The effects of experimental left varicocele on the epididymis.

Most of the studies investigating the relationship between varicocele and male infertility are mainly focused on the testicles. It is obvious that varicocele would affect the morphology and function of the epididymis which is an intrascrotal organ. In this study, the effects of experimental left varicocele (ELV) on the epididymal morphology were investigated in adult rats.

Evaluation of diagnosis and treatment results in children with Graves' disease with emphasis on the pubertal status of patients.

This retrospective study evaluated the clinical and laboratory characteristics at presentation and treatment results of patients with Graves' disease (GD) with respect to pubertal status. Records of 143 patients (108 F, 35 M) were reviewed in a multicenter study. At diagnosis, 38% of patients were prepubertal.

Regional bone density changes in anterior cruciate ligament deficient knees: a DEXA study.

Bone mineral density (BMD) loss is one of the secondary problems occurring in knee joint after injury of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The effect of this injury on BMDs of specific regions is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate BMD changes in unreconstructed ACL-deficient knees with subregion analysis of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

Bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in patients receiving a single course of isotretinoin for nodulocystic acne.

Background: High-dose isotretinoin has been reported to have adverse effects on bone mineral density (BMD); however, studies evaluating changes in BMD with isotretinoin therapy at different dosages and with varying treatment durations have produced conflicting results.

Objective: To investigate the effect of a standard, single course of isotretinoin therapy on BMD and bone turnover markers in patients with nodulocystic acne.

Methods: Thirty-six patients (15 male, 21 female) with severe, recalcitrant, nodulocystic acne and 36 healthy controls (16 male, 20 female) were enrolled in the study.

Clinical efficacy of dexamethasone for acute exudative pharyngitis.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether treatment with single-dose dexamethasone can provide relief of symptoms in acute exudative pharyngitis. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was undertaken over a 3-month period in a university-based Emergency Department. The study included all consecutive patients between 18 and 65 years of age presenting with acute exudative pharyngitis, sore throat, odynophagia, or a combination, and with more than two Centor criteria.

Impact of percutaneous nephrolithotomy on estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background And Purpose: We investigated the impact of percutaneous renal procedures on estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Patients And Methods: The GFRs of adult patients were calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula, and the patients were staged according to the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative CKD classification system. The study included 185 patients with preoperative GFR values less than 60 mL/min/1.

First A2-to-O renal transplantation in the 21st Century: a step in the transplantation history of Turkey.

Renal transplantation is the best treatment modality for patients with end-stage renal disease. Turkey is a country with limited cadaveric donor organ programs. Herein we have reported the first A2-to-O living donor kidney transplantation in Turkey.

MR imaging features of foot involvement in patients with psoriasis.

Objective: To determine alterations of the soft tissues, tendons, cartilage, joint spaces, and bones of the foot using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients with psoriasis.

Materials And Methods: Clinical and MR examination of the foot was performed in 26 consecutive patients (52 ft) with psoriasis. As a control group, 10 healthy volunteers (20 ft) were also studied.

Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome revisited: a didactic case with interesting imaging findings.

We present an adult female patient with Dyke-Davidoff-Masson syndrome with distinct features, and discuss neuroimaging findings some of which are unique to this syndrome.

Prostate-specific antigen and 17-hydroxylase polymorphic genotypes in patients with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

We investigated the association of prostate cancer (PCa) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with genetic polymorphisms in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (-158 G/A) and 17-hydroxylase (CYP17) (-34 T/C) genes in a Turkish population. In this study, we investigated the distribution of these polymorphisms in 148 PCa patients, 136 BPH patients, and 102 healthy individuals as controls. The polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay.

Unregistered subtracted CT angiography for the visualization of intracranial arteries at or near the skull base: preliminary experience.

Purpose: Restrictions with computed tomography angiography (CTA) regarding the visualization of arteries near the skull base are well known. Today, the gold standard for overcoming this is the matched mask bone elimination method. Worldwide use of this method is limited since it requires advanced imaging physics and software.

Simple trigonometry on computed tomography helps in planning renal access.

Objectives: To retrospectively assess the usefulness of the measurements on preoperative computed tomography (CT) of patients with urinary stone disease for planning the access site using vertical angulation of the C-arm.

