Modified endoscopic strip craniectomy technique for sagittal craniosynostosis: provides comparable results and avoids bony defects.

PURPOSE: This study describes a modified technique addressing bony defects and incomplete ossification after endoscopic strip craniectomy (ESC) for SC followed by postoperative helmet therapy (PHT). The study aims to delineate quantitative and qualitative outcomes of this modified ESC technique followed by PHT and discern the optimal duration of PHT following ESC. A secondary aim is to address the effects of the technique on bony defects. METHODS: Patients undergoing ESC followed by PHT between 2017 and 2021 were included. Patient sex, age at surgery, duration of surgery, red blood cell transfusion, length of hospital stay, PHT duration, cephalic index (CI) at multiple time points, and bony defect information were collected. Descriptive and correlative analysis was done. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (25 male, 6 female) were operated in study period. Mean age at surgery was 12.81 weeks, mean duration of surgery was 57.50 min, average transfused RBC volume was 32 cc, mean length of hospital stay was 1.84 days, mean PHT duration was 33.16 weeks, and mean follow-up time was 63.42 weeks. Mean preoperative CI was 70.6, and mean CI at the end of PHT was significantly higher, being 77.1. Maximum improvement in CI (CImax) took place at week 22.97. PHT duration did not have a correlation with CI at last follow up. There were no bony defects. CONCLUSION: Modified ESC technique is effective in successful correction of sagittal craniosynostosis. CImax already takes place, while PHT is continuing, but there is no certain time point for dishelmeting. The technique avoided bony defects and incomplete ossification.

Clinical Evaluation of Decompressive Craniectomy in Malignant Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction using 3D Area and Volume Calculations.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to measure the craniectomy area using three-dimensional (3D) anatomic area and volume calculations to demonstrate that it can be an effective criterion for evaluating survival and functional outcomes of patients with malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients diagnosed with malignant ischemic stroke between 2013 and 2018, for which they underwent surgery due to deterioration in their neurological function, were retrospectively reviewed. Radiological images of all patients were evaluated; total brain tissue volume, ischemic brain tissue volume, total calvarial bone area, and decompression bone area were measured using 3D anatomical area and volume calculations. RESULTS: In total, 45 patients (27 males and 18 females) had been treated with decompressive craniectomy (DC). The removed bone area was found to be significantly related to the outcome in patients with MCA infarction. The average decompression bone area and mean bone removal rate for patients who died after DC were 112 ± 27 cm2 and 20%, whereas these values for surviving patients were 149 ± 29 cm2 and 26% (P = 0.001), respectively. At the 6-month follow-up, the average decompression bone area and mean bone removal rate for patients with severe disability were 126 ± 30 cm2 and 22.2%, whereas these values for patients without severe disability were 159 cm2 ± 26 and 28.4% (P = 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with malignant MCA infarction, the decompression area is associated with favorable functional outcomes, first, survival and second, 6-month modified Rankin scale score distribution after craniectomy.

Influence of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Mutation on the Aggressiveness and Recurrence in Meningiomas.

BACKGROUND:  Over 200 human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) polymorphism combinations have been implicated in the development of cancer. This study aimed to evaluate hTERT mutations in meningioma tissue and its association with meningioma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 90 patients who underwent surgery between 2006 and 2015 and were histopathologically diagnosed with meningioma (WHO 2016) were included. RESULTS: Among the 90 participants included herein, 50 (55.5%) and 40 (44.5%) were female and male, respectively, with an average age of 56.2 ± 14 years. Mean Ki-67 values were 10.56% (SD 12.41, range 0-60), while the mean follow-up duration was 39.1 months (SD 26.3). Low- and high-grade patients had a mean Ki-67 score of 4.31% (SD 3.58, range 0-16) and 19.92% (SD 14.91, range 2-60) (p = 0.0001). Our results showed a moderate positive correlation between Ki-67 score and the presence of hTERT mutation (Pearson correlation test, r = 0.5161; p = 0.0001). Patients with an hTERT mutation > 30% had significantly higher risk for reoperation than those with lower levels of mutation (p = 0.016, chi square test). None of the patients requiring reoperation had an hTERT mutation < 10%. Moreover, high-grade patients had a 7.2 times higher risk of reoperation than those with an hTERT mutation > 30%. CONCLUSION: The presence of hTERT mutation, in addition to high Ki-67, indicated a more aggressive meningioma disease course and potentially increased risk of recurrence.

