Background Coccydynia is one of the most overlooked symptoms in clinical practice. The diagnosis and radiologic findings of traumatic coccyx can be more easily detected unless it is delayed and postponed. For idiopathic coccydynia, which accounts for one third of cases, patients present with long-standing pain and multiple physician visits. Method The keywords coccyx, coccydynia, coccygodynia were searched in PubMed, Embase, Scopus databases in the last 5 years. Research articles, reviews and case reports were analyzed. The studies conducted in the last 5 years were presented under the headings of etiology, radiologic assessment, interventional and surgical treatments. Results and Conclusion The first step is dynamic X-ray of the coccyx in standing and sitting position. In this way, morphologic parameters and hypermobility causing idiopathic coccydynia can be evaluated. Morphologic and morphometric features of the coccyx described in previous CT and MR studies have explained the relationship with coccydynia. The key features are as follows: Type II coccyx morphology, subluxation of the intercoccygeal joint, presence of bony spicules. Knowledge of these definitions as well as the differential diagnosis in this anatomical region will help in reaching the correct diagnosis. The treatment of coccydynia is stepwise like the diagnosis. Conservative treatments are initiated first. Manipulations, ganglion impar block, injections, radiofrequency and shock treatments and finally coccygectomy are treatment methods reported. Radiologists should not overlook this region and should be familiar with the coccyx’s morphologic appearance and the sacrococcygeal region’s differential diagnosis. Key points Citation Format
1 May 2018 in Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography
Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate using testicle apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in patients with varicocele and compare them with those of healthy individuals, to identify an optimal ADC threshold level to predict abnormal semen analysis using diffusion-weighted imaging.Materials and Methods: Thirty-one patients with the diagnosis of varicocele and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent testicle diffusion-weighted imaging atbvalues of 0, 400, and 800 s/mm2and semen analysis. Studentttests were used to compare continuous variables between 2 groups. Testicle ADC values were correlated with semen analysis parameters. The relationship between ADC values and impaired semen analysis parameters was evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficient analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves were formed. Cut-off values for ADC, sensitivity, and specificity values were measured.Results: There was a negative correlation between mean ADC values and plexus pampiniformis vein diameter (r= −0.467,P< 0.001) and a positive correlation between mean ADC values and sperm count (r= 0.838,P< 0.001) as well as sperm morphology (r= 0.548,P< 0.05). Sensitivity values of 94.3% and 86.6% and specificity values of 87.5% and 43.8% were determined for the best cut-off ADC values in diagnosing the sperm count and morphology, respectively (area under the curve, 0.961 and 0.781).Conclusions: Decreased testicular ADC values in patients with varicocele are significantly correlated with semen parameters. This method may be used to determine the degree of testicular parenchymal destruction. In addition, testicular ADC cut-off values might be useful in dyspermia patients for the management of patients with varicocele.
Previous studies have shown that high altitude may have a protective effect on cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of high altitude on carotid atherosclerosis have been less evidenced. To compare the effect of altitude on atherosclerosis by using carotid artery ultrasonography (CAU) findings. A total of 180 patients aged >60 years, who had proper recorded data of ultrasonography and blood tests, and who resided in the same city for at least five years were included. Patients with anemia, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and those who did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups: high altitude group (HAG) and sea level group (SLG). CAU findings of each patient—including common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) ≥1 mm and < 1 mm, internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis rate, and plaque types—were recorded and compared between the two groups. Blood test parameters and lipid profiles were additionally recorded. Prevalence of patients with CIMT ≥1 mm was significantly higher in the SLG (SLG: 50%, HAG: 15.6%; P < 0.001). Carotid stenosis was found to be significantly different in both groups (HAG: 9.96% ± 23.27%, SLG: 29.83% ± 23.30%; P < 0.001). RBC, HGB, HDL values, and HDL/LDL ratio were found to be significantly higher in the HAG (P < 0.001) whereas LDL, TG, and TC values were significantly higher in the SLG (P < 0.001). People who reside at high altitudes have significantly lower rate of carotid stenosis, lower CIMT values, and less atherogenic lipid profile values, all of which indicate protective effect of high altitude on atherosclerosis.
5 November 2022 in Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion
AIM: To compare endovascular and surgical treatment methods for cerebral aneurysms focusing on mortality. MATERIAL and METHODS: The study included 187 patients who had undergone aneurysm treatment. The patients were divided into four groups according to their treatment modality and subarachnoid hemorrhage status: patients with endovascular treatment and bleeding aneurysms (EVG-b), patients with endovascular treatment and non-bleeding aneurysms (EVG-nb), patients with surgical clipping and bleeding aneurysms (SCG-b), and patients with surgical clipping and non-bleeding aneurysms (SCG-nb). The Hunt-Hess scores, Fisher grade, aneurysm morphology, and length of stay (LOS) were compared between groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mortality rate between EVG-b and SCG-b at the end of the first year (23.5% and 39.7%, respectively; p>0.05). A significantly shorter LOS was observed in EVG-b than in SCG-b (11.5 days and 15 days, respectively; p=0.027). Fusiform aneurysms were associated with higher patient mortality, whereas saccular aneurysms were associated with a 1.9-fold higher survival (p=0.037; 95% confidence interval: 0.83-4.74). The rate of closure of non-bleeding aneurysms was 93.4%. Complete embolization was verified in all bleeding aneurysms. In EVG-nb, the morbidity rate was 5%, the mortality rate was 3%, and the mean LOS was 2.86 days. CONCLUSION: Both treatment methods showed similar mortality rates, but hospital stays were shorter after endovascular treatment.
Multiple symmetrical lipomatosis (MSL) is a disease that causes symmetrical fat deposits in the neck, shoulders, and upper trunk. It is more common in the neck area in men who consume alcohol. The male-to-female ratio varies from 15:1 to 30:1. Madelung’s disease has been reported in a small number of female patients who do not consume alcohol. Pseudoathletic appearance (MSL type 1C) is rare and causes misdiagnosis. We would like to present a 50-year-old woman with an athletic appearance who had fat deposits on her shoulders and upper chest. After excluding obesity and Cushing's syndrome, which were initially considered, we aimed to remind people of this entity that causes symmetrical fat deposits in the upper trunk in females.