: The subaxial cervical pedicle screwing technique shows powerful biomechanical properties for posterior cervical fusion. When applying a pedicle screw using the freehand technique, it is essential to analyse cervical computed tomography and plan the surgery accordingly. Normal cervical computed tomography is usually performed in the supine position, whereas during surgery, the patient lies in a prone position. This fact leads us to suppose that radiological evaluations may yield misleading results. Our study aimed to investigate whether there is any superiority between preoperative preparation on computed tomography performed in the prone position and that performed in the supine position. Methods : This study included 17 patients (132 pedicle screws) who were recently operated on with cervical vertebral computed tomography in the prone position and 17 patients (136 pedicle screws) who were operated on by conventional cervical vertebral computed tomography as the control group. The patients in both groups were compared in terms of age, gender, pathological diagnosis, screw malposition and complications. A screw malposition evaluation was made according to the Gertzbein-Robbins scale. Results : No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding age, gender and pathological diagnosis. The screw malposition rate (from 11.1% to 6.9%, p<0.05), mean malposition distance (from 2.18 mm to 1.86 mm, p <0.05), and complications statistically significantly decreased in the prone position computed tomography group. Conclusion : Preoperative surgical planning by performing cervical vertebral computed tomography in the prone position reduces screw malposition and complications. Our surgical success increased with a simple modification that can be applied by all clinicians without creating additional radiation exposure or additional costs.

Both Fahr’s disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to thrombotic events. Fortunately, they are rare occurring together. There are no previous reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection in association with Fahr’s disease. We report here a case of SARS-CoV-2 infection with Fahr’s disease that presented with thalamic infarct. The patient improved with enoxaparin. Ischemic infarction may be seen in SARSCoV-2 patients with associated Fahr’s disease. Antithrombotic therapy may be helpful in preventing further deterioration.

Navigation of the main root canal and dealing with a dens invaginatus (DI) is a challenging task in clinical practice. Recently, the guided endodontics technique has become an alternative method for accessing root canals, surgical cavities, and calcified root canals without causing iatrogenic damage to tissue. In this case report, the use of the guided endodontics technique for two maxillary lateral incisors with multiple DIs is described. A 16-year-old female patient was referred with the chief complaint of pain and discoloured upper front teeth. Based on clinical and radiographic findings, a diagnosis of pulp necrosis and chronic periapical abscess associated with double DI (Oehler's type II) was established for the upper left lateral maxillary incisor (tooth #22). Root canal treatment and the sealing of double DI with mineral trioxide aggregate was planned for tooth #22. For tooth #12 (Oehler's type II), preventive sealing of the DI was planned. Minimally invasive access to the double DI and the main root canal of tooth #22, and to the DI of tooth #12, was achieved using the guided endodontics technique. This technique can be a valuable tool because it reduces chair-time and, more importantly, the risk of iatrogenic damage to the tooth structure.
Adolescent ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Dental Pulp Necrosis ; Diagnosis ; Endodontics ; Female ; Humans ; Incisor ; Methods ; Miners ; Periapical Abscess ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: In elderly high-risk surgical patients, sutureless aortic valve replacement (AVR) should be an alternative to standard AVR. The potential advantages of sutureless aortic prostheses include reducing cross-clamping and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time and facilitating minimally invasive surgery and complex cardiac interventions, while maintaining satisfactory hemodynamic outcomes and low rates of paravalvular leakage. The current study reports our single-center experience regarding the early outcomes of sutureless aortic valve implantation. METHODS: Between October 2012 and June 2015, 65 patients scheduled for surgical valve replacement with symptomatic aortic valve disease and New York Heart Association function of class II or higher were included to this study. Perceval S (Sorin Biomedica Cardio Srl, Sallugia, Italy) and Edwards Intuity (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) valves were used. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 71.15±8.60 years. Forty-four patients (67.7%) were female. The average preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 56.9±9.93. The CPB time was 96.51±41.27 minutes and the cross-clamping time was 60.85±27.08 minutes. The intubation time was 8.95±4.19 hours, and the intensive care unit and hospital stays were 2.89±1.42 days and 7.86±1.42 days, respectively. The mean quantity of drainage from chest tubes was 407.69±149.28 mL. The hospital mortality rate was 3.1%. A total of five patients (7.69%) died during follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 687.24±24.76 days. The one-year survival rate was over 90%. CONCLUSION: In the last few years, several models of valvular sutureless bioprostheses have been developed. The present study evaluating the single-center early outcomes of sutureless aortic valve implantation presents the results of an innovative surgical technique, finding that it resulted in appropriate hemodynamic conditions with acceptable ischemic time.
Aged ; Aortic Valve* ; Bioprosthesis ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Chest Tubes ; Drainage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Hemodynamics ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Intubation ; Length of Stay ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Design ; Stroke Volume ; Surgical Instruments ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: To investigate the void parameters within the resin cements used for fiber post cementation by micro-CT (µCT) and regional push-out bonding strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one, single and round shaped roots were enlarged with a low-speed drill following by endodontic treatment. The roots were divided into three groups (n=7) and fiber posts were cemented with Maxcem Elite, Multilink N and Superbond C&B resin cements. Specimens were scanned using µCT scanner at resolution of 13.7 µm. The number, area, and volume of voids between dentin and post were evaluated. A method of analysis based on the post segmentation was used, and coronal, middle and apical thirds considered separately. After the µCT analysis, roots were embedded in epoxy resin and sectioned into 2 mm thick slices (63 sections in total). Push-out testing was performed with universal testing device at 0.5 mm/min cross-head speed. Data were analyzed with Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests (α=.05). RESULTS: Overall, significant differences between the resin cements and the post level were observed in the void number, area, and volume (P<.05). Super-Bond C&B showed the most void formation (44.86 ± 22.71). Multilink N showed the least void surface (3.51 ± 2.24 mm2) and volume (0.01 ± 0.01 mm3). Regional push-out bond strength of the cements was not different (P>.05). CONCLUSION: µCT proved to be a powerful non-destructive 3D analysis tool for visualizing the void parameters. Multilink N had the lowest void parameters. When efficiency of all cements was evaluated, direct relationship between the post region and push-out bonding strength was not observed.
Cementation* ; Dentin ; Resin Cements*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Studies reveal that the microvolt T wave alternans (MTWA) test has a high negative predictive value for arrhythmic mortality among patients with ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. In this study, we investigate the effects of trimetazidine treatment on MTWA and several echocardiographic parameters in patients with stable coronary artery disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients (23 females, mean age 55.6±9.2 years) with stable ischemic heart disease were included in the study group. Twenty-five age- and sex-matched patients with stable coronary artery disease formed the control group. All patients were stable with medical treatment, and had no active complaints. Trimetazidine, 60 mg/day, was added to their current treatment for a minimum three months in the study group and the control group received no additional treatment. Pre- and post-treatment MTWA values were measured by 24 hour Holter testing. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were assessed by echocardiography. RESULTS: After trimetazidine treatment, several echocardiographic parameters related with diastolic dysfunction significantly improved. MTWA has been found to be significantly improved after trimethazidine treatment (63±8 µV vs. 53±7 µV, p<0.001). Abnormal MTWA was present in 29 and 11 patients pre- and post-treatment, respectively (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Trimetazidine improves MTWA, a non-invasive determinant of electrical instability. Moreover, several echocardiographic parameters related with left ventricular functions also improved. Thus, we can conclude that trimetazidine may be an effective agent to prevent arrhythmic complications and improve myocardial functions in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
Cardiomyopathies ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Mortality ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Trimetazidine* ; Ventricular Function, Left

