Evaluation of Morphologic and Morphometric Characteristic of Foramen Transversarium on 3-Dimensional Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography.

AIM: To investigate the size and variations of the foramen transversarium (TF). In addition, to study the anatomical variations of the vertebral artery entering the transverse foramen of the cervical vertebrae. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The images of 141 (90 males, 51 females) patients aged 18-79 years (mean: 52.7 years) were analyzed. As a result, 987 cervical spines (C1-C7) and 1974 foramina transversaria were individually evaluated. Each TF"s anterior-posterior (AP) and transverse diameter (T) was measured bilaterally from multidetector computed tomography (CT) images. The absence of TF was considered as agenesis and a diameter of less than 2 mm as hypoplastic. Double foramina and incomplete double foramina were also noted. We evaluated the levels at which the vertebral arteries entered the transverse foramina. RESULTS: The most frequent variation was duplication of TF, which was noted in a total of 88 (8.91%) cervical vertebrae. Agenesis of TF was seen in 37 (3.74%), and hypoplasia of TF in 26 (2.63%) cervical vertebrae. The vertebral artery entered into the transverse foramen of the 5th cervical vertebra from both sides in 4 (1.84%) patients. The vertebral artery entered into the transverse foramen of the 7th cervical vertebra in 4 (1.84%) patients. The vertebral artery entered into the transverse foramen of the 4th cervical vertebra in only 1 (0.45%) patient. CONCLUSION: We believe that the determination of foraminal variations could be an important guide for neurosurgeons and radiologists in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in this area.

Evaluation of Nutritional Status in Children during Predialysis, or Treated By Peritoneal Dialysis or Hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The objective of this study was to evaluate nutritional status of children with stage 3-4 CKD and treated by peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis using anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters and bioelectrical impedance analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 52 patients and 46 healthy children. RESULTS: In anthropometric evaluation, the children with CKD had lower values for standard deviation score for weight, height, body mass index, skinfold thickness and mid-arm circumference than those of healthy children (p < 0.05). The fat mass (%) and the body cell mass (%) measurements performed by bioelectrical impedance analysis were lower compared with the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is considered that bioelectrical impedance analysis measurement should be used with anthropometric measurements, which are easy to perform, to achieve more accurate nutritional evaluation in children.

Craniofacial Characteristics of Thalassemia Major Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Thalassemias major are the most common autosomal recessive disorders; they are characterized by anomalies in the synthesis of the beta chains of hemoglobin and are often associated with varying degrees of craniofacial anomalies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the craniofacial dimensions of ß-thalassemia patients and to identify differences by comparing them to those of a control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 43 thalassemia major patients and 26 age- and sex- matched healthy control subjects. Anthropometric measurements were performed in six different craniofacial regions (head, face, nose, mouth, eyes, and ears); a total of 23 craniofacial variables were measured. RESULTS: Craniofacial measurements in the regions of the face, nose, lips and mouth, and ears in the thalassemia major patient group yielded statistically significant differences compared to those in the control group (p<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the measurements of the head and eye regions. CONCLUSION: The study increased our understanding of the craniofacial anatomy of thalassemia major patients and enabled us to obtain quantitative results.

Anthropometric methods in evaluation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is mainly expressed by weight loss with especially fat-free mass (FFM) depletion and a low body weight correlates with increased mortality and a poor prognosis. We investigated whether anthropometric body composition equations could be used for evaluation of the body composition in COPD. Thirty clinically stable patients with COPD and 13 healthy age matched control subjects underwent the skinfolds and circumference measurements in addition to body mass index (BMI) calculations. Body fat mass (BFM) and FFM were determined by using anthropometric equations. The percent BFM, predicted from body density either using Siri's or Brozek's equations was determined lower than that of calculated with equations by using BMI, age and gender. The values of BFM and body weight were reduced in patients with FEV1 < % predicted compared to other participants. The FFM values also dropped depending on the severity of COPD. BMI was not statistically different among the participants while FFM index (FFMI) reflected the nutritional status of the disorders. Anthropometric equations easily and cost effectively applied for prediction of % BFM, FFM, and FFMI in patients with COPD. In addition, the FFMI can be possibly used for expressing COPD severity.

Determining torsion angle of humerus head using MRI method.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To measure the torsion angle of the humerus using images obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in healthy volunteers and to evaluate outcomes with respect to sex and age groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 36 healthy adults (18 males and 18 females aged between 20 and 68 years). The humeral torsion angle (HTA) was calculated using axial MRI images. Differences between results in terms of sex and age groups were evaluated with the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The median HTA was 21.5 degrees (25th to 75th percentile: 7.8 degrees -28 degrees; range: -4 degrees to 36 degrees) in females, while it was 18.5 degrees (25th to 75th percentile: 7.5 degrees-32.3 degrees; range: 2 degrees to 41 degrees) in males. HTA median value was 19.5 degrees (25th to 75th percentile: 8.3 degrees-30.5 degrees; range: -4 degrees to 41 degrees) in all healthy volunteers. No significant differences were found between gender and age groups. CONCLUSION: Considering intersocietal anatomic differences, our study may shed light on torsion angle for Turkey by determining mean torsion angle value. Moreover, this study indicated that HTA can be successfully measured using MRI. We think that our outcomes can be used as a reference for prosthesis design and shoulder joint prosthesis replacement. Moreover, we also think that this study will provide benefits in examining pathologies related to the shoulder joint, such as recurrent anterior dislocation syndrome.

