CTA using modern MDCT scanners has evolved into a highly accurate noninvasive diagnostic tool for the evaluation of patients with abnormalities of the upper extremity arterial system.

Objectives This study aimed to compare sonoelastographic findings for the quadriceps tendon in patients with chronic renal failure who were in a dialysis program to findings in a control group. Methods Fifty‐three randomly allocated patients (mean age, 54.3 years; range, 27–86 years) with chronic renal failure who were in a dialysis program 3 days a week between January and May 2012 were included. The measurements were performed in both knees of 53 patients undergoing dialysis and 25 individuals in the control group. The tendons were classified as follows: type 1, very stiff tissue (blue); type 2, stiff tissue (blue‐green); and type 3, intermediate tissue (green‐yellow) according to color mapping. Results The mean quadriceps tendon thicknesses in the patient group were 4.9 mm (range, 1.9–6.5 mm) for the right knee and 4.9 mm (1.4–6.5 mm) for the left knee; the values in the control group were 5.4 mm (3.6–7.0 mm) for the right knee and 5.4 mm (3.4–7.0 mm) for the left knee. The mean elasticity scores in the patient group were 3.14 (1.03–5.23) for the right knee and 3.33 (1.29–5.00) for the left knee; in the control group, the values were 3.79 (1.73–5.23) and 3.69 (1.23–5.53) for the right and left knees, respectively (right knee, P = .025; left knee, P = .018; Mann‐Whitney U test). The quadriceps tendons were significantly thinner in the patient group (right knee, P = .054; left knee, P = .015; Mann‐Whitney U test). Conclusions Quadriceps tendons in patients with chronic renal failure are thinner and have lower elasticity scores compared to controls.

The aim of the study was to determine bone mineral density changes caused by consumption of cola drinks and the associated factors. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1 and 2, consisting of 10 male and 10 female rats, respectively, were provided with as much food, water and cola drinks as they wanted. Groups 3 and 4, consisting of five rats each, received only rat chow and water. The bone mineral density of the rats was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the end of 30 days. The blood values and weights of the animals were also determined. The oesophagus and kidneys were removed for histopathological examination. The weight gain was higher in the groups consuming cola drinks than the control group rats (P < 0.05). Water consumption decreased 5.9 times while total fluid consumption increased 1.6 -1.9 times in the group consuming cola drinks. No significant change was detected in the blood calcium levels. There was a significant decrease in the bone mineral density of test groups when compared to the control groups (P < 0.05). While we did not detect any pathological oesophageal changes in the rats consuming cola drinks, examination of the kidneys revealed general glomerular congestion and intertubular bleeding. We suggest that the decrease in bone mineral density might be related to the renal damage caused by cola drinks in addition to other related factors.

Long term allograft survival of solid organ transplantation depends on early intervention of complications. Noninvasive imaging with ultrasound, CT, and MRI allows accurate diagnosis of complications and aids in treatment planning.

Here we focus on the use of this modality in patients with nontraumatic vascular pathologic abnormalities.