B-mode and Color Doppler Imaging of Different Types of Branchial Cleft Cysts in Children. A Multicenter Study and Review of the Literature.

Aim: The term "branchial cleft cyst" refers to the lesions that can be considered synonymous with cervical lymphoepithelial cysts. Although relatively rare, they constitute the second major cause of head and neck pathologies in childhood. This study aimed to report the clinical presentations, diagnosis, and management of pediatric patients with the pathological diagnosis of branchial cleft cyst. Material and methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of the records of 33 patients with the diagnosis of branchial cyst, in two different university hospitals, in two different populations. Results: Thirty-three cases of branchial cleft cysts were seen in 33 patients: 17 females and 16 males. The majority (16 patients) were 2nd branchial cleft cysts. Accurate diagnosis of branchial cleft malformation was made via imaging in 20 of the 21 (95%) patients that underwent preoperative surgical ultrasonographic imaging. Conclusion: Branchial cleft cysts are frequently incorrectly diagnosed and ignored in the differential diagnosis. Thus, the diagnosis is often delayed, resulting in the mismanagement of affected patients. A branchial cyst should be suspected in any patient with a swelling in the lateral aspect of the neck, regardless of whether the swelling is solid or cystic, painful or painless. The use of ultrasonography can dramatically help clinicians with distinguishing branchial cleft cysts from other similar lesions of the head and neck.

B-mode and color Doppler imaging of carotid paragangliomas in different neck regions.

Glomus tumors or paragangliomas are rare benign neoplasms which are very uncommon in the head and neck region. They grow slowly from paraganglion cells, which serve various regulatory tasks in the body and form the basis of the extra-adrenal neuroendocrine system. They have benign properties, but tend to cause local invasion and expansion to adjacent anatomic structures. The majority of glomus tumor cases are incidental findings, since the clinical symptoms are mostly absent. The purpose of this paper is to distinguish the ultrasonographic features of different glomus tumors located within the neck region, based on their varying anatomical location and space occupying behavior.

The iatrogenic fracture of the coronoid process of the mandible. A review of the literature and case presentation.

An unusual case of an isolated fracture of the coronoid mandibular process is presented. The fracture was randomly discovered after a panoramic radiograph was taken for surgical purposes. There were no clinical findings or symptoms by the patient. A careful review of the literature of fractures of the coronoid process is presented, since the isolated coronoid fracture is the rarest occurrence of all facial fractures.

An unusually large asymptomatic periapical lesion that presented as a random finding on a panoramic radiograph.

OBJECTIVE: This report presents an asymptomatic case of a large mandibular periapical lesion that was discovered as a random finding on a panoramic radiograph. SUMMARY: A panoramic radiograph was asked for removal of wisdom tooth's roots. The radiograph revealed an unusually large lesion extending from lower premolar to opposite lower canine. Upon clinical examination a discolored lower central incisor and an elevation of the vestibule were visible. The discolored tooth did not respond to thermal and electrical vitality tests and was not tender to percussion. No history of trauma was recorded and all other teeth in the lower anterior area were vital. Surgical excision of the lesion was decided after denial of conservative treatment by the patient. The result was satisfactory and 6 months after the operation new bone was formed at the site of the lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists should be very careful on clinical examination and should not omit any details. Before beginning any treatment a careful and complete clinical and radiographic examination is needed to supply all the required information. Small clinical signs such as a discolored tooth should alert the dentist.

Sole radiographic expression of rheumatoid arthritis in the temporomandibular joints: a case report.

We present an unusual case of rheumatoid arthritis. The patient had no radiographic findings in any joints of the body expected to show symptoms of the disease, such as phalangophalangeal joints of the hands and metacarpophalangeal joints. Instead, the patient had radiographic findings in the temporomandibular joints, which are not commonly involved in the disease and its activity.