Spinal Extradural Meningeal Cyst: Incorrect Radiographic and Clinical Diagnosis

WOS: 000310096200017Extradural meningeal cysts are rare lesions and are uncommon causes of spinal cord or nerve compression. Most of these lesions probably remain unrecognized life-long, because they cause no symptoms. With the widespread use of new imaging techniques, asymptomatic spinal extradural meningeal cysts are becoming increasingly common. The therapeutic guidelines have not been well-established yet. Generally, patients with neurological deficits undergo surgery, whereas conservative approach is advised in asymptomatic individuals. Here, we report a 44-year-old woman who has suffered back pain for more than 20 years. Her symptoms were accompanied by numbness and tingling at the lower limbs. She has been followed with various diagnoses and treatment modalities in different centers. We established the diagnosis of huge thoracal extradural meningeal cysts and followed the patient with conservative approach. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2012;58:252-4

Sexual problems in male ankylosing spondylitis patients: Relationship with functionality, disease activity, quality of life, and emotional status

This study has focused on sexual problems of male ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Initially, patients' perceptions about the effects of disease on sexual intercourse were assessed. Secondly, we investigated the factors that relate to the disease and affect sexual intercourse negatively. Thirdly, we compared data from the patients whose sexual intercourse were affected negatively with of those whose sexual intercourse were unaffected. This is a cross-sectional and double-centered study. A total of 53 married or sexually active male patients, who were certainly diagnosed with AS according to modified New York criteria, were assessed. Twenty seven patients (50.94%) expressed that their sexual life was affected negatively by the AS in general (affected patients), and 26 patients (49.06%) expressed no negative effect (unaffected patients). Both affected and unaffected patients were compared with each other with regard to educational level, joint involvement, functionality, disease activity, quality of life, and depression status. Mean BASFI, BASDAI scores were worse in the affected group, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.012, p=0.039, respectively). There were statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to lumbar column and hip involvement (p=0.035, p=0.021; respectively). The physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, vitality/energy/fatigue, general mental health, and general health perception subscale scores of SF-36 were worse in the affected group, and the differences were statistically significant (p=0.027, p=0.023, p=0,013, p=0.005, p=0.045, respectively). Affected patients' Beck Depression Inventory scores were worse than those of unaffected patients, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p=0.039). Sexual problems are common in AS patients and might usually be associated with joint involvement, decreased functionality, increased disease activity, decreased health quality, and depression. Therefore, while examining AS patients and managing their treatments, special attention must be given to all domains of life instead of only physical problems