ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The use of graphic novels is a trending topic in health communication as a new form of visual storytelling which explores narratives of health care, cancer, healing, and disability. The objective of the present study was to evaluate - for the first time in the literature - the effect of graphic novels in reducing the anxiety of patients waiting for an incisional biopsy in an oral oncology setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This open-label randomized clinical trial comprised 50 patients with a clinical suspicion of oral potentially malignant disorders. Twenty-five patients were randomly allocated to the test group, and a colourful graphic novel was provided. Subsequently, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 were administered to all 50 recruited patients, after which a biopsy was performed on each patient. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed between the test and control groups for the variables regarding the demographic data (p>0.2). There was a significant difference after the introduction of the graphic novel, regardless of which questionnaire was used. The graphic novel demonstrated an improvement in the ability of the test group to tolerate anxiety while waiting for an oral biopsy in both psychological tests (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In light of these initial positive results, the authors of this study would like to suggest the use of graphic novels in oral oncology, dentistry, and medicine with the aim of reducing patient anxiety.
Subject(s)
Anxiety , Precancerous Conditions , Humans , Anxiety/etiology , Anxiety/prevention & control , Anxiety DisordersABSTRACT
Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is an adverse drug reaction that affects the mandible and maxilla of patients exposed to bone-targeting agents such as anti-resorptive and anti-angiogenic agents. Several MRONJ cases have been reported after dental extractions in patients under treatment with anti-angiogenic agents, including receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) inhibitor, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monoclonal antibody, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The aim of this article was to describe an original case of lenvatinib-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in a patient affected by thyroid cancer. A 58-year-old man diagnosed with Hurthle cell thyroid cancer, who was undergoing treatment with lenvatinib, developed maxillary osteonecrosis after a dental extraction. No other concomitant local or systemic risk factors for MRONJ were present. With new cancer therapies applied every year, it is important to note this novel case of lenvatinib osteonecrosis of the jaw in a patient undergoing cancer treatment.
Subject(s)
Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw , Bone Density Conservation Agents , Osteonecrosis , Quinolines , Animals , Diphosphonates , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Phenylurea CompoundsABSTRACT
The epicardial fat pad sign (EFPS) has been useful in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion on plain frontal and lateral chest radiographs. In this series of 100 cases, including patients with small pericardial effusions, it was positive in 52% of cases, being seen on the lateral view in 41%, on the frontal view in 23%, and on both views in 12%. The authors consider this sign to be the most reliable plain-radiograph finding in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion.
Subject(s)
Adipose Tissue/diagnostic imaging , Pericardial Effusion/diagnostic imaging , Pericardium/diagnostic imaging , Aged , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Mediastinum/diagnostic imaging , Middle Aged , Myxedema/diagnostic imaging , Pericardial Effusion/etiology , Pericardial Effusion/pathology , Pericardium/pathology , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Lung density patterns in a group of randomly selected, normal individuals were determined by computed tomography, using two methods: one measuring the density of the peripheral lung (parenchyma), and the other determining the density of the whole lung field. The effects of body position and respiratory phase, as well as patient age were assessed. The potential use for this information in clinical settings and in physiological investigation is suggested.
Subject(s)
Lung/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Age Factors , Humans , Lung/anatomy & histology , Lung Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Posture , RespirationABSTRACT
Acute experimental pulmonary arterial occlusions were produced in 5 dogs. The chest was subsequently imaged with computed tomography (CT), 99mTc-MAA scintigraphy, and plain radiography. Gamma images revealed all 6 lesions, and plain radiographs were uniformly negative. Enhanced CT scans demonstrated 3 of 5 lesions, and unenhanced scans revealed 1 of 6. CT findings were variable.
Subject(s)
Arterial Occlusive Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Pulmonary Artery/diagnostic imaging , Animals , Dogs , Lung/blood supply , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Posture , Radiography, Thoracic , Radionuclide Imaging , Technetium , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Preliminary work has shown that normal lungs have predictable CT patterns and density ranges. In emphysema, there are irregular zones of extremely low density as well as an overall low mean density. CT appears to have considerable potential for early detection of pulmonary emphysema and characterization of the degree of involvement. CT can also be useful in the study of physiological phenomena such as regional blood flow.
