Cardiac protective techniques in left breast radiotherapy: rapid selection criteria for routine clinical decision making.

OBJECTIVE: In left breast radiotherapy (RT) desired heart doses may be achieved without heart-sparing RT techniques in some patients. We aimed to examine the existence of predictive factors and cutoff points to determine which patients are the main candidates for heart-sparing RT techniques. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Dosimetric data for left breast cancer was examined. RT plans were made at conventional doses to the breast and peripheral lymph nodes. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0 (SPSS Inc., IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). RESULT: 114 cases were evaluated by ROC (Receiver operating characteristic) analysis in the breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and mastectomy groups. While only left lung volume (AUC: 0.74, 95% CI 0.61-0.87, p = 0.002) was significant in BCS cases, in cases with mastectomy, left lung volume (AUC: 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.94, p = 0.002) and lung/heart volume ratio (AUC: 0.83, 95% CI 0.70-0.96, p = 0.001) had a significant relationship with the relevance of heart doses. The cutoff point of 1.92 was selected for the lung/heart volume ratio for the mastectomized patients. Moreover, the cutoff point 1154 cc and 1208 cc was determined for the left lung volume for the BCS and mastectomized patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Various cutoff points in left breast RT can be used to predict whether RT plans will meet QUANTEC (Quantitative Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic) heart dose limits. Evaluating only these few cutoff points before planning makes it possible to eliminate 70% of patients with BCS and 40% of patients with mastectomy from respiratory-controlled methods, which require time and effort. Patients with lung volume and lung/heart volume ratio smaller than the cutoff values can be considered primary candidates for heart-sparing techniques.

The use of Hybrid Techniques in Whole-Breast Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review.

Objectives The development of new techniques in radiotherapy (RT) provides a better planned target volume (PTV) dose distribution while further improving the protection of organs at risk (OARs). The study aims to present the dosimetric results of studies using hybrid techniques in whole-breast radiotherapy (WBRT). Methods: This systematic literature review was conducted by scanning the relevant literature in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Among the parameters are dose values for PTV and OARs beam contribute ratios, the value of monitors, and treatment times for different RT techniques. Initially, 586 articles were identified; 196 duplicate articles were removed leaving 391 articles for screening. Three-hundred and thirty-seven irrelevant articles were excluded, leaving 54 studies assessed for eligibility. A total of 22 articles met the search criteria to evaluate dosimetric results of hybrid and other RT techniques in WBRT. Results: According to the dosimetric data of the studies, hybrid intensity-modulated RT (H-IMRT) and hybrid volumetric-modulated arc therapy (H-VMAT) techniques give dosimetrically advantageous results in WBRT compared to other RT techniques. Conclusion: Hybrid techniques using appropriate beams contribute value and show great promise in improving dosimetric results in WBRT. However, there is a need for new studies showing the long-term clinical results of hybrid RT.

Results of radiotherapy in squamous cell laryngeal cancer: A tomotherapy center experience.

Background: Laryngeal cancer is a common type of head and neck cancer (HNC). Radiotherapy (RT) is a mainstay for curative treatment. Intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) is a standard technique today, as it provides of higher survival and local control and lower normal tissue toxicity. One of IMRT devices is helical tomotherapy (HT). The HT treatment results of HNC patients have been reported in few studies. We aimed to investigate the results of squamous cell laryngeal carcinoma patients treated with helical tomotherapy. Methods: Forty-five laryngeal cancer patients were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Radiotherapy (RT) plans were set in the Hi-Art HT planning system. Image-gated RT (IGRT) technique was used. Appropriate patients received simultaneous cisplatin. Treatment response rates were evaluated at the post-RT third and sixth months. Survival times were calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. The factors affecting the treatment results were evaluated using Log-rank and Cox regression tests. A P value of less than 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: The median age was 65 (28-84) years. The median symptom duration was 6 (1-60) months. The RT dose for the early and the locally advanced disease was median 63 Gy (60.75-66) and 66 Gy (60-70), respectively. The RT interruption was median two (0-20) days. The patients were followed up to 25 (1-45) months. Grade 2 xerostomia and dysphagia rates were 55% and 7%, respectively. The 3-year estimates of overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and locoregional recurrence-free survival (RRFS) were 71.7%, 60.4%, 84.9%, and 68.5%, respectively. In univariate analysis, the presence of N2 disease was a negative prognostic for DFS (P = 0.05) and DMFS (P = 0.003). RT interruption >2 days was a negative prognostic for OS (P = 0.005), DFS (P = 0.02), and RRFS (P = 0.023). In the multivariate analysis, symptom duration >6 months was found to be the only significant factor for DFS (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Intensity-modulated radiation with HT achieved comparable clinical outcomes with acceptable toxicity in laryngeal carcinoma.

