Didem Karadibak

The relationship between risk factors for falling and the quality of life in older adults

BackgroundFalls are one of the major health problems that effect the quality of life among older adults. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between quality of life (Short Form-12) and the risk factors of falls (balance, functional mobility, proprioception, muscle strength, flexibility and fear of falling) in older adults.MethodsOne hundred sixteen people aged 65 or older and living in the T.C. Emekli Sandigi Narlidere nursing home participated in the study. Balance (Berg Balance test), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go), proprioception (joint position sense), muscle strength (back/leg dynamometer), flexibility (sit and reach) and fear of falling (Visual Analogue Scale) were assessed as risk factors for falls. The quality of life was measured by Short Form-12 (SF-12).ResultsA strong positive correlation was observed between Physical Health Component Summary of SF-12, General Health Perception and balance, muscle strength. Proprioception and flexibility did not correlated with SF-12 (p > 0.05). There was negative correlation between Physical Health Component Summary of SF-12, General Health Perception and fear of falling, functional mobility (p < 0.05).ConclusionWe concluded that the risk factors for falls (balance, functional mobility, muscle strength, fear of falling) in older adults are associated with quality of life while flexibility and proprioception are not.

Identifying factors associated with low back pain among employees working at a package producing industry

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with Low Back Pain (LBP) among employee working at a package producing industry. METHODS A sample of 111 male blue-collar workers, between the ages of 18 to 50 years old and 31 white-collar workers between the ages of 17 to 50 years old completed a questionnaire which included demographic data, educational level, participation in sports activities, activity, postural habits, smoking, work conditions lifting and bending activities during the workday strenuous arm position and questions related with low back pain (LBP). The isometric strength of back muscles were measured using a dynamometer. RESULT The prevalence of LBP during the past 12 months was 55.9% for blue-collar workers and 51.6% for white-collar workers. The chi-square and t-test analysis showed statistically significant relations between LBP and smoking, number of years spent working in the last job, lifting activities between the ages of 30-34 years old. The incorrect standing and sitting posture of the blue-collar workers and the sitting posture with bending forward on the table of the white-collar workers were significantly related with LBP (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results identified the risk factors of LBP in a package producing company. The protective approaches aiming to avoid the risk factors could decrease the low back pain prevalence that increases each year passed worked at the company.

Evaluation of kinesthetic sense and hand function in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema

[Purpose] This study evaluated the functional ability and kinesthetic sense of the hands of women with breast cancer-related lymphedema. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty-seven women experiencing lymphedema after breast surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy were included. The patients were divided into two groups: women with hand edema (HE+, n = 29) and without hand edema (HE−, n = 28) after breast cancer treatment. Arm edema severity, hand size, functional mobility and kinesthetic sense of the hand, and daily living skills were evaluated. [Results] The mean age of the patients was 55.8 years. In both groups, functional mobility, kinesthetic sense, and daily living skills decreased significantly with increasing edema severity. However, there was no significant difference between groups with respect to functional mobility or daily living skills. The kinesthetic sense of the hand was better in the HE− group than the HE+ group. There was a significant negative relationship between the severity of edema and hand function. [Conclusion] Breast cancer-related lymphedema can negatively impact women’s functional mobility and kinesthetic sense of the hands as well as daily living skills.

The effect of TENS on pain, function, depression, and analgesic consumption in the early postoperative period with spinal surgery patients.

