Current issue

Issue image

Volume 53, Issue 4, 2025

Online ISSN: 2560-3310

ISSN: 0350-8773

Volume 53 , Issue 4, (2025)

Published: 30.06.2025.

Open Access

All issues

More Filters

Contents

15.02.2025.

Case Reports

VITAMIN D - „SOLAR VITAMIN“

The discovery that sunlight can cure rickets was first scientifically confirmed in 1919. Shortly thereafter, in 1924, it was found that inactive lipids in the diet and skin are converted into antirachitic substances under the influence of UV light. Vitamin D (Vit D), also known as the "sunshine vitamin,"
was first identified in 1931. In recent decades, it has regained the focus of interest among the broader scientific community and dermatologists.
Specifically, certain dermatoses have been associated with low Vit D levels, leading to its supplementation in patients. On the other hand, some
dermatoses worsen with sun exposure, necessitating strict avoidance of sunlight and the therapeutic use of Vit D preparations.We are witnessing a
growing number of cases of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, with excessive sun exposure being the primary etiological factor in most
cases. This paper provides a literature review on the historical discovery of Vit D and presents findings from studies examining Vit D levels not only in
various dermatoses but also in other diseases. The number of studies, as well as the spectrum of diseases in which the role of Vit D is being
investigated, continues to increase.

Milijana Relić, Snežana Relić, Tanja Kostić Grujić, Marijana Trajković, Zorica Timotijević, Tamara Jovanovic, Goran Relić

15.02.2025.

Professional paper

EXAMINATION OF INTRACRANIAL TRANLUCENCY AS A MARKER FOR EARLY DETECTION OF OPEN SPINA BIFIDA

This article focuses on the sonographic axamination techique for evaluation of intracranial translucencies during the first trimester ultrasound scan. Appropriate knowledge of sonographic landmarks is the most important factor for evaluation normal as well as abnormal brain structure, and this examination may enable detection of open spina bifida and Arnold – Chiari anomaly at an early stage of fetal develpoment.

Nenad Šulović, Goran Relić

15.02.2025.

Original scientific paper

THE PREVALENCE OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AMONG STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE

Introduction/Objective 
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol use in the student population of the University of
Belgrade.
Methods 
The cross-sectional study was conducted in a population of 2,000 students of the Belgrade University. Four faculties (Medicine, Geography,
Economics, Electrical Engineering) from which the students participating in this research were chosen by the method of random choice (by computer
listing), conducted in the period April - June 2010.
Results 
Among our respondents, the highest amount of spirits is consumed by respondents from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, with 22% of
them consuming more than 6 shots on each occasion, while the smallest number of students who drink more than 6 shots on each occasion are from
the Faculty of Economics, with 8%. Students from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, who have the lowest prevalence of cigarette use, consume
alcohol in a binge drinking pattern. The highest frequency of binge drinking in the past year and in the past month before the survey was among
respondents from the Faculty of Geography.
Conclusion 
There is a need for developing a conscience about all the effects that alcohol has, especially physical ones which are not usually noticed
immediately; taking responsibility for own actions; working on a healthy life style and educating people to enhance and improve their health control.

Mirjana Stojanovic-Tasic, Mirjana Virijevic, Kristina Rakic, Emilija Novakovic, Ivana Stasevic Karlicic, Nenad Milosevic, Jelena Aritonovic Pribakovic, Jovana Milosevic, Milica Bogdanovic, Suzana Adzic, Katarina Bisevac, Mary Vuksa

15.02.2025.

Original scientific paper

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE APPROACH TO PATIENTS WITH DISORDERS OF THYRIOD GLAND FUNCTION IN THE DENTAL OFFICE

Thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, affect the work of all organs and organ systems. Whether they are in excess or in deficit, they lead to significant disturbances in the homeostasis of the organism, changing first of all the metabolic processes and leading to significant clinical manifestations, primarily in the cardiovascular, but also in other organ systems. The imbalance of thyroid hormones also has oralmanifestations, which are often the reason why patients visit the dentist. However, what worries dentists the most is the possibility of acute decompensation of hyper or hypothyroidism, with the appearance of thyrotoxic storm or myxedema coma, which are life-threatening conditions. Therefore, a valid pre-procedural evaluation and preparation of patients with thyroid hormone function disorders for pre-planned dental interventions is of great importance. During dental procedures, it is necessary to adhere to recommendations regarding the choice of local anesthetics, hemostasis, drug interactions, the possibility of infection and minimizing stress, all in order to avoid acute decompensation of thyroid imbalance.

