Hydrocephalus and vasculitis delay therapeutic responses in tuberculous meninigitis: Results of Haydarpasa-III study.

AIMS: There is no report on the factors affecting the resolution of symptoms related to meningitis during treatment of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Thus, we examined the factors associated with early therapeutic responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter study included 507 patients with microbiologically confirmed TBM. However, 94 patients eligible for the analysis were included in this study from 24 centers. Six out of 94 patients died and the statistical analysis was performed with 88 survivors. Early and late responder groups were compared in the statistical analysis. P < 0.05 were considered to show a significant difference. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, the presence of vasculitis (P = 0.029, OR = 10.491 [95% CI, 1.27-86.83]) was found to be significantly associated with a delayed fever response whereas hydrocephalus was associated with altered mental status for >9 days duration (P = 0.005, OR = 5.740 [95% CI, 1.68-19.57]). According to linear regression analysis, fever was significantly persisting (>7 days) in the presence of vasculitis (17.5 vs. 7, P< 0.001) and hydrocephalus (11 vs. 7, P = 0.029). Hydrocephalus was significantly associated with persisting headache (21 vs. 12, P = 0.025), delayed recovery of consciousness (19.5 vs. 7, P = 0.001), and a delay in complete recovery (21 vs. 14, P = 0.007) in the linear regression analysis. Following institution of treatment, the complaints seemed to disappear in up to 2 weeks among TBM survivors. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of hydrocephalus or vasculitis, one week of anti-tuberculosis treatment seems to be adequate for the resolution of TBM symptoms. Hydrocephalus and vasculitis delay the resolution of TBM symptoms in response to antimycobacterial treatment.

Results of a multinational study suggest the need for rapid diagnosis and early antiviral treatment at the onset of herpetic meningoencephalitis.

Data in the literature regarding the factors that predict unfavorable outcomes in adult herpetic meningoencephalitis (HME) cases are scarce. We conducted a multicenter study in order to provide insights into the predictors of HME outcomes, with special emphasis on the use and timing of antiviral treatment. Samples from 501 patients with molecular confirmation from cerebrospinal fluid were included from 35 referral centers in 10 countries. Four hundred thirty-eight patients were found to be eligible for the analysis. Overall, 232 (52.9%) patients experienced unfavorable outcomes, 44 died, and 188 survived, with sequelae. Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.05), Glasgow Coma Scale score (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.93), and symptomatic periods of 2 to 7 days (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.79) and >7 days (OR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.72 to 8.15) until the commencement of treatment predicted unfavorable outcomes. The outcome in HME patients is related to a combination of therapeutic and host factors. This study suggests that rapid diagnosis and early administration of antiviral treatment in HME patients are keys to a favorable outcome.

Vasculogenic erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED), defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, is a health problem affecting more than one-half of men between the age of 40 and 70 years. AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine the potential factors affecting penile vascular flow and predictability of vascular flow in patients with ED. METHODS: Totally 163 male patients between 29 and 82 years of age who were admitted to our outpatient clinic with complaints of ED were included. After a detailed medical history was obtained, all patients were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained for measurements of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose (FBG), and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Penile color Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) was performed to evaluate flow patterns, Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearman correlation analyses were used to assess the relationship of PDU findings with hypertension, obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) ), FBG, and cholesterol levels measurements. RESULTS: The mean age, IIEF score, and BMI of the study population was 51.3 ± 12.1 years, 11.9 ± 6.1 and 28.5 ± 4.0 kg/m(2), respectively. When the vascular pathologies detected with PDU and the presence of risk factors were compared, no significant correlation was determined between arterial insufficiency and metabolic syndrome (MS), whereas there was a significant correlation between veno-occlusive dysfunction and MS. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ED increases with advanced age and with the presence of a systemic disease. Basic evaluations may not always be sufficient for assessment of ED. In the presence of MS, the use of penile Doppler ultrasonography should be considered for the evaluation of penile vascular structures in ED patients.

