Mehmet Sabri Balik

Neglected knowledge: Asymmetric features of lumbar disc disease

Background: Lumbar disc herniations have been extensively studied in the literature. Asymmetric trunk muscle anatomy could affect the development of this entity which has never been quantitatively studied previously. The purpose of this manuscript was to analyze the operated sides of herniated lumbar disc. Materials and Methods: Data files of patients with lumbar disc herniation operated in authors hospital between January 2007 and March 2009 were analyzed. Results: In operated side analysis, discectomy side was 53% on the left side, 40% on the right side, the difference between two sides was statistically significant. Conclusion: The asymmetric distribution may be a significant factor in the development and surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniations.

Inequality in leg length is important for the understanding of the pathophysiology of lumbar disc herniation

Objective: Inequality in leg length may lead to to abnormal transmission of load across the endplates and degeneration lumbar spine and the disc space. There has been no study focusing on lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and leg length discrepancy. This subject was investigated in this study. Materials and Methods: Consecutive adult patients with leg length discrepancy and low back pain (LBP) admitted to our department were respectivelly studied. Results: A total number of 39 subjects (31 women and eight men) with leg length discrepancy and LBP and 43 (25 females and 18 males) patients with LBP as a control group were tested. Occurrence of disc herniation is statistically different between patients with hip dysplasia and control groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed a statistically significant association between leg length discrepancy and occurrence of LDH. The changes of spine anatomy with leg length discrepancy in hip dysplastic patients are of importance in understanding the nature of LDH.

Restoration of Anterior Vertebral Height by Short-Segment Pedicle Screw Fixation with Screwing of Fractured Vertebra for the Treatment of Unstable Thoracolumbar Fractures

BACKGROUND The treatment of unstable thoracolumbar fractures remains controversial. Long-segment pedicle screw constructs may be stiffer and impart greater forces on adjacent segments compared with short-segment constructs. Short-segment pedicle screw fixation alone may be associated with instrumentation failure. Reinforcement fractured vertebra by the placement of an additional 2 screws at fracture level may be useful in thoracolumbar fractures for restoration of anterior vertebral height. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 35 patients (21 males, 14 females) with unstable thoracolumbar fractures. The patients were divided into 2 groups. In group I, patients were operated with posterior approach via the use of pedicle screws fixed long (2 levels above and 1 or 2 levels below of the fractured vertebra). In group II patients, short-segment stabilization with additional screwing at fracture level was made. Immediate postoperative radiologic evaluations were done by measuring the correction and maintenance of kyphotic angle at the fracture level, Cobb angle, and height of fractured vertebra. RESULTS Average local kyphosis angle, anterior kyphotic angle at the fracture level, and Cobb angle were not statistically significantly different in the postoperative period (P > 0.05); however, postoperative anterior height of fractured vertebra was statistically significantly different between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We compared a standard long-segment construct with a short-segment construct using instrumentation of the fractured segment. Short-segment pedicle screw fixation with screwing of fractured vertebra in unstable thoracolumbar fracture levels is an effective method to restoring anterior vertebral height for the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar fractures. It also provides anterior column support.

Increased pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is associated with cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of our study was to determine whether carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) and carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cf‐PWV), as surrogates of cardiovascular disease and arterial stiffness, are increased in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods: Forty patients with CTS and 40 gender‐ and age‐matched controls underwent cf‐PWV assessment, CIMT measurement, and nerve conduction study. Results: CIMT and cf‐PWV were increased significantly in patients with CTS. They correlated positively with median sensory and motor nerve distal latency. Whereas both CIMT and PWV related to CTS, only CIMT independently predicted CTS. Conclusions: There is both increased pulse wave velocity and CIMT and a positive correlation between these parameters and median nerve sensory distal latency in patients with CTS. CTS appears to be associated with arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic burden, but the underlying mechanisms require further study. Muscle Nerve 47: 872–877, 2013

The effect of prenatal exposure to 1800 MHz electromagnetic field on calcineurin and bone development in rats

PURPOSE To investigated the effects of exposure to an 1800 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) on bone development during the prenatal period in rats. METHODS Pregnant rats in the experimental group were exposed to radiation for six, 12, and 24 hours daily for 20 days. No radiation was given to the pregnant rats in the control group. We distributed the newborn rats into four groups according to prenatal EMF exposure as follows: Group 1 was not exposed to EMF; groups 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to EMF for six, 12, and 24 hours a day, respectively. The rats were evaluated at the end of the 60th day following birth. RESULTS Increasing the duration of EMF exposure during the prenatal period resulted in a significant reduction of resting cartilage levels and a significant increase in the number of apoptotic chondrocytes and myocytes. There was also a reduction in calcineurin activities in both bone and muscle tissues. We observed that the development of the femur, tibia, and ulna were negatively affected, especially with a daily EMF exposure of 24 hours. CONCLUSION Bone and muscle tissue development was negatively affected due to prenatal exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field.

