"Thickened" ligamentum flavum caused by laminectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a laminectomy on the adjacent ligamentum flavum (LF) by measuring LF thickness using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 78 patients (31 man, 47 woman) with laminectomy were included in our study. After determination of laminectomy level, measurements were done from the thickest parts of the bilateral LF at the upper level of the laminectomy where bilateral facet joints were evident at the slice. RESULTS: Ipsilateral ligamentum flavum with laminectomy was significantly thicker than the contralateral ligamentum flavum with laminectomy. CONCLUSION: Laminectomy cause thickening of ligamentum flavum. Therefore we assume that it should kept in mind that LFH may develop at the adjacent level to the laminectomy and careful clinical and radiological assessments' should be done to exclude LFH in cases who complain about the recurrence of complaints during the post-operative period after laminectomy.

A study on legal and medical dimensions of radiation exposure in neurosurgery clinics in Turkish practice.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, the first aim was to address the detrimental effects of the fluoroscopy procedure performed by physicians and other health-care professionals in neurosurgery clinics, then to examine precautions that should be taken to avoid harmful effects of radiation and radioactive substances during this process. The second aim was to handle the rights provided for health-care professionals exposed to the radiation in workplaces. METHODS: A standardized questionnaire was used for a multicenter survey. Volunteer, intellectual, and cooperative participants (n = 41) were randomly chosen. The survey was prepared considering reports drawn up by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The questions concerning safe and effective fluoroscopy procedure were asked to the participants. The answers received were statistically evaluated. The alpha significance value was accepted as 0.05. RESULTS: Two neurosurgeons only knew the legal rights that they might possess due to the exposure to the radiation or radioactive substances. CONCLUSION: The survey conducted among the health-care professionals revealed the insufficiency of knowledge about the protection from the radiation exposure or radioactive substances in workplaces. Furthermore, both health-care professionals working in radiology clinics, and those in neurosurgery and other clinics who are likely to be exposed to the radiation or radioactive substances have the rights afforded by the law.