The Comparison between Herniated and Non-Herniated Disc Levels Regarding Intervertebral Disc Space Height and Disc Degeneration, A Magnetic Resonance Study.

PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the intervertebral disc height and intervertebral disc degeneration between the normal group and the group with disc herniation at the level of the L4-L5 intervertebral disc by MRI using the Pfirrmann grading system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 385 patients were included in this study. MRI images were reevaluated and intervertebral disc heights were measured from the anterior, middle and posterior segments. Researchers divided disc pathologies into two groups. In the non-herniated group; normal or bulging ones; in the herniated group, they included those with protrusion or extrusion. RESULTS: 385 lumbar MRI examinations meeting the study criteria were included in study. There were 56.9% (219/385) females and 43.1% (166/385) males in the study. For the whole patients in the study group, the intervertebral disc height values at the L4-5 level were measured as 12.34 mm, 11.58 mm, and 7.60 mm in the anterior, middle, and posterior localizations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: At the L4-5 level, the height of the disc distances in the herniated group was lower than in the normal group. The Pfirrman score was found to be higher in the herniated group in terms of disc degeneration compared to the normal group.

Quadruple-Rule-Out Computed Tomography Angiography (QRO-CT): A Novel Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Technique for the Diagnostic Work-Up of Acute Chest Pain.

BACKGROUND: Computerized tomography (CT) has been increasingly utilized in the differential diagnosis of acute chest pain. Combining the triple rule out CT angiography (TRO-CT) approach with dual-energy CT (DECT) can enhance the diagnostic capability by identifying myocardial perfusion deficiencies. This combination can yield a quadruple-rule-out computed tomography angiography (QRO-CT) technique. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of the QRO-CT. METHODS: Intraluminal diseases and abnormalities in the main coronary arteries and branches were investigated. The myocardial dark spots on the color-coded iodine map were identified as perfusion deficiencies. Pulmonary arteries and aorta were also evaluated. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 211 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of QRO-CT for pulmonary embolism were 93.5%, 100%, 100%, and 95.3%, respectively. For obstructive coronary artery disease, the values were 96.1%, 93.4%, 89.2%, and 97.7%, respectively. For myocarditis, the values were 69.2%, 100%, 100%, and 93.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: the QRO-CT method may successfully evaluate myocardial perfusion deficits, hence expanding the differential diagnosis capabilities of the standard TRO-CT method for myocarditis. It can provide useful information on myocardial perfusion, which may influence the choice to perform invasive catheterization in cases of coronary artery obstruction.

Evaluation of Systemic Endothelial Dysfunction in Retinal Vein Occlusions.

Objectives: Our aim in this study was to evaluate the systemic endothelial dysfunction status and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods: Seventy-six patients who presented to the clinic with the diagnosis of RVO and 76 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals without a RVO history were included in the study. The patients' best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were measures, and diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, carotid artery disease, body mass index, and smoking histories were recorded. The endothelial function levels of the patients, pulse wave velocity (PWV), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and CIMT were measured. Endothelial dysfunction was detected by applying the FMD technique to the brachial artery. CIMT was evaluated by B-mode ultrasonography. Serum hematological parameters were evaluated. Results: BCVA (logMAR) was 1.39±1.30 in patients with RVO and 0.028±1.22 in the control group (p<0.001). CMT was 588.76±104.02 µm in patients with RVO and 265.20±45.11 µm in the control group (p=0.001). Hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia were found to be significantly higher in patients with RVO (p-value 0.001, 0.002, and 0.001, respectively). There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of FMD, PWV, and CIMT (all of them, p<0.001). Conclusion: The deterioration of FMD and PWV, which are indicators of endothelial dysfunction in patients with RVO, suggests that systemic endothelial dysfunction may play a role in the pathogenesis of RVO. Comprehensive studies with more patient participation are needed.

