Anastomoses in the region of the posterior cerebral arteries were found in all of 40 brains examined. Anastomoses were channel-like, plexiform or combined. The former measured from 0.07 mm to 1.1 mm in diameter. They were most often found among the interpeduncular perforating vessels (71.2%), and between the branches of the posterior and anterior cerebral arteries (75.7%). The functional significance of the anastomoses is discussed.

BackgroundGraves’ disease represents an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland where surgery has an important role in its treatment. The aim of our paper was to analyze the results of surgical treatment, the frequency of microcarcinoma and carcinoma, as well as to compare surgical complications in relation to the various types of operations performed for Graves’ disease.MethodsWe analysed 1432 patients (221 male and 1211 female) who underwent surgery for Graves’ disease at the Centre for Endocrine Surgery in Belgrade during 15 years (1996–2010). Average age was 34.8 years. Frequency of surgical complications within the groups was analyzed with nonparametric Fisher’s test.ResultsTotal thyroidectomy (TT) was performed in 974 (68%) patients, and Dunhill operation (D) in 221 (15.4). Carcinoma of thyroid gland was found in 146 patients (10.2%), of which 129 (9%) were a microcarcinoma. Complication rates were higher in the TT group, where there were 31 (3.2%) patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism, 9 (0.9%) patients with unilateral recurrent nerve paralysis and 10 (1.0%) patients with postoperative bleeding. Combined complications, such as permanent hypoparathyroidism with bleeding were more common in the D group where there were 2 patients (0,9%), while unilateral recurrent nerve paralysis with bleeding was more common in the TT group where there were 3 cases (0,3%).ConclusionsFrequency of complications were not significantly statistically different in relation to the type of surgical procedure. Total thyroidectomy represents a safe and efficient method for treating patients with Graves’ disease, and it is not followed by a greater frequency of complications in relation to less extensive procedures.

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According to the results of this research, we can conclude that patients’ sex, age and severity of the clinical form of AA are not in connection with the seasons, while there are certain connections between appendicitis occurrence and atmospheric temperature and pressure.

Introduction: Venous ulcers account for over 80% of chronic wounds in the lower extremities. Venous ulcers lead to a significant decrease in the patients' quality of life. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of two different sub-bandage pressure values on healing and quality of life outcomes. Material and methods:The study included 116 outpatients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs), one group with a moderate compression pressure of 35-40 mm Hg and the second with a high pressure > 45 mm Hg. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log rank test were used to estimate healing by type of compression. Quality of life measures included: Quality of Life Index (QL), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Patients were followed for 24 weeks. Results: Kaplan-Maier analysis showed that a high pressure leads to a higher proportion of healed VLUs, compared to the moderate pressure (p = 0.011). QL, GDS and NPRS at the beginning were equalized between the groups. In patients with a high compression, there was a statistically significant increase in QL (p = 0.005), decrease in GDS (p = 0.040) and NPRS (p = 0.002) during 24 weeks. In patients with moderate compressions there was a statistically significant increase in QL (p = 0.013). Conclusions: Patients who received high pressure, healed faster. When a high pressure was applied, there was a statistically significant increase in QL, decrease in GDS and NPRS compared to the group of patients to whom the moderate pressure was applied.