OBJECTIVE: Because of the immature bone marrow signal in children, assessment of the sacroiliac joint is more difficult than in adults. Aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in sacroiliac joint magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
METHODS: Sacroiliac joint MRI, including DWI sequences, were evaluated by two pediatric radiologists in 54 patients with sacroiliitis and 85 completely normal controls. In MRI evaluation, subchondral bone marrow edema and contrast enhancement in the sacroiliac joints were considered as active sacroiliitis. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements were made in six areas from each sacroiliac joint. A total of 1668 fields were evaluated retrospectively without their diagnosis being known.
RESULTS: When the postcontrast T1W series were referenced, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of short time inversion recovery (STIR) images in the diagnosis of sacroiliitis were 88%, 92%, 83% and 94% respectively, compared to contrast-enhanced images. False positive results in STIR images were observed secondary to the flaring signal in the immature bone marrow. ADC measurements obtained from diffusion-weighted images were recorded in all patients and healthy groups. The ADC values were 1.35x10-3 mm2/s (SD: 0.21) in the areas of sacroiliitis, 0.44x10-3 mm2/s (SD: 0.71) in the normal bone marrow and 0.72x10-3 mm2/s (SD: 0.76) in the immature bone marrow areas.
CONCLUSION: Although STIR studies are an effective sequence in the diagnosis of sacroiliitis, they cause false positive results in immature bone marrow in children in inexperienced hands. DWI is an objective method that prevents errors in the assessment of sacroiliitis by means of ADC measurements in the immature skeleton. In addition, it is a short and effective MRI series that makes important contributions to the diagnosis without the need for contrast-enhanced examinations in children.

OBJECTIVE: Acute ischemic stroke is a cause of long-term disability in developing countries. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (iv-tPA) is the most effective medical treatment shown to provide clinical improvement. Our aim in this study is to investigate the relationship between the clinical data of our patients treated with iv-tPA and the changes in serum inflammatory parameters; and to help increase the prevalence of treatment in secondary hospitals.
METHODS: Forty-nine patients diagnosed as acute ischemic stroke and treated with iv-tPA at Siirt Research and Training Hospital between April 2019 and June 2020 were included in this study. Demographic and clinical findings, serum platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophyle/ lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and CRP/albumin ratio (CAR), radiological data, symptom-door-needle times, trombectomy, complication and mortality rates, pre and post treatment 7th day of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Scores (NIHSS) and first and third-month of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores, and prognosis were evaluated.
RESULTS: The mean age was 71.2±13.7 years. Female-to-male ratio was almost 1. Decreases in the post-treatment NIHSS scores were statistically significant compared with the baseline (p<0.001). First month’s mRS score was statistically decreased in the third month follow up significantly (p=0.002). There were significant differences between the baseline and post-treatment laboratory values. Significant increases in the values of NLR, and CAR were detected (p=0.012, p=0.009). Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between post-treatment NIHSS and CAR, PLR, NLR. PLR and NLR were significantly correlated with the third month mRS score (p<0.001, p=0.011). Symptom-to-door time, door-to-needle time, and symptom-to-needle time were not correlated with the NIHSS and mRS scores.
CONCLUSION: It would be beneficial to treat the patients with iv-tPA in secondary-staged hospitals and should be widespread. Rapid treatment is sufficient and can reduce complications and poor outcomes. Elevated levels of NLR, PLR, and CAR predict modest consequences.

OBJECTIVE: The civil war that broke out in Syria in 2011 caused 3.7 million Syrians to migrate to Turkiye. Being particularly vulnerable women refugees may experience problems with access to healthcare services. This study aimed to determine the health problems of refugees in Ankara, their access to and use of these services.
METHODS: Healthcare-related levels of refugee mothers were assessed using a questionnaire and the study was conducted with the participation of 310 refugee mothers who presented to the Refugee Health Center, between 15 September 2017 and 15 December 2018.
RESULTS: Among the participants, 28.4% were minors who were between the ages of 15 and 18 years. The mean age of the mothers was 31.18±13.84 years, while the mean age of the fathers was 32.37±10.76 years. During their residence in Ankara, the participants preferred Refugee Health Centers (94%) and State Hospitals (83%) for healthcare. Of the participants, 42.1% stated that one or more family members had health problems, which necessitated regular hospital visits. In this study, 95.2% of participants stated that they were satisfied with the healthcare services they were receiving.
