Is coxa valga a predictor for the severity of knee osteoarthritis? A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the affect of the variations in hip anatomy and pelvic geometry on the severity of knee OA. METHODS: Idiopathic knee OA patients fulfilling the clinical criteria of American College of Rheumatology for OA were enrolled in the study. Several measurements regarding the hip and pelvis were performed on pelvic radiographs. Each knee was graded according to the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) radiographic system (0-4) along with a categorization in accordance with the medial tibiofemoral joint space widths (JSW). RESULTS: The study group consisted of 111 subjects. The inner and outer pelvic diameters were getting wider as the JSW grade increased. Likewise, among the hip measurements, femoral head, neck and shaft diameters and hip axis lengths were linked with KL grade. There were significant differences in neck-shaft angle (NSA) between groups of JSW with a highest NSA in JSW grade 3. The optimal cut-off value for NSA in predicting the severity of knee OA was 134.4°. Furthermore, NSA beyond 134.4° was found to increase the risk of severe knee OA eightfold. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in pelvic geometry and hip anatomy are associated with the severity of knee OA. People with NSA of above 134.4° have eightfold increased risk of developing severe knee OA. Pelvic radiographies could be evaluated at younger ages-particularly in people with high genetic predispositions-to identify the individuals at high risk and in turn, to tailor the preventive measures to these subjects.

Extrarenal pseudoaneurysm of the arterial anastomosis in a renal transplant: endovascular coil embolization with balloon remodeling technique.

Anastomotic pseudoaneurysms of transplanted kidneys are a very rare complication and encountered in less than 1% of such operations. They may be devastating and cause functional impairment and even loss of the graft. In this report, we present the first case of treatment of extrarenal pseudoaneurysm of arterial anastomosis in a renal transplant patient with endovascular coil embolization with the balloon remodeling technique. This method is mostly used in the treatment of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms.

Hybrid, Y-configured, dual stent-assisted coil embolization in the treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms.

In Y-stenting, stabilization of the first stent may be problematic as in some cases it migrates during second stent insertion. This report evaluates the safety and effectiveness of the technique and presents the long-term results of hybrid, Y-configured, dual stent-assisted coil embolization in the treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. We retrospectively evaluated the patients treated endovascularly due to cerebral aneurysms. Twenty patients treated with hybrid Y-stent-assisted coil embolization were enrolled in the study. In hybrid stenting, an open-cell intracranial stent (Neuroform) was used as a first stent to prevent stent migration. A closed-cell stent (Enterprise or Acclino) was used as a second stent and the aneurysm was embolized with coils between the stent struts. In all patients, hybrid Y-stenting and coil embolization were accomplished successfully. No stent migration occurred. Clinically, neither symptomatic neurologic complication nor death was seen. Of 20 wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms, nine were at the basilar tip, while seven were at the middle cerebral artery and three at the anterior communicating artery. In one patient, the aneurysm was at the A2-3 junction of the anterior cerebral artery. One of the patients had a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The mean angiographic follow-up was 25.6 months. No in-stent stenosis was seen in any of the patients and recanalization in only one. Hybrid, Y-configured, dual stent-assisted coil embolization is a safe and effective method in the treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms to prevent stent migration and aneurysm recanalization, and is a viable alternative to microsurgery.

Sonographic measurements of the liver, spleen and kidney dimensions in the healthy term and preterm newborns.

This study was conducted in order to assess normal liver, spleen and kidney dimensions in premature and term newborns and determine the acceptable range. A total of 253 (99 preterm and 154 term) healthy newborns were evaluated within the first week of life by sonography. Gestational age ranged from 24 to 41 weeks, weight ranged from 638 to 4800 g. Measurements were compared with gestational age, weight and height of the infants. Normal ranges for kidney, liver and spleen measurements according to gestational age and weight were obtained. We found that weight showed the best correlation with any one of the mentioned organ dimensions.

Fluoroscopically guided endoluminal balloon dilatation of esophageal stricture due to epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica.

Epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica is a hereditary blistering disorder in which the mucosal surface of the esophagus is frequently involved in addition to skin. Blister formation after minor trauma leads to erosions, ulcerations, scarring, and stricture formation in the esophagus and causes dysphagia. There is no definitive medical management for esophageal lesions. Colonic interposition has considerable mortality and morbidity, while surgical or endoscopic bougienage is not recommended because it causes further trauma to the esophagus, which accelerates stricture formation, and has a high risk of perforation. Herein we report a case of esophageal stricture successfully treated with repeated balloon dilatations.