Publications by authors named "Sevtap Tugce Ulas"
Computed tomography-current status and future directions for arthritis imaging.
Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis
October 2024
Article Synopsis
- Recent advancements in computed tomography (CT), especially dual-energy CT (DECT), have significantly improved arthritis imaging, aiding in the diagnosis of conditions like gouty arthritis and monitoring structural changes.
- Innovations such as low-dose CT and advanced reconstruction algorithms enhance image quality while minimizing radiation exposure, making CT safer and quicker for patients.
- DECT's capability to differentiate between calcium and uric acid crystals, along with new techniques like four-dimensional CT for assessing joint dynamics, positions it as a vital tool for effective arthritis diagnosis and treatment monitoring.*
Article Synopsis
- Reliable interpretation of imaging findings is crucial for diagnosing axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and this study explored how experience level affects diagnostic accuracy using X-ray (XR), MRI, and CT.
- The study analyzed 163 low back pain patients, dividing nine blinded readers into three experience groups to assess their ability to identify axSpA through imaging.
- Results indicated that the most experienced readers performed best overall, especially with MRI, while CT and MRI were more effective for less experienced readers, highlighting that MRI requires more skill and experience for accurate diagnosis.
Article Synopsis
- Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, with imaging techniques like MRI and X-rays being critical for diagnosis and monitoring.
- New bone formation is a key indicator of advanced axSpA, occurring in various spinal areas and SIJs, highlighting the disease's progression.
- Different imaging modalities have unique strengths and weaknesses in detecting structural changes, making it essential to choose the right method for effective diagnosis and patient management.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how sex-specific differences affect the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in women compared to men, which may lead to delays in diagnosis.
- A total of 526 patients were analyzed for MRI findings related to axSpA, focusing on lesions like bone marrow edema and fat metaplasia.
- Results showed that while active inflammatory lesions had similar diagnostic performance in both sexes, structural markers were less reliable in women, increasing the chances of false positives.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess how self-reported diagnostic confidence (DC) correlates with diagnostic accuracy in imaging for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) using X-rays, CT, and MRI.
- Results showed that higher DC scores corresponded with accurate axSpA diagnoses across all imaging modalities, indicating a significant difference in scores for correct versus incorrect assessments.
- The findings support the inclusion of self-reported DC in radiological reports to enhance the reliability of diagnoses in axSpA imaging.
Article Synopsis
- The study examines the effect of HLA-B27 status on MRI findings in the sacroiliac joint among patients with chronic low back pain who do not have inflammatory conditions.
- It analyzes data from 139 non-axSpA patients, scoring for various lesions and comparing results based on HLA-B27 positivity and sex.
- The findings indicate that HLA-B27 status does not significantly affect the presence or severity of lesions in either men or women with low back pain of non-inflammatory origin.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates carpal instabilities in patients with calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease, which causes crystal deposits in wrist ligaments leading to inflammation and potential ligament tears.
- The research involved nine CPPD patients who underwent various imaging techniques, finding that SL ligament calcifications and instabilities were common, with 78% showing dynamic SL instability.
- The results suggest that advanced 4D-CT imaging can effectively reveal significant dynamic carpal instability in CPPD patients, enhancing understanding of wrist biomechanics.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined how different concentrations of iodinated contrast medium (ICM) affect the detection of monosodium urate (MSU) using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in simulated models and a real patient case.
- Lower ICM concentrations (0.25% and 0.50%) improved the detection of small MSU levels, while higher concentrations (1% and 2%) hindered detection altogether.
- Clinical findings showed that ICM administration allowed for better visualization of MSU deposits, which is important for diagnosing conditions like gout, but excessive ICM can mask important details.
Sex Disparities of the Sacroiliac Joint: Focus on Joint Anatomy and Imaging Appearance.
Diagnostics (Basel)
February 2023
Article Synopsis
- The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is a complex and crucial joint that plays a significant role in the biomechanics of the pelvis and spine, often contributing to lower back pain.
- The SIJ exhibits notable differences in shape and biomechanical properties between men and women, highlighting the importance of sex-specific evaluations in clinical practice.
