Evaluation of P57, P53 and Ki67 Expression in Meningiomas.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted this study with the aim of predicting the biological behavior of meningiomas, and determining the benefits of associating histological subtype and grade with the expression of proliferative markers and tumor suppressor proteins. METHODS: The study included 29 patients with primary intracranial and intraspinal meningioma diagnosed in the pathology laboratory of Konya City Hospital between January 2014 and December 2020. Clinicopathological characteristics of the patients including parameters such as age and gender were obtained from the hospital records. Histopathological findings were obtained by re-evaluating the preparations stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin, which were extracted from the archive, and by evaluating new sections obtained from paraffin blocks of patients stained with Ki67, p53, and p57 immunohistochemical stains. RESULTS: A moderate correlation was found between tumor size and Ki67 proliferation index (PI) (p=0.003, r=0.530). There was no significant difference between grade I and grade II tumors in terms of p53 (p=0.184) and p57 (p=0.487) expressions. There were higher levels of Ki67 PI in grade II tumors. The histological subtypes of the tumor had no significant difference with Ki67 PI (p=0.018), p53 (p=0.662), and p57 (p=0.368) expressions. CONCLUSION: In order to obtain more definitive results, there is a need for studies, which are conducted with a greater number of patients and in multiple centers, and in which a long prospective follow-up is planned. The combination of histological, surgical, and imaging markers could make a more sensitive tool for predicting recurrence, and this could also be tested in future studies.

Assessment of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter in Patients Undergoing Epiduroscopy.

BACKGROUND Epiduroscopy is commonly used for the evaluation and treatment of low back pain. Saline with or without local anesthetic addition was used to visualize epidural space structure during this procedure. A rapid increase in epidural space pressure is transmitted into the spinal space to the optic nerve sheath. This study aimed to estimate the effects of epiduroscopy on optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) according to the volume of fluid using the ultrasonographic measurement of optic nerve diameter in adult patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty patients who had been treated for low back pain with epiduroscopy using low-volume (LV) or high-volume (HV) fluid application were enrolled into the study. Measurement of ONSD was performed before (T0) and immediately after epiduroscopy (T1), at 10 min (T2), and 20 min (T3) after the epiduroscopy. RESULTS Both groups showed significant differences over time in ONSD (PGroup×Time=0.001). The HV group showed greater changes from T0 to T2 and T3 than the LV group in ONSD. However, in both groups, ONSDs at T2 and T3 were significantly larger than those with the highest values at T2 compared to T0. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasonography of ONSD presents a good level of diagnostic accuracy for identifying epidural hypertension. In the clinical decision-making phase, this may help physicians to be more cautious about volume when performing epidural injections to treat this disease.

Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation of the Ganglion Impar for Coccydynia Management: Long-Term Effects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short- and long-term effects of ganglion impar radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) treatment in patients with chronic coccydynia. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who underwent RFT of the ganglion impar between 2009 and 2011. Pain intensity visual numeric scale (VNS) scores and Euroqol 5D (EQ-5D) index scores were recorded pre-intervention and post-intervention at the first, sixth, and twelfth months. The differences between pre-procedural VNS scores and post-procedural VNS scores at the first, sixth, and twelfth months were evaluated. The success of the intervention was recorded as the percentage difference between the pre-intervention VNS scores and post-intervention VNS scores at the first, sixth, and twelfth months. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients, including 11 females (55%) and 8 males (45%), was 48.7 ± 14.3 years. The average follow-up duration was 17.3 ± 2.9 months. Statistically significant differences were observed between the pre- and post-procedure VNS scores (P < 0.0001). Improvements in VNS scores were correlated with improvements in EQ-5D index scores. Mid-term (sixth month) and long-term (twelfth month) evaluations after the intervention revealed that 67.4% and 61.1% of the patients had successful outcomes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that RFT of the ganglion impar in patients with chronic coccydynia resulted in effective outcomes, and patients who responded to RFT had significantly lower post-RFT pain scores.

Percutaneous Balloon Kyphoplasty Vertebral Augmentation for Compression Fracture Due to Vertebral Metastasis: A 12-Month Retrospective Clinical Study in 72 Patients.