Vesicovaginal reflux: recognition and diagnosis using ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal reflux is a functional voiding disorder seen in prepubertal girls without anatomical or neurological abnormality. When not associated with urinary tract infections (UTI), asymptomatic bacteriuria, post-void dribbling or daytime enuresis it may be considered a normal finding. OBJECTIVE: To review the radiographic features of vesicovaginal reflux based on multiple imaging modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three girls aged 11, 13 and 5 years were referred for pelvic US for daytime incontinence, post-void dribbling, frequency and urgency. One girl also had recurrent UTIs treated with antibiotics and was investigated for vesicoureteric reflux with US and voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). All three were examined with MRI. RESULTS: Imaging appearance common to all three girls was a fluid-filled mass posterior to the bladder that disappeared after voiding. A previous VCUG in one girl had shown contrast medium refluxing into the vagina which disappeared after bladder emptying. Pelvic MRI confirmed the findings in all three girls. CONCLUSION: US examination of a distended bladder followed by a post-void study easily provides the correct diagnosis of vesicovaginal reflux by identifying the vagina as the fluid-filled mass. Treatment involves behavioural modifications. Though well known to urologists, this may be a perplexing pathology for the inexperienced trainee radiologist.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and CA 19-9 levels.

AIM: To prospectively investigate serum CA 19-9 levels in type 2 diabetic patients in comparison with age- and gender-matched control subjects. METHODS: We recorded duration of diabetes and examined fasting glucose levels, HbA1c levels and serum CA 19-9 levels in 76 type 2 diabetic patients and 76 controls. Abdominal CT was performed in order to eliminate abdominal malignancy in the diabetic and control groups. RESULTS: The average CA 19-9 level was 46.0 +/- 22.4 U/mL for diabetic patients whereas it was 9.97 +/- 7.1 U/mL for the control group (P < 0.001). Regression analysis showed a positive correlation between diabetes and CA 19-9 independent from age, gender, glucose level and HbA1c level (t = 8.8, P < 001). Two of the diabetic patients were excluded from the study because of abdominal malignancy shown by CT at the initial evaluation. For all patients, abdominal CT showed no pancreatic abnormalities. CONCLUSION: CA 19-9 is a tumor-associated antigen, which is elevated in pancreatic, upper gastrointestinal tract, ovarian hepatocellular, and colorectal cancers, as well as in inflammatory conditions of the hepatobiliary system, biliary obstruction and in thyroid diseases. Diabetes has been claimed to be a risk factor for pancreatic cancer, which is increasing its incidence and has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancers. CA 19-9 is used in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer but is also a marker of pancreatic tissue damage that might be caused by diabetes. We propose that a higher cut-off value of CA 19-9 should be used in diabetics to differentiate benign and malignant pancreatic disease, and subtle elevations of CA 19-9 in diabetics should be considered as the indication of exocrine pancreatic dysfunction.

Dorsal pancreatic agenesis.

CONTEXT: Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas is a rare entity and might present with various symptoms. We report a case which presented with chronic pancreatitis. CASE REPORT: The patient presented with epigastric pain and we found dorsal pancreatic agenesis causing chronic pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Dorsal pancreatic agenesis can be easily diagnosed with new techniques and its association with clinical syndromes can be better understood.

Behçet's disease-related superior vena cava syndrome and bleeding downhill varices: A rare complication.

Obstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC) due to any cause results in development of venous collaterals in the upper part of the esophagus, known as "downhill" varices. Although rare, bleeding can be life-threatening. Presently described is case of Behçet's diseaserelated SVC occlusion in a patient who presented with gastrointestinal bleeding from upper esophageal varices.

Prominent gastroduodenal artery: Endosonographic sign of celiac artery stenosis.

Celiac artery (CA) stenosis is a relatively common finding in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). In the presence of CA stenosis, arterial blood supply to the celiac territory is usually sustained from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) through well-developed collaterals. In this paper, the authors report endosonographically identified prominent gastroduodenal artery as the sign of CA stenosis for the first time. Uncovering previously unidentified vascular abnormality, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has improved patient management. The patient had uneventful collateral preserving PD.

