A novel diagnosis method for schizophrenia based on globus pallidus data.

This research aims to diagnose schizophrenia with machine learning-based algorithms. Bayesian neural network, logistic regression, decision tree, k-nearest neighbor, and gaussian kernel classification techniques are investigated to diagnose schizophrenia with data from 125 persons. This study showed that left lateral ventricles and left globus pallidus volumes and their percentages in the brain were significantly lower than HCs in FEP patients. Using brain volumes, we were able to diagnose FEP with an accuracy of 73.6 % via logistic regression and with an accuracy of 86.4 % using the SVM kernel classifier method. Therefore, brain volumes can be used to diagnose FEP with the SVM kernel classifier method.

Assessment of the relationship between smoking and meniscal injury.

Objective: To determine whether being a smoker and the years of smoking correlate with the presence and degree of meniscal injury. Materials and Methods: Individuals who underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the knee were divided into two groups: smokers and nonsmokers. For each smoker, the total smoking history was calculated by multiplying the daily consumption (packs/day) by the years of smoking, and the result is expressed as pack-years. In the evaluation of meniscal injury, the grade of injury was recorded. The thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue, as an indicator of obesity, was measured at the medial knee on axial plane images. The relationships that smoking and obesity had with meniscal injury were analyzed statistically. Results: A total of 156 individuals were included in the study. The smoker group consisted of 48 individuals (30.8%), and the nonsmoker group consisted of 108 (69.2%). The meniscus was normal in one (2.1%) of the smokers and in 32 (29.6%) of the nonsmokers (p < 0.0001). The median subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness was 23 mm and 24 mm in the smokers and nonsmokers, respectively (p = 0.900). A moderate but statistically significant correlation was observed between packs/day and injury grade, as well as between pack-years and injury grade (r = 0.462, p = 0.001 and r = 0.523, p = 0.001, respectively). Smoking and age significantly increased the risk of meniscal injury, by 31.221 times (p = 0.001) and 1.076 times (p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that current smoking and smoking history correlate significantly with meniscal injury grade.

Objetivo: Determinar a correlação do tabagismo e do tempo de tabagismo com a presença e o grau de lesão do menisco. Materiais e Métodos: Foram incluídos pacientes submetidos a ressonância magnética do joelho e divididos em dois grupos: fumantes e não fumantes. O consumo total de cigarros dos pacientes foi calculado multiplicando-se a quantidade diária de cigarros (maços/dia) pelo tempo de tabagismo (anos). O grau mais alto de lesão foi registrado na avaliação da lesão meniscal. A espessura do tecido adiposo subcutâneo foi medida com base em imagem do joelho em plano axial, como indicador de obesidade. A relação entre tabagismo, obesidade e lesão meniscal foi analisada estatisticamente. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 156 indivíduos. O grupo de fumantes consistiu de 48 (30,8%) indivíduos e o grupo de não fumantes, de 108 (69,2%) indivíduos. O menisco estava normal em um (2,1%) fumante e em 32 (29,6%) não fumantes (p < 0,0001). A espessura média do tecido adiposo subcutâneo em fumantes foi 23 mm e nos não fumantes foi 24 mm, com valor de p = 0,900. Foi observada correlação moderada e estatisticamente significante entre o grau de lesão por pacote/dia (r = 0,462, p = 0,001) e o grau de lesão por pacote × ano (r = 0,523, p = 0,001). O tabagismo e a idade afetaram significativamente o risco de lesão do menisco (31,221 vezes, p = 0,001 e 1,076 vez, p < 0,001, respectivamente). Conclusão: Foi encontrada correlação significativa entre tabagismo/dia e grau de lesão do menisco e pacote de tabagismo × ano e grau de lesão do menisco.

