Ramazan Davran

Quantitative Brain Diffusion-Tensor MRI Findings in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the microstructure of various regions of the brain using diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and in age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. We also investigated the fiber tractography findings of the corpus callosum (CC) and corticospinal tracts (CSTs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Sixteen right-handed patients with SCD and 14 age- and sex-matched right-handed healthy control subjects were scanned using conventional MR sequences and DTI. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were calculated and regions of interest were selected in various brain areas (superior and inferior frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal white matter areas), anterior and posterior periventricular areas, centrum semiovale, basal ganglia (lentiform nucleus, head of caudate nucleus), thalamus, cerebral peduncles, pons, cerebellar white matter areas, and CC. Diffusion-tensor tractography of the CC and CSTs was also performed. RESULTS For the patients with SCD, significantly reduced FA values, increased ADC values, or both were seen clustered in several brain areas, including the CC, frontal white matter, centrum semiovale, periventricular areas, head of the caudate nucleus, thalamus, brainstem, and pons (p < 0.05). Statistically significant reductions in fiber counts in the first and fifth segments of the CC and in CSTs bilaterally were also observed in patients with SCD (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION DTI shows microstructural abnormalities of various brain areas in patients with SCD.

Delayed diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia may cause colonic perforation: a case report

Early diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture after traumas may be difficult, and delayed diagnosis may result in increased morbidity and mortality. This paper describes the case of a 32-year-old man who experienced a traffic accident and had diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia nearly four months later. The patient was referred to our emergency room suffering from ileus symptoms. Physical examination demonstrated an apparent abdominal distention, tenderness at the upper abdominal quadrants, rebound, and defense. Thoraco-abdominal X-rays and computerized tomography imaging demonstrated intestinal segments with air-fluid levels in thorax. Laparotomy was performed after a preoperative diagnosis of a strangulated-diaphragmatic hernia. At abdominal exploration, it was found that transverse colon and omentum entered into thorax through diaphragmatic defect located at the left diaphragm. Herniating colon segment was complicated with ischemic necrosis and perforation. In conclusion, colon necrosis and perforation may develop when early diagnosis of diaphragmatic ruptures are missed.

Evaluation of the postnatal development of the sternum and sternal variations using multidetector CT.

PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate the postnatal development and the maturation of the sternum and sternal variations using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Additionally, we aimed to examine the roles of gender and age in sternal development. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two hundred and fifty patients who underwent thorax MDCT examinations were evaluated for sternal development and variations. Coronal curved planar reconstruction and maximum intensity projection images were used to better assess the ossification centers in the manubrium and the body of the sternum. Multiplanar images were used to accurately measure the thickness and the sagittal dimension of the manubrium, the sagittal dimension of the body, and the total sagittal dimension of the sternum in the sagittal plane. RESULTS No significant differences in the manubrium measurements were observed between the genders. The thickness and sagittal dimension of the manubrium, sagittal dimension of the body, and total sagittal dimension of the sternum in the sagittal plane were significantly different between the age groups. We evaluated the ossification centers; shape and developmental variations in the manubrium and body; direction, calcification, and termination of the xiphoid process; developmental variations in the xiphoid process; and manubriosternal and sternoxiphoidal fusion. Significant variations were observed from person to person. CONCLUSION The anatomy and the developmental properties of the sternum should be well understood in cases of potential chest and sternum injuries and in several surgical procedures. Therefore, knowledge of the development and the maturation of the sternum, and sternal variations and anomalies is important. We suggest that the postnatal development and the morphogenesis of the sternum can be adequately assessed using MDCT.

Relationship between endothelial dysfunction and nocturia with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract Objective. There are limited data on whether there is an association between nocturia, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether there is an association between nocturia and endothelial dysfunction in patients with BPH. Material and methods. Forty-two men with a diagnosis of BPH and 42 age-matched controls were enrolled. All patients were assessed for frequency and duration of nocturia, and prostate volume, completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, and underwent brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) evaluation. Results. There was a negative correlation between FMD and frequency of nocturia (r = –0.879, p < 0.0001). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between duration of nocturia and FMD (r = –0.890, p < 0.0001). In addition, FMD was significantly decreased in the BPH group compared with the control group (6.0 ± 0.09 to 7.8 ± 0.10%) (p = 0.0001). Conclusion. In patients with BPH, nocturia is associated with endothelial dysfunction and may be an insidious risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Pseudoaneurysm of the carotid arterial system.