Tissue Thiol Concentration in High-Grade Gliomas: Is There any Association Between IDH1 Mutation Presence and Tumoral Cellular Antioxidant Defense?

AIM: To assess and compare the antioxidant capacities of high-grade gliomas (HGG) according to their grades and the presence of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation using tissue thiol level measurement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Tissue thiol concentrations were measured in 41 HGG samples and 21 healthy brain tissues obtained from autopsy procedures, which were performed within the first 4 hours of death. All samples were stored at ?80°C, and a thiol quantification kit was used in evaluating tissue thiol levels. The Number Cruncher Statistical System was used for statistical analyses to detect the differences between the control group and the HGG group, which was also divided into subgroups according to their grade and IDH1 mutation presence. RESULTS: The tissue thiol levels of HGGs were found to be higher than the control group (p=0.001). Although the median thiol levels of Grade 4 gliomas were higher than those of Grade 3, no statistically significant difference was noted (p=0.076). When all tumors were compared according to the IDH1 mutation presence, IDH1-negative (IDH1-) HGGs had higher thiol contents than IDH1 mutant (IDH1+) HGGs (p=0.001). The thiol levels of Grade 4 IDH1- gliomas were statistically significantly higher than of Grade 3 gliomas (p=0.023), but no statistically significant difference between the thiol levels of Grade 3 and Grade 4 IDH1+ tumors was noted (p=0.459). CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated the higher thiol concentrations of HGGs, particularly IDH1- ones. The sulfhydryl contents of gliomas as an indicator of tumoral antioxidant capacity may be responsible for the treatment resistance of IDH1- gliomas, the mechanism of which is not clear. Thiols can be a novel target for treatment, considering the unsatisfactory results of current modalities for HGGs.

Relationship Between Degeneration or Sagittal Balance With Modic Changes in the Cervical Spine.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the relationship between degenerative and Modic changes (MCs) in the cervical spine and compares the results with the cervical sagittal balance parameters. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 275 patients with neck pain who applied to our outpatient clinic and underwent cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cervical anteroposterior (AP)/lateral (Lat) X-ray radiography between January 2016 and January 2018. The clinics, demographic information, and radiological findings of the patients were examined. Modic changes, disc degeneration, and facet degeneration (FD) were examined by cervical MRI, and T1 slope and Cobb angle were measured by cervical AP/Lat X-ray radiography. These results were compared to evaluate their relations with each other. RESULTS: No relationship between the presence or absence of degenerative changes (Modic changes, facet degeneration, and disc degeneration) and sagittal balance parameters (T1 slope and Cobb angle) was found. However, when each cervical segment was examined separately, facet degeneration at the C4-C5 level and Modic changes at the C3-C4, C4-C5, and C6-C7 levels were statistically significant with the Cobb angles, and the Modic changes at the C3-C4 level and disc degeneration at the C2-C3 level were found to be significant with T1 slope values. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that MCs increased with decreased cervical curvature, increasing disc and facet degeneration, although the causal mechanisms are not clear.

The Synergistic Effect of Combined Transforaminal and Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection in Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniations.