Oncocytic variant of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: "Is diagnosis possible by fine-needle aspiration?"

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is a very rare entity, and the diagnosis can be made on histopathology specimens. However, recognition of characteristic features of PDTC is significant on fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) to differentiate this entity from well-differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. Here, we present an FNA case concordant with "oncocytic variant of PDTC" and discuss whether definitive diagnosis can be given on FNAs to assess the prognosis in clinically inoperable patients.

A Different Perspective on Evaluating the Malignancy Rate of the Non-Diagnostic Category of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology: A Single Institute Experience and Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the malignancy rate in the non-diagnostic (ND) category of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC) based on a different approach in relation to histopathology diagnoses. STUDY DESIGN: All ND fine needle aspirations (FNAs) that were performed under ultrasound guidance by an interventional radiologist with rapid on-site evaluation were included in the study. Slides were reevaluated to identify the cause of inadequacy as "qualitative" or "quantitative." The malignancy rate of the ND category was assessed. Nodule/patient characteristics were compared between benign and malignant cases within the study cohort. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 192 ND aspirations. Overall there were 156 (81.3%) women and 36 (18.7%) men with a mean age of 50.6 years (range 24-82 years). The malignancy rate was 4.7%. None of the nodules (size, consistency, and number) or patient characteristics (gender and age) were found to be predictive of malignancy. CONCLUSION: The malignancy rate of the ND category was high when compared to BSRTC predictions, but at the low end of the reported malignancy rates in the literature. Our results revealed that cyto-histopathologic correlation and method of malignancy rate estimation could have an effect on a wide range of reported malignancy rates. Furthermore, patient/nodule dependent factors were not statistically found to be predictive of malignancy.

New Concept of the Encapsulated Follicular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and Its Impact on the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology: A Single-Institute Experience.

BACKGROUND: The encapsulated follicular variant (EFV) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most discussed entity in thyroid pathology. Recently, the question of whether or not EFV-PTC is a malignant entity has been the subject of renewed discussion in the light of recent molecular and clinical studies. The aim of this study was to analyze the malignancy ratios of each category of the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) if EFV-PTC is no longer considered as a malignant entity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on thyroid fine-needle aspirations (n = 1,886) with surgical follow-up between 1999 and 2014 were studied. EFV-PTC cases constituted 27% (94/343) of the malignant cases. RESULTS: Malignancy ratios were determined as nondiagnostic, benign, atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance, suspicious for follicular neoplasm/follicular neoplasm, suspicious for malignancy, and malignant categories of the TBSRTC in 13, 7, 45, 30, 72 and 98%, respectively. If EFV-PTC was not regarded as malignant, malignancy ratios would decrease to 6.5, 6, 30, 10, 48, and 87% for each category in the same order. CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed that the most significant decrease in relative malignancy ratios was seen in the suspicious for follicular neoplasm/follicular neoplasm category (66% relative decrease), but all categories represented a considerable decrease.

Avoidance of unnecessary fine-needle aspiration with the use of the Thyroid Imaging Reporting Data System classification and strain elastography based on The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology.

Thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy has been widely accepted as an accurate and cost-effective tool in the management of thyroid nodules. To avoid unnecessary FNAs and provide appropriate management, patient evaluation should be based on a multidisciplinary approach. For this purpose, the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) and strain elastography (SE) were proposed as tools for the risk assessment of malignancy in thyroid nodules. The aim of the present study was to analyze the utility of TI-RADS system and SE, along with FNA, and prospectively evaluate 369 consecutive patients referred for FNA of a thyroid nodule. TI-RADS was tested against The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology to determine whether there was an agreement between the two classification systems; statistically, some agreement was observed. Medians of the maximum SE values (E-max) were obtained for benign and malignant FNA results and found to be 1.97 [interquartile range (IQR): 1.87] and 2.8 (IQR: 3.42), respectively (P=0.004). The number of studies investigating the utility of TI-RADS and SE along with TBSRCT is currently limited. Our study demonstrated that a multidisciplinary approach with the use of TI-RADS and SE may mildly improve the management of thyroid nodules.

