Nadire Unver Dogan

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the morphometric characteristics and spatial variations of the carotid sinus (CS) using computed tomography angiography (CTA) images. Methods In the study, cervical CTA images of a total of 100 individuals (200 sides) comprising 55 men and 45 women were examined. The diameters of the proximal and distal segments of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the internal carotid artery (ICA), as well as the proximal diameter of the external carotid artery (ECA), were measured. In addition, measurements of the maximum transverse diameter and length of the CS were taken; the resulting data were compared according to the variables of age, gender and side. Results All artery diameters, CS length (mean 8.78 ± 1.33 mm), and maximum CS diameter (mean 8.27 ± 1.10 mm) were found to be significantly higher in men than in women (p < 0.001). It was determined that the diameters of the CCA and ICA on the left side were statistically significantly wider than those on the right side (p < 0.001). It was found that CS localization was asymmetric in 29% of cases and most commonly occurred in the proximal ICA (Type I) in 74.5% of cases. In addition, a positive and statistically significant correlation (r = 0.554; p < 0.001) was found between age and CS length. Conclusion Understanding the morphological variations of the CS is of critical importance in preventing unintended CS stimulation and related complications during surgical procedures in this region, particularly carotid endarterectomy.

Background/aim: Bell’s palsy (BP) has traditionally been considered an isolated peripheral facial nerve mononeuropathy; however, subclinical trigeminal involvement has been suggested. We evaluated whether cranial somatosensory evoked potentials (cSEP) demonstrate electrophysiological alterations in the trigeminal system in patients with BP. Materials and methods: The records of 32 patients with BP who underwent cSEP between March 2010 and April 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For the six patients without explicit chart documentation, the affected side was determined using acute-phase facial electromyography records. During routine clinical assessment, cSEP recordings were obtained using inferior alveolar nerve stimulation according to a standardized protocol. Latencies (N1, P1, N2, P2) and amplitudes (N1–P1, P1–N2, N2–P2) were compared between the affected and unaffected sides using paired t tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, with the significance level adjusted using the Bonferroni correction. An exploratory subgroup analysis was restricted to the 26 patients with primary chart documentation. Results: In the primary analysis (n = 32), N1 latency was prolonged on the affected side before Bonferroni adjustment (p = 0.03) but did not remain statistically significant after Bonferroni adjustment (p = 0.12). In the secondary subgroup analysis (n = 26), prolonged N1 (p = 0.04) and P2 (p = 0.02) latencies observed before multiple-comparison adjustment were no longer statistically significant after adjustment (p > 0.05). These exploratory latency shifts may reflect subclinical electrophysiological variations; however, their interpretation remains highly dependent on cohort composition and the limited sample size. Conclusion: The findings of cSEP recordings may suggest subclinical electrophysiological alterations within the trigeminal pathway in patients with BP, indicating that the underlying pathophysiology may not be confined to an isolated facial nerve lesion. Trigeminal electrophysiological assessment may provide an exploratory approach for detecting subclinical pathway involvement; however, larger multicenter prospective studies are needed to establish its clinical utility.

Accessory bones are generally considered to be developmental anomalies consisting of unfused ossification centers. These ossicles, which have no clearly defined function, can become infected and dislocated and can also be confused with avulsion fractures. In this study, we aimed to determine the morphometric characteristics and frequency of accessory bones in the foot. Foot computed tomography (CT) images (187 right, 213 left) of 400 individuals (239 men and 161 women) aged 18–86 years who underwent foot CT scans for various reasons were retrospectively reviewed. The surface area and the long and short diameters of the accessory bones were measured and recorded. Of the 400 ft, 270 (67.5%) had at least one accessory bone. The incidence was 57.6% in younger individuals, increasing to 81.4% in older individuals. 2.75% of accessory bones were bipartite. The most common were the accessory navicular bone (41.5%), os trigonum (14%) and os peroneum (13%). One accessory bone was identified that was not described in the available literature. Accessory bones have been proven to be quite common and may increase further in older age groups. The morphometric data obtained and the discovered accessory bone can contribute to the literature and guide clinicians in the diagnosis of related foot pathologies.

Objective: Sesamoid bones are structures embedded in a tendon that reduce friction and provide mechanical advantages to joints. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency and morphometric characteristics (surface area, long diameter, short diameter) of sesamoid bones in the foot using computed tomography (CT) and to investigate the effects of gender, side, and age factors. Methods: Foot CT images (187 right, 213 left) of 400 individuals (239 males and 161 females) aged 18-86 years who underwent foot CT scans for various reasons were retrospectively reviewed. In axial sections, the surface area, long and short diameter of the sesamoids on the plantar surface of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP I) joint of the hallux were measured, while the presence of sesamoids in the other MTP and interphalangeal (IP) joints was recorded. Results: Hallux sesamoids were found to be bilateral (medial and lateral) in all cases (100%), while the bipartite rate was determined to be 7%. The frequency of other sesamoids was found to be; MTP II 2.75%, MTP III 0.5%, MTP IV 1.5%, MTP V 9.75%, and Hallux IP 22.50%. All morphometric lengths of hallux sesamoids were found to be larger in males than in females (p<0.05). Hallux sesamoids were larger in individuals aged 60 years and older compared to those aged 18-29 years (p<0.05). Conclusion: Morphometric lengths of sesamoid bones were determined, proving that they may be larger in males and with increasing age. This age-related increase brings to mind periarticular osteophytic formations secondary to chronic mechanical stress. The data obtained provide an objective anatomical reference in the differential diagnosis of sesamoid pathologies and in planning forefoot surgeries such as hallux valgus.

