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The retro-aortic left renal vein (RLRV) is a malformation characterized by the presence of a vessel that drains the left renal blood up to the inferior vena cava crossing behind the aortic artery. Varicocele is defined as venous dilation of the pampiniform plexus, and the left side is the most commonly affected. Several theories concerning the possible aetiology of varicocele are reviewed in the literature, but RLRV was not mentioned as an aetiologic factor of varicocele. in this study we investigated the percentage of RLRVs and their relation with varicocele. A total of 1,125 contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans was examined to identify RLRVs. RLRVs were found in nine women (1.6%) and ten men (1.7%). We performed scrotal Doppler ultrasonography (US) for all affected men except one. Varicocele of varying degrees was found in seven of the nine male patients with RLRV (77%). RLRV could be one of the aetiological factors in the development of varicocele, and the cases with RLRV should be examined by scrotal Doppler US for the presence of varicocele.

In cleft palate cases with delayed diagnosis, appropriate application of muscle repair will be sufficient for anatomic repair of VPI without any extra procedures. In addition, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging is an objective, noninvasive, reliable, and effective modality that may be used in the diagnosis and treatment of VPI without any extra investigations.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) depicts cerebral tissue without need for contrast media in cerebral pathologies and gives detailed information on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and CSF flow pathways. In addition, physiopathologic evaluations including studies on CSF flow dynamics can be carried out by using cine-phase contrast techniques without need for invasive procedures such as contrast media injection or catheterization (1, 2).Evaluation of CSF flow physiology and pathologies with cine-phase contrast MRI evaluation has gained momentum in the last 15 years. Studies using this technique, which is very sensitive even to slow flow, have focused on the ventricular system, subarachnoid spaces, spinal canal, and the cerebral aqueduct (3-5).Following expression of flow through aqueduct quantitatively, an understanding of normal flow patterns was initially achieved, and flow changes in various pathologies were scrutinized. Communicating and obstructive hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, and arachnoid cysts were the initial pathologies studied (6-9). Postsurgical clinical applications, such as evaluation of third ventriculostomy patency and aqueductal CSF flow evaluation following endoscopic aqueductoplasty came into use afterwards (10, 11). The characterization of normal CSF flow dynamics can provide pathophysiological information on diseases affecting CSF circulation by contributing to normal reference values.In this study, aqueductal CSF flow parameters in different age groups were investigated using cine-phase contrast MRI technique, with the aim of measuring differences in flow parameters among age groups and sexes. Materials and methodsIn this six-month prospective study, 60 subjects who underwent imaging for other indications but were found to have no abnormalities were included. Written consent was obtained from all subjects or legal representatives of subjects before the procedures. Of the cases, 25 (41.6%) were female and 35 (58.3%) were males, with ages ranging from 6 years to 70 years (mean, 31.2). The individuals were divided into five age groups: ≤14 years, 15-24 years, 25-34 years, 35-44 years, and ≥45 years. The mean ages in groups were as follows respectively: 9.1 years, 20.1 years, 30.1 years, 40.3 years, and 57.7 years.MRI examinations were performed with 1.5 T MR unit (Siemens Symphony, Erlangen, Germany). Imaging was carried out using standard head coils, in neutral supine position and without any case preparation. Subjects were asked to avoid deep breathing during the examination. Routine cranial axial and sagittal fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted images were acquired (TR/TE/NEX/FA, 5540/97/2/150˚; slice thickness, 5 mm; FOV, 250; matrix, 189 × 256). PURPOSEThe aim of this study was cerebrospinal flow quantification in the cerebral aqueduct using cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique in both sexes and five different age groups to provide normative data. MATERIALS AND METHODSSixty subjects with no cerebral pathology were included in this study. Subjects were divided into fi...