No abstract available.
Cyclosporine* ; Humans ; Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption* ; Psoriasis*

Thinning of parietal bone bilaterally is extremely rare but well known phenomenon. Approximate prevalence is 0.4-0.5% according to radiological scans, case reports and anthropologic researches. Even though biparietal osteodystrophy occurs mostly in over 60-year-old women, it shows no special association with race or geographical area tendency. Current definition was changed by understanding that is a pathological situation, not an anatomical variety or result of growing old in time. Biparietal osteodystrophy may have an unusual presentation and treatment still remains unclear. We aim to present a patient with biparietal osteodystrophy associated with minor head trauma that caused parietal fracture and epidural hematoma underneath.
Continental Population Groups ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Female ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Parietal Bone ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: This study compares the clinical and radiological results of three most commonly used dynamic stabilization systems in the field of orthopedic surgery. METHODS: A total of 71 patients underwent single-level posterior transpedicular dynamic stabilization between 2011 and 2014 due to lumbar degenerative disc disease. Three different dynamic systems used include: (1) the Dynesys system; (2) a dynamic screw with a PEEK rod; and (3) a full dynamic system (a dynamic screw with a dynamic rod; BalanC). The mean patient age was 45.8 years. The mean follow-up was 29.7 months. Clinical and radiological data were obtained for each patient preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Clinical outcomes were significantly improved in all patients. There were no significant differences in the radiological outcomes among the groups divided according to the system used. Screw loosening was detected in 2 patients, and 1 patient developed screw breakage. All patients with screw loosening or breakage underwent revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Each procedure offered satisfactory outcome regardless of which system was applied.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Orthopedics ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies*

BACKGROUNDIn the early stages of atrial remodeling, aortic stiffness might be an indication of an atrial myopathy, in particular, atrial fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the association between left atrial (LA) mechanical function, assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, and aortic stiffness in middle-aged patients with the first episode of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODSThis prospective study included 34 consecutive patients with the first episode of AF, who were admitted to Kartal Koşuyolu Research and Training Hospital between May 2013 and October 2015, and 31 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. During the 1 st month (mostly in the first 2 weeks) following their first admission, 34 patients underwent the first pulse wave measurements. Then, 21 patients were recalled for their second pulse wave measurement at 11.8 ± 6.0 months following their initial admission. Echocardiographic and pulse wave findings were compared between these 34 patients and 31 healthy controls. We also compared the pulse wave and echocardiographic findings between the first and second measurements in 21 patients.

RESULTSPulse wave analysis showed no significant differences between the AF patients and healthy controls with respect to PWV (10.2 ± 2.5 m/s vs. 9.7 ± 2.1 m/s; P = 0.370), augmentation pressure (9.6 ± 7.4 mmHg vs. 9.1 ± 5.7 mmHg; P = 0.740), and aortic pulse pressure (AoPP; 40.4 ± 14.0 mmHg vs. 42.1 ± 7.6 mmHg, P = 0.550). The first LA positive peak of strain was inversely related to the augmentation pressure (r = -0.30; P = 0.02) and aortic systolic pressure (r = -0.26, P = 0.04). Comparison between the two consecutive pulse wave measurements in 21 patients showed similar results, except for AoPP. In 21 patients, the AoPP at the second measurement (45.1 ± 14.1 mmHg) showed a significant increase compared with AoPP at the first measurement (39.0 ± 10.6 mmHg, P = 0.028), which was also higher than that of healthy controls (42.1 ± 7.6 mmHg, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONThe association between aortic stiffness with reduced atrial strain and the key role of AoPP in the development of AF should be considered when treating nonvalvular AF patients with normal LA sizes.

Adult ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; Atrial Function, Left ; physiology ; Atrial Remodeling ; physiology ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Vascular Stiffness ; physiology