Comparison of Pre- and Posttreatment Airway Volume in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders Treated with Ultra-Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Introduction Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) present with a multitude of symptoms that can range from headaches to shoulder pain. Patients frequently present with pain in the ear, dizziness, and vertigo. It is noted that some patients who report TMDs also have a history of sleep disturbances, which is noted in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a reduction in the oropharyngeal airway volume. Objective To evaluate the airway volume in pre- and posttreatment of TMD with the use of neuromuscular orthotics made with ultra-low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ULF-TENS). Methods A total of 15 patients were evaluated for TMDs using the related criteria. Those included were treated with ULF-TENS with evaluation of the airway volume both pre- and posttreatment using CBCT and the Dolphin 3D volume analysis software. Results While the symptoms were shown to be significantly reduced in patients who were treated with this particular modality, the airway volume varied in those who reported a reduction after a period of 3 months and those that reported after a period of 6 months. Conclusion Posttreatment evaluation of the airway should be done after a period of 6 months for a more objective evaluation. A multidisciplinary evaluation of the patient is required in such cases.

Evaluation of presence of nasal deviation in patients presenting with obstructive sleep apnea using cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the presence of nasal septal deviation in patients presenting with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). METHOD: Patients diagnosed with OSA using polysomnography were further evaluated radiographically for the presence of nasal septal deviation, maxillary sinus septa, and oropharyngeal airway volume using CBCT. RESULTS: Nasal deviation was present in all the patients and was classified according to Negus et al classification, further categorized with Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) score, maxillary sinus septa in those patients were classified according to Al Faraj et al, and the oropharyngeal airway volume was found to be an average of 10,086.37 ± 3966.116 mm2 airway volume. CONCLUSION: All the patients in the study had nasal septal deviation, hence it can be considered as a radiographic marker in suspecting OSA.

Comparison of Pre- and Posttreatment Airway Volume in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders Treated with Ultra-Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract Introduction Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) present with a multitude of symptoms that can range from headaches to shoulder pain. Patients frequently present with pain in the ear, dizziness, and vertigo. It is noted that some patients who report TMDs also have a history of sleep disturbances, which is noted in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a reduction in the oropharyngeal airway volume. Objective To evaluate the airway volume in pre- and posttreatment of TMD with the use of neuromuscular orthotics made with ultra-low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ULF-TENS). Methods A total of 15 patients were evaluated for TMDs using the related criteria. Those included were treated with ULF-TENS with evaluation of the airway volume both pre- and posttreatment using CBCT and the Dolphin 3D volume analysis software. Results While the symptoms were shown to be significantly reduced in patients who were treated with this particular modality, the airway volume varied in those who reported a reduction after a period of 3 months and those that reported after a period of 6 months. Conclusion Posttreatment evaluation of the airway should be done after a period of 6 months for a more objective evaluation. A multidisciplinary evaluation of the patient is required in such cases.

Unusual presentation of lipoma on the tongue.

Lipomas are benign soft tissue neoplasm which rarely occur in the oral cavity. Of the total reported cases of lipoma, only about 15% to 20% of cases have occurred in the head and neck region and the tongue is an even rarer site with only about 4% of the reported cases occurring in that region. They are slow growing and usually asymptomatic in nature. When it grows to a large size, it can hinder the physiological processes that are associated with the area. This case report describes the diagnostic features of tongue lipoma with a brief review of literature.