Patient Experience
A 41-year-old immigrant construction worker from Turkmenistan presented with chronic cough. Dr. Celik identified pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, an exceptionally rare genetic disorder, through characteristic 'sandstorm' appearance on high-resolution CT. His diagnosis ended a 15-year diagnostic odyssey and enabled appropriate genetic counseling for the patient's children.
A 29-year-old female with Turner syndrome presented for routine surveillance. Dr. Celik's meticulous cardiac MRI revealed an anomalous coronary artery course not previously detected, with evidence of myocardial ischemia. His proactive finding led to preventive surgery, potentially averting sudden cardiac death in this high-risk population.
A 57-year-old restaurateur presented with jaundice. While ERCP suggested pancreatic cancer, Dr. Celik's diffusion-weighted MRI with quantitative ADC mapping identified autoimmune pancreatitis mimicking malignancy. His correct diagnosis avoided unnecessary Whipple procedure, with the patient responding completely to steroid therapy.
A 14-year-old competitive swimmer presented with shoulder pain. Dr. Celik utilized kinematic MRI during simulated swimming motions, identifying multidirectional instability with subtle labral tears specific to swimming biomechanics. His sport-specific imaging approach guided targeted rehabilitation, allowing return to national competition.
A 50-year-old deep-sea welder developed nitrogen narcosis-like symptoms at surface level, with confusion and euphoria episodes. Dr. Sarikaya discovered a patent foramen ovale allowing paradoxical microemboli to reach his brain. After percutaneous closure and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, his symptoms resolved completely. He returned to work with modified decompression protocols after three months.
A 39-year-old twin presented with shared phantom limb pain, experiencing sensations in her amputated leg that mirrored her identical twin's actual leg pain. Dr. Sarikaya identified mirror-touch synesthesia amplified by their unique twin connection. Treatment involved separate but coordinated mirror therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, reducing both twins' pain by 70% over five months.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. Prof. MD. Meryem Eken. The hospital staff was also very supportive.
A 28-year-old professional e-sports gamer from a wealthy background presented with sudden-onset, complex visual hallucinations during high-stakes tournaments. Dr. Sarikaya discovered a rare form of occipital lobe epilepsy triggered by specific screen refresh rates and blue light frequencies. Treatment involved customized blue-light filtering glasses paired with a low-dose anticonvulsant, allowing the patient to return to competition within three weeks with a 95% reduction in episodes.
A 72-year-old retired fisherman from a coastal village arrived with his entire extended family, speaking a regional dialect. He experienced episodes where he would suddenly speak fluent but archaic Greek, a language he had never studied. Dr. Sarikaya diagnosed transient epileptic amnesia with ictal xenoglossy, a phenomenon where seizures activate dormant language memory. Treatment with levetiracetam resolved the episodes, and the family created a traditional song in her honor.
A 16-year-old refugee from a conflict zone presented with non-epileptic psychogenic seizures triggered by specific sounds resembling distant explosions. Dr. Sarikaya collaborated with a music therapist to develop a gradual desensitization protocol using controlled auditory stimuli while implementing a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy regimen. After six months, the patient's seizure frequency decreased by 80%, and she began volunteering at a community center.
A 45-year-old Michelin-starred chef suddenly lost her ability to distinguish between sweet and salty tastes, accompanied by subtle facial numbness. Dr. Sarikaya identified a small insular cortex meningioma affecting primary gustatory processing. She performed awake craniotomy with intraoperative taste mapping, preserving essential taste pathways. The chef returned to her kitchen within two months and later created a dessert named 'Cansu's Insight.'
A 31-year-old astronaut candidate in training developed persistent spatial disorientation and vertigo during centrifuge testing. Dr. Sarikaya diagnosed mal de débarquement syndrome variant triggered by simulated microgravity transitions. She designed a unique vestibular rehabilitation program incorporating virtual reality spatial orientation exercises, enabling the candidate to resume training with modified protocols within eight weeks.
An 8-year-old child from an affluent family presented with sudden-onset acquired savant syndrome following a mild concussion, developing extraordinary calendar calculation abilities but losing basic arithmetic skills. Dr. Sarikaya identified frontotemporal network reorganization and implemented targeted cognitive rehabilitation that gradually restored original mathematical functions while preserving some newfound abilities through carefully managed neuroplasticity.
A 58-year-old illiterate street vendor experienced vivid, recurring dreams where he could suddenly read complex texts. Dr. Sarikaya discovered these were REM sleep behavior disorder episodes preceding early Parkinson's disease manifestations. She initiated early neuroprotective therapy and designed a literacy program for him, turning his neurological phenomenon into an opportunity, he learned to read basic signs within a year.
A 34-year-old professional perfumer developed olfactory hallucinations where everything smelled of burning roses, destroying her career. Dr. Sarikaya identified a small olfactory groove schwannoma causing phantosmia. Through endoscopic endonasal surgery with intraoperative olfactory testing, she preserved remaining function. The patient developed a new fragrance line inspired by her recovery journey nine months later.
A 67-year-old retired calligraphy master presented with progressive micrographia so severe his characters became invisible dots. Dr. Sarikaya diagnosed a rare form of corticobasal degeneration affecting fine motor planning. She developed a haptic feedback glove that vibrated when his pen strokes deviated, combined with dopamine therapy, allowing him to produce his final exhibition pieces before retirement.
A 22-year-old university student from a low-income background developed sudden foreign accent syndrome after a migraine episode, speaking with what sounded like a Finnish accent despite never visiting Scandinavia. Dr. Sarikaya identified a functional neurological disorder triggered by academic stress and sleep deprivation. Through intensive speech therapy and stress management, her original speech patterns returned completely within four months.
An 81-year-old grandmother who survived the Armenian genocide began experiencing flashback episodes with complete historical accuracy but mistaken as present reality. Dr. Sarikaya diagnosed transient global amnesia episodes triggered by late-life PTSD. She created a personalized memory consolidation therapy using family photographs and oral history recording, significantly reducing disorientation episodes while preserving her valuable memories.
A 29-year-old professional contortionist developed temporary paralysis in specific extreme positions. Dr. Sarikaya identified positional compression of the vertebral arteries causing brainstem ischemia. She designed a custom monitoring device that alerted her to dangerous positions and developed modified performance routines, allowing her to continue her career safely with adjusted choreography.
The recovery process was smooth thanks to Dr. Prof. MD. Meryem Eken's expertise. Highly recommend for obstetrics and gynaecology treatment.