Utilizing shear wave elastography for the evaluation of optical nerve involvement in Behçet's disease.

In this study, we investigated the elasticity of the optic nerve using shear wave elastography (SWE) in patients with Behçet's Disease (BD) and compare findings with a healthy control group. Optic nerve measurements of 40 eyes in the BD group and 38 eyes in the control group were performed by SWE (SWE-right and SWE-left). The mean age of the individuals in the BD group was higher than controls (p = 0.022). The SWE measurement results in the right eye were significantly higher in the BD group (p = 0.005), while SWE-left values were similar in the two groups (p = 0.206). There was a moderate positive correlation between age and SWE-right (r = 0.347, p = 0.031), there was no correlation between SWE-left and age (p = 0.756). It was found that SWE-right had significant value in distinguishing between BD and healthy controls (sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 78.9%; p = 0.005); whereas, SWE-left did not (p = 0.206). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for age and sex, the performance of SWE-right to distinguish BD patients from controls was found to remain significant (OR: 15.045, 95% CI: 2.33-97.120, p = 0.004). Due to the fact that only SWE-right values appear to have significant discriminatory performance for BD, it is feasible to suggest that the frequency and severity of BD involvement are associated with SWE-related changes in the optic nerve. This finding indicates the need for more comprehensive studies evaluating optic nerve SWE values in this context.

Shear-Wave Elastography of Patellar Ligament and Achilles Tendon in Semiprofessional Athletes: Comparing With Nonexercising Individuals.

OBJECTIVES: To compare semiprofessional athletes and nonexercising individuals in terms of p-SWE properties of the patellar ligament and the Achilles tendon. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted in University of Health Sciences, Haseki Education and Research Hospital. A total of 58 individuals, with 29 in each group (according to power analysis), were included in the study. All relevant findings, including demographic characteristics, body mass index (BMI), and exercise (km run per week, km/w) were recorded. The MyLab 9 (Esaote, Genova, Italy) device was used for SWE. The QElaXto-p-SWE software was utilized for P-SWE interpretation and analyses. RESULTS: The mean age was 47.21 ± 12.16 years (range 22-70). Weight (P = .001) and BMI (P < .001) values were significantly higher in the nonathlete group than in the athlete group. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of age, gender, and height. Median SWE values of bilateral patellar ligaments (P < .001 and P < .001) and bilateral Achilles tendons (P < .001 and P < .001) were significantly higher in the athlete group than in the nonathlete group. CONCLUSIONS: We revealed normal p-SWE characteristics for the patellar ligament and Achilles tendon, which are frequently injured in athletes. These scores are important in early detection and follow-up of injuries in athletes.

Relationship Between Abnormalities on High-Resolution Computerized Tomography, Pulmonary Function, and Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Progressive Systemic Sclerosis.

 Introduction and aim: Progressive systemic sclerosis (pSS) is a multisystemic connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs including lung. The mechanisms that leads to progressive lung fibrosis in scleroderma remain obscure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between HRCT findings and patients' clinical and functional status and the degree of alveolitis based on the BAL resultsMaterials and methods: 65 patients with pSS were evaluated. Thoracic HRCT, pulmonary function tests, and dyspnea measurements were applied, and BAL was performed. The parenchymal abnormalities identified on HRCT were coded, and  scored according to Warrick et al. RESULTS: Among parameters investigated, a correlation was found between the number of segments with subpleural cysts and the duration of disease. Also there was a correlation between the HRCT score and patient age whereas no correlation was detected between the duration of the disease, manifestation of the symptoms, and the x-ray findings. A correlation was found between the percentage of neutrophils detected in BAL and the extent of the honeycombing on HRCT. CONCLUSION: This study showed a strong correlation between the extent of x-ray abnormalities and FVC, RV, and DLCO, as well as an increase in the percentage of BAL fluid neutrophils in patients with SSc-PI.