Background Recurrent lumbar disc herniation (RLDH) is one of the most common causes of chronic low back and leg pain. Although surgical treatment has high success rates in primary lumbar disc herniations, recurrence is not an uncommon clinic condition after the surgery. Considering the recurrent surgeries have lower success rates and higher risks, such as dural tear and nerve injury, alternative treatment modalities are needed for RLDH patients. Epidural steroid injections (ESI), particularly transforaminal steroid injection (TFESI) and caudal steroid injection (CESI), which are the alternative treatments to surgery, have not shown reasonable results in RLDH separately. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of combined TFESI and CESI (TFESI + CESI) treatment, which has been found successful in primary lumbar disc herniation (PLDH) and on pain control and quality of life in RLDH patients for the first time. Materials and methods A total of 71 patients, who had ESI treatment as only TFESI or TFESI + CESI because of RLDH in our clinic between March 2017 and February 2020, were investigated retrospectively. The visual analog scale (VAS) leg, VAS back, and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to assess leg pain, low back pain, and limitation of daily routine activities. Each assessment was done before the intervention and repeated at the third week, the third month, and the sixth month of injection, and the results were noted. Results Out of 71 patients, 38 were female and 33 male. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to the applied ESI methods as only TFESI (n = 32) and TFESI + CESI (n = 39). In the only TFESI group, the mean VAS leg score was 7.84, 4.63, 5.40, and 6.19 before, at the third week, the third month, and the sixth month of the injection, respectively. Also, in this group, the mean VAS back score was 8.06, 4.16, 4.88, and 5.97; the mean ODI score was 55.81, 34.31, 37.5, and 49.04 in the same respect. In the TFESI + CESI group, the mean VAS leg score was 8.20, 2.87, 3.64, 4.23; mean VAS back score 8.03, 3.05, 3.90, 4.08; mean ODI score 56.56, 28.05, 30.21, 33.64 before, at the third week, third month, and sixth month of the injection, respectively. The mean of the initial VAS leg, VAS back, and ODI scores was not found to be statistically significantly different between the two groups. The mean of all VAS leg, VAS back, and ODI scores was found to be lower in the TFESI + CESI group than the only TFESI group at each third-week, third-month, and sixth-month controls, and these differences were statistically significant. (p<0.0001 at each controls for VAS leg; p = 0.001 at third week, p = 0.002 at third month and p <0.0001 at sixth month for VAS back; p= 0.0003 at third week, p<0.0001 at third month, p<0.0001 at sixth month for ODI) Conclusion Our study demonstrates that TFESI + CESI treatment is an effective non-surgical treatment for RLDH. Considering the higher risks and lower success rates of recurrent surgeries, TFESI + CESI can be a potential treatment option for RLDH patients.

Hemipartial Laminectomy and Bilateral Flavectomy Technique With Unilateral Approach in Patients With Cervical Spinal Stenosis Due to Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy: A Technique Note.

The aim of this procedure is to widen the spinal canal by using minimally invasive techniques to do hemipartial laminectomy and bilateral flavectomy in patients with cervical spinal stenosis due to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. A 66-year-old man presented with increasing neck and right shoulder pain for one year to Koç University Hospital. He reported a three-month history of numbness in his hands. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were 15 and 8, respectively. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spinal canal stenosis at the C3-4 level secondary to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Hemi-partial laminectomy at the C3 level, flavectomy, and bilateral decompression were performed using the right unilateral approach. The patient's complaints of symptoms considerably decreased three months later. The VAS and JOA scores were 2 and 16, respectively. This minimally invasive approach can be an alternative to classic laminectomy in patients who have radiculopathy and myelopathy due to posterior origin spinal stenosis in order to safely resolve pain and neurologic dysfunction.

The Use of Rotterdam CT Score for Prediction of Outcomes in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Admitted to Emergency Service.

INTRODUCTION: Rotterdam CT score for prediction of outcome in traumatic brain injury is widely used for patient evaluation. The data on the assessment of pediatric traumatic brain injury patients with the Rotterdam scale in our country are still limited. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the use of the Rotterdam scale on pediatric trauma patients in our country and assess its relationship with lesion type, location and severity, trauma type, and need for surgery. METHODS: A total of 229 pediatric patients admitted to the emergency service due to head trauma were included in our study. Patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), initial and follow-up Rotterdam scale scores, length of stay, presence of other traumas, seizures, antiepileptic drug use, need for surgical necessity, and final outcome. RESULTS: A total of 229 patients were included in the study, and the mean age of the patients was 95.8 months. Of the patients, 87 (38%) were girls and 142 (62%) were boys. Regarding GCS at the time of admission, 59% (n = 135) of the patients had mild (GCS = 13-15), 30.6% (n = 70) had moderate (GCS = 9-12), and 10.5% (n = 24) had severe (GCS < 9) head trauma. The mean Rotterdam scale score was calculated as 1.51 (ranging from 1 to 3) for mild, 2.22 (ranging from 1 to 4) for moderate, and 4.33 (ranging from 2 to 6) for severe head trauma patients. Rotterdam scale score increases significantly as the degree of head injury increases (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: With the adequate use of GCS and cerebral computed tomography imaging, pediatric patients with a higher risk of mortality and need for surgery can be predicted. We recommend the follow-up of pediatric traumatic brain injury patients with repeated CT scans to observe alterations in Rotterdam CT scores, which may be predictive for the need for surgery and intensive care.

