Browsing by Author "Iliklerden, Umit Haluk"

Now showing 1 - 15 of 15

Addressing Radiotherapy-Induced Fibrosis: the Potential of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Infliximab for Improved Breast Cancer Management
(Springer, 2024) Binici, Serhat; Guven, Mustafa; Ozdemir, Abdulselam; Ilik, Zehra Akman; Demirhan, Birhan; Uygur, Serhat; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk
Breast cancer treatment encompasses various therapeutic modalities, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Breast-conserving surgery has been an integral part of breast cancer management. However, radiotherapy, an important component of breast cancer management, can lead to complications, particularly fibrosis, affecting reconstructive surgery outcomes. We conducted an in vivo study using 48 female Wistar Albino rats, employing segmental mastectomy and radiotherapy to simulate post-mastectomy conditions. The rats were divided into six groups: control, mastectomy, mastectomy + radiotherapy, mastectomy + platelet-rich plasma (PRP) + radiotherapy, mastectomy + infliximab + radiotherapy, and mastectomy + infliximab + PRP + radiotherapy. Edema, hyperemia, inflammation, and fibrosis were assessed as indicators of tissue response. Histopathological analysis revealed that mastectomy + infliximab and mastectomy + infliximab + PRP groups showed significant reductions in fibrosis compared to other groups. Edema, hyperemia, and inflammation were also less severe in these groups compared to the control group. Radiotherapy-induced fibrosis is a major concern in breast reconstruction. Our study suggests that local PRP application and systemic infliximab administration, either alone or in combination, could mitigate the adverse effects of radiotherapy. This approach has the potential to improve reconstructive outcomes in patients undergoing or having the possibility to undergo radiotherapy. This is the first study showing the effectiveness of infliximab and PRP combination on wound healing. The provided experimental rat model might offer guidance for further research. This study provides insights into optimizing outcomes in reconstructive breast surgery, paving the way for further research and clinical studies.
Course of Acute Pancreatitis in the Elderly Evaluated With Computed Tomography Scan
(Gunes Kitabevi Ltd Sti, 2020) Konur, Sevki; Surmeli, Neslihan; Gunduz, Ihsan; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk; Dertli, Ramazan; Kayar, Yusuf
Introduction: In our study, we aimed to evaluate how age affects the severity and course of acute pancreatitis according to the modified Balthazar scoring system. Materials and methods: 354 patients diagnosed with acute-pancreatitis and followed-up in our hospital between July/2013-February/2019 were included our study. Demographic data, comorbid diseases and mortality rates of all patients were documented. Patients with aged 65 and over were assessed as geriatric population. All patients included in the study underwent contrast enhanced abdominal computed-tomography within the first 12 hours and on days 3 to 7. According to the modified Balthazar score, patients with mild, moderate and severe acutepancreatitis respectively. The relationship between age and computed-tomography findings was analyzed. Results: 206 (58.2%) of the patients included in the study were women. Mean age was 54.8 +/- 17.9 years (18-100 years). Geriatric population consisted of 129(36.5%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups according to the modified Balthazar classification on the initial computedtomographies on admission (p>0.05). However, on computed-tomography scans taken after the third day, severe acute-pancreatitis was detected significantly more frequently in the elderly (p<0.05). Additionally, in comparing the disease progression on computed-tomography scans, disease progression was significantly higher in the elderly group (p <0.05). In addition, comorbidity score and mortality rate were found to be significantly higher in the elderly group (p<0.001, p:0042, respectively). Conclusion: In acute pancreatitis, age may have an effect on the severity of the disease. For this reason, multidisciplinary approach and close follow-up with monitoring is crucial in geriatric patients.
Esophageal Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma With Unique Daisy-Like Appearance
(Korean Soc Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2015) Olmez, Sehmus; Can, Alper; Yavuz, Alpaslan; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk; Bulut, Gulay
Due to differences in prognosis and management, it is important to subclassify esophageal carcinoma. Esophageal lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is extremely rare, with only a few cases reported to date. Review of the literature revealed case reports describing lesions with similar histology. We present a 69-year-old man with a giant pedunculated-polypoid lesion of the esophagus shrinking the lumen. Endoscopic excision of the tumor was performed and final histopathological diagnosis was confirmed to be LELC. In contrast to a previous case with a more aggressive course and a recurrent lesion, our patient died of his disease within 8 months of diagnosis. Here we discuss the endoscopic and radiologic findings of the case and a review of the literature.