AIM The aim of our study was to examine the effects of the use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in patients who had undergone spinal surgery on pain, functionality, depression and consumption of analgesic agents. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-Four patients were randomized and placed into two groups, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) plus TENS and only PCA. To assess the pain levels of the patients, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used. In the assessment of their functional levels, the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) was utilized and in the assessment of their depression, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used. The measurements were performed before the operation and on the first and second postoperative days. The side effects were recorded from the analgesic agents. RESULTS During the first and second days after the operation, a decrease in the pain levels was noticed in the TENS group (p 0.05). CONCLUSION TENS was effective in reducing analgesic agent-related side effects and in reducing analgesic consumption. In addition, TENS also decreased activity related pain.Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are uncommon and occur mainly in immunocompromised patients. We describe a case of central nervous system aspergilloma without any evidence of systemic or paranasal foci in a diabetic but otherwise immunocompetent 71-year-old female treated successfully with surgical resection and medical therapy with voriconazole. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after 6 months of voriconazole showed improvement and no evidence of residual or recurrent disease. Given its good CNS penetration, voriconazole along with surgical resection appears to be promising in treatment of these infections. Our case also demonstrates the importance of surgical intervention in the diagnosis and management of these atypical cases.AIM: Zygapophysial joints have been a well-recognized source of low back pain. This paper compares the efficacy of lumbar zygapophysial joints blockage and medical therapy in terms of pain relief, loss of working days and recurrence of pain in a population with mechanical low back pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 80 patients suffering from low back pain were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients in Group I were given diclofenac sodium, thiocolchicoside and were recommended bed rest. Patients in Group II received zygapophysial joints blockage by prilocaine, bupivacaine and methylprednisolone acetate. Both of the groups were evaluated with a Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire and visual analog scale for pain. RESULTS: Posttreatment VAS and ODQ scores were significantly lower than pretreatment scores. The decrease in these scores in Group II was greater than those of Group I. CONCLUSION: Blockage of the lumbar facet joints is a rapid and effective way to reduce pain originating from lumbar facet joints.AIM Synovial cysts are relatively common in the lumbar spine and very uncommon in the cervical spine. Several case reports and a few small series have been reported in the literature over the past four decades. There are two distinct cervical spine synovial cyst categories: atlantoaxial and the subaxial cervical spine. The surgical treatments are very different. MATERIAL AND METHODS We report eleven patients undergoing transoral resection and posterior fusion for histologically confirmed symptomatic atlantoaxial synovial cysts. This represents a retrospective review over 18 years. The authors analyzed the literature of patients who underwent surgical treatment for symptomatic atlantoaxial synovial cysts. RESULTS There were four male and seven female patients with a mean age of 76 years (range 54-84 years). All patients presented with cervical myelopathy. Patients were neurologically assessed pre- and postoperatively and outcome reported using the Modified Rankin Outcome score. Mean follow-up period was 22 months (range 6-120 months). Ten of the eleven patients had improvement in their postoperative assessment and one patient remained unchanged. CONCLUSION Myelopathy is the presenting symptom in the vast majority of these patients. Surgical resection and decompression of the neural structures can be an effective treatment for symptomatic atlantoaxial synovial cysts.AIM Surgery is the treatment of choice for children who had tethered cord syndrome (TCS). However, a detailed technique for the release of spinal cord is not described yet. The aims of this study are to present our series of TCS in children and to focus on the details of surgical technique. MATERIAL and METHODS Forty-nine children with tethered cord syndrome underwent surgical treatment for the release of spinal cord between 2004 and 2009. The mean age was 4.6 years (2 days-13 years). Twenty (40.8%) patients were female and 29 (59.2%) were male. Among the 49 children, 41 (83.7%) had different spinal malformations and 8 (16.3%) had no associated lesion. Sectioning of the filum terminale, cutting the arachnoid and fibrous bands, protection of the rootlets and correction of the associated malformations was the standard surgical method to release the spinal cord. RESULTS Neurological improvement was observed in 4 (8.2%) patients, while the neurological status was unchanged in the others. Cerebrospinal fluid fistula was the main complication and was observed in 3 patients. No mortality or neurological deterioration was encountered. CONCLUSION Spinal cord release with appropriate technique seems to be beneficial in maintaining neurological functioning in children with TCS.AIM Postlaminectomy epidural fibrosis is the formation of scar tissue over the dura mater following posterior spinal surgery. This devastating complication is responsible for the substantial amount of failed back syndromes. MATERIAL and METHODS Twenty male Wistar-Albino rats each weighing 350-400 grams were used. Following L3-L5 laminectomy, the rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 10 rats in each group. In the control group, only a laminectomy was performed. In the drug group, 5 mg/ml tacrolimus was topically applied with a cotton pad soaked with the drug solution for 5 minutes. The animals were killed on the 30th postoperative day injecting a lethal dose (250 mg/kg) of pentobarbital and the involved dural segments were removed for histopathological and ultrastructural evaluations. RESULTS Epidural scar thickness and the density were significantly lower in the animals treated with tacrolimus than those of the control group. CONCLUSION Promising evidence regarding the anti-scar potential of tacrolimus merits further research to optimize the dosage and the usage of the drug.AIM The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes between the initial and late cranial CT scans in patients with mild-to-moderate head trauma. MATERIAL and METHODS Of the two thousand six hundred and forty-four patients hospitalized for head trauma within a two-year period, 112 (4.24%) patients scored 8 or above in the Glasgow coma scale and there were changes between initial and late head CT. RESULTS Of these, 103 had worsening CT