The effects of crystallized phenol treatment of pilonidal sinus on quality of life has not been investigated before. This study aimed to compare the phenol treatment with surgical excision plus primary closure technique in terms of life quality by means of a life quality questionnaire. This is a prospective randomized clinical study. The study was conducted at Training and Teaching Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey. In total, 40 patients with pilonidal disease were randomly assigned into 2 clinically comparable groups between September 2010 and June 2011. Cristallyzed phenol application was done to 20 patients and surgical excision plus primary closure was done to 20 patients for the treatment of pilonidal disease. Data regarding demographic variables were recorded. To evaluate quality of life and patient comfort all patients asked to fill the questionnaire after complete healing occurred. There was no difference between the groups in age, sex and occupation. Two of the 20 patients in the excision and primary closure group had complication of wound dehiscience and needed prolonged wound care. There was significant differences in favor of the phenol group in all terms of life quality except for complete healing time. As a first degree treatment, phenol treatment is better than the other treatment choices of pilonidal disease in terms of time off work perioperative pain, being away from school and social life. Also phenol treatment can be done without any pretreatment laboratory examination. Further studies will be needed about cost-effectivity of phenol treatment.

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the posterior cranial fossa volume, cerebellar volume, and herniated tonsillar volume in patients with chiari type I malformation and control subjects using stereological methods. Material and Methods. These volumes were estimated retrospectively using the Cavalieri principle as a point-counting technique. We used magnetic resonance images taken from 25 control subjects and 30 patients with chiari type I malformation. Results. The posterior cranial fossa volume in patients with chiari type I malformation was significantly smaller than the volume in the control subjects (P < 0.05). In the chiari type I malformation group, the cerebellar volume was smaller than the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In the chiari type I malformation group, the ratio of cerebellar volume to posterior cranial fossa volume was higher than in the control group. We also found a positive correlation between the posterior cranial fossa volume and cerebellar volume for each of the groups (r = 0.865, P < 0.001). The mean (±SD) herniated tonsillar volume and length were 0.89 ± 0.50 cm3 and 9.63 ± 3.37 mm in the chiari type I malformation group, respectively. Conclusion. This study has shown that posterior cranial fossa and cerebellum volumes can be measured by stereological methods, and the ratio of these measurements can contribute to the evaluation of chiari type I malformation cases.

We report a case of 59-year-old woman with a painful left breast mass, compatible with types II-III hydatid cyst. Lesion was evaluated with mammography, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging modalities. Magnetic resonance imaging had important diagnostic role with demonstrating characteristic features of the lesion and had capability of showing complications. Surgery also confirmed the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst.

Migraine is a commonly seen neurovascular disorder during childhood. Inflammation induced by the activation of cytokines and neuropeptides is implied in its pathophysiology. There is an association between inflammation and atherosclerosis in patients with migraine. In addition, there is a strong correlation between early atherosclerotic wall lesions and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). The study population consisted of 57 migraine patients aged 5-17 years, as well as 47 healthy children who served as the control group. Those migraine patients who were not receiving any medications at the interictal period were compared to healthy controls in terms of their measured lipid levels, thyroid function, vitamin B12 levels, serum iron levels, iron binding capacity, complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) scores, which may comprise risk factors for atherosclerosis. When children in the migraine and control groups were compared in terms of those risk factors that are known to be related to vascular changes, no significant differences were found. However, a significant difference was detected in CIMT values (P < 0.05). Atherosclerosis commences in childhood, and there is a long period of time before the onset of ischemic symptoms occurs. In children with migraine, an evaluation of CIMT can be used as a non-invasive imaging modality to detect atherosclerosis, which develops in the context of chronic inflammation. In this way, measures to reduce morbidity and mortality, which may result from cardiovascular diseases, can be implemented.

Abstract:Background: Congenital bands cause 3 % of all intestinal obstruction and almost always lead to small bowel obstruction. In adults, obstruction due to bands is even rarer. Materials and methods: A multicenter study in Turkey. From January 2000 to December 2010 inclusive -a period of 10 years -all adult patients admitted to the emergency departments with a clinical diagnosis of acute intestinal obstruction due to congenital peritoneal band were included in the study. Surgery was defi ned as emergency. Recorded operative fi ndings included the site of obstruction, and the operative procedure to relieve it. In the present study, the fi ndings in adult patients with congenital band reported in the literature together with fi ndings in ten cases operated at four center were retrospectively assessed with respect to their demographic, preoperative, peroperative, and postoperative characteristics. Results: There were 8 males and 2 females aged between 18 and 72 year. There were no history of abdominal or inguinal surgery. Plain abdominal X-rays radiography revealed air-fl uid levels in all patients. All the bands were ligated and divided. On histopathological examination, the bands were composed of loose connective tissue containing blood vessels. There were no calcifi cation in the bands. Conclusion: an anomalous congenital band could be included in the differantial diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. This clinical situation requires early surgical intervention that will be diagnostic and therapeutic (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 21). Full Text in PDF www.elis.sk.