ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of root canal treatment on periapical lesions by conventional and subtracted digital radiographic images of clinical cases. METHODOLOGY: Eleven patients who exhibited clinical or radiological signs of periapical pathology received root canal treatment. Periapical radiographs were obtained immediately postoperatively and recall radiographs at intervals of 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively were obtained. Identical exposure geometry was maintained. From the standardized radiographs digitized images were produced. Four experienced practitioners interpreted the radiographs and the digitized images. They assessed 59 pairs of images projected at random using a slide projector. On the left side, there was a reference image with no lesion, and on the right an image either with or without a lesion. Each reader was asked to rate each pair of images on a three-point scale: yes, absolutely sure that gain or loss was present; uncertain, if there was gain or loss; no, absolutely sure that no gain or loss was present. There was no time limit for each decision. Inter- and intra-examiner agreement was analyzed using the kappa-statistic for the diagnosis of periapical bone density changes in the periapical region at the different time points either in conventional pairs of radiographs or using digital subtraction images. RESULTS: The inter-examiner agreement (P < 0.001) and the intra-examiner agreement (P = 0.02) when digital pictures where evaluated were significantly higher than with conventional radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: A highly significantly better observer agreement was achieved by digital subtraction radiography during the evaluation of the outcome of root canal treatment on periapical lesions.
Subject(s)
Alveolar Bone Loss/diagnostic imaging , Outcome Assessment, Health Care/methods , Radiography, Dental, Digital , Root Canal Therapy , Subtraction Technique , Adult , Aged , Alveolar Bone Loss/etiology , Color , Contrast Media , Dental Pulp Diseases/complications , Dental Pulp Diseases/therapy , Humans , Middle Aged , Observer VariationABSTRACT
Extramedullary haematopoiesis, a common finding in thalassaemia, is rarely localized in the spinal cord and even more rarely has neurological manifestations. We present two patients suffering from thalassaemia (intermedia and beta homozygous) and paraparesis due to spinal cord compression from intrathoracic extramedullary haematopoietic masses. Diagnosis was based on magnetic resonance imaging findings, and treatment consisted of blood hypertransfusions. The majority of published cases have been successfully treated by radiation and in some cases by blood transfusions. Our two patients completely recovered, and there has been no recurrence during the 4 years since their treatment. Diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition are discussed.
Subject(s)
Blood Transfusion , Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary/physiology , Spinal Cord Compression/etiology , Thalassemia/complications , Adult , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Paraparesis/etiology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The G209A mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene has been associated with autosomal dominant PD (ADPD) in a family from Contursi, Italy, and three apparently unrelated Greek families. Several groups around the world failed to identify the G209A mutation in a sizable series of familial and sporadic cases of PD. The authors present two additional Greek families with ADPD associated with the G209A mutation. In both families, asymptomatic carriers older than the expected age at onset were found.
Subject(s)
Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , Parkinson Disease/genetics , Adult , DNA Mutational Analysis , Female , Greece , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mutation , Pedigree , Phenotype , Synucleins , alpha-SynucleinSubject(s)
Maxillary Diseases/pathology , Odontogenic Cysts/pathology , Adult , Epithelium/pathology , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
A case of true fibroma of the maxillary alveolar mucosa in a 44-year-old woman is reported. The clinical and histologic criteria for its distinction from irritation fibroma are discussed.
Subject(s)
Fibroma/pathology , Gingival Neoplasms/pathology , Mouth Mucosa/pathology , Adult , Female , Humans , Maxillary Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
Fractures of the facial skeleton are infrequent in children. A series of 147 fractures in 116 children aged from 10 days to 13 years old was retrospectively reviewed. The male to female ratio was 1.4:1 and the highest incidence occurred in the age group 8 to 10 years. The main aetiological factor was road traffic accidents. The mandible was predominantly involved (83.7%). The incidence of fractures of the middle third of the face was very low (4.0%). Closed reduction was undertaken most frequently. Complications were found to be minimal.
Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/statistics & numerical data , Mandibular Fractures/therapy , Maxillary Fractures/therapy , Zygomatic Fractures/therapy , Age Factors , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Fracture Fixation/methods , Greece , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
A case of a spindle cell lipoma of the hard palate of a 58-year-old male is reported. The histologic diagnosis is discussed. Conservative surgical removal is the treatment of choice.
Subject(s)
Lipoma/pathology , Palatal Neoplasms/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Lipoma/surgery , Male , Middle Aged , Palatal Neoplasms/surgeryABSTRACT
The bacterial flora of the fluid content of 54 cysts of the jaws with a history suggestive of infection were studied. Forty-seven of these cysts were subsequently considered to be infected and from 78.6% of these, positive bacterial cultures were developed. Of the bacterial strains 89.2% were anaerobes and only 10.8% were pure aerobes or facultative anaerobes. Microorganisms isolated from each specimen ranged from 1 to 4 bacterial species. Gram positive anaerobic cocci revealed to be the most frequent bacterial group (36.9%), followed by Gram negative anaerobic rods (29.8%), Gram positive aerobic cocci being the third most common group of the isolates (19.0%). Antibiotic sensitivity tests of the isolated anaerobic cocci to a group of nine antibiotics revealed chloramphenicol and minocycline as the most effective. All anaerobic rods tested, were sensitive to metronidazole.
Subject(s)
Bacteria, Anaerobic/isolation & purification , Jaw Cysts/microbiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Bacteroides/isolation & purification , Female , Humans , Male , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Middle Aged , Peptococcus/isolation & purificationSubject(s)
Jaw Neoplasms/pathology , Myxoma/pathology , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Retrospective StudiesSubject(s)
Femur/drug effects , Gentamicins/pharmacology , Mandible/drug effects , Animals , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The levels of metronidazole in rat serum and mandibular bones was measured 2, 5 and 8 h after oral administration of three doses of 200 mg/kg. Effective levels of the drug in serum and mandible were found at all time intervals as well as a higher concentration in mandible than in serum.
