Browsing by Author "Radojevic, Nemanja (53871771600)"

Introduction: Acute aortic type III dissection is one of the most catastrophic events, with in-hospital mortality ranging between 10% and 12%. The majority of patients are treated medically, but complicated dissections, which represent 15% to 20% of cases, require surgical or thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). For the best outcomes adequate blood transfusion support is required. Interest in the relationship between blood type and vascular disease has been established. The aim of our study is to evaluate distribution of blood groups among patients with acute aortic type III dissection and to identify any kind of relationship between blood type and patient's survival. Material and methods: From January 2005 to December 2014, 115 patients with acute aortic type III dissection were enrolled at the Clinic of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery in Belgrade, Serbia and retrospectively analyzed. Patients were separated into two groups. The examination group consisted of patients with a lethal outcome, and the control group consisted of patients who survived. Results: The analysis of the blood groups and RhD typing between groups did not reveal a statistically significant difference (p = 0.220). Conclusions: Our results indicated no difference between different blood groups and RhD typing with respect to in-hospital mortality of patients with acute aortic dissection type III. Copyright © 2016 Termedia & Banach.

Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is an autoimmune disease affecting ocular and orbital tissues. Overproduction of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and GO has destructive consequences. The subject of this paper is a case of a female patient initially diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism substitution with levothyroxine, and subsequent diagnosis of RA with insufficient therapeutic efficacy of a standard medication. Three years later, the patient presented symptoms and signs of GO. Etanercept was administrated for RA, and after four months, an improvement of the eye symptoms and reduced exophthalmos were observed and confirmed using visual methods. Graves' ophthalmopathy association with primary hypothyroidism is uncommon. The treatment of RA using etanercept led to clinical improvement of GO symptoms, which indicates that RA and GO may share similar pathogenic features. The paper suggests that etanercept may suppress the symptoms and clinical signs of GO. However, controlled trials are needed to further evaluate the effect of TNF-α inhibitors, particularly etanercept, and to compare its side effects with the current options for medical treatment. © 2019 Termedia Publishing House Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is an autoimmune disease affecting ocular and orbital tissues. Overproduction of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and GO has destructive consequences. The subject of this paper is a case of a female patient initially diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism substitution with levothyroxine, and subsequent diagnosis of RA with insufficient therapeutic efficacy of a standard medication. Three years later, the patient presented symptoms and signs of GO. Etanercept was administrated for RA, and after four months, an improvement of the eye symptoms and reduced exophthalmos were observed and confirmed using visual methods. Graves' ophthalmopathy association with primary hypothyroidism is uncommon. The treatment of RA using etanercept led to clinical improvement of GO symptoms, which indicates that RA and GO may share similar pathogenic features. The paper suggests that etanercept may suppress the symptoms and clinical signs of GO. However, controlled trials are needed to further evaluate the effect of TNF-α inhibitors, particularly etanercept, and to compare its side effects with the current options for medical treatment. © 2019 Termedia Publishing House Ltd.. All rights reserved.

The high-pressure water jet unit is a generator of frequent burst of water jets. The water jet reaches very high speeds and is able to cause wounds similar to those of high-velocity projectiles. In the presented case, unusual fatal injuries sustained by water jet are presented. Operating with the unit, an untrained worker accidentally activated a high-pressure water jet unit, and the extremely high pressure of water liberated the jet unit from his hand and whirled it around him. A jet stream of water ran across his body and caused fatal penetrating injuries in the femoral region. The edges of the wound were mainly sharp with contusion rings on the skin beyond the edges. Exploring the inside of the canals during the autopsy, the left femoral artery and vein were found to be completely transected. The resemblance to a firearm entry wound and the severity of the internal injury make it a noteworthy entity. © 2015 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

