The Shapes and Normal Dimensions of the Sella Turcica.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the normal dimensions and shape of the sella turcica (ST) in the Turkish population using multidetector computed tomography. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study included 188 patients who met the study criteria and had paranasal multidetector computed tomography taken between January 2019 and December 2019. The patients included in the study comprised 77 females and 111 males. The whole patient group was separated into 3 age groups of 18 to 25 years (group 1), 25 to 40 years (group 2), and 40 years and over (group 3). They were also separated according to gender. RESULTS: The mean length of the ST was determined as 8.52 ±â€Š1.42 mm (min-max 4.61-12.73 mm), mean height as 7.00 ±â€Š1.31 mm (min-max 3.00-10.51 mm), mean aperture as 6.50 ±â€Š2.00 mm (min-max 2.24-12.51 mm), and mean width as 11.01 ±â€Š1.50 mm (min-max 7.78-14.94 mm). No statistically significant difference was determined between the length, height, width, and aperture size values of the ST according to gender and age groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated no significant difference in ST dimensions according to gender or age groups. It can be considered that the shape and dimensions of the ST can be more accurately evaluated with computed tomography and classification can be more robustly applied.

Evaluation of olfactory bulbus volume and olfactory sulcus depth by 3 T MR.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate olfactory bulbus volume (OBV) and olfactory sulcus depth (OSD) according to age and sex with 3 T MRI in a healthy Turkish population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the current study, 200 patients who had cranial MRI were retrospectively evaluated. They were divided into the following groups to examine the effects of age: group 1: 18-30 years old; group 2: 31-40 years old; group 3: 41-50 years old; group 4: 51-60 years old; and group 5: >60 years old. OBV and OSD measurements were performed on coronal T2-weighted brain MR images. The mean right and left olfactory bulb volume and sulcus depths were used for evaluation. RESULTS: The mean age was 46.5 ± 18.1 (range 18-86) years. The mean OBV value of both sides was 91.17 ± 7.8 mm 3 in all patients. The mean OSD value of both sides was 8.62 ± 0.84 mm in all patients. There was no statistically significant difference in OBV and OSD between sexes (P < 0.236; P < 0.482). Group 5 (>60 years old) was found to have significantly lower OBV and OSD values than the other groups (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The normal values of OBV and OSD should be established according to age to determine decreased OBV and OSD values.

Comparison of kidney densities of cases with urinary dilatation in unenhanced CT scan.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of renal parenchymal density differences in distinguishing between acute and chronic urinary dilatations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospectively, unenhanced CTs of 98 patients were evaluated. Thirty-three had acute urinary obstruction, and 33 had chronic urinary obstruction. Parenchymal density values (HU) and renal pelvic anterior-posterior (AP) diameters of all groups were evaluated by two different radiologists who were unaware of each other and the content of the study. The t-test was used to compare parenchymal densities and renal pelvic diameter differences with normal, acute urinary dilation and chronic urinary dilation groups. RESULTS: Of the 98 cases who were included in the study, 33 people were in the acute obstruction group (7 females, 26 males), and 33 were in the chronic obstruction group. However, the second observer (observer 2) found a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) during the measurements of density between the obstructed and normal sides. While for the first observer (observer 1), the correlation between right and left renal density measurements of the normal cases was moderate at 0.576; correlation of measurements done by the second observer was found to be high at 0.777. CONCLUSIONS: Pale kidney findings seems to be helpful in diagnosis of acute urinary occlusion, but different results are obtained with evaluations made by different observers. Moreover, it is not a specific finding because oedema can also be seen in some other conditions, such as acute pyelonephritis; for this reason, one must be careful during the evaluation of this finding.

The accuracy of 3T magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in suspected choledocholithiasis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate interobserver agreement during magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography (MRCP) evaluation and the sensitivity and specificity of MRCP obtained with 3T scanners in cases of bile duct obstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 37 patients who had MRCP and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) were included. Choledochal pathology was divided into two groups regarding the presence of stones as "there is stone or not". MRCPs were performed with a 3-Tesla system using respiratory triggered HASTE technique in axial and coronal planes and with T2 SPACE sequence in the coronal plane. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated separately for each observer. The average of both observers was calculated for comparison with other studies. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were in the study population. Agreement between the observers was analysed, and Cohen's κ value was evaluated as 0.84. For two observers, the sensitivity of MRCP was 93%, whereas the specificity was 75% for the first observer and 62% for the second. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we found a high level of interobserver agreement in evaluating MRCP. MRCP has a high sensitivity in detecting choledocholithiasis.