Radomir Mitić, Nina Dimitrijević Jovanović, Hristina Ugrinović, Jelena Vulović, Milena Šibalić, Nevena Kalezić

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Lichen planus disseminatus partim vesiculosus after COVID-19 vaccine

Introduction: Lichen planus is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that can be associated with infections, drugs and vaccines. As concerning the potential triggering effect of vaccine, there is evidence a few cases of new-onset lichen planus that appeared after COVID vaccine, particularly the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Case report: This report is a case of a newonset lichen planus triggered by the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine administration in a healthy young female. Dermatological examination revealed polygonal, itchy, erythematous papules on trunk, upper and lower limbs, that coalesced into brownish plaques in the ankles, flexural wrist and knee. No mucosal involvement was noted. In view of the clinical picture, the timing of the skin eruption with respect to the vaccine and the histopathologic findings, a vaccine-induced lichen planus triggered by the COVID-19 vaccine has been diagnosed. Conclusion: Lichen planus or lichenoid-like eruption as a cutaneous manifestation following COVID-19 vaccines are rare, and the pathogenesis for its development is still unclear. Clinical trials showed that the leading vaccines upregulate Tcell response (Th1) and incrementing inflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as lichen planus. Although we still do not completely understand its pathogenesis, dermatologists should be aware of the possibility and keep an eye out for worsening or debut of this disease after the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinated patients should be monitored for skin manifestations, and dermatological evaluation should be offered, when needed.

Dragica Milosavljević, Milijana Relić, Mirjana Stojanović-Tasić

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

The impact of body weight on the secondary osification centers development and the term of closure of the anterior fontanelle in infants

Introduction: during the infant development, the organ growth is influenced by genetic factors, diet, hormones and many neuropeptides. The secondary ossification center in the hip joint begins to form around the 4th month of life. Primary dentition begins at the age of 5-6 months with the emergence of the central incisor in the maxilla. At birth, 6 fontanelles are present between the plate bones of the cranium. The largest is the anterior or large fontanelle. Objective of our research is to analyze the development of the secondary ossification center in the femoral head in relation to dentition and closure of the anterior fontanelle closure as well as influence of childrens' birth weight and current weight on these processes. Methodology: The study included 284 infants, male and female, aged 3 to 8 months. Clinical examination of the musculoskeletal system, anthropomentric measurements and ultrasonographic findings of the hip joint were performed at the Pediatric Clinic of the Clinical Hospital Center Pristina in Gracanica. Results: The development of secondary ossification centre correlated with child's age, dentition, anterior fontanelle closure, birth weight and delivery method, as well as actual body weight. Anterior fontanelle size was inversely related to age, body weight and secondary ossification. Conclusions: According to regression analysis, body weight is the only factor that has a direct and independent impact on the onset and progression of ossification process. Every additional kilogram of a child's body weight accelerates secondary ossification by 1.3-3.77 times.

Snežana Marković-Jovanović, Aleksandar Jovanović, Radojica Stolić, Milica Popović, Danijela Ivanović

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Importance of postoperative pain and possibilities of prevention and treatment

The paper presents the importance of acute postoperative pain, the risk factors for its occurrence and intensity, instruments for its measurement and assessment, as well as the possibilities of prevention and treatment. The fact that post-surgical pain represents not only a subjective unpleasant experience for the patient, but also a factor that significantly contributes to complications and unfavorable outcomes of surgical treatment is well known. Despite that, postoperative pain can be seen very often. To successfully prevent and relieve pain, it is necessary to establish a possible cause-and-effect relationship between the occurrence and intensity of postoperative pain, type of surgical intervention, anesthesia technique, demographic characteristics of patients, comorbidities, chronic therapy, and family and socioeconomic factors. Besides the application of recommendations from the current guidelines and protocols for the prevention and treatment of post-surgical pain to achieve positive treatment outcomes, an individual approach to each patient and the application of multimodal analgesia techniques that include the use of different classes of analgesics, co-analgesics, and non-pharmacological measures, based on modern ERAS-protocols aimed at accelerated recovery after surgical intervention should also be employed.