Fabrication and characterization of enhanced hydrazine electrochemical sensor based on gold nanoparticles decorated on the vanadium oxide, ruthenium oxide nanomaterials, and carbon nanotubes composites.

This work describes the synthesis of mixed oxide film of vanadium and ruthenium by pulsed deposition technique on multiwall carbon nanotubes and the decoration of gold nanoparticles on the mixed film. A ternary electrocatalyst has been developed for the electrochemical oxidation of hydrazine by combining two metal oxide mixtures with Au nanoparticles. Surface morphology and chemical composition of the electrode have been examined with SEM, EDX, HRTEM, EIS, and XRD. The peak current of hydrazine increased 9 times at the AuNPs/(VOx-RuOx)/CNT/GCE compared to the bare GCE, and the peak potential shifted to negative 848 mV. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and amperometric techniques revealed that the AuNPs/(VOx-RuOx)/CNT/GCE displays linear concentration range 2.5-10000 µM (LSV) and the concentration range 0.03-100 µM (amperometry). The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.5 µM and 0.1 µM at (S/N = 3) for LSV and amperometric technique, respectively. The results obtained show a good RSD% of 2.1%-3.2% and reasonable recovery of 97%-108% of hydrazine detection.

A comparison of dosimetric and clinical parameters between different IMRT boost techniques in preoperative rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: In this study we compared the clinical and dosimetric outcomes of simultaneous integrated boost intensity modulated radiation therapy (SIB-IMRT) and sequential boost (SEQ-IMRT) techniques in preoperative rectal cancer (RC). METHODS: We analyzed 67 preoperative RC patients who received RT with Helical TomoTherapy (HT) device. 27 of patients were irradiated with SEQ-IMRT and 40 were irradiated with SIB-IMRT technique. The primary tumor and involved lymph nodes were simultaneously treated using the SIB-IMRT (50.4Gy/25 fraction). SEQ-IMRT delivered 45Gy/25 fractions to primary tumor (involved lymph nodes) and 5.4Gy/3fractions to boost volume. Dosimetric parameters, acute toxicities and 5year overal survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and local control (LC) between two techniques were compared. RESULTS: In the SIB-IMRT group planning treatment volume (PTV) homogeneity index (HI) was better than in the SEQ-IMRT group. PTV doses of Dmax for SEQ-IMRT group were higher than the SIB-IMRT group (p<0.05). The bladder doses of Dmax in the SIB-IMRT group were higher than SEQ-IMRT group (p<0.005). There were no significant differences in other dosimetric parameters between groups. Median follow up was 29.06 months (range 4.3-92.07) and 36.46 months (range 8.7-79.6) in the SIB-IMRT and SEQ-IMRT groups, respectively. No significant difference was found between the SIB-IMRT and SEQ-IMRT groups in acute toxicity (p=0,909). Five-year OS, DFS and LC were 73.15%, 66.75% and 75.55% in SIB-IMRT group and 65.19%, 55.53% and 60.22% in the SEQ-IMRT group, respectively. No statically significant differences were found between the two groups regarding 5-year OS, DFS and LC. CONCLUSIONS: SIB-IMRT and SEQ-IMRT tecniques provided similar outcomes for dosimetric and clinical results for RC in HT treatment.