BACKGROUND Vertebral compression fracture is common in osteoporosis, but can also occur due to bone metastases, for which current treatment options are limited and include bone-strengthening with cement and supportive care. Kyphoplasty is a surgical method of bone augmentation that can reduce pain, stabilize vertebral bone, and restore some or all of the vertebral body height. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical results of balloon kyphoplasty in the correction of vertebral deformity due to metastatic vertebral compression fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective clinical study included 72 patients (82 vertebral bodies) with metastases resulting in vertebral compression fracture, treated by percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty; 9 patients were found incidentally to have vertebral metastases. Bone mineral density (BMD) levels were measured. Patient responses from questionnaires, including the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain intensity, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for disability, were scored. The local kyphosis angle (KA) and the vertebral height ratio (VHR) were measured. All patients were followed up for 12 months. The initial postoperative and 12-month postoperative values, and the preoperative and postoperative values were compared. RESULTS Following balloon kyphoplasty, the KA, VHR, VAS, and ODI scores significantly improved at the final 12-month follow-up compared with preoperative levels (p<0.05, and p<0.001). There was cement leakage in 6 procedures (8.3%) and adjacent segment fracture in 11 procedures (15.2%). CONCLUSIONS Balloon kyphoplasty was an effective method to reduce pain, reduce disability, and improve quality of life by eliminating kyphotic deformity in pathological vertebral compression fractures due to vertebral metastases.

The effect of spinal versus general anesthesia on intraocular pressure in lumbar disc surgery in the prone position: A randomized, controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare IOP changes between spinal anesthesia (SA) and general anesthesia (GA) in patients who underwent lumbar disc surgery in the prone position. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Operating room. PATIENTS: Forty ASA I-II patients scheduled for lumbar disc surgery in prone position. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly allocated to the SA or GA groups. MEASUREMENTS: IOP was measured before anesthesia (IOP1), 10 min after spinal or general anesthesia in supine position (IOP2), 10 min after being placed in the prone position (IOP3), and at the end of the operation in the prone position (IOP4). MAIN RESULTS: There was no significant difference between baseline IOP1 (group GA = 19.4 ±â€¯3.2 mmHg; group SA = 18.6 ±â€¯2.4 mmHg) and IOP2 values (group GA = 19.7 ±â€¯4.1 mmHg; group SA = 18.4 ±â€¯1.9 mmHg) between and within the groups. IOP values after prone positioning and group GA measurements (IOP3 = 21.6 ±â€¯3.1 mmHg; IOP4 = 33.9 ±â€¯3.1 mmHg) were significantly higher when compared with the SA group (IOP3 = 19.3 ±â€¯2.7 mmHg, IOP4 = 26.9 ±â€¯2.4 mmHg) (p = 0.018 and p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, IOP3 was significantly increased when compared with IOP2 in the GA group but not in the SA group (p = 0.019 and p = 0.525, respectively). In both groups, IOP4 values were significantly higher than the other three measurements (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that IOP increase is significantly less in patients who undergo lumbar disc surgery in the prone position under SA compared with GA.

High Prolactin Level as a Predictor of Vasospasm in Aneurysmal Subarachnoidal Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a destructive syndrome with a mortality rate of 50%. Recent studies have also suggested a high pervasiveness of hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency in up to 45% of patients after aSAH. Prolactin has been associated with the pathogenesis of hypertensive irregularities that are linked to pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS We identified a group of 141 patients with spontaneous SAH due to a ruptured cerebral aneurysm; these patients were operated on at our institution's Neurosurgery and Interventional Radiology Department between 2011 and June 2015. All of the data were obtained retrospectively from medical records. RESULTS The hormonal abnormalities observed in the initial 24 h after ictus in subjects with subarachnoid SAH were caused by stressful stimulation aggravated by intracranial bleeding. CONCLUSIONS The elevated prolactin levels that occur in patients with aSAH can be used in conjunction with other auxiliary factors that we believe may be beneficial to vasospasm.

Endovascular Treatment of Wide Necked Ruptured Saccular Aneurysms with Flow-Diverter Stent.

AIM: Flow diverter (FD) stents have been used in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. There are a few studies that report the use of these devices in ruptured blister-like aneurysms. We present 5 consecutive patients, who had ruptured intracranial wide necked or side branch close to the neck of saccular aneurysms, with no other treatment options, treated with FD stents and coil embolization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between September 2012 and April 2015, 139 ruptured aneurysms of 133 consequent patients were treated. Of these, 48 were surgically treated aneurysms. Five of the remaining 85 aneurysms treated with FD stents. Three aneurysms were in the posterior communicating artery, and 2 were in the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA). Partial coil embolization was performed in addition to FD stents in three patients. All patients were treated in the first 3 days after bleeding. RESULTS: Technical success was 100%. Inappropriate deployment of silk stent and partial thrombus formation occurred in one patient due to the jailed micro-catheter. Inappropriate apposition of stent was corrected with a balloon, and the thrombus resolved with tirofiban, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) injections. No other complication or death occurred related to the procedure. One patient who had a giant ICA aneurysm and Fisher grade 4 bleeding died due to vasospasm, cerebral edema and sepsis on the postoperative 13 < sup > th < /sup > day. The other patients were followed-up uneventfully with computed tomography angiography (CTA) at 6th month and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) at 12 < sup > th < /sup > month. CONCLUSION: FD stents can be used in the treatment of ruptured large wide necked or side branch close to the neck of saccular aneurysms when other treatment options can not be used.