Thymoquinone ameliorates delayed cerebral injury and cerebral vasospasm secondary to experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Among subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) patients, delayed cerebral injury (DCI) and infarction are the most important causes of death and major disability. Cerebral vasospasm (cVS) and DCI remain the major cause of death and disability. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the substance most responsible for the biological activity of nigella sativa (NS) and is useful in the treatment of ischaemic and neurodegenerative diseases, oxidative stress, inflammatory events, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. We conducted an experimental study aimed to investigate the preventive and corrective effects of TQ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. The first was the control group which was a sham surgery group. The second group was the SAH group where the double haemorrage SAH protocol was used to induce vasospasm. The third group was the SAH+TQ group, where cVS was induced by the SAH protocol and the animals received oral 2 cc thymoquinone solution for seven days at a dose of 10 mg/kg, after the induction of SAH. The rats were euthanised seven days after the first procedure. The degree of cerebral vasospasm was evaluated by measuring the basilar artery luminal area and arterial wall thickness. Apoptosis was measured by the western blot method at brainstem neural tissue. Oxidative stress was measured by the Erel Method. Endothelin-1 was measured with ELISA analysis at blood. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Endothelin-1 values were found to be statistically significantly lower in the control and SAH+TQ groups compared to the SAH group (P < 0.001). Mean lumen area values were significantly higher in the control and SAH+TQ groups than in the SAH group (P < 0.001). In the control and SAH+TQ groups, wall thickness values decreased significantly compared to the SAH group (P < 0.001). OSI values were significantly lower in the control and SAH+TQ groups than in the SAH group (P < 0.001). Apoptosis was significantly lower in the control and SAH+TQ groups than in the SAH group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results show that post-SAH TQ inhibits/improves DCI and cVS with positive effects on oxidative stress, apoptosis, ET-1, lumen area, and vessel wall thickness, probably due to its anti-ischaemic, antispasmodic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects.

Effect of Antithrombotic Therapy on Development of Acute Subdural Hematoma After Burr Hole Drainage of Chronic Subdural Hematoma.

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between the time from cessation of anticoagulant/antiplatelet medication to surgery and risk of postoperative acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) after burr hole drainage of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients who underwent burr hole drainage of CSDH between December 2014 and December 2019 was performed. Demographic and clinical data regarding age, gender, medication (antithrombotic therapy), smoking, daily alcohol consumption, history of head trauma, presenting symptoms, and neurological examination were collected from the medical records. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on time from referral to surgery: < 24 hours, 24?72 hours, and > 72 hours. RESULTS: One hundred seventeen patients underwent burr hole drainage of CSDH during the 5-year study period. Seventy-two patients were male (61.5%) and 45 were female (38.5%). Mean age was 70.5 ± 7.2 years. Postoperative ASDH occurred in 2 of the 32 patients (6.3%) who were not taking antithrombotic medication and 6 of the 85 patients (7.1%) who were taking antithrombotic medication. The difference was not significant (p=0.797). CONCLUSION: The risk of ASDH after burr hole drainage of CSDH was not affected by antithrombotic medication. Although the literature suggests that antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs to be discontinued between 5 and 7 days before surgery, our results showed that acute hemorrhage was not detected in any patient who underwent surgery more than 72 hours after referral.

Measurement of Choroid Thickness Using Optical Coherence Tomography to Monitor Intracranial Pressure in an Idiopathic Cranial Hypertension Model.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) without mass lesion or a known etiology with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition. With optical coherence tomography (OCT), which is a noninvasive imaging technique, cross-sectional scans of the retina, choroid, and optic nerve head can be obtained with a resolution that is close to histological resolution. AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of OCT in providing practical and sensitive measurements to follow-up patients with IIH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 22 patients with IIH and 22 healthy controls. OCT was used to measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness and inner plexiform layer (IPL) thickness, and subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT). Lumbar puncture (LP) was performed to evaluate ICP. An association between subfoveal CT and ICP was noted in patients with IIH-a finding that has not been reported previously. RESULTS: Patients with IIH had increased RNFLT (P < 0.000) and CT (P < 0.000) compared with healthy controls. In addition, subfoveal CT was significantly correlated with ICP (rs= 0.851; P < 0.000). CONCLUSION: Measurement of CT by OCT, which reflects ICP, allows for the follow-up of patients with IIH. In addition, it can be used to monitor other diseases with high ICP.