findings. Neurological status deteriorated in 30% of these cases. Forty-six patients required surgery based on findings seen on the delayed scans. Neurological status was stable in 50% of the cases. All the eight patients who expired had abnormal CT scans initially and had progression in their late scans. CONCLUSION In patients with mild-to-moderate head trauma, serial CT scanning may independently modify treatment decisions in a subgroup of patients. Judgment for delayed scans should be made on an individual basis by taking the risk factors into account.AIM: Anterior cervical fusion procedures are among the most commonly performed spinal operations. Investigators have reported pseudoarthrosis rates ranging from 3 to 36% following anterior cervical fusion operations. The diagnosis of pseudoarthrosis has been based on the triad of pain, radiographic evidence of instability, and loss of correction or fixation. Scintigraphic imaging may be involved in pseudoarthrosis investigation by increase of nuclear agent uptake at the operated level but today it is not used in clinical practice as a routine imaging modality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine cases operated for degenerative disc disease on single level but suffering postoperative prolonged neck pain were involved in the study. All cases underwent 99mTc-hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (HMDP) bone SPECT later than postoperative twelfth month. RESULTS: Results showed a correlation between severity of neck pain and fusion status. CONCLUSION: Increased and prolonged uptake of nuclear agent should cause a suspicion on so-called fusion, proven by radiology.Grisels syndrome designates subluxation of atlanto-axial joint unrelated to trauma or bone disease. Atlanto-axial subluxation is seen after the upper neck inflammatory processes of head and neck region. Moreover, this rare clinical entity has been observed after various otolaryngological surgical approaches including adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy and mastoidectomy. An 8-year-old girl and 14 year-old boy presented with complaints of painful torticollis. The first patient was operated on at another health center due to adenoid hypertrophy. She was referred to our clinic on the postoperative 5th day with painful torticollis. The diagnosis was established by computerized tomography and three-dimensional reconstructions. The second patient had a history of throat infection. Radiological investigation demonstrated atlantoaxial subluxation. The patients were treated with external fixation, antibiotic therapy, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory therapy. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment resulted in a good outcome in our patients. Grisels syndrome must be considered in the differential diagnosis in children with painful torticollis associated with upper respiratory tract infection and after various otolaryngological surgical procedures. We report two cases of Grisels syndrome which emphasize on the importance of early diagnosis for appropriate and successful treatment.AIM: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to an inflammatory response that generates substantial secondary damage within the tissue besides the primary damage. Ghrelin, 28 amino-acid peptide, has been shown to modulate the release of proinflammatory cytokines and exert antiinflammatory effects. The aim of the current study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ghrelin, in a rat model of SCI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided as control, SCI, and ghrelin-treated (10 μg/kg/day, ip) SCI groups. In order to induce SCI, a standard weight-drop method that induced a moderately severe injury (100 g/cm force) at T10, was used. Injured animals were given either ghrelin or saline 15 min post-injury. RESULTS: In plasma samples, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100β protein levels were evaluated. Spinal cord samples were taken for histological examination or determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and DNA fragmentation. SCI caused significant increases in plasma NSE and S-100β levels and tissue MPO activity and DNA damage. On the other hand, ghrelin treatment improved histological findings as well as biochemical parameters while it failed to improve the impairment of the neurological functions due to SCI. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that ghrelin could reduce SCI-induced oxidative stress and exert anti-inflammatory effects in the spinal cord following trauma.BACKGROUND Lhermitte-Duclos disease is typified by a hamartomatous lesion of the cerebellum. It is usually seen in females. The usual presentation is of raised intracranial pressure along with cerebellar signs. CASE REPORT We report an 18-year-old female patient who presented to us with history of headache and gait ataxia and was observed to have Lhermitte-Duclos disease with cervical cord syrinx on imaging. DISCUSSION To our knowledge this is the fifth case of Lhermitte-Duclos disease with syringomyelia in the pediatric age group. The treatment of this condition is decompression of the lesion. Malignant transformation never occurs and the prognosis is excellent.AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between ischemic neurodegeneration, of the petrosal ganglion of the glossopharyngeal nerve, and BP fluctuations, after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four rabbits had their blood pressure and heart rhythms studied daily over 20 days. Then, the histopathology of the petrosal ganglion was examined in all animals. Normal and apoptotic neuron density of the petrosal ganglion and blood pressure values were compared statistically. RESULTS: Mean total volume of the petrosal ganglia was calculated as 0.9 ± 0.34/mm3. BP level of control group was 96.1 ± 2.1 mmHg; 116.5 ± 4 mmHg of mild hypertension (HT) group and 128.1 ± 3.6mmHg in the severe HT group. When the groups were compared to each other they were significantly different. The level of normal-apoptotic neuron in control group was 11,240 ± 802/mm³ -40 ± 6.3/mm³; 9730 ± 148.7/mm³ - 1560 ± 256.2/mm³ in the mild HT group and 6870 ± 378.8/mm³-4240 ± 628.2/mm³ in the severe HT group. When the groups were compared to each other there was significantly difference. CONCLUSION: Blood pressure variability observed in this study may be explained by ischemic neurodegeneration of petrosal ganglia caused by SAH. The results of this study suggest that petrosal ganglion ischemia has potential implications for the development of hypertension. These findings suggest that new treatment strategies should be considered for the treatment of SAH.AIM Concordance of EEG findings and MRI is best correlated with favored surgical outcome in patients with unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS). If there is no evidence for unilateral focus with scalp EEG, invasive recordings are undertaken. In this report we describe the investigation process for epilepsy surgery in patients with unilateral MTS and contralateral ictal scalp EEG findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS The data of all adult patients who had undergone videoEEG recording with subdural and/or depth electrodes at our center in almost 7.5 years, were reviewed. Four patients with unilateral MTS and contralateral ictal onset on scalp EEG were included. Their invasive EEG recordings and surgical outcomes were examined. RESULTS Four patients met the inclusion criteria. Invasive recordings demonstrated ictal onset in the mesial temporal lobe ipsilateral to MRI findings. In one patient we have also proven the false lateralization of scalp EEG simultaneously during the recordings with depth electrodes. All operated cases are seizure free during follow-up. CONCLUSION Before the decision of epilepsy surgery we have to identify the semiology and ictal EEG findings in patients with unilateral MTS and concordant IEDs. Bilateral depth recordings must be considered to show the ipsilateral hippocampal epileptogenic focus.AIM To assess the efficacy of the far lateral approach, without drilling of the occipital condyle, in the management of anterior intradural tumors at the craniocervical junction. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ten patients suffering from foramen magnum tumors were operated upon via the far lateral approach without drilling of the occipital condyle. All patients underwent postoperative CT scan of the brain. An MRI and CT of the craniocervical junction were done 3 months postoperatively to assess the extent of tumor and bone removal respectively. RESULTS The far lateral approach was found adequate for complete excision in eight out of ten cases of foramen magnum tumors. In the remaining two cases, the tumors were found adherent to the brain stem so complete excision was not done. CONCLUSION The far lateral approach (without drilling of the occipital condyle) proved adequate for excision of most cases of anteriorly situated foramen magnum tumors.AIM Knowing the distance between the superior and inferior border of Parkinsons triangle and the location of the abducent nerve within the cavernous sinus is important to decrease the complications which may occur during surgery. We aimed to investigate the cavernous sinus to decrease the complications that may occur during surgery to this area. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty MRIs without pituitary gland abnormality were chosen for radiological assessment of CS. These images were from 18 males and 32 females, with ages ranging from 9 to 58 years and a median age of 28 years. We evaluated structures within and on the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus (especially Parkinsons triangle) with magnetic resonance imaging. The position of the abducent nerve and its level according to the cranial nerves running close the lateral wall were examined. RESULTS At the level of pituitary stalk, the distance between the trochlear nerve and the ophthalmic nerve ranged from 1 to 4 mm bilaterally. The abducent nerve was located between the trochlear and the ophthalmic nerves in 30% cases bilaterally. CONCLUSION The knowledge of the position of the abducent nerve will provide a great benefit in minimizing the rate of complications that may occur during the resection of tumors of the cavernous sinus.AIM Foramina transversaria (FT) are located on the transverse processes of cervical vertebrae. These foramina are known to exhibit variations with regard to size, shape and may even be absent or duplicated. The aims of this study are to investigate the shape, size and variations of FT in an ancient population and to point out the importance of double FT in the human anatomy. MATERIAL and METHODS 262 ancient skeletons, dated 6th c AD, were unearthed from the Iasos Archaeological site between 1979 and 1987. Of these skeletons, 22 cervical vertebrae belonging to 21 individual skeletons were examined for the variations of FT. RESULTS Fifteen (68.2%) of the skeletons were male and 6 were female. All of the FT were round in shape. Among the 22 cervical vertebrae, double FT was found in 5 (22.7%) vertebrae, while unilateral in 3 and bilateral in 2. Asymmetrical FT was observed only in one (4.5%) vertebra. The mean diameter of FT was 6.2 mm in the right side and 6.4 mm in the left. CONCLUSION Double FT exists since the antiquity. The recognition of this variation provides safety and effectiveness for the posterior approaches of the cervical spine.Basically Chiari type III malformation is a combination of encephalocele with of brain stem and cerebellar abnormality. Although Klippel-Feil syndrome may be associated with other congenital anomalies, this syndrome is mainly associated with varying degrees of cervical vertebral fusion anomalies. In this study, we reported the association of Chiari type III malformation and Klippel-Feil syndrome with the mirror movement by imaging studies. The main involvement in Chiari type III malformation and Klippel-Feil syndrome is in the craniocervical junction. In such a small area, the emergence of these complex pathologies in our case was remarkable. Our patient had reconstruction surgery of the posterior fossa and his encephalocele was excised successfully. Hydrocephaly and/or deterioration in the functions of other posterior fossa structures have not been seen in the patients follow-up.AIM To evaluate the long-term outcomes for the surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis with anterior radical debridement and reconstruction with titanium mesh cages (TMCs). MATERIAL AND METHODS 69 patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis were retrospectively analyzed. Outcomes data included VAS back pain, subjective clinical results, and radiographic data. RESULTS All patients had resolution of their infections, obtained solid bony fusions without failure of fixation, experienced improvement of neurological function, and improved in their VAS back pain scores at final long-term follow-up. In the thoracic spine group, 92.3% of patients had good or excellent subjective clinical results. The loss of kyphotic angle correction and intervertebral height was 9.6% and 3.8%, respectively. In the thoracolumbar spine group, 93.3% of patients had good or excellent subjective clinical results. The loss of kyphotic angle correction and intervertebral height was 12.8% and 4.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION Anterior radical debridement and reconstruction using TMCs for the treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis is an acceptable treatment option. Solid bony fusion, good clinical outcomes as well as improvement of neurological function can be achieved although TMCs subsidence can occur.AIM: Chronic subdural hematoma is a frequently encountered entity in neurosurgery in particular in elderly patients. There in a high variance in the treatment in literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report our experience of percutaneous evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma in 28 patients. RESULTS: From January 2007 to July 2009, 28 patients underwent percutaneous evacuation. 