Incidental maxillary sinus findings in orthodontic patients: a radiographic analysis using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

UNLABELLED: To determine the frequency of incidental maxillary sinus findings using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images made for orthodontic purposes. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: One hundred thirty-nine consecutive CBCTs from 134 patients treated at the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Indications for CBCT imaging included the localization of impacted teeth and root resorption related to impacted teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS POPULATION: Two experienced observers reviewed the CBCT scans (fields of view: 4 × 4/6 × 6/8 × 8 cm) and recorded all incidental maxillary sinus findings according to standardized categories. The patient's age and gender, the size of the field of view, the season of CBCT image taking, and the thickness of the Schneiderian membrane were evaluated to identify potential influencing factors. RESULTS: In 65 CBCTs (46.8%), incidental maxillary sinus findings were found (interrater classification agreement of 95.7%/95% CI: 90.9-97.9%). Three types of incidental findings were diagnosed: flat mucosal thickening (23.7%), polypoid mucosal thickening (19.4%), and signs of acute sinusitis (3.6%). There was no correlation between the field of view of the CBCT and the number of incidental findings inside the field. There was no correlation between the season during which the CBCT was made and the number of incidental findings. The mean thickness of the mucosal lining in the maxillary sinus was 1.58 mm (95% CI: 1.17-1.98 mm). CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of the CBCTs made for orthodontic diagnostic purposes exhibit incidental maxillary sinus findings not associated with the primary indication.

[Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease in the transverse ligament of the atlas]. / Dépôts de cristaux de pyrophosphate de calcium dans le ligament transverse de l'atlas.

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposits, answerable for chondrocalcinosis, are frequently observed in elderly people. Involvement of the spine is not rare. We present the case of a woman hospitalised for an acute arthritis of the right knee related to CPPD crystal deposition disease who suffered from acute neck pain. The computerised tomography showed calcified deposits in the transverse ligament of the atlas highly suggestive of CPPD deposits. This localisation seems to be very common for CPPD deposits. These CPPD crystal deposits may induce pseudo-meningitic attacks or chronic mechanical neck pain. CPPD crystal deposits in the upper cervical spine should be diagnosed when the disease is quiet, in order to avoid unnecessary investigations and therapies when an acute cervical flare occurs.

[Bilateral knee osteoarthritis associated with supracondylar chondromas and popliteal osteochondromas]. / Arthrose bilatérale du genou associée à des chondromes supracondyliens et à des ostéochondromes poplités.

The knee is a complicated joint where various diseases can coexist. We present a case of a woman with bilateral knee osteoarthritis who's radiographic follow up allowed a 15 year watch of a bilateral medial supracondylar chondroma and of a popliteal osteochondroma of the both knees. This observation emphasizes the usefulness of repeated radiographs, not only in order to survey the evolution of the knee osteoarthritis but also to disclose the appearance and/or disappearance of other lesions in the neighborhood.

Enthesopathy of the tuberositas radii. A diagnostic problem.

The radial tubercle is rarely the site of enthesopathy. When it occurs, symptoms and radiological images are usually typical enough for unequivocal diagnosis. We report the case of a man with atypical pain and X-rays modifications of the radial tubercle. Correct diagnosis was established by histological analysis. Better knowledge of this pathology should prevent unnecessary excision.

[Osteoid osteoma of the lower end of the femur--a diagnostic problem]. / L'ostéome ostéoïde de l'extrémité inférieure du fémur--un problème diagnostique.

Joint symptoms may be the first manifestations of juxta-articular osteoid osteoma; therefore, diagnosis may be difficult. We report the case of a young athlete who presented an osteoid osteoma of the distal part of the femur. Correct diagnosis was delayed by the presence of a pathological mid-patellar plica synovialis and the absence of modifications on standard X-rays.

[Sclerosis of the anterior arch of the atlas. A rare congenital abnormality]. / La condensation de l'arc antérieur de l'atlas. Une anomalie congénitale rare.

The authors report the case of a young man with isolated radiological sclerosis of the anterior arch of the atlas, probably of dysplastic origin. The differential diagnosis of this aspect is discussed.

Parathyroid hormone, prolactin, and function of the pituitary-gonadal axis in male patients with acute renal failure.

In 26 patients with acute renal failure (ARF), plasma levels of lutropin (LH), folitropin (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, estradiol, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were studied at the anuric/oliguric (AOP) and polyuric phase. Significantly elevated levels of LH, FSH, and prolactin were found during the AOP. Administration of luliberin (LH-RH) was followed by normal or even excessive and prolonged increase of plasma LH and FSH levels during the AOP. Basal plasma testosterone was significantly depressed, but estradiol was moderately elevated at the AOP. Administration of LH-RH did not influence significantly either testosterone or estradiol levels in blood plasma. A negative correlation was found between plasma prolactin and testosterone, and a positive one was found between prolactin and estradiol at the AOP of ARF. In contrast to chronic renal failure, PTH was not significantly correlated with either plasma testosterone or prolactin. We conclude that the hyporesponsiveness of Leydig's cell to the LH signal is the cause of depressed testosterone biosynthesis. It seems probable that prolactin, but not PTH, is involved in the pathogenesis of testicular dysfunction in patients with ARF.

Fast photodischarge of selenium electrophotographic layers.

Fast photodischarge (10(-3)-10(-7) sec) of electrophotographic selenium layers due to strongly absorbed light pulses (10(-7) sec) has been investigated by means of differential and integral methods. The results provide valuable information on the conditions of carrier drift and trapping during discharge. Se layers are found to possess high density of hole and shallow electron traps concentrated predominately at the surface of a layer. The discharge lag up to 10(-3) sec is caused by thermal release from the traps filled during exposure and carrier drift. Electron and hole drift mobilities in amorphous selenium layers, measured directly, do not differ from other similar data. Carrier mobility in As(2)Se(3) layers is measured; the electrons are found to be practically immobile, while hole mobility is equal (1-5) x 10(-5) cm(2)/V sec. Space charge influences the photodischarge kinetics and transit time. The theoretical dependence on geometrical distribution of space charge in a layer is found to be in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data.