Evaluation of the relationship between temporomandibular joint disorders and tinnitus with computed tomography.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to radiographically determine tinnitus and joint disorders by evaluating glenoid fossa depth and the horizontal angle of the ramus mandible in patients with isolated temporomandibular joint disorder and temporomandibular joint disorder with tinnitus by computed tomography (CT). METHODS: In total, eighty two patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) (forty two patients with tinnitus; forty patients without tinnitus) were evaluated using CT. CT images were analysed according to glenoid fossa depth and the horizontal angle of the ramus. RESULTS: A total of 82 cases 43 (52.4%) female and 39 (47.6%) male were included. The distribution of gender was not significantly different between the TMD patients and the TMD-tinnitus patients (p >0.05). The mean age of the patients with isolated TMD was 31.70 ± 9.68 years, and the mean age of the patients with TMD-tinnitus was 34.07 ± 11.72 years. Comparisons were made of the right and left glenoid fossa depths of the patients with TMD and TMD-tinnitus, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the right glenoid fossa depths (p = 0.016) also there was also a statistically significant difference between the left glenoid fossa depths (p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that decreased glenoid fossa depth may be associated with an increased incidence of tinnitus in TMD patients by the way temporomandibular joint and ear can affect each other in diseases such as tinnitus due to their close anatomical relationship.

Evaluation of the associations between maxillary sinus dimensions and adenoid hypertrophy using multislice computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: Adenoid hypertrophy is especially common in childhood, raising the concern that such growth might affect maxillary sinus volumes during the developmental period. This study evaluated the developmental relationships between maxillary sinus volumes and adenoid hypertrophy via computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was examined computed tomographic images of 118 individuals: 61 boys and 57 girls. The participants were divided into a healthy control group (n = 59) and an experimental group (with adenoid hypertrophy) (n = 59). Raw data were recorded in DICOM format and analysed using the ITK-SNA algorithm; it was measured the right, left, and total maxillary sinus volumes and adenoid tissue sizes. RESULTS: It was found significant between-group differences in the three maxillary sinus volumes and adenoid tissue dimensions (linear maximum anterior and posterior depth; maximum upper and lower height, and maximum width to the right and left) (all p<0.001). On the contrary, there was no significant difference according to sex in terms of either maxillary sinus volumes or linear adenoid tissue measurements. Maxillary sinus volumes increased significantly according to age in both groups. CONCLUSION: Adenoid hypertrophy decreases the maxillary sinus volumes, regardless of sex. The impacts of adenoid growth on maxillary sinus aeration and sinus disease should be further investigated.

WhatsApp as an Emergency Teleradiology Application for Cranial CT Assessment in Emergency Services.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic agreement of transmitted images of cranial CT due to trauma, through WhatsApp software compared to workstation image-based diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Emergency Medicine, Adiyaman University Training and Research Hospital, from January 2017 to May 2018. METHODOLOGY: A total of 94 cases that presented to the Emergency Department and underwent cranial CT were included in the study. CT images were video-recorded by the emergency physician using an Apple iPhone 7. The images were evaluated by two different radiologists using Samsung Galaxy Edge 7 and Samsung Note 8 mobile phones. Later, the radiological images were reviewed by two different radiologists at the PACS workstation. Then, the WhatsApp-mediated and final diagnoses were compared for various lesions to evaluate the interobserver agreement and diagnostic success of the use of WhatsApp software. RESULTS: In the assessment of the interobserver agreement, the kappa values were found to be 0.89 for normal findings, 0.84 for subdural hematoma, 0.73 for subarachnoid hemorrhage, 0.81 for epidural hematoma, 0.85 for fractures, 1 for parenchymal hematoma, and 0.68 for parenchymal contusion. CONCLUSION: Although WhatsApp can be used in the evaluation of emergency cranial CT images, it is essential to note that some findings, especially those indicating fractures, subdural hematoma, and parenchymal contusion, can be overlooked. Key Words: Teleradiology, PACS, Medical software, Computed tomography, WhatsApp, Instant Messenger.

