SOCS-1 1478 CA/del gene polymorphism affects survival in colorectal carcinoma.

Aims and Background: Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) is a prototype molecule of the SOCS family. Alterations in the SOCS1 expression have been reported in human cancers and some studies suggest that SOCS1 might act as a tumor suppressor in carcinogenesis. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the association of SOCS1 promoter -1478CA/del gene polymorphism detected in DNA isolated from the tissues of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) for histopathological characteristics and survival. Patients and Methods: For the study, we retrospectively enrolled 53 patients with resected colon due to CRC and 23 control subjects with no systemic illness. SOCS1- 1478CA/del gene polymorphism was determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology. These results were evaluated in relation to histopathological features and survival results and analyzed statistically. A P value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Neither control subjects nor the CRC group showed a significant association with SOCS1 -1478CA/del gene polymorphism (p = 0.248). SOCS1 -1478CA/del gene polymorphism was not significantly associated with histopathological features either. However, in the overall survival (OS) analysis, those patients with the del/del allele were found to have a 3.9-fold greater risk of mortality compared to those with CA/CA allele (p = 0.05). Progression-free survival (PFS) was also significantly different in such patients (p = 0.05). Conclusion: The present study examining the association of SOCS1 -1478CA/del gene polymorphism with CRC showed that CRC patients with del/del allele had both significantly shorter PFS and OS versus those with CA/CA or CA/del allele.

CT and MR findings of bilateral submandibular gland aplasia associated with hypertrophied symmetrical sublingual glands herniated through mylohyoid defects.

There are very limited reports of aplasia of bilateral submandibular glands associated with bilateral sublingual gland hypertrophy. We report the case of a 13-year-old girl with bilateral submandibular gland aplasia associated with symmetrical sublingual gland hypertrophy that herniated from bilateral mylohyoid defects and presented as bilateral masses on CT and MRI images. Prolapsed bilateral sublingual gland hypertrophy should be considered in patients with bilateral submandibular masses to avoid unnecessary biopsy or surgery. We suggest that radiological evaluation of these cases should be performed before any intervention.

Short aggrecan gene repetitive alleles associated with lumbar degenerative disc disease in Turkish patients.

We investigated a possible association between aggrecan gene polymorphism and lumbar degenerative disc disease in Turkish patients. One hundred 20-30-year-old patients with or without low back pain were selected for the study. Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging was performed on all patients. The patient group had low back pain clinically and degenerative disc disease radiographically. The control group included patients with and without low back pain: all were negative radiographically for degenerative disc disease. Genomic DNA was extracted from all participants. A PCR assay were used to evaluate variable number of tandem repeat polymorphism of aggrecan gene alleles to determine if there was any correlation with degenerative disc disease. Significant associations were found between short repeated alleles of the aggrecan gene and severe disc degeneration. A significant association was also found between short repeated alleles of the aggrecan gene and multilevel disc herniation as well as extrusion and sequestration types of disc herniation. In Turkish population, short repeated alleles of the aggrecan gene are associated with increased disc degeneration and disc herniation.

MR imaging in novel influenza A(H1N1)-associated meningoencephalitis.

MR imaging manifestations of influenza A-associated encephalitis have been described previously. However, there is very limited information about the central nervous system complications of the novel influenza A(H1N1) virus. MR imaging findings of novel influenza A-associated meningoencephalitis in a child are presented.

Sonographically guided fine-needle biopsy of thyroid nodules: the effects of nodule characteristics, sampling technique, and needle size on the adequacy of cytological material.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of sonographic characteristics of thyroid nodules, the diameter of needle used for sampling, and sampling technique on obtaining sufficient cytological material (SCM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed sonography-guided fine-needle biopsy (FNB) in 232 solid thyroid nodules. Size-, echogenicity, vascularity, and localization of all nodules were evaluated by Doppler sonography before the biopsy. Needles of size 20, 22, and 24 G were used for biopsy. The biopsy specimen was acquired using two different methods after localisation. In first method, the needle tip was advanced into the nodule in various positions using a to-and-fro motion whilst in the nodule, along with concurrent aspiration. In the second method, the needle was advanced vigorously using a to-and-fro motion within the nodule whilst being rotated on its axis (capillary-action technique). RESULTS: The mean nodule size was 2.1+/-1.3 cm (range 0.4-7.2 cm). SCM was acquired from 154 (66.4%) nodules by sonography-guided FNB. In 78 (33.6%) nodules, SCM could not be collected. There was no significant difference between nodules with different echogenicity and vascularity for SCM. Regarding the needle size, the lowest rate of SCM was obtained using 20 G needles (56.6%) and the highest rate of adequate material was obtained using 24 G needles (82.5%; p=0.001). The SCM rate was 76.9% with the capillary-action technique versus 49.4% with the aspiration technique (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Selecting finer needles (24-25 G) for sonography-guided FNB of thyroid nodules and using the capillary-action technique decreased the rate of inadequate material in cytological examination.

Toe leiomyoma: A case report with radiological correlation.

Only a limited number of case reports concerning the magnetic resonance imaging appearance of lower extremity leiomyoma have been published. To the best of our knowledge, there is not any instance of toe leiomyoma reported with MRI findings. We present MRI findings of a toe leiomyoma and discuss the literature.

Effect of informed consent for intravascular contrast material on the level of anxiety: how much information should be given?

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of two different informed consent forms on patients' anxiety level prior to intravenous contrast material (IVCM) injection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two different informed consent forms were randomly given to 265 consecutive patients referred for either intravenous pyelography or computed tomography requiring IVCM injections. Form 1 had brief information, including only the common risks and risk factors associated with IVCM, while Form 2 had more comprehensive information. Before being presented with the two different informed consent forms, 191 of the 265 patients filled out two other forms evaluating: 1: How they felt in that particular situation/moment (STAI-T); and 2: How they felt independently of the situation or condition at that moment (STAI-S). After the patients were informed, the STAI-T (measuring how they felt in that particular situation) was filled out once more to see if the anxiety level had changed. RESULTS: The anxiety level for 88 patients receiving Form 1 decreased after they were given the informed consent (P=0.033). However, among the 103 patients receiving Form 2, the anxiety level showed a significant increase (P=0.001) compared to the values obtained before Form 2 was given. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that informed consent, including brief information about the risk factors and potential adverse reactions of IVCM, reduces anxiety level, while detailed information before the procedure increases the anxiety level.

Combined sphenoid and frontal sinus aplasia accompanied by bilateral maxillary and ethmoid sinus hypoplasia.

We describe CT scans of a case with bilateral aplasia of frontal and sphenoid sinuses with symmetrical hypoplasia of the ethmoid cellules and maxillary sinuses. This case appears to be first in the English-language literature with these combined findings.

CT findings of head and neck anomalies in lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital (LADD) syndrome.

We present computed tomography (CT) findings of a boy with lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital (LADD) syndrome. Bilateral lacrimal glands were not detected and CT imaging of this abnormality in LADD syndrome has not been reported before. Despite suggestions from previous reports of multiple temporal bone abnormalities resulting in hearing losses in these patients, only minor temporal bone abnormalities were seen in our deaf-mute patient. Dysplasia of salivary glands was noted. CT findings of head and neck abnormalities in LADD syndrome are discussed.