The high-pressure water jet unit is a generator of frequent burst of water jets. The water jet reaches very high speeds and is able to cause wounds similar to those of high-velocity projectiles. In the presented case, unusual fatal injuries sustained by water jet are presented. Operating with the unit, an untrained worker accidentally activated a high-pressure water jet unit, and the extremely high pressure of water liberated the jet unit from his hand and whirled it around him. A jet stream of water ran across his body and caused fatal penetrating injuries in the femoral region. The edges of the wound were mainly sharp with contusion rings on the skin beyond the edges. Exploring the inside of the canals during the autopsy, the left femoral artery and vein were found to be completely transected. The resemblance to a firearm entry wound and the severity of the internal injury make it a noteworthy entity. © 2015 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Water intoxication (WI) is a rare condition that originates from over-consumption of water, with a potentially fatal outcome. Increased water intake (polydipsia) is followed by urination of high amount of diluted urine (polyuria) which are the main initial symptoms of WI. We present four case reports of WI. Two of them are unusual pediatric clinical cases using medical documentation and police case files, one of which is related to child abuse, and the other to a psychiatric disorder. The other two cases are fatal adult cases submitted to autopsy from a psychiatric hospital. Also, we present a diagnostic algorithm for polydipsia and polyuria before death. WI is usually seen in patients with psychiatric disorders, victims of child abuse or torture, drug abusers or it can be iatrogenically induced. © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

The pilot study presented was conducted to determine as to whether ergot alkaloids (alpha-adrenergic blockers) have a potential effect on penile erectile function. The influence of dihydroergotoxine, bromocriptine, and ergotamine was studied on the erection ability in intact, two-grade outbred male Wistar albino rats that were out of their estrous phase. The experimental animals were injected intrapenially with the substances under examination: dihydroergotoxine mesylate (0.1 mg/0.1 mL, 0.3 mg/0.1 mL, and 1 mg/0.1 mL), bromocriptine mesylate (0.3 mg/0.1 mL, 1 mg/0.1 mL, and 3 mg/ 0.1 mL), and ergotamine tartrate (0.1 mg/0.1 mL, 0.3 mg/0.1 mL, and 1 mg/0.1 mL). Every dose was tested on a pattern of 30 rats. These mentioned substances were injected in the amount of 1mmto the left of the proximal part of the superficial dorsal vein of the penis, in the region of the penis root. After injection, the animals were then observed within the next 90minutes. In the trial, the following was observed: the number of rats with an erection achieved, the period of time from intrapenial application to the appearance of the first erection, and the duration of the erection. Ultimately, the research results confirm the efficiency of dihydroergotoxine and bromocriptine as erectogenic agents, as well as ergotamine as a detumescent compared with saline solutions. © American Society of Andrology.

The pilot study presented was conducted to determine as to whether ergot alkaloids (alpha-adrenergic blockers) have a potential effect on penile erectile function. The influence of dihydroergotoxine, bromocriptine, and ergotamine was studied on the erection ability in intact, two-grade outbred male Wistar albino rats that were out of their estrous phase. The experimental animals were injected intrapenially with the substances under examination: dihydroergotoxine mesylate (0.1 mg/0.1 mL, 0.3 mg/0.1 mL, and 1 mg/0.1 mL), bromocriptine mesylate (0.3 mg/0.1 mL, 1 mg/0.1 mL, and 3 mg/ 0.1 mL), and ergotamine tartrate (0.1 mg/0.1 mL, 0.3 mg/0.1 mL, and 1 mg/0.1 mL). Every dose was tested on a pattern of 30 rats. These mentioned substances were injected in the amount of 1mmto the left of the proximal part of the superficial dorsal vein of the penis, in the region of the penis root. After injection, the animals were then observed within the next 90minutes. In the trial, the following was observed: the number of rats with an erection achieved, the period of time from intrapenial application to the appearance of the first erection, and the duration of the erection. Ultimately, the research results confirm the efficiency of dihydroergotoxine and bromocriptine as erectogenic agents, as well as ergotamine as a detumescent compared with saline solutions. © American Society of Andrology.

