Magnetic resonance imaging: an aid to staging primary oral cancer

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the value of magnetic resonance imaging MRI in preoperative tumor T staging oral cancer [27cases]. Superconductive 1.5 tesla magnetic units were used to obtain T1-, T2-, and proton-density-weighted image sequences. The MRI findings were compared to preoperative clinical and postoperative histopathologic ones. Data analysis demonstrated a higher performance of MRI in preoperative presentation of tumor size as compared to the clinical evaluation. T2-weighted image offered a slightly better tumor presentation than the other two images sequences. In conclusion, MRI could be a reliable diagnostic tool to aid in preoperative clinical size determination of primary oral cancer and in this regard, T2-weighted image might be relatively more accurate than T1- and proton-density-weighted images

Effect of radiation on the bone around healed, osseointegrated dental implants

This experimental study was designed to evaluate the bone reaction around endosteal implants after exposure to ionizing radiation, and to compare this reaction in two different types of implants; hydroxyapatite [HA] coated and titanium plasma sprayed implants. For each of twenty-four male white rabbits; the right femur was implanted with titanium plasma sprayed implant while the left side was implanted with HA-coated implant. After a period of 8 weeks during which the implant osseointegrated, the animals were divided randomly and equally [N=12] into 2 groups; control [C] and experimental [E]. In the later group, both femurs were exposed to cobalt 60 units; 200 rad per day, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. Standardized X Ray were taken for each implant, immediately postoperative as well as, 2nd, 4th, 8th and 20th week post-operative. Bone reaction was detected by measuring bone density around implants using gray scale analysis. Bone density in group C increased from 79 +/- 4.85 to 126.2 +/- 3.22 and from 77.8 +/- 3.16 to 135.6 +/- 4.24 for titanium plasma sprayed and HA- coated implants respectively, and in group E from 81.2 +/- 5.11 to 115.6 +/- 5.24 for titanium plasma sprayed implants and 78.4 +/- 3.64 to 124.9 +/- 4.93 for HA-coated implants. All differences were statistically significant [P<0.05] among each group, and statistically insignificant [P>0.29] between both groups. The results of this study suggested that, fractionated irradiation dose of 50 Gy might not induce an apparent deleterious effect on healed osseointegrated dental implants. Moreover, upon exposure to irradiation, HA-coated implants might provide a better bone reaction than titanium plasma sprayed implants

Effect of different treatment modalities on gingival crevicular protease a ctivity in refractory periodontitis

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of scaling and root planning [SRP] alone versus in conjunction with systemic doxycycline on gingival crevicular fluid [GCF] neutral protease activity in refractory periodontitis [RP]. Twenty patients with RP as well as eight healthy volunteers served as controls were enrolled into this study. The patients were randomized into two equal groups: The first group received SRP with adjunctive doxycycline [200 mg loading dose followed by 100 mg/day for fourteen days] and the second group received SRP only. At baseline and one, two, three and six months after treatment; gingival index [GI], pocket depth [DP] and attachment level [AL] were assessed for all patients. Neutral protease activities in GCF were measured by spectrofluorimetric method for the patients. The study concluded that adjunctive doxycycline is capable of improving and stabilizing RP lesions better than SRP alone and the major mechanism of this therapeutic potential might be antimicrobial in such cases. Moreover, GCF neutral protease activity might reflect the periodontal status of RP patients and could be valuable in monitoring the disease activity

anticollagenolytic property of tetracycline: a potential therapeutic implication for juvenile periodontitis

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of systemic tetracycline administration as an adjunct to local therapy in localized juvenile periodontitis [LJP] patients. Sixteen patients [12 females and 4 males], aged 13-20 years, were included in this investigation. Clinical examination was carried out including gingival condition, pocket depth, attachment level and periapical radiographs for the affected sites. The treatment was performed in the form of scaling, root planning, soft tissue curettage under local anesthesia and periodontal surgery when indicated. Each patient received tetracycline 250 mg qds for 2 weeks concomitantly with the start of periodontal treatment. Revaluation of periodontal status was performed 3 and 6 months after treatment. The results revealed that most of patients exhibited resolution in gingival inflammation, gain of attachment, decreased probing depth and bone deposition or at least of bone resorption. In contrast 3 cases failed to respond to the combined therapy. However, the result of this investigation reinforced the use of combined systemic tetracycline administration and local therapy in LJP patients