Search

Pelvic incidence (PI) and Jackson's angle are 2 major spinopelvic parameters that define the position of the sacrum within the pelvis. These parameters are measured on standing lateral radiography, and the identification of the hip axis is essential for measurements. Moreover, identifying the hip axis in patients with hip diseases or femoral head deformity is challenging. In this study, we described a novel parameter named posterior pubic incidence (PPI) that could be measured using the posterior pubic edge instead of the hip axis. Group A comprised 50 volunteers who underwent standing lateral lumbosacral radiography. Group B comprised 54 patients with abdominal or urologic problems who underwent supine computed tomography. The PI, pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope, PPI, and posterior pubic tilt were measured. The differences between PI and PPI were evaluated. Linear regression analysis was used to predict the PI value from PPI. The mean PI and PPI values were 47.41° ± 12.32° and 49.32° ± 11.94° in group A and 49.19° ± 9.99° and 49.99° ± 9.25° in group B, respectively. The mean absolute differences in groups A and B were 2.41° ± 1.63° and 1.9° ± 1.62°, respectively. High correlations were obtained between PI/PPI and pelvic tilt/posterior pubic tilt. PI could be calculated as PI° = PPI° − 2° on plain radiography and as PI° = PPI° − 1° on computed tomography. PPI was strongly correlated with PI, which was nearly equal to PI, and may replace PI in formulas containing PI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upper cervical lordosis (CL) can be divided into 2 components: C2 slope (C2S) and McGregor slope (MGS) or C0–1 and C1–2 angles. The aim of this study was to investigate the components of upper CL in asymptomatic kyphotic and lordotic subjects. CL, C0–2 Cobb angle, MGS, C2S, C1 Slope, C0–1 Cobb angle, C1–2 Cobb angle, T1 slope angular parameters, and the C2–7 sagittal vertical axis distance of 78 asymptomatic subjects were measured. Sixty subjects had lordotic curvature and 18 had kyphotic curvature. There was a significant difference between the kyphotic and lordotic groups in all parameters, except for C0–1 Cobb angle and C2–7 sagittal vertical axis. In lordotic subjects, MGS and C2S accounted for 58% and 42% of the C0–2 angle, whereas in kyphotic subjects, 86% of C0–2 was accounted for by C2S. There was a strong negative correlation between C2S and MGS. In asymptomatic subjects, as CL decreases, MGS decreases, C2S increases, and the C0–2 angle turns down on the horizontal plane to maintain the horizontal gaze. Turning down the C0–2 angle is more important than its value for maintaining horizontal gaze; thus, the slopes (MGS and C2S) can better represent the upper and lower cervical alignment than angle values can. The relationship between upper and lower cervical alignment should be evaluated in terms of slope angles rather than simple angles. The lack of significant difference between the C0–1 angles in the kyphotic and lordotic groups suggests that only the C1–2 angle is involved in the compensatory mechanism for the horizontal gaze. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Midline closure defect malformation (NTD) is a congenital fusional defect of the posterior segments of spinal vertebrae which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Fetuin-A, Osteopontin, total antioxidant and oxidant levels are unknown in patients with midline closure defects. In this study, the levels of these parameters in patients with NTD and their relationship with the disease were investigated. Methods: The study included 165 patients (0-5 age group) with OHD (Study group, n = 80) and healthy children of similar age (Control group, n = 85). Patients with OHD were divided into three groups as Spina Bifida Occulta (Group I, n = 22), Spinal Meningocele or Myelomeningocele (Group 2, n = 26) and Hydrocephalus (Group 3, n = 31). One-way Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine whether the distributions were normal or not. Ki-square, student t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis variance tests were used in the comparisons between the groups. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured spectrophotometrically. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated with the ratio of TOS to TAS. Results: TAS levels were similar between patient and control groups (p = 0.230). TOS and OSI levels were higher in patients, and fetuin-A and osteopontin values were higher in the control group (for all, p <0.05). TAS levels were similar between patient groups, however, TOS, fetuin-A, osteopontin values were significantly different (p <0.05 for all). The levels of TOS, OSI and Fetuin-A were decreasing steadily from group I to III, whereas osteopontin levels were the highest in the group I and the lowest in the group 2. Conclusion: OHD closure defect occurs during intrauterine period. In the embryogenesis stage, it is a malformation which results in inadequate closure of the midline spinal cord because of inadequate development of neural tissue from the ectodermal layer and because of inadequate development of the bone and skin from the mesodermal layer which surrounding the spinal cord. This insufficient closure can occur anywhere in the neural tube. They require biological and chemical active substances to complete the histogenesis and organogenesis of the neural tube. Therefore, it is thought that TOS, OSI, Fetuin-A and Osteopontin values may play a role during embryological development of OHD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the association between subcutaneous lipoma and pericallosal lipoma in an adult patient.

Pregnancy associated osteoporosis is a rare entity seen at the third trimester of first pregnancy or early postpartum period. It does not recur frequently in the subsequent pregnancies; however, it might lead to various complications unless it is treated. In this paper, we presented a woman diagnosed with pregnancy-associated osteoporosis with back pain at the 6Summaryth month of the pregnancy in order to discuss the points to be taken into consideration in the diagnosis/differential diagnosis and treatment options of pregnancy associated osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hydatid cyst disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus still poses a major problem in endemic areas. Endemic regions are mainly, including Turkey, Central and Eastern Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Middle East, South Africa. It is a characteristic of Animal Husbandry and Animal Care Workers and of those who do not pay attention to sanitation. Methods: Six hundred and eight patients being treated for hydatid cyst in health care facilities in the Şanlıurfa province were included in the study. Patient data were retrospectively analyzed from archive records. Results: Of all the patients, 384 were female and 224 were male. It was detected that the disease was more common in women according to the literature. Female/male ratio was 1,714. The average age was 35,6; minimum age was 3 and maximum age was 83. When the patients were evaluated according to organ involvement, 425 patients with liver involvement and 236 patients with lung involvement were found. Sixty-two patients had both liver and lung involvement. Without involvement of the liver and lung, other organ involvement was detected in 9 patients. Conclusions: In order to avoid eradication of hydatid cyst disease and the disease itself, a Hydatidosis Eradication Programme Board composed of people from various professions and of representatives of nongovernmental organizations should be established by Governor's Office, Municipality, Harran University Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Provincial Directorate of Agriculture, Directorate of Health, Provincial Directorate of National Education. The public should be informed and local visual and print media must do its part in this regard. In this program, the support of international organizations should be taken if necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]