Retrospective Evaluation Of MRI Findings Of Knee Joint In 255 Patients

Retrospective evaluation of knee MRI obtained from 255 cases and to demonstrate most common knee joint pathologies in our region.In our study knee joints of 255 cases who admitted to different clinics of our hospital with various complains of knee between October 1996 and December 1998 were examined in wide spectrum with MRI. Via 1.0 Tesla MRI device and special knee coil in sagittal, coronal and axial plains MRI images were obtained. The number of male and female patients were 173 and 82 and their ages were ranged between 14 and 70, and the mean age was 3413.The most common knee pathologies were intra-articular fluid (%58.04), medial (%46,66) and lateral (%12.55) meniscal injuries, anterior cruciate ligament injury (%17.25) and osteoarthritis (%14.9). The other important lesions were degeneration of medial and lateral meniscus, Baker’s cyst, bursitis, posterior cruciate ligament injury , medial and lateral collateral ligament injuries, synovial hypertrophy, chondromalasia of patella, and contusion.In our images of knee the most common lesions were injuries of meniscus and ligament. Because of being noninvasive technique for knee joint pathologies, capacity of multiplanar imaging, high contrast resolution and chance of detailed anatomic evaluation MR imaging was found to be most appropriate imaging technique for knee joint pathologies

Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with sustained and switching treatments using biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: A multicenter, observational cross-sectional study for rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with different disease activity grades. Several registries have been designed to determine the appropriate regimens of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs to obtain sustained clinical remission. We examined epidemiological and clinical characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis patients using a clinical registry database (BioSTaR) and analyzed the differences in patients with sustained and switched therapies. Methods A multicenter, observational cross-sectional study for rheumatoid arthritis was performed between February 2019 and September 2020 using the BioStaR-RA registry. Demographic and clinical characteristics were prospectively recorded into a specifically designed electronic database. The patients were divided into three groups due to the heterogeneity of the study cohort. Patients were grouped as Group I (Initial; within the first 6 months of treatment with biological/targeted synthetic drugs), Group ST (Sustained Treatment; any first drug lasting for at least 6 months without any change), and Group S (Switch; any switching to another drug). Comparative analysis was performed between sustained treatment (Group ST) and drug switching (Group S) groups. Results The study included a total of 565 patients. The mean age was 53.7 +/- 12.8 years, and the majority were female (80.4%). There were 104, 267, and 194 patients in Groups I, ST, and S, respectively. Erosive arthritis and hematological extra-articular involvement were more frequently detected in Group S than Group ST (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001). The patients in Group S had significantly higher disease activity scores (DAS28-CRP, CDAI, and SDAI) (p = 0.025, p = 0.010, and p = 0.003). There were significantly more patients with moderate disease activity in Group S (p < 0.05). Conclusions The groups with sustained treatment and switching included patients with different disease activity status, although higher disease activity was determined in switchers. Overall, moderate disease activity and remission were the most common disease activity levels. Lower disease activity scores, lower hematologic manifestations, better functional status, and lesser radiographic damage are associated with sustained treatment.Turkish Medicine and Medical Devices Agency ; Ankara Numune Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanes

Candida arthritis in a patient diagnosed with spondyloarthritis

Abstract Candida arthritis is an unusual manifestation that usually affects the knees. A 35-year-old man presented with a 2-month history of pain and swelling in the right knee. Swelling persisted after anti-inflammatory treatment. Peripheric spondyloarthritis was considered, but methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and methylprednisolone did not reduce the swelling. Direct examination of synovial fluid and a culture were positive for Candida albicans. Intravenous and intra-articular amphotericin-B were administered. The arthritis regressed and a culture and direct staining showed negative results. Candida arthritis should be considered in patients with arthritis that is resistant to treatment and prolonged, even if risk factors are absent

Comparison of PA spine, lateral spine, and femoral BMD measurements to determine bone loss in ankylosing spondylitis

To evaluate bone loss in the early- and late-stage ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients using posteroanterior (PA) and lateral lumbar and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) measurement methods. Eighty-six AS patients and 50 control subjects were enrolled. PA spine, lateral spine, and femur BMD values of patients and controls were measured. The presence of any syndesmophytes or compression fractures was determined. Patients were divided as early (< 10 years) and late stage (a parts per thousand yen10 years) according to the onset of the inflammatory pain. Mean PA spinal BMD was similar in patients and controls (p = 0.460). Femoral and lateral spine BMD values were significantly lower in patients (p = 0.012 and p = 0.001). When comparing early- and late-stage AS groups, mean PA spinal BMD was found to be lower in the early group (p = 0.005), while femoral and lateral spinal values were lower (although statistically not significant) in the late group. At least one compression fracture was present in 28 % of patients. Although not statistically significant, mean PA spinal BMD was higher in those with fractures. Femoral and lateral spinal BMD values were significantly lower in the fracture group (p = 0.034 and p = 0.004). Lateral spinal BMD values were significantly lower in patients with syndesmophytes (p = 0.004). Bone loss is increased in AS compared with control subjects. The BMD measurement at the lateral lumbar spine reflects bone loss and fracture risk better than PA spine and femoral measurements

Comparison of the Effect of Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant in Vitrectomized and Nonvitrectomized Eyes for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose. To compare the effectiveness of sustained-release dexamethasone (DEX) intravitreal implant in nonvitrectomized eyes and vitrectomized eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods. A retrospective review of the medical records of 40 eyes of 30 consecutive patients with diabetic macular edema who underwent intravitreal DEX implant injection. Patients were divided into 2 subgroups: 31 eyes that were nonvitrectomized (group 1) and 9 eyes that had previously undergone standard pars plana vitrectomy (group 2). The main outcome measures were BCVA and foveal thickness (FT). Results. A significant improvement was seen in BCVA in both group 1 and group 2 at the 1st, 2nd, and 6th months after treatment with DEX implant (p<0.05). In group 1, a significant reduction in FT was observed at the 1st, 2nd, and 6th months (p<0.05). In group 2, a significant reduction in FT was seen at the 1st and 2nd months (p<0.05), but the reduction rate at the 6th month after the injection was not statistically significant (p=0.06). Conclusion. DEX implant is effective for the treatment of diabetic macular edema, and the effectiveness of the drug is similar in vitrectomized and nonvitrectomized eyes

Prevalence of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures and related factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Background Osteoporosis and vertebral factures are well recognized features in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures in patients with AS