Evaluation of Preoperative and Postoperative Total Serum Sialic Acid Levels in Patients With Colon Cancer
(Edizioni Luigi Pozzi, 2020) Iliklerden, Umit Haluk; Peksen, Caghan; Kalayci, Tolga; Kemik, Ozgur
AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the preoperative and postoperative (48th hour) total serum sialic acid levels of the patients with colon cancer and to investigate if the total serum sialic acid levels can be used as a tumor marker in colon cancer. METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative (48th hour) total serum sialic acid levels of 100 patients that were diagnosed with colon cancer and 70 healthy individuals were examined. All total serum sialic acid levels were determined by the methods of Warren. RESULTS: Total sialic acid levels of both patient groups were significantly higher when compared to the control group (p<0.0001). Also, highly significant difference was found between preoperative and postoperative total serum sialic acid levels (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of total serum sialic acid levels may play a critical role in colon cancers. Total serum sialic acid levels may serve as a non-invasive tool for early diagnosis of colon cancer.
Factors Affecting Morbidity, Mortality, and Recurrence in Incarcerated Femoral Hernia
(Coll Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan, 2022) Kalayci, Tolga; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk; Kotan, Mehmet Cetin
Objective: To ascertain the factors that govern morbidity, mortality, and recurrence in incarcerated femoral hernia. Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey, between January 2010 and January 2020. Methodology: This observational study included patients operated on due to incarcerated femoral hernias under emergency conditions. The preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters of the patients were gathered. The study excluded pregnant patients and patients in the pediatric age group (0-18 years). Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare quantitative variables. In addition, a Chi-square test and Likelihood-ratio test were used to compare the qualitative variables. A p-value <0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the 50 patients was 54.56 +/- 19.34 (19-91) years and the female/male ratio was 33:17. The morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rates of the study were 14%, 4%, and 6% respectively. Higher morbidity was observed in patients who had preoperative nausea (p = 0.003), vomiting (p <0.001), tachycardia (p <0.001), recurrent hernia (p <0.001), surgery under general anesthesia (p <0.001) or who underwent both laparotomy (p = 0.007) and visceral resection during surgery (p <0.001). Higher rates of mortality were observed in patients who had preoperative tachycardia (p = 0.054) or visceral resection during surgery (p = 0.029). However, the study identified no factors affecting recurrence. Conclusion: In cases of incarcerated femoral hernia, symptoms of intestinal obstruction or signs of strangulation are more important in the development of postoperative morbidity. In addition, the probability of mortality is higher in patients who had preoperative tachycardia and in patients who underwent visceral resection. To the extent possible, regional anesthesia should be preferred in suitable cases.
Laminin: a New Biomarker for Gastric Cancer
(Kuwait Medical Assoc, 2024) Kalayci, Tolga; Yilmaz, Ozkan; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk; Kemik, Ozgur; Kotan, Mehmet Cetin
Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of serum laminin levels in gastric cancer Design: A prospective and observational study Setting: Department of General Surgery, Van Yuzuncu Yil University Medical Faculty, Van, Turkey Subjects: Between June 2018 and September 2018, eighty patients who were diagnosed with gastric cancer as the patient group, and forty volunteers as the control group were included in the study. Intervention: From each patient, 3 ml of peripheral blood sample was collected. Main outcome measures: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for human laminin were used for the detection of laminin in samples of serum. Data on patient demographics (age, gender) and serum laminin levels were recorded in both control and gastric cancer groups. In gastric cancer patients, serum laminin levels were further analyzed with respect to tumor stages and tumor size. Results: Serum laminin levels were significantly higher in gastric cancer patients [median (min-max): 205 (165-483) vs. 12 (9-18) ng/mL, P <0.001]. Laminin levels were higher in patients with advanced invasion depth, distant organ metastasis and lymph node metastasis ( P <0.001). The sensitivity and specificity determined from the receiver operating characteristic curves at cut-off level of 70 were 95% and 97% for serum laminin, respectively. Conclusion: The serum concentration of laminin can be used as a biomarker at the time of diagnosis for gastric cancer with high sensitivity and specificity. In addition, laminin can be used to discriminate between earlier, advanced or metastatic stages of gastric cancer.
