Abstract Introduction: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anatomical deformations of the major vascular structures in the retrosternal area caused by adhesions following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: This single-center, retrospective study included a total of 40 patients with a previous CABG who were admitted to our emergency unit for any reason and underwent a contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (patient group) and 40 patients without previous cardiac surgery (control group) between January 2018 and November 2019. The retrosternal area was compared between the groups using the statistical shape analysis method. The distance between the sternum and the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery was measured and anatomical deformations of the retrosternal area were examined. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the anatomical structures of the retrosternal area between the patient and control groups (P<0.001). The distance from the midsternal line to the highest point of the pulmonary artery was statistically significantly shorter in the patient group, compared to the control group (P=0.013). The distance from the sternum to the ascending aorta was also shorter in the patient group, although it did not reach statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusions: Our study results showed narrowing of the retrosternal area following CABG and a shorter distance from the sternum to the pulmonary artery than the ascending aorta. Based on these findings, surgeons should be cautious about possible injuries in patients requiring cardiac surgery with repeated median sternotomy.

SUMMARY: Craniofacial morphology is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The general aim of this study was to investigate the craniofacial shape differences in adults with and without obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, using geometric morphometric methods. A descriptive study conducted in 106 adult Turkish subjects, consisting of 50 patients with OSAS diagnosed by polysomnography and 56 non-OSAS controls. Three dimensional craniofacial scanning processes were performed on patient subjects on the same day as the PSG. Twelve standard craniofacial landmarks were collected from each subject’s 3D craniofacial scan. Geometric morphometric analysis was used to compare the craniofacial shape differences between the OSAS and non-OSAS control groups. No statistically significant difference in terms of general shape in face shapes was found between the OSAS group and control group. However, local significance differences were found. There were significant differences between the groups in some of the interlandmark distances: 11 % of the interlandmark distances were greater in OSAS patients, and 29 % were greater in controls. Greater measured distances in OSAS are concentrated in the nasal region. In the control group, the difference is not concentrated in a specific region. Given the relationship of craniofacial structural alterations and sleep disordered breathing, we hypothesized that inter-landmark distance measurements in the craniofacial anatomy of patients might be predictive of OSA.

RESUMEN: La morfología craneofacial es un factor de riesgo para el síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño. El objetivo general de este estudio fue investigar las diferencias de forma craneofacial en adultos con y sin síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño utilizando métodos morfométricos geométricos. Un estudio descriptivo realizado en 106 sujetos turcos adultos, de 50 pacientes con SAOS diagnosticados mediante polisomnografía y 56 controles no SAOS. El proceso de escaneo craneofacial tridimensional se realizó en pacientes sujetos el mismo día que el PSG. Se recogieron doce puntos de referencia craneofaciales estándar del escaneo craneofacial 3D de cada sujeto. Se usó el análisis morfométrico geométrico para comparar las diferencias de forma craneofacial entre los grupos de control SAOS y no SAOS. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en términos de forma general en las formas de la cara entre el grupo SAOS y el grupo control. Sin embargo, se encontraron diferencias de significación local. Hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos en algunas de las distancias interlandmark: el 11 % de las distancias interlandmark fueron mayores en los pacientes con SAOS y el 29 % en los controles. Las mayores distancias medidas en SAOS se concentran en la región nasal. En el grupo de control, la diferencia no se concentra en una región específica. Dada la relación de las alteraciones estructurales craneofaciales y la alteración de la respiración durante el sueño, planteamos la hipótesis de que las mediciones de distancias inter-hito en la anatomía craneofacial de los pacientes podrían ser predictivas de la SAOS.

