Combined triggering at the wrist and fingers and severe carpal tunnel syndrome caused by macrodystrophia lipomatosa. Case report and review of literature.

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa (MDL) is a rare, congenital, developmental anomaly causing localized overgrowth of a digit(s) or extremity. Trigger wrist is a relatively rare entity, which may be caused by a mass originating from a tendon, an anomalous muscle or intracarpal pathologies. A 42-year-old male patient presented with triggering during active motion of the fingers and intractable pain and numbness in fingers to our emergency department. He had hypertrophy of the entire right upper extremity and his huge thumb was amputated due to MDL four years ago. The index finger was bigger than the other fingers and thenar eminence area of the hand looked like a large mass. Resection of hypertrophic carpal bone and debulking of large soft tissue mass removed the carpal tunnel symptoms and limited the range of motion of the wrist and fingers. This is a case report of triggering at the wrist and severe carpal tunnel syndrome due to carpal bone enlargement and lipofibromatous hamartoma (LH) of the median nerve in a patient with MDL.

Endovenous 1470 nm laser treatment of the saphenous vein: early report of pain assessment.

AIM: The aim of the paper was to evaluate the rate of postoperative pain by using endovenous laser ablation with wave-length of 1470 nm for incompetent saphenous veins in our single center experience. METHODS: A non-randomized prospective trial was performed. Patients with symptomatic varicose small saphenous vein and great saphenous vein were considered suitable for endovenous laser ablation. The VenaCure EVLT™ (Angiodynamics, Queensbury, NY) generator was used to provide laser energy (1470 nm emission wavelength). Pain was assessed on the 7th days, 1st months, 3rd months, and 6th months using a visual analog scale rating of 0 cm (no pain) to 10 cm (worst imaginable pain). RESULTS: Of the 30 patients who eventually underwent endovenous laser ablation, 14 underwent bilateral treatment. Totally, 44 treated legs were scored. When questioned by using a visual analog scale pain score of 0-10, patients, on average, graded their pain 3.86 ± 1.04 at admission, 2.83 ± 0.91 at 1 week, 1.46 ± 0.63 at 1 month, 0.63 ± 0.49 at 3 months, and 0.07 ± 0.25 at 6 months. No major complication occurred, and there was no deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism nor skin ulceration. CONCLUSION: Endovenous laser ablation for chronic venous insufficiency with a 1470-nm diode laser appears to be effective and safe. The procedure is simple to perform, well accepted by patients and relatively atraumatic.

Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: a diagnostic challenge.

We report a case of alveolar echinococcosis involving the liver in a 61-year-old male. Alveolar echinococcosis is a rare chronic and progressive disease, which can involve mostly liver and in rare cases lung and brain. It is caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. In this report we describe the imaging findings of hepatic involvement of alveolar echinococcosis by ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Intracranial hemorrhage in Kimura's disease: coincidence or consequence?

OBJECTIVE: To report an unusual case of Kimura's disease associated with intracranial hemorrhage, the first such report in the literature. CASE REPORT: A 38-year-old man presented with chronic neurological disorders and a 10-year history of left cervical soft tissue swellings. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cranium showed a subacute/chronic hematoma in the left occipitotemporal lobe and a chronic infarct in the right parietal lobe. Cervical computed tomography (CT) and MRI showed multiple masses on the left side of the neck and parotid gland. Histopathologic examination revealed lymphocyte and eosinophil infiltration, proliferation of hyalinated blood vessels, and interstitial fibrosis. Steroid therapy (2 mg/kg per day) was started and the lesions regressed partially. The masses and some enlarged regional lymph nodes were resected. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial hemorrhage can either be a coincidental finding or complication of Kimura's disease. MRI and CT are effective modalities in radiologic diagnosis of this condition.

Stenting of vertebral artery origin with the buddy wire technique in tortuous subclavian artery. A case report.

