Pulmonary artery diameters measured by multidetector-row computed tomography in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: The range of the diameters of pulmonary arteries (PA) is not fully shown in the current literature. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the thorax might be used for measuring diameters of the PA. PURPOSE: To determine the diameters of PAs in subjects with normal PA pressure by using thoracic CT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 126 subjects aged between 19 and 46 years, having normal thoracic CTs (5-mm slice thickness) and normal PA pressures ((25 mmHg, determined by echocardiography), were included in the study. The diameters of the main, right, and left PAs were measured by using multidetector CT. RESULTS: The main PA diameters of all the subjects showed a normal distribution, and the mean was 24.0 ± 2.8 mm. The main PA diameters in male and female subjects also showed a normal distribution. The difference between the sexes for the main PA diameters was not significant (P=0.08). There were correlations between main PA diameter and body-mass index (BMI) (R=0.41, P=0.001) and weight (R=0.34, P=0.001). However, there was no significant correlation between main PA diameter and height (R=0.05, P=0.6). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that diameters of the main PA and its main branches show a normal distribution in subjects having normal PA pressures. Based on our findings, the upper limits of the main, right, and left PA diameters are 29.5 mm,19.8 mm, and 22.1 mm, respectively, in healthy adults.

Aberrant right bronchial artery originating from right coronary artery - MDCT angiography findings.

Aberrant bronchial arteries are rarely seen and may originate from various vascular structures. In our case, a 48-year-old man with recurrent chest pain underwent multidetector CT (MDCT) coronary angiography. MDCT images demonstrated an aberrant right bronchial artery originating from the right coronary artery. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of an aberrant right bronchial artery originating from the right coronary artery.

Anatomical variations of hepatic arterial system, coeliac trunk and renal arteries: an analysis with multidetector CT angiography.

The purpose of our investigation was to determine the anatomical variations in the coeliac trunk-hepatic arterial system and the renal arteries in patients who underwent multidetector CT (MDCT) angiography of the abdominal aorta for various reasons. A total of 100 patients were analysed retrospectively. The coeliac trunk, hepatic arterial system and renal arteries were analysed individually and anatomical variations were recorded. Statistical analysis of the relationship between hepatocoeliac variations and renal artery variations was performed using a chi(2) test. There was a coeliac trunk trifurcation in 89% and bifurcation in 8% of the cases. Coeliac trunk was absent in 1%, a hepatosplenomesenteric trunk was seen in 1% and a splenomesenteric trunk was present in 1%. Hepatic artery variation was present in 48% of patients. Coeliac trunk and/or hepatic arterial variation was present in 23 (39.7%) of the 58 patients with normal renal arteries, and in 27 (64.3%) of the 42 patients with accessory renal arteries. There was a statistically significant correlation between renal artery variations and coeliac trunk-hepatic arterial system variations (p = 0.015). MDCT angiography permits a correct and detailed evaluation of hepatic and renal vascular anatomy. The prevalence of variations in the coeliac trunk and/or hepatic arteries is increased in people with accessory renal arteries. For that reason, when undertaking angiographic examinations directed towards any single organ, the possibility of variations in the vascular structure of other organs should be kept in mind.

Anterior segmental distraction of the hypoplastic maxilla by a tooth borne device: a study on the movement of the segment.

The aim of this study is to determine the relative movement of the teeth and bone after premaxillary distraction with a tooth-borne device constructed in the authors' centre. To evaluate the effects of this device on the anterior segment and teeth, the space formed between the anterior and posterior segments of the maxilla was measured on computerized tomography images from 10 patients. The average differences were 3.5mm at the apex level, 5.5 mm at alveolar ridge level and 7.4 mm at crown level on the right side. On the left side, the average differences were 3.2, 5.2 and 7.1 mm, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between all these measurements (p<0.05), but the difference between right and left sides was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The ratio between the movements at apex and crown levels was 46%. These results showed that the tooth-borne distractor was able to distract the anterior segment of the maxilla but it also caused anchorage loss of the maxillary incisors.

Reliability of a functional test battery evaluating functionality, proprioception, and strength in recreational athletes with functional ankle instability.