Resumo Objetivo: A amiloidose AA é uma complicação rara de condições inflamatórias crônicas. A maior parte dos pacientes com amiloidose AA apresenta nefropatia, que leva à insuficiência renal e à morte. Estudaram-se as características clínicas e a sobrevida em pacientes com amiloidose AA. Métodos: Analisaram-se retrospectivamente 81 pacientes (51 homens, 30 mulheres) com amiloidose AA comprovada por biópsia renal. Os pacientes foram divididos em grupos de desfecho bom e ruim de acordo com os resultados de sobrevida. Resultados: A maior parte dos pacientes (55,6%) tinha proteinúria na faixa nefrótica no momento do diagnóstico. Os distúrbios subjacentes mais frequentes foram a febre familiar do Mediterrâneo (FFM, 21,2%) e a artrite reumatoide (10,6%) no grupo de desfecho bom e a malignidade (20%) no grupo de desfecho ruim. Somente a pressão arterial diastólica no grupo de desfecho bom e o nível de fósforo no grupo de desfecho ruim foram mais elevados. Os níveis séricos de creatinina aumentaram após o tratamento em ambos os grupos, enquanto a proteinúria diminuiu no grupo de desfecho bom. O aumento na creatinina sérica e a diminuição na TFGe do grupo de desfecho ruim foram mais significativos no grupo de desfecho bom. No momento do diagnóstico, 18,5% e 27,2% de todos os pacientes tinham doença renal crônica avançada (estágios 4 e 5, respectivamente). A duração média da sobrevida renal foi de 65 ± 3,54 meses. Entre todos os pacientes, 27,1% iniciaram tratamento de diálise durante o período de seguimento e 7,4% de todos os pacientes foram submetidos a transplante renal. Níveis elevados de pressão arterial sistólica [taxas de risco (HR) 1,03, intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%: 1 a 1,06, p = 0,036], creatinina sérica (HR 1,25, IC 95%: 1,07 a 1,46, p = 0,006) e excreção urinária de proteínas (HR 1,08, IC 95%: 1,01 a 1,16, p = 0,027) foram preditores de doença renal terminal. A mediana da sobrevida de pacientes com comprometimento de órgãos foi de 50,3 ± 16 meses. Conclusão: O presente estudo indicou que a FFM constituiu uma grande proporção de casos e crescente quantidade de pacientes com amiloidose AA idiopática. Adicionalmente, observou-se que a sobrevida do paciente não foi afetada pelas diferentes causas etiológicas na amiloidose AA.

Abstract Aim Amyloid A amyloidosis is a rare complication of chronic inflammatory conditions. Most patients with amyloid A amyloidosis present with nephropathy and it leads to renal failure and death. We studied clinical characteristics and survival in patients with amyloid A amyloidosis. Methods: A total of 81 patients (51 males, 30 females) with renal biopsy proven amyloid A amyloidosis were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into good and poor outcomes groups according to survival results. Results: Most of the patients (55.6%) had nephrotic range proteinuria at diagnosis. Most frequent underlying disorders were familial Mediterranean fever (21.2%) and rheumatoid arthritis (10.6%) in the good outcome group and malignancy (20%) in the poor outcome group. Only diastolic blood pressure in the good outcome group and phosphorus level in the poor outcome group was higher. Serum creatinine levels increased after treatment in both groups, while proteinuria in the good outcome group decreased. Increase in serum creatinine and decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate of the poor outcome group were more significant in the good outcome group. At the time of diagnosis 18.5% and 27.2% of all patients had advanced chronic kidney disease (stage 4 and 5, respectively). Median duration of renal survival was 65 ± 3.54 months. Among all patients, 27.1% were started dialysis treatment during the follow-up period and 7.4% of all patients underwent kidney transplantation. Higher levels of systolic blood pressure [hazard ratios 1.03, 95% confidence interval: 1-1.06, p = 0.036], serum creatinine (hazard ratios 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.46, p = 0.006) and urinary protein excretion (hazard ratios 1.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.16, p = 0.027) were predictors of end-stage renal disease. Median survival of patients with organ involvement was 50.3 ± 16 months. Conclusion Our study indicated that familial Mediterranean fever constituted a large proportion of cases and increased number of patients with idiopathic amyloid A amyloidosis. Additionally, it was observed that patient survival was not affected by different etiological causes in amyloid A amyloidosis.