Patient Selection and Efficacy of Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy with Respect to the Dallas Discogram Score.

AIM: Intervertebral disc degeneration can cause severe low back pain. Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with symptomatic internal disc disruption unresponsive to conservative medical care. We aimed to evaluate 12-month pain and functional outcomes and predictors of clinical success in patients with discogenic back pain treated with IDET with respect to the Dallas Discogram Scale (DDS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing IDET for low back pain from 2009 through 2014 at Baskent University, Department of Neurosurgery. A total number of 120 consecutive patients data were collected retrospectively. The degree of disc degeneration was graded using the DDS during discography, and the presence of a high intensity zone (HIZ) on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was noted. The primary outcome measure was assessment of back pain severity based on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); function was assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Follow-up examinations for ODI and VAS scores were assessed at 1, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. Outcomes were discussed with respect to morphological changes in intervertebral discs on discogram. RESULTS: There was an average 57.39% and 47.16% improvement in VAS and ODI scores, respectively, between pretreatment and 12 months follow-up (p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Predictors of 12-month clinical success was depended on DDS (p < 0.0001), a HIZ on MR imaging (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Durable clinical improvements can be realized after IDET in select surgical candidates with mild disc degeneration and HIZ, discography, and low-grade DDS, with more effective treatment results.

Association Between Brain Venous Drainage, Cerebral Aneurysm Formation and Aneurysm Rupture.

AIM: The brain venous drainage dominance is generally divided into three groups; right or left dominance and co-dominance. There is no study in the literature examining the link between brain venous drainage and aneurysm formation or rupture. Our aim was to evaluate the association between venous dominancy, aneurysm formation and rupture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-six patients, who underwent cerebral digital subtraction angiography and who had cerebral aneurysms, were included in the study. The angiographic images, patient charts, and tomography images were scanned retrospectively. We recorded the aneurysm"s location, size, dome to neck ratio (D/N); the patient"s gender, age, whether there was a ruptured aneurysm, smoking history, and/or hypertension; dominance of venous drainage, aneurysm side, Fisher scores and the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Grading System for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage scores for patients who had a ruptured aneurysm. We assessed whether or not venous drainage was associated with rupture of the aneurysm and if venous dominance was a predisposing factor for aneurysm formation like location, size, and hypertension. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant association between venous dominance and side of aneurysm; and also a statistically significant association between venous dominance and rupture. There was a positive correlation between hypertension and rupture. The most common aneurysm location was the anterior communicating artery, followed by the middle cerebral artery. CONCLUSION: Brain venous drainage dominance may be a predisposing factor for aneurysm formation and it can be predictive for rupture.

Clinical Outcomes of Patients over 75 Years of Age with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Following Bilateral Decompression via Unilateral Approach.

AIM: To investigate the clinical outcomes of bilateral decompression via unilateral approach (BDUA) on degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis in patients over 75 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Elderly patients (n=41; average age=79.3±2.5 years) who underwent BDUA under spinal anaesthesia between April 2011 and May 2014 were enrolled. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) values of the patients were evaluated preoperatively and at the last visit postoperatively (Mean follow-up period=27 month). All parameters were analysed using Student paired-sample t test with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: All 41 patients experienced significant postoperative improvement in VAS leg (p < 0.01) and back pain (p < 0.05) scores. Average ODIs were 52±4.1% preoperatively and 39±3.5% postoperatively. All changes were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: BDUA is a safe and very effective treatment in elderly patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis. This procedure has a very low complication rate and can be performed successfully under spinal anaesthesia.

Evaluation of sphenopalatine ganglion blockade via intra oral route for the management of atypical trigeminal neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) may be involved in persistent idiopathic facial pain and unilateral headaches. The role of SPG blockade via intra oral route in the management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is worthy of study. METHODS: In this retrospective study, patient records included patients with atypical TN (type 2) that persisted in spite of conservative treatment for at least 2 years, and an average pain intensity from the craniofacial region visual analogue scale (VAS) before examination. In group I the patients received carmapazepin 800 mg a day for at least 2 years. In group II 3 ml of local anesthetic agent consisting 2 ml bupivacaine and 1 ml prilocain in addition to 1 ml fentanyl, 0.5 ml betametasone disodium phosphate and 0.5 ml opaque was injected by the intraoral route. In this group, injection procedures were performed under local anesthesia with fluoroscopic guidance. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests with Bonferroni correction were used for intergroup analysis. Age and sex differences were evaluated with one-way ANOVA and Fisher's exact tests, respectively. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between pre-op and 3rd day VAS values and also pre-op and 1st month VAS values. No significant differences were found between pre-op and 6th month VAS values. CONCLUSION: The SPG blockade improves the quality of life of patients and a minimally-invasive procedure to management of TN, when compared to other methods.

