Duplex sonography of retro-orbital and carotid arteries in patients with normal-tension glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrobulbar and carotid arterial hemodynamics in patients with normal-tension glaucoma using Doppler sonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Duplex sonography was performed in 41 patients with normal-tension glaucoma and 30 control subjects to evaluate resistance indices (RIs) in retro-orbital and carotid arteries. Mean values were compared using the independent t-test. The ratios of the RI in retro-orbital to RIs in the carotid arteries (CCA and ICA) and interocular and intercarotid differences in RI (DeltaRI) were also calculated. RESULTS: Is in the central retinal (CRA) and temporal and nasal posterior ciliary arteries (TPCA and NPCA) were statistically significantly greater in glaucomatous eyes (p < 0.001). Plaque formation in carotid arteries without significant stenosis was noted in 12% of patients and 10% of control subjects. Ratios of RI of CRA or TPCA or NPCA to that of CCA and the ratios of RI of CRA or NPCA to that of ophthalmic arteries (OA) were significantly greater in glaucomatous eyes. We also found that ratios of the RI of CRA or TPCA or NPCA to that of ICA and the ratio of the RI of OA to CCA were nearly equal to 1 in both patients and control subjects. We found no significant difference between interocular and intercarotid DeltaRIs in patients and control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with symmetric normal-tension glaucoma, duplex sonography showed an elevated RI in CRA and PCA. The Doppler evaluation of carotid arteries was useful.

Intratesticular arterial resistance and testicular volume in infertile men with subclinical varicocele.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether intratesticular arterial resistance and testicular volume differed between infertile men with subclinical varicoceles and infertile men without varicoceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight infertile men were examined by gray-scale and color Doppler sonography for presence of varicocele, testicular volume, and arterial resistance. For men in the study group, mean testicular volume and resistance index (RI) in testes with varicoceles were compared with those in the contralateral testis by the paired t-test; statistical analyses between the study and control groups were performed by independent t-tests. RESULTS: Twenty-seven men had left-sided varicoceles (96% of which were subclinical), and 31 infertile men without varicoceles served as controls. Mean volumes of the right and left testes of study subjects were 14.8 ml and 14.6 ml, respectively, and in controls were 14.2 ml and 13.6 ml, respectively. Mean RI values for the right and left testes of study subjects were 0.61 and 0.58, respectively, and in controls were 0.61 and 0.58, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in volume or RI, either between the right and left testes within patient groups or between the control and study groups' combined mean values. While the mean intertesticular volume differences for the study and control groups were 2.2 ml and 3.4 ml, respectively, the mean intertesticular RI differences were 0.04 and 0.07, respectively. These values also did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical varicocele is not associated with ipsilateral testicular atrophy, and does not affect the intratesticular arterial RI.

A case of macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita and review of neuroradiologic features.

Macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (M-CMTC) is characterized by macrocephaly, cutis marmorata, capillary malformations, toe syndactily, joint laxity and pre-natal overgrowth. Cerebral abnormalities might also be seen. We reported cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a case with M-CMTC, who had giant atrial septal aneurysm and atrial septal defect. Cerebral alterations determined by MRI were bilateral prominent lateral ventricles, bilateral cortical dysplasia, cavum septi pellucidum cyst and calvarial hemangioma. At 17th day of his life he suddenly developed cardiorespiratory arrest and died.

Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of urinary tract obstruction by stone.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of Doppler sonography in renal colic due to obstruction and to assess whether the resistance index (RI) and interrenal RI difference (DeltaRI) are time-dependent parameters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Obstructed and unobstructed contralateral kidneys in 28 patients with renal colic and normal kidneys in 27 control subjects were prospectively evaluated with Doppler sonography. Mean RI, mean DeltaRI, and duration of pain were evaluated. Statistical analysis was done using paired and independent t-tests. RESULTS: Mean RIs of the control-group, obstructed, and contralateral kidneys were 0.60, 0.71, and 0.61, respectively; mean DeltaRI values of the obstructed and control-group kidneys were 0.10 and 0.03, respectively. Differences in mean RI between obstructed and contralateral or control-group kidneys were statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in DeltaRI between patients and controls (p < 0.001). The difference between the RI values of kidneys with low-grade (0.70) and high-grade obstructions (0.72) was not statistically significant. The difference between the DeltaRI values of kidneys with low-grade (0.08) and high-grade obstructions (0.13) was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Differences in the mean RI and mean DeltaRI values between 3 groups of patients categorized according to the duration of pain were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Along with gray-scale sonography and intravenous urography, Doppler sonography can be used in the evaluation of renal obstruction. RI and DeltaRI are not time-dependent parameters.

[Case report: Ovarian torsion in inguinal canal]. / Inguinal kanalda torsiyone over.

Inguinal and scrotal hernias are two most common congenital anomalies observed by clinicians. The possibility of ovarian torsion following recurrent inguinal hernia is well known. Ultrasound examination of the inguinal region of a female infant showed a spherical, enlarged ovary with multiple tiny cysts. After the diagnosis of ovarian torsion, the patient underwent oopherectomy. It is possible to diagnose inguinal emergencies by high resolution ultrasonography.