Spec. MD. Ayse Sanem Ucar Reviews

A 28-year-old competitive freediver from Foça presented with recurrent episodes of transient neurological symptoms after deep dives. Dr. Ucar performed a specialized cerebral MRI with susceptibility-weighted imaging, revealing multiple micro-bleeds in the frontal lobes, a rare presentation of decompression sickness in an elite athlete. She coordinated with hyperbaric medicine to develop a personalized imaging protocol for post-dive assessment, allowing the athlete to continue competing with modified depth limits.

A 72-year-old retired olive oil producer from rural Tire arrived with progressive difficulty swallowing. Initial endoscopy was inconclusive. Dr. Ucar conducted a dynamic swallowing study using real-time MRI, identifying a previously undiagnosed cricopharyngeal bar combined with early-stage Zenker's diverticulum. Her detailed imaging report enabled targeted endoscopic surgery rather than open procedure, with the patient returning to solid foods within three weeks.

A 7-year-old refugee child from Syria presented with developmental delay and recurrent infections. Multiple doctors had dismissed concerns. Dr. Ucar identified subtle findings on abdominal ultrasound suggesting asplenia, then confirmed it with contrast-enhanced CT. Further investigation revealed heterotaxy syndrome with complex congenital heart disease that had been missed for years. Her comprehensive imaging report initiated urgent cardiac intervention.

A 45-year-old female ceramic artist from Urla developed progressive hand weakness and sensory changes. Neurological exams were normal. Dr. Ucar performed high-resolution MRI of the brachial plexus, identifying bilateral thoracic outlet syndrome with fibrous band compression, exacerbated by the patient's years of working at a pottery wheel. Imaging-guided the surgical approach, allowing the artist to return to modified work within months.

An 81-year-old retired sea captain with early dementia presented after a fall. Routine X-ray showed a hip fracture, but Dr. Ucar noticed incidental findings on the pelvic view. She recommended dedicated sacral MRI, revealing an extensive sacral insufficiency fracture that explained his persistent pain post-surgery. Her intervention prevented inappropriate neurological workup and guided appropriate pain management.

A 33-year-old pregnant woman at 28 weeks gestation presented with acute abdominal pain. Ultrasound was equivocal for appendicitis. Dr. Ucar performed a low-dose MRI protocol she developed specifically for pregnancy, diagnosing not appendicitis but a rare case of ovarian torsion in a hyperstimulated ovary from fertility treatment. Her timely diagnosis saved both the ovary and the pregnancy.

A 19-year-old university basketball player collapsed during practice. Initial cardiac workup was normal. Dr. Ucar performed cardiac MRI with late gadolinium enhancement, identifying arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy that had been missed on echo and ECG. Her findings led to ICD implantation; the athlete survived a subsequent ventricular fibrillation event two months later.

A 58-year-old textile factory worker presented with chronic cough and weight loss. Multiple chest X-rays showed 'resolving pneumonia.' Dr. Ucar reviewed prior images and identified subtle progressive changes over 18 months. She recommended PET-CT, revealing early-stage mesothelioma with pleural involvement, enabling curative intent surgery rather than palliative care.

A 41-year-old male with HIV on antiretroviral therapy developed progressive visual changes. Ophthalmology found nothing. Dr. Ucar performed orbital MRI with fat suppression sequences, identifying bilateral optic nerve infiltration, not from HIV but from newly developed sarcoidosis. Her diagnosis changed management from antiviral adjustment to immunosuppressive therapy.

A 65-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis on long-term steroids presented with hip pain. Initial X-ray showed 'mild osteoarthritis.' Dr. Ucar identified subtle femoral head irregularities and ordered MRI, revealing bilateral avascular necrosis at early stages. Her early detection allowed for core decompression procedures that prevented total hip replacements.

A 29-year-old professional musician presented with sudden hearing loss in one ear. ENT found no obvious cause. Dr. Ucar performed high-resolution temporal bone CT, identifying a dehiscent superior semicircular canal, a condition exacerbated by the patient's frequent air travel and pressure changes during performances. Her diagnosis allowed for lifestyle modifications that stabilized symptoms.

A 50-year-old male with chronic kidney disease presented with worsening back pain. Previous imaging showed 'degenerative changes.' Dr. Ucar identified atypical vertebral body signal on available images and recommended spinal MRI, revealing amyloid deposition from dialysis-related amyloidosis, changing pain management from opioids to specific anti-inflammatory regimens.

A 14-year-old girl with Turner syndrome presented for routine cardiac screening. While echocardiogram was normal, Dr. Ucar identified subtle aortic wall abnormalities on cardiac MRI that suggested early aortopathy risk. She established a personalized surveillance imaging schedule, detecting progressive dilation six months later that prompted prophylactic surgery.

A 37-year-old vegetarian marathon runner presented with fatigue and bone pain. Blood tests suggested possible myeloma. Dr. Ucar performed whole-body MRI instead of skeletal survey, identifying not myeloma but extensive stress fractures and nutritional osteomalacia from vitamin D deficiency, completely changing the diagnosis from malignancy to nutritional deficiency.

A 62-year-old male with chronic pancreatitis presented with new-onset jaundice. CT suggested pancreatic head mass. Dr. Ucar performed MRCP with secretin stimulation, differentiating autoimmune pancreatitis from carcinoma, preventing unnecessary Whipple procedure and enabling steroid therapy with complete resolution.