Comparison of QCT and DEXA findings for lumbar vertebra in young adults and the elderly.

BACKGROUND: The use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) methods are important for the diagnosis and follow-up of osteoporosis, and are used especially in cases to determine the degree of osteoporosis and the risk of fracture, monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment applied. PURPOSE: To compare the parameters measured using the DEXA method from the lumbar (L1-L4) vertebrae and the Hounsfield unit (HU) values measured with QCT at the same levels among young adults and the elderly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 155 patients (age range = 26-93 years). A total of 57 (36.8%) patients (age range = 26-64 years) were defined as the first group, and 98 (63.2%) patients (aged ≥65 years) were defined as the second group. T-test and correlation analysis were performed to compare bone mineral density (BMD), T score, and HU values measured using DEXA and QCT. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between T score, lumbar total BMD, and HU values according to age and sex (P < 0.05). When the values measured from lumbar vertebrae were compared using both DEXA and CT, a high correlation was found between them. CONCLUSION: In the study, it was observed that QCT attenuation measurements of the lumbar spine measured between different age groups provided reliable results in terms of BMD scanning, as in DEXA. It should be noted that QCT has a longer imaging time and higher radiation dose compared to DEXA, and unnecessary scans should be avoided.

Contribution of diffusion weighted MRI to diagnosis and staging in gastric tumors and comparison with multi-detector computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic performance of Diffusion-Weighted magnetic resonance Imaging (DWI) and Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) for TNM (Tumor, Lymph node, Metastasis) staging of gastric cancer was compared. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used axial T2-weighted images and DWI (b-0,400 and b-800 s/mm2) protocol on 51 pre-operative patients who had been diagnosed with gastric cancer. We also conducted MDCT examinations on them. We looked for a signal increase in the series of DWI images. The depth of tumor invasion in the stomach wall (tumor (T) staging), the involvement of lymph nodes (nodal (N) staging), and the presence or absence of metastases (metastatic staging) in DWI and CT images according to the TNM staging system were evaluated. In each diagnosis of the tumors, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative accuracy rates of DWI and MDCT examinations were found through a comparison with the results of the surgical pathology, which is the gold standard method. In addition to the compatibilities of each examination with surgical pathology, kappa statistics were used. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of DWI and MDCT in lymph node staging were as follows: N1: DWI: 75.0%, 84.6%; MDCT: 66.7%, 82%;N2: DWI: 79.3%, 77.3%; MDCT: 69.0%, 68.2%; N3: DWI: 60.0%, 97.6%; MDCT: 50.0%, 90.2%. The diagnostic tool DWI seemed more compatible with the gold standard method (surgical pathology), especially in the staging of lymph node, when compared to MDCT. On the other hand, in T staging, the results of DWI and MDCT were better than the gold standard when the T stage increased. However, DWI did not demonstrate superiority to MDCT. The sensitivity and specificity of both imaging techniques for detecting distant metastasis were 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of DWI for TNM staging in gastric cancer before surgery is at a comparable level with MDCT and adding DWI to routine protocol of evaluating lymph nodes metastasis might increase diagnostic accuracy.

Pulsatility Index of Popliteal Artery in Patients with Isolated Calf Vein Thrombosis: A Novel Technique for Detecting Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the usefulness of popliteal artery spectral doppler findings as a complimentary approach to isolated calf vein thrombosis (DVT). MATERIAL/METHODS: We included consecutive patients presenting with symptomatic and sonographically proven acute isolated calf DVT. Patients with thrombosis of any other vein were excluded. We classified calf vein into into four main types. We investigated how many of these four vessels had DVT and compared them with respect to the pulsatility index (PI) value of the popliteal artery. RESULTS: We evaluated spectral doppler characteristics of the popliteal artery on the same side as the isolated calf vein thrombosis as well as on the opposite side. The relationship between PI values of the popliteal artery and the number of thrombosed calf veins was investigated. In patients with 1 and/or 2 thrombosed veins, the mean PI was 6.03±0.54 on the side of cDVT and 5.68±0.39 on the opposite side (p=0.008), respectively. Inpatients with 3 and/or 4 thrombosed veins, the mean PI was 8.05±0.61 on the side of cDVT and 6.34±0.47 on the opposite side (p=0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Venous doppler sonography for the evaluation of calf DVT may be limited by patient characteristics such as obesity, edema, and tenderness., Arterial PI can be used as a complimentary technique for the detection of venous thrombosis in such of cases.

