Etiopathogenetic factors, thyroid functions and thyroid autoimmunity in melasma patients.

INTRODUCTION: Melasma is a common chronic, acquired pigmentation disorder with a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. AIM: To investigate the etiopathogenetic factors, thyroid functions and thyroid autoimmunity in patients with melasma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five women with melasma and 45 age-matched healthy women were included in the study group. A detailed history was taken from the patients including triggering factors of melasma. Serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroglobulin (AbTG) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (Ab-TPO) were measured and thyroid ultrasonography was performed for each subject. RESULTS: In 26.7% of patients, pregnancy, in 17.8%, oral contraceptive use and in 13.3%, intense sunlight exposure were the triggering factors. 17.8% of patients had a family history of melasma. FT4, TSH and AbTG levels were significantly higher in the patient group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a combination of factors including pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, sunlight and genetic factors often trigger melasma. Thyroid hormones and thyroid autoimmunity may also play a role in the pathogenesis which needs to be proven by further studies.

Assessment of planimetric mitral valve area using 16-row multidetector computed tomography in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography (TTE) is currently the 'gold standard' for the evaluation of rheumatic mitral valve disease. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a promising technique for the evaluation of heart valves. The study aim was to evaluate the planimetry of the mitral valve area (MVA) with 16-row MDCT in comparison with TTE, in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. METHODS: Twenty-six patients (18 females, eight males; mean age 41.7 +/- 8.7 years) with rheumatic mitral valve disease, who had been referred for 16-row MDCT for various indications, such as evaluation of the coronary arteries, assessment of pulmonary vein anatomy before catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, suspicion of aortic dissection or pulmonary embolism, were recruited. All patients were in sinus rhythm. The MDCT acquisition was performed using a 16-row scanner. Echocardiographic planimetry of MVA was performed in the standard parasternal short-axis view within one week. RESULTS: Planimetry of the MVA with MDCT did not differ from that with TTE (1.88 +/- 0.46 cm2 versus 1.83 +/- 0.50 cm2, p = 0.242), and there was an excellent correlation between two techniques (r = 0.923, p < 0.0001). Seven patients had calcific mitral valves (mean calcium score 216.8 +/- 783.8 Agatston units). In these patients, MVA measured by MDCT was 1.73 +/- 0.39 cm2 and by TTE planimetry was 1.72 +/- 0.54 cm2 (p = 0.866; r = 0.963, p = 0.0005). When using the pressure half-time (PHT) method, the MVA was obtained in 24 of the 26 patients. MVA by PHT did not differ from the MVA calculated by TTE planimetry, nor from that obtained with MDCT planimetry (1.79 +/- 0.46 cm2 versus 1.81 +/- 0.51 cm2, p = 0.427 and 1.79 +/- 0.46 cm2 versus 1.86 +/- 0.48 cm2, p = 0.101, respectively). The correlation coefficient for the MDCT-derived MVA and PHT-derived MVA was 0.8969 (p < 0.0001). Although not statistically significant, in nine patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis (MVA < 1.5 cm2), the MDCT tended to overestimate MVA compared to echo planimetry (1.35 +/- 0.19 cm2 versus 1.28 +/- 0.21 cm2, p = 0.059). CONCLUSION: MDCT enabled accurate planimetry of the MVA in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, in comparison with TTE.

Effect of transurethral resection of prostate on prostatic resistive index.

