Introduction Cephalohematomas in the newborn period are related to the accumulation of blood between the bone and periosteum as a result of a series of adverse conditions during labor. The optimal approach to cephalohematoma cases is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to present the follow-up data of 94 newborns with a cephalohematoma size of >50 mm and a higher risk of ossification. Methods This is a single-center, non-randomized, prospective, observational study conducted from May 2014 to May 2019. Records of all newborns with cephalohematoma were reviewed in terms of gender, birth weight, cephalohematoma region, transverse/vertical diameter of the lesion, delivery method, and rate of ossification. Results The girl-to-boy ratio was 53/41, with a mean gestational age of 38.3 +/- 1.4 weeks and a mean birth weight of 3,300 +/- 800 grams. The mean transverse/vertical diameter of cephalohematoma was 59 +/- 9 mm. Cephalohematoma was completely resorbed at the first-month control visits in 72 (76.6%) cases, whereas nine (9.57%) had an ossified cephalohematoma. The ossification was completely or partially resorbed in these at the end of the one-year follow-up. Conclusion Hence, we suggest that an early intervention is not required in the routine treatment of cases with hematomas with a size of >50 mm in size unless otherwise stipulated with clinical indications.
Background: Vertebral compression fractures associated with osteoporosis reduce daily living activities. The primary risk factor for osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVCFs) is the severity of osteoporosis, defined as low bone mineral density (BMD) in both peripheral and central regions. In addition to BMD, sarcopenia is also thought to affect OVCFs by reducing paraspinal muscle mass and strength. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the association between vertebral compression fractures and paraspinal/psoas muscle characteristics, including muscle mass and fatty degeneration, using quantitative MRI measurements. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 77 patients aged ≥60 years who were diagnosed with acute OVCF between January 2019 and August 2023. The control group consisted of age- and sex-matched patients with osteoporosis (BMD > −2.5) who were followed up without fractures for at least six months. Demographic characteristics, relative total cross-sectional area (rTCSA) and relative functional CSA (rFCSA) of the multifidus (MF), erector spinae (ES), and psoas major (PS) were measured at the L4–5 and L5-S levels on MRI. Results: The TCSA and rTCSA of the multifidus (MF) and erector spinae (ES) muscles at both the L4-5 and L5-S1 levels did not show significant differences between the control and OVCF groups. (all p value > 0.05) The mean FCSAL4-5 of the MF 8.97 ± 2.81, ES 16.73 ± 6.49, the mean FCSAL5-1 of the MF 9.43 ± 3.27, ES 10.76 ± 5.79 in the fracture group, while the mean FCSAL4-5 of the MF 11.39 ± 2.6, ES 19.35 ± 4.04, the mean FCSAL5-1 of the MF 13.42 ± 2.56, ES 14.11 ± 4.6 in the non-fracture group. (PMFL4-5 < 0.001, PMFL5-1 < 0.001, PESL4-5 = 0.003, PESL5-1 < 0.001) The mean TCSA of the psoas muscle was significantly higher in the fracture group (17.65 ± 6.21) than in the control group (15.9 ± 4.14) (p = 0.042). Despite the significantly larger total psoas muscle mass in the fracture group, the rFCSA of the psoas muscle was lower in the fracture group (0.81 ± 0.27) compared to the control group (0.89 ± 0.25) (p = 0.046). Conclusions: The study shows that the functional muscle mass of the paraspinal muscles is significantly lower in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) as compared to those without fractures. Quantitative measurement of the functional capacity of the paraspinal muscles using MRI can effectively predict the risk of OVCF and enable early intervention and adopt preventive measures to reduce the incidence of these fractures.
AIM: To investigate the relationship between the distribution of ABO or Rhesus (Rh) blood group antigens and the incidence of myelomeningocele. MATERIAL and METHODS: A retrospective data was reviewed for all myelomeningocele patients operated at a tertiary academic hospital between years 2014 and 2019. Age, sex, delivery method, physical and neurological examination findings, and radiological findings alongside with blood type of each patient were recorded. The data of blood group distribution among the study patients was compared to the data of healthy individuals in the same region. RESULTS: Patients with group B and AB showed a higher chance of developing myelomeningocele. Rh-positive blood group was associated with high incidence of myelomeningocele (93.5%), whereas Rh-negative blood group showed least association (6.5%). Rh-positive blood group was also found to be more frequent in patients with myelomeningocele with hydrocephalus and Chiari malformation. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that ABO and Rh blood groups have an effect on the development of myelomeningocele under the influence of environmental or genetic factors.