Evaluating the features of interdigital neuroma using 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging

Interdigital neuroma is an entrapment neurop-athy of the interdigital nerve. Previously, studies on interdigital neuroma were done with 1 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging and more often 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging. We used 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging in our study and we did not encounter as much as we know about the study with 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the literature. Between 2013 and 2019, the 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging results of 39 consecutive surgically-confirmed interdigi- tal neuromas and patients' files were retrospec- tively evaluated. The soft tissue surrounding the prominent interdigital nerve "target sign" were assessed. Spearman's rho, Pearson's correlation tests, and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used. Of the 39 cases (mean transverse dimension = 4.64 mm), 35 (89.7%) were hypointense on T1-weight - ed sequencing, 34 were intermediate (87.1%) on short tau inversion recovery sequencing, and 29 (74.3%) had slightly-moderately enhanced neuro-mas on post-contrast spectral presaturation with inversion recovery sequences. A statistically sig-nificant negative relationship was found between contrast enhancement and disease duration (p = 0.020). On short tau inversion recovery or spec-tral presaturation with inversion recovery series, the intralesional nerve view "target sign" was ob-served in 23 (58.98 %) of 39 neuromas. This is the first study in the literature with 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging that shows the visual charac-teristics of interdigital neuroma and its possible contribution to the diagnosis of the disease

Investigation the effects of anatomical changes of varicocele and varicocelectomy on sperm parameters and sperm in human and rat model

Varikosel plexus pampiniformis'teki venlerin anoraml dilatasyonu olup, en sık infertilite sebebidir. Çalışmamızda varikosel hastalarında tanı kriterinde kullanılan ven çapı eşik değerleri ile testis yapısındaki değişiklikler, spermin fonksiyonel ve moleküler parametreleri birlikte ele alınarak, aralarındaki ilişkinin ortaya konulması ve varikoselektomi operasyonunun bu parametreler üzerine etkilerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlandı. Çalışma sıçan ve insan olmak üzere iki grupta tasarlandı. Sıçan grubu kontrol, varikosel ve varikoselektomi olmak üzere alt gruplara ayrıldı. Bu gruplar arasında testis ağırlığı, hacmi, histolojisi ve Johnsen skorlama sonuçları, sperm parametreleri, PARP-1 ve ERK 1/2 proteinlerinin ekspresyonları karşılaştırıldı. İnsan grubu kontrol, varikosel ve varikoselektomi operasyonu geçirmiş hastalardan oluşturuldu. Varikosel grubu ultrasonografi değerlendirilmesinde ölçülen ven çapı 3'mm'nin altında olanlar subklinik varikosel, 3 mm üzerinde olanlar klinik varikosel olarak alt gruba ayrıldı. Semen örneklerinde sperm parametreleri, DNA fragmantasyonu, kormatin yapısı, oksidatif stres, PARP ve ERK 1/2 proteinlerinin ekspresyonları karşılaştırıldı. Varikosel modeli oluşturulan ve varikoselektomi geçiren sıçanlarda sol testis hacmi, sperm sayısı ve motiltesi, Johnsen skoru kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı derecede azalma, PARP-1 ekspresyonunda artış bulundu. Varikosel ve varikoselektomi grupları arasında ise bu parametrelerde farklılık bulunmadı. İnsan olgularında kontrol grubuna göre varikosel ve varikoselektomi grubunda sperm konsantrasyon, sayı ve motilitesinde anlamlı derecede azalma, DNA fragmantasyonu, kromatin hasarı ve PARP-1 ekspresyonunda anlamlı derecede artış saptandı. Varikosel ve varikoselektomi grupları ve varikoselin subklinik ve klinik tipleri arasında bu parametrelerde farklılık bulunmadı. ERK 1/2 ekspresyonu ve oksidatif stres index'inde gruplar arasında farklılık bulunmadı. Varikosel, ven çapındaki değişimin derecesinden bağımsız olarak testis ve sperm yapısında hasara neden olur. Varikoselektomi operasyonun fonksiyonelliğin geri kazanılmasında etkisi yoktur.Varicocele is the abnormal dilatation of the veins in the plexus pampiniformis and is the most common cause of infertility. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the relationship between the threshold values of vein diameter and changes in testicular structure, functional and molecular parameters of sperm and to evaluate the effects of varicocelectomy operation on these parameters. The study was designed in rat and human groups. The rats subdivided into control, varicocele and varicocelectomy groups. Testis weights and volumes, histology of testis, Johnsen scoring, sperm parameters, expresion of PARP-1 and ERK 1/2 compared among these groups. The human group consisted of control, varicocele and patients who had undergone varicocelectomy. Varicocele group was divided into two groups according to vein diameter: subclinic varicocele if vein diameter was less than 3 mm, and clinical varicocele if it was over 3 mm. Sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation, chromatin structure, oxidative stress, expressions of PARP and ERK 1/2 proteins were compared in semen samples. Left testicular volume, sperm count and motility, Johnsen score were significantly decreased, and PARP-1 expression was increased in rats which has varicocele and undergone varicocelectomy operation. There was no difference in these parameters between the varicocele and varicocelectomy groups. In human, sperm concentration, number and motility were significantly decreased, DNA fragmentation, chromatin damage and PARP-1 expression were significantly increased in varicocele and varicocelectomy groups compared to the control group. There was no difference in these parameters between the varicocele and varicocelectomy groups, and the subclinical and clinical types of varicocele. ERK 1/2 expression and oxidative stress index did not differ among groups. Varicocele causes damage to the testis and sperm structure, regardless of the degree of change in vein diameter. Varicocelectomy operation has no effect on recovery of these structures