AIM: In contrast to the single evaluation methods used in the past, the combination of multiple tests allows one to obtain a global assessment of the ankle joint. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of the different tests in a functional test battery. METHODS: Twenty-four male recreational athletes with unilateral functional ankle instability (FAI) were recruited for this study. One component of the test battery included five different functional ability tests. These tests included a single limb hopping course, single-legged and triple-legged hop for distance, and six and cross six meter hop for time. The ankle joint position sense and one leg standing test were used for evaluation of proprioception and sensorimotor control. The isokinetic strengths of the ankle invertor and evertor muscles were evaluated at a velocity of 120 degrees /s. The reliability of the test battery was assessed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Each subject was tested two times, with an interval of 3-5 days between the test sessions. RESULTS: The ICCs for ankle functional and proprioceptive ability showed high reliability (ICCs ranging from 0.94 to 0.98). Additionally, isokinetic ankle joint inversion and eversion strength measurements represented good to high reliability (ICCs between 0.82 and 0.98). CONCLUSION: The functional test battery investigated in this study proved to be a reliable tool for the assessment of athletes with functional ankle instability. Therefore, clinicians may obtain reliable information from the functional test battery during the assessment of ankle joint performance in patients with functional ankle instability.

MRI of angiosarcoma associated with chronic lymphoedema: Stewart Treves syndrome.

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare complication of a chronic lymphedematous extremity (Stewart-Treves syndrome). Early recognition of these aggressive tumours is important, as they have a high incidence of local recurrence and metastasis. This report describes the MRI appearance of Stewart-Treves syndrome in a patient with a background of lumpectomy, axillary node dissection and radiotherapy for breast carcinoma. MRI revealed a lobulated cutaneous mass of intermediate signal on T(1) weighted imaging, and low signal on T(2) weighted imaging, with diffuse enhancement following contrast.

Paraovarian adrenal rest with MRI features characteristic of an adrenal adenoma.

We report MR and sonographic imaging features of an incidentally detected paraovarian adrenal rest in a 44-year-old woman who was being evaluated for menorrhagia. This is the first report of chemical shift imaging identifying the presence of lipid within an adrenal rest as well as rapid washout of contrast. Both of these MR characteristics are typically seen with an adrenal adenoma.

Bilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia and aplasia: radiological and clinical findings.

Maxillary sinus hypoplasia (MSH) is classified into three types depending upon embryological development of the sinus and uncinate process. Type III MSH is characterized by a near-absence of the uncinate process and an almost absent cleft-like sinus. Bilateral maxillary sinus aplasia or severe hypoplasia with associated paranasal sinus abnormalities is extremely rare. Two cases with severe maxillary sinus hypoplasia/aplasia (one of them with other associated paranasal sinus abnormalities) are presented in this article. This extremely rare abnormality should be kept in mind to prevent misdiagnosis and possible complications during endoscopic sinus surgery.

Serum leptin levels and lipid profiles in patients with allergic rhinitis and mild asthma.

BACKGROUND: Despite improved understanding of the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis and asthma, the effect of serum leptin level is still controversial. Only a few studies have been performed to investigate the serum leptin levels in allergic rhinitis and asthma, and contradictory results have been observed. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the association between leptin, lipid profiles and allergic rhinitis and mild asthma, and to determine whether inhaled and/or intranasal steroids affect the leptin levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 43 patients with allergic rhinitis (10 of with mild asthma) (mean age 29.81, range 18-45 yr) and 32 volunteers as a control group (mean age 30.53, range 20-45 yr). RESULTS: Serum leptin levels in patients were 8.49 +/- 10.76 microg/ml, and did not differ from volunteers 5.42 +/- 6.63 microg/ml. (p > 0.05). We found a direct link between increased body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin levels (p = 0.008). No association was seen between leptin and triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, eosinophil, total IgE (p > 0.05); except for total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05). Although, no correlation between allergic rhinitis and mild asthma and serum level of leptin was shown, these parameters and age correlations were stronger in female than in male (p = 0.39 for male and p = 0.011 for female), and also found direct link between increased BMI and sex and patients group (p = 0.008 for male and p = 0.0001 for female). We also determined that there was no effect of inhaled and/or intranasal steroids statistically on serum leptin levels. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that the serum levels of leptin and lipid profiles on allergic rhinitis and mild asthma were not different than those in controls.