Tortuous vasculature is a common reason for failure to stabilize a guiding catheter in an appropriate position and is associated with a higher incidence of vascular complications. In such a case, the guiding catheter often buckles into the aorta during an attempt to place the balloon or stent. In this report, we used the buddy wire technique to support the guiding catheter, and we passed through the vertebral artery origin stenosis with the help of a microcatheter-microguidewire combination which enabled stent deployment. We kept the buddy wire through the guiding catheter throughout the procedure and the 6F guiding catheter allowed passages of both buddy wire and stent system.

Comparison of computed tomography histogram analysis and chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging for adrenal mass characterization.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) histogram analysis and chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are currently used modalities for adrenal mass characterization. However, it is not yet clear which modality can be regarded as most sensitive in terms of adrenal mass characterization. PURPOSE: To prospectively compare CT histogram analysis and chemical-shift MRI in the characterization of adrenal masses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between May 2007 and November 2008, 93 patients (45 males, 48 females; mean age 56.7 years, range 22-85 years) with 109 adrenal masses prospectively underwent both unenhanced CT and chemical-shift MRI examinations. These masses consisted of 67 adenomas and 42 metastases. Histogram analysis was applied with a circular region of interest (ROI) that recorded mean attenuation, total number of pixels, number of negative pixels, and the percentage of negative pixels on unenhanced CT images for each adrenal mass. In the CT histogram analysis, a 10% negative pixel threshold for unenhanced CT was calculated. In chemical-shift MRI, signal intensity drop between in-phase and opposed-phase images was quantitatively calculated so that adrenal-to-spleen chemical-shift ratios and adrenal signal intensity indexes were determined for each of the adrenal masses. A mass was regarded as an adenoma if it contained more than 10% negative pixels by CT histogram analysis, showed an adrenal-to-spleen chemical-shift ratio of less than 0.71, and had an adrenal signal intensity index of more than 16.5% by chemical-shift MRI. The results were compared to reveal which method was most sensitive in the diagnosis of adrenal masses and whether or not a correlation exists between these two modalities. Final diagnoses were based on imaging follow-up of minimum 6 months, biopsy, surgery, and adrenal washout study. RESULTS: On unenhanced CT examinations, all of the 67 adenomas and 21 out of 42 metastases exhibited negative pixels. None of the metastases showed more than 10% negative pixels on CT histogram analysis. An increase in the percentage of negative pixels correlated well with a decrease in the mean CT attenuation. CT histogram analysis using a 10% negative pixel threshold gave a 91% sensitivity and 100% specificity for the diagnosis of an adenoma. On chemical-shift MRI, for an adrenal-to-spleen chemical-shift ratio of less than 0.71, a 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity were achieved, while a 97% sensitivity and 93% specificity were obtained for an adrenal signal intensity index of more than 16.5% for adenoma diagnosis. CONCLUSION: CT histogram analysis method using a 10% negative pixel threshold on unenhanced CT had a good sensitivity and perfect specificity for the differentiation of adrenal adenomas from non-adenomas. In spite of the good results obtained with the CT histogram analysis method, chemical-shift MRI using adrenal-to-spleen chemical-shift ratio and adrenal signal intensity index formulas had a higher sensitivity and could help in the characterization of adrenal masses appearing indeterminate by CT histogram analysis.

Virtual bronchoscopy as a dynamic modality in the diagnosis and treatment of suspected foreign body aspiration.

