ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: The paradigm shift from two- to three-dimensional imaging has marked the beginning of a new era in diagnosis. Newly developed cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) designed specifically to visualize maxillofacial pathologies is being used in forensic investigations also. Facial reconstruction is a specialized forensic technique to identify the deceased from the unknown skull. It is dependent on population-specific facial soft tissue thicknesses. AIMS: This study aims to propose the mean dataset of facial soft tissue thickness for South Indian population by utilizing CBCT. It also aims to evaluate the sex and racial differences in the values if any. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This descriptive study was conducted on CBCT scans of South Indians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty CBCT scans of South Indian adults aged 18-80 years were selected. Facial soft tissue thickness measurements at 34 craniometric landmarks were carried out. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics was done. Student's t-test estimated the differences of soft tissue thickness between the sexes; bilateral measurements and also racial differences. Tukey's honest significant difference test was used for multiple comparisons among Indian studies. RESULTS: Males had thicker soft tissue than females in most of the landmarks. Differences in the bilateral soft tissue thicknesses were negligible. Indians had thicker facial tissues than the Koreans and CBCT was found efficient in measuring soft tissue thickness. CONCLUSION: The present study provides facial soft tissue thickness dataset using CBCT which will be useful in forensic facial reconstructions of South Indian population as well as in maxillofacial and plastic reconstructive surgeries.
ABSTRACT
Schwannomas are a type of nerve sheath tumours predominant in the soft tissues of the head and neck. They commonly present as slow growing, painful swellings and may rarely be accompanied by paresthesia. Less than 1% of schwannomas are intraosseous with affliction to the mandible over maxilla. Only 13 cases of maxillary schwannomas have been reported till date. This article documents a rare case of intramaxillary schwannoma that was disclosed during an incidental radiographic examination. It also provides a review of the literature on central schwannomas affecting the maxilla which suggests its affliction to females in the second decade with equal preference to both anterior and posterior segments of the jaw. It also highlights that intraosseous schwannomas may be considered in the differential diagnosis of periapical lesions with nonspecific clinical and radiographic features.
ABSTRACT
Trismus pseudocamptodactyly syndrome is a very rare autosomal dominant inherited disorder characterized by the inability to completely open the mouth (trismus) and the presence of abnormally short tendon units causing the fingers to curve (camptodactyly). Early diagnosis and management of this condition is important to prevent facial deformities in the patient. Reporting such a case is important as case reports are one of the sources of data for calculating the prevalence of rare diseases. Here, we report a case of trismus pseudocamptodactyly syndrome in an eight-year-old boy with a brief review of the literature.
ABSTRACT
Hypoglossia-hypodactyly is a rare congenital anomaly affecting the tongue and the limbs. Hall in 1971 classified it under a complex group of disorders called oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndromes. It is an extremely rare condition with around 40 cases reported in the world literature. The cause of the syndrome is unknown. Some type of intrauterine trauma is the most widely accepted etiology. The characteristic features of the syndrome are hypoglossia, limb anomalies of variable degree, and micrognathia of the mandible. This unique case report of hypoglossia-hypodactyly was observed in a patient with normal mandible. In addition, patient also had pulmonary regurgitation. His parents and other siblings were normal. Positive prenatal history of maternal hyperthermia was obtained suspecting it to be the cause of the syndrome.