CONCLUSION: Although state hospitals were frequently used, refugees were also able to find solutions to their health problems through Refugee Health Centers. Nevertheless, while using other healthcare institutions, the biggest issue for the refugees was the language barrier. The high rates of adolescent pregnancy, disabilities, and chronic diseases were found to be among the main health problems of refugees. Women refugees seemed disadvantaged in education, language, income and employment.

OBJECTIVE: Strabismus, defined as the misalignment of the eyes, is a common disorder that is usually diagnosed in childhood. Strabismus is an important health problem with both functional and psychosocial effects on children. In this study, we aimed to determine the clinical features and risk factors of patients diagnosed with strabismus and followed up in our clinic.
METHODS: The data of pediatric patients who were followed up in our strabismus clinic between February 2016 and September 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients’ detailed ophthalmological and strabismus examination findings and anamnesis findings concerning the etiology of strabismus were recorded.
RESULTS: A total of 391 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients was 8.66±4.7 years. Of the patients, 207 (52.9%) had esotropia, 172 (43.99%) had exotropia, and 12 (3.07%) had vertical deviation, with the mean ages of these groups being calculated as (7.27±4.1), (10.45±4.8), and (7.16±4.7) years, respectively. Amblyopia was present in 54 (26.09%) of the 207 esotropia cases, 27 (15.70%) of the 172 exotropia cases. Esotropia is more likely than exotropia to be related to amblyopia, according to our research. Of all the patients, 97 (24.81%) had a family history of strabismus, 38 (9.7%) had a history of preterm birth, 39 (10.0%) had a history of neonatal care unit stay, 38 (9.7%) had epilepsy, 4 (1%) had a history of trauma, and 14 (3.6%) had an additional eye disease.
CONCLUSION: Detection of risk factors such as family history, preterm birth, length of stay in the neonatal care unit and epilepsy that may be associated with strabismus can help identify high-risk children for early diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of treatment and management in chronic mental disorders is to improve the quality of life (QOL). Hopelessness indicates a significant cognitive vulnerability that is associated with suicide risk. It is important for clinicians to have information about their patients’ life satisfaction and spirituality. This study was conducted to determine hopelessness and life satisfaction in patients who received service from a community mental health center (CMHC).
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with patients diagnosed with psychosis (n=66) and bipolar disorder (n=24) according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) criteria, at a community mental health center serving in a hospital located in eastern Turkiye. Data was collected by a psychiatrist between January and May 2019 with face-to-face interviews, using a questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).
RESULTS: In the study, it was found that the mean BHS and SWLS scores of the patients did not differ significantly between the diagnosis groups (p>0.05). A moderately negative correlation was found between the patients’ mean BHS and SWLS scores (rs=-0.450, p<0.001). In addition, it was determined that the hopelessness level of the secondary school graduates was low (p<0.05), the mean BHS score increased as the age and time from diagnosis of the patients increased (p<0.001), and there was a low negative correlation between the time from diagnosis and the mean SWLS score (rs: -0.208; p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: In this study, it was found that the hopelessness level of the patients was low, their life satisfaction was moderate, and as the hopelessness level increased, their life satisfaction decreased. In addition, it was determined that the hopelessness and life satisfaction levels of the patients did not differ by to the diagnosis groups. It is extremely important for mental health professionals to consider aspects such as hope and life satisfaction, which are key in the recovery of patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of hemithoracic radiotherapy implemented with helical tomotherapy (HTT) in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients.
METHODS: Between October 2018 and December 2020, data from 11 MPM patients who received trimodality therapy, including lung-sparing surgery (pleurectomy-decortication, P/D), adjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin+ pemetrexed), and radiotherapy, were retrospectively reviewed. HTT was used to deliver a total of 30 Gy, 50–54 Gy or 59.4–60 Gy to R2 disease with 1.8–2 Gy daily doses. Descriptive data are presented in number (percentage) or median (minimum– maximum). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival data. In patients with toxicities, the risk organ doses were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.
