 years. The primary symptom was chest pain (89.3%). The peaking times of Troponin I levels varied in presentation times. Elevated creatine kinase-MB and C-reactive protein levels were observed in 62.7% and 78.7% of patients, respectively. Viral serology identified COVID-19, Coxsackievirus, influenza, and parainfluenza as common viruses. ECG and Holter abnormalities were found in 82.7% of patients, with ST-segment elevation, T-wave abnormalities, sinus tachycardia, and interventricular conduction delay being the most common. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy was required in two critical cases, unfortunately resulting in the deaths of both patients.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Myocarditis presents with varied etiology and manifestations. ECG changes and arrhythmias are commonly observed in patients with this condition. Despite comprehensive care, severe cases can lead to adverse outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: In the field of pediatric cardiology and cardiovascular surgery intensive care units (PCICU), especially neonates and infants are at higher risk for nosocomial infections. We wanted to present the infections, we encountered during the follow-up of patients in our PCICU.
METHODS: Patients <1 year of age who were hospitalized in the PCICU between January 01, 2022, and January 01, 2023, who required treatment, clinical infections, and agents that had an effect on clinical outcome were retrospectively analyzed. Bloodstream infection, clinical sepsis, pneumonia, surgical site infection, and intra-abdominal infection cases were included in the study.
RESULTS: A total of 1032 patients were followed up in the PCICU between 2022 and 2023 and 598 (58%) of them were under 1 year of age. Active infection was detected in 104/598 (17.3%) of these patients. In the assessment of patient culture samples, microbial growth was identified in 83/104 (79.8%) instances within blood cultures, 47 (45%) patients in tracheal aspirate cultures, and 12 patients (11.5%) exhibited growth in sternal swab cultures, with a notable representation of Gram-negative pathogens within all this groups. Bloodstream infections were encountered more in cases with youthful age, open sternotomy, surgical complexity, prolonged duration of central venous catheter, and extended stays within the intensive care unit.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In addition to providing care for neonates and infants with compromised immune systems, PCICUs face heightened challenges due to the increased utilization of IV catheters, leaving the sternum open after complex cardiac surgeries, and prolonged intensive care stay introduces an elevated susceptibility to infections.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Mammography screening is crucial for early detection. However, breast compression can cause pain and may impact patients’ participation. In this study, we aimed to determine the pain level perceived by patients during mammography examination with the visual analog scale (VAS).
METHODS: The study included a total of 140 consecutive patients (all female, mean age of 51±9, between 35 and 89) who applied to the Radiology Department of a tertiary hospital and underwent mammography for screening or diagnostic purposes. Cases undergoing mammography-guided interventional procedures were not included. Immediately, after mammography, patients were asked to rate their pain levels under the compression effect of mammography on the VAS in a face-to-face interview with an anesthesiologist. A statistical analysis was performed to determine the association between the breast pattern, applied pressure, the results of the mammogram, and the VAS score.
RESULTS: About 66% of the patients stated that they felt 4 or more pain during mammography compression. The median VAS was 5 (interquantile range: 4). Breast patterns affected the VAS score. The VAS score of 57% of the patients with fatty breasts and 77% of the patients with dense breasts reported pain with a VAS of 4 and above (Pearson Chi-square, p=0.01). Applied pressure (p=0.07) or the mammography results (p=0.31) did not affect the VAS score.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Mammography is a moderately painful procedure. It is necessary to use pain-relieving strategies to stop women from avoiding mammography. All appropriate medical interventions, including algology, should be used in this situation.