Pediatric Spinal Traumas.

INTRODUCTION: Although childhood trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, the incidence of spinal trauma is significantly lower in children than in adults. Existing studies on pediatric spinal trauma (PST) largely concern cervical trauma because of its frequency of incidence. We aimed to obtain more information by examining all types of spinal trauma, and evaluating factors such as age, trauma type, injury type, and American Spinal Injury Association score and comparing them with data from the literature. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 30 pediatric trauma patients with spinal pathology confirmed by spinal imaging. RESULTS: The mean age was 166.4 months. Mean age for each mechanism of injury was: 142.7 months for a simple fall, 149.0 months for injury involving a foreign object, 163.5 months for a fall from a height, and 181.6 months for traffic accidents. There was no statistically significant difference in mean age for different mechanisms of injury (p = 0.372). The levels of the spinal injuries were: lumbar 53.3% (16), thoracic 26.6% (8), and cervical 20.0% (6). Mean age for each level of spinal injury was 113.3 months for the cervical area, 172.2 months for the thoracic area, and 183.3 months for the lumbar area. Mean age was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.000). DISCUSSION: PST is uncommon and the type of trauma and the spinal level affected varies with age. Cervical trauma predominates at younger ages, but adult-like traumas begin to occur with increasing age. It should be considered that the risk of developing neurological deficits is higher in pediatric patients than in adults, and the risk of multisystem injury is also high.

ABO and Rh Blood Groups and Risk of Myelomeningocele.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the distribution of ABO or Rhesus (Rh) blood group antigens and the incidence of myelomeningocele. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective data was reviewed for all myelomeningocele patients operated at a tertiary academic hospital between years 2014 and 2019. Age, sex, delivery method, physical and neurological examination findings, and radiological findings alongside with blood type of each patient were recorded. The data of blood group distribution among the study patients was compared to the data of healthy individuals in the same region. RESULTS: Patients with group B and AB showed a higher chance of developing myelomeningocele. Rh-positive blood group was associated with high incidence of myelomeningocele (93.5%), whereas Rh-negative blood group showed least association (6.5%). Rh-positive blood group was also found to be more frequent in patients with myelomeningocele with hydrocephalus and Chiari malformation. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that ABO and Rh blood groups have an effect on the development of myelomeningocele under the influence of environmental or genetic factors.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Clinical Symptoms and Modic Changes.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between changes in the type of Modic change (MC) and newly developed MCs and low back symptoms. Methods This retrospective study includes all the patients suffering from low back pain who has at least two magnetic resonance studies between 2013 and 2016. Patients with MC in at least one vertebra in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were included in the study. The patients who have periods of two MRIs less than six months were excluded. Results A total of 129 patients were included in the study and 774 vertebrae were evaluated. At the time of the first admission, MC was observed in 283 out of the 774 vertebrae (37%), whereas in the second admission, MC was observed in 343 of 774 (43%) vertebrae. New MCs were observed in 59 vertebrae. Two patients showed complete resolution of MC in the second admission. It was observed that patients with type 1 change were more associated with pain than other types (p=0.001). Conclusion In our retrospective case-control study, we have found that MCs can transform into different types or disappear completely over time. A significant positive correlation was found between the presence of MC type 1 changes in the visual analog scale(VAS).

The Expression of MIR17HG Protein as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Meningioma.

BACKGROUND: MIR17 host gene (MIR17HG) is a potential therapeutic target for some cancer types. The aim of this study was to assess MIR17HG protein levels in patients with meningioma who had not been reported previously in the literature and comparing with normal meninges tissues. METHODS: MIR17HG protein levels were measured in 46 samples including 25 meningioma tissues procured during surgery and 21 normal meninges tissues obtained within 4 hours of death during autopsy procedures. Each sample was stored at -80°C until the evaluation of MIR17HG protein using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay principle. Results were compared between the groups. RESULTS: MIR17HG protein levels were significantly higher in meningioma tissues compared with controls and difference was statistically significant (P = 0.012). Both World Health Organization grade I and grade II meningiomas had higher MIR17HG protein levels compared with controls and differences were statistically significant (P = 0.026 for grade I and P = 0.042 for grade II). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the cutoff of MIR17HG protein value in differentiating meningioma and control groups. At the cutoff value for MIR17HG protein of >0.0998 ng/mL, the sensitivity was 73.91%, 71.43%, and 77.78% and area under the curve was 0.756, 0.753, and 0.761 for meningioma group, grade I, and grade II subgroups, respectively, and specificity was 69.23% for each group. CONCLUSIONS: MIR17HG protein expression was found to have a higher level in meningiomas than in normal meninges tissues in our study. Considering the recurrence and irresectability for some meningiomas, which require further treatment, MIR17HG may be a new target for treatment in meningiomas and our study will shed light on further studies.

