Chemotherapy-associated oral complications in a south Indian population: a cross-sectional study.

Over the years, chemotherapy (CT) has evolved as an essential therapeutic modality for cancer, with oral manifestations frequently encountered as complications of cancer CT. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of oral complications during CT and evaluate the significance of independent risk factors (age, gender, socio-economic status, oral hygiene practices etc). A cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary cancer hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, in which a total of 138 hospitalized patients undergoing CT and fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Comprehensive history and rigorous clinical examination eliciting the oral manifestations were carried out. Around 60% of patients exhibited oral manifestations. Xerostomia and lichenoid reactions were the highest and lowest recorded manifestations. Higher frequencies of oral lesions occurred in patients with breast cancer, TNM stage III, and with the administration of the docetaxel. Also, patients in the older age group, poor socio-economic status, poor quality of life, poor oral hygiene practices, and longer CT duration demonstrated more oral lesions. Individuals subjected to a dental evaluation either before or during CT exhibited a reduction in the number of oral features. Several oral complications were reported in the present study. All patients undergoing chemotherapy must receive reinforcement of oral hygiene instructions and dental evaluation before, during, and after chemotherapy treatment. The study also emphasizes the importance of oral health physician inclusion in the multidisciplinary cancer treatment team.

Prevalence, Patterns and Variations of Anterior Loop of Inferior Alveolar Nerve-A CBCT Based Retrospective Study.

The fragment of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) existing anterior to the mental foramen (MF), before dividing the canal, is known as the "Anterior Loop of the IAN". The presence of anterior loop (AL) is important when placing the implant in inter foraminal area of the mandible or during any other surgical procedure. It is imperative to precisely determine the position and dimensions of these anatomical variations on a cone-beam CT (CBCT) scan. To estimate the prevalence and pattern of anterior loop of IAN and establish any corelation between dimension of the MF with length and angulation of the AL of the IAN. Total 178 CBCT samples were collected fulfilling the inclusion criteria from a private diagnostic centre in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The greatest diameter of the mental foramen was measured along with anterior loop length and angulation in the panoramic section of the CBCT scan. The angulation formed and the length was corelated with the greatest diameter of the mental foramen and analysed. Our study reveals that the AL was more frequently seen among males, predominantly on the left side of the mandible. The relationship between length of the anterior loop and diameter of the mental foramen demonstrated a mild negative corelation. There was no possible corelation present between angle formed by anterior loop with inferior alveolar canal and diameter of mental foramen. A small positive corelation was established between length of anterior loop and angle formed by the anterior loop with inferior alveolar canal. CBCT scans should be recommended for pre-surgical evaluation of anatomical variations in the mandibular region. Also, a safe margin of 3-4 mm anterior to mental foramen should be maintained while working in the premolar area. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-021-02691-w.