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Biomedical subjects

Fazil Gelal

Publications and source records attributed to Fazil Gelal.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

The relationship between severity and extent of spinal involvement and spinal mobility and physical functioning in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

The present study was undertaken to determine the relationship between spinal radiological changes of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), spinal mobility, and physical functioning. Thirty-one patients diagnosed as AS according to the modified New York criteria for AS were included in this study. Three radiographic scoring methods were used to assess spinal damage. Severity of spinal involvement was assessed by using Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (SASSS) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiographic Index-Spine (BASRI-S). To assess the extent of spinal involvement, the total number of vertebrae showing radiological findings attributable to AS [number of vertebrae involved (NoVI)] was calculated according to the AS grading system defined by Braun et al. Statistical analysis, consisting of bivariate correlation, Spearman correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis, was performed using Windows Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 13.0. NoVI was negatively correlated with modified Schober and lateral spinal flexion and was positively correlated with occiput-to-wall distance and BASMI. SASSS was negatively correlated with the modified Schober. BASRI-S was negatively correlated with the modified Schober and positively correlated with BASMI. When BASMI and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index were taken as dependent variables, only the NoVI was found to be associated with BASMI. In our data, the extent of spinal involvement (NoVI) showed a more significant correlation with spinal measurements such as modified Schober and BASMI as compared with the other radiologic scores (SASSS and BASRI-S). Furthermore, because only the NoVI was found to be associated with BASMI, we can conclude that the extent of spinal involvement, which also includes thoracic vertebrae, affects spinal measurements.

Adult↗

T2 hyperintensities in bipolar patients and their healthy siblings.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the frequency of hyperintensities, which are common in bipolar disorder, in sufferers' siblings who are free of bipolar disorder and to ascertain whether these lesions reflect any familial characteristics. It offers an assessment of the relationship between these lesions and clinical characteristics. METHODS: The study group consisted of 12 patients with bipolar disorder, their siblings who had no history of mental disorder, and a matched control group. All three groups were assessed using SCID-I (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders) for diagnosis, and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) for signal hyperintensity. RESULTS: No periventricular white matter lesions were encountered in any groups. It was found that in the patients and siblings, the location was in the right cerebral hemisphere in the deep white matter, whereas it was in the left cerebral hemisphere for the control group. Only in the patient group were lesions detected in subcortical white matter in the right cerebral hemisphere. The lesions were localized in the fronto-parietal area. Considering the brain as a whole, more hyperintensities were detected in the patient group compared to the other two groups. The onset of the disorder with a manic episode was increasing probably in the presence of hyperintensities. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being alike in terms of age, more hyperintensities were detected in the patient group than in the siblings and control groups. Contrary to the control group, however, hyperintensities were localized in the right cerebral hemisphere in both the patients and the siblings groups. Hyperintensities seen in the left cerebral hemisphere yield a nonspecific impression. Siblings who have hyperintensities in the right cerebral hemisphere should be followed up and investigated with regard to bipolar disorder.

Adult↗

Can midline brain shift be used as a prognostic factor to predict postoperative restoration of consciousness in patients with chronic subdural hematoma?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine if midline brain shift could be used as a prognostic factor to predict postoperative restoration of consciousness in patients with CSDH. In these patients, we evaluated the relation (1) between midline brain shift as measured on CT and alteration of level of consciousness, and (2) between midline brain shift and restoration of consciousness after the operation. METHODS: Prospectively recorded data of 45 patients with CSDH were evaluated. We compared level of consciousness of patients measured by GCS score, brain displacement at PG and SP both in the preoperative and early postoperative period. RESULTS: Preoperatively, PG and SP shifts of the patients who were alert (GCS = 15) were significantly less than those of patients who had diminished consciousness. However, in patients with diminished consciousness (GCS < 15), the amount of lateral brain displacement and the degree of diminution of consciousness did not correlate. Those patients who had a preoperative SP shift of less than 10 mm had a significantly lesser chance to become alert after operation (2 of 5 patients) when compared with those patients who had a preoperative SP shift of 10 mm or more (21 of 23 patients). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that preoperative SP shift may be used as a factor to predict restoration of consciousness in patients with CSDH; the likelihood of becoming alert after operation is increased if SP shift is 10 mm or greater, and is decreased if SP shift is less than 10 mm.