27 of the 28 patients (96.4%) became asymptomatic or improved clinically. Six weeks later, the scan showed the hematoma had completely disappeared in 18 of the cases. We did not have any postoperative infection. CONCLUSION: Treatment of chronic subdural hematoma using a percutaneous operative technique is a minimally invasive method with sufficient outcome and a therapeutic alternative to the craniotomy.The fifth lumbar vertebra has massive transverse processes that are continuous with the pedicle and encroach the body of the vertebra. These processes are mainly meant for the attachment of the iliolumbar ligament. With increasing age, the iliolumbar ligament can undergo secondary degenerative changes such as calcification, hyalinization, and myxoid degeneration. The authors present the incidental discovery of extremely elongated transverse processes of the fifth lumbar vertebra in a 45-year-old woman who underwent surgery for an intervertebral disc herniation. We also propose a possible pathogenesis to explain this rare condition and conclude that this unusual variant may be caused by calcification of the iliolumbar ligament rather than a congenital anomaly.AIM To confirm and compare the therapeutic efficacies and adverse effects of Chinese botulinum toxin type A (CBTX-A, Lanzhou Biological Products Institute, China) and current Botox (Allergan Inc., CA, USA) in the treatment of blepharospasm (BS) and hemifacial spasm (HFS). MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed an open, prospective, comparative trial comparing CBTX-A and Botox for the treatment of BS and HFS in 273 patients since 2006. 107 patients were treated with current Botox and 166 with CBTX-A, with the age, disease durations and severity of spasm matched. The patients enrolled were followed up for 6 months. RESULTS There were no significant differences in the clinical effects of the two preparations, including the onset of response, peaked effect time and duration of effects (p > 0.05). The Cohen scores showed a significant reduction after BTX-A injections. Considerable improvement of symptoms for the BS and HFS patients was observed 7 days, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks after the injection with either current Botox or CBTX-A (p 0.05). No statistical differences were noted in adverse reactions between them (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The two preparations were both simple and effective for the patients with blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.Subtentorial subdural empyema is a rare form of intracranial suppuration. We present two cases treated at our department within the last 11 years. The common source was an ear infection. Both patients presented with headache, fever, vomiting and stiff neck. Only one patient had disturbed consciousness. Both patients received aggressive antibiotic therapy. The first patient was treated with suboccipital craniectomy and evacuation of pus collection, while the second patient was treated conservatively with antibiotics and ventriculoperitoneal shunt for his associated supratentorial hydrocephalus. Both blood cultures and empyema collection were sterile. Neuroimaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging permitted accurate diagnosis and localization of the purulent collections. At follow up of 11 years for the first case and 10 months for the second, both patients had complete neurological recovery except for right mild sixth nerve palsy in the patient with conservative treatment.AIM: Surgical removal of spinal meningiomas is usually not difficult. In neurosurgical practice, their locations and growing patterns may affect surgical results. Ventrally located and en plaque meningiomas may not be removed totally. The aim of this study was to present the results of surgery in cases with spinal meningiomas, and reveal the factors affecting outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 46 cases operated between January 1995 and December 2009 in single clinic. There were 33 female and 13 male patients. The mean age was 52. All patients underwent microsurgical resection using posterior approach. RESULTS: Total resection was obtained in 38 patients (82%). Twenty-eight (61%) patients experienced clinical improvement after surgery. The tumor was completely dorsal to the spinal cord in 30 cases, dorsolateral in nine and ventral to the spinal cord in seven cases. We experienced eight recurrences (17%). Recurrences were seen most commonly seen in ventrally located tumors (62%). CONCLUSION: Complete resection of spinal meningiomas seems to produce a good clinical outcome. Recently, advances in microneurosurgery and neuroimaging techniques have resulted in decreases in morbidity and recurrence rates in spinal meningiomas.AIM: Histopathological diagnosis is always necessary to make an effective treatment plan for intracranial mass lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy, and associated mortality and morbidity of CT-guided stereotactic biopsy procedures in a large number of patients with intracranial lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 290 cases undergoing CT-guided stereotactic biopsy for intracranial lesions were included in this retrospective study. Clinical, radiological and histological data in patient records were examined. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 46.6 years (range: 2-82 y). Pediatric patients comprised 6.3% (n=13) of the total population. Examination of paraffin embedded histological preparations revealed a tumoral mass in 240 (82.8%), a non-tumoral mass in 37 (12.8%), and non-definable lesions in 13 (4.5%). Therefore, the diagnostic value in this series was 95.5%. Postoperative mortality rate was 0.8% (n=2). When histopathological diagnoses made after biopsy and surgical resection were compared in 42 patients with available data, a complete or partial agreement was present in 90.5%. CONCLUSION: Our findings support that frame based-stereotactic biopsy is a safe and valuable technique that allows the neurosurgeon to obtain tissue samples for histopathological diagnosis of intracranial mass lesions in almost any region.: Intaosseous meningiomas (IM) are the one of the less frequent benign tumors of the skull. The etiology of IM has not been cleared yet. The frontoparietal and orbital regions are the most common locations for IM. The average age for IM diagnosis is 50.5. A 16-year-old girl with a right frontoparietal mass was referred to our outpatient clinic. Cranial CT revealed a mass lesion which resulted in expansion in the right parietal and posterior frontal bone, having lytic and sclerotic regions inside with accompanying irregular cortex in inner and outer tables of the calvarium. Prediagnosis was osteosarcoma according to the imaging studies and after the performed biopsy and consecutive surgery, the lesion was diagnosed as IM. Though CT with bone windows is often useful, it is not always diagnostic. Biopsy plays an important role in calvarial vault lesions for planning the treatment. In our case, malignant criteria in radiology did not match the benign histology revealed. Radiological preoperative misdiagnosis of meningioma is possible.The involvement of spinal column in cyst hydatid disease is rare and hard to treat. The gold standard treatment is total removal of the cysts without rupture. However, recurrence after surgery is almost inevitable and reoperations carries technical difficulties and higher morbidity. We present a 69-year-old woman with two cystic masses at the T12 