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Background: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is a common procedure for biliary obstruction jaundice caused by biliary tract obstruction. PTBD can be performed using external or external-internal methods, by the right or left lobe approach. However, differences in both the method used and the hepatic approach may affect success rates and complications. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the outcomes and complications of PTBD and compare them according to different methods and hepatic approaches., Methods: Patients who underwent PTBD procedures in our interventional radiology department due to benign or malignant pathologies between March 2021 and March 2024 were included in the study. The diagnoses of the patients, and total and direct bilirubin values before and after the procedure were recorded. The clinical results and the complications of PTBD were compared statistically according to the hepatic approach and method. Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine significant factors associated with PTBD success and complications., Results: Sixty patients were included in our study (32 men, 28 women; mean age: 67.14±13.61 y). The most common indication was malignant bile duct obstruction (90%). The obstruction was mostly at the level of the common bile duct (46.7%). The success rate of PTBD was the highest with the left-side external biliary drainage approach (left-side external biliary drainage, 81.2%; right-side internal-external biliary drainage, 77.8%; right-side external biliary drainage, 69.2%; P=0.596). The complication rate was higher for right-side access (right side 15.9%, left side 12.5%, P=0.744). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that PTBD success in females was 5 times higher than in males [Exp(B): 5.000, β: 1.609, P<0.05]. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that methods used, entry lobes, and entry levels did not significantly affect PTBD success and complication incidence (P>0.05)., Conclusion: All approaches and methods used during PTBD were associated with low complications and high success rates. Nevertheless, external biliary drainage with right hepatic access has the lowest clinical success rate and a higher complication rate than the left-lobe approach. We observed that left-sided external biliary drainage was the most successful method and had fewer complications., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: We investigated volumetric changes in buccal fat pad (BFP) in age groups and sexes by cranial or neck computed tomography (CT) or cranial CT angiography., Methods: One hundred twenty patients underwent cranial or neck CT examinations or cranial CT angiography were retrospectively screened: 18-29 years old (group 1), 30-49 years old (group 2), and 50 years and older (group 3). Left buccal fat tissue measurements were performed in age groups, sexes, and body mass index (BMI) groups., Results: Left buccal fat volume in the 30-49 age group and the ≥50 age group was significantly higher than that in the 18-29 age group (P < 0.05). Across all groups and specifically within the 18-29 age group, females exhibited significantly lower buccal fat volume than males (P < 0.05). The left buccal fat volume of individuals classified as overweight and obese was significantly higher than that of the underweight and normal weight groups. There was a negative relationship between buccal fat volume and fat density. Moreover, as age increased, within age groups 1 to 3, there was a notable increase in body weight, body length, BMI, and BMI groups (underweight and normal weight to obesity), accompanied by a significant rise in buccal fat volume. Conversely, fat density exhibited a significant decrease with advancing age., Conclusions: Buccal fat volume, localized in the middle third of the face, increased with aging and increasing BMI values. Young females had lower buccal fat volume. Buccal fat tissue volume is important in facial rejuvenation procedures such as facial filler applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To investigate peripheral and central olfactory pathways using cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients., Materials and Methods: The cranial MRI images of 37 HIV-infected adult patients and 37 adults without HIV infection having normal cranial MRI results were included in the study. In both groups, olfactory bulb (OB) volume and olfactory sulcus (OS) depth; and insular gyrus and corpus amygdala areas were measured using cranial MRI. In the HIV group, disease duration, HIV RNA, and CD4 lymphocyte count and levels as a percentage were also recorded., Results: The HIV group had significantly lower bilateral OB volumes, insular gyrus and corpus amygdala areas compared to the control group. The HIV group showed positive correlations between OB volumes, OS depths, insular gyrus, and corpus amygdala areas bilaterally. Increases in OB volumes and OS depths were associated with an increase in the insular gyrus area. The corpus amygdala and insular gyrus areas increased similarly. There was no significant correlation between age, gender, disease duration, CD4 lymphocyte count and per cent, HIV RNA values, and the measurement values of the central and peripheral olfactory regions., Conclusion: A decrease in olfactory regions of OB, insular gyrus, and corpus amygdala in HIV-infected patients shows that HIV infection may cause olfactory impairment. There is no correlation between disease duration and olfactory impairment. It may be related to neuroinflammation, HIV-related brain atrophy, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex, or neurocognitive impairment, which are the other explanations for the olfactory impairment in HIV. The possible toxicity from antiretroviral therapy (ART) may be another cause that should be investigated further., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)