Computed tomography severity index, APACHE II score, and serum CRP concentration for predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis.

CONTEXT: The assessment of the severity of pancreatitis is important for proper management of this challenging disease. A highly accurate system which could predict the severity and identify the local extent and complications of a serious inflammation, is beneficial for patient outcome. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to establish the value of the computed tomography severity index in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis and to compare it with the accuracy of the APACHE II score and serum CRP concentrations. DESIGN: Prospective clinical series. PATIENTS: Fifty-five consecutive patients (37 women, 18 men; mean age 57 years) with a clinical and laboratory diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. INTERVENTIONS: Clinical evaluation, biochemical analysis of blood and contrast-enhanced abdominal CT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Computed tomography severity index within the first 5 days, serum CRP level, and clinical APACHE II score at 48 hours after admission. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had severe pancreatitis according to the Atlanta classification. The mean values of predictive markers in the mild and the severe pancreatitis groups were: computed tomography severity index 1.26 and 6.30 (P<0.001); APACHE II 4.14 and 8.61 (P<0.001); and CRP 96.0 mg/L and 192.4 mg/L (P<0.001), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were calculated for the CTSI (greater than 3: 85%, 98%, 92%, 95%, and 95%), for APACHE II (equal to, or greater than 7: 62%, 86%, 57%, 88%, and 80%) and for CRP (equal to, or greater than 150 mg/L: 85%, 74%, 50%, 94%, and 76%). CONCLUSION: The computed tomography severity index is a reliable method for staging the severity of acute pancreatitis; moreover, CT has the ability of showing the local extent of the inflammation and the occurrence of local complications.

Is DOG1 really useful in the diagnosis of salivary gland acinic cell carcinoma? - A DOG1 (clone K9) analysis in fine needle aspiration cell blocks and the review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: DOG1 is a transmembrane protein originally "discovered on gastrointestinal stromal tumors," works as a calcium-activated chloride channel protein. There is a limited number of studies on the potential usage of this antibody in the diagnosis of salivary gland tumors on routine practice in cell blocks. The aim of this study was to search for the usefulness of K9 clone in oncocytic type tumors and review of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic materials of predominantly oncocytic morphology salivary gland tumors; acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC) (n = 8), adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 2), pleomorphic adenoma (PA) (n = 22), Warthin tumor (WT) (n = 20), myoepithelioma (ME) (n = 5), benign oncocytoma (BeO) (n = 3), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) (n = 7), mammary analog salivary gland carcinoma (n = 2) were immunostained with DOG1 (clone K9) stain. RESULTS: Of the 8 AciCCs, 7 were observed apical-luminal positive staining, demonstrating 1-3 + intensity, and involving 40-70% of the tumor cells. One MEC of 7 (14%), 1 ME of 5 (20%), and 4 PA of 22 (18%) showed weak (1+) cytoplasmic granular staining in 5-10% of the tumor cells. Pure oncocytic neoplasms (WT, BeO) showed no expression with DOG1-K9. CONCLUSIONS: FNA is a common tool in the diagnosis and management of salivary gland tumors. DOG1-K9 clone was very useful with a unique staining pattern of apical-luminal positivity in the differential diagnosis of AciCC from other oncocytic salivary gland tumors.

Accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of breast cancer a single-center retrospective study from Turkey with cytohistological correlation in 733 cases.