level, which compress the spinal cord causing severe paresis in her left leg. Under local anestesia, the cysts were aspirated and irrigated with 20% hypertonic saline solution via bilateral T12 transpedicular route. We aimed to report that percutaneous CT guided treatment should be considered as an alternative therapeutic option in case of recurrent spinal cyst hydatid.Calvarial cavernous hemangiomas (CHs) comprise 0.2% of benign neoplasms of the skull and frequently occur in the second and fourth decades. Their occurrence in infancy is extremely rare and they can initially be misdiagnosed as cephal hematoma or caput succadeneum that can occur due to the birth trauma, but trauma is not a predisposing factor. CT scan is more helpful than other neuro-imaging studies and untreated CHs of the skull may show progression. Only two cases of congenital primary CH of the skull without intracranial invasion have been reported in the literature. Herewith we reported a 4-month-old infant operated on due to a CH of the parietal bone and discussed the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.AIM Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are congenital lesions which rarely recur after complete microsurgical excision. MATERIAL AND METHODS This case report presents a 35-year-old woman who had been referred with a hemorrhagic AVM five years ago. This patient has recently undergone microsurgical excision for her left parieto-occipital Grade II AVM and surgical clipping of the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm which was concomitantly detected. She is the oldest case reported whose AVM recurred as Grade III, which is bigger than her first AVM associated with an aneurysm. CONCLUSION Although some authors do not propose routine additional follow-up in adults after the initial negative postoperative angiogram, we believe that such patients should be followed clinically and radiologically.AIM Genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) provide a model of absence epilepsy. Although excessive GABA mediation within the thalamo-cortico-thalamic circuit has been shown to play a role in absence epilepsy, neuronal networks of hippocampus have recently received attention. Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) was previously shown to be increased after convulsive seizures in the mossy fiber terminals (MFTs) of hippocampus. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the change in the level of this enzyme in convulsive seizures is also observed in rats having genetic absence epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Hippocampal CA3 and dentate regions were processed for transmission electron microscopic evaluations. Thin sections were incubated with anti-GAD65/67 antibody. The NIH Image Analysis program was used for the quantitative analysis. RESULTS It was observed that GAD65/67 immunoreactivity was positive in CA3 and dentate gyrus MFTs of both groups and the difference in the density of immunolabeling between the groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated that GABA synthesizing enzyme, GAD, is found in MFTs of Wistar and GAERS hippocampus and this enzyme does not show an increase in these terminals in absence epilepsy, in contrast to convulsive seizures.AIM We examined whether vasospasm of choroidal arteries (ChAs) may be resulted in ischemic injury in choroid plexus (CP) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). MATERIAL AND METHODS This study has been conducted on 30 rabbits. Eight, fourteen and eight of them were used as control, SAH and SHAM groups, respectively. The volumes of choroidal arteries were examined and measured by using the micrometric microscope barr. Ischemic morphological changes of the choroid plexus cells and villus were examined as follows: cellular shrinkage (1 point), cytoplasmic condensation (2 points), angulation (3 points) and villus desquamation (4 points) were considered as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th degree downward choroid plexus degeneration criteria. Degeneration scores of 1 to 4 criteria were calculated by summing the exacerbated ones with the existing one. RESULTS Choroidal artery diameter&volume, and CP degeneration scores in three groups were evaluated: The mean volumes were 1.080 ± 0.650 mm³, 0.907 ± 0.330 mm³, 0.480 ± 0.175 mm³ and the degeneration scores of choroidal plexuses were scored as 0 and 1- 1, and 4- 3 and 10 in the control, SHAM and SAH groups respectively. A significant correlation between the degree of vasospasm and CP degeneration was found. CONCLUSION Vasospasm of choroidal arteries may be at a serious degree in cases with SAH incurs damages on choroid plexuses, and affects structures which play important roles in immune, endocrine, detoxifying, thermoregulatory, and secretory functions of the brain resulting in worsened prognosis.AIM: Nitrogen Mustard (NM) is an alkylating agent that damages cellular nuclear DNA after penetrating tissue. This results in cytostatic, mutagenic and cytotoxic effects. We used biochemical analyses to investigate the effect of NM gas administered through the dermal and respiratory routes, on the brain cortex of rats and also tried to show whether the antioxidant Proanthocyanidin (PC) could decrease this effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 30 rats were randomized into three groups: Group I: Control group, Group II: NM group, and Group III: NM + PC group. The rats were sacrificed 3 days after NM gas exposure. A segment of the cortical tissue was prepared for biochemical analyses. RESULTS: Biochemical analyses of cortical neural tissue regarding the Enzymatic Antioxidant Defense against NM were performed. The results of these analyses implied that PC was effective for healing of cortical neural tissue. CONCLUSION: These findings imply that structural changes induced by mustard gas can be prevented and restored by proanthocyanidin treatment.AIM: There is no clear knowlegde in the literature about two-level vertebral corpectomy using the iliac bone crest for fusion and rigid plate fixation. We present our experience with two-vertebral level cervical corpectomy and reconstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Each patient was graded according to the Nuricks Grade (1972) and the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) Scale (1991), and the recovery rates were calculated. All patients had two-level vertabral corpectomy. Anterior iliac crest bone graft with titanium plate fixation was applied to all patients. RESULTS: Postoperatively the mJOA score raised up to 15.5. Mean recovery rate was 69%. Average 25.2 degrees correction of kyphosis was achieved in 21 patients. Among the postoperative complications, three cases (12%) had temporary C5 nerve palsy that was resolved in three weeks, two cases had (8 %) graft malposition and infection, and three cases (%12) had temporary donor site pain. CONCLUSION: Excellent fusion rates can be achieved following two-level corpectomy with iliac bone graft repacement. This techique is easy, cost effective and safe. If the bone graft is harvested from the iliac crest by standart approach and between anatomical landmarks, most patients do not experience persistent pain at the donor site.