Anka Tošković, Marina Stojanović, Ksenija Jovanović, Jovan Jozić, Milan Jovanović, Nevena Kalezić

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Anatomical and morphological characteristics of the appendix in acute appendicitis

Introduction: Echosonography of the appendix is the primary method in the diagnostic algorithm of acute appendicitis, after clinical and laboratory examination. Non-invasiveness, availability and easy performance are the advantages of this method in detecting acute appendicitis. Aim: The research aimed to determine the morphological characteristics of the appendix, as well as to evaluate the role of echo sonography in the exploration and visualization of pathological changes in the appendix in acute appendicitis. Material and methods: The cross-sectional study included 59 people who underwent appendectomy and echosonographic examination of the abdomen and pelvis within the Department of Radiological Diagnostics of UHC "Dr Dragisa Misovic-Dedinje" in Belgrade. Results: In 48 out of a total of 59 people (81.4%), there were echosonographic signs of acute appendicitis, of which incompressibility of the wall was present in 40 people (83%), diameter of the appendix over 6mm in 38 (79%), wall thickness over 3mm in 45 (94%), target sign in 33 (69%), hypervascularization of the wall in 28 (58%), as well as the presence of fecoliths with nonhomogeneous content intraluminally in 15 (31.2%) persons. The sensitivity of echosonographic examination for obtaining positive results in persons with acute appendicitis was 86.5%. The specificity of the echosonographic examination to obtain negative results in persons who do not have acute inflammation of the appendix was 57.1%. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 93.7%. The negative predictive value (NPV) was 36.4%. The accuracy of the method was 83.1%. Conclusion: Based on the high sensitivity values of the tests tested in this cross-sectional study, we estimate that echosonographic examination has a primary role in the diagnostic algorithm of a person with suspected acute appendicitis.

Milica Perić, Sava Stajić, Tatjana Filipović, Sanja Gašić, Teodora Jorgaćević, Marko Stalević

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Case report of Parkinson's disease and orthostatic hypotension

Introduction: Parkinson's disease is an idiopathic, slow progressive neurodegenerative condition with the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra compacta of the midbrain. Due to cardiovascular dysautonomia and impaired baroreflex function in Parkinson's disease, the development of orthostatic hypotension is most common, along with increased blood pressure variability, supine hypertension, nocturnal hypertension, etc. Orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and the risk of overall, and cardiovascular mortality. Case report: Orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease is associated with an increased risk of gait disturbances, loss of balance, falls resulting in injuries and limb fractures, and mortality. In this paper, we presented a patient who had previously been treated for arterial hypertension, with the current clinical presentation of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease. After neurological evaluation and the implementation of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy for orthostatic hypotension, gradual improvement and stabilization of blood pressure values are achieved, along with a reduction in orthostatic hypotension symptoms and a decrease in subjective discomfort. Conclusion: In the presence of orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease, in addition to pharmacological therapy, nonpharmacological treatment measures are very important for stabilizing blood pressure values and reducing the symptoms of orthostatic hypotension.

Miloš Mijalković, Nikola Vukašinović

01.12.2021.

Professional paper

Fournier 's gangrene: Literature review and case report

Fournier's gangrene is a progressive necrotizing bacterial dermo-hypodermitis of the perineum and external genitalia. It represents a secondary polymicrobial infection with an aerobic and anaerobic group of bacteria, which have a synergistic effect in the development of this disease. Fournier's gangrene is an urgent, potentially life-threatening, medical condition that requires a multimodal approach: surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue, resuscitation of the patient, and the application of a broad spectrum of antibiotic therapy. We present the case of a 45-year-old male, referred to our department due to pain and swelling of the perineal region and scrotum, in the initial stage of Fournier's gangrene. The patient was hospitalized, a surgical incision and drainage of the areas affected by gangrene were made, and he underwent surgical treatment of the wound and intensive suppurative therapy for 23 days. After 23 days of hospitalization, the patient was discharged for home treatment with prior suturing of the incisional wounds, with an orderly local status and good general condition. Timely incision, debridement and application of intensive therapy in a condition such as Fournier's gangrene is of crucial importance. In this way, the possibility of potential complications, the progression of local to systemic disease, as well as the percentage of fatal outcome, is reduced.

Aleksandar Jakovljević, Gojko Igrutinović, Nikola Miljković, Mladen Kasalović, Danijela Vićentijević

Indexed by