Late Complications Due To Thoracic Traumas
(Turkish Assoc Trauma Emergency Surgery, 2022) Iliklerden, Duygu Mergan; Cobanoglu, Ufuk; Sayir, Fuat; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk
BACKGROUND: A total of 412 patients who applied to our clinic after a thoracic trauma between March 2010 and December 2019 were examined retrospectively In this study, late complications that developed as a result of blunt and penetrating thoracic traumas were evaluated and it was aimed to present a prediction for the management of these complications to physicians who are dealing with trauma. METHODS: Among the 412 thoracic trauma cases, 62 cases (15.04%) who developed late-term complications which constituted the main theme of this study were evaluated in terms of age, gender, the type of trauma, the cause of trauma, thorax, and concomitant organ pathologies that developed when the trauma first occurred, the late-term complications, and the treatment methods for them while considering mortality. RESULTS: Of 62 patients with late complications due to thoracic trauma, 47 (75.80%) were male, 15 (24.20%) were female, and the average age was 56.98 +/- 21.22. When the trauma type of the patients who developed posttraumatic late-term complications was evaluated, blunt traumas were seen in 90.33% (n=56) of the cases, whereas penetrating traumas were seen in 9.47% (n=6). Traffic accidents were the most common cause in blunt trauma cases (66.07%), whereas pointed and sharp-edged weapon injuries were the most common in penetrating traumas (83.33%). The most common thorax pathology is pulmonary contusion (75%) in blunt traumas and hemopneumothorax in penetrating traumas (66.66%). When the groups were analyzed separately, the most common late-term complication for penetrating traumas was retained hemothorax (66.66%), while pneumonia was the most common (41.07%) in blunt trauma cases. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed in seventeen patients with retained post-traumatic hemothorax and thoracotomy was performed in eight cases. Seven patients with post-traumatic empyema underwent thoracoscopy, and four patients underwent decortication with thoracotomy. Six of the patients who developed late-term complications died. The mortality rate is 9.67%. Pneumonia was detected as a late complication type in 83.33% of cases with mortality. CONCLUSION: It will be appropriate for the physicians who are interested in trauma to determine the treatment modalities of the patients by considering many factors such as the age of the patient and the trauma type in terms of the late complications that they will not be able to detect at first glance.
Morbidity, Mortality and Recurrence Factors of Incarcerated Femoral Hernia
(Oxford Univ Press, 2021) Kalayci, Tolga; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk; Kotan, Mehmet Cetin
New Diagnostic Biomarker-Soluble Erythropoietin-Producing Hepatocellular Receptor A2 (Epha2) for Colon Cancer
(Springer india, 2023) Iliklerden, Umit Haluk; Kalayci, Tolga
To evaluate the association between soluble erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor A(2) (EphA(2)) levels and the patients' tumor stage, tumor size, and lymph node metastasis. This study was planned at a tertiary health institute from May 2020 to October 2020 as prospective observational study after ethical committee approval. Samples were taken from 90 colon cancer patients and 40 healthy volunteers matched for age and sex. All samples were centrifuged to eliminate components and stored at -80 degrees C until testing. Serum levels of the EphA(2) were measured with sandwich ELISA. The mean age of the control group was 63.48 years (55-0 years; 19 men and 21 women), while the mean age of patient's group was 64.09 (range from 57 to 70 years; 46 men and 44 women). There was no difference between patient and control group according to age and gender (p>0.05). The mean value of serum EphA(2) was 194.75 ng/mL in the control group and 2622.39 ng/mL in the colon cancer patients (p<0.001). EPHA(2) level was significantly higher in the patients with tumor diameter over 30 mm (p<0.001). In addition, EPHA(2) levels were higher in patients with advanced TNM stage, deeply invasive tumors, multiple lymph node metastases, and distant metastasis (p<0.001). From the result of this study, EPHA(2) levels can be a diagnostic marker and can be used to differentiate cancer stages (to distinguish stages I-III from stage IV). It is also the first study investigating the relationship between EPHA(2) levels and colon cancer.
