Changes in substance P levels of inferior turbinate in patients with mucosal contact headache / Alterações nos níveis da substância P da concha inferior de pacientes com cefaleiapor ponto de contato da mucosa

Abstract Introduction Mucosal contact headache is a referred pain that arises from contact between the nasal septum and the lateral nasal wall. Evidence supports the role of substance P in a contact headache such that release of substance P from sensory nerve endings causes inflammation and allergy. Objectives This study aimed to determine possible differences in substance P levels in inferior turbinate hypertrophy creating a contact headache. Methods 28 patients who had contact headaches (study group) and 16 volunteers with no complaints were included in the study. Substance P levels in the inferior turbinate tissue samples were quantified using a commercially available substance P EIA kit. Results In the study group average substance P levels were 2.65 ± 0.27 pg/mg tissue (range: 0.61-5.44) and in the control group it was 1.77 ± 0.27 pg/mg tissue (range: 0.11-4.35). The difference was statistically significant between the two groups (p = 0.0215). Average preoperative headache group visual analog scale scores was 5.93 ± 0.38 (2-9) and the turbinate volume was 6.56 ± 0.35 cm3 (3.50-10.30). The control group turbinate volume was 4.71 ± 0.39 cm3 (2.50-7.70). We found a correlation between the visual analog scale scores and substance P levels such that substance P levels were higher in visual analog scale scores above 5 (p = 0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrates the relationship between intranasal contact headaches and increased mucosal substance P levels. We also found that there is no correlation with substance P levels and volume of the inferior turbinate.

Resumo Introdução A cefaleia por ponto de contato da mucosa é uma dor direcionada que surge do contato entre o septo nasal e a parede nasal lateral. Evidências corroboram o papel da substância P na cefaleia de contato, de tal forma que a liberação da mesma a partir de terminações nervosas sensoriais possa causar inflamação e alergia. Objetivo Determinar possíveis diferenças nos níveis da substância P na hipertrofia de conchas inferiores em relação à cefaleia de contato. Método Foram incluídos no estudo 28 pacientes que apresentaram cefaleia por ponto de contato (Grupo Estudo) e 16 voluntários sem queixas. Os níveis de substância P nas amostras de tecido da concha inferior foram quantificados com um kit substância P EIA, comercialmente disponível. Resultados No grupo do estudo, os níveis médios de substância P foram 2,65 ± 0,27 pg/mg de tecido (variação: 0,61-5,44) e no grupo controle foram de 1,77 ± 0,27 pg/mg de tecido (variação: 0,11-4,35) e a diferença foi estatisticamente significante entre os dois grupos (p = 0,0215). O escore médio da escala visual analógica do grupo de cefaleia pré-operatória foi de 5,93 ± 0,38 (2-9) e o volume das conchas foi de 6,56 ± 0,35 cm3 (3,50-10,30). O volume da concha do grupo controle foi de 4,71 ± 0,39 cm3 (2,50 ± 7,70). Encontramos uma correlação entre o escore da escala visual analógica e os níveis de substância P, de modo que os níveis de substância P foram maiores nos escores da escala visual analógica acima de 5 (p = 0,001). Conclusão Este estudo demonstra a relação entre cefaleias por contato intranasais e níveis aumentados de substância P nas mucosas. Também observamos que não há correlação com os níveis de substância P e o volume da concha inferior.

Changes in substance P levels of inferior turbinate in patients with mucosal contact headache.

INTRODUCTION: Mucosal contact headache is a referred pain that arises from contact between the nasal septum and the lateral nasal wall. Evidence supports the role of substance P in a contact headache such that release of substance P from sensory nerve endings causes inflammation and allergy. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine possible differences in substance P levels in inferior turbinate hypertrophy creating a contact headache. METHODS: 28 patients who had contact headaches (study group) and 16 volunteers with no complaints were included in the study. Substance P levels in the inferior turbinate tissue samples were quantified using a commercially available substance P EIA kit. RESULTS: In the study group average substance P levels were 2.65±0.27pg/mg tissue (range: 0.61-5.44) and in the control group it was 1.77±0.27pg/mg tissue (range: 0.11-4.35). The difference was statistically significant between the two groups (p=0.0215). Average preoperative headache group visual analog scale scores was 5.93±0.38 (2-9) and the turbinate volume was 6.56±0.35cm3 (3.50-10.30). The control group turbinate volume was 4.71±0.39cm3 (2.50-7.70). We found a correlation between the visual analog scale scores and substance P levels such that substance P levels were higher in visual analog scale scores above 5 (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the relationship between intranasal contact headaches and increased mucosal substance P levels. We also found that there is no correlation with substance P levels and volume of the inferior turbinate.

Giant Cell Tumor of the Patellar Tendon Sheath: A Rare Case of Anterior Knee Pain.