Decreased Vertebral Artery Hemodynamics in Patients with Loss of Cervical Lordosis.

BACKGROUND Because loss of cervical lordosis leads to disrupted biomechanics, the natural lordotic curvature is considered to be an ideal posture for the cervical spine. The vertebral arteries proceed in the transverse foramen of each cervical vertebra. Considering that the vertebral arteries travel in close anatomical relationship to the cervical spine, we speculated that the loss of cervical lordosis may affect vertebral artery hemodynamics. The aim of this study was to compare the vertebral artery values between subjects with and without loss of cervical lordosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty patients with loss of cervical lordosis and 30 controls matched for age, sex, and body mass index were included in the study. Sixty vertebral arteries in patients with loss of cervical lordosis and 60 in controls without loss of cervical lordosis were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography. Vertebral artery hemodynamics, including lumen diameter, flow volume, peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and resistive index, were measured, and determined values were statistically compared between the patient and the control groups. RESULTS The means of diameter (p=0.003), flow volume (p=0.002), and peak systolic velocity (p=0.014) in patients were significantly lower as compared to controls. However, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of the end-diastolic velocity (p=0.276) and resistive index (p=0.536) parameters. CONCLUSIONS The present study revealed a significant association between loss of cervical lordosis and decreased vertebral artery hemodynamics, including diameter, flow volume, and peak systolic velocity. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and to investigate their possible clinical implications.

Ultrasound Elastography for Distinction Between Parathyroid Adenomas and Thyroid Nodules.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to detect the level of stiffness of parathyroid adenomas and to distinguish them from benign and malignant thyroid nodules using ultrasound elastography with acoustic radiation force impulse imaging. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with parathyroid adenomas and 71 patients with thyroid nodules were evaluated by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging in this study. Acoustic radiation force impulse elastograms were obtained after evaluation of the thyroid nodules, which were predicted to undergo fine-needle aspiration biopsy, and patients with a diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism, which was identified by sonography at the same time. RESULTS: An analysis of mean shear wave velocity (SWV) values for parathyroid adenomas and thyroid nodules showed that parathyroid adenomas had significantly higher stiffness levels compared to benign thyroid nodules (mean SWV ± SD, 3.09 ± 0.75 versus 2.20 ± 0.39 m/s; P < .001) and lower stiffness levels compared to malignant thyroid nodules (mean SWV, 3.09 ± 0.75 versus 3.59 ± 0.43 m/s; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging has high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating parathyroid adenomas from benign and malignant thyroid nodules. As an adjunctive tool, it can help distinguish parathyroid adenomas from thyroid nodules, including posteriorly located nodules.

Comparison of placental elasticity in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnant women by acoustic radiation force impulse elastosonography.

AIM: The aim of this research was to study and compare placental elasticity with acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in pre-eclamptic and normal pregnancies. METHODS: A total of 107 singleton pregnancies in the third trimester (38 healthy control subjects, 34 patients with gestational hypertension, and 35 pre-eclampsia patients) were included in the study. ARFI elastography was used to determine the placental elasticity in the three predetermined regions of the placenta (the fetal edge, maternal edge, and central part of the placenta). The obstetrical data regarding grayscale and Doppler ultrasonography and perinatal outcomes were reviewed. A mean placental shear wave velocity cut-off value that predicts the presence of pre-eclampsia was determined. RESULTS: The shear wave elasticity values in the pre-eclampsia group in all three regions were significantly higher than in the gestational hypertension and healthy control groups (P = 0.001). The most significant difference was found in the peripheral edge of the placenta from the fetal surface in the pre-eclampsia group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The stiffness of the placenta determined by the ARFI technique is significantly higher in pre-eclampsia patients. ARFI elastography of the placenta might be used as a non-invasive and easy method in the diagnosis and evaluation of pre-eclampsia as a supplement to the already existing methods.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Causing Multicystic Leukoencephalomalacia.

BACKGRUND: Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a disease characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure with multiple organ involvement. Central nervous system involvement is detected in 20-50% of the patients and this leads to increased morbidity and mortality. CASE REPORT: We report the neuroimaging findings in a four-month-old male with hemolytic uremic syndrome. The cerebral cortex and white matter showed mild signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The diffusion weighted imaging demonstrated restricted diffusion in the cerebral cortex and white matter with corresponding low signal intensity on the apparent diffusion coefficient maps representing cytotoxic edema. These findings ended in multicystic leukoencephalomalacia. CONCLUSIONS: In hemolytic uremic syndrome with brain involvement symptoms develop due to the different level of actions of factors and thus MRI protocol towards cerebral parenchyma should include DWI, especially in pediatric patients.