RESULTS: The median follow-up was 20.5 (12–30) months. Two-year local control, disease-free, and overall survival rates were 48.5%, 49%, and 77.9%, respectively. The median prescribed dose for planning target volume (PTV) was 50.4±8.7 (30–60) Gy. Mean dose (Dmean) of total lung was 19.9±6 (10.4–26) Gy; the V20 (%) of ipsilateral and contralateral lungs were 89.±11.2 (62.7–100) and 0.7±2.1 (0.49–5.9), respectively. Esophageal Dmean and maximum doses (Dmax) were found as 21.7±8.4 (7.4–34) and 53.1±10.4 (25.4–64.4) Gy, respectively. V30 (%) and Dmean of heart were 22.3%±13.4% (3.9–47) and 21±5.7 (10.8–29.3) Gy, respectively. Dmax of medulla spinalis (MS) was 38.6± 1.3 (13.7–48) Gy. Grade 1–2 radiation pneumonitis (RP) developed in 4 (36.4%) and esophagitis in 2 (18.2%) patients. RP was found to be associated with MS and esophageal doses (p<0.05). Myelitis was diagnosed in 1 (9.1%) patient (MS Dmax: 29 Gy).
CONCLUSION: HTT can be used as part of trimodality therapy for MPM patients with acceptable toxicities. MS and esophageal doses should be considered for radiation pneumonitis risk, and new dose constraints for these organs should be defined.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between peripartum depression and social support, marital satisfaction, and self-differentiation.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on postpartum women from December 28, 2021, and March 31, 2022. Postpartum women were evaluated using a questionnaire consisting of sections assessing sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, and psychometric instruments: Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), Marital Disaffection Scale (MDS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI).
RESULTS: A total of 425 mothers were included in the study. Of those, 140 (32.9%) mothers scored ≥13 points on EPDS, and 285 (67.1%) mothers scored ≤12 points. Mothers who scored ≥13 on the EPDS were found to have significantly higher scores for marital dissatisfaction. Total scores of family support, friend support, emotional cutoff, fusion with others, and differentiation of self were higher in mothers who scored ≤12 points on the EPDS. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of significance with others, emotional reactivity and I position.
CONCLUSION: This study found that marital satisfaction is important in the development of perinatal depression both directly and through family support and emotional cuttoff. In addition, mothers with family support, friend support, and self-differentiation had comparatively lower EPDS scores, while mothers with marital dissatisfaction had higher EPDS scores.

OBJECTIVE: Some anti-cytokine treatments are being used to control the hyperinflammatory condition defined as cytokine storm that develops during COVID-19 infection. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of anakinra, an IL-1 antagonist, on the clinical status and laboratory values of hospitalized patients with the COVID-19 infection. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of anakinra, an IL-1 antagonist, on the clinical and laboratory results of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 infection.
METHODS: This study was planned as a retrospective study. The age, gender, and current comorbidities of a total of 66 patients who were treated with anakinra for COVID-19 infection from November 2020 to January 2021 were analyzed. The amount of oxygen demand (L/s), the type of oxygen supplementation, oxygen saturation, radiological findings, WBC count, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, LDH, ferritin, fibrinogen, D-dimer levels were monitored before the treatment, and after the anakinra treatment, newly gathered results were compared. Patients’ hospitalization period, oxygen need, and their clinical status at discharge were evaluated. The effects of early anakinra treatment (9 days before and after the onset of symptoms) on the prognosis were evaluated. SPSS version 21.0 provided by IBM Company in the USA, Chicago, IL was used for statistical analysis and p<0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were included in the study. There was no significant gender difference in the prognosis of the patients. There was a significant difference in the statistical deterioration in patients with comorbidities (p=0.004). Patients who started the anakinra treatment at an early stage developed less need for intensive care and low mortality ratios (p=0.019). There were significant improvements on the levels of WBC (p=0.045), neutrophils (p=0.016), lymphocyte (p=0.001), LDH (p=0.005), ferritin (p=0.02), and fibrinogen (p=0.01) after the administration of anakinra therapy.
CONCLUSION: We found that earlier and appropriate use of anakinra therapy in COVID-19 patients with the signs of macrophage activation syndrome reduces the need for oxygen support in patients and contributes to improvement in laboratory results and radiological findings, and most importantly reduces the need for intensive care.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the attention levels, of Turkish children and adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in on-line education classes with healthy controls.
METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional, internet-based, case-control study that recruited 6–18 years old patients diagnosed with ADHD and receving treatment and healthy controls from eight centers. The measurements used in the study were prepared in the google survey and delivered to the participants via Whatsapp application.