Brown Tumor of the Thoracic Spine: First Manifestation of Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

Brown tumors also called as osteoclastomas, are rare nonneoplastic lesions that arise in the setting of primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid adenomas or hyperplasia constitute the major Brown tumor source in primary hyperparathyroidism while chronic renal failure is the leading cause in secondary hyperparathyroidism. Most of the patients with the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism present with kidney stones or isolated hypercalcemia. However, nearly one third of patients are asymptomatic and hypercalcemia is found incidentally. Skeletal involvement such as generalized osteopenia, bone resorption, bone cysts and Brown tumors are seen on the late phase of hyperparathyroidism. The symptoms include axial pain, radiculopathy, myelopathy and myeloradiculopathy according to their locations. Plasmocytoma, lymphoma, giant cell tumors and metastates should be ruled out in the differential diagnosis of Brown tumors. Treatment of Brown tumors involve both the management of hyperparathyroidism and neural decompression. The authors report a very rare spinal Brown tumor case, arisen as the initial manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism that leads to acute paraparesis.

Presence of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene polymorphisms and immunohistochemical expressions in intracranial meningiomas.

OBJECT: Meningiomas are benign extraaxial tumors with a slow progression. Some of them, in spite of being benign in nature, may show an aggressive progression pattern. To investigate the behavioral characteristics of meningiomas, researchers have studied matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), interstitial collagens, proteins, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), and tumor necrosis factors. METHODS: In this study, the authors investigated MMP2 and TIMP2 gene polymorphisms in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples obtained from meningioma patients who had previously undergone surgery at the authors' institution. In addition, brain invasion, Ki-67 index, and MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expressions were investigated using immunohistochemical methods. MMP2 (735C>T, 1575G>A, 1306C>T) and TIMP2 (418G>C, 303C>T) gene polymorphisms were investigated from paraffin-embedded tissue sections using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between genotype (p = 0.001) and allele frequencies (p = 0.001 and OR 7.4 [95% CI 1.5-36.2]) in patient and control groups for MMP2 1306C>T polymorphism. The authors did not find a statistically significant difference for other polymorphisms. GA genotype was found to be more frequent when brain invasion was suspected for MMP2 1575G>A polymorphism (p = 0.006). There was not a statistically significant difference for other MMP2 or TIMP2 gene polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' results support the importance of MMPs and their tissue inhibitors in meningioma pathogenesis. In future studies, these gene polymorphisms, especially MMP2 1306C>T and 1575G>A, should be investigated for meningioma or brain invasion susceptibility in larger study groups.

Levatiracetam for the management of Lance-Adams syndrome.

Chronic post-hypoxic myoclonus, also known as Lance-Adams syndrome (LAS) is a neurological complication characterized by uncontrolled myoclonic jerks following cardiac arrest. In this article, clinical manifestation and symptomatic treatment options are discussed especially concerning the rationale of use of levatiracetam in patients with Lance-Adams syndrome. Clinical presentation is action myoclonus associated with cerebellar ataxia, postural imbalance, and very mild intellectual deficit. An 18-year-old female patient was admitted to our intensive care unit in a coma. She had a cardiorespiratory arrest after a splenectomy in a local hospital. Then, myoclonic movements were continuously observed over the entire body, including the face. On day 14 of hospitalization, we started levatiracetam 1000 mg daily. The frequency of convulsion movements was reduced. The patient level of consciousness was 15 on the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was 23 out of 30. She was later transferred to the rehabilitation department. Vigilance is required to ensure early diagnosis and timely intervention for the myoclonic jerks. We would like to emphasize that LAS should be considered in patients with the myoclonic jerks following cardiac arrest and that levatiracetam therapy may be useful as treatment.

The importance of craniovertebral and cervicomedullary angles in cervicogenic headache.

