Bull horn injury causing traumatic tooth intrusion - ultrasound and CT imaging.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic injury to upper alveolus may result in apical displacement of the affected tooth/teeth into the underlying alveolar bone. The tooth while being driven into the socket under the upwardly directed impact force usually causes a crushing fracture of the alveolar socket bone. The tooth may also be displaced through the labial plate of bone or may even impinge upon the bud of the permanent tooth. CASE REPORT: We present a case of tooth intrusion due to bull horn injury and its imaging features on ultrasound and CT scan. DISCUSSION: Most common teeth involved in dental trauma in children of 6 to 12 year age group, are the maxillary anteriors, and this age group also constitutes the most common group in whom tooth intrusion is seen. Tooth intrusion usually involves a single dental element. Common etiologic causes are injuries, falls, sports accidents, violence and traffic accidents. Traumatic intrusion due to injury by animals is rarely described and is more commonly seen in less developed areas that too in rural set-up where man-animal encounters are frequent. CONCLUSION: In such cases, whenever the conventional imaging modalities like the X-rays such as intra oral peri-apical views and orthopantomograms are unavailable, or where use of ionizing radiation is a grave concern (especially in children and pregnant patients), ultrasonography offers a non-invasive diagnostic imaging method which helps in diagnosis of the condition and also helps in supplementing the clinical information, thereby helping in better understanding of the underlying condition.

Congenital Epulis: A Rare Benign Jaw Tumour in a 2-Day-Old Male Baby.

BACKGROUND: Congenital epulis is a rare benign jaw tumor. It is a reactive or degenerative lesion having a mesenchymal origin; presenting as an obvious mass arising from the gingival mucosa of the maxilla or mandible, presenting in neonates. Its etiology, histopathogenesis and natural history are still not well established. It is seen usually in the female gender and mostly involves the maxillary alveolar ridge. MATERIAL/MEHODS: We report a case of a 2.7 kg male baby born with growth on his mandibular ridge which was excised and was proved to be epulis on histopathology. RESULTS: Congenital epulis is often misdiagnosed before surgery because of its rarity and a lack of awareness of the condition by clinicians. It is important for the attending pediatricians, pediatric surgeon to be aware of this rare but benign congenital tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital epulis is often misdiagnosed before surgery because of its rarity and a lack of awareness of the condition by clinicians. As the clinical presentation of this congenital tumor can be distressing due to its size and aggressive appearance, it is important for the attending pediatricians, pediatric surgeon to be aware of this rare but benign congenital tumor.