Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the elasticity features of the optic nerve using strain (SE) and shear wave elastography (SWE) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in comparison with healthy subjects. Material and methods: One hundred and seven optic nerves from 54 MS patients and 118 optic nerves from 59 healthy subjects were examined prospectively by SE and SWE. Optic nerves were divided into three types in accordance to the elasticity designs, as follows: type 1 predominantly blue (hardest tissue); type 2 predominantly blue/green (hard tissue); and type 3 predominantly green (intermediate tissue). Quantitative measurements of optic nerve hardness with SWE were analyzed in kilopascals. Results: Elastographic images from healthy volunteers showed mostly type 3 optic nerves (61.9%); type 2 was also found (38.1%), but type 1 was not observed. Elastographic examination of MS patients showed mostly type 2 optic nerves (88%), while some type 1 (4.6%) and type 3 optic nerves (6.5%) were rarely observed. There was a statistically significant difference in terms of elasticity patterns between patients and healthy volunteers (p<0.001). Statistically significant differences were observed between patients and healthy volunteers in the analysis of SWE values (10.381±3.48 kPa and 33.87±11.64 p<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was perfect (0.993; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.971–0.999), and a cut-off value of 18.3 kPa shear had very high sensitivity and specificity for the patient group. No significant differences were observed between patients with and without previous optic neuritis. Conclusion: SE and SWE examination findings concerning the optic nerve in MS patients demonstrated remarkable differences according to the healthy group.

Introduction:Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is an uncommon cause of duodenal obstruction, and its manifestations are generally associated with compression on the third part of the duodenum between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery.Case Presentation:In this report, a patient is described presenting with epigastric pain and weight loss due to superior mesenteric artery syndrome. The patient has also nutcracker syndrome, which is the compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery at its origin.Conclusions:In addition to an appropriate clinical history, CT findings indicating decreased aortomesenteric angle and a shortened aortomesenteric distance can suggest the diagnosis for both the superior mesenteric artery syndrome and accompanying nutcracker syndrome.

No abstract

In the present study, we investigated the relationship between sphenoid sinus, carotid canal, and optic canal on paranasal sinus computed tomography (PNSCT). This study was performed retrospectively. PNSCT images of 300 adult subjects (159 male, 141 female). Sphenoid sinus (pneumatisation, dominancy, septation, inter-sinus septa deviation), anterior clinoid process pneumatisation, Onodi cell, carotid and optic canals (width, dehiscence, classification) were measured. In males, type 3 pneumatised sphenoid sinus (in both sides) and in females type 2 pneumatised sphenoid sinus (right side) and type 3 pneumatised sphenoid sinus (left side) were detected more. Anterior clinoid pneumatisation was present 47.2% in males and 39.7% in females. In male group, more septation (i.e. 22.6%, ≥ 3 septa) in sphenoid sinus were detected. Onodi cell was present 26.6 and 19.1% in males and females, respectively. Carotid canal protrudation to the sphenoid sinus wall was present 23.9-32.1% in males and 35.5-36.2% in females. Dehiscence in carotid canal was detected more in females (34%) compared to males (22%). Optic canal protrudation was 33.3 and 30.5% in males and females. Type 4 optic canal was detected more in both gender. Optic canal dehiscence was detected 11.3 and 9.9% in males and females. Carotid and optic canal diameters were higher in males. In pneumatised sphenoid sinuses and in females, type 3 carotid canal (Protrudation to SS wall) (bilaterally) and type 1 optic canal type (No indentation) (ipsilateral side) were detected more. In elderly patients, carotid and optic canal width increased. When carotid canal protrudation was detected, there was no indentation in optic canals In pneumatised SS, carotid canal protrudation was observed with a greater risk in surgery. However, type 1 (non indentation) optic canal was present in highly pneumatised SS with lower risk for the surgery. In women, the risk of carotid canal protruding (about 1/3) is greater than that of males, and carotid canal dehiscence rates are also higher in females. Therefore, physicians should be very careful during the preparatory stages of the sphenoid sinus surgery. Otherwise, it may not be possible to prevent lethal carotid artery bleeds.

Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is a rare pathology, caused by compression of the left renal vein (LRV) between the abdominal aorta (AA) and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), due to reduction of the angle between AA and SMA. This leads to LRV varices, left gonadal vein varices and therefore, the pelvic congestion syndrome. For this reason, coexistence of NCS and pelvic congestion syndrome has been described. It manifests by hematuria, proteinuria, and nonspecific pelvic pain secondary to pelvic congestion, dyspareunia and persistent genital arousal. We report a 27-year-old woman who experienced hematuria and left flank pain. The diagnosis of NCS accompanied by pelvic congestion syndrome was missed initially, but later on the diagnosis was made by color Doppler ultrasound, abdominal computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography that were later performed. She refused interventional and surgical treatments, and was lost to follow up.