Microbiology and antibiotic sensitivity of head and neck space infections of odontogenic origin.

This paper aim to assess the anatomical spaces of head and neck region and causative microorganisms responsible for infections, evaluate the resistance of antibiotics used in treatment and compare the findings with previously reported microbial flora in the orofacial infection. Forty-two patients were recorded. All underwent surgical incision and drainage, received antibiotics cover, and had culture and sensitivity test performed for gram positive and gram negative aerobes. There were 33 male (78.57 %) and 9 female (21.42 %). Out of the 42 patients 28 (66.66 %) presented with single space involvement. The submandibular space was the most frequent location for single space abscess (28.12 %). Fourteen patients presented with multiple space involvement, with a total of 64 spaces being involved. Forty microorganisms were isolated. There were 28 aerobes and 10 anaerobes. Two fungi were also identified. The most common bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Peptostreptococcus. The key issue here, which needs to be remembered, is that antibiotics alone cannot resolve odontogenic infection satisfactorily. Quick recovery of patients results with proper basic management comprising of early drainage/decompression which is equally important.

Custom made protective appliance for oral submucous fibrosis.

Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic, debilitating disease characterized by gradually increasing fibrosis of oral cavity and pharynx, mainly the buccal mucosa, resulting in trismus. Various flaps have been used to reconstruct the surgical defects following excision of fibrous bands. It is inevitable to prevent these flaps from trauma by occlusion. The main objective of the authors is to introduce a technical innovation used to protect the flaps in the post-operative period. Here, we propose an easy and economical method to protect the flaps.

Cephalometric norms for Central Indian population using Burstone and Legan analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lateral cephalometric standards of normal Central Indian adults having class I occlusion and acceptable facial profile were studied using the Burstone and Legan comprehensive cephalometric analyses that are specific for orthognathic surgery. AIM: To study normal dentofacial patterns of adult population belonging to Central India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cephalometric radiographs of 76 Central Indian adults (38 males and 38 females) having class I occlusion with acceptable facial profile were analyzed, and the mean values of their hard and soft tissue measurements were compared with those of Caucasian adults as reported in the literature. RESULTS: The Central Indian males demonstratedgreater anterior cranial base length and ramal length and a reduced chin depth. The inclination of the upper and lower incisors was also greater. The females demonstrated greater posterior cranial base length, increased upper anterior and posterior facial heights, and an increased maxillary length. Both mandibular body and ramal lengths were increased and there was greater mandibular protrusion and a reduced chin depth. The lower incisors were found to be proclinated. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that some of the cephalometric parameters in the Central Indian population are significantly different than that of the Caucasian population, especially in the females.

Utility of digital volume tomography in maxillofacial trauma.

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic quality of images generated using the newly developed digital volume tomography (DVT) system and comparing them with conventional images from patients with maxillofacial trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 22 male patients aged 18 to 60 years with a history of maxillofacial trauma. Each patient had undergone conventional radiographic and DVT examinations to analyze the number of fracture lines in the jaws and to compare the images for their diagnostic quality by an oral radiologist and a general radiologist using the χ(2) test. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the number of fracture lines evaluated on the conventional radiographs and on DVT, especially for condylar head (7) and the midface (4.41 to 4.57), zygomaticomaxillary complex and Le Fort fractures, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of fracture lines and visualization within the mandibular-maxillary area using DVT was superior to using conventional radiographs.