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a benign, proliferative lesion of the synovium of the joint, the bursa, and the tendon sheath. We report a case of intra-articular, localized GCTTS arising from the patellar tendon, which is a rare cause of anterior knee pain. The diagnosis may be delayed due to non-specific symptoms and normal plain radiographic findings. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is diagnostic to detect the lesion, but several other clinical entities and lesions should be evaluated in the differential diagnosis. The treatment of choice is a total excision of the lesion without leaving residual tumor tissue, in order to reduce the risk of recurrence. We present a patient with GCTTS of the patellar tendon and discuss its clinical and radiographic characteristics, differential diagnosis, pathology, and treatment.

Natural course of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia from childhood to adulthood and review of the literature.

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is the second most common benign tumor of the liver and constitutes 4% of all primary hepatic tumors in pediatric population. Imaging characteristics of FNH in adults are well known, but those in children have rarely been reported. Here we describe the natural course of a giant hepatic FNH, which was followed up from childhood to adulthood for 12 years using computed tomography (CT) imaging and liver enzyme tests (LET). Differences in CT imaging characteristics were demonstrated. Changes were found in the FNH size in CT images and they were correlated with LET findings. The regression of FNH in our case was compared with the findings in the literature. Hepatic capsular retraction was observed in a benign focal liver lesion in the medical literature for the first time.

Application of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in the Detection of Active Sacroiliitis and the Comparison of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient and Relative Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Values.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted imaging in detection of active sacroiliitis and compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and normalized relative ADC (r-ADC) values by using vertebra and iliac wings as reference organs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 56 patients (26 males, 30 females; mean age 37.7±10.1 years; range 18 to 66 years) with chronic back pain and without history of sacroiliitis who underwent magnetic resonance imaging. T2-weighted spectral presaturation with inversion recovery, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted spectral presaturation with inversion recovery, and diffusion-weighted (b values: 0 and 600 s/mm2) images were obtained. All images were evaluated by two different radiologists for interobserver variability. All individuals were grouped in either mechanical low back pain (control group) or active sacroilitis (disease group) groups according to the presence or absence of MRI findings of active sacroilitis. ADC values of both surfaces were measured from normal and affected areas of joints. Also, ADC values of L5 vertebra and iliac wings were measured as reference organs to calculate r-ADC values. RESULTS: Mean ADC and r-ADC values measured from lesions were significantly higher than that of normal appearing bone marrow areas in both patients with mechanical low back pain (n=17) and active sacroiliitis (n=39). Both ADC values and r-ADC values could differentiate active lesions from normal appearing bone marrow areas as well as contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. According to r-ADC values calculated with the L5 vertebra, unaffected portions of bone marrow areas in patients with sacroiliitis were normalized whereas r-ADC remained higher than normal in affected portions of the bones. CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted imaging is a fast, sensitive magnetic resonance imaging sequence in detection of active sacroiliitis. It does not require contrast agent and can be safely used as an adjunct to conventional magnetic resonance images. r-ADC is also highly sensitive in detecting active sacroiliitis and may be used as an alternative to standard ADC measurements for the demonstration of inflammation. It helps eliminate individual bone marrow differences by using patients' own normal bone marrow measurements and increases diagnostic accuracy.

Do altitude and climate affect paranasal sinus volume?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of climate and altitude differences on the volume of paranasal sinuses and on the frequency of anatomic variations by comparing the paranasal sinus tomograms (PNSCT) of patients who were born and living in a cold, dry climate at high altitude with those of patients who were born and living on the coast at sea level in a temperate climate. We also aimed to determine differences relating to gender. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 55 PNSCTs of 55 patients from the city center of Antalya and 60 PNSCTs of 60 patients from the city center of Agri were evaluated and compared prospectively. The study included a total of 115 patients with a mean age of 44.75 ± 9.64 years (range, 27-63 years). Group 1 (Antalya) comprised 26 females (47.3%) and 29 males (52.7%) with a mean age of 36.7 ± 12.4 years. Group 2 (Agri) comprised 25 females (41.7%) and 35 males (58.3%) with a mean age of 35.1 ± 13.4 years. Maxillary sinus volumes were 18.27 cm(3) (range, 5.04-37.62) and 15.06 cm(3) (4.11-41.40); sphenoid sinus volumes were 7.81 cm(3) (1.80-20.63) and 6.35 cm(3) (0.54-16.50); frontal sinus volumes were 5.51 cm(3) (0.50-29.25) and 3.76 cm(3) (0.68-22.81) respectively. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in term of volumes (p > 0.025). Both maxillary and frontal sinus volumes were greater in males compared to females (p < 0.025). The mean value of the maxillary sinus volume was 15.7 ± 5.3 cm(3) and was significantly larger in males than in females (p = 0.004). There was no statistically significant correlation between the volume of maxillary sinuses with age or side. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of septum deviation and concha bullosa rates (p = 0.469 and p = 0.388). CONCLUSION: There have been many studies of nasal cavity changes due to climatic conditions but this is the first study to measure the difference of paranasal sinus volumes. No difference was determined in the anatomic variations and volumes of the maxillary, frontal, sphenoid sinuses on PNSCT of patients from different climates and altitudes.

