Ali Murat Kalender

The diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in soft tissue abscesses.

PURPOSE To study the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in soft tissue abscesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty patients were included in this study who were thought to have soft tissue abscess or cystic lesion as a result of clinical and radiological examinations. Localisations of the lesions were: 1 periorbital, 3 breast, 14 intraabdominal, and 32 intramuscular lesions. After other radiological examinations, DWI was performed. The signal intensity values of the lesions were evaluated qualitatively according to the hyperintensity on b-1000 DWI, using 1.5 T MR system. All of the lesions were aspirated after DWI, and detection of pus in the aspiration material was accepted as gold standard for the diagnosis of abscess. RESULTS In 38 of the 50 patients, hyperintensity was obtained on diffusion-weighted images. False-positive results were maintained in 2 of these patients, and true-positive results were maintained in 36 of them. In 11 of the 50 patients, hypointensity was visualised on diffusion-weighted images. False-negative results were maintained in 3 of these patients, and true-negative results were maintained in 8 of them. An abscess which was seen on post-contrast conventional MRI could not be seen on DWI, and this was regarded as false-negative. CONCLUSION The sensitivity and specificity of diffusion-weighted images for detecting soft tissue abscesses were found to be 92% and 80%, respectively. DWI has a high diagnostic value in soft tissue abscesses, and is an important imaging modality that may be used for the differentiation of cysts and abscesses.

Mini-open technique for the achilles tenotomy in correction of idiopathic clubfoot: a report of 25 cases.

Achilles tenotomy is performed for the residual equinus deformity in the Ponseti method of clubfoot treatment. In the present article, we describe a mini-open Achilles tenotomy technique to prevent complications that could occur during tenotomy. This technique was performed on 15 patients (25 feet) during a 3-year period in our clinic on patients whose equinus deformities could not have been corrected by manipulations. Clear improvement (mean angle, 30 degrees ) was observed in equinus in our patients, and we have not seen any complication in this method. We conclude that direct visualizing of the tendon with mini-open incision may reduce the risk of neurovascular injury, especially for surgeons who are not experienced.

Sonographic Evaluation of Subclinical Entheseal Involvement in Patients With Behçet Disease

OBJECTIVE The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of subclinical entheseal involvement in patients with Behçet disease via ultrasound using a newly developed method, the Madrid sonography enthesitis index. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study was conducted with 36 patients with Behçet disease and 46 healthy sex- and age-matched control subjects. All patients with Behçet disease who had no clinical evidence of arthritis or enthesitis underwent an ultrasound examination. All sonographic findings were identified according to the Madrid sonography enthesitis index. Madrid sonography enthesitis index values of patients and control subjects were compared by Student t test and Mann-Whitney U test. Validity was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS Total enthesitis score was 12.16 ± 6.16 among patients with Behçet disease and 2.06 ± 2.18 among healthy control subjects (p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve established an ultrasound score greater than 4.5 in the Behçet disease group as the best cut-off point differentiating case subjects from control subjects. This cutoff was exceeded by 88.8% of the patients with Behçet disease. When the Madrid sonography enthesitis index score in each affected enthesis was evaluated, patients with Behçet disease had significantly higher scores than did control subjects when all entheseal sites were compared (all p values < 0.05). CONCLUSION This is the first study to our knowledge to show significant subclinical enthesopathy of the triceps tendon enthesis in patients with Behçet disease who had no arthritic involvement. These data suggest that the Madrid sonography enthesitis index scoring system for sonographic detection of enthesopathy should be incorporated into the clinical protocol for evaluating patients with Behçet disease in routine clinical practice.

