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Purpose: Slippage of the wires over the opposite cortex from the endosteal side is frequent and can lead to insufficient stability. This in vitro biomechanical study was planned to investigate the angle of wire insertion that leads to trans cortex perforation.Methods: Long bones of sheep were cut longitudinally into two pieces and half bones were stabilised on a frame. Three orthopaedic surgeons performed the experiment using ten wires of four different diameters at two different drilling speeds. Each wire was introduced from the endosteal side at angles starting at 30° in 5° increments until perforation. When perforation was achieved, the angle was recorded. To determinate the critical angle of perforation, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses was performed. Two-way factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical comparisons.Results: Kirschner-wire insertion angles of ≥ 45° provided perforation with a percentage of 83.9 %. Wire diameter, drilling speed and surgeon variables had no effect on perforation angles (p > 0.05).Conclusion: If preoperative evaluation of fractures to be fixed by K wires reveals the need for oblique wire insertion angle < 45°, a standard trocar-tip K wire application would lead to slippage of the wire tip on the endosteal surface of the opposite cortex. According to this study, the operative plan should be changed if such obliquity of the K wire is mandatory during bicortical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine the effects of amantadine, a drug with neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities on oxidative stress, tissue necrosis, apoptosis, and neurological recovery in an experimental rabbit spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury (SCIRI) model., Material and Methods: A total of 32 rabbits were randomized into five groups: control, ischemia, vehicle, methylprednisolone (MP), and amantadine (AMT) (n=8/each). At 24th-hour neurological examination was performed, spinal cord tissues were collected, and biochemical and histopathological examinations were performed., Results: When ischemia and vehicle groups were compared with control group, significant increase was seen in serum and tissue caspase-3, malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels (p < 0.001); significant decrease was seen in serum and tissue catalase (CAT) levels (p < 0.001); and significant increase was seen in serum xanthine oxidase (XO) levels (p < 0.001). When the ischemia group and the MP and AMT groups were compared, low serum and tissue caspase-3 levels (p < 0.001), high serum and tissue CAT levels (p < 0.001), significantly low serum XO levels (p < 0.001), low serum and tissue MDA levels (p < 0.05) and tissue MPO levels (p < 0.001) were found. Both AMT and MP groups showed decreased histopathological score and higher number of normal neurons (p < 0.001) compared to ischemia group. Both AMT and MP showed better modified Tarlov scores compared to the ischemia group (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Our study found that AMT had antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective effects on SCIRI. We used biochemical, microscopic, and ultrastructural approaches to demonstrate these effects. AMT might be a candidate medication for SCIRI prophylaxis and treatment.

Aim: To study the effects of niacin, a water-soluble vitamin, on inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptotic processes observed after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI)., Material and Methods: A total of 25 Wistar albino male rats were randomly divided into control (n=9), TBI + Placebo group (n=9), TBI + niacin (500 mg/kg; n=7) groups. Mild TBI was performed under anesthesia by dropping a 300 g weight from a height of 1 meter onto the skull. Behavioral tests were applied before and 24 hours after TBI. Luminol and lucigenin levels and tissue cytokine levels were measured. Histopathological damage was scored in brain tissue., Results: After mild TBI, luminol and lucigenin levels were increased (p < 0.001), and their levels were decreased with niacin treatment (p < 0.01-p < 0.001). An increased score was obtained with trauma in the tail suspension test (p < 0.01), showing depressive behavior. The number of entries to arms in Y-maze test were decreased in TBI group compared to pre-traumatic values (p < 0.01), while discrimination (p < 0.05) and recognition indices (p < 0.05) in object recognition test were decreased with trauma, but niacin treatment did not change the outcomes in behavioral tests. Levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were decreased with trauma, and increased with niacin treatment (p < 0.05). The histological damage score was increased with trauma (p < 0.001), and decreased with niacin treatment in the cortex (p < 0.05), and hippocampal dentate gyrus region (p < 0.01)., Conclusion: Niacin treatment after mild TBI inhibited trauma-induced production of reactive oxygen derivatives and elevated the anti-inflammatory IL-10 level. Niacin treatment ameliorated the histopathologically evident damage.

