Mandibular bone necrosis after use of paraformaldehyde-containing paste

Paraformaldehyde has been used in the past as a pulpotomy agent. However, it has a severe cytotoxic effect and may cause alveolar bone necrosis. Depulpin, a devitalizing agent containing 49% paraformaldehyde, is no longer used frequently due to its severe side effects. In the two cases described in the present study, Depulpin was used as a devitalizing agent during root canal treatment. It caused a gradual loss of sensibility in adjacent teeth, gingival necrosis, and osteomyelitis. This case report demonstrates the serious side effects of using a paraformaldehyde-containing paste as a devitalizing agent for pulp, particularly mandibular bone necrosis.

Intradural Lipoma in the Lower Thoracic Spinal Cord

Intradural spinal lipoma is a rare benign tumor in the spinal cord and a case of intradural lipoma in the lower thoracic region is presented. In our case, subtotal resection was done due to the severe fibrous adhesion to surrounding neural tissue. We conclude that the role of surgery in intradural spinal lipoma should be a decompressive procedure to stop the progression of neurological deficit.

A Simple Storage and Retrieval System for Pathologic Diagnoses Using the Apple II(R) Computer

The coding and filing of pathologic diagnoses have been heavy tasks; however with the availability of inexpensive microcomputer, a system may be developed that permits storage and retrieval to be performed efficiently. With Apple II(R) computer system and SNOP coding, a simple program using dBASE-II and QUICKCODE computer program can be created to include the following informations: accession number, chart number, sex and age of patients and 2 diagnosis codes. Once SNOP coding is carried out by medical staff, a secretary or clerk can enter the informations into the microcomputer. Data may be searched on any combination of the above parameters.