CT and MR Imaging Characteristics of Intravestibular and Cerebellopontine Angle Lipoma.

Intracranial lipoma is an uncommon entity. A rare type of tumor in the internal auditory canal (IAC) and the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) is lipoma. There are a few case reports in the literature related to intravestibular lipoma. Herein, we report a case of lipomas within the cerebellopontine angle and vestibule of the inner ear in a patient with tinnitus and dizziness. The patient was evaluated with a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. MRI and CT showed the masses in the left CPA and the left IAC. These lesions were hyperintense on both T1- and T2 weighted images and showed no enhancement after gadolinium administration. Conservative management was suggested. Histopathological diagnosis is rarely necessary with the widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging. Considering significant morbidity during resection, conservative follow-up is the best approach for CPA and IAC lipoma.

Breast arterial calcifications and carotid intima-media thickness and haemodynamics: Is there any association?

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to research the relation between breast arterial calcifications (BACs) detected on mammography and two well-known markers of cardiovascular diseases-carotid artery intima-media thickness (C-IMT) and haemodynamics parameters like carotid peak-systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistive index (RI). METHODS: The study group consisted of 50 consecutive BAC (+) women and the control group consisted of 55 BAC (-) women. In all participants, BAC was diagnosed using mammography and C-IMT was measured using B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography. BAC was defined as two linear calcification depositions in a conical periphery or as calcific rings at the mammographic evaluation. Doppler spectrum samples were obtained from 2 cm proximal to the main carotid artery bifurcation. RESULTS: Postmenopausal female patients ranging in age from 40 to 86 included in this study. When the groups were adjusted for age, a statistically significant difference was found between mean C-IMT of BAC (+) and BAC (-) groups (0.81 ± 0.2 vs. 0.69 ± 0.2 mm; p<0.001). No significant differences were observed between BAC (+) and BAC (-) groups in terms of PSV, EDV, RI. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study suggest that BAC, diagnosed by mammography, is independently associated with C-IMT. C-IMT measurement is suggested as a useful tool to detect early atherosclerotic changes. However, haemodynamic variables (PSV, EDV, RI) were not statistically different between the BAC (+) and BAC (-) groups. Prospective larger cohort studies are needed to further elucidate whether BAC is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Role of ultrasonography with color-Doppler in the emergency diagnosis of acute penile fracture: a case report.

Penile fracture is the rupture of tunica albuginea, typically resulting from blunt trauma, intercourse, or penile manipulation. Diagnosis is made clinically. Ultrasound is not used frequently in diagnosis of penile fracture but it provides a fast, non-invasive alternative to more often used MRI and cavernography. We aimed to present diagnostic ultrasound and color Doppler images of a patient with acute penile fracture in conjunction with literature.

Relationship between placental grade and mean platelet volume.

This study was performed to investigate the correlation between mean platelet volume, as an indicator of thrombocyte function, and placental grade classified by the Grannum scoring system. Placental sonographic images were graded according to the Grannum scoring system, and synchronous haemogram samples were taken from patients who attended foetal assessments during the second and third trimesters. A total of 75 patients were in their second trimester, and 40 patients were in their third trimester. The relation between week of pregnancy and placental Grannum score was significant (p<0.001); i.e. placental Grannum score increased with gestational age. The association between Grannum score and mean platelet volume was analysed, including trimester and mean platelet volume, by linear regression analysis. The results indicated a distinct trimester-independent correlation between mean platelet volume and Grannum score (partial correlation coefficient=0.455; p<0.001). However, no correlation was observed between Grannum score and gravity (r=0.87; p=0.356), parity (r=0.97; p=0.302) or abortion (r=0.011; p=0.91). The correlation between mean platelet volume and placental calcification was investigated, and mean platelet volume in patients with a calcified placenta was 8.23 ± 1.14, whereas mean platelet volume in placentas with no calcification was 7.92 ± 1.18 (p=0.233). Mean platelet volume was an independent indicator of Grannum score, which is an indicator of placental grade, in women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Assessing mean platelet volume during routine screening may identify functional placental disorders.

Complex fracture of the clivus after head trauma.

Clivus fracture (CF), which is usually reported to accompany with head trauma, has high mortality rates. Early diagnosis of CF is rare because of high mortality rates and inadequate urgent radiologic techniques; however, diagnosis rates are increasing with computed tomography images obtained in high resolution and thin sections. In this article, radiologic and clinical features of 2 patients who were detected to have longitudinal CF after head trauma are presented and accompanying pathologies and its importance for prognosis are discussed under the light of literature data composed of a small number of reports.

Role and importance of Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of pulmonary sequestration: report of two adolescent cases.

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare pulmonary parenchymal anomaly. The localization of the aberrant artery and its relation with sequestration are of importance in the process of diagnosis in the preoperative period. The feeding artery can be identified by color Doppler ultrasonography. We report two cases of pulmonary sequestration in two adolescents, aged 11 and 13 years old, and this report documents the use of in which color Doppler ultrasound demonstrated the abnormal feeding artery. Color Doppler ultrasonography, a noninvasive and radiation-free imaging modality should be considered in the diagnostic algorithm of pulmonary sequestration.

The knowledge and attitudes of breast self-examination and mammography in a group of women in a rural area in western Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer appears to be a disease of both the developing and developed worlds. Among Turkish women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to determine levels of knowledge about breast cancer and to evaluate health beliefs concerning the model that promotes breast self- examination (BSE) and mammography in a group of women aged 20-64 in a rural area of western Turkey. METHODS: 244 women were recruited by means of cluster sampling in this study. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic variables, a risk factors and signs of breast cancer form and the adapted version of Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS). Bivariate correlation analysis, Chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression analysis were performed throughout the data analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 37.7 +/- 13.7. 49.2% of women were primary school graduates, 67.6% were married. Although 76.6% of the women in this study reported that they had heard or read about breast cancer, our study revealed that only 56.1% of them had sufficient knowledge of breast cancer, half of whom had acquired the information from health professionals. Level of breast cancer knowledge was the only variable significantly associated with the BSE and mammography practice (p = 0.011, p = 0.007). BSE performers among the study group were more likely to be women who exhibited higher confidence and perceived greater benefits from BSE practice, and those who perceived fewer barriers to BSE performance and possessed knowledge of breast cancer. CONCLUSION: By using the CHBMS constructs for assessment, primary health care providers can more easily understand the beliefs that influence women's BSE and mammography practice.