Anterior metaphyseal angle; much less individual variation in determining the posterior slope of the tibia.

BACKGROUND: The question of how to specify the posterior tilt of the tibia during arthroplasty operations remains unclear. The most current opinion is that a design whereby incisions are made in parallel with the individual pre-arthritic posterior tilt will yield better post-operational results. However, the wide range of inter-individual variations of posterior tilt of the tibia and the difficult task of identifying the shaft axis of the tibia through standard lateral radiographs are the main obstacles to this particular method. Therefore, there is a need for another reference line that can be measured with plain radiography and yields less inter-individual variation. The hypothesis of this study was that the angle formed between the anterior metaphyseal line of the proximal tibia and the tibial plateau would prove to be less variable across individuals. METHODS: Long-shot radiographs of non-rotating lateral tibias of 85 patients aged between 18 and 38 years were analysed. The angle forming between the anterior metaphyseal line of the proximal tibia and the slope of the tibial plateau, and the posterior slope angle was measured by 2 separate observers using the classical method. RESULTS: From the measurements of the posterior slope angle taken with the classical method, 38% (33/85) of the patients were within the ±2-degree range of the mean, and the anterior metaphyseal angle was within ±2 degrees of the mean in 75% (64/85) of the total patients. 44.23% variation (CoV) in posterior slop degrees, 2.73% (CoV) variation in the anterior metaphyseal angle measured by the same researchers. The difference between the percentages of variation was also found to be statistically significant. (z = 15.36, p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The anterior metaphyseal angle can be utilized to predict the individual posterior slope. Nevertheless, further large-scale, multicentre studies are needed to establish a mean value for the population.

Evaluation of Liver and Spleen With Shear Wave Elastography in Adult Patients With Familial Mediterranean Fever.

ABSTRACT: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease and an important health problem in countries bordering the eastern Mediterranean, including Turkey. In this study, we aimed to evaluate possible tissue stiffness changes that may develop in the liver and spleen in adult FMF patients with shear wave elastography (SWE), and its usability as an auxiliary imaging method that will be able to provide additional advantage in clinical follow-up. Seventy-five adult FMF patients and 73 adult volunteer were included in the study. Examination was performed through an intercostal space where the liver and spleen were clearly visible. The parenchymal stiffness degrees of the liver and spleen were quantified by shear modulus values in kilopascals. Differences in stiffness values of the liver and spleen between the 2 groups were examined. Liver stiffness value (LSV) was found to be statistically significantly higher in the FMF group. Although the spleen stiffness value (SSV) was found higher in the FMF group, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. Increased LSVs in patients with FMF can be quantitatively demonstrated by the 2-dimensional SWE method, and SWE may be useful as an auxiliary imaging method in the follow-up of patients with FMF for this purpose. The LSV and SSV obtained in this study may be useful as reference stiffness values for both healthy individuals and those with FMF.

Development of the sphenoid sinus from newborn to age 18: A computed tomography imaging analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The sphenoid sinus (SS) is an important anatomical formation in terms of its location and relationship with important neurovascular structures. It is essential to evaluate the pneumatization and dimensions of the SS with Computed Tomography (CT) in the preoperative period of transsphenoidal interventions to be performed on tumors located in this region. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of the volume and dimensions of the SS measured with CT with age in the period from birth to 18 years of age. METHODS: In this retrospective study, a total of 360 brain, paranasal sinus, temporal bone and maxillofacial CT scans of individuals from birth to 18 years of age were evaluated. The cohort was divided into 18 groups with 20 (10 female, 10 male) patients in each age group. The height, width, length and volume values of the SS were measured on CT and their correlations with age and the differences between genders were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: It has been determined that the increases in the size and volume of the SS accelerate especially between 1 and 2 years of age and begins to reach adult dimensions after 12 years of age. Height and length of the sphenoid sinus showed a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.717 and r = 0.731 respectively) with age, while its width and volume showed a moderate correlation coefficient (r = 0.662 and 0.543 respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the genders in terms of SS height, width, length and volume. CONCLUSIONS: SS dimensions and volume showed a logaritmic growth pattern from birth to 18 years. The results of this study may help to better understand the normal development of SS in children and may serve as a reference for more comprehensive CT studies. In addition, it can help surgeons to evaluate the developmental characteristics of SS in surgical interventions for SS in children.

Double-Layered Closuring to Repair an Oroantral Fistula Using Septal Cartilage and Buccal Fat Pad.

ABSTRACT: Oroantral fistula (OAF) is a pathological connection between the maxillary sinus and oral cavity, and it usually occurs after tooth extraction. Proper repair of OAF is important for the prevention of recurrences. The present case offers a technique of OAF repair using septal cartilage and buccal fat pad for the repair of the defect after excision of fistula tract. This double-layered closure is a new technique that could be used to repair chronic OAF.

Traction Suture Technique for Correction of Caudal Septal Deviation.

OBJECTIVES: Correcting the caudal septum deviation is one of the most difficult parts of the septoplasty. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency and usefulness of traction suture method in caudal septum deviations. METHODS: Medical records of 35 patients who underwent endonasal septoplasty using traction suture method for caudal septum deviation in August 2017-February 2019 period were studied retrospectively. Preoperative nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scores of the patients were compared with postoperative sixth month NOSE scores. Besides, preoperative nasal examination findings of the patients were compared with the ones in postoperative period. RESULTS: Average age of the 35 patients (9 women and 26 men) in the study was 26.3 ±â€Š10.1 years. Postoperative observations revealed that a straight septum was achieved in 31 patients (91.1%). Average pre- and postoperative NOSE scores were 85.1 ±â€Š20.4 and 22.4 ±â€Š4.2, respectively (P < 0.0001). Nasal obstruction was "much improved" in 19 patients (54.2%) and "improved" in 12 (37.1%), while 4 patients (8.6%) reported "no change." None of the patients developed postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Traction suture method is a safe, efficient, and useful option to be used by surgeons for caudal septum deviation.