Transversal craniofacial growth evaluated on children dry skulls using V2 and V 3 canal openings as references.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the transversal relationships between two cephalometric landmarks and lines on the face using ovale, rotundum, greater palatine and infra-orbital foramina as references. METHOD: Thirty-four children dry skulls, 19 males and 15 females aged 0-6 years, were examined by computed tomography scanning by using constructed tomographic axial and frontal planes. The cephalometric transversal dimensions of the face skull were measured between the right and left landmarks from the orbital lateral wall and from the zygomatic arch. The cephalometric transversal dimensions of the base skull were measured between the right and left ovale, rotundum, greater palatine and infra-orbital foramina. RESULTS: Statistical analysis using partial correlations, regardless of the age, showed strong relationships (p < 0.05) among transversal measurements with nerve canal openings and transversal distances of skull face. CONCLUSION: We showed that the cranial base transversal growth was very strongly related to facial transversal growth from the postnatal period up to 6 years of age.

[Histological analysis of dental follicles after unerupted mandibular third molar extraction]. / Analyse histologique des follicules dentaires après germectomies des troisièmes molaires mandibulaires.

INTRODUCTION: The extraction of third mandibular tooth germ (M3) is often prophylactic to avoid orthodontic treatment relapse and to prevent infectious or tumoral diseases developing from the dental sac. The purpose of this study was to screen for early histopathological modification of dental follicles (inflammatory, infiltration, or epithelial metaplasia) after extraction of third mandibular tooth germ (M3) on asymptomatic patients. The secondary objective was to study the proliferative activity of the epithelium by dosing the anti Ki-67 antibody. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Twenty dental follicles extracted from 12 boys and eight girls between 14 and 18 years of age were examined under phototonic microscopy. The proliferative activity of the epithelium was assessed by immuno-histochemistry. RESULTS: Three dental follicles presented with focal epidermoid metaplasia of the epithelium, without odontogenic tumoral proliferation. In all other cases, the cylindrical epithelial cell structure was normal. A mild chronic inflammatory infiltrate was present in 30% of the cases. Immuno-histochemical analysis revealed labeling of very rare epithelial lining cells, slightly more in cases presenting with metaplasia. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of early morphological changes of dental sac is low. This histo-morphological study does not support the systematic extraction of asymptomatic mandibular tooth germs (M3).

[A cephalometric study of the pterygoid process during growth]. / Etude céphalométrique des processus ptérygoïdes au cours de la croissance.

This study consists in a three dimensional cephalometric approach of the pterygoid process and its relationships with the neighbouring cranio-facial structures, using biostatistical analysis. The authors present the results of this method comparing the variations of the pterygoid process in relation to the variations of the basi-cranium and the face.

[The greater palatine canal. Radio-anatomical study and clinical value]. / Le canal grand palatin. Exploration radio-anatomique et intérêt clinique.

The anatomical and radiological study of the greater palatine canal allows to show that this canal constitutes a significant communication between the oral cavity and the pterygopalatine fossa. It contains vessels and nerve directly related with the pterygopalatine segment of the maxillary artery and nerve. The radiological and CT study of this canal allows a better understanding and accomplishment of surgical or anaesthetic treatments concerned with the posterior maxillary region.

[Cephalometric study of the pterygoid process linear parameters in the human adult and child]. / Etude cephalometrique des parametres lineaires des processus pterygoïdes de l'homme adulte et de l'enfant.

A cephalometric investigation of the lateral plate of the pterygoïd process was conducted in the sagittal, frontal and axial plane. The aim of this study was to make linears observations on the pterygoïd process. A biostatistical method helped comparing the variations of the lateral pterygoïd plate in relation to the variations of the basi-cranium and the face with special interest given to the mandible, because of its tight muscular connection to the pterygoïd process.

[Methods for the anthropologic and teleradiographic study of the pterygoid process]. / Méthodes d'étude anthropologique et téléradiographique des processus ptérygoïdes.

The relationships of the external pterygoid plate with the other components of the craniofacial building has hardly been explored because of recording difficulties. A method to accurately identify in a reproducible way the main axis of the pterygoid process with the help of two small iron balls was contrasted with other methods seen in the literature. The iron balls technique was shown to be the method of choice with regard to biostatistical consistency.