A case of bus rollover into the canyon, 40 m down the road, with 47 occupants out of which 18 were fatally injured, was used to compute the Injury Severity Score (ISS) for each passengers as well as the equivalent free fall for this particular accident, to be compared to the height of fall as estimated by the Lau's model based on ISS, resulting the conclusion whether Lau's model and the computation of ISS can be considered reliable to estimate the height of fall in any other case. Dealing with this, we would be also able to assess a protective potential of the bus on occupants while it falls from the height. By using classic energy-related mechanical formulas the presented rollover down the cliff has been transferred into a corresponding free fall from the height (10 m). ISS for each passenger has been used to establish height bands of the corresponding free fall. The analysis of the presented case showed that only 30% of bus passengers sustained injuries similar to the injuries expected in the fall from height in the range of 10-20 m. The chances to be non-severely injured as a consequence of the fall in a bus is 43%, but still remains a very high chance (27%) to sustain injures more severe than expected for the equivalent free fall from height out of a vehicle. Moreover, eight passengers sustained pulmonary detraction which is characteristic of the fall above 40 m. The conclusion is that this mathematical computing for transferring one way of motion into another one may be useful for any other event similar to the fall from height and further usage of Lau's modules. Also, estimated severity of the injuries expressed through ISS can be merely an approximating indicator of the height of the fall of the bus, so ISS is not able to estimate the exact height. Finally, in majority of cases the protective potential of the bus may preserve from severe body damage, but the mortality rate still stands on a very high level. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

A case of bus rollover into the canyon, 40 m down the road, with 47 occupants out of which 18 were fatally injured, was used to compute the Injury Severity Score (ISS) for each passengers as well as the equivalent free fall for this particular accident, to be compared to the height of fall as estimated by the Lau's model based on ISS, resulting the conclusion whether Lau's model and the computation of ISS can be considered reliable to estimate the height of fall in any other case. Dealing with this, we would be also able to assess a protective potential of the bus on occupants while it falls from the height. By using classic energy-related mechanical formulas the presented rollover down the cliff has been transferred into a corresponding free fall from the height (10 m). ISS for each passenger has been used to establish height bands of the corresponding free fall. The analysis of the presented case showed that only 30% of bus passengers sustained injuries similar to the injuries expected in the fall from height in the range of 10-20 m. The chances to be non-severely injured as a consequence of the fall in a bus is 43%, but still remains a very high chance (27%) to sustain injures more severe than expected for the equivalent free fall from height out of a vehicle. Moreover, eight passengers sustained pulmonary detraction which is characteristic of the fall above 40 m. The conclusion is that this mathematical computing for transferring one way of motion into another one may be useful for any other event similar to the fall from height and further usage of Lau's modules. Also, estimated severity of the injuries expressed through ISS can be merely an approximating indicator of the height of the fall of the bus, so ISS is not able to estimate the exact height. Finally, in majority of cases the protective potential of the bus may preserve from severe body damage, but the mortality rate still stands on a very high level. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Current autopsy principles for evaluating the existence of brain edema are based on a macroscopic subjective assessment performed by pathologists. The gold standard is a time-consuming histological verification of the presence of the edema. By measuring the diameters of the cranial cavity, as individually determined morphometric parameters, a mathematical model for rapid evaluation of brain edema was created, based on the brain weight measured during the autopsy. A cohort study was performed on 110 subjects, divided into two groups according to the histological presence or absence of (the – deleted from the text) brain edema. In all subjects, the following measures were determined: the volume and the diameters of the cranial cavity (longitudinal and transverse distance and height), the brain volume, and the brain weight. The complex mathematical algorithm revealed a formula for the coefficient ε, which is useful to conclude whether a brain edema is present or not. The average density of non-edematous brain is 0.967 g/ml, while the average density of edematous brain is 1.148 g/ml. The resulting formula for the coefficient ε is (5.79 x longitudinal distance x transverse distance)/brain weight. Coefficient ε can be calculated using measurements of the diameters of the cranial cavity and the brain weight, performed during the autopsy. If the resulting ε is less than 0.9484, it could be stated that there is cerebral edema with a reliability of 98.5%. The method discussed in this paper aims to eliminate the burden of relying on subjective assessments when determining the presence of a brain edema. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine

Current autopsy principles for evaluating the existence of brain edema are based on a macroscopic subjective assessment performed by pathologists. The gold standard is a time-consuming histological verification of the presence of the edema. By measuring the diameters of the cranial cavity, as individually determined morphometric parameters, a mathematical model for rapid evaluation of brain edema was created, based on the brain weight measured during the autopsy. A cohort study was performed on 110 subjects, divided into two groups according to the histological presence or absence of (the – deleted from the text) brain edema. In all subjects, the following measures were determined: the volume and the diameters of the cranial cavity (longitudinal and transverse distance and height), the brain volume, and the brain weight. The complex mathematical algorithm revealed a formula for the coefficient ε, which is useful to conclude whether a brain edema is present or not. The average density of non-edematous brain is 0.967 g/ml, while the average density of edematous brain is 1.148 g/ml. The resulting formula for the coefficient ε is (5.79 x longitudinal distance x transverse distance)/brain weight. Coefficient ε can be calculated using measurements of the diameters of the cranial cavity and the brain weight, performed during the autopsy. If the resulting ε is less than 0.9484, it could be stated that there is cerebral edema with a reliability of 98.5%. The method discussed in this paper aims to eliminate the burden of relying on subjective assessments when determining the presence of a brain edema. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine

A comparative analysis of firearm homicides committed in Belgrade was performed including four representative years: 1987 (before the civil war in the Former Yugoslavia), 1991 (beginning of the war), 1997 (end of the war), and 2007 (period of social stabilization). The increase in the number of homicides was established in 1991 and 1997 compared with 1987, with the decrease in 2007, but with the continuous increase in the percentage of firearm homicides in the total number of homicides, from 12% in 1987 up to 56% in 2007. The significant increase in firearm homicides during the last decade of the 20th century can be explained by the social disturbances and the high availability of firearms, while their reduction in 2007 could be linked to the gradual stabilization of social circumstances. The results showed that the actual social, political, and economical changes strongly influenced medicolegal characteristics of homicides and particularly firearm homicides. © 2013 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

A comparative analysis of firearm homicides committed in Belgrade was performed including four representative years: 1987 (before the civil war in the Former Yugoslavia), 1991 (beginning of the war), 1997 (end of the war), and 2007 (period of social stabilization). The increase in the number of homicides was established in 1991 and 1997 compared with 1987, with the decrease in 2007, but with the continuous increase in the percentage of firearm homicides in the total number of homicides, from 12% in 1987 up to 56% in 2007. The significant increase in firearm homicides during the last decade of the 20th century can be explained by the social disturbances and the high availability of firearms, while their reduction in 2007 could be linked to the gradual stabilization of social circumstances. The results showed that the actual social, political, and economical changes strongly influenced medicolegal characteristics of homicides and particularly firearm homicides. © 2013 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

[No abstract available]

Most young patients with mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis show no symptoms, and sudden death appears only occasionally. We hypothesised that malignant ventricular arrhythmias could be responsible for the high incidence of sudden death in such patients. If multiple factors such as asymptomatic aortic stenosis in association with arrhythmia-provoking agents are involved, could it be sufficient to account for sudden unexpected death' In this study, eight cases of sudden death in young adults, with ages ranging from 22 to 36 years, who had never reported any symptoms that could be related to aortic stenosis, were investigated. Full autopsies were performed, and congenital aortic stenosis in all eight cases was confirmed. DNA testing for channelopathies was negative. Comprehensive toxicological analyses found an electrolyte imbalance, or non-toxic concentrations of amitriptyline, terfenadine, caffeine, and ethanol. Collectively, these results suggest that congenital asymptomatic aortic stenosis without cardiac hypertrophy in young adults is not sufficient to cause sudden death merely on its own; rather, an additional provoking factor is necessary. According to our findings, the provoking factor may be a state of physical or emotional stress, a state of electrolyte imbalance, or even taking a therapeutic dose of a particular drug. © Cambridge University Press 2016.

