Yılmaz Savaş

Evaluation of paravertebral muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration in ankylosing spondylitis.

Abstract Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess morphological changes in the paravertebral muscles in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Materials and methods: Fifty-one patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and a 50 member control group were included in the study. The surface area of the multifidus and erector spinae muscles was measured at four levels between L1 and L5, and fatty degeneration in these muscles was scored. Lumbosacral and lumbar lordotic angles were determined for the patient and control groups. Results: Loss of muscle cross-sectional area compatible with atrophy was present at all four levels in the paraspinal muscles in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. A negative correlation was observed between paravertebral muscle area and duration of disease at three levels, but not at L1-2. Although muscle area decreased with the duration of disease at the L1-2 level, this was not statistically significant (r= −0.195, p = 0.171). Comparison of intramuscular fatty degeneration between the groups revealed increased intramuscular fat at all levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, with the exception of L3–4, and a positive correlation between fatty degeneration and duration of disease was determined at all levels. Conclusion: Chronic inflammation, cytokine-mediated fibrosis, immobilization, and postural changes in ankylosing spondylitis contribute to fatty degeneration and atrophy in the paravertebral muscles.

The relationship between C-reactive protein rs3091244 polymorphism and ankylosing spondylitis.

Previous studies have shown that C‐reactive protein (CRP) gene polymorphism can be related to inflammatory changes. The present study aimed to examine the association between CRP gene polymorphism and clinical and laboratory findings in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.

Cervical Spondylitis and Epidural Abscess Caused by Brucellosis: a Case Report and Literature Review.

Abstract Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease widely seen in endemic regions and that can lead to systemic involvement. The musculoskeletal system is frequently affected, and the disease can exhibit clinical involvements such as arthritis, spondylitis, spondylodiscitis, osteomyelitis, tenosynovitis and bursitis. Spondylitis and spondylodiscitis, common complications of brucellosis, predominantly affect the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae. Epidural abscess may occur as a rare complication of spondylitis. Spinal brucellosis and development of epidural abscess in the cervical region are rare. Development of epidural abscess affects the duration and success of treatment. Spinal brucellosis should be considered in patients presenting with fever and lower back-neck pain in endemic regions, and treatment must be initiated with early diagnosis in order to prevent potential complications.

Toxic Effects of Heavy Metals on Bone Tissue

Ağır metaller doğada yaygın olarak bulunur. Çevresel ve mesleki nedenlerle ağır metallere maruz kalındığı zaman çeşitli sistemlerde toksik etkiler ortaya çıkabilir. Ağır metallere akut ve kronik maruziyette farklı klinik bulgular ortaya çıkar. Birçok ağır metalin primer doku organı kemiktir ve kronik maruziyette kemik dokuda toksik etkiler oluşturur. Bu makalede maruziyetine sık rastlanan ağır metallerin kemik üzerine toksik etkilerinin gözden geçirilmesi amaçlandı. (Türk Osteoporoz Dergisi 2015;21: 30-3) Anah tar ke li me ler: Ağır metal, kemik, toksisite