RESULTS: Within the study period, 510 children with ADHD and 893 controls were enrolled. Parent- rated attention decreased significantly in both groups during on-line education classes due to COVID-19 outbreak (p<0.001; for each). Children and adolescents with ADHD had significantly elevated bedtime resistance, problems in family functioning difficulties than control children according to parental reports (p=0.003; p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, bedtime resistance and comorbidity significantly predicted attention levels in on-line education.
CONCLUSION: Our findings may underline the need to augment student engagement in on-line education both for children without attention problems and those with ADHD. Interventions shown to be effective in the management of sleep difficulties in children as well as parent management interventions should continue during on-line education.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study is to compare ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmia incidences in subjects with and without mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome and to examine if an association exists between ventricular arrhythmias and repolarization parameters in patients with MVP syndrome.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 41 subjects with MVP Syndrome and 41 subjects with palpitation but without MVP (control group). All subjects were subjected to lead-electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography, and 24-h Holter monitoring to identify repolarization abnormalities, structural abnormalities, and supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. The QRS width, QTC interval, and Tpeak-Tend intervals were measured for each participant.
RESULTS: The number of subjects who had premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), couplets, and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVTs) was significantly higher in the MVP group compared to the control group. Left ventricular endsystolic diameter (LVESD) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left atrial diameter were also significantly higher in the MVP group than the control group. QRS width and Tpeak-Tend interval were also significantly higher in subjects with MVP than the controls. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) and the number of PVCs and couplets, while there was a significant correlation between left atrium (LA) diameter and the number of the PVCs and NSVTs.
CONCLUSION: Subjects with MVP experience ventricular arrhythmias more often including PVCs, couplets, and NSVTs compared to subjects without MVP. LVESD, LVEDD, LA diameter, QRS width, and Tpeak-Tend interval were increased in MVP subjects than those without MVP. There is an association between the severity of the MR and the frequency of the PVCs, couplets, or NSVTs.

OBJECTIVE: The Fourth National Audit Project revealed that severe airway complications occur in the frequency of 1/22,000. Various rescue techniques were recommended in difficult airway guidelines. This study aims to evaluate the rescue techniques following failed direct laryngoscopy and analyze the success rates and potential complications during difficult airway management.
METHODS: This was a multicenter and prospective observational study carried out in four referral centers. Four academic university hospitals using fiberoptic bronchoscopy and videolaryngoscopy in their daily practice were included in the study. Patients undergoing general anesthesia with anticipated or unanticipated difficult intubation were enrolled. The preferred rescue technique and the attempts for both direct and indirect laryngoscopies were recorded.
RESULTS: At the mean age of 46.58±21.19 years, 92 patients were analyzed. The most common rescue technique was videolaryngoscopy following failed direct laryngoscopy. Glidescope was the most preferred videolaryngoscope. Anesthesia residents performed most of the first tracheal intubation attempts, whereas anesthesia specialists performed the second attempts at all centers. The experience of the first performer as a resident was significantly higher in the anticipated difficult airway group (4.0±5.5 years) (p=0.045). The number of attempts with the first rescue technique was 2.0±2.0 and 1.0±1.0 in the unanticipated difficult airway and anticipated difficult airway groups, respectively (p=0.004).
CONCLUSION: Videolaryngoscopy was a more commonly preferred technique for both anticipated and unanticipated difficult intubations. Glidescope was the most used rescue device in difficult intubations after failed direct laryngoscopy, with a high success rate.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the effect of thromboembolic prophylaxis in patients diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy undergoing cesarean section.
METHODS: Three hundred and eighty-six patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into groups according to the type of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and whether thromboembolism prophylaxis was applied or not. The thromboembolic event incidence and other pregnancy outcomes were compared.
RESULTS: Nonadministration of thromboprophylaxis was recorded in 210 patients. Eleven patients had thromboembolic events (5%). Among 176 patients who received thromboprophylaxis, only two patients (1%) had a thromboembolic event (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: There is an increased tendency to thromboembolism in pregnancy. The incidence increases in the presence of hypertension accompanying pregnancy. In our study, the importance of thromboembolism prophylaxis on peri-postnatal complications in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was emphasized.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatic diseases in children are chronic and multisystemic diseases. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate gastrointestinal endoscopic findings in children diagnosed as autoimmune or autoinflammatory rheumatic diseases consulted with pediatric gastroenterology for gastrointestinal complaints.