Hybrid Tomo-Helical and Tomo-Direct radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to present a new planning approach to provide better planning target volume (PTV) coverage and reduce bladder and rectum dose with hybrid Tomo-Helical (TH)/Tomo-Direct (TD) radiotherapy (RT) for localized prostate cancer (LPC). METHODS: Twenty-five LPC patients were included in this retrospective study. TH plans, TD plans, and hybrid TH/TD plans were created. Lateral beams were used for the hybrid TD plan and the prescribed dose was 70 Gy in 28 fractions (hybrid plans were combined 45 Gy/ 18 fxs for TH and 25 Gy/10 fxs for TD). Doses of PTV (D2%, D98%, D50%, homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI), coverage) and organs at risk (OARs) (V50%, V35%, V25%, V5%, and V95%) were analyzed. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the difference in dosimetric parameters. p-Value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: TH plans showed better CI, and target coverage (p < 0.01) than TD and hybrid plans in all patient plan evaluations. However, TD plans D2%, D98%, and D50% doses were better than TH and hybrid plans. The HI values were similar between the three plans. Significant reductions in bladder and rectum V50%, V35%, and V25% doses (p < 0.001) were observed with hybrid plans compared to TH and TD. Penile bulb V95% and bowel V5% doses were better in the hybrid plans. Left and right femoral head V5% doses were higher in the hybrid plan compared to others (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Concurrently hybrid TH/TD RT plan can be a good option to reduce the doses of the rectum and bladder in the RT of LPC.

Mediastinal small cell carcinoma with a metastasis to the orbit: A rare carcinoma with an unusual metastatic progression.

Extraocular muscle (EOM) is a rare site for orbital metastasis. We presented a case of solitary EOM metastasis from mediastinal small cell cancer (MSCC) for the first time. A 49-year-old man presented with hoarseness. Thorax computed tomography (CT) revealed a mediastinal mass. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) confirmed the diagnosis of MSCC. The patient staged as limited-stage MSCC with a positron emission computed tomography (PET-CT). The patient received radical chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). PET-CT showed a complete response after CRT. Afterward, the patient presented with double vision and a headache. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a 2 cm metastatic lesion at the left inferior rectus muscle. A 30 Gy palliative RT was applied. The full regression of the mass was achieved 3 months after the palliative RT. Although solitary EOM metastasis is rare, the timing of accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help to preserve the patient's vision and relieve complaints related to the mass.

Effect of lung volume on helical radiotherapy in esophageal cancer: are there predictive factors to achieve acceptable lung doses?

PURPOSE: The dose received by the lungs in radiotherapy (RT) is affected by the patient's current lung volume. The presence of predictive factors and cut-off points were investigated to achieve acceptable lung doses in esophageal cancer (EC) treatment. METHODS: Virtual RT volumes of supracarinal EC were delineated. RT plans were designed with standard criteria in the TomoTherapy planning system (TomoTherapy Inc., Madison, WI, USA). The total dose was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction). ROC (Receiver operating characteristic) analysis and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed. RESULTS: There was a total of 65 patient plans included. ROC analysis showed that lung/PTV (Planning target volume) volume ratio (AUC [Area under curve]: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.83-0.99, p = 0.000) and bilateral lung volume (AUC: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.92, p = 0.000) have diagnostic power to predict the suitability of RT plans according to QUANTEC (Quantitative Analyses of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic) for lung dose constraints. The cut-off points of 7 and 3500 cc were selected for lung/PTV ratio and bilateral lung volume, respectively. The effect of the cut-off points on the dose data was assessed with the Mann-Whitney U test. The mean lung and heart doses, lung V5, V15, and V20, as well as heart V5, V20, V30, and V45 values were found to be lower in both groups separated by cut-off points (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The lung/PTV ratio ≥7 and bilateral lung volume ≥3500 cc cut-off points are predictive of whether TomoTherapy plans may meet QUANTEC lung dose limits in patients with supracarinal esophageal cancer. The patients with lung/PTV ratio and lung volume above these cut-off points may be candidates for treatment with TomoTherapy.

Adaptive radiation therapy for cervical esophageal cancer: dosimetric and volumetric analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cervical esophageal cancer (CEC) patients may suffer from significant anatomical changes due to tumor shrinkage or weight loss during radiotherapy. The aim of the study is to evaluate the volumetric and dosimetric changes in the target and critical volumes of CEC patients by using adaptive radiotherapy (ART) technique. METHODS: Seven CEC patients treated in helical tomotherapy (HT) unit was analyzed. All patients had a replanning CT simulation at 3rd (CT2) and 5th (CT3) weeks in addition to the initial CT (CT1). Volumetric and dosimetric changes of target and organs at risk (OAR) were evaluated. RESULTS: The average weight loss of the patients was 9.03%. The major changes of the planning target volume (PTV), PTV boost, right and left parotid volumes were 4.74%; 15.93%; 26.82% and 26.64%, respectively. Using ART software was evaluated with first planning values (CT1) and pre-CT2-CT3 verification values. The correlation was decrease of the D95 and increase of the Dmax was statistically significant. When evaluated the varying values of the new CTs, there was no significant change between the initial PTV and adapted PTV's. But a significant decrease was observed at the summation plan for left and right parotids (P<0.05). The mean dose reductions of left and right parotid were 2.48 and 2.49 Gy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that using ART technique was beneficial to ensure adequate doses to the target volumes and safe doses to the OARs for the patients who need replanning during RT in uncommon CEC patients.