INTRODUCTION: In the present study, we evaluated the effect of transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) on prostatic resistive index (RI) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty BPH patients who were candidates for prostatectomy were prospectively included in the study. Prostatic RI was measured using power Doppler imaging (PDI) before TUR-P. In the postoperative follow-up, all patients were reevaluated with PDI, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and uroflowmetry. RESULTS: Mean age, IPSS and maximal urine flow rate (Q(max)) of the patients was 65.8 +/- 7.6 years, 24.6 +/- 7.1 and 7.7 +/- 3.8 ml/s, respectively. The mean prostatic RI of the patients before TUR-P was 0.79 +/- 0.02. Prostatic RI positively correlated with total prostate volume and IPSS (r = 0.57, p = 0.0001, and r = 0.42, p = 0.008, respectively) and negatively correlated with Q(max) (r = -0.37, p = 0.029) prior to treatment. After TUR-P, mean IPSS and prostatic RI significantly decreased (6.5 +/- 4.3 and 0.68 +/- 0.03, respectively; p < 0.05), whereas mean Q(max) was increased (15.7 +/- 5.7, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated that prostatic RI of the patients with BPH significantly decreased after TUR-P. We believe that prostatic RI could be a useful parameter for the follow-up of patients who underwent TUR-P.

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas.

Developmental anomalies of the pancreas have been reported but dorsal pancreatic agenesis is an extremely rare entity. We report an asymptomatic 62-year-old woman with complete agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a normal pancreatic head, but pancreatic body and tail were not visualized. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were similar to CT. At magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), the major pancreatic duct was short and the dorsal pancreatic duct was not visualized. The final diagnosis was dorsal pancreatic agenesis.

Isolated pericardial hydatid cyst in an asymptomatic patient: a remark on its radiologic diagnosis.

Cardiac hydatid cyst disease is uncommon, representing approximately 0.2% to 2% of all cyst-related cases. Cardiac hydatid cysts are found mostly within the myocardium. Most cardiac hydatid cysts are located in the interventricular septum or in the left ventricular wall. Only few cases of pericardial location have been reported; isolated pericardial hydatid cysts are especially extremely rare. Patients with a cardiac hydatid cyst are usually asymptomatic. We present the case of an asymptomatic patient with isolated pericardial hydatid cyst disease and discuss the role of chest X-rays in the incidental diagnosis of this condition.

Ultrasound detection of entheseal insertions in the foot of patients with spondyloarthropathy.

The aim of the study was to evaluate entheseal involvement in the foot of patients with spondyloarthropathy (SpA) by ultrasonographic (US) examination and compare the results with clinical and radiological findings. Forty-four patients (27 men, 17 women) with a diagnosis of SpA were recruited. Patient evaluation included physical examination (swelling and pain), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiological Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrological Index, and laboratory parameters (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein). Foot x-rays of the patients were assessed and scored according to SpA Tarsal Radiographic Index (SpA-TRI). A high-resolution US was used to examine the tendon and ligament insertion sites in the foot, and the findings were scored according to Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesitis Scoring System (GUESS). The mean age and disease duration of the patients were 39.9+/-12.5 and 9+/-8.2 years, respectively. US revealed pathological findings in 25 of 44 (56.8%) patients, most of whom exhibited no clinical signs of foot involvement. Pain and swelling at entheseal insertions were detected in only 16 (37%) patients. The mean GUESS score and SpA-TRI score were 2.2+/-2.5 and 3.3+/-3.7, respectively. There was a correlation between the scores of GUESS and SpA-TRI, particularly at the Achilles and plantar fascia insertion sites. The mean score of SpA-TRI was higher in patients with enthesopathy, detected by US, than in patients without enthesopathy (4.6+/-4.4 vs 1.8+/-2.1). There was no significant correlation between the mean GUESS score and clinical and laboratory variables. In conclusion, involvement of tendon and entheses is not rare, and US is a valuable diagnostic method in detecting subclinical enthesopathic changes. The GUESS and SpA-TRI are suggested in quantifying US and radiological changes in the foot of patients with SpA.