Frequency of peripheral arterial disease and venous insufficiency in toenail onychomycosis

Onychomycosis in toenails is a common fungal infection and vascular abnormalities of lower extremities have been thought as one of the predisposing conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate predisposition effect of venous insufficiency and peripheral arterial disease on toenail onychomycosis. Thirty‐three patients with bilateral onychomycosis in toenails and 37 control subjects, who had healthy nails, were enrolled in the study. Veins and arteries of lower extremities were examined with Doppler ultrasound in terms of venous insufficiency or peripheral arterial disease. Patients with onychomycosis presented more frequent venous insufficiency than the control group (42.4% and 10.8%, respectively; P = 0.003). Although all patients had bilateral onychomycosis, reflux was bilateral in six out of 14 patients with onychomycosis (42.8%). No significant difference in frequency of peripheral arterial disease was found in patients, compared to healthy controls. Our study demonstrated a significant relationship between onychomycosis and venous insufficiency, but not with peripheral arterial disease. Also, we point out discordance with bilateral onychomycosis and unilateral venous insufficiency.

Effect of Zofenopril on regeneration of sciatic nerve crush injury in a rat model

Background Zofenopril is an antioxidant agent which has been shown to have beneficial effects in hypertension and heart failure. The aim of this study was to test the effects of Zofenopril on nerve regeneration and scarring in a rat model of peripheral nerve crush injury. Methods Twenty-one adult Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a surgical procedure involving right sciatic nerve crush injury. 15 mg/kg Zofenopril was administered orally to seven rats in group Z for seven days. Seven rats in group S received saline orally for seven days. Seven rats in the control group C received no drug after crush injury. Fourteenth and 42nd days after injury, functional and electromyography assessments of nerves were performed. Functional recovery was analyzed using a walking track assessment, and quantified using the sciatic functional index (SFI). After these evaluations, all rats were sacrificed and microscopic evaluations were performed. Results The Sciatic functional Index (SFI) in group Z on 14th day is different significantly from group S and group C (p = 0.037). But on 42nd day there was no difference between groups (p = 0.278). The statistical analyses of electromyelographic (EMG) studies showed that the latency in group Z is significantly different from group S (p = 0.006) and group C (p = 0.045). But on 42nd day there was no difference between groups like SFI (p = 0.147). The amplitude was evaluated better in group Z than others (p < 0.05). In microscopic evaluation, we observed the highest number of nerve regeneration in the group Z and the lowest in the group C. But it was not significant statistically. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that Zofenopril promotes the regeneration of peripheral nerve injuries in rat models.

The histopathological investigation of the effect on regional and systemic tissues of the application of Medicinal Plant Extract Ankaferd Blood Stopper in deep tissue injuries in Rats

BACKGROUND This study was planned to evaluate both the histopathological changes under light microscope as well as the systemic organ effects following application of Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (ABS) (a mixture of five plant extracts) in an animal model of deep tissue hemorrhage. METHODS A total of 50 Wistar Albino rats were divided into five groups of 10 rats each. The rats underwent femoral vein puncture and were treated with ABS tampon, ABS spray, or Surgicel, and one group was left untreated. After two weeks, each group underwent partial tissue excision from the same femoral region as well as from the brain, heart, kidney, and liver. RESULTS The specimens from all groups were obtained from the femoral region after two weeks and evaluated under light microscope. The light microscope revealed no histopathological changes in neurovascular structures or in deep connective tissues in any of the groups. CONCLUSION ABS provided hemostasis and was observed to stop bleeding. There were no histopathological changes at the tissue level and no pathological effects in other organs tissues under light microscope, and the remote organ tissue remained clear.

