The Application of Radiofrequency Waves in Supportive Treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders.

In recent years, the number of patients applying for prosthetic treatment due to temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) has been increasing. The main methods for treating disorders are the use of occlusal splints and physiotherapeutic rehabilitation as supportive treatment. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves with radiation frequency between 3 Hz and 3 THz, used for physiotherapeutic treatment of skeletal muscle relaxation in the range of 3 to 6 MHz. The rehabilitation effect of these waves is based on diathermy by means of high-voltage quick alternating current. Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of radiofrequency waves on the pain of the masticatory muscles in the course of TMD and the usefulness of these procedures in the supporting treatment of these disorders. Materials and Methods. Patients aged 19 to 45 years, of both sexes, reported to the Consulting Room of TMD at the Institute of Dentistry in Krakow to undertake prosthetic treatment of TMD (I a-according to RDC/TMD). Study group (SG) consists of 20 patients who had 10 supportive treatments with radiofrequency currents. In the case of application of radiation to the muscle area, the energy was 20 J to the area of the masticatory muscles, the frequency was 3 MHz, bipolar technique, the duration of the procedure was 10 minutes, and the coupling substance was a gel for ultrasound examinations. The control group (CG) consisted of 20 patients who had 10 supportive treatments with sonophoresis procedures. For the area of masticatory muscles, 0.9 W/cm2 treatments were applied, the duty factor was 80%, the treatment time was 10 minutes, and the medical substance was 25% Voltaren gel. Results. Analysis of the results of the first clinical examinations (axis I) conducted in both groups shows a homogeneous clinical material and similar results. The second clinical examination revealed improved clinical parameters, but it showed a greater improvement in the SG. In the SG, the mean level of VAS was 6.25, and the extreme values were 5.9-0.14, the median was 2.15, and the standard deviation was 1.54. In the CG, the average value of VAS was 6.20 (peak of 5.2-0.7), the median was 2.4, and the standard deviation was 1.87. Summary. The search for new methods of supportive treatment of TMD is an important research direction due to the complex etiology of this disease and the lack of an explicit treatment algorithm. Conclusion. The results of our own research clearly indicate that the use of the radiofrequency waves brings pain relief and improvement of clinical parameters to a greater extent than in sonophoresis. It can be a very important new method in supportive treatment of TMD. Research needs to be continued.

[Analysis of the foci of ectopic stimuli based on body surface mapping of cardiac potentials during sinus rhythm]. / Analiza ognisk ektopowego wytwarzania bodzców z map powierzchniowych potencjalów serca w czasie rytmu zatokowego.

This paper submits results of cardiac potentials mapping recorded from the body surface in a 87-electrodes Fukuda-Denshi system in 10 patients exhibiting documented ventricular cardiac rhythm disturbances. Isopotential and isointegral maps of depolarisation periods of the ventricles were analysed for sinus cycle and additional ventricular activations. The results were then compared to those of a 15-persons reference group of people not displaying any cardiac rhythm disturbances. Occurrence was pointed out of aberration at different cardiac activation time, manifested as additional potential extremes during QRS as well ventricular repolarization. The additional extremes during ventricular repolarization are of a persistent potential character, probably resulting in disturbed activation.

[Localization of infarction of the anterior and inferior myocardial wall by body surface mapping]. / Lokalizacja zawalu sciany przedniej i dolnej serca z map powierzchniowych ciala.

11 patients after anterior myocardial infarction and 7 patients inferior myocardial infarction were subjected to potentials mapping from 87 body surface electrode system. The reference group was made up by 15 healthy individuals. The analysis referred to isopotential and isointegral maps during the 20 ms and 40 ms of the QRS onset and for the entire QRS. It was stated that the occurrence of abnormal potential minimum might be the essential diagnostic criterion. In the case of anterior infarction, the abnormal negative potentials is located in the vicinity of the sternum, whereas in inferior infarction in right and lower part of the chest. The diagnostics of inferior infarction requires additional criteria, ventricular activation time maps especially.