Interobserver Reliability in the Radiological Evaluation of Flatfoot (Pes Planus) Deformity: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study was planned for analyzing the interobserver reliability on the diagnosis of flatfoot. This study aims to evaluate the interobserver reliability of the digital radiography of flatfoot patients. Eight parameters were used in digital x-rays within the as statistically in 2 groups. Study group includes 34 patients. Two groups were formed four medical specialists as 2 orthopedists and 2 radiologists. Two orthopedists made measurements on x-ray viewing as calcaneal pitch (CP) as CP floor, calcaneus-1 metatarsal angle, calcaneus-5 metatarsal angle; longitudinal arch angles (LAAs) as medial and lateral LAAs, Tomeno-Meary angle (TMA), anteroposterior and lateral CYMA line. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis was performed. Fleiss Kappa and Kappa was used to investigate the reliability of qualitative data between 2 observers. ICCs were in high levels for CP floor, calcaneus-1 metatarsal angle, calcaneus-5 metatarsal angle. ICCs of TMA was in high levels, also. ICCs of LAA-medial and LAA-lateral were not in high levels as other measurements. In the CYMA line (anteroposterior and lateral) Kappa was 0.140 for right feet in the quadruple group (p = .045; .458; and .314). Kappa was 0.197 for left feet in the quadruple group (p = .005; .146; .377). The ICCs was excellent for CP angles and TMA in all groups. LAAs as medial and lateral longitudinal arch angle had not high ICC's. CYMA line had significant p values in the quadruple group. But not in orthopedists and radiologists.

The Possible Beneficial Effect of Breastfeeding on the Clinical Course of Urolithiasis Detected During Infancy.

Aim: To evaluate the possible effect of breastfeeding duration on the clinical course and treatment of stones detected during infancy. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight infants with renal stones diagnosed between 0 and 23 months were included in this retrospective cohort study. The children were called for regular follow-up visits for the evaluation of physical examination findings, renal size and parenchymal thickness measured by ultrasonography, localization, size and number of stones, spot urine analysis data, metabolic evaluation findings, and duration of breastfeeding and formula use. The relationship between the disease course (progression or stability) and the duration of breastfeeding were assessed from different aspects by considering the original characteristics of the stones at the time of first diagnosis. Results: The mean follow-up period was 46.21 ± 23.22 months, and the most important metabolic risk factor was hypercalciuria with a rate of 29.2%. The mean duration of breast milk intake was longer in children with no disease progression and in those with a reduced size and/or number of stones. The children receiving only breast milk for the first 6 months of life required treatment less and had less growth retardation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that breastfeeding has critical effects on infantile urolithiasis. Breastfeeding should be encouraged in children with stones particularly detected during infancy. Further studies with a larger case series are needed to reveal the positive effects of breast milk on the clinical course of urolithiasis in children.

The Combined Effect of Body Mass Index and Tibial Slope Angles on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk in Male Knees: A Case-Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: Tibial slope angles (TSAs) have been identified as potential risk factors of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the literature. A higher body mass index (BMI) might increase the risk of ACL tear because of greater axial compressive force. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of these factors and the combined effect of BMI and TSA in determination of risk potential for ACL injury. METHODS: The preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) images of 81 ACL-injured male knees and of 68 male individuals with no ACL injuries were evaluated by 2 radiologists to measure the TSA. The Mann-Whitney U-test was performed to indicate the significant difference in height, weight, and BMI values. The independent samples t-test was used to determine the differences between ACL-injured and non-injured groups regarding TSA values. Odds ratios were calculated by logistic regression tests, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves revealed the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) values to compare the relationships of these parameters with ACL injury. RESULTS: Body mass index, lateral tibial slope (LTS), and medial tibial slope (MTS) were predictive of ACL risk injury. Body mass index alone had the greatest effect among these parameters, and there were no statistically significant differences in coronal tibial slope values between the ACL-ruptured and control groups. The greatest AUC was observed for the combination of BMI, MTS, and LTS. CONCLUSIONS: Body mass index, LTS, and MTS angles were associated with ACL injury risk and BMI + MTS + LTS together revealed the greatest effect on ACL injury.

Assessment of the anterolateral ligament of the knee by 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective This study was performed to evaluate the visibility of the knee's anterolateral ligament (ALL) by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging when evaluating injuries of the ALL in relation to injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Methods Two reviewers retrospectively analyzed MR images for the visibility and dimensions of the ALL and the relationship between ALL and ACL injuries. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and kappa analysis were used to assess interobserver reliability. The chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between ALL and ACL injuries. Results The entire ALL was viewed on 82% of all MR images. The ICC for ALL visualization ranged from moderate to perfect between the two readers. There was almost perfect agreement between the reviewers when evaluating ALL dimensions. The mean length ± standard error, median thickness, and mean width ± standard error of the ALL were 36.5 ± 0.6 mm, 2.5 mm, and 8.2 ± 0.2 mm, respectively. A statistically significant relationship was observed between ALL and ACL injuries. Conclusion The ALL was visible on most MR images, allowing ALL injuries to be noted during routine MR image interpretation. Radiologists should note concomitant ACL and ALL injuries as part of their assessments.