A 45 year old male sought consultation in our neurology clinic with the complaint of persistent genital uncomfortable sensations and pain. After extensive investigations, there was no underlying urological or neurological disease demonstrable. He was diagnosed to have restless genital syndrome and was given pramipexole and gabapentin with significant improvement of his symptoms. Our patient suggests that pramipexol and gabapentin may be useful as treatment for restless genital syndrome.

A 45 year old male sought consultation in our neurology clinic with the complaint of persistent genital uncomfortable sensations and pain. After extensive investigations, there was no underlying urological or neurological disease demonstrable. He was diagnosed to have restless genital syndrome and was given pramipexole and gabapentin with significant improvement of his symptoms. Our patient suggests that pramipexol and gabapentin may be useful as treatment for restless genital syndrome.
Anxiety Disorders ; Anti-Anxiety Agents

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of repeated porcelain firing process on the corrosion rates of the dental alloys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cr-Co, Cr-Ni and Pd-Ag alloys were used for this study. Each metal supported porcelain consisted of 30 specimens of 10 for 7, 9 and 11 firing each. Disc-shaped specimens 10 mm diameter and 3 mm thickness were formed by melting alloys with a propane-oxygen flame and casted with a centrifuge casting machine and then with the porcelain veneer fired onto the metal alloys. Corrosion tests were performed in quintuplicate for each alloy (after repeated porcelain firing) in Fusayama artificial saliva solution (pH = 5) in a low thermal-expansion borosilicate glass cell. Tamhane and Sheffe test was used to compare corrosion differences in the results after repeated firings and among 7, 9 and 11 firing for each alloy. The probability level for statistical significance was set at alpha=0.05. RESULTS: The corrosion resistance was higher (30 mV), in case of 7 times firing (Commercial). On the other hand, it was lower in case of 11 times firing (5 mV) (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Repeated firings decreased corrosion resistance of Pd-Ag, Cr-Co and Cr-Ni alloys. The Pd-Ag alloy exhibited little corrosion in in vitro tests. The Cr-Ni alloy exhibited higher corrosion resistance than Cr-Co alloys in in vitro tests.
Alloys ; Corrosion ; Dental Alloys ; Dental Porcelain ; Fires ; Freezing ; Glass ; Hand ; Saliva, Artificial

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to compare the efficacies of 95% ethanol and 20% hypertonic saline (HS) sclerotherapies that were performed in a single session under CT guidance for the management of simple renal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective series of 74 consecutive patients (average age: 57.6 +/- 8.1 years) with simple renal cysts were enrolled in this study. They were randomized into two groups and 95% ethanol or 20% HS, respectively, corresponding to 25% of the aspiration volume, was injected. Treatment success was determined six months later with follow-up clinical evaluation and performing ultrasonography. RESULTS: The sclerotherapy was accepted as technically successful without major complications in all except two patients who were excluded because of a communication between the simple renal cyst and the pelvicalyceal collecting system. Thirty-six patients in the ethanol group received sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol and 36 patients in the HS group underwent sclerotherapy with 20% HS. The complete regression ratio of the ethanol group was significantly higher (94% versus 72%, respectively) than that of the HS group. There was one patient with partial regression in each group. The failure ratio of the ethanol group was significantly lower (3% versus 25%, respectively) than that of the HS group. CONCLUSION: Ethanol sclerotherapy under CT guidance is a successful and safe procedure and it can be used for the treatment of simple renal cysts. Sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol is more effective than 20% HS sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy with HS may be an option for patients preferring to undergo a less painful treatment procedure.
Adult ; Aged ; Ethanol/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney/drug effects/radiography/ultrasonography ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic/*drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Saline Solution, Hypertonic/administration & dosage ; Sclerosing Solutions/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Sclerotherapy/adverse effects/*methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods ; Treatment Outcome