Methods: Of the patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy from November 2001 to October 2006, 41 patients with superior calix access had undergone preoperative CT. The depth of the target stone (y) and the vertical distance from that point to the first rib free slice (x) were measured on CT.

Conus ependymoma with holocord syringohydromyelia and syringobulbia.

We report a 24-year-old woman with an intramedullary conus ependymoma associated with holocord syringohydromyelia and syringobulbia. The tumor was removed and surgery for decompression of the syringohydromyelia was not considered at the first operation. In the follow-up examinations, MRI showed significant and steady improvement of syringohydromyelia.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in children: lessons learned in 5 years at a single institution.

Purpose: We retrospectively compared morbidity and success rates in children who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy with 3 different sizes of instruments.

Materials And Methods: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed using adult instruments via a 26Fr tract in 23 patients, using pediatric instruments via a 20Fr tract in 13 and using minimal access (14Fr) in 10. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed using general anesthesia with parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis.

Is osteoporosis generalized or localized to central skeleton in ankylosing spondylitis?

Background: Osteoporosis at the lumbar spine and at the femur is a well-established complication in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but the exact mechanism and the distribution of osteoporosis are not known absolutely.

Objective: To determine whether the osteoporosis is generalized or localized to central skeleton and to examine the relation between bone mineral density (BMD) and disease activity and radiologic progression in patients with AS.

Methods: In this study, 26 patients with AS and 33 healthy controls matched for age and sex were recruited to the study.

Low back pain and lumbar angles in Turkish coal miners.

Background: This study was designed to assess the incidence of low back pain among Turkish coal miners and to investigate the relationship between angles of the lumbar spine and low back pain in coal miners.

Methods: Fifty underground workers (Group I) and 38 age-matched surface workers (Group II) were included in the study. All the subjects were asked about low back pain in the past 5 years.

Bone mineral density and bone turnover markers of patients with Behçet's disease.

Background: Behçet's disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology. The pathogenesis of rheumatological findings and the status of bone metabolism in this disease are unknown. Inflammatory diseases may predispose to a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and there are many studies concerning osteoporosis in chronic inflammatory diseases.

A new modification of KAFO for assistance in knee extension.

In this paper, a dynamic knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) extension assisted with elastic support, has been described which contributes to stance phase stability and swing phase freedom. The temporal distance factors including velocity, cadence, stride length, and clinical gait assessment score (CGAS) with bare foot and orthosis have been documented. The orthosis enables walking without fully immobilizing the knee.

An unusual cause of atrial fibrillation: exposure to insecticides.

Background: Although there are many well-known cardiac results of insecticide poisoning, atrial fibrillation (AF) has not been reported as the result of insecticide intoxication.

Case: Twenty-six-year-old male, complaining of nausea and vomiting, presented to the emergency department with a history of methomyl dust exposure. All physical examination findings were normal except irregular heart rate on cardiac auscultation.

A two-stage approach to a patient with hydatid cysts inside the right pulmonary artery and multiple right lung involvement.

We report on the surgical treatment of a patient in whom hydatid cysts inside the right pulmonary artery and multiple right lung involvement were detected. Since the right pneumonectomy carried a high risk of cyst rupture, and migration of the cysts to the opposite lung during ligation of the pulmonary artery, a two-stage surgical approach was scheduled. Hydatid cysts located at the proximal pulmonary artery were removed by performing a longitudinal arteriotomy along the pulmonary artery to the bifurcation.

Red cell superoxide dismutase activity in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Specific biologic markers are not available for definitive diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS). Oxidative stress plays a role in ALS pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) activity, diagnosis and prognosis.

Effect of underground working on vitamin D levels and bone mineral densities in coal miners: a controlled study.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of underground working on 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels and bone mineral density (BMD) values in coal miners. Fifty coal miners working underground and 50 surface workers as controls, matched for age and body mass index, from Zonguldak, Turkey, were recruited to the study. Levels of 25-OHD, biochemical bone markers, and lumbar spine and femur BMD values were measured in all study participants.

Percutaneous ureterostomy as an effective diversion in a newborn.

Ectopic ureter in a duplicated system in men is rare and rarely causes bilateral obstructive symptoms. The tendency of the ureter to dilate more than the caliceal system is unique to neonates and makes upper urinary diversions more challenging. However, alternative percutaneous diversions other than nephrostomy might be beared in mind in such cases with huge dilatation in ureters in suffering neonates.