Anterior hepatic grooves accompanied by Chilaiditi sign: a retrospective radiological analysis of a neglected anatomical fact.

PURPOSE: To evaluate anterior hepatic grooves (AHGs) associated with hepato-diaphragmatic mesocolic indentations (Chilaiditi sign) and to delineate the incidence and potential clinical significance of this association. METHODS: Between November 2011 and June 2014, abdominal computed tomography examinations of 2,314 patients with varied indications were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were surveyed consecutively for the Chilaiditi sign and syndrome, and cases with grooves at the antero-inferior hepatic surface enclosing the adjacent mesocolic indents were determined. The incidence of AHGs and their predominance by gender and age were determined. The potential clinical significance of AHGs associated with Chilaiditi syndrome and their possible effect on liver volume were assessed. RESULTS: The incidences of AHGs were similar between genders (p = .461 and p = .646) and age (p = .113 and .621, respectively) among total cohort and patients with Chilaiditi sign, respectively. There was no significant correlation between AHGs and Chilaiditi syndrome (p = .506); no efficacies of AHGs to liver volume were assessed (p = .413). CONCLUSIONS: The AHGs are rare adaptive changes in shape of the liver without a significant effect on liver volume. This overlooked phenomenon is likely derived from the Chilaiditi sign, but has no significant correlation with Chilaiditi syndrome. Future studies with extended series are encouraged to reveal the possible significance of this phenomenon based on concerned surgical interventions.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings of children with kernicterus.

BACKGROUND: The term kernicterus, or bilirubin encephalopathy, is used to describe pathological bilirubin staining of the basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellum, and is associated with hyperbilirubinemia. Kernicterus generally occurs in untreated hyperbilirubinemia or cases where treatment is delayed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based studies have shown characteristic findings in kernicterus. The objective of our study was to describe the role of (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in demonstrating these metabolic changes and to review conventional MRI findings of kernicterus. MATERIAL/METHODS: Forty-eight pediatric cases with kernicterus were included in this study. MRI and MRS examinations were performed on variable dates (10-29 days after birth). NAA, Cr, Cho, NAA/Cr, NAA/Cho, and Cho/Cr values were evaluated visually and by computer analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the NAA and Cho levels in the acute kernicterus patients and the control group (healthy patients), whereas both were significantly elevated in the chronic kernicterus patients. Both the mean NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratio values were significantly higher in the acute and chronic cases compared to the control group. The NAA/Cho ratio value was statistically lower in the acute cases than in the control group while it was similar in the chronic cases. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional MR imaging and (1)H-MRS are important complementary tools in the diagnostics of neonatal bilirubin encephalopathy. This study provided important information for applying these MR modalities in the evaluation of neonates with bilirubin encephalopathy.

Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm: Delayed Presentation after a Blunt Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Ruptured hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare condition that is life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated rapidly. We present a case of a spontaneously ruptured hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm that occurred after a blunt trauma, and provide a review of the current literature on this topic. This case study demonstrates a spontaneously ruptured hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm which emerged following a blunt trauma and it also presents current literature studies on the topic. CASE REPORT: A man at the age of 34 years with blunt trauma dating back to 1.5 month was admitted to the emergency department of a hospital with hematemesis and epigastric tenderness. He also had a duodenal ulcer, blood in the gastric lumen and a large pseudoaneurysm that developed from the left hepatic artery. Soon after the diagnosis, the patient worsened and underwent distal gastrectomy and cholecystectomy that included removing the bleeding aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: Ruptured hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm stands as a deadly condition which has to be diagnosed and managed as soon as possible. Physicians need to take aneurysms of abdominal arteries into consideration after routine diagnostic practises as long as the cause of gastrointestinal haemorrhage is unidentified.

