Browsing by Author "Zengin, Irfan"

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Comparative Effectiveness of Epidural Steroid Injections in Patients With Disc Bulging and Disc Protrusion
(Springernature, 2023) Cetin Sr, Eyup; Sah, Volkan; Zengin, Irfan; Arabaci, Oezkan; Akyol, Mehmet E.; Yucel, Murat
Purpose Discogenic low back pain is a widespread disorder in the world. Many methods have been developed and continue to be developed in the treatment of discogenic low back pain. We aimed to examine the effect of epidural steroid administration on disc bulging and disc protrusion in patients with discogenic low back pain. Design The clinical effects of interlaminar epidural steroids administered to 71 patients who were admitted to our clinic and whose treatment did not require surgery were radiologically divided into two groups disc bulging and disc protrusion. Patients were followed up for six months and clinical results were recorded. Methods The scores of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were measured before the procedure, one week after the procedure, one month after the procedure, and six months after the procedure. The normal distribution of continuous variables was evaluated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Continuous variables were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test and categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Results There was no significant difference in demographic data in patients with disc bulging and disc protrusion. In the disc protrusion group, the VAS scores in the first week after, the first month after and the sixth month after the procedure showed a significant decrease compared to the pre-procedure. There was no significant difference between the disc bulging and protrusion groups in the first week of post-procedure VAS score reduction. In the Disc Bulging group, the ODI score one week after, one month after, and six months after the procedure showed a significant decrease compared to the pre-procedure. In the Disc Protrusion group, the ODI score one week after, one month after, and six months after the procedure showed a significant decrease compared to the pre-procedure. Conclusion There was strong evidence that lumbar interlaminar steroid injection is an effective treatment for disc bulging and discogenic pain due to protrusion. When the ODI and VAS scores of patients with both disc bulging and disc protrusion were evaluated, it was seen that they benefited from epidural steroid injection. In the disc protrusion group, except for the first week of injection, relief due to the use of epidural steroids was observed to be greater compared to disc bulging.
Serum Prolidase and Ischemia-Modified Albumin Levels in Neural Tube Defects: a Comparative Study of Myelomeningocele, Meningocele, and Myeloschisis
(int Scientific information, inc, 2025) Zengin, Irfan; Akyol, Mehmet Edip; Arslan, Mustafa; Arabaci, Ozkan; Yurekturk, Eyyup; Cetin, Eyup; Demir, Halit
Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital malformations resulting from incomplete neural tube closure, leading to severe neurological impairments. Despite advances in prenatal screening and surgical interventions, the biochemical mechanisms underlying NTDs remain unclear. Prolidase, an enzyme involved in collagen metabolism, and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), a marker of oxidative stress, may play roles in NTD pathogenesis. This study aimed to compare serum prolidase and IMA levels in infants with NTDs and healthy controls to assess their potential contribution to NTD development. Material/Methods: A case-control study was conducted, including 45 infants diagnosed with NTDs (myelomeningocele, meningocele, and myeloschisis) and 45 age-and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum prolidase and IMA levels were measured using validated spectrophotometric methods. Statistical analyses were performed to compare biomarker levels between groups and among NTD subtypes. Results: Serum prolidase levels were significantly elevated in NTD patients (2.21 +/- 0.06 IU/L) compared to controls (1.07 +/- 0.04 IU/L, p<0.001). Similarly, serum IMA levels were higher in NTD patients (0.40 +/- 0.01 ABSU) than in controls (0.22 +/- 0.01 ABSU, p<0.001). No significant differences were observed in biomarker levels among the different NTD subtypes (p>0.05). Conclusions: Elevated prolidase and IMA levels in NTD patients suggest a potential role in NTD pathogenesis, possibly through impaired collagen metabolism and oxidative stress. Further research is needed to explore their diagnostic and therapeutic implications in neural tube defect management.