Chronicles of Precision Medical Researchers

Investigation of the Presence of Discoid Meniscus and Its Effect on Anatomic Structures in the Knee Joint by Magnetic Resonance Images, A Retrospective Study

2024-03-20T18:23:03+03:00

AIM: We aimed to investigate the effect of the presence of discoid meniscus (DM) on the anatomical structures of the knee joint.

METHODS: The knee magnetic resonance (MR) images of 144 (97 female, 47 male) individuals with DM and 159 (94 female, 65 male) individuals with normal meniscus were evaluated.

RESULTS: DM was mostly seen on the left side (n=64). This was followed in decreasing order by right side and bilateral. The incidence of DM was higher in individuals aged 36 years and older than in 18 years and younger (p=0.003). Incomplete type DM was seen most frequently in both genders. Meniscopathy was most common (n=21) in the medial meniscus of people with DM. Unilateral lateral meniscopathy was more common in individuals with bilateral DM. And also in individuals with normal meniscus, meniscopathy was also most common (n=31) medially. Unilateral medial meniscopathy was the most common in those with normal meniscus. When the effected ligaments were examined, tearing and degeneration were most common (n=21) in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in individuals with DM. On the other hand in the presence of DM, chondropathy (n=42) on adjacent joint surfaces was reported. It was determined that ligament damage was mostly (n=43) in ACL in normal menisci. In addition, the presence of chondropathy was observed on the bone surfaces adjacent to the joint (n=64) in normal menisci.

CONCLUSIONS: All DM cases were in the lateral meniscus. This was mostly accompanied by meniscopathy and ACL injury.

Healthcare Professionals in the pediatric field need to be educated on the topic of children's rights.

2024-05-14T21:31:59+03:00

Background/aims: Child rights are defined as the protection of children rights all over the world such as education, health, living, housing, protection against sexual or psychological abuse. It is necessary to increase awareness of children rights among healthcare professionals and to put them into practice. Methods: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the awareness of healthcare professionals employed in departments of child health and diseases regarding children’s rights. The study comprised 319 people including physicians, health officers, nurses, and midwives working in the Department of Child Health and Diseases in education and research hospitals in Ankara, Turkey. Results: All participants completed a questionnaire consisting of 19 questions. It was determined that 220 (69.0%) participants were aware of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, while 99 (31.0%) were not. There were 59 (18.5%) participants who could list 3 of the basic principles of the convention, but there were 236 (74%) participants who could not specify any articles. It was found that 111 (34.8%) people in the study population considered themselves sufficient in advocating for children’s rights, but 208 (65.2%) did not. Conclusions: This study found an insufficient level of awareness of children’s rights among healthcare professionals. This suggest that there is a need to raise the level of knowledge and awareness of healthcare workers in order to know the principles, to fulfill the responsibilities determined in terms of rights and laws, and to be aware of the importance of this convention for children.

Assessment of Iliac Artery Stent Patency Using Computed Tomography Angiography and Comparison with Digital Subtraction Angiography

2024-07-02T18:08:14+03:00

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of axial images obtained after Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) and images generated by advanced image processing methods to show intimal thickening and stenosis in İliac- intravascular stents.

Materials and methods: Twenty patients who underwent intravascular metallic stent implantation for aortic-iliac artery stenosis at Gazi University Medical Faculty Hospital were analyzed by spiral CTA and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). In addition to axial images, multiplanar reformat (MPR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), shaded surface display (SSD) and virtual intravascular endoscopy (VIE) images were generated to evaluate the stents from the data obtained in spiral CTA examination. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software package program (IBM), version 20.0. Data are expressed as the arithmetical mean±standard deviation (SD). CTA post procecing techniques were investigated using the chi-square test to assess the relationships between them, and stenosis rates and intimal thickness increase were compared. Our study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki Principles.

Results: In terms of stent lumen visualization, MPR images were more effective than the other images (MIP, SSD, VIE) in evaluating the stent lumen and stenoses.

Conclusion: Spiral CTA in combination with image processing methods can be applied as a noninvasive method to evaluate stent integrity, stent patency, and stent-aorta-iliac artery relationship after intravascular stenting in iliac artery stenoses.

Ten year analysis of endometriosis cases: Single center results

2024-05-06T14:20:57+03:00

Aim: Endometriosis is a benign, chronic inflammatory disease that often involves the presence and enlargement of endometrial glands and stroma outside of the uterus. Endometriosis foci are often seen in the abdominal cavity, in the ovaries, Phallopian tubes, ligament structures, on the outer surface of the uterus and the inner surface of the pelvis. The most common symptoms are chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. In our study, we aimed to determine the localization of endometriosis, accompanying symptoms and other accompanying lesions due to the prevalence of endometriosis and its involvement in many different regions.

