Trends of Dental Treatment under General Anesthesia and Patterns of Repeated General Anesthesia in Children and Adolescents with Severe Disabilities / 대한소아치과학회지

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the demographic characteristics of pediatric dental patients who underwent dental treatment under general anesthesia (DTGA) at the Seoul National University Dental Hospital from January 2011 through December 2020 and compare the patterns of repeated DTGA between dental patients with severe disabilities (DSD) and non-DSD (healthy or medically compromised patients without DSD). There were 1,857 DTGAs among 1,719 patients (mean age = 5.1 years; males = 59.3%; ASA 2 or above = 52.9%; DSD = 26.8%). Overall, 6.6% of patients underwent repeated DTGA, and the rate of repeated DTGA over a 10-year period was 7.4%. ASA 2 or above (p < 0.0001) and DSD (p < 0.0001) were more likely to undergo repeated DRGA compared to ASA 1 and non-DSD. At both GA1 and GA2, DSD received significantly more restorative treatment on permanent teeth than non-DSD (p = 0.002, p < 0.0001, respectively). There has been an increasing demand for DTGA in pediatric dentistry over the last 10 years. Regular check-ups and preventive oral health care are necessary for pediatric dental patients with severe disabilities to reduce the possibility of repeated DTGA.

Detection of Proximal Caries Lesions with Deep Learning Algorithm / 대한소아치과학회지

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for diagnosis of interproximal caries in pediatric intraoral radiographs. A total of 500 intraoral radiographic images of first and second primary molars were used for the study. A CNN model (Resnet 50) was applied for the detection of proximal caries. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and area under ROC curve (AUC) were calculated on the test dataset. The diagnostic accuracy was 0.84, sensitivity was 0.74, and specificity was 0.94. The trained CNN algorithm achieved AUC of 0.86. The diagnostic CNN model for pediatric intraoral radiographs showed good performance with high accuracy. Deep learning can assist dentists in diagnosis of proximal caries lesions in pediatric intraoral radiographs.

Detecting of Proximal Caries in Primary Molars using Pen-type QLF Device / 대한소아치과학회지

The purpose of this in vivo study was to assess the clinical screening performance of a quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) device in detecting proximal caries in primary molars. Fluorescence loss, red autofluorescence and a simplified QLF score for proximal caries (QS-proximal) were evaluated for their validity in detecting proximal caries in primary molars compared to bitewing radiography.Three hundred and forty-four primary molar surfaces were included in the study. Carious lesions were scored according to lesion severity assessed by visual-tactile and radiographic examinations. The QLF images were analyzed for two quantitative parameters, fluorescence loss and red autofluorescence, as well as for QS-proximal. For both quantitative parameters and QS-proximal, the sensitivity, specificity and area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) were calculated as a function of the radiographic scoring index at enamel and dentin caries levels.Both quantitative parameters showed fair AUROC values for detecting dentine level caries (△F = 0.794, △R = 0.750). QS-proximal showed higher AUROC values (0.757 - 0.769) than that of visual-tactile scores (0.653) in detecting dentine level caries.The QLF device showed fair screening performance in detecting proximal caries in primary molars compared to bitewing radiography.

A 20-year Retrospective Study of Pediatric Oral Lesion Biopsy / 대한소아치과학회지

The aim of this study was to provide pathological information of pediatric oral lesions by retrospectively analyzing oral biopsy results from pediatric patients at the Seoul National University Dental Hospital.Biopsy results of all oral lesions from pediatric patients, aged 0 - 16 years, were collected from the files of the Department of Oral Pathology, Seoul National University Dental Hospital from January 2000 to April 2020. The patients were divided into 3 age groups: 0 - 5, 6 - 11 and 12 - 16 years. All oral lesions were classified into three main categories: inflammatory and reactive, tumor or tumor-like and cystic lesions.Among the total of 2928 biopsy specimens, tumor or tumor-like lesions(35.66%) were the most common, followed by inflammatory and reactive lesions(34.29%) and cystic lesions(30.05%). Regardless of the categories used in this study, odontoma was the most frequently found lesion, mucocele and dentigerous cyst being the next common. This study was the first retrospective review of pediatric oral pathology in Korea, and the results from this study may assist in providing informative insight into the pediatric oral pathology for pediatric dentists.