BACKGROUND: The triple test, i.e., cytology combined with clinical and radiological findings, is the goal for accurate assessment of palpable breast lesions. Because of the limitations of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), its utility has somewhat decreased nationwide. We have been using a combination of physical examination, radiological modalities, and FNAC for the diagnosis of palpable/nonpalpable breast mass lesions for the last 23 years. Our institutional experience of the last 10 years is presented here, using FNAC of breast lesions along with an analysis of the diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: 4956 breast aspirates in 4860 cases were collected from the computer database of Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Most of the FNACs were performed under ultrasound guidance and FNAC procedures were performed by radiologists and pathologists who used 22 gauge needles. Cytological diagnoses were classified as "unsatisfactory", "benign", "malignant", "atypical/probably benign", "atypical/probably malignant", and "atypical/NOS" (not otherwise specified) and were compared to the histopathological diagnoses obtained from core needle biopsy, lumpectomy or mastectomy to give an assessment of the diagnostic performance of FNAC in 733 aspirates. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value, false positive, and false negative rates of FNAC were 98.02, 90.58, 95.97, 96.48, 94.54, 2.6, and 1.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study once again shows that FNAC is a reliable method for the initial evaluation and diagnosis of breast masses. In case of any suspicious conditions, FNAC, and core biopsy are considered complementary to one another.

Hamsi scoring in the prediction of unfavorable outcomes from tuberculous meningitis: results of Haydarpasa-II study.

Predicting unfavorable outcome is of paramount importance in clinical decision making. Accordingly, we designed this multinational study, which provided the largest case series of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). 43 centers from 14 countries (Albania, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Syria, Turkey) submitted data of microbiologically confirmed TBM patients hospitalized between 2000 and 2012. Unfavorable outcome was defined as survival with significant sequela or death. In developing our index, binary logistic regression models were constructed via 200 replicates of database by bootstrap resampling methodology. The final model was built according to the selection frequencies of variables. The severity scale included variables with arbitrary scores proportional to predictive powers of terms in the final model. The final model was internally validated by bootstrap resampling. A total of 507 patients' data were submitted among which 165 had unfavorable outcome. Eighty-six patients died while 119 had different neurological sequelae in 79 (16%) patients. The full model included 13 variables. Age, nausea, vomiting, altered consciousness, hydrocephalus, vasculitis, immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus and neurological deficit remained in the final model. Scores 1-3 were assigned to the variables in the severity scale, which included scores of 1-6. The distribution of mortality for the scores 1-6 was 3.4, 8.2, 20.6, 31, 30 and 40.1%, respectively. Altered consciousness, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, neurological deficits, hydrocephalus, and vasculitis predicted the unfavorable outcome in the scoring and the cumulative score provided a linear estimation of prognosis.

Can we use the contralateral glenoid cavity as a reference for the measurement of glenoid cavity bone loss in anterior shoulder instability?: a comparative analysis of 3D CT measurements in healthy subjects / ¿Podemos utilizar la cavidad glenoidea contralateral como referencia para la medición de la pérdida ósea de la cavidad glenoidea en la inestabilidad del hombro anterior?: un análisis comparativo de mediciones 3D TC en sujetos sanos

The purpose of this study was to compare the glenoid cavity measurements in healthy subjects. 100 adult subjects without shoulder pathology who had pulmonary computed tomography for any reason, were included in the study. Lung CT images were three-dimensionally rendered and glenoid cavity enface images were obtained. On these images, the glenoid cavity superior-inferior long axis and anterior-posterior equator, as well as the equatorial anterior and posterior radii, were measured. Dominant and nondominant glenoid cavity measurements were compared using the t-test in dependent groups. The long axis of the dominant glenoid cavity was 38.15 ± 3.5 mm, whereas it was 37.87 ± 3.3 mm on the non-dominant side (p = 0.068). The mean width of the glenoid cavity was 28.60 ± 3.3 mm in dominant glenoids cavities and 28.00 ± 2.9 mm in the non-dominant side (p = 0.0001). The equatorial anterior and posterior radii were significantly different between the two sides (p = 0.010, p = 0.001, respectively). The ratio of length to equator was different between the two sides (p = 0.012). The difference in equatorial lengths was 0.98 ± 0.8 mm (range, 0-4.2 mm). The mean difference between the long axis of the glenoid cavity was 1.2 ± 0.9 mm (range 0-4.6 mm). The equator on 69 individuals was larger on the dominant side. Glenoid cavity long axis was larger on the dominant side of 61 individuals. Glenoids cavities are not equal and not symmetrical to each other or influenced by hand dominancy. Measurements based on the assumption that both glenoids cavities are equal may be misleading.

