Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the intervertebral disc height and intervertebral disc degeneration between the normal group and the group with disc herniation at the level of the L4–L5 intervertebral disc by MRI using the Pfirrmann grading system. Materials and Methods: 385 patients were included in this study. MRI images were reevaluated and intervertebral disc heights were measured from the anterior, middle and posterior segments. Researchers divided disc pathologies into two groups. In the non-herniated group; normal or bulging ones; in the herniated group, they included those with protrusion or extrusion. Results: 385 lumbar MRI examinations meeting the study criteria were included in study. There were 56.9% (219/385) females and 43.1% (166/385) males in the study. For the whole patients in the study group, the intervertebral disc height values at the L4–5 level were measured as 12.34 mm, 11.58 mm, and 7.60 mm in the anterior, middle, and posterior localizations, respectively. Conclusions: At the L4–5 level, the height of the disc distances in the herniated group was lower than in the normal group. The Pfirrman score was found to be higher in the herniated group in terms of disc degeneration compared to the normal group.

Retrospective Evaluation of Patients with Acute Cholecystitis Who Undergoing Percutaneous Cholestostomy with All Treatment Aspects: Single Center Results - Advanced Radiology and Imaging

Microparticle Suspension Intravenous Applications to Enhance Diagnostic Color Doppler Ultrasonography Signal Intensity in the Differential Diagnosis of Liver Tumors - Advanced Radiology and Imaging

Background: Calcifications in the carotid and vertebral arteries may be present on cranial and temporal bone CT imaging of pediatric patients. Few studies have investigated the frequency, location, and patterns of carotid artery calcifications in this age group. However, these studies are outdated and do not include data on the vertebral artery. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, location, and pattern of incidental carotid and vertebral artery calcifications on cranial CT and temporal bone CT images in children under 15 years of age. We also aimed to investigate possible associations between these calcifications and various diseases. Methods: A total of 300 CT images of the cranial and temporal bone of 300 pediatric patients were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of calcification in the carotid and vertebral arteries. The evaluation included determining the presence of calcification in the artery, the pattern of calcification, the degree of calcification, and its anatomical location. Results: In the current study, 300 CT images were analyzed, and calcifications were found in the vertebral artery in 17 patients (5.6%) and the carotid artery in 82 patients (27.3%). The supraclinoid segment and the carotid siphon regions are the most common locations of carotid artery calcifications, with 62 patients (20.7%). The V4 segment is also the most common location for vertebral artery calcifications, with 15 patients (5%). Focal punctate calcification is the most common pattern (65 patients, 21.7%). Incidental carotid and vertebral artery calcifications did not correlate with other diseases. Conclusions: Carotid and vertebral artery calcifications are common incidental findings in pediatric patients. In our study, no association was found between other diseases and incidental carotid and vertebral artery calcifications.