It is well known that atrial infarctions are rare comparing to the ventricular. They cannot easily be verified on ECG and the standard autopsy technique does not include a detailed review of the atrial wall, so the atrial infarction often remains undiagnosed. A 63-year-old male was treated and died in an intensive care unit due to decompensated liver insufficiency and cardiac disease following long-lasting alcohol abuse. At autopsy, the extreme cardiomegaly was found, severe atherosclerosis of the anterior descending branch of left coronary artery. The posterior wall of the right atrium was thickened (cca 9 mm) in diameter of cca 3 × 3 cm, and this area was yellowish in the luminal part, while the central part was filled with dark red blood. A detailed dissection of the coronary arteries showed the complete occlusion of the atrial branch of the right coronary artery wreath as far as the place of sinoatrial artery branching, which corresponded anatomically to the described area of infarction on the posterior wall of the right atrium. Histopathological examination of the previously described area of the posterior wall of the right atrium, showed four zones of heart muscle changes: 1. zone of partially preserved structure of the heart muscle, 2. zone of cellular (immature) connective tissue, 3. areas of bleeding in cellular connective tissue, and 4. zone of acellular (old) connective tissue. These histopathological changes indicated that the posterior wall of the right atrium was affected by myocardial necrosis in at least two and possibly more times. It is reasonable to think that bleeding in the third zone of the posterior wall of the right atrium contributed greatly to the death due to the anatomical proximity to the sinoatrial node. It was confirmed by the existence of bradycardia with a prolonged PR interval, PR segment elevation in D1 and aVL lead and PR depression in the D3 lead on the ECG. These ECG changes appeared immediately before asystolia and the death of the patient, but not ventricular fibrillation or electromechanical dissociation due to ventricular infarction. The presented case shows that detailed autopsy examination of atrial wall and blood vessels can sometimes be crucial in disclosing the cause and mode of death if the ischemia and necrosis attack only the atrial wall, especially in the region of the heart conduction system. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine.

It is well known that atrial infarctions are rare comparing to the ventricular. They cannot easily be verified on ECG and the standard autopsy technique does not include a detailed review of the atrial wall, so the atrial infarction often remains undiagnosed. A 63-year-old male was treated and died in an intensive care unit due to decompensated liver insufficiency and cardiac disease following long-lasting alcohol abuse. At autopsy, the extreme cardiomegaly was found, severe atherosclerosis of the anterior descending branch of left coronary artery. The posterior wall of the right atrium was thickened (cca 9 mm) in diameter of cca 3 × 3 cm, and this area was yellowish in the luminal part, while the central part was filled with dark red blood. A detailed dissection of the coronary arteries showed the complete occlusion of the atrial branch of the right coronary artery wreath as far as the place of sinoatrial artery branching, which corresponded anatomically to the described area of infarction on the posterior wall of the right atrium. Histopathological examination of the previously described area of the posterior wall of the right atrium, showed four zones of heart muscle changes: 1. zone of partially preserved structure of the heart muscle, 2. zone of cellular (immature) connective tissue, 3. areas of bleeding in cellular connective tissue, and 4. zone of acellular (old) connective tissue. These histopathological changes indicated that the posterior wall of the right atrium was affected by myocardial necrosis in at least two and possibly more times. It is reasonable to think that bleeding in the third zone of the posterior wall of the right atrium contributed greatly to the death due to the anatomical proximity to the sinoatrial node. It was confirmed by the existence of bradycardia with a prolonged PR interval, PR segment elevation in D1 and aVL lead and PR depression in the D3 lead on the ECG. These ECG changes appeared immediately before asystolia and the death of the patient, but not ventricular fibrillation or electromechanical dissociation due to ventricular infarction. The presented case shows that detailed autopsy examination of atrial wall and blood vessels can sometimes be crucial in disclosing the cause and mode of death if the ischemia and necrosis attack only the atrial wall, especially in the region of the heart conduction system. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine.

�External bevelling of an entrance gunshot wound to the skull is a known, but rare entity. We present two cases of a combined external and internal bevelling of cranial entries. In the first case, a 35-year-old woman had two entrance wounds in the right half of the forehead, made by a 10.2 mm calibre bullet. Second case presents a 48-year-old man with an entry wound in the middle of the occiput, made by a 7.62 mm calibre bullet. All the entry wounds on the skin had stellate appearance. The corresponding wounds to the skull were of roughly round shape. Both the inner and the outer plates of the bone were bevelled for 2-4 mm. Bony edges of all entrance wounds were covered in soot, as a definite sign of an entry. In this case study, we underline the importance of recognizing this phenomenon in order to avoid misinterpretation of entry vs. exit wounds. © 2018 Romanian Society of Legal Medicine.