A Modified Technique for Performing Transurethral Resection of the Prostate Combined with Percutaneous Cystolithotripsy.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of a modified technique for performing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) combined with percutaneous cystolithotripsy (PCCL). METHODS: Clinical data from 24 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and aggregate stone sizes ≥3 cm were assessed retrospectively between June 2011 and January 2014. All stones fragmented via pneumatic lithotripter were removed. An 18-F Foley catheter was inserted into the Amplatz sheath, which was then removed from the bladder. The Foley catheter balloon was inflated with 15 ml of saline, and suprapubic traction was applied to prevent extravasation. Next, TURP was performed while a suprapubic Foley catheter provided continuous drainage. RESULTS: The mean stone size was 46.25 ± 9.51 mm. The surgical duration for stone removal was 31.25 ± 8.46 min. All patients were stone-free at the first month follow-up. None of the patients experienced extravasation or urethral stricture. CONCLUSIONS: PCCL is a short-duration, minimally invasive surgery that avoids urethral stricture. In the presented technique, as the drainage catheter is fixed to the dome of bladder, it is not visualized in the surgical field and remains outside of the resection area, which facilitates prostate resection. It seems to be a safe and efficient technique.

Feasibility study of CT perfusion imaging for prostate carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this feasibility study was to obtain initial data with which to assess the efficiency of perfusion CT imaging (CTpI) and to compare this with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study involved 25 patients with prostate carcinoma undergoing MRI and CTpI. All analyses were performed on T2-weighted images (T2WI), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, diffusion-weighted images (DWI) and CTp images. We compared the performance of T2WI combined with DWI and CTp alone. The study was approved by the local ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. RESULTS: Tumours were present in 87 areas according to the histopathological results. The diagnostic performance of the T2WI+DWI+CTpI combination was significantly better than that of T2WI alone for prostate carcinoma (P < 0.001). The diagnostic value of CTpI was similar to that of T2WI+DWI in combination. There were statistically significant differences in the blood flow and permeability surface values between prostate carcinoma and background prostate on CTp images. CONCLUSION: CTp may be a valuable tool for detecting prostate carcinoma and may be preferred in cases where MRI is contraindicated. If this technique is combined with T2WI and DWI, its diagnostic value is enhanced. KEY POINTS: Perfusion CT is a helpful technique for prostate carcinoma diagnosis. •Colour maps allow easy and rapid visual assessment of the functional changes. Colour maps of prostate carcinoma provide information about in vivo tumoral vascularity. CTp images may be added into routine radiological examinations. CTp provides guidance for histopathological correlation if biopsy is scheduled.

Diffusion-weighted MRI of the testes in patients with varicocele: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: This preliminary study aimed to evaluate changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the testes in patients presenting with varicocele. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 25 consecutively recruited patients with varicocele and 25 healthy control volunteers. The ADC values were measured in all participants. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests were used to test the normality of the data distributions, and the data were expressed as arithmetic means and SDs. A one-way analysis of variance with a post hoc Bonferroni test was used to analyze normally distributed continuous data. Independent sample Student t tests were used to compare continuous variables between two groups. Furthermore, a Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was used to examine the association of venous diameters with mean ADC values in patients with varicocele. A two-sided p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Sensitivities, specificities, and areas under the curve were calculated for the ADC values. RESULTS: The ADC values associated with the ipsilateral testicular parenchyma of patients with varicocele were found to be lower than those of healthy volunteers. Moreover, the ADC values of the contralateral testicular parenchyma in patients with varicocele were also lower than those of healthy volunteers. The sensitivity and specificity of ADC values were 90% and 96%, respectively, for patients with varicocele and 89.5% and 96% for healthy volunteers. The mean ADC values were significantly negatively correlated with venous diameter. CONCLUSION: The measurement of testicular ADC values may be used as a diagnostic indicator in the detection of testicular fibrosis.

Joubert syndrome: the clinical and radiological findings.

Joubert syndrome is a rare disease characterised by clinical and radiological findings. Among the classic clinical findings of JS are hypotonia, ataxia, mental-motor retardation, respiratory and opthalmological findings. The paediatric cases included in the study comprised nine patients. There was familial consanguinty in seven cases. Clinically, all cases had mental-motor retardation and hypotonia. Episodic hyperpnoea attacks were observed in one case. Facial dysmorphism was the most common additional systemic anomaly and four cases had additional opthalmic findings. Brain MRI examination revealed that all cases had molar tooth sign, bat-wing appearance and vermian cleft. The majority of cases also had vermian hypoplasia. Cerebellar folial disorganisation was observed in approxiamtely half of the cases. Three cases had corpus callosum anomaly and atretic occipital encephalocoele. No pathology was determined in other organs. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological findings of 9 patients diagnosed with Joubert syndrome.