Aim: To investigate the effects of cerebrolysin on inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neurologic recovery in the setting of an experimental rabbit model of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury (SCIRI)., Material and Methods: Rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: control, ischemia, vehicle, methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg), and cerebrolysin (5 ml/kg) group. The rabbits in the control group underwent only laparotomy; the other groups underwent spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion injury for 20 minutes. Neurologic examination after 24 hours was based on the Modified Tarlov scale. Myeloperoxidase activities, catalase and malondialdehyde levels, and caspase-3 concentrations were determined in serum and tissue samples. Serum xanthine oxidase levels were studied and histopathological and ultrastructural changes were examined., Results: After SCIRI, serum and tissue myeloperoxidase activities, malondialdehyde levels, caspase-3 concentrations, and serum xanthine oxidase activities were increased (p < 0.01?0.001). Catalase levels were significantly diminished (p < 0.001). Cerebrolysin treatment correlated with reduced myeloperoxidase and xanthine oxidase activities, malondialdehyde levels and caspase-3 concentrations; and with increased catalase levels (p < 0.001, for all). The cerebrolysin group showed improved histopathological, ultrastructural, and neurological outcomes., Conclusion: For the first time in the literature, the current study reports anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and neuroprotective effects of cerebrolysin in a SCIRI rabbit model.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of subacromial decompression on the results of full thickness rotator cuff repair applied arthroscopically. Examination was also made of the effect of acromion type on the subacromial decompression procedure in patients applied with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair., Methods: The study included a total of 150 patients, comprising 102 (68%) females and 48 (32%) males with a full thickness rotator cuff tear repaired arthroscopically. The patients were separated into three groups of 50. Group A comprised those with acromioplasty and bursectomy applied additional to the repair. In Group B, only bursectomy was performed additional to the repair and in Group C, only rotator cuff repair was applied. Evaluation was made of the post-operative long-term pain and functional results., Results: The mean age of the cases was 65.63±9.22 years (range, 46-86 years). The affected side was right side in 95 (63.3%) cases and left side in 55 (36.7%). No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups according to the post-operative Constant Murley and ASES scores (p>0.05). In the paired comparisons, the post-operative VAS scores of Group C were higher than those of Groups A and B (p=0.018, p=0.029, p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was determined between Group A and Group B in respect of the post-operative VAS scores (p>0.05)., Conclusion: In the arthroscopic repair of full thickness rotator cuff tears, neither acromioplasty, coracoacromial ligament loosening nor bursectomy were determined to have any positive effect on the results. Whatever the acromion type, there is no need for an additional subacromial decompression procedure after rotator cuff repair, in respect of pain and functional outcomes. Only acromial spurs should be gently removed paying attention to the coraco-acromial ligament., (Copyright © by The Medical Bulletin of Sisli Etfal Hospital.)

Aim: To investigate the effects of an anti-ischemic agent, mildronate, on subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced vasospasm., Material and Methods: Rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: control, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), vehicle, and mildronate (n=8 animals per group). In the treatment group, 200 mg/kg of mildronate were intraperitoneally administered 5 minutes after the procedure and continued for 3 days as daily administrations of the same dose. At the end of the third day, the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem were perfused, fixated, and removed for histopathological examination. Tissues were examined for arterial wall thickness, luminal area, and hippocampal neuronal degeneration., Results: Mildronate group showed significantly increased luminal area and reduced wall thickness of the basilar artery compared with the subarachnoid hemorrhage group. In addition, the hippocampal cell degeneration score was significantly lower in the mildronate group than in the SAH and vehicle groups., Conclusion: These results show that mildronate exerts protective effects against SAH-induced vasospasm and secondary neural injury.

