radiographic and clinical survey of dental anomalies in patients referring to Shiraz Dental School

Many epidemiological surveys have been conducted different parts of the world to determine the prevalence of various types of dental anomalies. There are regional and ethno-racial variations in the prevalence of dental anomalies. To assess the prevalence of dental anomalies in a group of Iranian dental patients in Shiraz dental school, Iran. 414 dental patients referring to dental school and aged between 15-60 years old [257 female and 157 male] were examined clinically and radiographicaly for the presence of dental d=anomalies, using orthopanthomography. Date were collected and analyzed by Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Fluorosis was the most prevalent anomaly [7.72%] followed by missing of the wisdom teeth [7%], impaction of teeth [4.34%], microdontia [2.89%], missing of the mandibular second premolars [2.65%], supernumerary teeth [2.4%], missing of the maxillary lateral incisors [1.6%], dilaceration [1.44%], invagination [1.44%], and taurodontism [0.96%]/ In the comparison of these results with those of other studies, it was indicated that these anomalies occur at different frequencies among various countries and communities in the world. Recognizing these anomalies will facilitate the endodontic, prosthodontic, periodontic and surgical management of such teeth

[Mandibular incisive canal in panoramic view]

One of the anatomic structures in mental interforaminal area is mandibular incisive canal [MIC]. Due to the lack of sufficient emphasis in anatomic texts and limited ability of conventional radiographies to depict it, this structure is not fully recognized or considered by dentists in planning treatment. Ignorance of this canal can lead to post-surgical complications in this region. The aim of this study was the assessment of radiographic appearance of mandibular incisive canal in panoramic view. In this cross-sectional study, 2324 panoramic views of patients [1117 males, 1207 females] with the mean age of 18 to 70 years were inspected for presence of MIC. Digital photographies were obtained from those radiographic views containing MIC. Then panoramic views with good visible MIC were selected in the study. A data sheet containing age, sex, visibility, extension of the canal in each side, and distance between MIC and inferior border of mandible was completed. An approximate course of MIC was determined and drawn. Chi-square test and SPSS- 11.5 software were used to analyze the data. In 883 cases [38%] of panoramic radiographies, MIC was visible, and 277 of them [11.9%] displayed MIC with good visibility. In 19% of cases MIC was detected in right side, and in 14% of cases it was detected in left side. In rest of the cases [67%] canals were visible on both sides. Based on Chi-square test, good visibility of the canals in men was significantly more than in women. Because less than 50% of panoramic views with good quality and standard protocol could depict incisive canal of the lower jaw, use of other more reliable methods such as C.T or tomography should be recommended in case of necessity

[Evaluation of the "false positive internal joint derangement" in sonography by using MRI]

Today, the most precise method for TMJ soft tissue imaging is MRI. But, due to high cost and complexities of this procedure, its application to all patients is neither possible, nor logical. So, many physicians are forced to treat their involved patients in TMJ dysfunction, without complete information about disc situation, based only on the results of clinical exams and evidences of conventional radiography of TMJ hard tissues. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the high resolution-Ultra sonography [HRUS] in TMJ disc displacement detection. This is done via the evaluation of the "false positive internal joint derangement" in sonography by using MRI. MRI imaging of 16 TMJs of 10 patients, which in clinical exams were diagnosed as ADD [Anterior Disc Displacement] cases, was confirmed by sonography. The results of sonography compared with those of MRI were tabulated [table 1]. The final results presented descriptively. In this study, all cases of ADD diagnosed in sonography, were confirmed by MRI too. HR-US can be used in TMJ diagnosis and treatment planning as a reliable technique for imaging of disc in this joint

[Surgery of petro claival tumors]

Objective: a review of 20 patients with petroclival tumor who underwent opetratins during 10 years from 1991 to 2001

Methods: in this perospective study 20 patients with petroclival tumor in the skull base underwent operations. Symptoms, signs, pathology, site of lesion extent of tumor complication, complications and mortality were evaluated

Results: patients were 14[70%] females and 6 [30%] males. Patients, ages ranged from 5-60 years with a mean of 36.5 Symptom period ranged from 1-36 months with a mean of 12.3. The most common symptom was headache, and the most common sign was facial hypoesthesia. Pathology in 8 cases [40%] was meningioma, in 5 cases [25%] was trigeminal schwannoma, in 4 cases [20%] was epidermoid, in 2 cases [10%] was chorodoma, and in one case [5%] was ependymoma. Access to tumor was 100%. Amount of tumor resection was: gross total [45%], subtotal [30%] and partial [25%] eleven people [55%] developed complications and there was 1 case [5%] of mortality

Conclusion: according to the anatiomical position of the petroclival regional varous pathologies, the transpetrosal approach is an acceptable approach. Access to tumor was possible in all cases. Resection of tumor was done in 75% totally or subtotally. There was 5% mortality and 55% complications, was acceptable