Aim: In our study, we aimed to evaluate the anatomical variations of the straight sinus, its angulations and its constituent structures by magnetic resonance venography (MRV). Methods: In this retrospective study, MRV data of patients admitted to our hospital with various complications were evaluated. The ages of the patients ranged from 10 to 73 years and the types of termination of the straight sinus in the confluence of sinuses and the contributions of the inferior sagittal sinus and great cerbral vein to the straight sinus were analyzed in 200 patients, 111 females and 89 males. Results: When the termination types of the cases were analyzed, 34% of the patients had complete intersection (type I), 55% had partial intersection (type II) and 11% had non-intersecting variation (type III). The inferior sagittal sinus, which participates in the formation of the straight sinus, was aplasic in 53 patients (26.5%) and hypoplasic in 67 patients (33.5%). It was clearly visualized in the remaining 80 patients (40%). The great cerbral vein was present in all cases and participated in the formation of the straight sinus. Conclusion: The morphologic structures of the dural venous sinuses may differ not only between individuals but even between the two cerebral hemispheres of the same person, depending on embryologic development. A thorough knowledge of these anatomical variations provides guidance to surgeons, particularly during posterior cranial fossa operations, and contributes to the prevention of possible complications.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the morphological changes in the diameter and length of the trachea, bronchi, and pulmonary artery on chest CT images of COVID-19 patients, and to compare the findings with those of a healthy control group. In addition, the obtained data were analyzed across patient groups classified as mild, moderate, and severe according to the degree of pulmonary involvement. Methods: In this study, thoracic CT images of 78 patients who were diagnosed with and treated for COVID-19 and 52 healthy controls were retrospectively analyzed. Diameter and length measurements of the trachea and bronchi, as well as the diameter of the pulmonary artery, were obtained. Based on the extent of pulmonary involvement observed on CT, the patients were divided into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe. The measurements obtained were compared with those of a control group matched for age and sex. Results: In COVID-19 patients, compared to the control group, a marked decrease in tracheal and bronchial diameters was detected according to sex and CT involvement level, while an increase in pulmonary artery diameter was observed. The severity of these changes was found to increase in parallel with the extent of lung involvement. Conclusions: COVID-19 infection causes measurable morphological changes in the airways and vascular structures. We believe that the combined evaluation of lung CT findings and pulmonary artery diameter may guide future studies based on morphometric measurements in revealing the relationship with mortality and morbidity. We believe that the findings of our study will contribute to the existing literature on COVID-19

Purpose The extraocular muscles (EOM) within the orbit provide ocular motility. Knowing the morphometric properties of these muscles is of clinical importance because various pathologies can affect the orbit and its structures. This study aims to compare normative EOM thickness values across gender and age groups and to investigate the potential relationship between refractive errors caused by the eye's axial length (AL). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 120 males and 125 females over 20 years of age who underwent orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the Department of Radiology. Interzygomatic line length (IZL) in 245 individuals, axial length in 490 eyes, and long-short diameters of the EOM in coronal sections were measured, and variations were investigated. Results Three of the 11 EOM measurements were significantly larger on the left and one was significantly larger on the right (p < 0.05). AL was not significantly different between the sides (p˃0.05). AL, IZL, and 8 of the 11 EOM lengths were significantly larger in men (p < 0.05). Among the individuals divided into 20-year age groups, the EOM short diameters were smaller in individuals aged 20–39 compared to those in older age groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion While normative EOM lengths may vary depending on gender, side of eyelid, and age, they have been shown to be unchanged in axial myopia or hyperopia. The information obtained may contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of orbital pathologies.

Objective: This study aims to promote integration between basic and clinical sciences by delivering three case-based integrated sessions to second-year medical students and evaluating their feedback on these sessions. Methods: The study is based on feedback collected from second-year medical students at Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine during the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 academic years, who participated in sessions titled “Bridging Cases from Clinic to Basic Sciences.” Student opinions were collected via a structured digital survey using a 5-point likert scale. Data were presented as frequencies and percentages; differences across sessions were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: Across all three sessions, the vast majority of students stated that the sessions were relevant to medical education, the content was sufficient, and they helped bridge basic and clinical sciences. The sessions increased interest in basic sciences, facilitated learning, and strengthened the demand for more integrated sessions. No statistically significant differences were found between sessions (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings indicate that the case-based integrated sessions were well received and contributed positively to the integration of basic and clinical sciences. This model may serve as an effective example of integration for other medical schools. Keywords: Medical education, integration, case-based learning, basic sciences, clinical sciences