Assessment of the relationship between patellar volume and chondromalacia patellae using knee magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the relationship between patellar volume and chondromalacia patellae. METHODS: A total of 162 patients who underwent knee magnetic resonance imaging (MR) due to knee pain at our department between January 2017 and May 2017 were included in this study. Of the cases, 111 were chondromalacia patellae, and 51 were healthy individuals. The patella volumes of all cases were analyzed using semi-automated software. Staging in cases with chondromalacia was graded according to the Outerbridge classification (stages 1-4). The relationship between patellar volume, presence of chondromalacia, cartilage thickness, age, and sex was analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Of the 162 cases, 67 (41.4%) were male, and 95 (58.6%) were female. The median age of the cases was 44. Patellar volume was a minimum of 12.24, a maximum of 39.44, and a median 21.4 cm3, and it was higher in cases with chondromalacia (p=0.026). In patients with chondromalacia patellae, the thickness of cartilage in the medial facet was lower. There was a statistically significant weak positive correlation between chondromalacia grade and patellar volume (p=0.031, r=0.204). CONCLUSION: This study showed that chondromalacia patellae, one of the important causes of chronic frontal knee pain, has a statistically significant relationship with patellar volume. The medial facial cartilage of the patella was thinner than in cases with chondromalacia patellae. Although the mean age of the cases with chondromalacia was higher than the cases without chondromalacia, there was no significant difference between male and female individuals.

Contribution of the appendix sphericity index in predicting perforated acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic value of the appendiceal sphericity index (SI) and appendix diameters in cases of perforated and non-perforated acute appendicitis. METHODS: Eighty-one patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) in our clinic and who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis after histopathological assessment between January 2015 and August 2017 were included in the study. According to their histopathological findings, the patients were divided into two groups: perforated and non-perforated appendicitis. The patients' CT images were re-evaluated with respect to perforation. Long axis and short axis of the appendix and the SI obtained by their proportions were calculated from the appropriate plane on CT. Their parameters and other CT findings as defined in the current literature were analyzed for statistical significance in the detection of perforation. RESULTS: The perforated and non-perforated appendicitis groups consisted of 20 and 61 patients, respectively. For wall defect, abscess, extraluminal air, free fluid, and appendicolith, the sensitivity values were 25%, 15%, 25%, 55%, and 50%, respectively, and the specificity values were 100%, 100%, 100%, 77%, and 70.5%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for the SI and long axis of the appendix were calculated as 85% and 90% and 85.2% and 73.8%, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Although there are many findings with high specificity in the diagnosis of perforation, their sensitivity is very low when evaluated separately. We consider that the measurement of long-axis length with high sensitivity and the evaluation of SI with high specificity and sensitivity will contribute significantly to the diagnosis of perforation.

Clinical usefulness of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and visinin-like protein-1 in early diagnostic tests for acute stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Lack of a rapid biochemical test for acute stroke is a limitation in the diagnosis and management of acute stroke. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of BDNF and VILIP-1 as diagnostic markers in acute ischemic stroke and as predictors of mortality. METHODS: The study included 75 patients with acute ischemic stroke older than 18 years. During the same period, 28 normal controls were recruited from the hospital ED. Blood samples were collected from all patients at admission to determine the levels of VILIP-1 and BDNF. RESULTS: The mean VILIP-1 levels in the study and control groups were 0.547 ±â€¯0.081 and 0.515 ±â€¯0.035 ng/mL, respectively, and the difference was not significant (p = 0.071). The mean BDNF levels in the study and control groups were 3.89 ±â€¯2.05 ng/mL and 14.9 ±â€¯4.7 ng/mL, respectively, and the level was significantly (p < 0.0001) lower in the stroke patients. CONCLUSION: The BDNF level showed a significant ability to discriminate stroke and control patients but did not predict mortality. The VILIP-1 level showed insignificant ability to discriminate stroke patients and again did not predict mortality.

Evaluation of the relationship between the femoro-tibial angle and meniscal injury.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the presence of meniscal injury and the femorotibial angle in the knee joint. METHODS: Patients who underwent knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at our department between January 2015 and March 2015 were included in this study. Knee MR images of these patients were retrospectively re-evaluated for meniscal injury. The anatomic femorotibial angle measurements of the patients were calculated using AP knee radiograms. The relationship between femorotibial angle values and the presence of meniscal injury was analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen knee joints of 101 patients were included. The mean age of the patients was 40.6±13.4 years. The number of injured medial menisci was 92 and the average femorotibial angle in these knees was 5.6±1.88; the number of non-injured medial menisci was 22 and the average femorotibial angle value in these knees was 5.8±1.92 (p=0.82); The number of lateral meniscus with injury was 22 and the mean femorotibial angle value in these knees was 6.1±1.50; the number of lateral meniscus without injury was 92 and the average femorotibial angle value in these knees was 5.6±1.96 (p=0.20). CONCLUSION: In our study, there was no statistically significant correlation between femorotibial angle values and the presence of injury in medial and lateral meniscuses. We believe that frontal plane bone alignment disorder of the knee does not have a predisposition to meniscal injury.