AIM: Rigid bronchoscopy (RB) is an invasive procedure and has its own risks. The place of virtual bronchoscopy (VB) in the treatment of patients with a clinical and radiological suspicion of foreign body aspiration was evaluated to see whether its usage can prevent rigid bronchoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was performed between December 2005 and May 2007 in 60 patients (35 M and 25 F) aged between 4 months and 7 years with clinical and radiographical suspicion of foreign body aspiration. Patients with radio-opaque foreign body aspiration were excluded from the study and treated directly by RB. VB was performed using 16 detector multislice computerized tomography (MDCT). If VB or clinical follow-up supported the diagnosis of foreign body, RB was performed for diagnosis and treatment. The results of RB were compared with the results of VB. RESULTS: All patients underwent VB. In 40 patients there was a suspicion of foreign body with VB. Two patients improved without RB: one had spontaneous discharge of the foreign body with coughing, and one experienced spontaneous clinical improvement. The remaining 38 patients underwent RB and a foreign body was found in the reported localization in 33. No foreign body was found with RB in 5 patients showing foreign body in VB. But we found bronchial vegetations in 2, obstructing mucus plug in 2 and external bronchial compression by neuroenteric cyst in one. In 20 patients there was no suspicion of foreign body with VB. Of these, 7 patients with presenting symptoms for more than one month underwent RB, but no foreign body was found. The 13 remaining patients were followed up clinically with improvement of symptoms. CONCLUSION: MDCT devices still require further investigation when used in pediatric surgical pathologies. Reconstructed images of VB can reveal images close to the real anatomy. In patients with a suspicion of foreign body ingestion, initial VB may help to determine the presence and exact localization of the foreign body and if negative, may reduce the number of unnecessary rigid bronchoscopies. None of the patients with negative VB had foreign bodies. Positive VB may help to shorten the operative time by providing information about the localization and size of the foreign body.

US, CT and MRI findings in a case of diffuse lymphangiomatosis and cystic hygroma.

Lymphangiomatosis is a rare disease with multifocal lymphatic proliferation that typically occurs during childhood and involves multiple parenchymal organs including the lung, liver, spleen, bone, and skin. Lymphangiomatosis may occur synchronously or metachronously with cystic hygroma of the neck. We present US, CT, and MRI findings of cystic hygroma of the neck associated with generalized lymphangiomatosis affecting bones and spleen in a 2-year-old girl.

Pseudoaneurysm of the renal interlobar artery in Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease is a rare clinical event characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, and iridocyclitis. Vascular involvement is a rare but serious form of the disease. We present a case of renal interlobar artery pseudoaneurysm occurring in a 20-year-old male patient with a 5-year history of Behçet's disease, who had been admitted because of right flank pain. Findings obtained on abdominal ultrasonography, abdominal computed tomography, and renal angiography confirmed a right renal pseudoaneurysm and subcapsular hematoma.

Visceral adipose tissue as an indicator of insulin resistance in nonobese patients with new onset type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are characterized by insulin resistance. We determined the relationship between insulin resistance and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and their correlation with bioimpedance analysis in nonobese new onset type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: A number of 30 new onset type 2 diabetes patients and 20 healthy control subjects with similar features, age between 45 - 72 years old, BMI < 27 kg/m (2), C-peptide > 0.6 nmol/L, were included in study. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, serum lipids, BMI, insulin, C-peptide, HOMA-IR, bioimpedance analysis and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (by computed tomography) were measured. RESULTS: In the patient group, VAT was significantly higher compared to healthy control group (33.17 +/- 10.23 % vs. 16.53 +/- 7.85 %, p < 0.001). In the patient group VAT was correlated with HOMA-IR (r = 0.62, p = 0.003), but no significant correlation was observed between VAT and bioimpedance analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of VAT is significantly higher in nonobese new onset patients with type 2 diabetes than the healthy control group. In these patients, VAT measured by CT is an important indicator of insulin resistance. Although bioimpedance analysis can give an idea about total body fat and obesity, it is not sufficient in evaluating fat distribution and therefore is not effective in predicting insulin resistance.

Antioxidant vitamins E and C as adjunct therapy of severe acute lower-respiratory infection in infants and young children: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of antioxidant Vitamins E and C as adjunct therapy of severe acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in children. DESIGN: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: A large childrens' hospital serving the urban poor in Kolkata, India. SUBJECTS: Children aged 2-35 months admitted with severe ALRI. INTERVENTION: In total, 174 children were randomly assigned to receive alpha-tocopherol 200 mg and ascorbic acid 100 mg twice daily or placebo for 5 days. All children received standard treatment for severe ALRI. Outcome measures were: time taken to recover from a very ill status, fever, tachypnoea, and feeding difficulty; and improvement in oxidative stress and immune response indicated by thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS) and response to skin antigens, respectively. RESULTS: Recovery rate ratios (95% CI) using proportional hazards model were 0.89 (0.64-1.25), 1.01 (0.72-1.41), 0.86 (0.57-1.29), and 1.12 (0.77-1.64) for very ill status, feeding difficulty, fever, and tachypnoea, respectively. TBARS values were high and similar in the two groups at admission, discharge, and at 2 weeks follow-up. Serum alpha-tocopherol significantly increased in treated group at discharge. Immune response to skin antigens were very poor at admission and after 2 weeks, in both groups. CONCLUSION: Infants with severe ALRI failed to benefit from two antioxidant nutrients as adjunct therapy. Severe ALRI in infants may cause cell-mediated immune dysfunction. We need a better understanding of oxidative processes in growing infants to help us better design interventions with antioxidant therapy.

Multivoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy in gliomatosis cerebri.

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare entity with non-specific clinical and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings; accurate diagnosis is a differential diagnostic challenge. MR spectroscopy has recently been introduced as a useful diagnostic tool for detection of this entity. We present a gliomatosis cerebri case in which we made the radiological diagnosis using the MR spectroscopy findings; the diagnosis was confirmed by subsequent biopsy and histopathologic evaluation. Multivoxel spectroscopy (CSI, PRESS, 1500/135) shows a marked increase in Cho/NAA (6.6), normal to mild increase in Cho/Cr (1.2), and marked decrease in NAA/Cr (0.2) compared with the normally appearing contralateral side (Cho/NAA: 0.8, Cho/Cr: 0.9, NAA/Cr: 1.2).

Comparative bioavailability of a novel timed release and powder-filled glucosamine sulfate formulation--a multi-dose, randomized, crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: The absorption of 2 different formulations of glucosamine sulfate were studied in a randomized, multi-dose, two-way, crossover study. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this study, a novel timed release pellet-filled hard gelatin shell capsule (TimeOsamine) was compared with a powder-filled hard gelatin shell capsule. The timed release capsule was used in a double dose with an interval of 12 h whereas the powder-filled hard gelatin capsule was used in a triple dose schedule with an interval of 8 h after 10 h pre-dose fasting. Twelve healthy male subjects were administered a 1,000 mg (2 x 500 mg) dose of timed release glucosamine sulfate (TimeOsamine) or a 1,500 mg (3 x 500 mg) dose of the powder-filled glucosamine sulfate formulation. The concentration of glucosamine was measured over the next 24 h. Pharmacokinetics properties including area under the curve (AUC), maximum concentration in plasma (C(max)), time to maximum plasma concentration (t(max)) were measured. RESULTS: The C(max) of the powder-filled and timed release formulation (TimeOsamine) was 543.12 ng/ml and 520.98 ng/ml, respectively. The t(max) of TimeOsamine was delayed by 4.13 h, whereas the powder-filled preparation was 1.00 h. The AUC0-24 of the 2 doses of TimeOsamine (2 x 500 mg = 1,000 mg) and the 3 doses of the powder-filled formulation (3 x 500 mg = 1,500 mg) was 6,263.32 ng x h/ml and 6,499.55 ng x h/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: After reduction in the dose by 33%, the AUC0-24 of TimeOsamine is 96.37% with respect to the powder-filled formulation AUC0-24, which is comparable.

Magnetic resonance imaging in Duane's retraction syndrome.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to visualize the subarachnoid portion of the nervus abducens by magnetic resonance imaging and to analyze whether aplasia of the nervus abducens is an etiologic factor in Duane's retraction syndrome. METHODS: We performed thin-sectioned magnetic resonance imaging across the brainstem level in 8 cases (11 eyes) that were clinically diagnosed as Duane's retraction syndrome. The same test was applied to 8 healthy control subjects to verify the accuracy of this technique. RESULTS: The nervus abducens on the affected side could not be observed in 6 (54.5%) of 11 eyes (8 cases) that were clinically diagnosed as having Duane's retraction syndrome. The nervus abducens was observed in 15 (94%) of 16 eyes that were screened as the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that aplasia of the nervus abducens, although an important etiologic factor, is not the only factor responsible for the diagnosis of Duane's retraction syndrome.

