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Purpose: To compare efficancy of three-dimentional SPACE (sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip-angle evolutions) and CISS (constructive interference in steady state) sequences in the imaging of the cisternal segments of cranial nerves V-XII., Methods: Temporal MRI scans from 50 patients (F:M ratio, 27:23; mean age, 44.5±15.9 years) admitted to our hospital with vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had both CISS and SPACE sequences. Quantitative analysis of SPACE and CISS sequences was performed by measuring the ventricle-to-parenchyma contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Qualitative analysis of differences in visualization capability, image quality, and severity of artifacts was also conducted. A score ranging 'no artefact' to 'severe artefacts and unreadable' was used for the assessment of artifacts and from 'not visualized' to 'completely visualized' for the assesment of image quality, respectively. The distribution of variables was controlled by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Samples t-test and McNemar's test were used to determine statistical significance., Results: Rates of visualization of posterior fossa cranial nerves in cases of complete visualization were as follows: nerve V (100% for both sequences), nerve VI (94% in SPACE, 86% in CISS sequences), nerves VII-VIII (100% for both sequences), IX-XI nerve complex (96%, 88%); nerve XII (58%, 46%) (p<0.05). SPACE sequences showed fewer artifacts than CISS sequences (p<0.002)., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of using shear wave elastography (SWE) to assess first extensor compartment tendons rigidity and its alterations with tenosynovitis., Materials and Methods: We performed B-mode ultrasound and SWE to total number of 80 participants. All participants were evaluated clinically to call the diagnosis of de Quervain tenosynovitis or to rule out the diagnosis. We composed 2 groups. Group 1 included 40 healthy volunteers (33 females and 7 male participants with ages ranging from 24 to 60 years, median age was 37.5 years) and group 2 had 40 de Quervain patients (32 females and 8 male patients with ages ranging from 25 to 51 years, median age was 34 years). SWE measurements were repeated 3 times and arithmetic average was used for the final SWE value., Results: The median SWE value of healthy group (group 1) was 72kPa and the de Quervain patient group (group 2) was 29kPa. Two groups demonstrated statistically significant difference (p<0.001). The ROC curve analysis was performed and the SWE value of 40.5kPA was calculated as a cut-off value for the diagnosis of de Quervain tenosynovitis with 95% specificity and 85% sensitivity., Conclusion: SWE modality can provide useful data regarding de Quervain tenosynovitis., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The goal of this study was to measure corpus cavernosum (CC) penis rigidity with shear wave elastography (SWE) in healthy volunteers and to evaluate the change of rigidity with age., Methods: SWE was performed in 60 healthy volunteers (age range 20-71, mean 47±12,83 years). Volunteers were divided into 2 groups by age (Group 1 age <50, group 2 age ≥50). We assessed SWE in 3 parts of penis (proximal, middle and glans penis) on both sides of CC. All values of SWE (in kilo Pascal) were noted along with volunteers' ages. The measurements were done both with transverse (T) and longitudinal (L) sections. We compared all SW values of penis parts and their alterations with age., Results: The shear wave elastography values of CC penis increased with increasing age (p<0,01). There was no significant difference between both sides of CC penis (p<0,05). We calculated no significant difference between T and L sections of all parts of penis (p<0,05)., Conclusions: SWE can provide noninvasive quantitative data of CC penis rigidity and its alteration with age. These data may create a new approach in the evaluation process and treatment options for penile pathologies., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)