Haemodynamic effects of physiotherapy programme in intensive care unit after liver transplantation.

Objective. To determine the haemodynamic effects of intensive care physiotherapy after liver transplantation. Patients and methods. Thirteen patients were included in the study after liver transplantation. The following physiotherapy programme were applied to the patients in intensive care unit: Respiratory physiotherapy, active joint movements, sitting in bed (first task), sitting at the edge of bed (second task), standing (third task), sitting out of bed (fourth task) and walking (fifth task). Heart rate (HR), mean, systolic and diastolic blood pressures (MBP, SBP, DBP), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiration rate (RR) were recorded before treatment, after each task, after treatment and at the fifth minute of recovery. Pain level was assessed with Visual Analogue Scale (0–10). Results. When compared with supine position before treatment, all of the parameters except RR increased after the first task whereas HR, SBP, MBP and pain increased after the second task. After the third task only HR and pain increased. There was no significant difference between the fourth task and pre-treatment values while HR, DBP and pain increased after the fifth task. When measurements of pre-treatment, immediately after treatment and the fifth minute of recovery were compared HR, MBP and pain increased after treatment whereas HR, RR and pain decreased after recovery. There was no significant difference between pre-treatment values and fifth minute of recovery measurements. Conclusion. Returning to initial values after a 5-min period shows that cardiopulmonary changes caused by intensive care physiotherapy after liver transplantation are responded at physiological limits.