Root and Canal Morphology of Maxillary Primary Molar using CBCT and 3D CT / 대한소아치과학회지

The purpose of this study is to analyze morphological characteristics of maxillary primary molar’s root and root canal. 268 children aged 3 - 7 years (175 boys, 93 girls) who had CBCT (152 children) and 3D CT (116 children) taken in Seoul National University Dental Hospital from January 2006 to April 2020 were included. The number of roots and root canals were analyzed in 1002 teeth without any root resorption or periapical pathologies. Curvature, angulation, length of root and root canal, as well as cross-sectional shapes of the root canal were analyzed in 218 teeth. By using Mimics and 3-Matics software, volume, surface area, and volume ratio of root canal was analyzed in 48 teeth.More than half of maxillary primary molars have 3 roots and 3 root canals. The degree of symmetry of root canal type was about 0.63 (Cohen’s kappa coefficient). The most frequent shape of roots and canals was linear in 1st primary molars and curved in 2nd primary molars. Angulation, length of root and root canals was the largest on palatal roots. Most teeth showed ovoid or round shapes at apex. The largest root canal volume, surface area, volume ratio was found in the palatal roots.

Clinical Factors Affecting the Results of Regenerative Endodontic Procedure / 대한소아치과학회지

This study retrospectively analyzed the effect of clinical factors on the outcomes of REP(regenerative endodontic procedure). Patients who received the REP using triple antibiotic paste due to trauma or fracture of dens evaginatus from February, 2011 to January, 2020 were included in the study. Finally, 57 teeth in 54 patients were selected.Investigated clinical factors were as follows: intentional bleeding, etiology, and root development stage. Treatment outcomes evaluated were as follows: improvement of subjective symptoms, changes in the periapical lesion, and the amounts of root development after REP. To compensate for differences in angulation and position between repeated radiographic examinations, images were aligned by Turboreg plugin. To evaluate the amounts of root development, apical diameter, root area, and root length were measured by ImageJ software.Among the aforementioned factors, intentional bleeding had no significant effect on treatment results. Regarding the etiology, the increase in the root area and the root length was significantly less in trauma cases than in dens evaginatus fracture cases. Considering root development stage, more immature teeth presented more increase in the root area.

Characteristics of Intravenous Midazolam Sedation with Nitrous Oxide in Pediatric Dental Treatment / 대한소아치과학회지

Midazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine that is widely used in pediatric dental sedation. However, its clinical effectiveness as an intravenous sedative agent in children has not been widely documented. A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous midazolam and nitrous oxide inhalation sedation in pediatric dental treatment.The subjects were 115 patients (118 cases) who received dental treatment under intravenous midazolam and nitrous oxide inhalation sedation. Demographic factors, general health status, sedation time, midazolam and nitrous oxide dosage, and success rate of sedation were evaluated from electronic medical records.Behavioral management was the main reason of choosing sedation. Mean duration of sedation was 56.7 minutes for surgical treatment, and 74.4 minutes for restorative treatment. The initial dosage of intravenous midazolam was 0.051 ± 0.019 mg/kg. In 34 cases (28.8%), additional midazolam of 0.036 ± 0.057 mg/kg was delivered during the treatment. The concentration of nitrous oxide was maintained between 40% and 50%. The success rate of sedation was 99% (n = 117). In 1 case, laryngospasm occurred and the patient was reversed with benzodiazepine antagonist, flumazenil.Intravenous midazolam sedation with nitrous oxide was shown to be clinically effective for the dental treatment in children, if administered by trained personnel and patients are carefully selected in accordance with guidelines.