Giant Cell Tumour of the Tendon Sheath: Analysis of 35 Cases and their Ki-67 Proliferation Indexes.

INTRODUCTION A giant cell Tumour of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a slow-growing benign Tumour originating from the synovial cells of the tendon sheath. It is the second most common Tumour of the hand. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective clinicopathological evaluation of GCTTS cases and determine whether the proliferative activity of giant cell tumour of tendon sheath is related to its recurrence rate and local aggressiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS The age, gender, Tumour location and diameter, treatment mode, Ki-67 proliferation index, mitotic rate, and recurrence were retrospectively evaluated in 35 patients diagnosed with GCTTS in the Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University between 2009 and 2014. RESULTS Of the 35 GCTTS cases, 23 were female, and 12 were male. The mean age was 45 y (range 10-70). Sixteen tumours were located in the right hand and 14 in the left hand, and five were in the feet. The mean Tumour diameter was 2.3 cm (0.6-6 cm). All patients underwent marginal excision. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 4 y (range 28 months-5 y). Only six patients showed recurrence. In these cases, the site of GCTTS recurrence was the phalanx of the hand. The mean Ki-67 index in the recurrence cases was 6.5%, whereas it was 2.3% in those without recurrence. CONCLUSION The Ki-67 proliferation index and mitotic activity were increased in recurrent cases compared to nonrecurrent cases. Therefore, these parameters may be helpful in predicting recurrence of GCTTS. However, adequate surgical excision and complete removal of the Tumour are important steps to minimize the recurrence rate.

Central Sagittal Angle of the Sacrum as a New Risk Factor for Patients with Persistent Low Back Pain after Caesarean Section

Study Design Retrospective. Purpose This study investigated the possible association of persistent low back pain (LBP) with caesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia. Overview of Literature Many women suffer from LBP after CS, which is commonly performed under spinal anesthesia. However, this type of LBP is poorly understood, and there is poor consensus regarding increased risk after spinal anesthesia. Methods We examined two groups of patients who underwent cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Group I included patients who presented to a neurosurgical clinic complaining of LBP for at least 6 months. Group II was a control group with patients without LBP. We analyzed clinical and sagittal angle parameters, including age, body mass index, parity, central sagittal angle of the sacrum (CSAS), and sacral slope (SS). Results Fifty-three patients participated in this study: 23 (43.1%) in Group I and 30 (56.9%) in Group II. Non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-tests showed that age, parity, and CSAS significantly differed between the two groups at 6 months. Conclusions Age, parity, and CSAS appear to be associated with increased risk for LBP after CS under spinal anesthesia. Future prospective studies on this subject may help validate our results.

Quadriceps Tendon Rupture due to Postepileptic Convulsion

We present a case of quadriceps tendon (QT) rupture. QT ruptures can occur in all ages. The cause is mostly traumatic in origin. Spontaneous ruptures that are thought to result from predisposing conditions are rare. Post-convulsion QT ruptures lacking traumas in their history can be overlooked in clinical examinations. This should be born in mind by the attending physician, as early diagnosis and treatment of the condition can lead to satisfactory outcomes.

Synovial Sarcoma Mimicking Myositis Ossificans

A calcification mass was incidentally found in the soft tissue of a patient who had a history of trauma to the extremity during examination. The patient had no symptom. The pathological analysis of the mass revealed it was an early-phase synovial sarcoma (SS). The diagnosis was made before the onset of symptoms and proper surgical intervention was performed. Therefore, in case of a <1 cm lesion clinically suspicious of myositis ossificans, SS should be taken into consideration as a possible diagnosis.

Görme Bozukluğu ile Ekstremite Kırıklarının İlişkisi

Ya z›fl ma Ad re si/Ad dress for Cor res pon den ce: Dr. Veysi Öner, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Rize, Türkiye Gsm: +90 464 213 04 91 E-pos ta: veysioner@gmail.com Ge lifl Ta ri hi/Re cei ved: 04.11.2012 Ka bul Ta ri hi/Ac cep ted: 22.01.2013 Berrak Şekeryapan, Mehmet Sabri Balık*, Veysi Öner, Yılmaz Güvercin*, Kemal Türkyılmaz, Adem Erkut*, Mustafa Durmuş Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Rize, Türkiye *Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Anabilim Dalı, Rize, Türkiye Öz gün Arafl t›r ma / Ori gi nal Ar tic le