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Background: Migraine has a complex etiology determined by genetic and environmental factors, but the molecular mechanisms and genetics of this disease have not yet been fully clarified. Aim: This case/control study was designed to analyze the genotype distributions and allele frequencies for the Rho-kinase 2 (ROCK2) gene Thr431Asn polymorphism among the migraine patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 155 migraine patients and 155 healthy age and sex matched controls were included in this study. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid from migraine patients and controls was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Neither genotype distributions nor the allele frequencies for the Thr431Asn polymorphism showed a significant difference between the groups. In addition, there were no marked differences in genotype and allele frequencies for the migraine without aura and migraine with aura subgroups when compared with control group. Conclusion: This is the first study to show that the ROCK2 gene Thr431Asn polymorphism is not a risk factor for the migraine in the Turkish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Sciatic nerve injury is the most frequent and serious complication of intramuscular gluteal injection. This study aims to highlight the incidence and causes of this continuing problem and to discuss the relevant literature. < p < MATERIAL and METHODS: A total of 217 subjects who were diagnosed with sciatic nerve injury in our neurophysiology laboratory between 2003 and 2013 were examined. Sensory and motor transmission studies and needle electromyography were performed by conventional methods in the two lower legs and the results were compared between each leg., Results: Of the subjects who experienced a sciatic injury secondary to intramuscular injection, 59 (27.2%) were female and 158 (72.8%) were male. In all subjects, the dorsogluteal site of the buttocks was selected for intramuscular injection. Sciatica occurred on the right side in 91 subjects, on the left side in 125, and bilaterally in one. The peroneal nerve was more affected than the tibial nerve. The most used agents were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. According to follow-up electromyography findings of 103 subjects, significant sequelae remained in 2/3 of cases., Conclusion: The occurrence of sciatic neuropathy after gluteal injection causing permanent sequelae and leading to medicolegal problems is relatively rare. We suggest a double quadrant drawing technique in each gluteal region. We also draw attention to this issue with postgraduate and in-service training programs of medical staff, and providing continuity in education can reduce this serious complication.

Objectives: To compare sizes of the foramen ovale and rotundum in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients and healthy individuals on CT images., Methods: Twenty-one TN patients and 24 healthy volunteers were included in this retrospectively designed study, carried out at the Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey, between May 2004 and August 2009. The dimension of the foramen ovale on the cross-sectional images, and the foramen rotundum on coronal sections on CT images were examined., Results: The mean sizes of the foramen rotundum on the right and left sides were 3.04 x 3.2 mm and 2.8 x 2.9 mm in TN patients, and 2.4 x 3.2 mm and 2.5 x 3.1 mm in controls. The mean sizes of the foramen ovale on the right and left sides were 4.8 x 6.04 mm and 4.9 x 5.5 mm in TN patients, and 3.7 x 8.2 mm and 4.1 x 7.6 mm in controls. The dimensions of left and right foramens were not significantly different in both TN patients and controls (p > 0.05). Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was not found between the foraminal dimensions of the TN patients and controls (p > 0.05)., Conclusion: This study revealed that the sizes of foramen ovale and rotundum are highly symmetrical in both groups, suggesting that sizes of the foramina are not associated with the occurrence of TN.

Congenital left atrial band (LAB) has been reported previously. However, clinical significance of the LAB has not been clearly defined. Although LAB is generally known as a benign entity, it has been reported to be associated with Chiari's network, patent foramen ovale, mitral valve prolapse, mitral regurgitation, and supraventricular arrhythmias. In this case report we report LAB in a 34-year-old male and 56-year-old female with cryptogenic stroke. To our knowledge, the association of LAB with cardioembolic events has not been reported previously. Lack of other potential risk factors of cardioembolic stroke and normal laboratory examinations lead us to suggest that LAB might be the cause of cardioembolism in the present two cases. In conclusion, in cases with ischaemic stroke, especially the ones with undetermined aetiology, LAB should be kept in mind as a potential cause of cardioembolism.