Association between parity and lumbar spine degenerative disorders in young women.

Introduction: Estrogen helps to maintain the health of collagen-containing tissues including the intervertebral disc. Estrogen deficiency after menopause negatively affects the quality of vertebral end plates and induces development of degenerative disc disease (DDD). However, there is no study examining the relationship between parity and spinal degeneration in young women. The aim of this study was to define the relationship between parity and development of vertebral endplate signal changes and DDD in young premenopausal women.Materials and methods: This case-control case study included 224 patients aged 20-40 years with a history of low back pain for at least 3 months. Pfirrmann's grade, Modic changes (MCs), and Schmorl's nodes (SNs) were graded based on magnetic resonance images. Patients' parity, demographics, body mass index, physical activity level, and disability scores were assessed using a questionnaire.Results: The prevalence of abnormal total Pfirrmann's score (>10) and MCs was higher in primiparous patients than multiparous and grand-multiparous; however, it was not statistically significant. The presence of SN was statistically significantly associated with low parity. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was found that the number of births increases by 1 unit, the abnormality in Pfirrmann's score decreases by 1.36 times.Conclusions: This cross-sectional study shows that parity is associated with DDD and vertebral end plate changes. SNs were significantly associated with parity. Modic changes and DDD were less common in grand multipara and multipara young women than in primipara women. These results indicate that low parity may possibly be associated with the development of spinal degeneration.

The effect of high mobility group box-1 protein on cerebral edema, blood-brain barrier, oxidative stress and apoptosis in an experimental traumatic brain injury model.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the important reason of morbidity and mortality. While the primary injury due to mechanical impact is unavoidable, the secondary injury which is formed as a result of primary injury and thought to occur due to neuroinflammation in the forefront can be prevented and by this way mortality and morbidity can be reduced. High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is a protein that triggers the neuroinflammatory process by being released from the nucleus of necrotic tissues after primary injury. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of HMGB1 on its receptors TLR4 and RAGE, cerebral edema, blood-brain barrier, oxidative stress and apoptosis causing secondary damage in an experimental traumatic brain injury model. Weighing between 280-320 g, 10 to 12 weeks-old, a total of 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the experiments. The rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 1) Control, 2) TBI and 3) TBI + ethyl pyruvate group (n = 10 per group). Right parietal cortical contusion was made by using a weight-dropping TBI method. Brain samples were harvested from pericontusional area at 24 h after TBI. HMGB1, TLR4, RAGE, occludin, claudin-5, ZO-1 levels are investigated by western blot analyses and immunohistochemistry examinations. HMGB-1, TLR4 and RAGE expressions increased after TBI. Major tight junction proteins in the blood-brain barrier: occludin, claudin-5 and ZO-1 expressions decreased after TBI. Brain edema increased after TBI. Also, proapoptotic bax and active caspase 3 expressions increased, antiapoptotic bcl-2 levels decreased after TBI. Total oxidant status and oxidative stress increased, total antioxidant status decreased after TBI. HMGB-1 protein plays a key role in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury.

