Stent plus balloon-assisted coiling with low-profile braided stents in the treatment of complex wide-necked intracranial bifurcation aneurysms.

INTRODUCTION: Wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms pose significant challenges for endovascular treatment. A recent innovation, the stent plus balloon-assisted coiling technique, combines a stent and a balloon to address these aneurysms effectively. PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the stent plus balloon-assisted coiling for the treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of our endovascular database to identify patients who were treated with this technique and had a satisfactory angiographic follow-up of at least 24 months. Technical success, initial clinical and angiographic outcomes, procedural complications, and follow-up results were analyzed. Angiographic and clinical outcomes were assessed using Modified Raymond-Roy Classification and Modified Rankin Scale, respectively. RESULTS: Our study included 37 aneurysms in 36 patients (26 females) with a mean age of 56.6 years. Mean aneurysm and neck sizes were 7.3 ± 3.5 mm and 3.7 ± 1.0 mm, respectively. Technical success reached 97.2%, with an immediate occlusion rate of 65.7%. At a mean follow-up of 36.5 ± 9.7 months, final angiographic follow-up showed a 91.9% complete occlusion rate. Three aneurysms did not achieve complete occlusion; however, none required retreatment. Complications developed in 32.4% of the procedures. Mortality and morbidity rates were 5.4% and 2.7%, respectively. A good clinical outcome was observed in 91.9% of patients. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that stent plus balloon-assisted coiling technique allows good angiographic outcomes for wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. However, overall complication rate is high. Subgroup analysis indicated promising safety and efficacy for MCA bifurcation aneurysms, suggesting this technique could be a valuable option for select aneurysms.

The role of ultrasound in determining the presence and severity of carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetic patients.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is seen in 5% of the population and 14%-30% in diabetics. Although electrophysiological tests are used as the gold standard method in the diagnosis, alternative methods are being studying. We aimed to investigate whether the measurement of median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) by ultrasound is associated with the presence and severity of CTS. This prospective, cross-sectional observational study includes 128 randomly selected T2DM patients. Electrodiagnostic study was performed for all patients to diagnose CTS. Median nerve CSA were measured with ultrasound examination. The severity of the CTS was determined by Padua method. Among 128 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, 54 (28%) had CTS and 53 (41%) had diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy. The mean duration of DM was 11.55 years. Median nerve CSAs of the patients were significantly higher in patients with CTS (CTS (-): 10.47 ± 2.67 vs CTS: (+) 12.37 ± 3.17; p < 0.001). Median nerve CSA cutoff value of >10 mm2 predicts the diagnosis of CTS. However, minimal, mild, and moderate CTS groups had similar CSA according to Padua classification (p > 0.05 for all). CSA measurement with ultrasonography can be used as an effective method in diagnosing severe CTS disease. However, median nerve CSA values should not be used to reveal the severity of CTS, in order not to miss the demonstration of minimal, mild, and moderate groups, as well as being an indicator of only the severe CTS group.

Evaluation of aging changes of the superficial fat compartments of the midface over time: A computed tomography study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on alterations in superficial fat compartments with age yielded contradictory results; the superficial fat tissue volume or thickness was reported to increase, decrease, or remain unchanged. AIMS: To investigate volumetric and dimensional changes in superficial midfacial fat tissue retrospectively in patients who underwent a repeated computed tomography (CT). METHODS: A total of 262 patients (mean age, 46 years; median elapsed time between two CT imagings, 56 months) were included. Axial and sagittal planes were used for measurements of the medial part of the superficial cheek fat (SCF), which is divided into three compartments. The thickness, width, and height of each compartment were measured, and volumes were calculated for both hemifaces. Additionally, results were compared between males and females, and between three age groups: <45, 45-54, and ≥55 years. RESULTS: The total volume of SCF and inferior compartment was significantly increased compared with the first CT findings (p < 0.05). Upper and middle compartment volumes were found to decrease with age (p < 0.05). Thickness was decreased in the upper and middle compartments but not in the lower compartment. The width of the lower and middle compartments increased (p < 0.05), while the upper compartment did not show a significant change with age (p > 0.05). The height of the superficial fat layer was significantly increased at follow-up (p < 0.05). The results were similar for both sexes and all age groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SCF undergoes significant volume and dimensional changes with aging. Therefore, superficial fat tissue should be considered for enhancement of cosmetic treatments.

Analysis of morphological parameters in pelvic radiography and hip MRI : a practical reporting recommendation.

Although numerous criteria have been proposed to define abnormal hip morphology, mostly used in the diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement, it is not a practical approach to measure all of these parameters in all cases without clinical suspicion. In this study, our aim was to develop an evaluating and reporting standardization for routine hip examinations to define both hip morphology and impingement. A total of 108 patients with routine hip magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and antero-posterior pelvic radiograph (PR) were included in this retrospective study. Alpha angle (AA), acetabular depth (AD), acetabular protrusion, acetabular anteversion, collo- diaphyseal angle (CDA), lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) and Tönnis angle (TA) were measured. The differences and associations between these parameters were evaluated according to imaging modality or plane, and sex. Although a significant difference has been found between the axial AA and the coronal AA mean values measured on MRI, there was also a strong correlation. Coronal measurements were significantly higher. AA values measured in PR and coronal MRI were comparable. Males had higher AA in both planes as compared to females. There were no significant differences between CDA values in MRI and PR. There was a significant difference and a moderate correlation between AD values in MRI and PR. We suggest that routine reports should include a measurement of AA in two planes, and measurement of CDA in PR or MRI. Due to the difference in AD between MRI and radiography, LCEA or TA may represent better alternatives. Checking for a negative Tönnis sign would represent a practical approach.

Aging Changes of the Superficial Fat Compartments of the Midface Over Time: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

BACKGROUND: Studies involving superficial facial fat compartments are few in number with conflicting results. Most of them involved small study groups and compared measurements between different populations of young and old subjects either on cadavers or living subjects. OBJECTIVE: To clarify volumetric and dimensional changes in midfacial superficial fat compartment retrospectively in patients who underwent a repeat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without gross pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 70 patients with a mean age of 60 years (range: 33-82 years) and a median elapsed time of 44.5 months (range: 32-64 months) between 2 MRIs were included. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were analyzed in the axial and sagittal planes to obtain measurements of the medial part of the superficial cheek fat. Superficial cheek fat was divided into 3 compartments. Thickness, width, and height were measured, and volumes were calculated for each compartment on both hemifaces. RESULTS: Volume and thickness were decreased significantly in all compartments (p < .05). The width was decreased in superior and middle compartments, whereas increased in lower compartment indicating dislocation of the fat tissue (p < .05). Height was also significantly increased (p < .05). A subgroup analysis has shown that there was no significant difference between men and women. CONCLUSION: This study clarifies that aging is associated with a significant decrease in superficial midfacial fat tissue volume and thickness both in women and men. The decrease in width in upper and middle compartments, but increase in lower compartment suggests a volume shift within superficial fat tissue.