Memis, Kemal Bugra; Doğan, İffet; Şahin, Defne; Gulmez, Ali Osman; Özer, Ece; Kantarci, Mecit

Background/Objectives: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is an established heart failure biomarker, but its associations with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters in patients with reduced ejection fraction remain unclear. This study examined the associations between serum NT-proBNP concentrations and CMR-derived functional, structural, and tissue characterization parameters in patients with HFrEF and evaluated which imaging parameters remained associated with NT-proBNP after multivariable adjustment. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 92 consecutive patients with HFrEF who underwent CMR and NT-proBNP measurement within a 24 h window, with a median absolute interval of 6 h (range, 1–15 h) between the two assessments. CMR analysis included left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular and left atrial (LA) cavity diameters, myocardial mass, extracellular volume fraction (ECV), the late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) burden, and the T2 signal intensity (T2-SI) ratio. Spearman correlation, univariate linear regression, and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed using log-transformed NT-proBNP values. Results: Log NT-proBNP demonstrated significant correlations with LVEF (rs = −0.359, p < 0.001), T2-SI ratio (rs = −0.332, p = 0.001), ECV (rs = 0.383, p < 0.001), and LA diameter (rs = 0.347, p < 0.001). No statistically significant correlations were observed between log-transformed NT-proBNP and LGE burden, LV cavity diameter, myocardial mass, LV wall thickness, age, or the recorded comorbidities. In multivariable analysis, LVEF, T2-SI ratio, and LA diameter remained associated with NT-proBNP after adjustment for the available covariates. Conclusions: Lower LVEF, a lower T2-SI ratio, and a larger LA diameter were associated with higher NT-proBNP levels in patients with HFrEF. The T2-SI ratio and LA diameter should be considered exploratory imaging markers requiring prospective validation.

Tokur, Oguzhan; Bingol, Koray

Background: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence, spectrum, and coexistence of anatomical variations in the major branches of the abdominal aorta using Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) angiography, with a specific emphasis on analyzing sex-related differences in a large-scale cohort. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1174 patients (63.8% male, 36.2% female; mean age 60.54) who underwent abdominal CT angiography between January 2023 and June 2024. Images were acquired using a 128-slice MDCT scanner and reconstructed for detailed vascular assessment. Statistical comparisons between genders were performed using Chi-square and Fisher–Freeman–Halton tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The celiac trunk (93.3%), superior mesenteric artery (SMA) (97.1%), and inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) (98.5%) predominantly showed classical patterns. However, significant sex-related differences were identified. Females exhibited significantly higher rates of classical patterns for the celiac trunk (96.2% vs. 91.7%), IMA (99.1% vs. 98.1%), right hepatic artery (RHA) (91.5% vs. 82.6%), and left hepatic artery (LHA) (95.8% vs. 85.4%). Conversely, males showed a higher prevalence of complex variations, including replaced/accessory hepatic arteries and the absence of the common hepatic artery. The number of right and left renal arteries was similar between sexes and did not show a significant difference, while horseshoe kidney was detected only in males. Conclusions: Abdominal vascular structures adhere to classical anatomy more frequently in females, while males exhibit greater morphological variability. These findings emphasize the necessity of gender-specific preoperative vascular mapping to optimize surgical outcomes and reduce morbidity.

Taskent, Ismail; Ece, Bunyamin; Aydin, Sonay

Objective: Sarcopenia, characterized by progressive skeletal muscle loss, poses significant health risks, including physical impairment and mortality. The relationship between sarcopenia and insulin resistance suggests insulin therapy’s potential in preserving muscle mass, particularly in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. This study aims to evaluate the Psoas Muscle Index (PMI) via computed tomography (CT) in middle-aged T2DM patients on insulin therapy versus oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) and controls. Methods: This retrospective study included 107 middle-aged T2DM patients undergoing non-contrast CT scans and 58 age-matched controls. CT images were analyzed to calculate PMI. Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and correlation analyses. Results: Insulin-treated patients exhibited higher PMI than OAD users (p < 0.001), while OAD users had lower PMI than controls (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between insulin-treated patients and controls (p = 0.616). Negative correlations were observed between T2DM duration/age and PMI across all groups, with a positive correlation between T2DM duration and BMI observed in the OAD group. Conclusions: Insulin therapy in T2DM patients, regardless of age or disease duration, positively impacts muscle mass, highlighting its potential in preserving muscular health and advocating for tailored treatment strategies in T2DM management.

Gokharman, Fatma Dilek; Kocak, Omer; Irgul, Baris; Kosar, Pinar; Aydin, Sonay

Background: Chronic otitis media is recurrent infection of the middle ear and mastoid air cells in the setting of perforation of the tympanic membrane. Risk factors for chronic otitis media include predisposing characteristics such as gender, allergies, Eustachian tube dysfunction, history of acute otitis media, and upper respiratory tract infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential relationship between chronic otitis media and epitympanic recess volume. Materials and Methods: A total of 197 patients with chronic otitis media had their epitympanic recess volume compared to the epitympanic volume of 99 healthy controls. The epitympanic recess volume was measured via the 3D volumetric measurement tool of the local PACS. Epitympanic recess volume measurement was performed using axial sections in a plane starting from the level of the malleus head–anvil body in the craniocaudal direction to the tegmen tympanum. Results: It was shown that patients with bilateral involvement had an epitympanic recess volume of 75.00 mm3, compared to 72.30 mm3 in those with unilateral chronic otitis media. The healthy control group’s median value for the epitympanic recess was 74.73 mm3. Conclusions: Epitympanic volume values did not differ substantially between patients with chronic otitis media and healthy persons, and epitympanic volume was not recognized as a predisposing factor (p = 0.686).