- Understanding these sex disparities in anatomy and imaging can enhance insights into the occurrence and development of joint diseases associated with the SIJ.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to analyze collagen content in the atlanto-axial joint ligaments of patients without inflammatory diseases, while considering factors like age, sex, and ligament calcifications.
- A total of 153 patients who underwent dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) were included, with specific focus on different ligament regions such as the ligamentum transversum atlantis and retro-odontoid soft tissue.
- Findings indicated that collagen density in the ligamentum transversum atlantis showed no significant correlation with age or osteoarthritis presence, suggesting that collagen density is not influenced by these clinical factors.
Article Synopsis
- The study explored differences between men and women with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), focusing on factors like abdominal fat, muscle density, tumor characteristics, and survival rates.
- It included 470 patients who underwent nephrectomy from 2006 to 2019 and found that women had more subcutaneous fat, while men had more visceral fat and higher muscle density.
- Results indicated that higher psoas muscle index linked to lower tumor grades and better survival, especially in men, while abdominal fat did not significantly impact tumor characteristics or outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of different imaging techniques using dual-energy CT to detect inflammation related to hand arthritis.
- The research included 35 patients who underwent both CT scans and ultrasound, with findings from ultrasound serving as the benchmark for comparison.
- The results showed that 70 keV images were most accurate and sensitive for detecting inflammation, while lower energy monochromatic images did not enhance diagnosis and compromised image quality.
Objectives: To assess the impact of joint shape variations on inflammatory lesions on SI joint MRIs in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).
Methods: A total of 1194 patients from four different prospective cohorts were evaluated, with 684 (57.3%) having sufficient imaging data for inclusion (379 axSpA, 305 controls).
Objectives: To investigate the performance of dual-energy CT (DECT)-generated iodine maps (iMap) and CT subtraction (CT-S) in the detection of synovitis, tenosynovitis, and peritendonitis/paratenonitis compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) as standard of reference.
Methods: This IRB-approved prospective study consecutively investigated patients with undifferentiated arthritis. All patients underwent MSUS, MRI and contrast-enhanced DECT of the hand; from the latter conventional CT-S, image-based iMap (iMap-I) and raw data-based iMap (iMap-RD) were reconstructed.
Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), standard T1-weighted (T1w) images and high-resolution 3D-gradient echo sequences (volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE)) for detection of erosions in patients with peripheral arthritis using CT as standard of reference.
Materials And Methods: A total of 36 patients were included in the study. All patients underwent CT and MRI, including SWI, VIBE and T1w sequences of the clinically more affected hand.
Objectives: The mutual and intertwined dependence of inflammation and angiogenesis in synovitis is widely acknowledged. However, no clinically established tool for objective and quantitative assessment of angiogenesis is routinely available. This study establishes fractal analysis as a novel method to quantitatively assess inflammatory activity based on angiogenesis in synovitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCastleman disease (CD) is a very rare disorder characterised by hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue. The aetiology varies considerably and includes autoimmunological, infectious, autoinflammatory and paraneoplastic diseases (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To evaluate the performance of dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (DCE-CT) in detecting and quantitatively assessing perfusion parameters in patients with arthritis of the hand compared with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) as a standard of reference.
Materials And Methods: In this IRB-approved randomized prospective single-centre study, 36 consecutive patients with suspected rheumatoid arthritis underwent DCE-CT (320-row, tube voltage 80 kVp, tube current 8.25 mAs) and DCE-MRI (1.
Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic potential of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for the detection of erosions of the hand, compared to T1-weighted (T1w) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Computed tomography (CT) was used as a reference standard.
Materials And Methods: We prospectively investigated 37 patients with suspected arthritic activity of the hand.
Purpose: To prove the feasibility and measure the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultra-low-dose CT (ULD-CT) for the depiction of inflammatory soft-tissue changes (synovitis, tenosynovitis and peritendonitis) in patients with arthritis of the hand.
Materials And Methods: In this institutional review board-approved study, 36 consecutive patients over the age of 50 with suspected rheumatoid arthritis underwent ULD-CT (estimated radiation exposure <0.01 mSv) and MRI of the hand with weight-adapted intravenous contrast administration.