[Diagnostic values of conventional radiography and digital subtraction radiography in detection of periapical bone lesions [an invitro study]]

The detection of the teeth periapical lesions is associated with some problems clinically. As this diagnosis is based on the observation of radiolucent regions in the periapical area, the radiographic assessmcnts of the lesions are important. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic values of conventional and digital subtraction radiography to improve the diagnostic ability of periapical lesions. Artificial bone lesions in the periapical region of 15 teeth were created. Conventional and digital radiography were taken of all specimens in four stages: preoperative and after lesion creation in cancellous bone by using No.2, No.6 and No.10 slow speed steel burs. Digital radiography images were exposcd wherc as the distance between x-ray source and CCD was 24cm and position of tube, tecth and receptor was fixed. The data was analyzed by kappa statistics. Diagnostic sensitivity in detection of lesion by conventional radiography and digital subtraction radiography by using bur No. 2 were 34.5%, 71.4%, No. 6 were 54.7%, 95.2% and bur No.10 slow speed steel bur were 92.9%, 100% respectively. The digital subtraction radiography in comparison with conventional radiography had a higher diagnostic value in detection of periapical bone lesions

frequency of trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis patients referred to Iranian MS Association during 2004-2005

It has been reported that some patients with multiple sclerosis may develop trigeminal neuralgia [TN] that may cause the loss of patient's intact teeth when incorrectly diagnosed by dentists. This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the frequency of trigeminal neuralgia in MS patients who were referred to the Iranian MS Association during 2004-2005. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 179 MS patients whose diagnosis was confirmed by MRI protocol. Patients were selected randomly among those who participated in educational courses at the Iranian MS Association. The data was collected by questionnaire, interview and clinical examinations. The collected information was analyzed by student-t and fisher's exact tests. The study showed that 7.8% of MS patients to have definitive signs of TN while detection of such involvement was not so clear in 2.8% of cases. About 76.5% of all patients were females and the rest [23.5%] were males. About 36.8% of TN patients showed some manifestations in the maxilla, 31.6% in the eye region, and 21.1% in the mandible. About 10.5% of the manifestations have occurred in the right side, 47.4% in the left and 42.1% in both sides. Seven patients [36.8%] demonstrated with trigger zones. Only about 10.6% of studied MS patients demonstrated trigeminal neuralgia. The ratio of TN development in patients with history of Baclofen usage was less than nonusers