[Investigation of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in beta-thalassemia major patients in Aydin province]. / Aydin Ilinde Beta Talasemi Majorlü Olgularda Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG ve IgM Antikorlarinin Arastirilmasi

OBJECTIVE: Blood transfusion therapy for Thalassaemia patients may cause transmission of some infectious agents to the recipients. As Toxoplasma gondii is a transfusion-transmitted parasite, we aimed to investigate anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. METHODS: We arranged two groups: patients and controls. There were 36 Thalassaemia cases in the patient group. The control group also included 36 healthy people (of the same ages and gender) who were selected by the one-to-one mapping method. Mean age was 18.1 ± 8.3 (4-35). Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were analyzed by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA). RESULTS: We determined parasite-specific Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in 7 (19.4%) and borderline levels of IgM antibody in 2 Thalassaemia major cases (5.5%). In the control group, parasite-specific IgG antibody was found in 5 cases (14%). Serum samples of patients with borderline levels were analyzed with an avidity test and were found to have high avidity. There were no significant differences between patient and control groups when considering the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies (p=0.752). CONCLUSION: Although there is no significant statistical difference, we suggest that blood transfusion donors should be investigated for infectious agents such as Toxoplasma gondii.

Obesity and its diagnostic methods in Turkish children.

OBJECTIVE: The application of body mass index (BMI) for obesity classification in all population studies has been questioned by the scientific community. It has been found that the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an accurate method for screening obesity. This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracies of BMI, skinfold thickness (SFT), leptin and BIA measurements in obesity classification and to find correlations between BIA and the other indicators for obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study included 178 children of whom 90 were in the obese group and 88 in the control group. The study measured BMI, SFT, leptin level and BIA-mediated body fat percentage (BIA BFP) in each child. RESULTS: The BMIs, leptin levels, SFTs and BIA BFPs of children in the obese group were found to be higher than those in the control group (p<0.001). The measurement of BIA BFP strongly correlated with BMI, SFT and waist circumference, whereas BIA BFP measurement showed weak-moderate correlation with leptin level. CONCLUSION: Bioelectrical impedance analysis was found to be an accurate measure of BFP in obesity. In addition, BIA may prevent the incorrect diagnosis of obesity as determined by BMI alone, especially in boys during the pubertal period.

The effect of Blastocystis hominis on the growth status of children.

BACKGROUND: B. hominis is a protozoan parasite commonly found in the human gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis of B. hominis is still controversial, although it is one of the most common parasites found in stool samples. MATERIAL/METHODS: This study was conducted at the Adnan Menderes Medical Faculty between January 2002 and June 2003 to evaluate the relationship between B. hominis and growth status in children in Aydin, Turkey. Healthy children with positive stool samples for B. hominis but negative for other parasites were selected as the case group (n=89). Two controls matched to each case by age and gender were selected by random sampling of children with negative stool samples for any parasite (n=178). RESULTS: The anthropometric measurements and body mass index were significantly lower in the case group than in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to this study there is a correlation between the presence of B. hominis and lower anthropometric indexes in children.

Limb lengths of primary school children in a city from western region of Turkey.

Anthropometry has been used for the assessment of growth at different ages. Among the anthropometric measurements, weight, height, arm circumference, and lower and upper limb lengths are of the most important criteria showing the development of children in school age. The aim of the present study was to measure the lengths of upper (arm, forearm, hand) and lower (thigh, leg, foot) limbs of children studying in primary schools of Aydin, a city in the western region of Turkey, and to assess the differences according to the gender (female, male) and living areas (urban, rural). In different age groups, many differences were observed when compared for gender and area. Differences were also seen when compared with the other studies done in different part of Turkey. The data was the first one for the region and it might be useful for further regional studies or for national comparisons. More studies designed with bigger sample sizes that cover many cities belonging to the same region of the country are needed. In addition to cross-sectional studies, longitudinal studies may give more useful knowledge for understanding the growth of children.

Morphometric examination of the paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells using computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells vary considerably in size and shape from person to person. The main structures are pneumatic. In this study, we investigated the relationship between right and left sides and evaluated the volume changes according to age and sex. METHODS: Of all patients attending the radiology department, 91 cases without paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells pathology (i.e., inflammation, operation or trauma) were selected for evaluation. Axial computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained for both paranasal sinuses and temporal bones. In all scans, the volumes of each area (maxillary sinus, frontal sinus, sphenoid sinus and mastoid air cell) were calculated and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The volumes of paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells increased with age and women had a lower mean volume. There was a positive correlation between right-left and ipsilateral structures (paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells). CONCLUSIONS: These results are helpful in understanding the normal and pathological conditions of the paranasal sinuses and the mastoid air cells.

Volume assessment of age-related conversion of the tympanic cavity by helical computerized tomography scanning.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the right-left asymmetry, and gender and age groups differences of the tympanic cavities (TC) using the Cavalieri principle for volume calculation on temporal bone computerized tomography (CT) scans. METHODS: This study was carried out over a 4-year period from 2000 to 2004 at Firat University, School of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey. The areas of the cavities were measured using trace and area measurement functions of CT scanner, and by multiplying the area by slice thickness (0.2 cm) and the volume of each slice was calculated. By summing all volumes of every slice based on the Cavalieri principle for volume calculation, the total volumes were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean (SD) volumes of right and left tympanic cavities in males were 0.52 (0.15) versus 0.55 (0.14) cm3 and in females were 0.45 (0.16) versus 0.49 (0.14) cm3, and there were statistically significant differences between males and females in both right and left sides (p=0.028 and p=0.043). There was a statistically significant difference in left TC volumes between age groups (p=0.019). However, no differences by age were noted for right TC volumes (p=0.065). A strong correlation was found between right and left volumes. However, there were no strong correlations between age and volumes of right and left cavities in both males and females, although the volumes increased by aging. CONCLUSION: These results should help surgeons and radiologists to update their knowledge for evaluation of the middle ear region.