morphological survey of root grooves and their influence on periodontal attachment loss

Periodontal health reflects a balance between harmful and protective elements in the gingival marginal area. The total plaque mass, specific periodontopathogens, the tooth morphology and local environmental factors may challenge this balance. The periodontal ligament attachment loss shifts this balance adversely towards the periodontal disease. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the significance of proximal root grooves as a risk factor in the periodontal attachment loss; the effect of their dimensions and locations has been evaluated. One hundred [100] extracted formalin stored single rooted permanent anterior teeth were studied by staining with 0.1% toludine blue to visualize attached periodontal ligament remnants. On each tooth, the loss of attachment was measured from the cemento-enamel junction to the most coronal level of the stained periodontal ligament remnants. The prevalence of proximal root grooves, was found to be 81% and a statistically significant greater loss of attachment was present on grooved than on non-grooved surfaces [p < 0.01]. Generally, there was direct relationship between groove location, its dimensions and maximum loss of attachment. The results suggest that proximal root grooves should be considered in periodontal diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning

Patterns and frequency of female breast lesions encountered at secondary level of care: hospital records-based study

To describe the histopathological pattern of female breast lesions encountered at secondary level of care in, Saudi Arabia. It is a retrospective, hospital record-based descriptive study. All histopathology records for patients attended King Fahad Hospital in Hofuf, Al Hassa between January 2001 and December 2006, were revised and compiled using a structured compilation form. nine hundred-fifty four [954] histopathology reports were included Data regarding type of specimens, age, laterality of the lesions and the prominent cellular morphology were analyzed; the Data were expressed in proportions, percentage and other descriptive measures. The Malignant lesions in the form of infiltrating ductal carcinoma were the most dominant lesions where 62% diagnosed before the age of 50 years

Subcutaneous dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens

Human dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens D. repens is a common zoonosis in the Mediterranean countries and parts of South Asia. During the last decade, it has been reported from countries previously considered non-endemic. This is likely due to the increased awareness regarding Dirofilaria infection. In some such cases however, dirofilariasis correlated with the travel of the patient to the endemic areas. We present the case of a Saudi male who had D. repens infection in the subcutaneous tissues of the forearm. The patient had traveled to Iraq, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait in the last 2 years. However, the known Dirofilaria endemic countries were not visited. Any prior occurrence of the human dirofilariasis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not documented. Lack of epidemiological studies or incidence reports in the Arabian region precludes any factual evaluation of Dirofilaria prevalence, which requires increased awareness amongst health workers regarding its potential occurrence in the native population

Comparison of specimen adequacy in fine-needle aspiration biopsies performed by surgeons and pathologists

Background: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy [FNAB] may yield different results depending on its operator. We compared the proportions of unsatisfactory aspirates obtained by pathologists vs. surgeons

Methods: In a retrospective review, all FNAB reports and slides performed between March 2002 and February 2003 were grouped by organ/site and according to whether they were done by a pathologist or a surgeon. The proportions of unsatisfactory aspirates for pathologists and surgeons were compared

Results: Of 692 FNABs, 390 were performed by pathologists at the FNAC clinic and the remainder by surgeons. Overall, 15.5% of aspirates obtained were unsatisfactory [n=107]. Of aspirates obtained by surgeons, 29.5% were unsatisfactory, compared to 4.6% of those obtained by pathologists [P<0.001]. Pathologists had significantly lower proportions of unsatisfactory aspirates in all sites. A 33% reduction in the number of lymph node excisional biopsies has been reported subsequent to establishment of the FNAC clinic

Conclusion: The advantages of a pathologist performing FNAB are that a rapid evaluation can be rendered regarding specimen adequacy and the need for repeating the procedure. In addition, pathologists can direct the distribution of aspirated material for other tests such as culture study, flow cytometry and electron microscopy, as indicated by preliminary evaluation of the smears. These factors significantly lower the proportions of unsatisfactory specimens and improve the diagnostic accuracy of FNAB technique