Background: This meta-analysis aimed to present data on the sella turcica (ST) morphology and variations. Furthermore, a detailed morphometric analysis of the ST was conducted. Methods: Major online databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched through. The overall search process was conducted in three stages. Results: This meta-analysis was based on the results of 18,364 patients and demonstrates the most up-to-date and relevant data regarding the morphology of the ST in the available literature. Four classification methods of the ST shape can be distinguished, in which the most commonly occurring variants are the normal ST (55.56%), the U-shaped ST (73.58%), the circular type of ST (42.29%), and non-bridging ST (55.64%). The overall midpoint height of the ST was 6.59 mm (SE = 0.13). The overall length of the ST was 9.06 mm (SE = 0.15). The overall volume of the ST was 845.80 mm3 (SE = 288.92). Four main classification methods of ST morphology can be distinguished in the available literature. Various morphometric characteristics of the ST may be applied in clinical practice to evaluate its shape, dimensions, and normal or pathological variants.
Polyorchidism is a rare male urogenital tract anomaly characterized by at least one supernumerary testis in the scrotum or ectopically. According to data based on our systematic review, 76% of the supernumerary testes (SNTs) were located in the scrotum, and 24% were extra-scrotal (p < 0.001). Among testes located outside the scrotum, 87% were found in the inguinal canal and 13% in the abdominal cavity. In 80% of cases, the diagnosis of SNT was made based on imaging tests, and the remaining 20% of cases were detected incidentally during surgery. The imaging tests performed (US or MRI) resulted in a significantly higher rate of patients who qualified for observation vs. surgical treatment (45% vs. 35%, p < 0.001). The most common conditions associated with SNT were ipsilateral inguinal hernia (15% of cases) and cryptorchidism (15% of cases). Surgery (orchidopexy/orchidectomy) was performed on 54% of patients with SNT, and the decision to observe the SNT was made in a total of 46% of patients (p = 0.001). The therapeutic approach depends on the location of the SNT and the presence of factors that raise suspicion of neoplastic proliferation.
The objective of this meta-analysis was to present transparent data on the morphology of the pituitary gland (PG) using the available data in the literature. The main online medical databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched to gather all relevant studies regarding PG morphology. The mean overall volume of the PG was found to be 597.23 mm3 (SE = 28.81). The mean overall height of the PG was established to be 5.64 mm (SE = 0.11). The mean overall length of the PG was found to be 9.98 mm (SE = 0.26). In the present study, the PG’s overall morphology and morphometric features were analyzed. Our results showed that, on average, females from Asia have the highest volume of PG (706.69 mm3), and males from Europe have the lowest (456.42 mm3). These values are crucial to be aware of because they represent the normal average properties of the PG, which may be used as reference points when trying to diagnose potential pathologies of this gland. Furthermore, the present study’s results prove how the PG’s size decreases with age. The results of the present study may be helpful for physicians, especially surgeons, performing procedures on the PG.
Purpose: A great number of patients that suffer from lateral epicondylitis, commonly called tennis elbow (TE), are not successfully treated, meaning, not getting adequate therapeutic effects and the main origin of the pain not being handled appropriately. The hypothesis of the present study is that the inefficiency of the treatment of the chronic TE may often be due to underdiagnosis of posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) entrapment or and plica syndrome, as the authors believe that those pathologies can often occur simultaneously. Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted. A total of 31 patients met the required criteria. Results: Thirteen (40.7%) of the patients had more than one source of the lateral elbow pain. Five patients (15.6%) had all three examined pathologies. Six patients (18.8%) had TE and PIN syndrome. Two patients (6.3%) had TE and plica syndrome. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated concomitant potential sources of lateral elbow pain in patients diagnosed with chronic TE. Our analysis shows how important it is to systematically diagnose patients that present with lateral elbow pain. The clinical characteristics of the three most common causes of chronic lateral elbow pain, meaning, TE, PIN compression, and plicae syndrome were also analyzed. Having adequate knowledge about the clinical aspects of these pathologies can help with a more effective differentiation of the etiology of chronic lateral elbow pain, and with that, a more efficient and cost-effective treatment plan.