Treatment outcomes and survival study of gastric cancer patients: a retrospective analysis in an endemic region.

PURPOSE: To present information about prognostic factors of gastric cancer patients treated in our Erzurum center including age, gender, tumour location, pathological grade, stage and the effect of treatment on survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was performed on patients who applied to our clinic and diagnosed as gastric cancer. Age and gender of the patients, primary location, histopathological characteristics, TNM stage of the gastric cancers (GCs), treatment applied, oncological treatment modalities and survival outcomes were studied. A univariate analysis of potential prognostic factors was performed with the log-rank test for categorical factors and parameters with a p value < 0.05 at the univariate step were included in the multivariate regression. RESULTS: A total of 228 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of gastric cancer were included in the study with a male/female ratio of 1.47. Median follow-up period was estimated as 22.3 (range, 3 to 96) months. When diagnosis of the patients at admission was analysed, stage III patients were most frequently encountered (n=147; 64.5%). One hundred and twenty-six (55.3%) underwent surgical treatment, while 117 (51.3%) were given adjuvant chemotherapy. Median overall survival time was 18.0 (± 1.19) months. Mean overall survival rates for 1, 2, 3 and 5 years were 68 ± 0.031%, 36 ± 0.033%, 24 ± 0.031% and 15.5 ± 0.036%, respectively. Univariate variables found to be significant for median OS in the multivariate analysis were evaluated with Cox regression analysis. A significant difference was found among TNM stage groups, location of the tumour and postoperative adjuvant treatment receivers (p values were 0.011, 0.025 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that it is possible to achieve long-term survival of gastric cancer with early diagnosis. Besides, in locally advanced GC patients, curative resection followed by adjuvant concomitant chemoradiotherapy based on the McDonald regimen was an independent prognostic factor for survival.

Comparison of linear accelerator and helical tomotherapy plans for glioblastoma multiforme patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in radiotherapy, overall survival of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients is still poor. Moreover dosimetrical analyses with these newer treatment methods are insufficient. The current study is aimed to compare intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) linear accelerator (linac) and helical tomotherapy (HT) treatment plans for patients with prognostic aggressive brain tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 20 GBM patient plans were prospectively evaluated in both linac and HT planning systems. Plans are compared with respect to homogenity index, conformity index and organs at risk (OAR) sparing effects of the treatments. RESULTS: Both treatment plans provided good results that can be applied to GBM patients but it was concluded that if the critical organs with relatively lower dose constraints are closer to the target region, HT for radiotherapeutical application could be preferred. CONCLUSION: Tomotherapy plans were superior to linear accelerator plans from the aspect of OAR sparing with slightly broader low dose ranges over the healthy tissues. In case a clinic has both of these IMRT systems, employment of HT is recommended based on the observed results and future re-irradiation strategies must be considered.

Prominent response with helical tomotherapy in recurrent ameloblastic carcinoma of maxillary sinus: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally aggressive tumor of odontogenic epithelial tissue. Reports of radiotherapy treatment modalities are limited in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A thirty-five year old male presented with complaints of headache radiating to his face for about six months and impaired vision. The patient's Positron Emission Tomography (PET) showed a mass in the left maxillary sinus extending to the nasal cavity and invading the adjacent tissues. An R2 (macroscopic residual tumor) surgical resection performed to debulk the tumor. Due to the recurrence and residual mass, the patient was treated with helical tomotherapy. At 2 months post-radiotherapy, patient's vision returned to normal. PET scan showed a significant reduction in lesion size 12 months post-radiation. CONCLUSION: In cases of ameloblastic carcinoma with, post-surgical recurrence or patients not suitable for surgical treatment, helical tomotherapy can be an effective treatment option.