A Genotyped Case of Townes-Brocks Syndrome with Absent Pulmonary Valve Syndrome from Turkey.

Townes-Brocks syndrome (TBS) is a rare syndrome characterized by triad of anal, ear, and thumb anomalies. Further malformations/anomalies include congenital heart diseases, foot malformations, sensorineural and/or conductive hearing impairment, genitourinary malformations, and anomalies of eye and nervous system. Definitive diagnosis for TBS is confirmed by molecular analysis for mutations in the SALL1 gene. Only one known case of TBS with absent pulmonary valve syndrome (APVS) has been previously described to our knowledge. Here, we report a newborn diagnosed with TBS with APVS and tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) who was found to carry the most common pathogenic SALL1 gene mutation c.826C > T (p.R276X), with its surgical repair and postoperative follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first genotyped case of TBS from Turkey to date. TBS should be suspected in the presence of ear, anal, and thumb malformations in a neonate. If a patient with TBS and TOF-APVS needs preoperative ventilation within the first months of life, this implies prolonged postoperative intubation and increased risk of mortality.

Childhood moyamoya disease accompanying Leigh syndrome.

Moyamoya disease is a cerebrovasculopathy of unknown etiology during the course of which the main and terminal veins of the internal carotid artery undergo progressive vein occlusion. Leigh syndrome is a mitochondrial encephalomyopathy that occurs due to "cytochrome c oxidase deficiency" characterized by psychomotor retardation, difficulty in eating, seizures, hypotonia, respiratory disorders and high lactate levels. Many diseases and syndromes have been defined that are associated with Moyamoya disease. To the best of our knowledge, the association of moyamoya disease with Leigh syndrome has not been defined as yet. In this study, the clinical and imaging results of a 3-year-old male child displaying the association of Moyamoya disease and Leigh syndrome are presented.

Evaluation of early atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding early atherosclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease are limited and conflicting results are present. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate serological and sonographical evidence of subclinical vascular involvement in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with inflammatory bowel disease (20 Crohn's disease, and 19 ulcerative colitis patients) and 31 healthy controls were consecutively enrolled in the study. Flow mediated dilatation of the brachial artery and intima media thickness assessments of the common carotid artery were measured sonographically. Soluble CD40 ligand levels were evaluated. Crohn's disease activity index and modified Truelove-Witt's criteria were also noted. RESULTS: Age, sex distribution, serum lipids, smoking status, and intima media thickness of the common carotid artery were similar between the inflammatory bowel disease patients and controls (p > 0.05). However, both endothelium dependent and independent flow mediated dilatation values were significantly impaired in the inflammatory bowel disease group compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and soluble CD40 ligand values were significantly increased in inflammatory bowel disease patients compared with controls (p < 0.05), and soluble CD40 ligand was negatively correlated with flow mediated dilatation (r = -0.3, p < 0.05). Flow mediated dilatation was significantly predicted from the concentrations of C-reactive protein and soluble CD40 ligand. CONCLUSION: Functional atherosclerosis is present in inflammatory bowel disease before early structural changes occur in vasculature. Higher sCD40L may indicate worse vascular outcome for IBD.

Cecal duplication cyst causing ileus: A rare pediatric case report.

Duplication cysts are one of the rare congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract. Although it can be seen at all levels throughout the gastrointestinal tract, it is most common in the ileum. One of the rarest of duplication cysts is cecal duplication cyst. Clinically, they become present in the form of vomiting, distention, abdominal pain and palpable mass. Rarely, it can cause acute abdomen such as perforation and obstruction. We present a case of cecal duplication cyst requiring urgent surgical treatment that causes obstruction in a 3-month-old baby.