The Prognostic Effect of Pretreatment 18f-Fdg Pet/Ct Metabolic Parameters in Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Definitive Chemoradiotherapy
(Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2022) Sakin, Abdullah; Ozcelik, Mahsun; Sahin, Suleyman; Aydemir, Ozan; Aldemir, Mehmet Naci; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk; Kotan, Mehmet Cetin
Introduction: In this study, we aimed to examine the relation between pre-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters [(including the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and tumor lesion glycolysis (TLG)] and treatment response and survival in locally-advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer (ESCC) treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT). Methods: A total 76 patients with locally-advanced ESCC who received dCRT between June 2015 and December 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups as complete response (CR) or non-complete response (Non-CR) according to response to treatment. AUC was obtained as 0.749 (p < 0.001) in the ROC curve drawn by MTV for the CR. The MTV value was <= 12 cm(3), with 72.1% sensitivity and 73.0% specificity. Results: Of the 76 patients, 38 (50%) were male and 38 (50%) were female. The median age was 62 (39-84) years. The treatment response in 35 (46%) patients was CR. MTV value was > 12cm3 in 41(54%) patients. Median follow-up time was 14.5 months. In patients with MTV > 12cm3, median progression-free survival(mPFS) and median overall survival(mOS) were 9 months and 11 months, respectively, whereas mPFS and OS could not be reached in those with MTV & LE;12 cm3 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). In patients with non-CR, mPFS and mOS were 8 months and 9 months, respectively, whereas mPFS and OS could not be reached in patients with CR (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.07), ECOG PS (OR, 11.1), and MTV (OR, 4.73) were found to be the factors affecting treatment response. Conclusion: In our study, treatment response and MTV were found to be the factors associated with survival in patients treated with dCRT, showing the pre-treatment MTV value as a predictor of treatment response.
Relationship Between Proliferative Breast Lesions and Breast Cancer Risk Factors
(Galenos Yayincilik, 2021) Toktas, Osman; Elasan, Sadi; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk; Erten, Remzi; Karayil, Ali Riza; Ozdemir, Abdulselam; Senturk, Enes
Objective: The prognosis of breast cancer (BC) is determined directly based on the stage of disease at the time of diagnosis. Proliferative breast lesions (PBLs) are an important risk factor for BC development. The risk of developing BC varies according to the presence of extent of proliferation in the breast lesions. We aimed to investigate the effect of BC risk factors on the PBLs in this study. Materials and Methods: Patients who visited the surgical clinic of the university during the past 6 years who presented with PBLs with or without atypia by fine/core needle aspiration biopsy were included in this study. The relationship between PBLs and BC risk factors such as the age, mass size, Body Mass index (BMI), smoking, sports activity, BC family history, the use of hormone replacement therapy, number of pregnancies, and the duration of breastfeeding were compared. Results: A total of 74 (96.1%) of all patients were women and three were men. The median age of the patients was 38 (range: 19-74) years; the cut-off value of age was 35.5 years. The mean age of patients with PBL-with atypia (PBL-WA) was higher (p=0.005) in the malignant group based on the final pathology and radiological imaging features (for both, p<0.001). The mean size of the mass was large at 2.53 +/- 1.33 (1-6) cm; and the cut-off value of the tumor size was 2.5 cm. The mean size was greater in the PBL-WA patients (p=0.171) in the malignant group based on the final pathology and radiological characteristic (respectively, p=0.004 and p=0.016). The mean BMI was 26.8 +/- 4.4 kg/m(2) (18.8-35.1) and the cut-off value was 25.4 kg/m(2). BMI was greater in the PBL-WA group and in the malignant group based on the final pathology (respectively, p=0.002 and p=0.001). Smoking was positive in 66.2% (n=51) of the patients, and it was high in the PBL-WA patients (p=0.001). The percentage of patients with no sports activity was 63.6% (n=49), while it was 20.8% (n=16) for those with once a week sports activity and 15.6% (n=12) for those with twice a week activity. There was family history of BC in 16.9% (n=13) of all patients. The number of positive cases of family history of BC was greater in the malignant group (p=0.001). Hormone replacement therapy was recorded in 11.7% (n=9) of the patients. The mean numbers of pregnancies (2.1 +/- 2.4) and breastfeeding duration (32.5 +/- 37.4 months) were low in the benign groups due to the relatively lower average age of the patients. Conclusion: Based on our analysis, age is an extremely important aspect for assessing PBLs. The age of the patient was statistically significantly greater in the patients with malignant lesions in all groups. The factors lesion size, BMI, smoking habit, and BC family history were also more frequent in the malignant groups. The rate of sports activity was lower in the malignant groups. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate patients individually when evaluating PBLs. It is recommended to evaluate PBLs together with BC risk factors for the better understanding.
The Role of Latent Transforming Growth Factor Β Binding Protein 2 (Ltbp2) in the Diagnosis and Stage Discrimination of Gastric Cancer
(Springer india, 2022) Kalayci, Tolga; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk
Gastric cancer is a major health problem all over the world. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the effect of Latent Transforming Growth Factor beta Binding Protein 2 (LTBP2) on the diagnosis and stage discrimination of gastric cancer. Between May 2019 and October 2019, ninety patients, who were diagnosed with gastric cancer as the patient group, and forty-five healthy volunteer (samples were also taken from health volunteers to test LTBP2 usability) as the control group were included in the study. From each patient, 3 ml of peripheral blood sample was collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for human LTBP2 were used for the detection of serum samples. Data on patient demographics (age, gender) and serum LTBP2 levels were recorded in both control and gastric cancer groups. In gastric cancer patients, serum LTBP2 levels were further analyzed with respect to tumor stages and tumor size. The mean LTBP2 levels were 14.78 SD4.54 and 2.79 SD0.93 in the gastric cancer patients and control group, respectively. The LTBP2 levels were significantly correlated with advanced lymph node status, depth of invasion, and TNM stage (p < 0.001). In addition, when the tumor diameter was over 30 mm, LTBP2 levels increased significantly. Increased level of LTBP2 in gastric tumor tissue is consistently associated with advanced gastric cancer. From the result of this study, LTBP2 can be a diagnostic marker and can be used to differentiate cancer stages (to distinguish stage I-III from stage IV). Further emphasis should be put on the integration of these markers and validation in larger cohorts for the prediction of gastric cancer.
The Severity of Acute Pancreatitis According To Modified Balthazar Classification in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2020) Konur, Sevki; Ozkahraman, Adnan; Surmeli, Neslihan; Gunduz, Ihsan; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk; Dertli, Ramazan; Kayar, Yusuf
Objective: Although acute pancreatitis (AP) is a self-limited disease under supportive and medical treatment, it can have life-threatening potential in some patients. Results of studies reporting outcomes of AP-associated pancreatic malignancy are controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the severity and prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PC)-related AP by modified Balthazar score. Methods: A total of 354 patients hospitalized and followed up in our clinic between 2013 and 2019 were included in the study. Demographic data of all patients were recorded. The etiology of all cases was determined. According to the etiology, the cases were divided into 2 groups: AP related to pancreatic malignancy and AP due to nonmalignant causes. The patients underwent computed tomography of the abdomen within the first 12 hours of admission and after 3 to 7 days. Patients were evaluated and classified by modified Balthazar classification. Results: Malignancy-related AP was detected in 18 (5.1%) patients. A total of 336 cases (94.9%) were related to nonmalignant causes. There was no statistically significant difference in the severity of AP in both groups at admission and after 3 days (p> 0.05). The changes (regression, progression, or no change) in the disease severity at the first and the subsequent imaging were examined. There was no significant relationship between the 2 groups (p> 0.05). Conclusion: AP may be the clinical manifestation of PC or PC may induce AP in various ways. It was shown that the underlying malignancy did not adversely affect the severity and course of AP.