The Role of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

AIM: To investigate the effect of bariatric surgery on HbA1c and serum cortisol levels in morbidly obese patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy and whose body mass index was> 40 were included in the present study. Patients' files were reviewed retrospectively. Those with diabetes mellitus and those with age <18 were excluded from the study. Pre-operative and 1-year post operative data were documented. The obtained data were analysed by SPSS statistical program. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 27.4 ± 8.4. 5 of the patients were male, and 24 were female. The mean body mass index of the patients was 44 ± 2.3. 1 patient [3.4%] had hypertension. Four patients [13.7%] had gastroesophageal reflux disease. The number of smokers was 7 [24.1%], and the number of alcohol users was 3 [10.3%]. There was a statistically significant decrease in HbA1c, body mass index values after operation [p value <0.01], but cortisol was not different [p value = 0.72]. CONCLUSION: In this present study we found that bariatric surgery caused a significant decrease in HbA1c levels in non-diabetic patients, suggesting that bariatric surgery may prevent Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in obese patients.

Disappearing Inferior Vena Cava in A Pediatric Patient with Down Syndrome and Hereditary Thrombophilia.

Absence of the infrarenal segment of the inferior vena cava is an extremely rare anomaly. The reasons for such a developmental failure are unclear. Most researchers believe that the cause lies in embryonic dysgenesis affecting separate segments or the entire inferior vena cava. Others suggest that absence of the inferior vena cava is not embryonic in origin, rather the result of intrauterine or perinatal thrombosis. We report a case here that during a period of six months, inferior vena cava first occluded, then become redundant in a baby girl with several chromosomal and gene defects, including Down syndrome and hereditary thrombophilia, admitted to our hospital due to the swelling and redness of the right lower extremity. From this observation, we propose that the absence of the inferior vena cave was not of embryonic origin but due to thrombosis.

Atypical Feeding and Drainage of Dural AV Fistula.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) are frequent causes of pulsatile tinnitus. Color Doppler sonography may play a useful, complementary role to CTA/MRA and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the assessment of these anomalies' characteristics, such as an ipsilateral increased flow volume and a low resistive index. In this article, we report a case of DAVF first detected with Color Doppler sonography that displayed an uncharacteristic venous drainage pattern.

Rare Variants of Carotid-Vertebrobasilar Anastomoses.

Carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses generally disappear during embryogenesis. However, if a problem exists during regression, these arteries persist in adult period and are named as persistent arteries. Their persistence in adult patients is sometimes pathological and may result in the development of an aneurysm or a compressive syndrome. These anastomoses are frequently associated with proximal or distal arterial pathology. Herein, we present three rare variants of carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses: a persistent trigeminal artery, persistent hypoglossal artery, and a persistent otic artery. These variants should be kept in mind to avoid errors both in clinical reporting and surgical procedures.

The hounsfield unit value calculated with the aid of non-contrast computed tomography and its effect on the outcome of percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

To evaluate the effect of the Hounsfield unit (HU) value, calculated with the aid of non-contrast computed tomography, on the outcome of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Data for 83 patients evaluated in our clinic between November 2011 and February 2014 that had similar stone sizes, localizations, and radio opacities were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were grouped according to their HU value, in a low HU group (HU ≤ 1000) or a high HU group (HU > 1000). The two groups were compared based on their PCNL success rates, complications, duration of surgery, duration of fluoroscopy, and decrease in the hematocrit. There were no significant differences in terms of mean age, female-male ratio, or mean body mass index between the two groups (p > 0.05). The stone size and stone surface area did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.820 and p = 0.394, respectively). The unsuccessful PCNL rate and the prevalence of complications did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). The duration of surgery, duration of fluoroscopy, and decrease in the hematocrit were significantly greater in the high HU group compared to the low HU group (p < 0.001). Calculating the HU value using this imaging method may predict cases with longer surgery durations, longer fluoroscopy durations, and greater decreases in hematocrite levels, but this value is not related to the success rate of PCNL.