Evaluation of the morphological and clinical features of left anterior descending myocardial bridging with multi-detector computed tomography.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the incidence, localization, depth, length of myocardial bridging (MB) with left anterior descending (LAD), systolic compression ratio, atherosclerotic plaque localization and degree of stenosis by 256-slice multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) scans from a total of 3947 patients who underwent MDCT were reviewed retrospectively for LAD MB. A diastolic and systolic dataset with the best image quality was selected. Myocardial bridge was defined as a coronary artery with an intra-myocardial course. Myocardial bridging was divided into "deep" or "superficial". The length and depth of the bridging segment were calculated. For each bridging segment, the presence of atherosclerosis was saved in a 2-cm-long segment proximal to the entry of the bridging segment. The degree of stenosis made by atherosclerotic plaques was determined. RESULTS: LAD myocardial bridging was detected in 410 (10.4%) patients. Among these, 97 (23.7%) patients had a deep and 313 (76.3%) patients had a superficial course. The mean LAD MB length was 20.28 ±9.63 mm and the depth was 1.72 ±1.11 mm. The systolic and diastolic mean diameter difference was 0.193 mm and the average compression ratio was 9.44%. Atherosclerotic plaques were found in 167 (40.7%) of 410 LAD MB. Atherosclerotic plaques were found in 50.5% of deep MB and 37.7% of superficial MB. CONCLUSIONS: 256-slice MDCT coronary angiography has a high sensitivity to show myocardial bridging in LAD localization, to determine length, depth, compression ratio, atherosclerotic plaque localization and degree of stenosis.

Changes in olfactory bulbus volume and olfactory sulcus depth in the chronic period after COVID-19 infection.

BACKGROUND: Although there are a limited number of studies investigating the changes in olfactory bulb volume (OBV) and olfactory sulcus depth (OSD) values in the acute and subacute periods after COVID-19 infection, there are no studies conducted in the chronic period. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to reveal the changes in OBV and OSD after COVID-19 in the chronic period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 83 people were included in our study, including 42 normal healthy individuals (control group) and 41 patients with COVID-19 infection (10-12 months after infection). RESULTS: The COVID-19 group included 41 patients with the mean age 40.27 ± 14.5 years and the control group included 42 individuals with the mean age 40.27 ± 14.4. The mean OBV was 67.97 ± 14.27 mm3 in the COVID-19 group and 94.21 ± 7.56 mm3 in the control group. The mean OSD was 7.98 ± 0.37 mm in the COVID-19 group and 8.82 ± 0.74 mm in the control group. Left, right, and mean OBVs and OSD were significantly lower in patients with COVID- 19 than the control individuals (all p < .05). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that COVID-19 infection causes a significant decrease in the OBV and OSD measurements in the chronic period.

Evaluation of Olfactory Bulb Volumes in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Retrospective Study.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate olfactory bulb (OB) volume in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using magnetic resonance imaging. Patients and methods: In this retrospective and case-control study, OB volumes of 37 RA patients (6 males, 31 females; mean age 48.6±10.8 years; range, 18 to 65 years) were compared with those of 36 healthy control subjects (5 males, 31 females; mean age 46.5±6.9 years; range, 22 to 62 years). OB images were gained with a protocol of 256×256 matrix and a 24-cm field of view, repetition time=5000 milliseconds (TR 5000 msec), echo time=130 milliseconds (TE 130 msec), number of excitations=2 (NEX 2) and a 5 mm slice thickness. OB volume was computed with the aid of the above images using three dimensional views. The surface of each slice area was calculated in mm2 and all surfaces were added and multiplied by front-back length to obtain a volume in mm3. Results: Left (70.5±14.4 vs. 91.1±12.2 mm3), right (73.9±15.1 vs. 91.2±12.4 mm3), and total (144.5±27.4 vs. 182.8±21.5 mm3) OB volumes were significantly lower in the RA group than in the control group (all p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with RA may be under risk of decreased OB volumes and related impaired odor functions which might affect the quality of life and activities of daily living adversely.

Decreased olfactory bulb volumes in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Among the other symptoms, impaired olfactory function such as odor identification, threshold, and discrimination have been reported in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). To investigate olfactory bulb (OB) volumes in FMS, by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to make reasonable suggestions are the goals of the present study. The study included 62 individuals as the FMS group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 32). MRI examinations were performed by a 1.5-T scanner and a standard head coil was used for the images. The coronal T2-weighted images were used for to measure OB volumes. Right, left, and total OB volumes were calculated with the aid of these images. The mean age of the FMS group was 44.2 ± 8.3 years and the control group was 41.7 ± 3.53 years. The mean volume of the right OB was 74.9 ± 12.4 mm3 in the FMS group and was 92.6 ± 12.9 mm3 in the control group. The mean value of the left OB volume was 74.3 ± 10.8 mm3 in the FMS group and 92.8 ± 12.6 mm3 in the control group. The mean of the total OB volume was 146.6 ± 20.81 mm3 in the FMS group and 186.5 ± 23.5 mm3 in the control group. Left, right, and total OB volumes were significantly lower in the FMS group than in the control group (all p < 0.05). Female patients with FMS are under the risk of the decreased olfactory bulb volumes. This situation should be kept in mind for proper and reasonable management of this tough syndrome.