Background and Objectives: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a major complication of colorectal surgery (CRS), increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. While several AL risk factors have been identified, the role of aortic calcification (AC) remains unclear. As a marker of systemic atherosclerosis, AC may impair tissue perfusion and anastomotic healing. Additionally, tumor factors (TNM stage, histology, and localization) and patient comorbidities (hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and neoadjuvant therapy) may contribute to AL risk. This study evaluates the association between preoperative AC and AL incidence while considering additional risk factors. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 151 patients undergoing CRS from January 2020 to October 2023. Preoperative CT scans classified AC into Stage 0 (none), Stage 1 (50%) of the aortic circumference. Data on demographics, tumor characteristics, neoadjuvant therapy, and comorbidities were collected. AL risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: AL occurred in 5.96% (9/151) of patients. AL incidence was significantly higher in patients with >50% AC (44.47% vs. 11.27%, p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis confirmed AC as an independent AL predictor (OR = 10.38, 95% CI: 1.243–92.118, p = 0.032). Rectal tumor localization (p = 0.038), hypertension (p = 0.027), cardiovascular disease (p = 0.014), and neoadjuvant therapy (p = 0.045) were also associated with increased AL risk. Conclusions: Severe AC is an independent predictor of AL in CRS. Additionally, rectal tumors, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and neoadjuvant therapy contribute to AL risk. Preoperative vascular assessments and comprehensive risk stratification models may help identify high-risk patients and guide perioperative management strategies to reduce AL incidence.

Background and Objectives: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a major complication of colorectal surgery (CRS), increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. While several AL risk factors have been identified, the role of aortic calcification (AC) remains unclear. As a marker of systemic atherosclerosis, AC may impair tissue perfusion and anastomotic healing. Additionally, tumor factors (TNM stage, histology, localization) and patient comorbidities (hypertension, cardiovascular disease, neoadjuvant therapy) may contribute to AL risk. This study evaluates the association between preoperative AC and AL incidence while considering additional risk factors. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 151 patients undergoing CRS from January 2020 to October 2023. Preoperative CT scans classified AC into Stage 0 (none), Stage 1 (< 50%), and Stage 2 (>50%) of the aortic circumference. Data on demographics, tumor characteristics, neoadjuvant therapy, and comorbidities were collected. AL risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: AL occurred in 5.96% (9/151) of patients. AL incidence was significantly higher in patients with >50% AC (44.47% vs. 11.27%, p=0.012). Multivariate analysis confirmed AC as an independent AL predictor (OR = 10.38, 95% CI: 1.243–92.118, p=0.032). Rectal tumor localization (p=0.038), hypertension (p=0.027), cardiovascular disease (p=0.014), and neoadjuvant therapy (p=0.045) were also associated with increased AL risk. Conclusions: Severe AC is an independent predictor of AL in CRS. Additionally, rectal tumors, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and neoadjuvant therapy contribute to AL risk. Preoperative vascular assessments and comprehensive risk stratification models may help identify high-risk patients and guide perioperative management strategies to reduce AL incidence.

Penil Mondor Hastalığı klinikte nadiren karşımıza çıkan, etyolojisi net olarak bilinmeyen penisin yüzeyel dorsal veninin tromboflebitidir. Renkli doppler ultrasonografi sayesinde kolayca tanınabilir. Ancak benign bir hastalık olmasına rağmen hastalarda ciddi anksiyete sebebidir. Ayrıcı tanısında Peyroni hastalığı ve sklerozan lenfanjit bulunur. Biz olgu sunumunda 20 yaşındaki hastada tespit edilen Penil Mondor Hastalığı bulgularını sunmayı ve literatür bilgisini gözden geçirmeyi amaçladık.

Background/Aims: Neck pain and limited neck mobility are common symptoms in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study aimed to quantify neck muscle thickness in individuals with AS using ultrasonography and to compare these findings with measurements obtained from healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 individuals diagnosed with AS and 30 healthy participants were enrolled in this case–control study. The anteroposterior dimension, lateral dimension, cross-sectional area (CSA) of the longus colli (LC), cervical multifidus (CM), and anteroposterior dimension of the sternocleidomastoid were measured via ultrasound. Individuals diagnosed with AS were asked to complete the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life questionnaire (ASQoL), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI). Results: In the AS group, the anteroposterior thickness (P = .025) and CSA (P = .021) of the right LC were markedly reduced compared with the control group. Similarly, the left LC exhibited significantly smaller anteroposterior measurements (P = .023) and CSA values (P = .012) in patients with AS. Additionally, the lateral dimension of the CM was significantly decreased on both the right (P = .001) and left (P = .002) sides relative to healthy controls. In patients with AS, LC thickness correlated negatively with NDI, ASQoL, BASDAI, BASFI, and BASMI, and positively with cervical extension and lateral flexion. In multivariate regression analyses adjusted for age and body mass index, LC thickness was independently associated with disability, functional impairment, and spinal mobility limitation. Conclusion: Neck muscle thickness is reduced in AS patients, and atrophy of the LC shows significant correlations with greater disability, poorer quality of life, higher disease activity, impaired functional status, and limited spinal mobility. Cite this article as: Karacif D, Karacif O, Cagliyan Turk A. Comparison of neck muscle thickness via ultrasound in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and healthy controls. ArchRheumatol. Published online April 24, 2026. doi:10.5152/ArchRheumatol.2026.25253.