Painful plantar heel spur treatment with Co-60 teletherapy: factors influencing treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND: Painful plantar heel spur (PPHS) is a benign disorder with painful heels as a result of plantar calcaneal bone spur. Exact etiological factors are still unclear. Treatment typically consists of osteoarthritis tretment schedules and surgical techniques. External radiotherapy is another treatment option. This study is aimed to determine effectiveness and treatment outcomes of external radiotherapy in patients with PPHS. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with PPHS were analysed for radiotherapy success and other possible prognostic factors. All patients were treated with Co-60 units from parallel opposed lateral portals, to a total dose of 8 Gy. Responses to radiotherapy was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain. Follow-up completed in December 2012 with 28 months median duration (range 22 to 35 months). Age, sex, patient number, spur settlement site, prior treatments, time interval between diagnosis and radiotherapy, pain scores (before and after radiotherapy), plantar fat-pillow thickness (PFPT; thickness of the plantar fat pad) and Böhler's angle estimations were analysed. RESULTS: Study included 53 female and 9 male patients with median age 57 (range 43-70). Time interval between PPHS diagnosis and radiotherapy were median 33 months (range10-60). Radiotherapy response time interval were 6 months (range 3-10 months). Responses to radiotherapy were no response in 13 patients (21%), partial response in 13 patients (21%)- pain relief below 50% and complete response - no pain in 36 patients (58%) respectively. Median PFPT of patients were 3.5 cm (range 1.20-4.50 cm). Complete response rate was statistically significant in patients whom PFPT is greater than 3.5 cm. The Böhler's angle range is about 20-40 deg. Complete response rates were higher in patients with degree of Böhler's Angle 30 and below. CONCLUSIONS: Simplicity of treatment, lack of acute adverse effects and low cost, seem to make radiotherapy one of the safest, cheapest and also an effective treatment modality for PPHS.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Neurologic Diseases: An Experience with 91 Patients in Seven Years.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we report the results of our experience of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) for neuroimmunologic disorders performed at our hospital over a seven-year period. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 91 patients (53 male, 38 female) who had been treated at our center with TPE. RESULTS: 60 patients with Guillain-Barrè syndrome (GBS), 23 with myasthenia gravis (MG), 4 with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and 1 patient each with polymyositis, septic encephalopathy, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and Opsoclonus-Myoclonus syndrome (OMS) received TPE. 26.7% of GBS patient's made complete recovery, 61.7% had partial recovery and 11.7% patients died due to respiratory failure. Despite our best efforts and effective TPE treatments, 13.4% of MG patients deceased, however, 78% had full recovery. Three patients with CIDP were discharged with full and 1 patient with partial recovery. The patient with ADEM had partial recovery with TPE at first, but deceased 2 months later due to pneumonia-related respiratory insufficiency. While, patient with polymyositis had slight-partial recovery, we obtained full recovery with TPE in septic encephalopathy and OMS patients. The side effects and complications of treatments with TPE, which included hypotension, hypocalcaemia and anemia, were mild and manageable. CONCLUSION: The improvement rates were encouraging and we concluded that significant benefit can be achieved with TPE for the treatment of neuroimmunological disorders.

If Neurologists Establish The Diagnosis of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome?

INTRODUCTION: Neurological involvements were shown in 20% of patients with Primary Sjogren's Syndrome (pSS). Neurological symptoms may be the first signs of pSS in 57% of the cases. In addition, early diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders may save or improve the quality of life of these cases. There have been reports about the neurologic manifestations of pSS but little is known about the details of neurologically presented cases. METHOD: In this study, we described 11 pSS patients who presented with neurological manifestations. RESULTS: Central nervous system (CNS) involvement was recorded in 7 (63.7%) and peripheric nervous system (PNS) involvement in 4 cases (36.4%). CONCLUSION: Our findings regarding the cases with neurological manifestations leading to the diagnosis of pSS suggest that: 1) The frequency of CNS involvement was higher than that of PNS, and the most frequent clinical pictures of CNS involvement are Multiple Sclerosis (MS)-like illnesses and optic neuritis, 2) Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) was the most frequent disease of PNS involvement; 3) Mononeuropathy multiplex (MM) might be the first sign of pSS; 4) Neurologists should consider pSS in the differential diagnosis of cases with MS, optic neuritis, GBS and neuropathies of unknown causes including MM; 5) There is an urgent need of therapeutical guidelines for the cases with neurological involvement associated with pSS.