Adult↗

Primary rhabdoid tumor of the brain in an adult.

Rhabdoid tumor (RT) is an uncommon childhood neoplasm that typically arises within the kidney. It is characterized by an aggressive clinical course. Since its description in 1978, several cases of primary extrarenal RT, including a CNS localization, have been reported. The first case in the CNS was reported in 1985 and was defined as "rhabdoid tumor" initially, and was classified as grade IV in the most recent classification of the World Health Organization under the term of "atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor". Nearly 200 cases of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor of the CNS have been reported to date, most of them occurring in childhood. We report a case of primary RT of the brain located in the right frontal lobe with the clinical, radiographic and pathological features presenting at an unusual age. This tumor, which was composed purely of rhabdoid cells with no additional primitive neuroectodermal, epithelial and mesenchymal components, was in a 27-year-old male patient. In conclusion, RT should be considered also in the differential diagnosis of intracerebral neoplasms of adult patients.

Adult↗

Multifocal skeletal tuberculosis involving the lumbar spine and a sacroiliac joint: MR imaging findings.

Sacroiliac joint tuberculosis is rare; its coexistence with vertebral tuberculosis is even rarer, with only a few such patients reported in the literature. We present magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of a patient with vertebral and sacroiliac joint tuberculosis, who had paravertebral, iliopsoas, and buttock abscesses accompanied by a gluteal pus-draining sinus tract. MR imaging is the most sensitive and specific imaging modality for diagnosing sacroiliitis at its early stage. Sacroiliac joint tuberculosis can reach advanced stages with extensive joint destruction and periarticular abscesses if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. A high index of clinical suspicion is required for an early diagnosis. The addition of a coronal SPIR T2-weighted sequence to the routine MR imaging evaluation of patients studied for lumbar disk disease may be useful for recognizing sacroiliac joint pathology at an earlier stage.

Aged↗

Lumbar disk herniation with contralateral symptoms.

The aim of the study is to determine if leg pain can be caused by contralateral lumbar disk herniation and if intervention from only the herniation side would suffice in these patients. Five patients who had lumbar disk herniations with predominantly contralateral symptoms were operated from the side of disk herniation without exploring or decompressing the symptomatic side. Patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. To our knowledge, this is the first reported series of such patients who were operated only from the herniation side. The possible mechanisms of how contralateral symptoms predominate in these patients are also discussed. In all patients, the shape of disk herniations on imaging studies were quite similar: a broad-based posterior central-paracentral herniated disk with the apex deviated away from the side of the symptoms. The symptoms and signs resolved in the immediate postoperative period. Our data clears that sciatica can be caused by contralateral lumbar disk herniation. When operation is considered, intervention only from the herniation side is sufficient. It is probable that traction rather than direct compression is responsible from the emergence of contralateral symptoms.

Adult↗

The value of XYZ/2 technique compared with computer-assisted volumetric analysis to estimate the volume of chronic subdural hematoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A simple estimation method of intracerebral hematoma volume known as XYZ/2 method has been described previously. This method has also been shown to be valid for the estimation of acute subdural hematoma volume. However, chronic subdural hematomas differ in shape and extension from acute subdural hematomas, which makes the validity of the same method in the estimation of hematoma volume questionable. We aimed to determine the value of XYZ/2 method to estimate the volume of chronic subdural hematoma when compared with computer-assisted volumetric analysis. METHODS: Computed tomography scans of 28 patients with unilateral hemispheric chronic subdural hematoma were reviewed. Hematoma volumes were measured using 5 different XYZ/2 formulas and compared with volumes measured by computer-assisted analysis. Nonparametric correlation coefficient (Spearman's rho) was used in statistical comparison. RESULTS: All 5 formulas showed excellent correlation with the gold standard, proving the validity of XYZ/2 method in the estimation of chronic subdural hematoma volume (level of significance <0.001). Our results suggest that maximum hematoma length and width, which are not necessarily on the same slice, should be used rather than length and width of hematoma on the central slice when using XYZ/2 method in patients with chronic subdural hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: This study proves the validity of XYZ/2 technique for the estimation of chronic subdural hematoma volume as well.

Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic↗

Traumatic posterior fossa hematomas.

PURPOSE: Posterior fossa epidural hematomas are much less common than supratentorial epidural hematomas. The incidence of posterior fossa epidural hematomas among intracranial epidural hematomas has been reported to be 4% to 7%. Seven cases of posttraumatic posterior fossa epidural hematomas diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) are reported with radiological and clinical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 7 posterior fossa epidural hematoma cases, out of 585 severe head trauma patients admitted and hospitalized in an 18-month period. The patients were evaluated regarding age, gender, type of trauma, cranial CT and Glasgow coma score in admittance, treatment and follow-up. RESULTS: Average age was 24.2 years and 85.7% of the cases were male. All cases had occipital fracture. Fifty-seven percent of the cases had only occipital fracture and posterior fossa epidural hematoma. All of the cases in this group were neurologically intact except for one who had a Glasgow coma score of 9 in admission. Two cases of this group were conservatively treated. In the others posterior fossa epidural hematomas got larger and they were treated surgically; these two cases recovered after surgery. Three of the 7 cases had the supratentorial region lesions; one of these cases died before operation. Two of them were treated surgically, one of them died and the other showed recovery after surgery. CONCLUSION: Acute posterior fossa epidural hematomas are usually symptom-free initially. After this silent period, clinical deterioration is quick to become fatal in most of patients. Surgery can be life-saving when performed in a timely manner. Therefore, CT should always be performed when an occipital trauma is diagnosed.

Adolescent↗

Cranial MR imaging with clinical correlation in preeclampsia and eclampsia.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine the distribution and nature of cranial MRI findings in preeclampsia/eclampsia, and also to correlate them with clinical and laboratory data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging was performed in 39 patients with preeclampsia (n=30) and eclampsia (n=9), and the distribution and signal patterns of the lesions were documented. Clinical findings, blood pressures, and laboratory data were compared statistically in patients with and without MR imaging findings. RESULTS: MR imaging was normal in 21 of the patients. In 18 patients, cortical-subcortical lesions, which appeared iso-/hypointense on T1W and hyperintense on T2W images, were detected. The occipital lobe was involved in all patients, followed by the parietal, frontal, and temporal lobes, and basal ganglia and pons. The lesions showed watershed distribution in 13 patients. When the patients with and without MR imaging findings were compared, there was a statistically significant difference regarding visual disturbances, depression of consciousness, and seizures (p=0.042, p=0.006, p=0.000, respectively). Although patients with MR imaging findings showed higher blood pressures as compared to those without MR imaging findings, there was no statistically significant difference (p=0.074). In patients with MR imaging findings, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), uric acid, and creatinine levels were significantly higher than those without MR imaging findings (p=0.006, p=0.010, p=0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: Increased permeability of the blood-brain-barrier related to endothelial injury plays a major role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia/eclampsia. Relatively minor increases in blood pressure may cause cerebral lesions. However, when the cerebral autoregulation mechanism is considered, the distribution of cerebral lesions in the posterior circulation and watershed zones, which are relatively sparsely innervated by sympathetic nerves, provides evidence that the main determinant of pathogenesis is acute fluctuations in blood pressure.

Adolescent↗

Giant fusiform basilar artery aneurysm causing obstructive hydrocephalus.

A 58-year-old man presented with a sudden onset gait disturbance and urinary incontinence. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR angiography showed a fusiform basilar artery aneurysm, 2 cm in diameter and 5 cm long. The aneurysm was thrombosed except the ectatic basilar artery flowing through it. Compression of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways caused obstructive hydrocephalus with resultant transependymal CSF leakage. Conventional angiography missed the aneurysm. A one-sided ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed to treat the patient's hydrocephalus. The patient's symptoms improved after surgery. MR imaging and MR angiography were useful noninvasive methods of detecting the aneurysm, defining its relationship with surrounding structures, and determining the cause of the hydrocephalus.

Case Reports↗