Mitchell’s Osteotomy With Mini-Plate and Screw Fixation for Hallux Valgus

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of mini-plate and screw fixation to stabilize the first metatarsal osteotomy in patients undergoing Mitchell bunionectomy, with the outcomes of interest being radiological alignment and the time to bony union. Methods: We used mini-plates and screws in 43 feet of 25 patients to avoid cast immobilization and prevent osteotomy displacement. The mean age at operation was 45.4 ± 13.4 years (range, 17.0-65.0 years). The mean follow-up was 16.9 ± 3.6 months (range, 12.0-30.0 months). The hallux valgus angles, intermetatarsal angles, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot scores were evaluated preoperatively and at postoperative month 12. Results: The mean preoperative value for the hallux valgus angle was 35.9 ± 4.4 degrees (range, 26.0-45.0 degrees) and for the intermetatarsal angle was 12.1 ± 1.4 degrees (range, 10.0-15.0 degrees). The mean postoperative value for the hallux valgus angle was 16.0 ± 2.12 degrees (range, 12.0-20.0 degrees) and for the intermetatarsal angle was 7.7 ± 1.2 degrees (range, 5.0-10.0 degrees). The mean AOFAS score was 50.5 ± 12.8 points (range, 30.1-76.0 points) preoperatively and 75.9 ± 11.3 points (range, 43.3-92.3 points) at postoperative month 12. Improvement of range of motion of the metatarsophalangeal joint, pain relief, and satisfactory alignment of the first ray were achieved in 41 feet (95.3%). Conclusions: We recommend this fixation for Mitchell’s bunionectomy because it provided stable fixation without the need for casting. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Comparison of anti-edema effects of iloprost and diclofenac sodium on traumatic rat paw edema

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare the anti-edema effects of a stable prostacyclin analogue, iloprost, with parenteral and local forms of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac sodium, on traumatic soft tissue edema. METHODS Thirty-two adult male rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups. Traumatic edema in one paw of each rat was produced by established protocol. Different drugs were then administered to each group: intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline (group 1, control group), topical diclofenac gel (group 2), i.p. diclofenac sodium (group 3), and i.p. iloprost (group 4). The volume of the paws was measured at baseline (before trauma) and at 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after trauma. The anti-edema effects of these 3 drugs (diclofenac gel, diclofenac sodium i.p., iloprost i.p.) were compared to each other and to the control group. RESULTS The greatest increase in paw edema in the first, second and fourth hours was seen in the control and iloprost groups. At the 4-hour measurement, edema levels were all equal except control group. Following 4- and 8-hour measurements, edema began to decrease in all groups. After 8 and 24 hours, the fastest decrease in edema was in iloprost group, with complete resolution of edema by 72 hours. The next fastest decrease in paw volume was seen with i.p. diclofenac sodium, followed by diclofenac gel. CONCLUSION Iloprost has experimentally higher anti-edema effect than diclofenac sodium for the conservative treatment of the traumatic soft tissue edema.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy and Skin Graft in Madura Foot Treatment

Madura foot is a rare, loca, chronic granulomatous skin infection which commonly affects the adult male foot. Medical treatment reduces the size of the lesion but surgical excision is necessary for radical treatment. We present a case of a 59 year old male farmer diagnosed as actinomadura of the right foot treated with medical treatment, total excision, negative pressure wound therapy and split thickness skin graft.

Percutaneous surgery using Admix NoKorTM Non-Coring 16 G needle in cases with trigger finger

In this study mid- and long-term outcomes of the cases with trigger finger we treated using Admix NoKorTM have been presented. Percutaneous release procedures were applied for 24 fingers of 22 (19 female, 3 male patients; mean age, 57; range, 39-72) patients between May 2009 and May 2011. Preoperatively US was performed so as to confirm the presence of trigger finger. Diameters of the tendons of the affected and intact hands measured using US, were compared so as to be able to demonstrate thickening of the tendon of the trigger finger. The patients were monitored for an average period of 25.2 (range, 14-36) months. During surgery, clinically loss of the catching sensation was observed. In two patients percutaneous trigger finger release failed, so we have to proceed with open surgery. During open surgery, we observed longitudinal wounds on the tendon. One patient developed unilateral radial digital nerve damage. Percutaneous release of the trigger finger using Admix NoKorTM 16-G gauge needle can be preferred in the treatment of trigger finger. Trigger finger of the first digit requires more attentive approach and one should be aware of the complications. If required open surgery can be preferred.