INTRODUCTION: Thermal ablation techniques including radio frequency ablation and microwave ablation are treatment modalities that have proven efficacy and reliability for the treatment of primary and metastatic hepatic tumors. One of the best measures of the technical success of thermal ablation is local recurrence. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of local recurrence after thermal ablation of hepatic malign tumors in our interventional radiology department.
METHODS: A retrospectively maintained database of 83 patients (208 lesions) who underwent thermal ablation from March 2010 to December 2019 for the treatment of malignant hepatic tumors was analyzed. All lesions were assessed regarding age, gender, prior treatment, tumor type, etiology, size, location, and approach of ablation. Imaging and demographic characteristics were compared between groups. Overall intrahepatic recurrence, local recurrence, and intrahepatic distant recurrence were evaluated.
RESULTS: The mean tumor size was 1.8 cm (range: 0.2–7 cm). The lesions were hepatocellular carcinoma in 21 (25%) and metastasis in 62 (75%) patients. These were colorectal liver metastasis (n=52, 63%), pancreatic liver metastasis (n=6, 7%), and other tumors (n=4, 4.8%). The mean follow-up was 32.5 months. The local and intrahepatic distant recurrence rates were 13.9% and 50.6%. The significant risk factors for local recurrence were tumor diameter >3 cm and the presence of intrahepatic distant recurrence. Other parameters had insignificant relationship to the local recurrence rate.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: After ablation, intrahepatic distant recurrence occurred more frequently than local recurrences, and those with intrahepatic distant recurrence had a higher local recurrence rate.

INTRODUCTION: Our study aims to evaluate the content, reliability, and quality of the videos on urostomy bag care training on YouTube.
METHODS: This study was conducted in descriptive English language to evaluate the content, reliability, and quality of the Internet videos about urostomy education. A video search was performed on YouTube with the terms “urostomy, bladder ca, and ileal loop”. The contents of the selected videos were analyzed by 2 independent experts in the field. The DISCERN questionnaire was used to analyze the reliability of the video, and the global quality score (GQS) was used for the quality of the video.
RESULTS: As a result of the search with keywords, 41 videos were examined. Of these, 28 (68.3%) were useful and 13 (31.7%) were misleading videos. When the videos were examined, the mean score of intelligibility of useful videos was 7.61±1.36, the mean DISCERN score was 4.18±0.78, and the mean GQS was 4.23±1.12. The mean comprehensiveness scores, average DISCERN scores, and average GQS of the helpful videos were found to be statistically significantly lower than the useful urostomy videos.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It has been seen that many YouTube videos for urostomy education are useful videos and are created by urostomy companies.

INTRODUCTION: Excisional lymph node biopsies are usually conducted in a minor procedure room under local anesthesia, and in some cases, they can also be carried out in an operating room under general anesthesia. Our study aims to compare the diagnostic accuracy, pathological results, and necessity for biopsy repetition of excisional lymph node biopsies performed in both the minor procedure room and the operating room.
METHODS: This study provides a retrospective analysis encompassing 60 patients who underwent excisional lymph node biopsy procedures. Within the ambit of this investigation, a comparative analysis is conducted on the outcomes of lymph node excision procedures, differentiating those carried out in the minor procedure room from those executed in the operating room.
RESULTS: Out of 47 excisional lymph node biopsy samples conducted in the minor procedure room, 45 had a diagnostic feature, while among the 13 excisional lymph node biopsy samples performed in the operating room conditions, 12 had a diagnostic feature. The entirety of samples obtained in the operating room concurred with pathology reports, and 88.9% of the samples taken in the minor procedure room demonstrated congruence between pathology report out-comes and clinical findings. In two cases where a definitive diagnosis could not be established, repeat biopsies were administered; however, alterations in the final biopsy results were observed in only one of these patients.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Considering factors like cost and the achievement of similar outcomes in both methods, we believe that conducting excisional lymph node biopsies in the setting of a minor procedure room is a preferable option.

INTRODUCTION: We aim to examine the prevalence and characteristics of ascending aorta (AA) dilatation in pediatric patients, specifically focusing on its relation-ship with the bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and aortic valve stenosis (AS). We also seek to identify potential risk factors and clinical implications of AA dilatation within this population.
METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 71 pediatric patients who underwent echocardiography between 2010 and 2022 were analyzed. AA dilatation is seen in connective tissue disorders and in BAV. Our objective was to look at the potential diagnoses for pediatric AA dilatation, focusing on associated aortic valve diseases. Patients with genetic syndromes, congenital heart defects, or other cardiac conditions were excluded. Aortic measurements were taken using standard techniques, and z-scores were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate associations between aortic dilatation, valvular conditions, and other variables.
RESULTS: The median age of 71 patients was 9 years (1 day–18 years). AA dilation was common in patients with AS (36%) and BAV (47%). Isolated aortic root dilation was observed in 49% of cases. AA z-scores were statistically higher in BAV patients (p=0.034), but no difference was found in aortic root z-scores be-tween BAV and non-BAV patients (p=0.117). AA z-scores correlated with aortic root z-scores and BAV presence (p=0.037, p=0.033). Patients with AS had smaller aortic root z-scores compared to those without AS (p=0.003). Smaller aortic root z-scores were also found in patients with both AS and BAV compared to those without either condition (p=0.0001). We could not find a statistically significant difference in AA dilatation in patients with and without AS.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: AA dilatation is a significant concern in pediatric patients with BAV, especially when AS is present. Routine echocardiography is essential for monitoring and early detection of aortic dilatation. Further studies are needed to understand the long-term implications and to optimize diagnostic approaches.