Morphometric evaluation of trigeminal nerve and meckel cave

Bu çalışmada nervus trigeminus ve ganglionunun yer aldığı Meckel boşluğuna ait morfolojik özelliklerin yaş grubu, cinsiyet ve lateralizasyona göre karşılaştırılması ile trigeminal nevraljiye yatkınlığa ilişkin teorilere ışık tutması amaçlanmıştır. Retrospektif olarak yapılan bu çalışmaya hiçbir kraniyal patolojisi bulunmayan 20 yaş üstü bireylerden seçilen 120 (62 erkek, 58 kadın ) olgu dahil edilmiştir. Olgular 20-29 yaş, 30-39 yaş, 40-49 yaş, 50 yaş ve üzeri olmak üzere dört yaş grubuna ayrılmıştır. Olgularda n. trigeminus uzun ekseni, n. trigeminus kısa ekseni, n. trigeminus çapı, Meckel boşluğu uzun ekseni, Meckel boşluğu kısa ekseni ve trigminus-pons açısı sağ ve sol taraflı olarak 3T MRG ile 3D b- FFE sekansı kullanılarak ölçülmüştür. Yapılan istatistiksel analizler sonucunda tüm olgularda sağ ve sol taraflı ölçümler karşılaştırıldığında; n. trigeminus uzun ekseni boyu (sağda ortalama 0,79 ± 0,20 cm, solda 0,86 ± 0,28 cm, p<0,05) ve kısa ekseni boyu (sağda ortalama 0,36 ± 0,10 cm, solda 0,41 ± 0,17 cm, p<0,05) sağ tarafta daha kısa bulunmuştur. Ayrıca, erkeklerde Meckel boşluğu uzun ekseni boyunun kadınlara göre hem sağ hem de sol tarafta daha uzun olduğu saptanmıştır (p<0,05).This study aimed to evaluate the theories about trigeminal neuralgia predisposition with respect to the morphological characteristics of the trigeminal nerve and the Meckel cave among age groups, sex and lateralization. This retrospective study included 120 (62 males, 58 female) healthy individuals over age of 20 who had no previous or current cranial pathology. According to age ranges, individuals were evaluated in four groups as 20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50 years and over. Besides the long and short axis lengths and the diameter of nervus trigeminus, long and short axis lengths of Meckel cave, as well as the trigeminal-pons angle were measured using 3D b-FFE sequence with 3T MRI on the right and left sides. It was observed that the long axis (mean 0,79 ± 0,20 cm on the right, 0,86 ± 0,28 cm on the left, p <0,05) and short axis (mean 0,36 ± 0,10 cm on the right and 0,41 ± 0,17 cm, p <0,05) lengths of nervus trigeminus were shorter on the right side in comparison to the left. Moreover, in males the long axis length of Meckel cave was higher on both the right and left sides compared to females (p <0.05)