Changes in the before and after thyroxine treatment levels of adipose tissue, leptin, and resistin in subclinical hypothyroid patients.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) occurs when serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations are raised and serum thyroid hormone concentrations are normal. The effect of SH on the proinflammatory adipose cytokine releasing visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is not clear. The aim of this study is to identify the difference between the pre and posttreatment levels of VAT, leptin, and resistin in SH patients. METHODS: There were 51 SH patients and 43 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects included in the study. Thyroid functions, biochemical tests, leptin, resistin, and visceral and subcutaneous fat measurements were made. The measurements were repeated in the SH group in the third month following L-thyroxin treatment. RESULTS: Initially, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, carotid artery intima-media thickness (mm), leptin, and resistin levels were significantly higher in the SH group compared to the controls, while the other parameters were similar. While no correlation was observed between TSH levels and adipokines, a positive correlation was detected between waist circumference and leptin levels (r = 0.549, p < 0.01). Visceral adipose tissue was positively correlated to age, waist circumference, and leptin levels, but negatively correlated to free thyroxin (T4) levels (r = 0.419, p = 0.009; r = 0.794, p < 0.01; r = 0.515, p < 0.01 and r = - 0.416, p = 0.009, respectively). A significant decrease was observed in VAT volume, leptin, and resistin levels of SH patients following levothyroxine treatment. Conclusion The reduced VAT volume, leptin, and resistin levels in SH patients following treatment may support the idea that TSH affects adipose tissue functions.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: aid of abdominal ultrasonography in prediction of severity.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a fatal viral infection that involves multiple organs, and endothelium. We described abdominal sonographic findings of the patients infected with the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in relation to the severity of the disease. This is a prospective study performed among hospitalized patients infected with CCHF between 2005 and 2011. A total of 210 hospitalized patients with confirmed CCHF infection were included in the study. The mean age was 47 and 49.5% of the patients were female. Patients were classified as mild, moderate, or severe disease according to their clinical and laboratory findings. The relationship between the clinical severity of CCHF and the abdominal sonographic findings was analyzed. Sonographic findings of abdomen included gallbladder wall thickening (GBWT) in 44 (21%), splenomegaly in 39 (19%), hepatomegaly in 52 (25%), decrease in echo of liver parenchyma in nine (4%), increase in echo liver parenchyma in 13 (6%), intra-abdominal fluid collection/ascites in 23 (11%), and enlarged periportal lymph nodes in seven (3%) cases. GBWT was detected in 3% of mild patients, 23% of moderate patients, and 61% of severe patients (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis to predict the severity, GBWT (odds ratio [OR] 5.4, confidence interval [CI] 1.76-16.49, p=0.003) and intra-abdominal fluid collection/ascites (OR 3.5, CI 1.07-12.61, p=0.049) were found to be significantly associated with disease severity. In conclusion, ultrasonography is a reliable, useful, and noninvasive diagnostic tool for evaluation of the abdominal findings of the patients with CCHFV infection. GBWT and intra-abdominal fluid collection/ascites were found to be predictors of severity.

Comparison of Histopathological and CT Findings in Experimental Rabbit Sinusitis.

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare histopathological and computerized tomographic (CT) findings of experimental acute sinusitis in an animal model. The noses of five healthy rabbits were inoculated with a gelatin sponge impregnated with a solution containing Staphylococcus aureus, and one healthy rabbit acted as the control. The animals were sacrificed on the tenth day, following the acquisition of paranasal CT scans. Specimens were obtained from the lateral nasal walls, and the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses of the animals for histopathological examination. Histopathological and CT findings were compared. Various degrees of epithelial disorganization, foci of ruptured epithelial cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria were seen in the histopathological examinations of the five study rabbits, and mucosal thickening and soft tissue density were noted in their CTs. There was no correlation between the histopathological and CT findings. It was shown that CT did not reflect the acute changes in the sinus mucosa. Patients with chronic sinusitis must be evaluated for a chronic process. Computerized tomographic scans should not be obtained in acute sinusitis cases. In this way, both unnecessary radiation exposure and economic waste can be avoided.

Evaluation of effective regurgitant orifice area of mitral valvular regurgitation by multislice cardiac computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) for the identification and quantification of mitral valve regurgitation in comparison with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). METHODS: Twenty-six patients (15 females, 11 males with a mean age of 44.6±14.1 years) who were in follow-up with the diagnosis of mitral regurgitation and those who were referred for MSCT were enrolled. MSCT results were compared with TTE measurements. RESULTS: The mean effective mitral regurgitant orifice area at MSCT was 23.1±13.0 mm² and at echocardiography was 24.4±16.0 mm². Bland-Altman analysis showed good agreement between the two imaging methods. CONCLUSION: MSCT provides reliable and good results for the evaluation of mitral regurgitation.

