Use of gelatin sponge to seal the biliary tract after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients with liver transplants.

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is commonly used in the treatment of malign and benign biliary pathologies. Certain complications after PTBD may occur, such as biliary fistula, biliary leakage, bilioma, and hematoma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of using a sterile gelatin sponge to seal the biliary tract after PTBD in patients with liver transplants to prevent complications.

Association between selective serotonin and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor therapy and hematuria.

Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are used as first-line treatment for many psychiatric diseases, especially major depressive disorder. However, an important side effect of these drugs is the risk of bleeding due to platelet dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of hematuria in patients using SSRI/SNRIs and to compare with a control group.

Mid-calf level as a puncture site is not safe enough for thermal ablation of the small saphenous vein.

Background: Endovenous thermal ablation of the small saphenous vein carries a risk for sural nerve injury. Ablation above mid-calf level is recommended to avoid it. However, this strategy could not eradicate this complication.

The Value of the T2-Weighted Multipoint Dixon Sequence in MRI of Sacroiliac Joints for the Diagnosis of Active and Chronic Sacroiliitis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the value of the T2-weighted multipoint Dixon technique as a single sequence in MRI of the sacroiliac joints for the diagnosis of active and chronic sacroiliitis.

Subjects And Methods: The T2-weighted multipoint Dixon sequence with water-only, in-phase, opposed-phase, and fat-only images was added to a routine MRI protocol, which included T1-weighted, fat-saturated T2-weighted, and contrast-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted sequences, for imaging 73 patients. Images obtained as part of the routine protocol were reviewed first by two radiologists.

A new MRI grading system for chondromalacia patellae.

Background Chondromalacia patellae is a very common disorder. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used to investigate patellar cartilage lesions, there is no descriptive MRI-based grading system for chondromalacia patellae. Purpose To propose a new MRI grading system for chondromalacia patellae with corresponding high resolution images which might be useful in precisely reporting and comparing knee examinations in routine daily practice and used in predicting natural course and clinical outcome of the patellar cartilage lesions.

Intra-arterial Ultra-low-Dose CT Angiography of Lower Extremity in Diabetic Patients.

Purpose: To image lower extremity arteries by CT angiography using a very low-dose intra-arterial contrast medium in patients with high risk of developing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN).

Materials And Methods: Three cases with long-standing diabetes mellitus and signs of lower extremity atherosclerotic disease were evaluated by CT angiography using 0.1 ml/kg of the body weight of contrast medium given via 10-cm-long 4F introducer by puncturing the CFA.

Effectiveness of single-session ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy in simple breast cysts.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of single-session ultrasound-guided percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy in simple breast cysts.

Methods: From January 2002 to January 2014, 35 simple breast cysts (mean volume, 8.2 mL; range, 4-33 mL) in 28 females (mean age, 39 years) were evaluated.

Comparison of fat-saturated T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted sequences in MR imaging of sacroiliac joints in diagnosing active sacroiliitis.

Objectives: To compare fat-saturated T2-weighted (FST2W) with contrast-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted (cFST1W) pulse sequences in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of sacroiliac joints in diagnosis of active sacroiliitis associated with axial spondyloarthropathies.

Materials And Methods: MR examinations of 147 adult patients suspected for sacroiliitis were retrospectively analyzed. Signs of active inflammation, bone marrow edema/osteitis, capsulitis, enthesitis, and synovitis were noted both on FST2W and cFST1W images.

Long-term outcome of Graves' disease patients treated in a region with iodine deficiency: relapse rate increases in years with thionamides.

Background: Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid gland and eyes and is treated with three therapeutic modalities. This prospective study was designed to find out the outcome of patients with GD treated with thionamides, radioactive iodine (RAI) or surgery in an iodine deficient region.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-six nonsmoking patients (mean age 38.