The role of diaphragmatic breathing exercise on urinary incontinence treatment: A pilot study

Objective: The main aim of this pilot study was to examine the effect of diaphragmatic breathing exercise on urinary incontinence treatment. The secondary purpose was to compare the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises and diaphragmatic breathing exercises on urinary incontinence women. Design: Participants were randomized into two groups: pelvic floor muscle exercises (Group PFM n = 20) and diaphragmatic breathing exercises (Group DB n = 20). Exercise programs consisted of 1 set of contractions per day and each set included 30 repetitions for 6 weeks. Women were asked to complete forms of Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL), and Overactive Bladder (OAB-V3) before starting the program and again at the end of the 6-week program. Results: IIQ-7, I-QOL, and OAB-V3 scores significantly improved in both groups, after exercises. There were no difference between groups in the post-exercise scores. Total score of the UDI-6 was statistically significantly decreased higher in the DB exercises group. UDI-6 Urge Symptoms decreased statistically significantly only in the DB exercises group. Even though there was a decrease in the PFM group, but it was not significant. Conclusion: Diaphragmatic breathing exercises may be an alternative to pelvic floor muscle exercises in the treatment of urinary incontinence

Ultrasonographic applications in the thorax

Rapid developments and increasing technological knowledge have changed perspectives on ultrasonography. Previously, ultrasonography was used to evaluate chest wall pathologies, to distinguish between pleural effusion and consolidation, to evacuate pleural effusion, or to evaluate diaphragm movement. Today, it is also used in a wide range of pleural and parenchymal diseases. Ultrasonography is not just used in the emergency department and the intensive care units, it is also utilized in many clinical branches dealing with the respiratory system-due to its ease of use, fast ac-cess, price advantage, non-radiation exposure, higher diagnostic sensitivity, and specificity in many clinical situations-and has become a part of the examination. In this review, we have assessed not just transthoracic ultrasonography but also more focal and targeted sonographic applica-tions, such as the endobronchial ultrasound and esophageal ultrasound

Morphometric evaluation of trigeminal nerve and meckel cave with 3.0 magnetic resonance imaging

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate morphometric features of the trigeminal nerve in healthy people on magnetic resonance images. The alterations in the size of the trigeminal nerve in the cisternal region along with aging and asymmetry between the right and left trigeminal nerves were also assessed. The knowledge of normal morphometric properties of the trigeminal nerve may be useful in evaluating patients having trigeminal neuralgia. Material and Methods: This retrospective study included 120 (62 males, 58 female) healthy individuals over 20 years old who had no previous or current cranial pathology. According to age ranges, individuals were evaluated in four groups as 20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, and 50 years and older. Besides the long- and short-axis lengths of the trigeminal nerve, long- and short-axis lengths of Meckel cave, as well as the trigeminal-pons angle, were measured using three-dimensional balance fast-field echo sequence with 3T magnetic resonance imaging on the right and left sides.Results: It was observed that the lengths of trigeminal nerve were shorter on the right side in comparison to the left side (mean long axis 0,79 +/- 0,20 cm on the right, 0,86 +/- 0,28 cm on the left, P <0,05; and mean short-axis: 0,36 +/- 0,10 cm on the right and 0,41 +/- 0,17 cm on the left, P <0,05). Moreover, in males, the long-axis length of the Meckel cave was higher on both the right and left sides compared to females (P < 0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: This study shows that, both the width and length of the right trigeminal nerve are shorter compared to left in healthily population. In addition, long axis of Meckel Cave, that is posterolateral to anteromedial extend, was longer on both the right and left sides in males compared to females.Results: It was observed that the long axis (mean: 0.79 +/- 0.20 cm on the right, 0.86 +/- 0.28 cm on the left, P < 0.05) and short axis (mean: 0.36 +/- 0.10 cm on the right and 0.41 +/- 0.17 cm, P < 0.05). Moreover, in males, the long-axis length of the Meckel cave was higher on both the right and left sides compared to females (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that, both the width and length of the right trigeminal nerve are shorter compared to left in healthily population. In addition, long axis of Meckel Cave, that is posterolateral to anteromedial extend, was longer on both the right and left sides in males compared to females

