The incidence and most common levels of thoracic degenerative disc pathologies.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to describe and characterize the incidence of thoracic degenerative disc pathologies, bulging/herniation, and the most common affected levels.

Patients And Methods: Between January 2008 and May 2012, a total of 195 patients (109 females, 86 males; mean age 43.5 years; range, 15 to 74 years) who were admitted with the complaint of dorsalgia and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic vertebral column were included in the study.

Effects of Caspase 9 Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Prostate Cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common solid tumors and the second leading cause of the death due to malignancy in men. Caspase 9 (CASP9) is a member of the intrinsic pathway and plays a central role in the apoptosis.

Patients And Methods: Genotyping of the CASP9 (rs1052576) polymorphism were performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction for blood samples of prostate cancer patients (n=69) and controls (n=76).

Systemic endothelial function measured by flow-mediated dilation is impaired in patients with urolithiasis.

Some in vitro and animal studies have shown endothelial dysfunction in hyperoxaluria models indicating its role in pathogenesis of urolithiasis and relation to CVD. The aim of this study was to investigate endothelial function in patients with urolithiasis in relation to urinary stone risk factors and metabolic parameters. A total of 120 subjects without any known CVD (60 with urolithiasis and 60 healthy subjects) were included into study.

The Daily Resistive Index measurement useful tool in the estimation of the optimal time interval between two Shock Wave Lithotripsy sessions.

Objective: : To monitor the impact of Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) on the renal resisive index (RI) and to investigate the potential of the RI measurement for the estimation of the optimal duration between 2 SWL sessions.

Material And Methods: Thirty patients with single pelvis renalis stone were included. Participitants were grouped according to their age as group 1 (<40 years, mean age 36.

Intrarenal Surgery vs Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in the Management of Lower Pole Stones Greater than 2 cm.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of RIRS and PNL in lower pole stones ≥ 2 cm. Materials and and Methods: A total of 109 patients who underwent PNL or RIRS for solitary lower pole stone between April 2009 and December 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. Lower pole stone was diagnosed with CT scan.

Comparison of a 4-Day versus 2-Day Low Fiber Diet Regimen in Barium Tagging CT Colonography in Incomplete Colonoscopy Patients.

Our aim was to compare the amount of residual feces, residual fluid, the tagging quality, and patient compliance using 4-day versus 2-day low fiber diet regimen in barium tagging CT colonography in incomplete colonoscopy patients. Methods. A total of 101 patients who underwent CT colonography were assigned to 2-day diet group (n = 56) and 4-day diet group (n = 45).

Does early PET/CT assesment of response to chemotherapy predicts survival in patients with advanced stage non-small-cell lung cancer?

The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic role and the timing of metabolic response to chemotherapy, based on F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-FDG-PET), in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study included 55 patients with metastatic NSCLC that were analyzed in terms of prognostic factors and survival. F-FDG-PET/CT findings were evaluated in patients separated into 3 groups, before and after 1st, 2nd, 3rd cycle of the first line chemotherapy.

The efficacy of diffusion weighted imaging for detection of acute pancreatitis and comparison of subgroups according to Balthazar classification.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to measure the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values detected by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in acute pancreatitis and compare them with computerized tomography (CT) findings in acute pancreatitis subgrouped by the Balthazar classification.

Materials And Methods: The study population included 50 patients diagnosed with clinical pancreatitis who were evaluated with both multidetector CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within 24 h of clinical presentation. We calculated pancreatic ADC values obtained from DWI (b=0 and b=1000 mm2/sn).

The measurement of the prostatic resistive index is a reliable ultrasonographic tool to stratify symptoms of patients with benign prosthatic hyperplasia.

Aims: To evaluate the correlation between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the resistive index (RI) of the transitional (TZ) and peripheral zone (PZ) of the prostate and to assess the impact of alpha blocker (AB) treatment on RI changes.

Material And Methods: TZ-RI and PZ-RI values of 60 patients with LUTS were calculated by using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). Correlations between the severity of LUTS and RI values were established.

Impact of transobturator tape procedure on female and their partner sexual function: it improves sexual function of couples.

Aim: To assess the impact of transobturator tape (TOT) procedure on female sexual function as well as their male partners.

Materials And Methods: Sexually active 28 women and their partners included for the study. Before TOT operation, the patients completed incontinence impact questionnaire (IIQ-7) and urogenital distress inventory (UDI-6) to assess the effect of surgery on incontinence.

Multifoci Bone Tuberculosis and Lymphadenitis in Mediastinum Mimics Malignancy on FDG-PET/CT: A Case Report.

Unlabelled: Positron Emission Tomography with 2-deoxy-[F-18]-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG-PET) has become a reliable diagnostic tool in clinical practice similar to Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging and Computed Tomography (CT). FDG-PET has especially been used to differentiate malignant from benign lesions, and for staging and follow- up malignant tumors. However, FDG-PET has some pitfalls in cancer screening and FDG tracer accumulates at sites of infection and inflammation.

Emergent stenting after uncomplicated ureteroscopy: evaluation of 23 patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the causes of emergent stent placement during the postoperative early period after uncomplicated ureteroscopy in 23 patients.

Methods: Of 276 uncomplicated ureteroscopy procedures performed for the management of ureteral calculi, double-J stent placement was necessary on an emergent basis in 23 patients because of intolerable colic pain and extreme patient discomfort. All stents were inserted within 24 hours after the procedure.

The evaluation of saphenofemoral insufficiency in primary adult varicocele.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship between varicocele and saphenofemoral insufficiency in patients diagnosed with primary varicocele. A total of 70 patients with the primary diagnosis of varicocele were included into the study. A total of 30 age-matched healthy adults were also included in the study as a control group.

Diagnostic value of renal parenchymal density difference on unenhanced helical computed tomography scan in acutely obstructing ureteral stone disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic value of the renal parenchymal density difference, detected using unenhanced helical computed tomography, as a secondary sign of acute obstruction due to a ureteral stone.

Methods: Fifty-five patients with acute flank pain, in whom a ureteral stone was detected on the symptomatic side using unenhanced helical computed tomography, and 22 control subjects with no urinary stone disease were included in this prospective study. Computed tomography was performed, starting from the upper poles of the kidneys down to the base of the urinary bladder.

Transient partial amnesia complicating cardiac and peripheral arteriography with nonionic contrast medium.

The aim of this study was to present a case of disruption of the blood-brain barrier during the coronary and lower extremity angiographies with radiological and clinical findings. This condition was secondary to intraarterial use of a nonionic, monomeric contrast medium. A total of 450 cc contrast media was used.