M.D. Zekai Tarım

My 8-year-old son, Ali, developed a persistent wheeze after what seemed like a simple cold. Our local doctor suspected asthma, but Dr. Tarım at Acibadem Kadikoy was a revelation. Instead of jumping to conclusions, he spent nearly an hour just talking to Ali about his toy cars, building trust. He used a special child-friendly spirometry test that felt like a game. His diagnosis was surprisingly specific: post-viral hyper-reactive airways, not chronic asthma. He prescribed a very short, targeted inhaler course and taught Ali a fun 'dragon breath' technique. Three weeks later, the wheeze was completely gone, and we avoided unnecessary long-term medication. His approach with children is pure genius.

As a 72-year-old retired teacher with COPD, I thought I'd seen every pulmonologist in Istanbul. Dr. Zekai Tarım changed that. During a routine checkup, he didn't just listen to my lungs; he asked about my daily walks by the Bosphorus and how many steps I could manage before getting breathless. He noticed a subtle, inconsistent crackle that others had missed. He ordered a specific type of dynamic CT scan I'd never had before. It revealed a tiny, early-stage area of fibrosis complicating my COPD. His plan wasn't just stronger medication; it was a tailored pulmonary rehab program at the hospital's gym and a nutritional adjustment. For the first time in years, I feel proactive, not just managed. He treats the person, not just the X-ray.

I was rushed to Acibadem Kadikoy's ER at 3 AM with sudden, severe pleuritic chest pain and breathlessness. The ER doctor called Dr. Tarım, who arrived within 25 minutes, calm but intensely focused. He suspected a spontaneous pneumothorax but performed a point-of-care ultrasound right there in the ER bay, confirming it. What was unique was his immediate discussion of options: a traditional chest tube or a newer, smaller catheter aspiration technique for a select case like mine. He explained the pros and cons under the emergency circumstances. We opted for the catheter. He performed it with such precision, and the relief was instant. He then personally monitored me in the observation unit for six hours, explaining every sound and reading on the monitor. It was terrifying, but his mastery turned it into a controlled, educational experience.

My case was complex: a rare benign tracheal tumor identified elsewhere, with a recommendation for major open-neck surgery. Seeking a second opinion, I met Dr. Tarım. He reviewed my images for a long, silent time. Then, he proposed a radically different approach: a collaborative, hybrid procedure. He would first attempt rigid bronchoscopy with laser ablation to debulk the tumor, working alongside a thoracic surgeon on standby in case the open approach became necessary. He mapped the entire plan, including the exact millimeter where his work would stop and the surgeon's would begin. The procedure lasted 4 hours. He successfully removed 95% of the tumor via bronchoscopy, avoiding external scars and a much longer recovery. His brilliance lies in knowing the limits of his specialty and orchestrating a team for the patient's best outcome. This wasn't just treatment; it was strategic medical artistry.