Prevalence of odontogenic deep head and neck spaces infection and its correlation with length of hospital stay

Statement of Problem: As the duration of hospital stay could be an indicator of the severity of infection [Including odontogenic sources]; defining related variables could be very helpful in the treatment process. All clinical and paraclinical variables related to sever head and neck infections of odontogenic origin have not been fully evaluated

Purpose: This study was designed to identify the potential risk factors associated with increasing hospital stay in patients with deep head and neck spaces infections of odontogenic origin

Materials and Method: A total of 297 patients admitted to Shiraz Khalili hospital [1996-2006] with head and neck spaces infection were retrospectively identified by a medical chart view. Data concerning patient demographics, source and location of infection, culture results, and treatment modalities were evaluated. Linear regression techniques were used to explain the relationship between patient admission characteristics and duration of hospitalization

Results: A total of 34.3% [n=102] of the patients had head and neck spaces infections of odontogenic origin. The most common location of infection was submandibular space [32%], followed by masseter space [22%] and Ludwig's angina [20%]. Culture results showed non-hemolytic streptococcus as the most common microorganism with the prevalence of 61.6%.The most frequent signs and symptoms were swelling and pain. The results showed a higher percentage of hospital admissions for the middle socioeconomic status [58.8%]. Variables such as high weight, blood sodium level less than 135, preexisting disease and increasing in blood mean cell volume [MCV] were associated with longer hospital stay. Only 1 [0.9%] death was reported as the result of these infections

Conclusion: Odontogenic infections were a common source of deep head and neck spaces infection resulted in longer hospital stay. Paying particular attention to the variables that lead to longer hospital stay could be very important in formulating the treatment plan and reducing complications

[Prevalence of infraorbital ethmoid air cell on panoramic radiographs]

Presence of Haller cells with or without disease can narrow the ethmoid infundibulum or ostium of maxillary antrum and result in persistent rhinosinusitis, recurrent sinusitis, and other clinical symptoms, so detection of haller cells in common panoramic radiographs can be useful in diagnosis of the origin of these problems. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of infraorbital ethmoid cells on panoramic radiographs. Panoramic radiographs of 310 patients were evaluated according to the method of Ahmad et al. to detect infraorbital ethmoid cells. A well defined radiolucency was located medial to infraorbital foramen, wherever most of its border was visible and caused lack of cortication in inferior border of the orbit in the superimposition areas, was interpreted as infraorbital ethmoid cell. The radiographs were interpreted by three observers. the data were analyzed by Binary logistic regression test in SPSS software. Data from 310 panoramic radiographs were analyzed. 37% of radiographs were interpreted as to show infraorbital ethmoid cells. Infraorbital ethmoid cell might be considered as a quite common anatomic landmark, visible on panoramic radiographs. From a clinical point of view, this may be of diagnostic importance, because it has been stated that detection of haller cells may lead to detection of the origin of a number of sinus problems

[Comparing the bond strength of four kinds of Ideal-Makoo artificial teeth [Iran] and two Leichtenstein and Italy Ivoclar teeth with prosthetic acrylic base]

This study has been established in order to compare the bond strength of four Iranian artificial teeth which are produced by Ideal Makoo - and two foreign types of Ivoclar [Liechtenstein and Italy] with denture base resins. In this experimental and cross sectional study, 6 teeth from each type of the artificial teeth were selected and on the whole, 36 teeth from each type of the artificial teeth were studied. This study was established according to standard ISO 3336, in which 6 stone molds were prepared using a standard brass block and the molds were used to produce 6 acrylic blocks which were each attached to 6 artificial teeth. Each acrylic block was sectioned in to 6 separate samples, so that each sample consisted of an artificial tooth attached to an acrylic part. The samples were tested by Instron 1195- a tension testing machine with the speed of 5 mm/min until fractured. The results were reported in kilogram and were analyzed using the ANOVA statistical test. The results revealed that Liechtenstein Ivoclar had the highest mean bonding force [67.5 11.7 kg] with and Marjan artificial tooth proved to have the lowest mean bonding force [50.3 9.3 kg]. It should be noted that the difference of mean strength of Super Brelian and Liechtenstein Ivoclar was only 1 kilogram. Regarding the bond strength, Liechtenstein's Ivoclar would be introduced as the most superior specimen. However, Super Brelian had a very slight difference with Liechtensteins' Ivoclar