Purpose: Urodynamic studies (UDS) are the gold standard for evaluating pediatric lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). However, previous studies have shown that the interpretation of cystometric findings may vary according to the observer’s level of experience and the criteria used for evaluation. This study aimed to investigate interobserver differences in the reporting of cystometric parameters in children with spina bifida. Methods: Patients who underwent UDS between 2020 and 2025 for neurogenic LUTD secondary to spina bifida were retrospectively reviewed. Studies that did not reach 80% agreement for compliance with good urodynamic practice standards were excluded. Detrusor overactivity (DOA) and bladder compliance were independently evaluated by 4 pediatric urologists and 3 urologists experienced in neuro-urology. Agreement was assessed using Fleiss’ kappa test. Results: A total of 100 children, including 53 females and 47 males, were included; the median age was 6.5 (range, 1–17) years. Agreement of at least 80% was reached in 86% of evaluations for DOA and 82% of evaluations for compliance. Based on the ratings of 7 observers, the Fleiss’ kappa value was 0.60 for DOA, indicating moderate agreement, and 0.46 for bladder compliance, indicating weak agreement. Conclusions This study demonstrated substantial interobserver variation in the interpretation of UDS, even among experienced centers and observers. Because UDS are essential for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with spina bifida, standardized criteria are needed to improve interobserver consistency in this patient group. Multicenter prospective studies involving observers with varying levels of experience are warranted to improve concordance in UDS reporting.

Objective: It is aimed to present our experience in carotid artery stenting with attention to the patient selection, technique, success rate, perioperative complications, and efficacy. Methods: Patients presented with carotid stenosis treated by stenting were included. Symptomatic patients were defined as having a history of transient ischemic attack or stroke in the last 6 months. Patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis of at least 50% or asymptomatic carotid stenosis of at least 70% detected by catheter angiography were accepted for treatment. Distal embolic protection devices were used in all patients. Technical success was defined as the luminal patency at least 70%. Results: The study consisted of 94 patients with 98 procedures and the mean age was 66.38±11.13 years. The mean stenosis rate was 74.52±13.44%. A total of 109 stents were used in 97 procedures, and closed-cell design was used in 87.2% versus open-cell design in 12.8%. Technical success and complication rate were 98.9% and 8.2%, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 14.92±10.76 months. Conclusion: Carotid artery stenting with use of distal embolic protection devices is widely accepted, safe, feasible, less invasive when compared to surgery and can be performed successfully especially in patients with high risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: In mandibular edentulism, the treatment option with a two-interforaminal implant-retained bridge and a removable partial denture is rarely evaluated in literature. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the stress distribution of this treatment option by comparing it with traditional treatment options with interforaminal implants in the edentulous mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two interforaminal implants were placed in a formalin-fixed cadaver mandible, and overdentures with three different types of attachments were fabricated: (1) two ball attachments and an overdenture, (2) a Dolder bar and an overdenture, and (3) screw-retained two-implant inter-canine porcelain fused to a metal bridge and an implant-assisted removable denture (IARD) with precision attachments. Three biting conditions were generated for each denture type, and the strains were documented under vertical loading of 100 N. RESULTS: The calculated strain values from measured strains in all measurement sites and loading conditions for the screw-retained two-implant inter-canine porcelain fused to a metal bridge and a cast framework partial denture with precision attachments situation were lower than in the other scenarios (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that an IARD may be a reasonable and valuable alternative to ball attachments or a bar in two interforaminal implants, especially when the patients prefer to be able to show their teeth even when they take out their removable dentures.
Cadaver ; Dental Porcelain ; Denture, Overlay ; Denture, Partial ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Dentures ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mandible ; Tooth

OBJECTIVES: In mandibular edentulism, the treatment option with a two-interforaminal implant-retained bridge and a removable partial denture is rarely evaluated in literature. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the stress distribution of this treatment option by comparing it with traditional treatment options with interforaminal implants in the edentulous mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two interforaminal implants were placed in a formalin-fixed cadaver mandible, and overdentures with three different types of attachments were fabricated: (1) two ball attachments and an overdenture, (2) a Dolder bar and an overdenture, and (3) screw-retained two-implant inter-canine porcelain fused to a metal bridge and an implant-assisted removable denture (IARD) with precision attachments. Three biting conditions were generated for each denture type, and the strains were documented under vertical loading of 100 N. RESULTS: The calculated strain values from measured strains in all measurement sites and loading conditions for the screw-retained two-implant inter-canine porcelain fused to a metal bridge and a cast framework partial denture with precision attachments situation were lower than in the other scenarios (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that an IARD may be a reasonable and valuable alternative to ball attachments or a bar in two interforaminal implants, especially when the patients prefer to be able to show their teeth even when they take out their removable dentures.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the flexural properties of a recently introduced urethane dimethacrylate denture base material (Eclipse) after being repaired with two different materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two repair groups and a control group consisting of 10 specimens each were generated. The ES group was repaired with auto-polymerizing polymer. The EE group was repaired with the Eclipse. The E group was left intact as a control group. A 3-point bending test device which was set to travel at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min was used. Specimens were loaded until fracture occurred and the mean displacement, maximum load, flexural modulus and flexural strength values and standard deviations were calculated for each group and the data were statistically analyzed. The results were assessed at a significance level of P<.05. RESULTS: The mean "displacement", "maximum load before fracture", "flexural strength" and "flexural modulus" rates of Group E were statistically significant higher than those of Groups ES and EE, but no significant difference (P>.05) was found between the mean values of Group ES and EE. There was a statistically significant positive relation (P<.01) between the displacement and maximum load of Group ES (99.5%), Group EE (94.3%) and Group E (84.4%). CONCLUSION: The more economic and commonly used self-curing acrylic resin can be recommended as an alternative repair material for Eclipse denture bases.
Acrylic Resins ; Denture Bases* ; Dentures* ; Methacrylates ; Polymers ; Polyurethanes ; Urethane*