Assessment of global left ventricular systolic function with multidetector CT and 2D echocardiography: a comparison between reconstructions of 1-mm and 2-mm slice thickness at multidetector CT.

PURPOSE: To compare multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DE) for left ventricular ejection fraction (EF); and to make comparison between reconstructions of 1-mm and 2-mm slice thickness at MDCT in left ventricular analysis by using a semiautomated segmentation algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 43 patients global left ventricular systolic function was assessed by using both MDCT and 2DE. Functional MDCT data sets were reconstructed in 20 cardiac phases (0-95%) with both 1-mm and 2-mm slice thickness.With semi-automatic left ventricle segmentation, end-diastolic volume (EDV), endsystolic volume (ESV) and EF were calculated seperately for both 1-mm and 2-mm reconstructions. RESULTS: On MDCT with 1-mm slice thickness, mean EF was 66.8 +/- 5.6 %, mean EDV was 133.7 +/- 38.9 mL, and mean ESV was 45.1 +/- 17.9 mL, these values for 2-mm slice thickness were 66.2 +/- 5.6 %, 133.5 +/- 39.6 mL, and 45.9 +/- 18.3 mL, respectively. On 2DE, mean EF was 66.7 +/- 5.7 %, mean EDV was 98.7 +/- 42.1 mL, and mean ESV was 33.6 +/- 18.7 mL. There was no difference between EF values calculated with 1-mm and 2-mm reconstructions and 2DE (P = 0.83 and P = 0.3705, respectively). However, EDV and ESV values calculated by MDCT were significantly higher than those obtained by 2DE (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: There was a good correlation between MDCT and 2DE in the evaluation of left ventricular EF. At MDCT left ventricular ESV was statistically smaller, EF was statistically greater by using 1-mm rather than 2-mm slice thickness. However, these differences are not clinically relevant.

Compatibility of different methods for the measurement of visceral fat in different body mass index strata.

PURPOSE: Obesity, particularly visceral obesity, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, cardiovascular risk should be determined by evaluating visceral fat tissue not only in obese individuals but also in non-obese individuals. We aimed to evaluate the comparison of visceral fat tissue measurement methods with computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred four participants, 19 to 58 years of age (21 males, 83 females) were enrolled in this study. Participants underwent anthropometric evaluation, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), ultrasonography (US), and CT examinations on the same day. RESULTS: The mean body mass index (BMI) was 31.2 +/- 8.7 kg/m2 (73 individuals [70.2%] had BMI > or =30, and 31 individuals [29.8%] had BMI < 30). The non-obese group (BMI < 30) that showed the best correlation coefficient values were for visceral fat area (VFA) by BIA in all participants, males and women (r = 0.902, P < 0.001; r = 0.994, P < 0.001; r = 0.645, P = 0.01, respectively); in case of BMI > or =30 the best correlation coefficient values were for VFA by BIA (r = 0.774, P < 0.001) for all participants, and visceral fat thickness by US for males (r = 0.851, P < 0.001), and BMI (r = 0.786, P < 0.001) for females. Using multiple stepwise regression analysis, the methods best reflecting VFA by CT were as follows: In subjects with BMI < 25, BIA correlated best with CT measures of VFA; while in subjects with BMI > 30 waist-to-hip ratio showed the best correlation with CT measures of VFA. The method best reflecting VFA by CT was visceral thickness by US in males; and the method best reflecting VFA by CT in females was visceral thickness by US, BMI and waist circumference. CONCLUSION: Anthropometric measurements and visceral fat tissue measurement methods such as US and BIA exhibit differences with respect to compliance with CT results in visceral fat tissue measurements by gender and BMI levels.