The relationship between renal sinus lipomatosis detected at abdominal computed tomography and abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation and metabolic risk factors.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between renal sinus lipomatosis (RSL) and abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation and metabolic risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total 73 subjects were included in the study. The study group consisted of 35 cases with RSL and 38 control cases matched for age and sex. Total, visceral, and subcutaneous abdominal fat areas were measured by abdominal computed tomography (CT). The relationship between RSL and visceral abdominal fat, subcutaneous abdominal fat, total abdominal fat, high total cholesterol level, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level, high very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol level, high triglyceride level, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, impaired fasting glucose level, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension (HT), and metabolic syndrome (MS) were investigated. RESULTS: RSL existence was observed at significantly higher levels statistically in cases with low HDL cholesterol level, high LDL cholesterol level, high VLDL cholesterol level, high triglyceride level, high total cholesterol level, and high glucose levels. In the presence of MS, DM, and HT, the presence of RSL was at a significantly higher level according to the statistics. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors affecting RSL presence together. It was observed that the model formed as the result of the evaluation using the backward method is statistically significant. Furthermore, the variables of age, high total cholesterol level, high glucose level, and abdominal subcutaneous fat were included in the obtained model. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated an association between the presence of RSL and age, high total cholesterol level, high glucose level, and subcutaneous fat.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of normal appearing corticospinal tracts in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Aim To determine if there are differences in ADC values between normal appearing corticospinal tracks in patients with MS compared to ADC values in controls. Material and methods The study population comprised 62 consecutive MS patients (36 women and 26 men; mean age 36.45±8.63 years). 50 control subjects with no neurological disabilities or intracranial were included the study (32 women and 18 men; mean age 40.18±12.25 years). All ADC maps were independently evaluated by two experienced radiologists. ROI of approximately 15-18 mm2 in capsula interna and 10-12 mm2 in mesencephalon were placed bilaterally for measurement of ADC values. Three circular ROIs were placed-one each side for internal capsule-and 6 total ROIs from right and left internal capsule were averaged for each patient. Mesencephelon ADC measurements were performed similarly. Result The mean ADC values of the left internal capsule in MS patients were significiantly lower than the control group (p:0.002). No statistically significant difference was found between the MS patients and control group mean ADC values of the right internal capsule (p>0.05). The mean ADC values of the right and left mesencephalon in MS patients were significiantly lower than the control group (respectively; p:0.031, p<0.001). The mean ADC values of the left internal capsule were significiantly lower than the right internal capsule in MS patients (p<0.001). The mean ADC values of the left mesencephalon were significiantly lower than the right mesencephalon in MS patients (p<0.001). Conclusion The mean ADC values of the normal-appearing corticospinal tract in MS patients were significantly lower than the control group except for the right internal capsule.

Radiological noninvasive assessment of ureteral stone impaction into the ureteric wall: A critical evaluation with objective radiological parameters.

PURPOSE: To determine the predictive value of certain radiological parameters for an objective asssessment of the presence of ureteral stone impaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with a single proximal ureteral stones were retrieved from the departmental database. Both clinical and particularly radiological data of all cases were well evaluated on this aspect. In addition to the time period between the first colic attack and definitive management; diameter of proximal ureter and renal pelvis, longitudinal and transverse stone size, Hounsfied unit (HU) of the stone and lastly ureteral wall thickness at the impacted stone site were all carefully evaluated and noted. RESULTS: Patients had a single proximal ureteral stone. While mean age of the cases was ranged 20 to 78 years; mean stone size was 15.62±4.26 mm. Evaluation of our data demonstrated that although there was a statistically significant correlation between ureteral wall thickness and patients age, transverse diameter of the stone, ureteral diameter just proximal to the stone, renal pelvic diameter and the duration of renal colic attacks; no correlation could be demonstrated between patients sex and the HU of the stone. CONCLUSIONS: Prediction of the presence and degree of proximal ureteral stone impaction is a challenging issue and our data indicated a highly significant correlation between ureteral wall thickness and the some certain radiological as well as clinical parameters evaluated which will give an objective information about the presence of impaction which may in turn be helpful in the follow-up and also management plans of such calculi.