An approach to the detection of lesions in mammograms using fuzzy image processing

An algorithm was developed in this study, using rule-based fuzzy logic, to enable masses that are hard to recognize or detect in mammograms to become more readily perceptible. Small lesions, such as microcalcifications and other masses that are hard to recognize, especially on film scan mammograms, were processed through segmentation. A total of 40 mammograms were used and they were classified by radiologists into three groups: those with microcalcifications (n=15), those with tumours (n=15), and those with no lesions (n=10). Five mammograms were taken as training data sets from each of the groups with microcalcifications and tumours. The algorithm was then applied to data not taken for training. The algorithm achieved a mean accuracy of 99% compared with the findings of the radiologists.     

Comparison of magnesium versus titanium screw fixation for biplane chevron medial malleolar osteotomy in the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology - This retrospective study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients who underwent biplane chevron medial...     

The long-term oncological outcomes of the 140 robotic sphincter-saving total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: a single surgeon experience

Journal of Robotic Surgery - Robotic surgery became more popularly in the colorectal surgical field. The aim of the study was to evaluate of the oncological outcomes which patients who underwent...     

Surgical treatment of giant liver hydatid cysts: comparison of cystojejunostomy and partial cystectomy

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare partial cystectomy and internal drainage of the cyst cavity with cystojejunostomy for the surgical treatment of giant hepatic hydatid cysts.

Methods

Patients who underwent any type of surgical treatment between March 2009 and May 2013 for giant hepatic hydatid cysts were retrospectively evaluated. The data collected included demographic variables, diagnostic methods, surgical procedures, morbidity and mortality rates.

Results

Twenty-eight patients who underwent surgery for giant hepatic hydatid cysts were included. There were 16 (57 %) female patients, with a mean age of 32.8 years. The diagnostic methods primarily included abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography, which were performed in 62 % of the patients. The patients were divided into two groups with respect to the treatment modality: Group A (n = 13) treated with cystojejunostomy and Group B (n = 15) treated with partial cystectomy. The overall rate of cavity-related complications was 25 % in Group B, whereas none of the patients in Group A had a cavity-related complication during the follow-up period (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Cystojejunostomy is an effective and safe surgical approach for the treatment of giant hepatic hydatid cysts, with a lower rate of morbidity than partial cystectomy, and thus may be the surgical treatment of choice for giant hepatic hydatid cysts.     

Traumatic mitral valve insufficiency after percutaneous mitral valve angioplasty. Mechanisms and surgical technique]

Eighteen patients underwent surgery for traumatic mitral regurgitation following percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV). Three patients required emergency surgery (delay less than 6 hours). In the remaining cases, the operation was performed one week after PMW (n = 11) or delayed for up to 3 months (n = 4). The operative findings were: ruptured papillary muscle (n = 1); torn anterior leaflets (n = 4), torn posterior leaflet (n = 1), anterior paracommissural tear (n = 3), posterior paracommissural tear (n = 9). Associated lesions included left atrial thrombosis (n = 2) and greater than 1 cm atrial septal defect (n = 4). Conservative mitral valve surgery was possible in over half the cases (n = 10), including two extensive tears of the anterior leaflet. The other patients required mitral valve replacement (n = 8). There were no postoperative complications in any of the patients.     

Short‐Term Outcomes of Patent Ductus Arteriosus Closure With New Occlutech® Duct Occluder: A Multicenter Study

Aim

Over the past 2 decades, transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with coils and the duct occluders evolved to be the procedure of choice. A new device, the Occlutech PDA® occluder (ODO) device has been designed. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the characteristics and short‐term results of patients who underwent transcatheter closure of PDA using the ODO.

Methods

We reviewed the clinical records of 60 patients from different centers in Turkey between December 2013 and January 2016. The medical records were reviewed for demographic characteristics and echocardiographic findings. Device size was selected on the narrowest diameter of PDA.

Results

The median patient age was 2.5 years (6 months–35 years), and median PDA diameter was 2.5 mm (1.2–11 mm). Fifty‐eight of 60 patients (96.6%) had successful ODO implantation. The occlusion rates were 37/58 (63.7%) at the end of the procedure, 51/58 (87.9%) at 24–48 hours post‐procedure, and 57/58 (98.2%) on echocardiography at a median follow‐up of 7.6 months.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that transcatheter closure of PDA using the ODO is effective. Larger studies and longer follow‐up are required to assess whether its shape and longer length make it superior to other duct occluders in large, tubular, or window‐type ducts. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:325–331)