[Coronal fractures - diagnosis and treatment]

Dental traumatisms of mature and immature teeth in permanent dentition are concerning many different cases. Coronal fractures with the loose of an important dental tissue results in external aggression of the tooth and affect patient's aesthetic. Conservative treatment by binding the fractured fragment or by bonding reconstitution with composite resin still the better alternative

Assessing predictors of outcome in necrotizing fasciitis at Jordan University Hospital

Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening infection characterized by rapidly developing necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and fascia with subsequent gangrene of the overlying skin. Necrotizing fasciitis [NF] is increasingly being diagnosed at Jordan University Hospital [JUH] with an apparent difference in the bacteriology of this disease. The aim of this study was to examine the presentation, etiology, course of the disease, treatment, and to identify the variables that are associated with high mortality. Information on the presentation, etiology, treatment, pathology and complications in all cases diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis from January 1987 to January 1998 A total of 23 patients underwent surgical exploration for necrotizing fasciitis during the study period. Six variables identified that significantly increased the risk of death from necrotizing fasciitis: Age above 60 years, female sex, perineal location, delayed operative management, white blood cell count more than 30,000 cell per mm[3] and infection mainly with Gram negative [G-ve] bacteria species. This study suggests that necrotizing% fasciitis is a serious and potentially fatal infection particularly in old, female patients presenting with perineal infection, high WBC count, and Gram negative [G-ve] bacterial isolates. Early diagnosis, aggressive initial debridement and redebridement in addition to adequate nutritional support and antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment

Q-T interval in right and left bundle branch block

In order to determine the effect of bundle branch block on the Q-T interval, the electrocardiogram of 115 Jordanian Subjects [55 males, mean age 56 years, and eight females, mean age 53.6 years with right bundle branch block; and 31 males, mean age 59, and 21 females, mean age 56.5, with left bundle branch block] were examined, prospectively, over a period of two years. Lipman and Massie's criteria[1] were used for the selection of bundle branch block cases. No significant difference was found in the Q-T interval or Q-Tc [corrected for conduction defect and heart rate using Bazett's formula][2] between right and left bundle branch block. The Q-T interval measured from the beginning of QRS to the end of the T wave varies with the heart rate, age, and sex. It decreases with increasing heart rates[3], hence a number of formulae have been proposed to express the relationship between the length of the cardiac cycle and the Q-T interval[2,4]. The Q-T interval is prolonged in myocardial infarction[5] and sometimes in rheumatic fever[6,8]..It is also lengthened in hypocalcemia, and hypokalemia when associated with calcium deficit[9]. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of bundle branch block on the Q-T interval, and to compare the results obtained with those in the study of Talbot[10] [United Kingdom]