Variability of apparent diffusion coefficient in the brain in women during follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.

PURPOSE: To investigate the variability of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the brain in women during follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. METHODS: The present study included 32 females of reproductive age with regular menstruation. The participants were divided into two groups as group 1: females in the follicular phase, and group 2: females in the luteal phase. The regions of interest were manually drawn on the structures of the T2-weighted images (frontal gray and white matter, parietal gray and white matter, temporal gray and white matter, occipital gray and white matter, cerebellar gray and white matter, caudate nucleus, putamen, thalamus, internal capsule, pons, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the frontal and in the occipital horn of the lateral ventricle and CSF in the middle part of the lateral ventricle). ADC values were averaged for each patient. We used Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA for more than two groups but used Mann Whitney U test for comparison of ADC values between the group of 18 females in the follicular phase and the group of 14 females in the luteal phase. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed among the groups in terms of the ADC value of each neuroanatomic structure that was evaluated. CONCLUSION: We did not determine a significant difference among volunteers at the two different phases of the menstrual cycle in terms of ADC values measured from different regions of the brain. However, although not statistically significant, ADC values measured from almost all parts of the brain were higher at the luteal phase than at the follicular phase.

Radiological noninvasive assessment of ureteral stone impaction into the ureteric wall: A critical evaluation with objective radiological parameters.

PURPOSE: To determine the predictive value of certain radiological parameters for an objective asssessment of the presence of ureteral stone impaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with a single proximal ureteral stones were retrieved from the departmental database. Both clinical and particularly radiological data of all cases were well evaluated on this aspect. In addition to the time period between the first colic attack and definitive management; diameter of proximal ureter and renal pelvis, longitudinal and transverse stone size, Hounsfied unit (HU) of the stone and lastly ureteral wall thickness at the impacted stone site were all carefully evaluated and noted. RESULTS: Patients had a single proximal ureteral stone. While mean age of the cases was ranged 20 to 78 years; mean stone size was 15.62±4.26 mm. Evaluation of our data demonstrated that although there was a statistically significant correlation between ureteral wall thickness and patients age, transverse diameter of the stone, ureteral diameter just proximal to the stone, renal pelvic diameter and the duration of renal colic attacks; no correlation could be demonstrated between patients sex and the HU of the stone. CONCLUSIONS: Prediction of the presence and degree of proximal ureteral stone impaction is a challenging issue and our data indicated a highly significant correlation between ureteral wall thickness and the some certain radiological as well as clinical parameters evaluated which will give an objective information about the presence of impaction which may in turn be helpful in the follow-up and also management plans of such calculi.

ISCHIOFEMORAL IMPINGEMENT: ASSESSMENT OF MRI FINDINGS AND THEIR RELIABILITY.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings and their validity in patients with ischiofemoral impingement syndrome (IFI) . METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 55 hips. MRI findings of 30 hips were consistent with IFI syndrome. Twenty five hips had no MRI findings consistent with IFI syndrome. We compared the ischiofemoral space (IFS), quadratus femoris space (QFS), ischial angle (IA) and femoral neck angle (FNA) between the age and gender matched groups. We also analyzed edema, fatty replacement and partial or total rupture of quadratus femoris muscle. Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the data. RESULTS: We observed atrophy in eight, fatty replacement also in eight and edema in all of the quadratus femoris muscle. QFS (p<0.001) and IFS (p<0.001) were significantly lower in patients as compared to the control group. IA (p=0.012) and FNA (p=0.010) values were significantly higher in patients compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: MRI findings of IFI include narrowing of QFS and IFS and increase in IA and FNA. This condition should be kept in mind for patients with hip pain. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Study.

Mammography Findings of Male Breast Diseases.

Over the past 2 decades, the percentage of men presenting with breast complaints has increased from 0.8% to 2.4%, and men now account for 1% of all breast cancer cases. The most common male breast mass is gynecomastia, followed by lipoma and epidermal inclusion cysts. Because there is a paucity of parenchyma as compared with the female breast, the malignancy rapidly progresses to the next stage, with the appearance of secondary signs like nipple retraction, fixation to deeper tissues, skin ulceration or adenopathy. Diagnostic evaluation is needed only when the palpable mass is unilateral, hard, fixed, peripheral to the nipple, or associated with nipple discharge, skin changes, or lymphadenopathy. Male breast cancer usually occurs in a subareolar location or is positioned eccentric to the nipple; occasionally, it occurs in a peripheral position. Secondary signs like skin thickening, nipple retraction, and axillary lymphadenopathy may be seen. Microcalcifications can occur. Mammography can accurately distinguish between malignant and benign male breast disease. Radiologists are generally less familiar with breast disease in males compared with females. In this article, we discuss the clinical, and mammographic features of a variety of benign and malignant diseases that can occur in the male breast.