ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was to investigate whether cervical vertebrae can be utilized in evaluating the growth of the maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty one male patients took lateral cephalometric radiographs once in every two years from the age of 8 till 14. Measured parameters were the concavity depth at the lower border of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae, and three analytical maxillary dimensions. RESULTS: The analysis of the maxillary measurements and the concavity depth at the lower border of the cervical vertebrae in the lateral cephalometric radiographs showed that the measured parameters gradually increased as the patients aged. Moreover, while the parameters of the patients in age 8 and 10 did not show any correlation, those of the patients in age 12 and 14 definitely showed the correlations. CONCLUSION: Although certain correlations were seen in particular parameters, further researches and studies with various parameters and shorter age intervals are needed. The result of this study will help clinicians in making plans and evaluating the proposed treatment plans.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Cervical Vertebrae , MaxillaABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety and efficacy of systemic or local methotrexate(MTX) injection to patients with unruptured ectopic pregnancy METHODS: From October 1995 to October 1999, 35 unruptured ectopic pregnancies were eligible for the conservative management. 25 tubal pregnancies, 4 cervical pregnancies, 4 pregnancies of previous cesarean section scar, and 2 cornual pregnancies diagnosed by ultrasonography & serumbeta-hCG were evaluated. Patients were treated with one of following three protocols : (1) A single-dose of 50mg/m2 of intramuscullar(IM) MTX(7 cases) (2) Two to four doses of 1.0mg/kg of IM MTX with citrovorum rescue(20 cases) (3) Transvaginal ultrasonogram-guided intra-amniotic instillation of 50mg methotrexate (8 cases) The mean age of these patients was 30.8 yrs (range 24-42) and gestational age at diagnosis ranged from 22-75 days (mean 47). Initial level of serumbeta-hCG ranged from 166.4-55363.8 mIU/mL (mean 9069.2). Patients were monitored with serumbeta-hCG titers three times per week ,and then weekly until the serumbeta-hCG level was less then 10 mIU/mL. RESULT: 31 of 35 patients (88.6%) were successfully treated and remaining 4 patients failed conservative therapy and so required surgery. Mean duration of resolution was 38.5 days (range 11-105). Side effect rate was 45.7% but severity of symptoms were so mild that no treatment was needed in most cases. CONCLUSION: Nonsurgical conservative management of MTX appears to be effective and safe treatment modality for some selected unruptured ectopic pregnancy. But further comparative studies and long-term follow-up are needed to evaluate reproductive outcome and reduce side effects of MTX.