Eustachian tube dysfunction in OSMF- often present seldom discovered.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of OSMF on the eustachian tube function and to correlate it with various grades of the disease. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty OSMF patients (40 ears) and 20 healthy controls (40 ears) were evaluated for eustachian tube function by eustachian tube function test, tympanometry and audiometry. RESULTS: The audiometric and tympanometric analysis showed no significant differences in hearing abilities of OSMF patients and controls and between various grades of OSMF, indicating no hearing impairment. However, eustachian tube function test revealed a statistically significant difference in eustachian tube function in OSMF patients and controls. Further, there was a significant increase in severity of dysfunction with increase in severity of disease. CONCLUSIONS: From the present study it is evident that the subjective function of Eustachian tube may be affected by disease process. But, probably the amount of deviation found in function of the eustachian tube is non contributing to cause a conductive hearing loss. Key words:Oral submucous fibrosis, eustachian tube function, tympanometry.

Role of hemoglobin and serum iron in oral submucous fibrosis: a clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic, insidious oral mucosal condition affecting the most parts of the oral cavity with high malignant transformation rate triggered by areca nut chewing, nutritional deficiencies, immunologic processes, and genetic predisposition. OSF causes significant hematological abnormalities resulting in anemia and a decrease in serum iron levels. AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the hemoglobin and serum iron levels among patients with oral submucous fibrosis and to compare the values with healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this hospital-based study 30 diagnosed patients of OSMF and 15 healthy individuals were included, and the values of hemoglobin and serum iron levels were estimated using Sahli's and Ferrene methods. RESULTS: OSMF patients showed significantly lower levels of hemoglobin and serum iron when compared with the healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study emphasizes on the assessment of hemoglobin and serum iron for patients with oral submucous fibrosis. Also iron therapy should be instituted concomitantly with the initial diagnosis which helps to cease the further progression of the condition. Further extensive studies are indicated to understand the correlation between OSMF and iron deficiency.

Pemphigus vulgaris--a report of three cases.

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially life-threatening illness that manifests in the mouth and on skin. In a majority of patients it affects the oral mucosa and is sometimes difficult to diagnose when only mucosal involvement is present. In an attempt to highlight the proper treatment plan of this potentially fatal disorder, the authors document a report of three cases. These patients were prescribed conventional steroids which brought about partial relief but early recurrence with discontinuation of the drug. Subsequent management of these patients with azathioprine along with corticosteroids improved the outcome of the disease with longer remission periods. In this case series, the steroid sparing effect of azathioprine was achieved successfully and hence needs to be considered as a primary drug in management of PV.

Brown tumour of the jaw.

Brown tumours are classic bony lesions that arise as a result of the effect of parathyroid hormone on bone tissue in some patients with hyperparathyroidism. They are erosive bony lesions caused by rapid osteolysis and peritrabecular fibrosis, resulting in a local destructive phenomenon. Facial skeleton is involved in about 2% of all cases of which the mandible is frequently affected. A 35-year-old female who was diagnosed with osteomalacia and brown tumour in posterior mandible as the sign of secondary hyperparathyroidism secondary to vitamin D deficiency is presented.

Nonsyndromic double mesiodentes--hidden lambs among normal flock!

Mesiodens, a common supernumerary tooth, is found in the midline in anterior maxilla between the incisors. Its occurrence as multiples is termed as 'mesiodentes'. Double mesiodentes, a rare phenomenon, is seldom reported in literature and show a plethora of manifestations as described in the case report. They may not be apparent clinically, necessitating the use of imaging modalities and require careful evaluation to prevent complications. This paper presents a report of six double mesiodentes cases with negative family history for supernumerary teeth and absence of any syndromes. This is an effort to educate dentists about signs, symptoms, complications and management of mesiodentes.

Estimation of serum leptin in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Cachexia contributes significantly to mortality in cancer patients; role of cytokines in inducing cachexia is an emerging view. Leptin, a homologous protein of cytokine family, is found to be decreased in serum with cachexia. The purpose of this study was to compare serum leptin levels of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients with that of control group and correlate it with body mass index. METHOD: Serum samples of 31 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients and that of 28 healthy individuals were subjected to evaluation of serum leptin levels (ng/ml) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A significant reduction in leptin level of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients was observed. Definite correlation between body mass index and serum leptin and also between serum leptin levels of various histopathological variants of oral squamous cell carcinoma was observed. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that evaluation of serum leptin level can provide status of cachexia in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.