Can negative appendectomy rate be decreased by using spiral computed tomography without contrast material?

Approximately 15-20% of error in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis argues for new diagnostic methods. In recent years it has been proposed that Computed Tomography be used in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis with high sensitivity and specificity. In our study, the effect of Computed Tomography on the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and on negative appendectomy was investigated on patients with suspected acute appendicitis. In the last 18 months, spiral Computed Tomography without contrast material has been used for 65 patients. The history, physical findings, laboratory results and Computed Tomography images of patients were compared and the final decision to operate was always made by an attending surgeon. The results of Computed Tomography have been correlated with the reports of pathology and operation findings. Other patients who have not been operated on have been followed up clinically. Correlating Computed Tomography results with operation findings revealed; 42 true positive, 3 false positive, 17 true negative and 3 false negative results. The sensitivity and specificity of CT have been found to be 93.3% and 85% respectively. Forty-eight out of 65 patients have been operated on for acute appendicitis and the negative appendectomy rate has been calculated as 6.25%. As a consequence, it was thought that in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis the use of Computed Tomography could decrease the negative appendectomy rate when used together with clinical follow-up.

Magnetic resonance imaging in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the importance of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnostic process of the upper motor neuron involvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen patients (Group 1) who were diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the neurology department of the Sisli Etfal Hospital and 20 controls (Group 2) entered the study. Magnetic resonance imaging examinations were performed in the radiology clinic of the same hospital. T2 and proton density weighted axial images were obtained. These images were evaluated by two blind radiologists. The radiologists looked for two signs: the presence of a low signal intensity at the precentral cortex and the presence of symmetrical rounded foci of high signal intensity within the internal capsule on both T2 and proton density weighted images. RESULTS: For the first sign there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups but for the latter one there was a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: We think that the presence of the latter sign may make it possible for the radiologists to help the clinicians further in this difficult and confusing diagnosis.

Relapsing hydatid disease involving the vertebral body and paravertebral soft tissues.

Hydatid disease involving the vertebral body and paravertebral soft tissues is rare even in rural areas where echinococcosis is endemic. We report a case with hydatid disease in the T11-L1 vertebral bodies and involvement in bilateral psoas muscles.

MR imaging in epilepsy that is refractory to medical therapy.

The aim of this study was the assessment of detection rate on MRI and description of MRI findings in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. Seventy-three patients with medically intractable epilepsy between the ages of 0 and 68 years old were evaluated by MRI, on three planes with spin-echo T1, fast spin-echo T2, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences, and, if necessary, with contrast-enhanced SE T1 sequences. Cerebral infarct regions with atrophy and gliosis in 8 patients, cerebral tumors in 5 patients, hippocampal sclerosis in 16 patients, radial microbrain in 1 patient, cortical dysplasia in 3 patients, pachygyria in 2 patients, subcortical heterotopia in 2 patients, schizencephaly in 3 patients, cerebral hemiatrophy in 2 patients, tuberous sclerosis in 1 patient, herpes encephalitis in 2 patients, Rasmussen's encephalitis in 1 patient, vascular malformations in 5 patients, and no abnormality in 22 patients were detected. Magnetic resonance imaging has a high success rate in detecting structural brain abnormalities, of both temporal and extratemporal locations, associated with medically intractable epilepsy syndromes. So MRI plays a primary role in planning of the treatment, primarily surgical therapy, by detecting structural epileptogenic lesions.

Biochemical responses of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze to heavy metal stress.

Three heavy metals-mercury (II), copper (II) and nickel (II), each at a concentration of 10 and 100 micrograms/ml, were tested for their effects on various biochemical constituents of tea leaves. Both NI (II) and Hg (II) decreased the phenolic contents, while Cu (II) increased it to some extent. The metal treatments enhanced the activity of phenyl alanine ammonia lyase (PAL), while the activity of poly phenol oxidase (PPO) showed a decline. Heavy metal stress also decreased the chlorophyll content of the leaves, along with a significant reduction in Hill activity. Proline content increased significantly in all treatments.