A rare combination of vascular anomalies: Hypoplastic aortic arch, coarctation of the aorta and poststenotic aneurysm.

Coarctation of the aorta is the fifth most common congenital cardiac anomaly encountered in adults. It is important for prognosis to diagnose and treat this anomaly early. An aneurysm might develop due to tunica media abnormalities in patients with coarctation of the aorta. We hereby present an adult case with a very rare combination of vascular anomalies including ascending aorta aneurysm, hypoplastic aortic arch, coarctation of the aorta and poststenotic aneurysm.

Bilateral elastofibrolipoma: distinguishing from elastofibroma with adipose tissue migration.

We present a case of a 54-year-old female patient. MRI examination showed a mass adjacent to the left scapula and a localized heterogeneous mass in the right subscapular area. Microscopic examination revealed abnormal elastic fibers and globules and mature adipose tissue mixed with collagen bands in all areas of the lesion. Genetic analysis was done and there were no changes in DNA copy number. The lesion was diagnosed as elastofibrolipoma which is a rare tumor. No bilateral elastofibrolipoma has been previously described.

A case of laryngeal leiomyosarcoma and review of the literature.

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the larynx is a very rare malignancy that originates from blood vessel, smooth muscle or from the heterotopic mesenchymal tissue in the larynx. The histological diagnosis of LMS depends on the immunohistochemical investigation. The case is here presented of an 82-year-old man with shortness of breath and hoarseness. Indirect laryngoscopy showed a pedunculated large glottic lesion causing airway obstruction. Direct laryngoscopy was performed and biopsies were taken. From the pathological examination, the diagnosis of LMS was made. This case is presented of laryngeal LMS with the clinical, radiological, and histological findings.

The prevalence of knee injuries ipsilateral to tibial shaft fractures and their impact on clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this prospective study was to examine the prevalence of occult knee injuries in patients with ipsilateral tibial shaft fractures and determine their impact on clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative knee MRI examination was performed in 41 patients (42 knees) with isolated tibial shaft fractures. Menisci, cruciate ligaments, collateral ligaments, extensor mechanism, osteochondral lesions, bone contusions and knee effusion were evaluated. All patients were treated with reamed and locked intra-medullary tibial nailing without an additional surgical procedure for knee injuries. All patients were followed to at least fracture union and were evaluated with knee examination and Lysholm knee score. RESULTS: Of the 42 knees, 41 (97.6 %) showed at least one defined injury around the knee. There was only one patient who had totally normal knee MRI findings. One or more ligamentous injuries of the knee were identified in 35 (83.3 %) of the knees. Five patents (11.9 %) had medial meniscal tear in posterior horn. Extensor mechanism injuries were seen in two patients. Mild to marked joint effusion was observed in 35 (81 %) knees. Twenty-two knees demonstrated bone bruise; femoral condyle (n = 7), tibial plateau (n = 12), patella (n = 2) and fibular head (n = 1). No patients had osteochondral lesion. Patients were followed with a mean of 13.2 ± 3.6 (range 8-22) months. Clinical knee examination revealed Grade II (+) anterior drawer test in two patients. The mean Lysholm knee score was 99.1 ± 2.14 (range 91-100) at the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Ipsilateral intra-articular, extra-articular or combined knee injuries may occur at the time of injury with tibial shaft fractures. However, most of these injuries are not clinically relevant and heal without any sequel or remain asymptomatic late after fracture union. Routine use of preoperative knee MRI examination in patients with tibial shaft fractures is not necessary.

Two-year results of carotid artery stenting.

OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of carotid artery stenting (CAS) for primary and secondary prevention of ischemic stroke has been demonstrated. The aim of our study was the clinical and radiological evaluation of the reliability of the CAS procedure over a two-year follow-up period. STUDY DESIGN: This study included 120 patients (mean age, 68 (48-86) years) admitted to our hospital between December 2010 and March 2013 for whom CAS was decided in the neurology, cardiovascular surgery and cardiology council. Symptomatic cases with more than 50% stenosis by angiography and asymptomatic patients with stenosis of more than 70% were included in the study. 80% of the asymptomatic patients were those detected during the screening before the coronary bypass surgery. RESULTS: The success rate of the procedure was found as 97.5%. No mortality or myocardial infarction was observed in any of the patients in whom CAS was applied successfully. In 1 symptomatic patient (0.8%), ischemic cerebrovascular event with sequelae was observed 24 hours after the procedure. In total, transient ischemic attack was observed in 2 patients (1.7%) 6 and 11 months after the procedure. Asymptomatic restenosis was detected in 3 patients (2.5% of the total, with 2 in the asymptomatic and 1 in the symptomatic group). Symptomatic restenosis was not observed. None of the patients experienced hyperperfusion syndrome. CONCLUSION: We believe the CAS procedure can be performed safely in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with low complication and high success rates.