The role of age on helmet therapy in deformational plagiocephaly and asymmetric brachycephaly.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of age at helmet therapy onset on treatment efficacy in moderate-to-severe deformational plagiocephaly (DP) and combined DP and asymmetrical brachycephaly (AB) in infants. METHODS: Ninety-eight infants who were referred to our institution and who underwent helmet therapy between 2014 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with DP [cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) > 7% and DD > 10 mm] and AB [CVAI > 7% and cephalic ratio (CR) ≥ 94] were included. Pre- and post-treatment calvarial asymmetries (difference among DD, CVAI, and CR) were measured using 3D screening systems (SmartSoc and Omega Scanner 3D). Infants were classified according to age at treatment onset: group 1 (age, < 6 months) and group 2 (age, ≥ 6 months). RESULTS: CVAI was statistically different between treatment onset and end in subgroups. Moreover, the regression of CVAI between groups DP1 (- 7.5% ± 1.2%) versus DP2 (- 5.4% ± 1.5%; p = 0.001) and groups AB1 (- 6.6% ± 1.4%) versus AB2 (- 4.4 ± 2.5; p = 0.0013) was statistically significant. CVAI was < 3.5% and CR was ≤ 89 (assumed as normal cranial shape) after treatment in 48%, 40%, 32%, and 6% of infants in groups DP1, DP2, AB1, and AB2, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings emphasize the efficacy of helmet therapy for DP and AB. Helmet is an appropriate treatment option particularly for infants with severe DP and AB, and early onset of helmet therapy before the age of 6 months is advised.

NRGN, S100B and GFAP levels are significantly increased in patients with structural lesions resulting from mild traumatic brain injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum neurogranin (NRGN), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and calcium-binding protein S100 beta (S100B) levels are associated with traumatic intracranial lesions compared to computed tomography (CT) findings of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study cohort included 48 patients who were admitted to the Emergency Department with a complaint of mTBI, a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 14-15, and at least one symptom of head trauma (i.e., post-traumatic amnesia, nausea or vomiting, post-traumatic seizures, persistent headache, and transient loss of consciousness). Blood samples and CT scans were obtained for all patients within 4 h of injury. Age-matched patients without intracranial traumatic pathology (CT-) were recruited as a control group. Blood samples were measured for NRGN, GFAP, and S100B levels. RESULTS: Of 48 patients, 24 were CT + and had significantly higher serum NRGN (5.79 vs. 2.95 ng/mL), GFAP (0.59 vs.0.36 ng/mL), and S100B (1.72 vs.0.73 µg/L) levels than those who were CT- (p = 0.001, p = 0.026, and p < 0.001, respectively). ROC curves showed that NRGN, GFAP, and S100B levels were sufficient to distinguish traumatic brain injury in patients with mTBI. At the cut-off value for NRGN of 1.87 ng/mL, sensivity was 83.3%, and specificity was 58.3%. At the cut-off value for GFAP of 0.23 ng/mL, sensivity was 75% and specificity was 62.5%. The optimal cut-off value for S100B was 0.47 µg/L (95.8% sensitivity and 62.5% specificity). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate NRGN in human serum after mTBI. We confirmed that NRGN levels were significantly higher in CT + patients than CT- patients in the mTBI patient population. Future studies of larger populations and different age groups (especially pediatric) can help reduce the number of CT scans as a reliable and noninvasive diagnostic tool for evaluating NRGN protein levels in mTBI patients with a low probability of intracranial lesions.

Effects of Intrathecal Verapamil on Cerebral Vasospasm in Experimental Rat Study.

BACKGROUND: Verapamil, a calcium-channel blocker, has shown promising results on cerebral vasospasm. However, it has not yet been accepted for treatment or prevention purposes because of the associated side effects. Although the effective results of nimodipine and nicardipine's intrathecal administration are well known, intrathecal verapamil has not been considered earlier. We used an experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced vasospasm model for the evaluation of vasodilator and neuroprotective effects of intrathecal verapamil. METHODS: A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following 3 groups: group 1 (sham), group 2 (subarachnoid hemorrhage), and group 3 (verapamil). A double hemorrhage method was used. Group 2 did not receive any treatment. Verapamil (Eporon, Dem Ilac, Turkey) at a dose of 1000 µg/kg was given intrathecally to group 3 rats. The animals were euthanized on day 7 of the procedure. Arterial wall thickness and lumen diameter in the basilar arterial cross-sectional areas, endothelin-1 serum level, oxidative stress index, and apoptosis were measured in all groups. RESULTS: In the verapamil group, wall thickness, endothelin-1 level, oxidative stress index, and apoptosis were found to be significantly lower than the subarachnoid hemorrhage group, but the lumen diameter was found to be greater. Intrathecal verapamil was found to decrease vasospasm parameters and apoptosis and increase the antioxidant and antiapoptotic pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that intrathecal verapamil can prevent vasospasm, oxidative stress, and apoptosis after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.