METHODS: The patients followed up by the Pediatric Rheumatology Department and consulted to the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department due to gastrointestinal complaints were included in the study. File records of the patients were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were included in the study. Twelve of the patients had autoimmune disease (Juvenile idiopathic arthritis [JIA], systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome, and scleroderma) and the other 16 had autoinflammatory disease (familial Mediterrnean fever, hyper Immunoglobulin D syndrome, undifferantiated systemic autoinflammatory disease, and systemic JIA). Four of the patients with familial Mediterrnean fever also diagnosed as JIA. The mean age of the patients was 11.7±3.5 years. The main gastrointestinal complaints of patients with both autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases were abdominal pain and diarrhea. Inflammatory bowel disease was found in 33% of those with autoimmune disease and 56% of those with autoinflammatory disease in patients underwent endoscopic evaluation. M694V mutation was present in 62% of the patients with autoinflammatory disease presented with gastrointestinal complaints.
CONCLUSION: Both autoimmune and autoinflammatory rheumatic diseases can cause gastrointestinal complaints and should be referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist for early diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the demographic and clinical findings of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) patients followed up in our clinic, their responses to treatment, and prognoses and to determine the clinical utility of echocardiography (ECHO) in the diagnosis of ARF.
METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 160 patients with ARF (6–17, mean 11.7±2.3 years, F/M: 88/72) that was diagnosed according to the Jones criteria and followed up in the pediatric cardiology clinic between January 2010 and January 2017.
RESULTS: About 29.4% (n=47) of 104 patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) had subclinical carditis. It was observed that subclinical carditis was most common in patients with polyarthralgia (52.2%); in contrast, clinical carditis was most commonly observed together with chorea (39%) and polyarthritis (37.1%). It was found that 60% (n=96) of the patients with rheumatic fever were between the ages of 10–13 and 31.3% (n=50) presented arthralgia most frequently in the winter months. The most common concomitant major symptoms were carditis + arthritis (35%) and carditis + chorea (19.4%). In patients with carditis, the most affected valves were mitral (63.8%) and aortic (50.6%) valves, respectively. The prevalence of monoarthritis, polyarthralgia, and subclinical carditis increased in cases diagnosed during and after 2015. The cardiac valve involvement findings of 71 of 104 patients (68.2%) with carditis improved during the approximately 7 years of follow-up. The regression of heart valve symptoms was significantly higher in patients with clinical carditis and those that complied with prophylaxis compared to patients with subclinical carditis and those that did not comply with prophylaxis.
CONCLUSION: We conclude that ECHO results should be included in the diagnostic criteria of ARF, and that subclinical carditis is associated with a risk of developing permanent RHD. Secondary prophylaxis non-compliance is significantly associated with recurrent ARF, and early prophylaxis can reduce the prevalence of RHD in adults and potential associated complications.

OBJECTIVE: The time perspective of individuals with chronic disease is a little-studied parameter. Our aim is to examine multiple sclerosis (MS) patients’ time perspective and factors that may affect time perspective and to research the correlation of past, present, and future perspectives.
METHODS: Demographic characteristics, the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) score, and the expanded disability status scale score were recorded. Overall, 50 with MS were included in the study.
RESULTS: We found that there was a significant difference between present-fatalistic (x=3.18), and present-hedonistic (x=3.49), (p=0.017); also between present-fatalistic (x=3.18), and future (x=3.57), (p=0.011). There was no significant difference in ZTPI scores between gender, place of residence, marital status, number of attacks, or education level.
CONCLUSION: MS patients focus mostly on the hedonistic dimension of the life than the fatalistic one in present time. We concluded that patients with MS focused mostly on the future. We found that our patients’ present-fatalistic scores were lower, and the future was higher time perspective dimension.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the functional and radiological results of lateral, medial, and posterior surgical approaches in pediatric patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation for supracondylar humerus fractures.
METHODS: A total of 86 patients were included in the study. The clinical and radiographic results of the treatment in patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation with lateral, medial, and posterior approaches were evaluated. Flynn’s criteria were used in the evaluation of cosmetic and clinical results. Comparisons were made between the groups in terms of Baumann angle, lateral capitellohumeral angle, and post-operative complications.
RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of complications. No statistically significant relationship was observed between Flynn’s criteria and surgical approaches. When the relationship among post-operative range of motion (ROM) and surgical approach was evaluated, no extension defect was found in any of the patients, but a significant relationship was found between post-operative flexion ROM and surgical approach (p=0.011).
CONCLUSION: Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning are preferred in cases of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. However, when this method cannot be applied, lateral, medial, and posterior approaches are the possible open reduction methods, that can be safely preferred.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine normative reference values for major thoracic arterial vasculature in Turkiye and to evaluate differences according to age and gender.
METHODS: Low-dose unenhanced chest computerized tomography images acquired with pre-diagnosis of COVID-19 between March and June 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with known chronic lung parenchymal disease, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and chronic heart diseases (coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, valve replacement, and arrhythmia) were excluded from the study. The ascending aorta diameter (AAD), descending aorta diameter (DAD), aortic arch diameter (ARCAD), main pulmonary artery diameter (MPAD), right pulmonary artery diameter (RPAD), and the left pulmonary artery diameter (LPAD) were measured in the same sections by standardized methods. The variability of parameters according to age (<40 years; ≥40 years) and gender (male to female) was evaluated by statistical methods. The Student’s t test was used to compare the normal distribution according to the given quantitative age and gender, while the data that did not fit the normal distribution were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test. The conformity of the data to the normal distribution was tested with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Shapiro-Wilk test, and graphical examinations.
RESULTS: Totally 777 cases between the ages of 18–96 (43.80±15.98) were included in the study. Among these, 52.8% (n=410) were male and 47.2% (n=367) were female. Mean diameters were 28.52±5.13 mm (12–48 mm in range) for AAD, 30.83±5.25 mm (12–52 mm in range) for ARCAD, DAD 21.27±3.57 mm (11–38 mm in range) for DAD; 23.27±4.03 mm (14–40 mm in range) for MPAD, 17.27±3.19 mm (10–30 mm in range) for RPAD, and 17.62±3.06 mm (10–37 mm in range) for LPAD. Statistically significantly higher values were obtained in all diameters for cases over 40 years of age. Similarly, higher values were obtained in all diameters for males compared to females.
CONCLUSION: The diameters of all thoracic main vascular structures are larger in men than in women and increase with age.

OBJECTIVE: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disease characterized by clinically scaly patches. It is known that skin diseases with chronic inflammation are associated with comorbid conditions such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes. In recent years, there are studies investigating the relationship of SD with metabolic syndrome, hypertension, obesity and nutritional factors. However, there is no study evaluating body composition parameters in SD patients. In the light of this information, it was aimed to evaluate the relationship between SD and body composition parameters.
METHODS: The study was conducted on a total of 78 participants, including 39 SD patients over the age of 18 and 39 age- and gender-matched control patients, who applied to the University Faculty of Medicine Dermatology outpatient clinic. Body composition parameters were measured for each participant with the Tanita MC 580 Body Analyzer. In addition, SD area severity ýndex (SDASI) was calculated in the SD patient group. These parameters were compared between the case and control groups.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference concerning height (p=0.208), weight (p=0.309), body mass index (p=0.762), fat mass (p=0.092), metabolic age (p=0.916), body density (p=0.180), mineral (p=0.699), visceral adiposity (p=0.401), protein (p=0.665), and other body composition parameters, between the case and control groups. There was only positive correlation between SDASI and height (p=0.026) and protein (0.016) value.
CONCLUSION: SD may be associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and CVD, but the results are unclear and further studies are needed.

Cryptococcal endocarditis is an exceedingly rare entity associated with high mortality and morbidity. Hereby, we present a 37-year-old patient with underlying systemic lupus erythematosus and end-stage renal disease who was diagnosed with cryptococcal endocarditis involving native mitral valve. Her blood culture grew Cryptococcus neoformans. Echocardiography confirmed presence of vegetations and patient underwent mitral valve replacement and received appropriate anti-fungal treatment. Her course was further complicated by sternal wound dehiscence and infection of hemodialysis site as well as atrial flutter. Unfortunately, patient passed 2 weeks after discharge from hospital. C. neoformans is typically known to cause serious central nervous system. However, this pathogen can rarely cause serious infective endocarditis case particularly in immune compromised patients or those with prosthetic valves. Fungal endocarditis is usually treated with a combination of
surgery and anti-fungal medications. (NCI-2022-6-7)