Morphometric Analysis of Styloid Process Using Multidetector Computed Tomography.

Styloid process (SP) is a cylindrical anatomical structure located at the anterior side of stylomastoid foramen. Normally, it is 20 to 25  mm in length and can vary with age and sex. An elongated SP is an unusual source of craniofacial and cervical pain. In this study, the clinical role of morphometric data of SP was discussed. In this study, 64-slice multidetector computed tomography images (Somatom Sensation 64, Siemens, Germany) from Radiology Department's archive of Necmettin Erbakan University were used. The examined images were collected from 100 patients (31 female and 69 male). Length of SP (SPL), SP width (SPW), distance between SP rooths (DBR), SP's angulation, and the distance between SP and internal carotid artery (SP-ICA) were measured. Statistical differences were found regarding to the data of SPL, SPW, DBR, and SP-ICA left between sexes. No statistical significance was detected between right and left side SPL (paired t test; P = 0.989, P > 0.05). SP was observed as mostly type A1 (right %55, left %52). These parameters were also compared with those of previous studies. The present study showed side and sex differences and types of SP. We believe that it was necessary to determine the normal range of values for different populations, and this knowledge will provide guidance to surgeons in the examination of this area.

Determination of the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on the percentages of peripheral blood leukocytes and histology of lymphoid organs of the mouse.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of very weak, extremely low frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on the relative spleen weight, lymphoid organ histology, peripheral blood leukocyte and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase positive (ANAE- positive) lymphocyte percentages of the mouse. METHODS: The study was carried out in Scientific Research and Application Center of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey in 2005. A total of 120 Swiss albino mice were divided into 6 groups (20 in each group). The experimental animals were exposed to 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 microT flux intensities (rms) of EMF at 50 Hz for 40 days. RESULTS: In the exposure groups with 20 animals, the body weight (BW) increased gradually in higher field intensities and reached at peak level in the 4 microT, and then slightly decreased. The relative spleen weight (% of the BW) was not affected. The ELF-EMF treatment did not cause any significant change in lymphocyte, monocyte and ANAE-positive lymphocyte ratios, whereas percentages of neutrophils and basophiles changed non-linearly. Any change in the lymphoid organ histology, which is attributable to the field effect, was not observed in the exposure groups. CONCLUSION: Extremely low frequency-EMF exposure with the flux intensities between 1-5 microT for 40 days did not cause any effect on the relative spleen weight, lymphoid organ histology, leukocyte and ANAE-positive lymphocyte percentages of the mouse.

Developmental variations and clinical importance of the fetal thyroid gland. A morphometric study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the morphologic structures and developmental anomalies of the thyroid gland in human fetuses. METHODS: This study performed in the Department of Anatomy, Meram Faculty of Medicine between February and April in 2002. Fetuses were obtained from the Gynecology Department of the Meram Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, and Dr. Faruk Sukan Maternity Hospital (Konya, Turkey). Sixty spontaneously aborted fetuses (30 boys and 30 girls) between the ages of 13.5th and 32.5th weeks, which had no detectable anomalies, were evaluated. The gland was dissected under the microscope. The location of the gland was determined according to the tracheal ring levels and laryngeal cartilage levels. The length, width and thickness of both lobes and isthmus of the gland were measured and then, the developmental anomalies were noted. The obtained data were statistically analyzed by Least Squares in variant analysis. RESULTS: Although there was no significant difference regarding to the gender for all parameters except in width of the right lobe (p<0.05), difference in the length and width of lobes and the length of isthmus between trimesters was significant (p<0.05). All measured parameters were increasing with advancing gestational age. The pyramidal lobe was observed in 18.3% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Normal dimensions and developmental anomalies of the fetal thyroid, which was shown in this study, may provide useful information for the prenatal diagnosis and in-utero treatment of thyroid dysfunctions.