Myocardial tagging by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance: evolution of techniques--pulse sequences, analysis algorithms, and applications

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) tagging has been established as an essential technique for measuring regional myocardial function. It allows quantification of local intramyocardial motion measures, e.g. strain and strain rate. The invention of CMR tagging came in the late eighties, where the technique allowed for the first time for visualizing transmural myocardial movement without having to implant physical markers. This new idea opened the door for a series of developments and improvements that continue up to the present time. Different tagging techniques are currently available that are more extensive, improved, and sophisticated than they were twenty years ago. Each of these techniques has different versions for improved resolution, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), scan time, anatomical coverage, three-dimensional capability, and image quality. The tagging techniques covered in this article can be broadly divided into two main categories: 1) Basic techniques, which include magnetization saturation, spatial modulation of magnetization (SPAMM), delay alternating with nutations for tailored excitation (DANTE), and complementary SPAMM (CSPAMM); and 2) Advanced techniques, which include harmonic phase (HARP), displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE), and strain encoding (SENC). Although most of these techniques were developed by separate groups and evolved from different backgrounds, they are in fact closely related to each other, and they can be interpreted from more than one perspective. Some of these techniques even followed parallel paths of developments, as illustrated in the article. As each technique has its own advantages, some efforts have been made to combine different techniques together for improved image quality or composite information acquisition. In this review, different developments in pulse sequences and related image processing techniques are described along with the necessities that led to their invention, which makes this article easy to read and the covered techniques easy to follow. Major studies that applied CMR tagging for studying myocardial mechanics are also summarized. Finally, the current article includes a plethora of ideas and techniques with over 300 references that motivate the reader to think about the future of CMR tagging

Lemierre's Syndrome Case Secondary to Otitis Media

WOS: 000365356700011PubMed ID: 29391977Lemierre's syndrome is a rare but fatal thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV). It usually follows acute oropharyngeal infections in healthy, young adults. Fusobacterium necrophorum is the most common bacteria that causes Lemierre's syndrome, whereas various microorganisms are reported. We are reporting a case with Lemierre's syndrome secondary to otitis media, which is a rare occurrence of a rare disease

Levels of serum immunomodulators and alterations with electroconvulsive therapy in treatment-resistant major depression

WOS: 000378024900005PubMed ID: 27366071Studies in recent years have indicated that neuroimmunological events and immune activation may have a place in the etiology of depression. It has been suggested from data that there is a causal relationship between activation of the immune system and excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and the etiology of depression. Although the mechanism of action of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is unclear, there is evidence that it can reduce cytokines and immune system changes. In our study, we aimed to determine how levels of serum immunomodulators were affected by ECT in major depression patients. This study was conducted on 50 patients with treatment-resistant major depression. The data of the patients were compared with 30 healthy individuals with similar demographic characteristics. A clinical response occurred in the patients and at the end of therapy, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-4, and interferongamma levels were measured. The disease severity was assessed with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 15. Significant differences were determined between the patients with major depression and control group with respect to basal serum IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-4, and interferon-gamma levels. ECT treatment was shown to reduce these differences. ECT may cause significant changes in the activity of the immune system. The consideration of the relationship between the immune endocrine neurotransmitter systems could contribute to new theories regarding the mechanism of antidepressant treatment and biology of depression

GENERAL APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OF ODONTOGENIC ABSCESSES AND COST ANALYSIS

WOS: 000409813000003PubMed ID: 28955531Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between age, gender, symptoms, treatment, length of hospital stay and hospital cost in a group of patients with severe odontogenic infection who has been admitted within the last 6 years. Subjects and Methods: This study was carried out on 30 patients who had been treated in Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Otolaryngology Department with the diagnosis of odontogenic abscess. Variables such as age, gender, symptoms, systemic disease, imaging techniques, treatment modalities, hospital length of stay and hospital cost were analyzed statistically. Results: There were 12 female and 18 male patients and their mean age was 39 +/- 19.78 years. Antibiotics were used in all subjects and their abscesses were mostly drained surgically. The mean hospital length of stay was 8.1 days. There was a statistically significant relationship with the presence of systemic disease and hospital length of stay variables (p = 0.017). Conclusion: The cost for treatment of severe odontogenic infections in inpatient units is high in hospitals. Therefore, preventive and routine dental care should be given importance

The Effect of Endoscopic Tympanoplasty on Cochlear Function

WOS: 000427449600006PubMed ID: 29172396Objectives. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to measure the audiologic outcomes of the patients that underwent endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty, and to investigate the effects on cochlear function. Methods. Thirty-three patients (33 ears) who were diagnosed with noncomplicated chronic otitis media and underwent endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty technique were included. Pre- and postoperative first month distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), bone conduction hearing levels and air bone gap (ABG) values were measured and total endoscope usage time was noted. Results. Preoperative median SNR measurements at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz were 6 dB (1-11; interquartile range [IQR], 1), 6 dB (4-20; IQR, 1), 7 dB (3-26; IQR, 5) and 5.50 dB (0-9; IQR, 3), respectively. Postoperative median SNR measurements at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz were 6 dB (3-9; IQR, 1), 6 dB (2-21; IQR, 3), 7 dB (2-20; IQR, 3), and 6 dB (0-10; IQR, 7), respectively. Regarding the DPOAE measurements, there was no statistically significant difference between the SNR values of all given frequencies (P>0.05). Regarding the pure tone audiometry (PTA) measurements, bone conduction was significantly better at 0.5 and 1 kHz, postoperatively (P0.05). Additionally, no statistically significant correlation was found between the SNR and PTA measurements and the endoscope usage time (P>0.05). Conclusion. We suggested that cochlear functions and sensorineural hearing remained stable after endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty and cold light source doesn't cause significant adverse effects cochlear functions

Comparison of anterior and posterior tympanomeatal flap elevations in endoscopic transcanal tympanoplasty

###EgeUn###Background: There is not an ideal tympanomeatal flap incision type for transcanal procedures. Aims/Objectives: Comparing the outcomes and feasibility of posteriorly and anteriorly based tympanomeatal flap incisions for anterior perforations in endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty. Material and methods: Twenty-six patients who had anterior TM perforation were included. Patients were divided into two groups with randomization. All of the data were prospectively collected. These included demographic data, date of the surgery, mean surgery time, preoperative and postoperative sixth-month pure-tone audiometry (PTA), type of tympanomeatal flap incision and graft healing success. Results: Mean follow up time was 20.69 +/- 5.03 months. Graft healing rate was 100% in both groups. There was no major complication in both of groups. Mean air bone gap level improvement of (dB HL) at all frequencies was 7.69 +/- 2.83 dB HL in group 1 and 7.98 +/- 3.08 dB HL in group 2 respectively. Regarding pre-and postoperative mean air bone gap levels and mean surgery times, there was no significant difference between groups (p>.05). Conclusions and significance: For non-complicated anterior perforations that are less than 50% of TM, endoscopic transcanal cartilage tympanoplasty using anterior tympanomeatal flap elevation procedure was seemed minimally invasive and feasible to perform with successful audiologic and postoperative outcomes