Materials and Methods: 330 cases diagnosed with endometriosis in the Department of Pathology between 2010 and 2020 were scanned through the hospital information system. The patients diagnosed with endometriosis were analyzed retrospectively in terms of age, complaints, endometriosis location, accompanying malignant and benign lesions and frozen examination.

Results: There were 330 patients diagnosed with endometriosis. The average age of the patients was 45 (SS 11,23), and it was observed that the latest patient was 11 years old and the oldest patient was 87 years old. It was observed that the patients applied to the gynecology and obstetrics clinic with complaints of pelvic mass (79%), abnormal uterine bleeding (19%) and pelvic pain (2%). It was observed that the most frequently affected area was the right (32,4%) and the left ovary (33%). In addition, bilateral ovarian involvement was observed in 46(13,9%) patients and abdominal skin involvement in 29(8,8%) patients (Table 1). Frozen examination was performed on 87(26,3%) patients and 70(80%) patients were diagnosed as benign and 17(20%) patients were diagnosed as malignant.

Conclusion: Endometriosis is an important disease due to its widespread prevalence in the society, significantly decreasing the quality of life of the person and causing a suspicion of malignancy by forming a mass. Although the pathogenesis of endometriosis has not been clearly explained, retrograde menstruation theory is accepted today. It is a disease that can be easily treated with medical or surgical treatments. It has been reported that especially endometrioid adenocarcinoma and clear cell carcinoma are associated with endometriosis in patients with ovarian

cancer.

Aquaporin-1 and Aquaporin-3 Density Decreases in Meniscal Tissue During Aging: An Experimental animal Study

2024-06-29T19:10:03+03:00

Background: The menisci play crucial role in absorbing shock and providing stability thanks to their particular anatomy and physiology. Menisci exhibit histological, biochemical, and morphological degenerative changes during the process of aging. Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane water channels that regulate the water contents of cells. We compared expression of aquaporin1 (AQP1), aquaporin3 (AQP3), and type I collagen in the meniscal tissues of young and aged rats using immunohistochemistry.

Methods: In this study, 14 Wistar albino rats (180-400 g) were used. Animals were divided into two equal groups; Group I: two-month old animals (n=7), Group II: 18-month-old animals (n=7). Meniscal tissues were dissected and examined histopathologically and immunhistochemically. After routine histological procedure, sections of 4-5 μm thickness were obtained and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained immunhistochemically for AQP1, AQP3, and type I collagen with hematoxylin-eosin.

Results: Immunohistochemically, expression of AQP1, AQP3, and type I collagen were demonstrated in young and old rats. In aged rats, number of fibrochondrocytes was too few and cracks were too many compared to young rats. It was found that the immunoreactivity of AQP1, AQP3, and type I collagen in meniscal tissues were significantly reduced by aging.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that expression of AQP1, AQP3 and type I collagen in menisci tissue may be related to age.

The Effect of Risk Factors on Mortality in Central line associated-bloodstream infections Developing in the Intensive Care Unit

2024-07-22T19:19:36+03:00

Aim

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are common used for treatment and monitoring in intensive care units. Despite beneficial effects CVC can lead to infectious complications. Central line associated-bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is one of the most common complications of CVC.

Materials and Methods

From 2017 to 2021, a total of 245 patients aged 18 years and older who had developed CVC-BSI and had been admitted to all intensive care units of the hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Patient age, gender, comorbidities, length of stay in the ICU, ICU unit monitored, use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), isolated microorganism, infection rate, and APACHE 2 score were evaluated.

Results

From 2017 to 2021, a total of 245 patients aged 18 years and older who had developed CVC-BSI and had been admitted to all intensive care units of the hospital were retrospectively evaluated. 171 of 245 patients were 65 years or older. There was a significant difference between being 65 years of age and older and mortality (p:0.002). There was a significant relationship between female gender and mortality (p:0.045). Fifty-seven patients (%32) had femoral catheters, 117 (%65.7) had subclavian/jugular catheters, and 4 (%2.2) had hemodialysis catheters. The study found no significant relationship between the site of CVC insertion and mortality (p:0.539). Likewise, no significant difference was found between TPN use, secondary infection development, and mortality. While gram-negative bacteria were the most commonly isolated pathogens, CNS (coagulase-negative staphylococcus) was the most commonly isolated microorganism in CVC-BSI.

Conclusion

Central venous catheter-related infections, particularly CVC-BSI, are common and life-threatening infections in intensive care units. It was found that this type of infections particularly increases mortality in female and geriatric patient groups. However, it was revealed that the APACHE 2 score, catheter site, and TPN use are not effective on mortality.