Knowledge and attitudes regarding bleeding gums among school children of Peshawar

The objective of this cross sectional study was to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practices [KAP] regarding bleeding gums in school going children of Peshawar. Seventy-four percent of students were aware of the term bleeding gums whereas 26% did not have any idea. Sixty three percent of the students were suffering from bleeding gums and 51% consulted a dentist in order to get them cured. While the rest used some home remedy or did nothing, and ignored bleeding gums. Based on these results it was concluded that the school going children of this study were not fully aware about bleeding gums and their effects on oral health

Comparison of mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA] and zinc free amalgam as retrograde filling materials in the surgical endodontics

The aim of this study was to compare the success rate of root end filling material using mineral trioxide aggregate and zinc free amalgam in apicectomized teeth. In the present study, [30 patients having previously failed or incomplete endodontic treatment]. The sample was divided into 2 groups, 1st group was treated with MTA root end filling, while the 2nd group was treated with Zinc free amalgam. The patients were followed up for one year to assess the periapical area both clinically and radiographically. There was no significant difference between the success rates of MTA treated group and that of zinc free amalgam treated group, although MTA has a higher success rate than amalgam treated group in some other studies. The success rate of MTA treated group was [86.6%], and of zinc free amalgam treated group was [66.6%]. It was concluded that MTA can be a good alternative to amalgam as a retro grade filling material, but amalgam is inexpensive, easily available and most of the dentists are familiar with its use

Outcome of intramedullary interlocking SIGN nail in tibial diaphyseal fracture

To determine the outcome of intramedullary interlocking surgical implant generation network [SIGN] nail in diaphyseal tibial fractures in terms of union and failure of implant [breakage of nail or interlocking screws]. Case series. Orthopaedics and Spinal Surgery, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore, from September 2008 to August 2009. Fifty patients aged 14 - 60 years, of either gender were included, who had closed and Gustilo type I and II open fractures reported in 2 weeks, whose closed reduction was not possible or was unsatisfactory and fracture was located 7 cm below knee joint to 7 cm above ankle joint. Fractures previously treated with external fixator, infected fractures and unfit patients were excluded. All fractures were fixed with intramedullary interlocking SIGN nail and were followed clinically and radiographically for union and for any implant failure. Forty one [88%] patients had united fracture within 6 months, 5 [10%] patients had delayed union while 4 [8%] patients had non-union. Mean duration for achieving union was 163 + 30.6 days. Interlocking screws were broken in 2 patients while no nail was broken in any patient. Intramedullary interlocking nailing is an effective measure in treating closed and grade I and II open tibial fractures. It provides a high rate of union less complications and early return to function

Follicular thyroid carcinoma presenting initially with skull metastasis

Follicular thyroid carcinoma very rarely present initially with metastasis to skull. This report describes an otherwise asymptomatic 52 years old female patient with follicular thyroid carcinoma, who initially presented with soft mass in right occipito-parietal region and a multinodular goiter. Radiology showed an osteolytic lesion with overlying soft tissue component. Histopathology revealed metastasis from a well differentiated follicular carcinoma of thyroid gland

Outcome of optical internal urethrotomy in urethral stricture: a prospective study

This study was conducted to assess the role of optical internal urethrotomy in patients with urethral stricture. This study was conducted at Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar and Khattak Medical Centre Peshawar from March 2003 August 2003. Male patients were selected from the patients presenting with history of urethral stricture regardless of age and etiology. Patients with neurogenic bladder; enlarged prostate, bladder stone or meatal stricture were excluded. All patients were investigated with standardized protocol. Optical internal urethrotomy was performed in all patients and they were followed at monthly interval. The success of procedure was evaluated by grading the patient response as excellent, good, acceptable and poor. Out of 30 patients, 11[36.66%] were between 20 and 30 years of age. The most common cause was trauma 21[70%].The most common site was bulbous urethra in 22 [73.33%] cases followed by membranous urethra in 4[13.33%] cases. In patients with stricture of less than 1 cm, 21/25[84%] showed excellent response while in stricture of more than 1 cm, 1/5[20%] showed excellent response. Excellent results were seen in patients with stricture in 18/22 [81.81%] cases of bulbous urethra. Nine [30%] cases showed minor post operative complications with no major complications. No recurrence was reported in 3 months follow up. Internal optical urethrotomy is a safe first line treatment in urethral stricture independent of the cause. It has low morbidity for the working class people

Penetration depth of nickel titanium and stainless steel finger spreaders in curved root canals

To compare, radiographically, the differences in the penetration depths of nickel titanium and stainless steel finger spreaders in curved root canals. Design: A comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from September 2001 to June 2002. Materials and Fifty patients with curved mesial canals of their mandibular first molars were randomly selected for the study. The angle of curvature for each root canal was radiographically determined before instrumentation. Canals were prepared by K flexo file using the step back preparation technique. The apical preparation was done upto no. 30 and cervical flaring upto no. 45. Gates Glidden drills nos. 2-4 were used in the cervical 2-3 mms of the canal. A no. 20 stainless steel and a fine medium nickel titanium finger spreader were inserted alternately into the same prepared canal and radiographed using the paralleling technique. The distance from the tip of the spreader to the apex of the root was measured radiographically by vernier calliper. Penetration of nickel-titanium finger spreader was significantly [p<0.05] deeper than the stainless steel spreader of comparable size. The ease of stainless steel penetration decreased with increasing angle of curvature of the canal. Nickel-titanium spreaders may give better results for lateral condensation in curved canals because of their deeper penetration