Human quadrupedalism is not an epiphenomenon caused by neurodevelopmental malformation and ataxia.

Two cases with quadrupedal locomotion (QL) were presented. In both cases, cognitive and psychiatric functions were normal and, no neurological deficits were observed, except for a sequel paralysis of left leg in Case 2. It was suggested that human QL (1) should not be considered as an epiphenomenon caused by neurodevelopmental malformation and ataxia, but (2) may be considered as a re-emergence of the ancestral diagonal QL, and (3) it may spontaneously emerge in humans with entirely normal brains, by taking advantage of neural networks such as central pattern generators that have been preserved for about 400 million years.

Isolated inferior sagittal sinus thrombosis caused by a rare combination of elevated lipoprotein (a) and iron deficiency anemia.

A 21-year-old woman was admitted with right hemiparesis, bilateral papilledema, negative myoclonus of right upper extremity, and bilateral pyramidal findings. An MRI showed no venous flow in the inferior sagittal sinus. Lipoprotein a (Lp [a]) level was high and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was found. The coexistence of IDA and Lp (a) in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis is a very rare condition in adult patients. These risk factors should be investigated in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.

Lateralized α-motoneuron excitabilities during lying and standing of healthy individuals in relation to parkinsonian rigidity.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate mechanisms of Parkinsonian rigidity by assessing excitability of alpha-motoneurons innervating right and left soleus muscles in healthy controls and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with rigidities in the right, left and both legs. METHODS: One group of 45 controls was recruited and 60 PD patients in three groups: rigidities, predominantly in the right, left and both legs. H-reflex (H) and muscle response (M) were recorded from right and left soleus muscles during stimulations of the posterior tibial nerve at the popliteal fossa while lying and standing. The H/M ratio was taken as an index for motoneuron excitability. RESULTS: Mean H/M ratios were significantly different on the right and left sides, modified by postural changes in controls and PD patients. Analysis of variance showed that in healthy subjects the H/M ratio was: standing>lying (right), lying>standing (left). In right leg rigidity patients, the H/M ratio was greatest during standing, and smallest during lying. In left leg rigidity patients, the H/M ratios on the right and left sides were equally independent of posture. In controls, left H/M>right while lying, left, but

[Neurological involvement in brucellosis; clinical classification, treatment and results]. / Brusellozda sinir sistemi tutulumu; klinik siniflama, tedavi ve sonuçlar.

The aim of this retrospective study was to describe and to categorize different clinical pictures of patients with neurobrucellosis in our clinic, and present demographical and laboratory data about the patients. Hospital records of 430 patients with brucellosis between 2003 and 2009, were retrospectively reviewed. Out of 430 patients, 19 (4.4%) had neurobrucellosis. These patients were classified into four groups: Meningitis group (n= 14, 13 cases of subacute/chronic meningitis, one case of acute meningitis), encephalomyelitis group (n= 3, one case of meningoencephalomyelitis, one case of cerebellar abscess and one case of transverse myelitis), polyradicular group (n= 1, Miller-Fisher Syndrome), and others (n= 1, one case of intradural abscess). Ten patients (52.6%) were female, and the mean age of the patients was 48.8 years. About 47.4% of the patients had fever, 26% of the patients had neck stiffness and 5% of the patients were in an unconscious state. Out of 19 patients, 18 underwent lumbar puncture and they had positive brucella antibody test in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by standard tube agglutination method. Brucella spp. Were grown in four patient's blood culture and one patient's CSF culture. There were cranial nerve involvement in five cases, the most frequent being the sixth cranial nerve. Out of 19 patients, three recovered with sequela (paraparesis, hearing loss, dementia and sphincter disfunction) and 16 patients recovered completely. Although neurobrucellosis is most frequently presented as subacute/chronic meningitis, it may be associated with different clinical pictures. The classical triad of meningitis (fever, neck stiffness, unconsciousness) is rarely seen in brucellosis-related meningitis. Brucellosis should be kept in mind in patients with unexplained neurological findings particularly in areas where brucellosis is endemic. In addition, a current classification of neurobrucellosis, related to involved location of nervous system, clinical picture and pathogenesis, is needed.