Evaluation of mandibular incisive canal and mental foramen in Turkish population by conical beam computed tomography

Surgical complications may occur in the interforaminal area when course and morphological features of anatomical structures, which includes neurovascular structures in the mandible, cannot be defined correctly. The aim of this study is to determine the course and morphological characteristics of the mental foramen (MF) and the mandibular incisive canal (MIC) in Turkish society. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is considered the gold standard for dental imaging; therefore, in this study 96 CBCT images were examined retrospectively. The width and the length of the MF, distance from the MF to the alveolar bone crest, lower border of the mandible, angulation of mental canal to buccal bone surface, the length of the MIC, the angle among mental foramenincisive canal and a horizontal plane parallel to the inferior border of the mandible, and the height of the angle were measured. At the endmost point of the MIC, the distance between the canal and inferior, labial, and lingual borders of the mandible was measured. The most common locations of MF were along the second premolar (23.4%). MIC was absent in 24.4% of the cases. The most common locations of the endmost point of MIC were along the first incisive (35.8%), MIC length was significantly longer in males. Although the structures show variation among individuals, the mean values in Turkish society are similar to the mean values in the literature.Istanbul Medipol University Medical Research Counci

Gluteoperinealis muscle: A surgically important variation

Background Anatomical variations are common in gluteal region. This report presents two cases of gluteoperinealis muscles detected during radiological imaging. Case presentation Our study was conducted on two patients. This report describes an accessory muscle detected in the gluteal region on MRI examination of a patient who admitted to our clinic after a firearm injury and a second patient examined with CT imaging who had signs of pelvic infection. In the first case, this accessory muscle originated bilaterally from the fascia of the gluteus maximus throughout its posteromedial side and was attached to the perineal body. In the second case, it extended forward from the fascia of the gluteus maximus muscle and inserted to the cavernous body of penis on the left side and to the perineal body on the right. In the literature, this accessory muscle has been described as the gluteoperinealis muscle being a rare variation. Conclusion Considering the origin and insertion of the muscle, this variation may be important during the surgical operations of the gluteal and perineal regions

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Poly( N

Poly(N-vinylcaprolactam-co-itaconic acid), P(VC-co-IA), gels were synthesized in ethanol by using the free radical cross-linking polymerization method at 60 degrees C for 24 h in the presence of azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) and ally] methacrylate (AMA) as the initiator and the cross-linking agent, respectively. In order to determine the effect of the synthesis medium on the percentage of gelation (PG) and equilibrium swelling value (ESV), an ethanol/distilled water mixture (80:20, v/v) was also used as the synthesis medium for poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVC) and P(VC-co-IA) gels. The swelling behaviors of the gels were investigated in distilled water at various temperatures and in different pH buffer solutions. Structural, morphologic, and thermal characterization studies of the gels were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. The lowest PG and highest ESV were obtained for the gel including 5 mol % IA, which was the gel synthesized in the ethanol/distilled water mixture. PVC synthesized in ethanol/water mixture had the highest percentage of gelation. All the gels displayed pH- and temperature-sensitive swelling behavior. The swelling kinetics of the copolymer gels synthesized in ethanol was investigated at pH 10.0, and it was determined that gels containing 5 and 10 mol % of IA indicated non-Fickian and case II swelling behavior, respectively