Spontaneous Rupture of the Middle Fossa Arachnoid Cyst into the Subdural Space: Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Arachnoid cysts are congenital, benign and intra-arachnoidal lesions. A great majority of arachnoid cysts are congenital. However, to a lesser extent, they are known to develop after head trauma and brain inflammatory diseases. Arachnoid cysts are mostly asymptomatic and they can develop anywhere in the brain along the arachnoid membrane. CASE REPORT: Arachnoid cysts form 1% of the non-traumatic lesions which occupy a place and it is thought to be a congenital lesion developed as a result of meningeal development abnormalities or a lesion acquired after trauma and infection. There is a male dominance at a rate of 3/1 in arachnoid cysts which locate mostly in the middle fossa. Our patient was a 2-years-old boy. CONCLUSIONS: As a conclusion, spontaneous subdural hygroma is a rare complication of the arachnoid cysts. Surgical intervention could be required in acute cases.

Utility of computed tomography in assessment of pulmonary hypertension secondary to biomass smoke exposure.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of main pulmonary artery diameter quantification by thoracic computerized tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension seconder to biomass smoke exposure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and four women subjects with biomass smoke exposure and 20 healthy women subjects were enrolled in the prospective study. The correlation between echocardiographic estimation of systolic pulmonary artery pressure and the main pulmonary artery diameter of the cases were studied. RESULTS: The main pulmonary artery diameter was 26.9 ± 5.1 in the control subjects and 37.1 ± 6.4 in subjects with biomass smoke exposure. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The systolic pulmonary artery pressure was 22.7 ± 12.4 in the control subjects and 57.3 ± 22 in subjects with biomass smoke exposure. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Systolic pulmonary artery pressure was significantly correlated with the main pulmonary artery diameter (r=0.614, p<0.01). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that a value of 29 mm of the main pulmonary artery diameter differentiated between pulmonary hypertension and non-pulmonary hypertension patients. The sensitivity of the measurement to diagnose pulmonary hypertension was 91% and specificity was 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that main pulmonary artery diameter measurements by SCT may suggest presence of pulmonary hypertension in biomass smoke exposed women.

Assessment of liver volume with computed tomography and comparison of findings with ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis on the liver volume. As investigating hepatic steatosis, we utilized computed tomography (CT) to determine the degree of steatosis and we utilized hepatobiliary ultrasonography (USG) for densitometry and correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As hepatosteatosis group, 35 patients over 18 years of age and whose abdominal CT scans were requested by several clinics and performed routinely were included in this study, and as control group, 40 healthy subjects without hepatosteatosis (clinically and radiologically) and correlated with hepatosteatosis group in terms of age and gender were included in this study. CT densitometry and liver attenuation index (LAI) of all individuals who participated in our study were calculated, and contrast images of patients were transferred to CT-Volume Software (Siemens Syngo Multimodality Workplace; Version VE52A). In this study, interactive and automated volume measurement techniques were used together. The volumes were measured separately in patient and control group. RESULTS: In this study for each stage in USG, there was found a direct correlation in terms of LAI and volume, and this correlation was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Furthermore, statistical significance between size and USG stage draws attention (p < 0.05). A significance relationship between USG stage and age could not be determined. CONCLUSION: As a result, we have reached the conclusion that CT densitometry can be used as an assistive technique along with USG to determine the degree of steatosis in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and there is a positive linear correlation between the liver size and volume, and liver volume increases in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

A simple, safe and painless method for acute anterior glenohumeral joint dislocations: "the forward elevation maneuver".

PURPOSE: The glenohumeral joint is the most frequently dislocated joint in the body. Numerous techniques for reducing an acute anterior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint have been described. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of Janecki's forward elevation maneuver for reducing a traumatic acute anterior glenohumeral joint dislocation. METHODS: Between May 2010 and November 2011, the forward elevation maneuver was applied to 27 patients who presented to the emergency department of Yuzuncu Yil University Medical School with a traumatic anterior glenohumeral joint dislocation. For each patient, the forward elevation maneuver was used to reduce the anterior glenohumeral joint dislocation. The type of dislocation, the effectiveness of the procedure in achieving reduction, the need for premedication, the ease of performing the reduction and complications (if present) were noted. RESULTS: Janecki's forward elevation maneuver was successful for 25 patients (92.6 %) on the first attempt. Premedication was not used for 22 patients, and reduction was successful for 20 of them. The method was not successful in two cases. Twenty-three of the patients (85.2 %) experienced no pain or mild pain. Complications referred to the reduction technique were not found in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: This paper concludes that Janecki's forward elevation maneuver is a simple, safe, painless, and effective reduction method. Consequently, the forward elevation maneuver seems to be a good method for reducing anterior glenohumeral joint dislocation.