Context: Internal rigid fixation provides immediate stability of the occipito-cervical (OC) junction for treatment of instability; however, in current practice, the optimal OC junction stabilization method is debatable., Aims: The aim of this study to test the safety and efficacy of a newly designed modified inside-outside occipito-cervical (MIOOC) plate system for the treatment of instability., Settings and Design: This was a feasibility study of MIOCC plate system., Subjects and Methods: Five male and four female patients with OC instability were treated using MIOOC plate system. Stabilization rate, safety, and efficacy were evaluated radiologically and clinically., Results: Mean age of the patients was 35 ± 11 (range: 22-58) years. Etiology of OC instability included trauma, neoplasm, congenital abnormalities, and iatrogenic. The fusion levels ranged from occiput-C3 to occiput-C6. Mean follow-up duration was 22 ± 10 (range: 6-46) months. There were neither complication nor was there any need for plate revision or screw pullout. Mortality occurred in one patient due to primary malignancy at 6 months; otherwise, no morbidity was observed. During the follow-up, no recurrent subluxation or newly developed instability at adjacent levels occurred. All patients showed a satisfactory union at the most recent follow-up examination., Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the MIOCC plate system is a useful and safe method for providing immediate internal stability of the OC junction. Using a multi-piece plate design in this plate system provided easy implantation and a better interface between plate and OC bones. Further, clinical studies and long-term results are needed to determine the reliability of the MIOOC plate system., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis might diminish the nutrient supply to intervertebral discs (IVD), leading to disc herniation. Therefore, there is interest in determining the possible association between the blood lipid profile and lumbar disc herniation (LDH). We aimed to evaluate the association between blood lipids and LDH in a homogeneous group of patients, controlling for age- and sex-specific effects., Material and Methods: This is a case-control study which consisted of 100 individuals (mean age: 41.25 ±9.09; 50 men and 50 women), classified into two groups, as follows. Group I (G-I) consisted of 50 patients who underwent surgery for symptomatic LDH, while group II (G-II) consisted of 50 patients with nonspecific complaints of a headache, but with no previous history of back and/or leg pain, recruited among patients admitted to the outpatient clinic at the time of the study, and whose age and sex were matched to the study group. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood glucose, and hemoglobin A 1c levels were measured. The TC/HDL-C ratio was calculated. Blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, and the history of smoking were included in the analysis., Results: The mean values of the TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C levels and TC/HDL-C ratio were 198.38, 132.76, 131.9, 40.38 mg/dl and 5.09, respectively. No statistically significant relationship between the blood lipid profile and LDH was identified in this population., Conclusions: Blood lipid levels in this young adult Turkish population did not predict LDH, and may not be a leading cause of IVD ischemia and IVD degeneration.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to present the clinical results of our retrospective series of carpal tunnel release (CTR) operations. For these operations we used a unique type of incision, for the first time, for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) consisting of a 1-cm semi-vertical (SV) incision made into the wrist crease for macroscopic open CTR. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study included 114 patients (101 females and 13 males) with CTR who were operated upon in our neurosurgery clinic between December 2010 and June 2015. Patient ages ranged from 35 to 83 years (mean 55.05±12.04 years). In total, 127 hands (73 right and 54 left) were operated upon using the SV skin incision technique. After an average follow-up of 18 months (ranging from 6 to 30 months), clinical and electrophysiological (EP) evaluations were performed. RESULTS A review of the English language literature published since 1957, when Phalen first popularised the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, determined that no previous reports of the mini-open incision technique as described in our study have been published. In our retrospective patient case review, we found that after operations using the SV incision technique, statistically significant differences were detected in electromyography (EMG) improvements (p<0.01). In addition, patients who showed improvement in EMG studies (n=90) were satisfied with the result of their surgery. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that 1-cm skin SV incision was a cosmetically satisfying, fast, and safe approach to CTR that was not only clinically effective but also electrophysiologically effective.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the surgical outcome and the prognostic importance of clinical and radiological data of patients operated emergently for an extraaxial hematoma causing brain herniation., Material and Methods: This retrospective study comprised 108 adult patients who were operated due to herniated traumatic extraaxial hematomas from January 2000 to January 2013., Results: Of 108 patients, 63 patients (58.3%) were diagnosed as subdural hematoma (SDH), and 45 patients (41.7%) as epidural hematoma (EDH). An unfavorable outcome was significantly increased for patients who were diagnosed as SDH (90.4%) compared with EDH patients (33.3%). Mortality rate for herniated SDH patients was 65.1%, and 26.6% for herniated EDH patients. High mortality and unfavorable outcome ratios were associated with Glasgow Coma Scale scores at admission, mean postoperative intracranial pressure (ICP) values, type of the brain herniation, interval from the time of trauma to the time of hematoma decompression, the duration of the brain herniation, intraoperative acute brain swelling, hematoma volume and thickness, degree of the midline shift and the obliteration of the basal cisterns., Conclusion: Our data showed that, postoperative ICP values were one most important predictor of the mortality. We recommended postoperative ICP monitoring for all patients presenting with the brain herniation due to traumatic extraaxial hematoma.

