Investigation of Lumbar Vertebrae and Disc Morphometry with Computed Tomography in Turkish Adults / Investigación de Vértebras Lumbares y Morfometría del Disco con Tomografía Computarizada en Adultos Turcos

SUMMARY: Conducting morphometric studies including many parameters and establishing certain standards for the anatomy of the lumbar spine will facilitate clinical applications. The Turkish example of lumbar vertebrae and disc morphometry has not yet been presented comprehensively. In our study, abdominal computed tomography images of 700 adults were evaluated retrospectively. It was observed that the anterior height of the vertebral bodies increased from L1 to L4 in males, and from L1 to L5 in females. The posterior height of the vertebral bodies was lowest at L5 in both sexes, while it was highest at L3 in males and L4 in females. In all age groups, the values for males were greater (p0.05). In all age groups and both sexes, an increase in anterior disc heights towards disc 5 was observed. The values for males were greater than those for females (p<0.05). The posterior disc height at disc 5 was higher in females, and in other discs, it was higher in males (p<0.05). In conclusion, it was found that the measurement values of the parameters examined varied according to lumbar level and sex, but were independent of age. The morphometric data we obtained are important in terms of providing a reference for the people of our region and contributing to the literature.

La realización de estudios morfométricos que incluyan diversos parámetros anatómicos y el establecimiento de ciertos estándares para la anatomía de la columna lumbar facilitarán los procedimientos clínicos. Como ejemplo, aún no se ha presentado de manera detallada la morfometría de las vértebras lumbares y del disco intervertebral en individuos turcos. En nuestro estudio evaluamos retrospectivamente imágenes de tomografía computarizada abdominal en 700 individuos adultos de ambos sexos. Observamos que la altura anterior de los cuerpos vertebrales aumentaba de L1 a L4 en los hombres y de L1 a L5 en las mujeres. La altura posterior de los cuerpos vertebrales fue más baja en L5 en ambos sexos, mientras que fue más alta en L3 en hombres y L4 en mujeres. En todos los grupos etarios los valores para los hombres fueron mayores (p0,05). En todos los grupos de edad y en ambos sexos se observó un aumento en la altura anterior del disco intervertebral hacia el disco 5. Los valores de los hombres fueron mayores que los de las mujeres (p<0,05). La altura posterior del disco intervertebral en el disco 5 fue mayor en las mujeres y en otros discos fue mayor en los hombres (p<0,05). En conclusión, se encontró que los valores de medición de los parámetros examinados variaron según el nivel lumbar y el sexo, pero fueron independientes de la edad. Los datos morfométricos que obtuvimos son importantes en términos de proporcionar una referencia para la población de nuestra región y contribuir a la literatura.

Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical findings in seminal vesicle pathologies

ABSTRACT Purpose Congenital and acquired pathologies of the seminal vesicles (SV) are rare diseases. The diagnosis of SV anomalies is frequently delayed or wrong due to the rarity of these diseases and the lack of adequate evaluation of SV pathology. For this reason, we aimed to comprehensively evaluate SV pathologies and accompanying genitourinary system abnormalities. Materials and Methods Between March 2012 and December 2015, 1455 male patients with different provisional diagnosis underwent MRI. Congenital and acquired pathology of the SV was identified in 42 of these patients. The patients were categorized according to their SV pathologies. The patients were analyzed in terms of genitourinary system findings associated with SV pathologies. Results SV pathologies were accompanied by other genitourinary system findings. Congenital SV pathologies were bilateral or predominantly in the left SV. Patients with bilateral SV hypoplasia were diagnosed at an earlier age compared to patients with unilateral SV agenesis. There was a significant association between abnormal signal intensity in the SV and benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and patient age. Conclusion SV pathologies are rare diseases of the genitourinary system. The association between seminal vesicle pathology and other genitourinary system diseases requires complete genitourinary system evaluation that includes the seminal vesicles.