Pharyngeal airway changes after mono- and bimaxillary surgery in skeletal class III patients: Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) changes in the pharyngeal airway space (PAS) in 20 class III patients who underwent mono- or bimaxillary surgery using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT examination was obtained before surgery (T1) and at least 3 months after surgery (T2). The pharyngeal airway of each patient was studied at three levels: the level of the posterior nasal spine, the level of the most inferior point of the soft palate, and the level of the top of the epiglottis. At each of these levels, the anteroposterior and lateral dimension as well as cross-sectional area were measured. The volume of the whole PAS and volume between each cross section were also measured. The area and anteroposterior dimensions at the level of the most inferior point of the soft palate significantly decreased in patients who underwent monomaxillary surgery. The volume of the PAS decreased in both groups, but decreased significantly only in the monomaxillary group. The upper volume decreased in the mono- and increased in the bimaxillary group. The lower volume significantly decreased in the monomaxillary group. However, results showed that PAS decreased more after mono-than after bimaxillary surgery.

Cone beam CT image artefacts related to head motion simulated by a robot skull: visual characteristics and impact on image quality.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess artefacts and their impact on cone beam CT (CBCT) image quality (IQ) after head motion simulated by a robot skull. METHODS: A fully dentate human skull incorporated into a robot simulated pre-determined patient movements. Ten head motion patterns were selected based on the movement of the C-arm of the CBCT units (no motion as reference). Three CBCT units were used [a three-dimensional eXam (K) (KaVo Dental GmbH, Biberach, Germany), a Promax 3D MAX (P) (Planmeca Oy, Helsinki, Finland) and a Scanora(®) 3D (S) (Soredex Oy, Tuusula, Finland)]. Axial images were qualitatively assessed at three levels: mental foramen (MF), infraorbital foramen and supraorbital foramen, and artefacts characterized as stripe-like, double contours, unsharpness or ring-like. A 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to quantitatively assess IQ. Cross-sectional images of the lower third molar and MF bilaterally were also evaluated by VAS. Four blinded examiners assessed the images. RESULTS: For all units and motion patterns, stripe-like artefacts were the most common. The four observers agreed on the presence of at least one artefact type in 90% of the images. Axial images showed lower overall IQ after motion (VAS = 72.4 ± 24.0 mm) than reference images (VAS = 97.3 ± 2.6 mm). The most severe artefacts were seen at the MF level. For cross-sectional images, IQ was lowest after tremor. The mean IQ range was 74-89 and 57-90 for isolated (tilting, rotation and nodding) and combined (nodding + tilting and rotation + tilting) movements, respectively. IQ for MF was lower than for third molar for any movement except tremor. CONCLUSIONS: Head motion of any type resulted in artefacts in CBCT images. The impact on IQ depended on the region and level in the skull.

Adjuvant therapy with hydrolytic enzymes in recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis.

The subject of this study is systemic enzymotherapy as adjuvant treatment in recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis. The authors analyze their observations of 5 adult patients with recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis when after surgical extirpation and subsequent application of peroral proteases there was a significant improvement of their clinical state and laboratory results. The patients have been disease-free from 10 to 18 months. In the authors' experience, the adjuvant enzymotherapy seems to be a suitable replacement of the supplementary treatment in larynx papillomatosis, and it promises to decrease the recurrence rate as well.

[Comparison of therapeutic results of clinical stage II laryngeal carcinoma treated with various methods and concurrent monitoring changes in cellular and humoral protection]. / Póróvnanie liecebných výsledköv karcinómov laryngu II. klinického stádia liecených rôznymi liecebnými metódami za súcasného sledovania zmien celulárnej a humörálnej öbrany.

The authors compare the dynamics of serum glycoproteins concurrently with monitoring of changes of cellular defence in patients with laryngeal carcinoma, IInd clinical stage. In 20 operated patients with subsequent radiotherapy [group A] better results were achieved as well as normalization of glycoproteins in the course of treatment. The immune response has in the early postoperative period a declining trend. Later in the course of radiotherapy the concentration of IgA and IgM globulins rises with the exception of IgG globulins the concentration of which declined below values of the initial concentrations. The activity of T lymphocytes did not change substantially during treatment, contrary to 19 patients treated by radiotherapy only [group B] where T lymphocytes declined by as much as 14.7%. Also the majority of glycoprotein concentrations remain reduced in group B at the end of the investigation [6 months] with a maximum drop after administration of half the radiation dose [with the exception of alpha 2-macroglobulin and the C3 component of complement]. The IgA and IgG globulin concentrations declined, IgM increased partly. The results correlate with the mortality: in the course of three years in group B 9 patients died, while in group A only three patients which suggests that combined treatment [surgical and radiotherapy] offer better chances of cure.