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED), defined as the inability to acquire or maintain an erection sufficient for a satisfactory sexual activity, is often associated with psychiatric disorders. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship of ED with anxiety disorder and decreased self-esteem.
METHODS: The study group (Group 1) consisted of 80 male patients older than 18 years, who applied to the urology outpatient clinic with the complaint of ED between May 1, 2022, and October 31, 2022, and the control group (Group 2) consisted of 80 healthy men in the same age group without any erection problems. Group 1 was matched with Group 2 for age and level of education. Demographic data of all participants were noted. The erection status was scored with the International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15), the anxiety status was scored with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI I-II), and self-esteem was scored with Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the results of two groups were compared.
RESULTS: Group 1 (38.6±13.13 years) and Group 2 (36.9±9.6 years) were similar for their ages (p=0.804). The mean IIEF-EF score was 14.7±6.1 in Group 1 and 28.9±1.2 in Group 2 (p<0.01). The mean STAI I-II scores were significantly higher in Group 1 (p<0.01). The mean RSES score was significantly higher in Group 1 (2.1±1.11) compared to Group 2 (0.77±0.55), indicating lower self-esteem in patients with ED (p<0.01).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicated that ED was associated with low self-esteem and anxiety disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Migraine and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are both common diseases and TMDs are reported as a risk factor in migraine progression. In our clinical practice, we see that especially bruxism and migraine often coexist, but there is a lack of research investigating the possible relationship between migraine and bruxism. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of bruxism in chronic migraine (CM) patients and to evaluate migraine characteristics in patients with and without bruxism.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted utilizing the Mersin University headache database, which encompassed a total of 270 patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for CM. Among the CM patients, 54 individuals were additionally diagnosed with bruxism. The patients (with/without bruxism) were compared in terms of migrainous features and comorbidities.
RESULTS: Out of the 270 patients, 54 individuals reported the coexistence of bruxism alongside CM. CM patients without bruxism exhibited a higher likelihood of experiencing migraine-associated symptoms, including nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia (p<0.001, p=0.020, and p<0.001, respectively). The characteristics of the headache, such as the throbbing pattern, were similar in both groups, showing no significant difference (p>0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The presence of bruxism did not demonstrate a significant association with a higher prevalence of common symptoms related to migraines. Although bruxism is thought to be a potential risk factor for worsening migraine, we did not find any significant results indicating this in our study. However, we think it is important to accept bruxism as a contributing factor to the holistic management of CM.

INTRODUCTION: In the present study, pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) responses following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) administration were compared with postoperative pathological response rates. The study design was retrospective cross sectional method.
METHODS: Breast MRI is helpful in determining treatment plans, responses, and prospective survival analyses in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A total of 39 patients receiving NAC between January 2019 and June 2020 were analyzed in the hospital. Treatment responses after NAC in patients with locally advanced who had not received any treatment before were evaluated with MRI. The longest diameter was recorded as well as the transfers of the primary tumor and axillary lymph node. The correlation of response rates obtained with the MRI with pathological specimen results was also examined.
RESULTS: When the pathological clinical response (pCR) was compared with the radiological response of the tumor and lymph node, the sensitivity was found to be 52.6% and 70.5%, and the accuracy was 64.1% and 51.2%, respectively.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The preferred MRI techniques and sequence intervals, and the histopathological characteristics of the tumor increase the accuracy rates in reaching pathological complete response rates.