Morphological alterations in the position of the mandibular foramen in dentate and edentate mandibles.

The technique of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block must be based on precise anatomical knowledge regarding the correct position of the mandibular foramen (MF). The aim of the investigation reported here was to determine the anatomic and topographic localization of the MF according to mandibular ramus anatomic landmarks and to identify morphological alterations in the position of the MF and size and shape of the ramus in terms of the impact of tooth socket loss in the molar and premolar region. Seventy-three dry human adult mandibles were divided into two groups according to dental status. These were measured to determine the distances from the anterior and posterior ramus border (AB, PB) to the midpoint of the MF fossa, and from the mandibular notch (MN) and inferior ramus border (IB) to the MF entering point. A number of relevant ramus anatomic features were analyzed, such as ramus width (RW), height (RH), and thickness (RT). The MF was closer to the PB and IB in edentate mandibles (right/left mean PB-MF 10.66 ± 1.84/11.06 ± 2.05 mm; right/left mean IB-MF 21.77 ± 3.23/21.8 ± 2.27 mm) compared to dentate mandibles (right/left mean PB-MF 11.87 ± 2.08/12.04 ± 1.94 mm; right/left mean IB-MF 22.94 ± 3.09/22.74 ± 3.74 mm). Edentate mandibles demonstrated reduced RW (right/left mean RW 26.03 ± 3.53/26.49 ± 3.90 mm), significantly reduced (p = 0.03) right RH (right/left mean RH 43.56 ± 4.74/45.43 ± 4.86 mm), and significantly reduced (p < 0.05) RT in the area of the MF fossa depression (right/left mean RT 5.52 ± 1.21/5.21 ± 0.91 mm) compared to dentate mandibles (right/left mean RW 27.34 ± 3.84/27.48 ± 3.80 mm; right/left mean RH 46.33 ± 4.52/47.40 ± 4.20 mm; right/left mean RT 7.86 ± 1.98/8.10 ± 1.92 mm). Alterations in MF position and mandibular ramus anatomic features in edentate mandibles increase the potential risk of complications and failure of IAN block.

Dermatoglyphics in patients with schizophrenia--findings in the Macedonian population.

UNLABELLED: The human palms and soles are textured with skin different to that of the other body surface. Instead of sebaceous glands or hairs, there are sweat glands opening into epidermal ridges. They are variously oriented, thus forming different patterns. The aim of the study was to assess some dermatoglyphic patterns, the TRC and the a-b ridge count in a sample of patients and a control group of healthy examinees. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 59 male and 50 female patients with schizophrenia and 60 healthy male and 50 female individuals as a control group were included in the study. Hand prints were taken using the method of Cummins and Midlo; pattern types were determined and classified using the Henry classification. An analysis of pattern frequency in schizophrenia compared to the normal controls was conducted. RESULTS: The patterns most frequently present are loops (ulnar) with greater incidence and whorls with smaller incidence in patients with schizophrenia compared to the healthy individuals. The number of arches is higher in male patients and lower in female patients. Complex patterns are rare. TRC in females has lower values found in patients. The a-b ridge count has significant difference in male and female patients; higher values in male and lower in female patients. CONCLUSION: There is some association between the frequency of certain dermatoglyphic characteristicss and schizophrenia. Our findings form a useful database for the dermatoglyphic marks present in patients with schizophrenia and healthy subjects of Macedonian nationality.