Aim: Bacitracin is one of the most frequently used agents for the topical irrigation of the cerebral cortex. The aim of this study is to investigate whether bacitracin has histopathological and ultrastructural effects when applied topically to the cerebral cortex., Material and Methods: Twenty-eight rats were randomly assigned to four groups. Except the control group, each rat underwent left frontoparietal craniectomy with dural removal. Then, in the sham group a piece of dry absorbable gelatin sponge was placed over the left hemisphere; in the saline group a gelatin sponge soaked in normal saline; and in the bacitracin group a gelatin sponge soaked in 500 units bacitracin was used. After 48 hours, brain tissues were extracted for histopathological and electron microscopic analyses., Results: Among the four groups dark stained neurons were found to be statistically higher in number in the bacitracin group compared with the control, sham and saline groups. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed that, in the bacitracin group, almost all cytoplasmic organelles were poorly preserved., Conclusion: Topical application of the bacitracin on to the cerebral cortex caused histopathological and ultrastructural changes in the neural tissue. These changes may be an evidence for the neurotoxic effects of bacitracin.

Background and Study Aim To enhance the visualization of the intracranial vasculature of cadavers under gross examination with a combination of imaging modalities. Material and Methods A total of 20 cadaver heads were used to test two different perfusion techniques. First, fixed cadaver heads were perfused with water; second, fresh cadavers were perfused with saline and 10% formalin. Subsequently, brains were removed and fixed. The compounds used were silicone rubber, silicone rubber mixed with powdered barium sulfate, and silicone rubber mixed with tantalum dioxide prepared by the first perfusion technique and gelatin mixed with liquid barium prepared with the second technique. Conventional X-ray imaging, computed tomography (CT), dynamic computed tomography (dCT), and postprocessing three-dimensional (3D) images were used to evaluate all the heads. Results Gelatinized barium was better visualized when compared with tantalum dioxide in conventional X-ray images. The blood vessels injected with either tantalum dioxide or gelatinized barium demonstrated a higher enhancement than the surrounding soft tissues with CT or dCT. The quality of the 3D reconstruction of the intracranial vasculature was significantly better in the CT images obtained from the gelatinized barium group. Conclusions Radiologic examinations of the heads injected with gelatinized barium facilitates the 3D understanding of cerebrovascular anatomy as an important tool for neuroanatomy training.

Abdominal wall haematomas are uncommon and often misdiagnosed entities. Most of the time the haematoma is produced by rupture of the epigastric vessels, deep circumflex iliac artery or tear in the rectus or lateral oblique muscle. Predisposing factors such as arteriosclerosis of vessels, old age, straining while urinating and coughing and use of anticoagulant agents make bleeding more likely. Here, two uncommon cases who experienced cardioembolic stroke are described. The patients were given enoxaparin sodium urgently, administered to the stomach area subcutaneously. They presented with abdominal masses, periumbilical and inguinal ecchymosis. Their haemoglobin levels dropped. Abdominal CT scan and ultrasonography revealed rectus sheath and internal abdominal oblique muscle haematomas. The patients were treated conservatively. This report concerns this rare condition, often misdiagnosed in unconscious patients, that has not been reported as being due to cardiogenic brain embolism in the literature to date.