PURPOSE: Many studies have indicated that cervicogenic headache may originate from the cervical structures innervated by the upper cervical spinal nerves. To date, no study has investigated whether narrowing of the craniovertebral angle (CVA) or cervicomedullary angle (CMA) affects the three upper cervical spinal nerves. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CVA and/or CMA narrowing on the occurrence of cervicogenic headache. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and five patients diagnosed with cervicogenic headache were included in the study. The pain scores of patients were determined using a visual analog scale. The nonheadache control group consisted of 40 volunteers. CVA and CMA values were measured on sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), on two occasions by two radiologists. Angle values and categorized pain scores were compared statistically between the groups. RESULTS: Intraobserver and interobserver agreement was over 97% for all measurements. Pain scores increased with decreasing CVA and CMA values. Mean angle values were significantly different among the pain categories (P < 0.001). The pain score was negatively correlated with CMA (Spearman correlation coefficient, rs, -0.676; P < 0.001) and CVA values (rs, -0.725; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CVA or CMA narrowing affects the occurrence of cervicogenic headache. There is an inverse relationship between the angle values and pain scores.

Unusual traumatic midthoracic spondyloptosis and its surgical management: case report.

Posttraumatic spondyloptosis develops as a result of complete subluxation of the vertebral bodies and causes complete transection of the spinal cord. Severe trauma-related spondyloptosis of the upper-mid thoracic region is a rare form of spinal trauma. Traumatic midthoracic spondyloptosis is quite rare, and radiology plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Surgical reconstruction and stabilization are required for early mobilization and rehabilitation of patients with this injury. Here, we report the clinical features, radiographic findings, and management of an unusual case of traumatic midthoracic spondyloptosis that showed complete spinal cord transection and was operated.

Arachnoiditis ossificans in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, syringomyelia, and a history of spinal surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In this article, we describe a patient unusual presenting with both arachnoiditis ossificans and syringomyelia. We have reviewed the patient's evaluation, surgery, and treatment. CASE DESCRIPTION: This patient developed paraparesis following thoracolumbar spinal surgery to treat kyphosis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis. RESULTS: We performed a T9-T11 total laminectomy, drained the cyst, dissected and removed the calcified plaques posterior to the cord, and decompressed the neural structures. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic arachnoiditis ossificans (AO) a rare clinical manifestation is characterized by the calcification or ossification of the spinal arachnoid. The occurrence of AO with syringomyelia is rare. To date, a few cases with both AO and ankylosing spondylitis have been reported.

Unilateral percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation with minimally invasive TLIF for the treatment of recurrent lumbar disk disease: 2 years follow-up.

AIM: To compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of recurrent disk disease in patients who underwent unilateral and bilateral percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation with Mis-TLIF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 10 patients treated with unilateral percutaneous instrumentation plus Mis-TLIF formed Group 1 while the other 10 patients treated with bilateral percutaneous instrumentation plus Mis-TLIF formed Group 2. Clinical outcomes were graded using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores. Peroperative and 2-year follow-up scores were obtained. Postoperative imaging techniques were used for the assessment of fusion, subsidence and spinal alignment. RESULTS: According to preoperative and postoperative VAS/ODI scores, statistically significant differences were noted in the unilaterally and bilaterally instrumented group. However, a statistically significant difference was not observed between the unilateral and bilateral groups. Radiological evidence of successful arthrodesis was noted in 8 of 10 patients (80%) in the unilaterally instrumented group and in 9 of 10 patients (90%) in the bilaterally instrumented group at the 2 years follow-up. No metal failure, cage migration, vertebral fracture, subsidence or adjacent level disease was experienced. CONCLUSION: Mis-TLIF with unilateral percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation is an excellent option in the treatment of selected recurrent disk disease patients.

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene (I/D) polymorphism in patients with migraine.

In addition to the wide expression in many tissues including vascular endothelial cells, production of angiotensin II and degradation of bradykinin may indicate that angiotensin-converting enzyme could be involved in vascular tension and blood pressure. It has been reported that the deletion allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene is associated with increased serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels and linked to cerebrovascular diseases. In this study, the possible association of migraine with aura with the angiotensin-converting enzyme deletion-deletion (DD) and the angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion-deletion (ID) genotype was investigated in Turkish patients. To investigate the role of the angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism in Turkish patients with migraine with aura, we analyzed the I/D genotype of 53 patients with that disorder. Twenty-two control subjects, who are volunteer Turkish patients without migraine, were included in the study. The frequency of the angiotensin-converting enzyme D/D genotype was statistically significant more frequent in patients with migraine with aura (81.1%) than in controls (59.1%) (P < .05). No differences were found regarding the I/I genotype and the I/D genotype between the 2 groups (P > .05). The results of our study revealed that the angiotensin-converting enzyme D/D genotype was more frequent in patients with migraine with aura than in controls. This might suggest that the angiotensin-converting enzyme D/D genotype may be a genetic risk factor for migraine with aura in Turkish patients.