Effect of rapid-eye-movement sleep deprivation on rat hypothalamic prostaglandins.

In this study, we investigated thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) levels in rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep-deprived rats compared with controls. The aim of the present study was to detect the effect of REM sleep deprivation (RSD) especially on hypothalamic prostaglandin levels. Twenty-seven male rats were randomly assigned in three groups as dry cage control, yoked control, and RSD.

Spinal granulocytic sarcoma (chloroma) presenting as acute cord compression in a nonleukemic patient.

The case of a previously healthy 24-year-old man diagnosed with extradural thoracic granulocytic sarcoma with no evidence of bone marrow or other hematological involvement is described. The tumor was removed totally by microsurgery. The histopathological examination was consistent with granulocytic sarcoma.

Statins have additive effects to vertebral bone mineral density in combination with risedronate in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women.

Background: Recent data suggest that statins used in the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia decrease fracture risk. In this study, we aimed to investigate prospectively whether statins have an additive effect to bisphosphonates (risedronate) according to the primary hypothesis that the addition of atorvastatin to risedronate would produce an increase, from baseline, in lumbar vertebrae and total hip BMD that was greater than that observed with risedronate alone.

Methods: A total of 120 hypercholesterolaemic postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia were randomized to receive risedronate (5 mg/day) or risedronate (5 mg/day) plus atorvastatin (20 mg/day).

Effect of long-term therapy with sodium valproate on nail and serum trace element status in epileptic children.

Antiepileptic drugs could cause changes in the trace element status of the body. Valproic acid (VPA) is a very effective anticonvulsant agent widely used in the management of various forms of epilepsy. Nail trace element content is a reliable index of trace element nutritional status of the body.

Outcome of cystic hygroma in fetuses with normal karyotypes depends on associated findings.

Objective: To determine the associated diagnostic findings which are linked with adverse fetal outcome in nuchal cystic hygroma.

Study Design: Based on a series of 32 cases, we determined the sonographic morphology of the hygroma, associated structural anomalies, karyotypes and autopsy findings. Intrauterine fetal death, spontaneous abortion and abnormal karyotypes were assigned as adverse outcome parameters.

A questionnaire survey among Turkish physicians about sleep disorders.

We aimed to assess the knowledge of Turkish physicians about sleep disorders and the attitude of the physicians towards sleep medicine. We prepared a 24-item-questionnaire, 7 of the questions were about the attitudes of the physicians and 17 of them were about the knowledge of the physicians. We applied the questionnaire in all university and educational hospitals in Ankara, which is the capital city and the second largest city of Turkey.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastases: diagnosis and treatment - an illustrated review.

Background: Intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCM) are rare but, with increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are being encountered with increasing frequency. Optimum treatment remains controversial. On the basis of a review of previous reports and experience with a patient with an ISCM from a large cell lung cancer, we propose practical diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

WITHDRAWN: Microsurgical resection of intramedullary spinal cord metastases of large cell lung cancer.

This article has now been withdrawn and will not appear in print.

Unilateral cervical facet fracture: presentation of two cases and literature review.

Study Design: Two patients with diagnosis of unilateral cervical facet fracture due to motor vehicle accident (MVA) are presented, and the literature is reviewed.

Objective: To discuss the diagnostic difficulties and management strategies in two patients with post-traumatic cervical facet fracture.

Setting: Department of Neurosurgery, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Faculty of Medicine, Turkey.

Modified Limberg flap reconstruction compares favourably with primary repair for pilonidal sinus surgery.

Background: The present study analyses the results of wide excision with primary closure (PC), wide excision with classical Limberg flap reconstruction (LF) and wide excision with modified Limberg flap reconstruction (MLF) in the surgical treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-two well-documented patients who were operated on for pilonidal disease and followed for more than 1 year were analysed retrospectively. Group 1 was composed of patients with excision plus PC (n = 78) while group 2 included those with excision plus a LF reconstruction (n = 40), and group 3 included those with excision plus a MLF reconstruction (n = 44).

Proximal humeral fractures with minimal displacement treated conservatively.

We reviewed 27 patients with a minimally displaced proximal humeral fracture treated conservatively after a mean follow-up of 25 (12-34) months. All fractures had united. Patients were evaluated using the Constant-Murley scoring system, and isokinetic muscle strength was tested using a Cybex dynamometer.

Posterior interosseous artery flap in traumatic hand injuries.

Introduction: Nineteen cases of posterior interosseous artery (PIOA) flap were reviewed. The patients' mean age was 24 (range 14-53) years.

Materials And Methods: Nine patients were operated on as emergencies, and 10 patients were treated electively.

Foucher's first dorsal metacarpal artery flap for thumb reconstruction: evaluation of 21 cases.

Background: Coverage of part of a soft tissue defect in the thumb, without bone shortening and without long-lasting immobilization in an inappropriate position leading to stiffness, is difficult to achieve

Objectives: To report our experience using Foucher's modification of the first dorsal metacarpal artery flap for thumb reconstruction in 21 cases.

Methods: Foucher's flap is based on the neurovascular structures of the first dorsal metacarpal artery flap and radial nerve-sensitive branches on the dorsum of the second metacarpal and proximal phalanx. The cause of injury was work-related in all 21 cases.

Meckel Gruber syndrome: a first trimester diagnosis of a recurrent case.

We report of a case of Meckel Gruber Syndrome (MGS) in a woman, who suffered previously from a pregnancy with the same disorder. MGS, consisting of an occipital encephalocele, bilateral cystic kidneys and postaxial polydactyly, is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, with a recurrence risk of 25%. With the present technology, a targeted ultrasound in the late embryonic or early fetal stages of pregnancy has the potential to diagnose this syndrome.

Hygroma colli cysticum: prenatal diagnosis and prognosis.

The objective of this study is to analyze the prenatal management and prognostic factors of hygroma colli cysticum by using cytogenetic tests and sonographic morphological features. All cases with hygroma colli cysticum diagnosed and managed at our Prenatal Diagnostics Unit between January 96 and September 2000 were analyzed. Sonographic morphological features were divided in two groups; nonseptated (n = 18) and septated (n = 12) hygroma colli cysticum lesions were compared with fetal karyotype results and pregnancy outcome data.