El propósito de este estudio fue comparar las mediciones de las cavidades glenoideas en sujetos sanos. Se incluyeron en el estudio 100 sujetos adultos sin patología de hombro que tenían tomografía computarizada pulmonar. Las imágenes de CT de pulmón se representaron tridimensionalmente y se obtuvieron imágenes de la faceta de la cavidad glenoidea. En estas imágenes, se midieron el eje largo glenoideo superior e inferior y el ecuador anteroposterior, así como los radios ecuatoriales anterior y posterior. Las mediciones de las cavidades glenoideas dominantes y no dominantes se compararon usando la prueba t en grupos dependientes. El eje largo de la cavidad glenoidea dominante fue 38,15 ± 3,5 mm, mientras que fue 37,87 ± 3,3 mm en el lado no dominante (p = 0,068). El ancho medio de la cavidad glenoidea fue de 28,60 ± 3,3 mm en las glenoides dominantes y de 28,00 ± 2,9 mm en el lado no dominante (p=0,0001). Los radios ecuatoriales anterior y posterior fueron significativamente diferentes entre los dos lados (p=0,010; p=0,001, respectivamente). La relación de longitud al ecuador fue diferente entre los dos lados (p=0,012). La diferencia en las longitudes ecuatoriales fue de 0,98 ± 0,8 mm (rango, 0-4,2 mm). La diferencia media entre el eje largo de la cavidad glenoidea fue de 1,2 ± 0,9 mm (rango 0-4,6 mm). El ecuador en 69 individuos era más grande en el lado dominante. En 61 individuos el eje largo de cavidad glenoidea fue más grande en el lado dominante. Las cavidad glenoideas no son iguales ni simétricas entre sí ni están influenciadas por la dominancia de la mano. Las mediciones basadas en la suposición de que ambas cavidades glenoideas son iguales pueden ser engañosas.

Tibial torsion: cause or consequence of osteoarthritis?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between torsional variations of the lower extremity and the development of medial osteoarthritis in the knee. METHODS: Computed tomography measurements of the femoral and tibial torsion were evaluated in 21 lower extremities of 19 patients with primary bilateral gonarthrosis and compared with 14 lower extremities of eight normal individuals. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between lower extremities with and without gonarthrosis in terms of tibial torsion (26.20° ± 9.78° and 25.32° ± 11.50°,respectively), femoral torsion (15.89° ± 8.63° and 13.91° ± 7.26°, respectively) and tibiofemoral index (10.30° ± 13.06° and 11.39° ± 12.84°,respectively) (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that medial compartment osteoarthritis in the early arthritic period is not always associated with torsional deformities of the lower limb.

Does adenoid hypertrophy really have effect on tympanometry?

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to determine the correlation between the radiographic measurements of adenoid size and tympanometric findings. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Haydarpasa Numune Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Nine five consecutive children complaining of one or more of the symptoms of upper airway obstruction (UAO) (presence of snoring, mouth breathing or difficulty in breathing during sleep, obstructive breathing or apnea during sleep) were included in the study. Symptom severity was assessed by a standardized questionnaire. All patients underwent digital lateral soft tissue radiographs. Assessment of nasopharyngeal obstruction in radiographs was done according to four different methods. Tympanometry was used to evaluate the middle ear. RESULTS: Of 190 ears, 79 were type A, 49 were type B and 62 were type C tympanograms. The symptom severity of 14 patients was graded as mild, 56 patients as moderate and 25 patients as severe. There was no statistically significant difference between UAO symptom severity groups and tympanogram types (p>0,05). Each one of the four methods of radiologic measurements of the adenoid enlargement showed no statistically significant difference between the tympanogram types (p>0,05). CONCLUSION: The adenoid hypertrophy in both means of radiologic measurements and symptom severity does not correlate with the changes in tympanograms. These findings do not support the hypothesis that adenoidal size plays a major role in the etiopathogenesis of middle ear effusion (MEE).