Design of TENS electrodes using conductive yarn

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop textile-based transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) electrodes using conductive yarn to bring a solution to uncomfortable feelings and hygiene problems of conventional conductive hydrogel electrodes. It proposes washing process, resistance measurements and subjective tests to evaluate the performance of the developed textile-based electrode. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, six different textile electrode pairs were designed and produced with different patterns. Designed electrodes were washed for ten times. In order to evaluate the effect of pattern differences and washing process on electrode performances, two different tests were realized before and after washing. The first of these tests is resistance measurement with a multimeter, and the second one is subjective test carried out on subjects. Findings – The results obtained from resistance measurements indicated that the pattern differences cause resistance values of electrode...

Effects of Clinical Pilates Exercises on Patients Developing Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of clinical Pilates exercises with those of the standard lymphedema exercises on lymphedema developing after breast cancer treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study comprised 60 female patients with a mean age of 53.2±7.7 years who developed lymphedema after having breast cancer treatment. The patients were randomized into two groups: the clinical Pilates exercise group (n=30), and the control group (n=30). Before, and at the 8th week of treatment, the following parameters were measured: the severity of lymphedema, limb circumferences, body image using the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale, quality of life with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-BR23), and upper extremity function using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) outcome measure. Both groups performed one-hour exercises three days a week for 8 weeks. RESULTS After treatment, the symptoms recovered significantly in both groups. Reductions in the severity of lymphedema, improvements in the social appearance anxiety scale scores, quality of life scores, and upper extremity functions scores in the clinical Pilates exercise group were greater than those in the control group. Clinical Pilates exercises were determined to be more effective on the symptoms of patients with lymphedema than were standard lymphedema exercises. CONCLUSIONS Clinical Pilates exercises could be considered a safe model and would contribute to treatment programs.

Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia for Heart Turkish Version Study: cross-cultural adaptation, exploratory factor analysis, and reliability.

Purpose Individuals with cardiac problems avoid physical activity and exercise because they expect to feel shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain. Assessing kinesiophobia related to heart problems is important in terms of cardiac rehabilitation. The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia Swedish Version for the Heart (TSK-SV Heart) is reliable and has been validated for cardiac diseases in the Swedish population. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability, parallel-form validity, and exploratory factor analysis of the TSK for the Heart Turkish Version (TSK Heart Turkish Version) for evaluating kinesiophobia in patients with heart failure and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Methods This cross-sectional study involved translation, back translation, and cross-cultural adaptation (localization). Forty-three pulmonary arterial hypertension and 32 heart failure patients were evaluated using the TSK Heart Turkish Version. The 17-item scale, originally composed for the Swedish population, has four factors: perceived danger for heart problem, avoidance of exercise, fear of injury, and dysfunctional self. Cronbach’s alpha (internal consistency) and exploratory factor analysis were used to assess the questionnaire’s reliability. Results of the patients in the 6-minute walk test, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Nottingham Health Profile were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation analysis with the TSK Heart Turkish Version to indicate the convergent validity. Results Cronbach’s alpha for the TSK Heart Turkish Version was 0.75, indicating acceptable internal consistency. Although exploratory factor analysis showed a different subgroup distribution than the original questionnaire, the model was acceptable for the four-factor model hypothesis. Therefore, the questionnaire was rated as reliable. Conclusion These results supported the reliability of the TSK Heart Turkish Version. Since the acceptable four-factor model fits the subgroups and measures of reliability are sufficiently high, the questionnaire seems reliable for pulmonary arterial hypertension and heart failure patients.

Unilateral upper extremity lymphedema deteriorates the postural stability in breast cancer survivors

Aim of the study There is little known about any change in postural balance caused by asymmetrical volume increase due to unilateral upper extremity lymphedema in patients who underwent breast surgery. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a change in postural balance by measuring postural sway velocity (PSV), center of gravity (CoG) displacement and directional control (DCL) in patients with unilateral upper extremity lymphedema in breast cancer survivors. Material and methods Eighteen females 38–60 (M = 53) years old diagnosed with upper extremity lymphedema due to breast cancer surgery, and 18 healthy females with similar ages (M = 52.5) were assessed using the Balance Master system (Neuro Com, Clackamas, USA). Unilateral stance (US) and bilateral stance (BS) tests in eyes open and closed conditions and the limit of stability (LOS) test were applied to quantify postural sway velocity (PSV), CoG displacement, and directional control (DCL). Results The lymphedema group showed a significant increase in PSV in the US test on the ipsilateral leg with eyes open (p = 0.02) and eyes closed (p = 0.005) as well as on the contralateral leg with eyes open (p = 0.004) and eyes closed (p = 0.0001). Average displacement and position of the CoG were 25% of LOS (p = 0.0001) towards the lymphedema side and 60.6 degrees respectively. DCL in the lymphedema group was significantly lower in forward (p = 0.0001), back (p = 0.003), ipsilateral (p = 0.002), and contralateral (p = 0.03) directions. Conclusions These findings suggest that unilateral upper extremity lymphedema may have challenging effects on postural balance.

Effect of Bandage Compliance on Upper Extremity Volume in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

BACKGROUND Complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) is an effective treatment for patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Bandaging is an important component of CDP. Although the literature suggests that bandages must be kept on for about 24 hours, some patients cannot tolerate keeping them on for this length of time. Also, it has been observed that limb volume decreased in patients who did not keep bandages on for 24 hours in clinical trials. But there is no evidence that this reduction in time is statistically significant. Our purpose was to compare the effectiveness of bandage compliance for a longer or a shorter period on limb volume in patients with BCRL. METHODS AND RESULTS We retroprospectively reviewed the medical records of 39 patients who received CDP. Twenty-eight eligible patients were divided into two groups, group 1 (n = 18) and group 2 (n = 10), according to the average number of hours of bandage compliance, which was 13-24 and 7-12 hours, respectively. The primary outcome was the change in limb volume between groups. The values for the limb volumes showed a statistically significant decrease in both groups. There was no significant difference in volume reduction between the groups. CONCLUSION This study shows that keeping bandages on for between about 12 and 24 hours has the same effect on patients with BCRL as receiving CDP.