Relation between isokinetic muscle strength and functional capacity in recreational athletes with chondromalacia patellae.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of isokinetic exercise on pain and functional test scores of recreational athletes with chondromalacia patellae (CMP) and to examine the correlation between isokinetic parameters and functional tests or pain score. METHODS: The functional ability of 30 recreational athletes with unilateral CMP was evaluated using six different tests. Pain scores were assessed during daily activities before and after the treatment protocol. Isokinetic exercise sessions were carried out at angular velocities of 60 degrees /s (25-90 degrees range of flexion) and 180 degrees /s (full range). These sessions were repeated three times a week for six weeks. RESULTS: Quadriceps and hamstring peak torque, total work, and endurance ratios had improved significantly after the treatment, as did the functional parameters and pain scores. There was a poor correlation between the extensor endurance ratio and one leg standing test. A moderate correlation between the visual analogue scale and the extensor endurance ratio or flexion endurance ratio was also found. CONCLUSIONS: The isokinetic exercise programme used in this study had a positive effect on muscle strength, pain score, and functional ability of knees with CMP. The improvement in the functional capacity did not correlate with the isokinetic parameters.

Chronic groin pain in an amateur soccer player.

Chronic groin pain is common in soccer players because of the biomechanics of kicking causing recurrent stress to the abdominal muscles, groin flexors, and adductor muscles. Myositis ossificans in adductor muscles is a rare cause of chronic groin pain in soccer players. Only two cases have been reported and the iliopsoas muscle was involved in both. This case report emphasises the importance of direct radiography for diagnosis in chronic groin pain and is a reminder that the development of myositis ossificans in the adductor muscles may be a cause.

Serum leptin levels and lipid profiles in patients with allergic rhinitis and mild asthma / Niveles de leptina sérica y perfiles lipidicos en pacientes con rinitis alérgica y asma leve

Background: Despite improved understanding of the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis and asthma, the effect of serum leptin level is still controversial. Only a few studies have been performed to investigate the serum leptin levels in allergic rhinitis and asthma, and contradictory results have been observed. Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between leptin, lipid profiles and allergic rhinitis and mild asthma, and to determine whether inhaled and/or intranasal steroids affect the leptin levels. Patients and methods: We studied 43 patients with allergic rhinitis (10 of with mild asthma) (mean age 29.81, range 18-45 yr) and 32 volunteers as a control group (mean age 30.53, range 20-45 yr). Results: Serum leptin levels in patients were 8.49 ± 10.76 µg/ml, and did not differ from volunteers 5.42 ± 6.63 µg/ml. (p > 0.05). We found a direct link between increased body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin levels (p = 0.008). No association was seen between leptin and triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, eosinophil, total IgE (p > 0.05); except for total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05). Although, no correlation between allergic rhinitis and mild asthma and serum level of leptin was shown, these parameters and age correlations were stronger in female than in male (p = 0.39 for male and p = 0.011 for female), and also found direct link between increased BMI and sex and patients group (p = 0.008 for male and p = 0.0001 for female). We also determined that there was no effect of inhaled and/or intranasal steroids statistically on serum leptin levels. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that the serum levels of leptin and lipid profiles

Antecedentes: A pesar de la mejor comprensión de la patofisiología de la rinitis alérgica y del asma, el efecto del nivel sérico de la leptina (hormona proteica 16-kDa) todavía es controvertido. Solamente unos pocos estudios se han llevado a cabo para investigar los niveles séricos de lectina en rinitis alérgica y asma, habiéndose observado resultados contradictorios. Objetivo: Investigar la asociación entre leptina, perfiles lípidos y rinitis alérgica y asma, así como determinar si los esteroides inhalados o intranasales afectan a los niveles de leptina. Pacientes y métodos: 43 pacientes con rinitis (10 de ellos con asma leve) (edad entre 18-45 años, media 29,81) y 32 voluntarios como grupo control (edad entre 20-45 años, media 30,65). Resultados: los niveles de leptina en los pacientes fue de 8,49±10,76 µg/ml, sin diferencia con los voluntarios: 5,42±6,63 µg/ml (p>0.05), Encontramos una relación directa entre el incremento del índice de masa corporal (IMC) y los niveles de leptina (p=0.008). No se observó ninguna asociación entre la leptina y triglicéridos, HDL-colesterol, VLDL-colesterol, eosinofilia o IgE total (p>0.05); excepto para el colesterol total y el LDL-colesterol (p>0.05). Aunque no se encontró correlación entre la rinitis alérgica y asma leve con los niveles de leptina, la correlación de estos parámetros y la edad fueron más marcados para las mujeres que para los hombres (p=0.39 en los varones y p=0.011 en las mujeres), encontrándose así una relación directa entre el incremento del IMC y el sexo en el grupo de pacientes (p=0.008 en varones y p=0.0001 en mujeres). También se comprobó que esto no fue efecto de los esteroides inhalados o intranasales. Conclusión: nuestros datos demuestran que los niveles séricos de leptina y el perfil lipídico en la rinitis alérgica y el asma leve no difiere del de los controles sanos