Treatment of recurrent eosinophilic granuloma of the mandible following radiation therapy.

A case of recurrent eosinophilic granuloma of the mandible following radiation therapy is presented. The lesion was curetted and immediately reconstructed with autogenous bone for strength and lower border continuity. Since radiation therapy in low doses is normally curative for this disease, few recurrences have been reported. It is emphasized that polyostotic disease may have a greater propensity for recurrence and that patients presenting with multiple lesions should be followed up closely, regardless of the mode of therapy.

A leaded apron for use in panoramic dental radiography.

The leaded aprons currently available for use during dental radiography do not protect the thyroid gland from radiation. Conventional aprons may produce artifacts when used with panoramic dental x-ray units. This study measures the dose reduction obtained with an experimental leaded apron designed for use with panoramic dental x-ray units. Skin exposures measured at the thyroid and at the sternum were reduced with the use of the apron. Films produced during the study were free from apron artifacts.

Leaded shields for thyroid dose reduction in intraoral dental radiography.

This study evaluated the radiation dose reduction, operator acceptance, and patient acceptance of two types of leaded thyroid shields designed for use during intraoral dental radiography. Exposure levels were measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters on three groups of 20 patients undergoing complete mouth (20-film) surveys. Skin entrance dose to the thyroid was 20 mR per complete mouth survey without a shield in place, 12 mR per complete mouth survey with the experimental shield in place, and 9 mR with the commercial shield. Patients and radiologic technologist were surveyed to determine patient comfort and operator acceptability. Patient and operator acceptability were higher for the experimental shield than for the commercial shield.