Effects of valproate on vestibular symptoms and electronystagmographic findings in migraine patients.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of valproic acid on vestibular symptoms and electronystagmography (ENG) findings in patients with migraine-related vestibulopathy. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with migraine (13 with vertigo, 13 with dizziness, and 11 without vestibular symptoms) were included in the study. Slow-released valproic acid (500 mg/d) was given for 3 months. Frequency of headache and vestibular symptoms in the first, second, and third months of the therapy were recorded and compared with the pretreatment values. The ENG findings were also evaluated before and 2 months after the therapy. RESULTS: We determined that prophylactic low-dose valproic acid decreased the frequency of headache and vestibular symptoms, although it does not cause any statistically meaningful change in ENG findings. CONCLUSIONS: Valproate can be used satisfactorily for patients with migraine who have vestibular complaints. Ineffectiveness of valproic acid on ENG findings can be clarified by the permanent effect of migraine on the vestibular system

Acetic acid iontophoresis for the treatment of calcifying tendonitis of the shoulder: A case report and review of the literature

In the literature, there are a few numbers of studies on the effectiveness of acetic acid iontophoresis (AAI) in the treatment of calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder. In this case report, our aim is to show the effectiveness of AAI in a patient with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder showing resistance to conservative treatment and to review the related literature. A 48 year old male patient presented with pain and limitation of left shoulder movements, on his examination flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation of the left shoulder was painful and restricted. Calcifying tendinitis was detected with direct radiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Upon persistence of symptoms after physical and exercise therapy, AAI was applied for 25 sessions. Exercise programme was given during AAI treatment Painless and full active ranges of motion of shoulder in all planes were gained with treatment of AAI. A decrease in the size of calcification compared to pretreatment period is detected with direct radiography. The patient has not any complaint after 12 months of follow up. In our opinion, AAI can be used as a non-invasive alternative treatment in patients with calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder

Hylan G-F 20 efficacy on articular cartilage quality in patients with knee osteoarthritis: clinical and MRI assessment.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) on symptoms, functional outcome, and changes in articular cartilage assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to treatment with HA (hylan G-F 20, Synvisc) or saline. The treatment group consisted of 20 patients receiving three weekly injections of HA into one or both knees (30 knees). The control group consisted of ten patients receiving three intra-articular injections of 2 ml saline at the same intervals (ten knees). To determine the effectiveness of the HA therapy, all patients were assessed prior to the injections (baseline) and after the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 8th weeks. Assessment comprised the following: pain at rest, at night, and on walking using a visual analogue scale (VAS); Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain, stiffness, and function scores; 15-m walking time; need for analgesics; and evaluation of treatment by the patients. MRI of patellofemoral (PF) articular cartilage was also examined before and after the course of injections at the 8th week. When compared to placebo, a significant statistical difference was found in all clinical parameters. On MRI, although the difference in the PF joint cartilage quality in the HA group before and after the treatment was statistically significant (p 0.05). After the HA injections, a significant analgesic effect was seen as early as the 3rd week continuing up to the 8th week and functional improvement was seen at the 8th week. In conclusion, intra-articular injections of HA is an effective choice of treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis

[The prevalence of snoring in adult population].

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of habitual snoring in adult population and the relationship between habitual snoring and accompanying factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, epidemiological study was conducted to evaluate snoring and accompanying factors. Data of 1245 persons (629 females, 616 males; mean age 45.0+/-12.2) were evaluated. A questionnaire was administered to draw information on their sociodemographic data, the incidence of snoring, the presence of witnessed apnea during sleep, the severity of snoring and its changes depending on the body position, their willingness to receive treatment for snoring, the presence of alcohol or cigarette consumption, and hypertension and coronary disease. Height and weight measurements were performed to calculate body mass index. The results were evaluated using the chi-square test and a multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of habitual snoring was 8.9% in females and 29.5% in males. Multivariate analyses showed that male sex, age over 40 years, obesity, smoking, and the use of alcohol were significant risk factors for habitual snoring. Hypertension and coronary heart disease were statistically more common in individuals with habitual snoring. The severity of snoring was high enough in 2.1% of females and in 9.4% of males to force their roommates to leave the room, making 1.1% of females and 3.4% of males to show willingness to receive medical attention. CONCLUSION: Habitual snoring is a frequent complaint in our country. Inquiry into the presence of habitual snoring is necessary in adults and patients should be subjected to a detailed examination for respiratory disorders during sleep