Effectiveness of Combining Behavioral Treatment With Valproic Acid for Dysphagia Caused by Palatal Myoclonus in Patients With Stroke: Two Case Reports

Palatal myoclonus (PM) is a rare disease that may induce dysphagia. Since dysphagia related to PM is unique and is characterized by myoclonic movements of the involved muscles, specific treatments are needed for rehabilitation. However, no study has investigated the treatment effectiveness for this condition. Therefore, the aim of this case report was to describe the benefit of combining behavioral treatment with valproic acid administration in patients with dysphagia triggered by PM. The two cases were treated with combined treatment. The outcomes evaluated by videofluoroscopic swallowing studies before and after the treatment showed significant decreases in myoclonic movements and improved swallowing function. We conclude that the combined treatment was effective against dysphagia related to PM.

Reliability and Validity of the Korean Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process

OBJECTIVE: To develop the Korean version of the Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process (KF-NAP), which enables a more functional assessment of unilateral spatial neglect, by first translating it into Korean and then statistically standardizing it. METHODS: Two rehabilitation specialists translated the KF-NAP into Korean. The entire process of administering the Korean KF-NAP to 30 patients with brain disease was video-recorded. Five occupational therapists from 4 university hospitals nationwide evaluated the 30 video-recorded examination cases. We analyzed inter- and intra-reliabilities of the Korean KF-NAP using the intraclass coefficient and Pearson correlation coefficient. Internal consistency reliability of the assessment categories was also examined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULTS: For the construct validation study, the Korean KF-NAP was strongly correlated with the Albert's test and letter cancellation test (r ≥ 0.8; p < 0.05). The intraclass correlation coefficients for the first and second assessments of the Korean KF-NAP were 0.973 and 0.982, respectively, showing high reliability (p < 0.05). The intra-rater reliabilities exceeded 0.9 (p < 0.05), and Cronbach's alpha coefficient exceeded 0.8, showing internal consistency reliability. CONCLUSION: The Korean KF-NAP is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing hemispatial neglect symptoms in patients with brain diseases.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Diffusion Tensor Tractography for Evaluating Ambulation after Stroke / 대한뇌졸중학회지

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the usefulness of combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) to evaluate corticospinal tract (CST) integrity and subsequently predict ambulatory function after middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke. METHODS: Forty-three patients with first MCA stroke underwent TMS and DTT to evaluate CST integrity. Patients were classified into four groups according to the presence of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) obtained from the tibialis anterior muscle and CST integrity. Motor impairment and functional status were assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Functional Ambulation Category, and Korean modified Barthel Index, both at the time of admission and after 4 weeks of rehabilitation. RESULTS: Patients with the presence of both measurable MEPs and a preserved CST showed better motor recovery and ambulatory function than other groups at the 4-week follow-up. Intact CSTs were not visualized in patients without detectable MEPs. Among the patients displaying MEPs, those with preserved CSTs showed better recovery of paretic lower extremities. CONCLUSIONS: Combined assessment using TMS and DTT to evaluate CST integrity confers advantages in predicting motor and ambulation recovery in patients with MCA stroke.

Association of Dysphagia With Supratentorial Lesions in Patients With Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke

OBJECTIVE: To determine the supratentorial area associated with poststroke dysphagia, we assessed the diffusion tensor images (DTI) in subacute stroke patients with supratentorial lesions. METHODS: We included 31 patients with a first episode of infarction in the middle cerebral artery territory. Each subject underwent brain DTI as well as a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and patients divided were into the dysphagia and non-dysphagia groups. Clinical dysphagia scale (CDS) scores were compared between the two groups. The corticospinal tract volume (TV), fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated for 11 regions of interest in the supratentorial area—primary motor cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, supplementary motor cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, parieto-occipital cortex, insular cortex, posterior limb of the internal capsule, thalamus, and basal ganglia (putamen and caudate nucleus). DTI parameters were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Among the 31 subjects, 17 were diagnosed with dysphagia by VFSS. Mean TVs were similar across the two groups. Significant inter-group differences were observed in two DTI values: the FA value in the contra-lesional primary motor cortex and the ADC value in the bilateral posterior limbs of the internal capsule (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The FA value in the primary motor cortex on the contra-lesional side and the ADC value in the bilateral PLIC can be associated with dysphagia in middle cerebral artery stroke.