Co-existence of the Onodi cell with the variation of perisphenoidal structures

The presence of the Onodi cell (OC) may be accompanied by morphological variations of the neighboring anatomic structures. Such variations carry significant surgical implications and challenges. Pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus induces anterior clinoid pneumatization (ACP), affects the type of the Vidian nerve (VN) canal or alters the courses of the internal carotid artery (ICA), and the optic nerves (ONs) are strongly depending on it. Onodi cell pneumatization may reach and surround the optic nerve in various extension. Our aim in the study was to investigate the effect of Onodi cell’s potential co-existence on these structures. This study was planned as a retrospective and cross-sectional study. This study performed in a tertiary referral center. Coronal computerized tomography images of 999 patients were examined. Using an 64 slices tomography machine, images taken at 3-mm sections were reconstructed using a bone algorithm and evaluated. OCs were present at 212 of the total 320 sides in 160 patients. Type-2 was found to be the most prevalent type of VN canal configuration (Type-2: VN canal partially protrudes into the sphenoid sinus or into the floor of the sphenoid) among all patients (66.5 %) and among those with OCs (71.2 %). The presence or absence of the OC did not cause a statistically significant alteration of the intrasphenoidal course of the VN. The presence of OCs was found to be significant (p < 0.01) in accompanying pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process (34.4 %, 73/212), protrusion (80.1 %, 170/212) and dehiscence (36.3 %, 77/212) of the optic nerve, and protrusion (59 %, 125/212) and dehiscence (20.8 %, 44/212) of the ICA. In 108/320 sides where OCs were absent, no significant correlations existed. This study shows that in the co-existence of an OC, ACP, protrusion and dehiscence of the optic nerve and ICA are encountered at significantly higher rates, while the course of the VN is not necessarily altered.     

Coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction

Objective: The role of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction was evaluated. Methods: Two hundred and twelve patients (152 men, 60 women; age 35 to 82, mean 55) with ejection fraction (EF) of less than 30% underwent CABG between January 1996 and February 2001 by a single surgeon (SA). They compromised of 12% of 1759 patients operated on in this period. EF ranged from 17% to 30% (mean 25%). Preoperatively 68% had congestive heart failure and 72% had severe angina (CCS 3 or 4). A left main lesion was found in 26% of the cases. The mean number of grafts was 3.18 per patient. The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was used on 107 patients (50.4%). Preoperative intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) was used on 32 patients (15%). Endarterectomy was performed on 53 patients (25%). The patients were followed for up to 58 months (mean 28.7). Results: Twelve patients died in hospital (5.6%). Survival was 94%, 87%, 80% and 73% at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years respectively. Among the preoperative variables survival was negatively affected by chronic renal failure, older age, congestive heart failure, elevated pulmonary artery pressure and recent myocardial infarction, by means of multivariate analysis. Preoperative IABP support improved the operative mortality significantly (P=0.002). Use of LIMA did not have any influence on survival. Conclusion: CABG on patients with poor left ventricular function: (1) Can be performed with an acceptable mortality. (2) Mid term results are encouraging. (3) Preoperative IABP support improves the chance of survival.     

The Effects of Passive Smoking on the Six-Minute Walk Test in Obese Pediatric Cases

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether exposure to second-hand smoke affected the six-minute walk test (6MWT) of obese non-asthmatic pediatric cases.Methods: Obese pediatric patients (body mass index >95th p) with no existing co-morbidities were included in the study. Smoke exposure was assessed with a self-reported questionnaire completed by the parents. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisting of obese children exposed to passive smoking and Group 2 of obese children not exposed to passive smoking. In addition to 6MWT, spirometric flow and volume, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s and peak expiratory flow rate, were also measured in all subjects. The results of the 6MWT were assessed to determine any association with passive smoking.Results: The study included 75 obese pediatric cases (40 male, 35 female) with a mean age of 9.06±0.97 years. The 6MWT results in Group 1 was 501.88±62.12 meters and in Group 2 559.63±72.93 meters. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.001).Conclusions: Passive smoking may negatively affect the respiratory and cardiovascular capacity in obese children, who are already at risk of lower cardiopulmonary function. The evaluation of 6MWT in these pediatric patients may be useful for monitoring and families should be warned about potential problems due to smoking.     

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy associated intracranial hypertension

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired immune-mediated demyelinating neuropathy. In this report, we detail the course of a 58-year-old male patient who had headache and double vision followed by progressive paresthesia and difficulty in walking. The patient had bilateral papilledema and mild leg weakness, absent ankle jerks and loss of sensation in distal parts of his lower and upper extremities. His electromyography (EMG) was concordant with CIDP and lumbar puncture revealed high opening pressure. The polyradiculoneuropathy as well as the papilledema and elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure improved under steroids. The improvement in intracranial hypertension (IHT) and papilledema under steroid treatment suggests that the IHT in this patient might be associated with CIDP.     

The prognostic effect of immunoscore in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma: preliminary results

International Urology and Nephrology - This study aimed to evaluate the density of CD8+ and CD3+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and determine whether the immunoscore has any prognostic...