Treatment of Rectus Sheath Hematomas: Eight Years of Single-Center Experience With a Review of Literature
(Turkish Assoc Trauma Emergency Surgery, 2021) Iliklerden, Umit Haluk; Kalayci, Tolga
BACKGROUND: Rectus sheath hematoma is a rare and frequently misdiagnosed cause of acute abdominal pain. In the management of the patients with rectus sheath hematoma, which are mostly with advanced age and comorbid diseases, positive results can be obtained by avoiding unnecessary surgical procedures with correct diagnosis and treatment approaches. The presented study aims to contribute to the lack of algorithms and optimal treatment strategies in the management of rectus sheath hematoma patients with the description of our experience in their management. METHODS: Patients who underwent treatment with the diagnosis of rectus sheath hematoma between May 2010 and July 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic characteristics, medical histories, physical and laboratory findings and imaging methods, treatment processes, complications, morbidity, mortality, length of hospitalization and long-term follow-up results were searched. Data were analyzed from patient files, hospital computer registry system and radiology archives. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and IBM-SPSS-Statistics-24. RESULTS: The mean age of the 31 patients was 63.03 years (24-85 years). The female/male ratio (21/10) was 2.1. The most common presenting sign or symptom was abdominal pain (100%), followed by abdominal wall mass in 25 patients (80.6%). Twenty-five patients (80.6%) were receiving some form of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy. Diagnosis was confirmed by Computed Tomography in 11 (45.4%), Ultrasonography in five (16.1%) and Computed Tomography with Ultrasonography in 15 (33.3%). Eight patients (25.8%) were evaluated as Type-1, 10 (32.2%) as Type-2 and 13 (41.9%) as Type-3. Mean International Normalized Ratio (INR) value of patients was 2.59. Bleeding was controlled by surgery in three cases (9.6%). The conservative approach was preferred in 28 cases (90.3%). 29 (93.5%) patients were discharged after an average hospital stay of 7.48 days (4-21). One patient died on the postoperative 5th day and other on the 14th day of conservative treatment (6.45% mortality). The mortality rate of conservatively and surgically treated patients was 3.5% and 33.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Rectus sheath hematoma should be suspected in elderly patients using anticoagulants with acute abdominal pain, severe cough attacks and an umbilical palpable or radiologically supported mass. Computed Tomography and Ultrasonography should be performed in case of clinical suspicion. Early and correct diagnosis ensures successful conservative treatment and prevents unnecessary surgical procedures. In the management of cases where clinician experience is at the forefront, we are hopeful that a new effective algorithm system and guidelines for the diagnosis will be identified after increasing the presentations of case series and experiences.
An Unusual Cause of Abdominal Mass in Pregnancy: Dolichomegacolon
(Carbone Editore, 2014) Kurdoglu, Zehra; Dirik, Deniz; Kurdoglu, Mertihan; Iliklerden, Umit Haluk
Introduction: Dolichomegacolon is a clinical entity that may cause acute abdominal symptoms such as volvulus and dells. In this case report, we present a pregnant woman with dolichomegacolon that mimics an abdominal mass. Case: A 30-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic in active labor. We realized an abdominal mass in the abdomen 10 cm. in diameter. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated a 12x10 cm sonolucent mass at the left side of the uterus. The patient had a history of previous cesarean sections, so she was delivered by cesarean section. On exploration, a 30-cm segment of descending colon was abnormally enlarged, with a width greater than 12 cm. The colon was waved aside, and a healthy newborn weighing 2850 g. was delivered by cesarean section with inferior transverse incision. The patient was discharged uneventfully on postoperative day 5. Conclusion: Dolichomegacolon should be kept in mind as a possible benign cause of an abdominal mass in pregnant women presenting with abdominal mass.