Ruptured Petrous Carotid Pseudoaneurysm Due to Tuberculous Otitis: Endovascular Treatment

We report the imaging findings and endovascular treatment in an unusual case of petrous internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm due to primary tuberculous otitis. The aneurysm was recognized and ruptured during a surgical intervention for otitis. Successful endovascular treatment of the aneurysm was performed by occlusion of the parent vessel using detachable balloon and coils

Demographic and clinical features of our lower limb amputee patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to present demographic and clinical features of lower limb amputee patients who consulted to our orthopedic rehabilitation out patient-clinic, and to explore the related variables with functional situation in respect of amputation reason. Material and Methods: Demographic data, and clinic data of patients related to amputation and prosthesis use were recorded. Related variables with functional situation and quality of life were explored with composing two groups according to vascular and traumatic amputation reasons. Functional situation was evaluated with walking-speed with prothesis (meters/second) and 6-minute-walk-test(meters). Beck-Depression-inventory, Amputee-body-image-scale, and Short-Form-36(SF-36) were asked for replying by the patients. Results: Seventy one patients with mean age of 54,2 ±17,5 years (15-85) were evaluated. Time elapsed since amputation was 113.4 ±49.8, and mean time of prosthesis use was 84.8 ±24.8 months. Sixty two patients (%87.3) were male, and nine patients (%12.7) were female. It was detected that there were vascular amputation in 42 (%59.2), and traumatic amputation in 29 patients (%40.8). Walking-speed was 0.3 ± 0.3 m/s in vascular group, 0.9 ± 0.5 m/s in traumatic group, 6-minute-walk-distance was 60m in vascular, 246m in traumatic group(p<0.05). SF-36 physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, and general health subscores were significantly low in vascular amputees (p<0.05).Conclusion: It was detected that functional situation and quality-of-life physical function, role limitations due to physical problems and general health subscores of amputee caused by peripheral vascular reasons were lower than amputee caused by traumatic reasons. Keeping in mind these results will be beneficial for setting the targets of rehabilitation in lower limb amputee when rehabilitation programmes are arranged. Copyright © 2011 by Türk Tibbi Rehabilitasyon Kurumu Derneǧi

[The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the adult urban population of Denizli].

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the adult urban population of Denizli. STUDY DESIGN: A survey study was conducted to cover 1010 adults above 19 years of age, representing the urban population of Denizli district, Turkey. A questionnaire was designed to collect data on sociodemographic features, symptoms of allergic rhinitis, duration of symptoms, and any prior diagnosis of allergic rhinitis made by a physician. Interviews were made with randomly chosen adults from three socioeconomically different urban areas. RESULTS: Interviews were completed for 951 adults with ages ranging from 19 to 65 years (414 males, mean age 36.3+/-12 years; 537 females, mean age 35.2+/-12 years). The frequency of self-reported allergic rhinitis was 10.8%, and 5.2% had allergic rhinitis diagnosed by a physician. Two or more symptoms of allergic rhinitis were found in 7.2%. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was higher in females. There was no relationship between the frequency of allergic rhinitis and age. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the adult urban population of Denizli is between 5% to 10%, with a higher frequency in females

Bazı Ekmeklik Buğday Çeşitlerinde Rapd ve Issr Analizleriyle Genetik Farklılıkların Belirlenmesi

Bu çalışmada, bazı buğday çeşitlerinin arasındaki RAPD ve ISSR analizine dayalı genetik mesafelerin belirlenerek ayrımının yapılması amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre, primerler genotipleri güçlendirilmiş bantların sayısı RAPD’ de 3-10, ISSR’ de 6-10 arasında değiştiği belirlenmiş olup, primer/primer kombinasyonları içerisinde RAPD’de OPBA-03, OPL-15 ve OPY-13’den; ISSR’de UBC810 elde edildiği ortaya konmuştur. Dendogram sonuçlarına göre çeşitler göre üç grup altında sınıflandırılmıştır. Yunus, Altay-2000, Naci Bey, Sultan-95, Harmankaya ve Soyer çeşitlerinin uzak ilişkili; Alpu-01 ve Nacibey çeşitlerinin ise yakın ilişkili çeşitler olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Yine RAPD ve ISSR yöntemlerinin genetik varyasyonu değerlendirmek, yeni çeşitlerin geliştirilmesi ve sınıflamasında kullanılabilir yöntemler olduğu belirlenmiştir