Abstract Pseudoaneurysms of internal, external, and common carotid arteries are seen rarely. Blunt traumas caused by automobile accidents are the prior reasons to this. Central venous catheterization, ballistic trauma, cystic medial necrosis, fibromuscular dysplasia, atherosclerosis, and other inflammatory processes are some other potential reasons for pseudoaneurysm. In contrast to true aneurysms, it does not contain 3-layer structure with adventitia, media, and intima sublayers in its wall. The wall contains coagulum and fibrous capsules. Clinically, after trauma, it presents itself as swelling after days to weeks of damage to vascular walls. Because it causes morbidity and mortality when it is ruptured, It should be treated via surgical or vascular intervention.

Liver hydatid cyst leading to bilateral pulmonary artery embolism and bilateral multiple pulmonar echinococcosis via inferior vena cava: report of a case

Hydatid disease (HD) is a worldwide parasitic disease. Echinococcosis may involve many organs but affect most commonly liver and lungs. The location of echinococcal cysts inside pulmonary artery is extremely rare. Radiologic findings range from purely cystic lesions to a completely solid appearance. Hydatid cysts (HC) can be solitary or multiple and varies size. Pulmonary artery embolism of HC can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. When symptomatic, we see the chest pain, dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis and sometimes acute cor pulmonale or sudden death secondary to massive giant pulmonary artery embolism of HC.

Intrathoracic Rib Associated with Pulmonary Collapse in a Pediatric Patient

The ribs are essential structures of the osseous thorax that provide certain significant information and aid interpretation of radiologic images in daily routine practice. Intrathoracic rib is a rare congenital anomaly that is usually discovered incidentally, but may cause in vain interventions in case of being unaware. We herein report an intrathoracic rib in a girl whose chest X-ray was strange enough to obtain a spiral computed tomography (CT) scanning for a definitive diagnosis afterwards.

The Dowling-Orlando technique in a giant primary cerebral hydatid cyst: a case report

Hydatid cyst disease is a parasitic illness that is rarely located in the brain. We present a case of a 26-year-old female who complained of headache, nausea, and vomiting. The diagnosis was intracranial hydatid cyst disease and was confirmed with radiological and serological tests. Neurological examination revealed papilloedema and left-sided pyramidal signs. She was operated on using the Dowling-Orlando technique. The cyst was removed without rupture, and therapy was completed with albendazole for a period of four weeks. In this article, we discuss the application of the Dowling-Orlando technique, microsurgery, the Valsalva manoeuvre and the positioning of the patient such that gravity could facilitate surgical removal of a giant cerebral hydatid cyst.

Stroke in Severity of Sickle Cell Diseases

Background: Sickle cell diseases (SCDs) are chronic inflammatory process on capillary level. We tried to understand whether or not there are some positive correlations between stroke and severity of SCDs. Methods: All patients with SCDs were taken into the study. Results: The study included 343 patients (169 females and 174 males). There were 30 cases (8.7%) with stroke. The mean ages were similar in both groups (32.5 versus 29.1 years in the stroke group and other, respectively, p>0.05). The female ratios were similar in both groups, too (43.3% versus 49.8%, respectively, p>0.05). Prevalences of associated thalassemia minors were also similar in them (73.3% versus 65.1%, respectively, p>0.05). Smoking was higher among the stroke cases (26.6% versus 13.0%, p 0.05 for all). On the other hand, although the painful crises per year, tonsilectomy, priapism, ileus, pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, chronic renal disease, rheumatic heart disease, avascular necrosis of bones, cirrhosis, and mortality were all higher in the stroke group, the differences were only significant for digital clubbing, leg ulcers, and acute chest syndrome (p<0.05 for all), probably due to the small sample size of the stroke group. Conclusion: SCDs are chronic destructive process on capillaries iniatiating at birth, and terminate with early organ failures in life. Probably stroke is one of the terminal consequences of the inflammatory process that may indicate shortened survival in such cases.

Effects of sub-Tenon’s anaesthesia on ocular hemodynamics

OBJECTIVE To research the effects of sub-Tenons anaesthesia (STA) on ocular hemodynamics in patients with cataract using colour Doppler imaging (CDI). DESIGN Prospective clinical study. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-four eyes of 34 patients with age-related cataract. METHODS Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI) values of the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery, and central retinal vein were measured by CDI before and immediately after performing sub-Tenon block using 2 mL of 2% lidocaine with adrenaline (1:200 000). RESULTS Both PSV and EDV values were significantly decreased after sub-Tenon injection in all the studied vessels of the patients. However, no important changes were observed in the RI values of the vessels. CONCLUSIONS STA markedly reduced ocular blood flow. The reduction may be more acceptable compared with other retrobulbar block methods. Sub-Tenon block should be performed carefully to senile patients with cataract with vascular occlusive disorder.