Varicella-associated purpura fulminans and multiple deep vein thromboses: a case report.

Varicella-associated purpura fulminans is a rare syndrome associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. General supportive care, heparinization, and plasma infusions are the mainstays of treatment. A patient aged 8 years and 8 months with purpura fulminans and multiple deep vein thromboses after varicella infection because of deficiencies of proteins C and S is presented in this case report.

Ultrasonic Elastography Evaluation in Optic Neuritis.

PURPOSE: In the present study, we attempted to determine whether ultrasonic elastography (USE) evaluation can be used in a diagnosis of optic neuritis (ON). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients who each had one normal eye and one eye with a diagnosis of ON were included in the study. Ultrasonography (US) and USE examinations were performed on the affected and non-affected eyes of all participants. Optic nerve and adjacent fat tissue regions at the same depth were selected, and USE measurements were obtained. The optic nerve diameter was measured in both normal and affected eyes. RESULTS: The mean USE values for the optic nerve were 2.58 ± 0.50 m/s in ON eyes and 1.91 ± 0.39 m/s in normal eyes (p = 0.001). The mean USE values for the optic-nerve adjacent tissue were 2.26 ± 0.45 m/s in ON eyes and 1.77 ± 0.22 m/s in normal eyes (p = 0.001). The mean optic-nerve diameter was 3.80 ± 1.09 mm in ON eyes and 3.28 ± 0.98 mm in normal eyes (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: USE may be considered an accessible, safe technique for the detection of significant optic-nerve tissue stiffness in ON and may be used an adjunctive tool for confirming this diagnosis.

Radiological and clinical course of pneumonia in patients with avian influenza H5N1.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated chest X-ray and clinical findings of patients with lower respiratory tract infection due to influenza H5N1 and presented the radiological findings and clinical course of the infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2005 and February 2006, eight hospitalized patients (median age 10, 5-15 years) with avian-flu were evaluated in this study. All patients were evaluated with chest X-ray and four of them with CT scan. Post mortem pathological characterization were also available for three of the patients. RESULTS: A rapidly progressive pneumonia with high mortality rate was observed especially for cases with late admission. The major radiologic abnormalities were extensive pneumonic infiltration with segmental and multifocal distribution, mostly located in lower zones of the lung. No pleural effusion and hilar lymphadenopathy was noted. CONCLUSION: Avian flu may be presented as rapidly progressive pneumonia. The chest radiography has an important role in diagnosis and should be obtained daily because of rapid change of the findings that may necessitate prompt action.

The effects of gender and age on forensic personal identification from frontal sinus in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVES: To define the dimensions of the frontal sinus in groups standardized for age and gender and to discuss the reasons and the effects of the variations. Methods: Frontal sinus measurements were obtained from paranasal CTscans of 180 males and 180 females in the Radiology Department of Dursun Odabas Medical Center of Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, which is located in Eastern Turkey, between February and March 2016. The width and height of sinuses were measured on a coronal plane, and the anteroposterior length was measured on an axial plane. Volumes were calculated using the Hospital Information Management Systems and Image Archiving and Management Systemprogram. The Statistical Package of the Social Science version 13 was used for statistical analyses.  Results: We determined differences in the frontal sinus measurements of different age groups in a Turkish adult population. Frontal sinus dimensions were usually higher in females and lower in males after 40-49 years of age than their younger counterparts, but the measurements were lower in females and higher in males in 70≤ years of age group than 60-69 years of age. Left frontal sinus was dominant in young age groups but right frontal sinus was dominant in groups 40-49 years of age or older.  Conclusion: We observed crossing of the measurements between the different age groups, which we could not find clear explanations. The results of such studies may affect forensic identification from frontal sinus measurements.

Imaging Findings for Bilateral Giant Vestibulocochlear Schwannoma.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 mostly develops with multiple neoplasms of the central and peripheral nervous system and is associated with ocular abnormalities. The presented case is a 19-year-old female patient with bilateral vestibulocochlear schwannomas in both pontocerebellar corners, intradural intra-extramedullary masses, and multiple neurofibromas in the spinal canal. The clinical picture for NF-2, also called central neurofibromatosis, is completely different from von Recklinghausen disease. Untreated bilateral vestibulocochlear schwannoma may cause hydrocephalus in NF-2, and lead to death. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully monitor and treat bilateral vestibulocochlear schwannoma in accordance with its stage.