Pilomatrixoma-like testicular tumour without teratomatous elements.

A 40-year-old man presented to us with infertility. During scrotal ultrasonography, a heterogeneous nodular mass was seen in the right testicle. Surprisingly, histopathological examination revealed shadow cells, which are the characteristic feature of pilomatrixomas.

An unusual pattern of all three coronary arteries originating from a single coronary artery arising from the right sinus of valsalva.

Anomalous origin of coronary arteries is generally asymptomatic and a rare disease. However, some cases can cause severe life-threatening events such as myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, and acute myocardial infarction. We describe a case of a single coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva in a 48-year-old female patient with a complaint of stable angina pectoris and palpitations. Coronary angiography revealed that all three coronary arteries arose from the right sinus. Coronary CT angiography confirmed that there was an anomalous origin of the left coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva. The patient was managed with conservative treatment.

Hepatic cystic echinococcosis: percutaneous treatment as an outpatient procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate utility and safety of the puncture aspiration injection and reaspiration (PAIR) technique for outpatients. METHODS: Percutaneous treatment with US guidance was applied to 33 patients for 44 cysts. Patients treated with the PAIR technique, were outpatients. PAIR and catheterization technique were evaluated for efficacy and safety of procedure and complication rates. RESULTS: Thirty-five of 44 cysts were treated with the PAIR and 9 of 44 were treated with the catheterization technique. The success rate of the cysts Gharbi type 1 (CE1) and type 2 (CE3a) treated with the PAIR technique was 100%. In the follow up of 9 cysts treated with the catheterization technique, 2 of them (22%) developed cyst infection and 1 (11%) developed a biliary fistula. CONCLUSIONS: The PAIR technique was found to be an effective and safe approach in order to treat Gharbi type 1 and type 2 cysts percutaneously for outpatients. It has a very low complication rate in comparison with the catheterization technique. So every effort should be made to finish the treatment with PAIR technique.

What do we leave behind after neartotal and subtotal thyroidectomy: just the tissue or the disease?

Selection of multinodular goiter (MNG) surgery procedure is stilll under discussion. Subtotal thyroidectomy (STT) and neartotal thyroidectomy (NTT) are preferred surgical procedures. However, it is uncertain whether the remnant tissue contains pathological findings or not after these procedures. We aimed to evaluate and comparison the pathologic findings in remnant tissue after NTT and STT. Thyroid tissue samples of 50 patients who underwent TT for MNG disease between January 2010 and August 2011 in our clinic were evaluated. Before the dissection of the thyroid tissue subtotal and neartotal margins were marked in both right and left lobes. After the resection of the specimen, the tissue was excised from the subtotal and neartotal margin marked during the surgery. The pathologic findings of the main tissue, the residual subtotal and neartotal tissues were evaluated and compared. All patients were followed-up 1 year. 43 (86%) females and 7 (14%) males with an average age of 50.5 (23-77) were included in the study. Incidental papillary thyroid cancer was detected in 5 patients (10%). Pathologic findings were present in 31 patients (62%) of subtotal residual tissue and 28 of the patients (56%) of neartotal residual tissue. Papillary microcarcinoma was detected in 3 (9.7%) of subtotal residual tissues and 2 (7.1%) of neartotal residual tissues. There is no significant difference between subtotal and neartotal tissues in terms of existence of pathological findings (p>0.05). There is no significant difference between the neartotal and subtotal residual tissues contralateral of dominant nodule (p>0.05). 2 of the patients (4%) had temporary hypocalcemia, 1 patient (2%) had seroma and 1 patient (2%) had recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. There are high rates of microscopic pathological findings on residual tissues both after STT and NTT. The neartotal and subtotal residual tissues contralateral to the large nodule also had high levels of pathologic findings.

Gray scale histogram analysis of solid breast lesions with ultrasonography: can lesion echogenicity ratio be used to differentiate the malignancy?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of lesion echogenicity ratios (LER) calculated by image histogram analysis for distinction of malignant and benign breast lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 55 patients (mean age, 44 years) with 59 lesions were included. Ultrasound images were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean LER values in benign and malignant lesions were 1.63±0.41 and 3.1±0.87, respectively. The difference between LER values of benign and malignant breast lesions was statistically significant (P<.001). CONCLUSION: LER can be used as an adjunct ultrasound parameter to differentiate between benign and malignant breast lesions.