Relationship between the presence of tonsilloliths and halitosis in patients with chronic caseous tonsillitis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) halitometry profile in a population with chronic caseous tonsillitis (CCT) and halitosis and to evaluate the relationship between the presence of a tonsillolith and abnormal halitometry in this population. DESIGN: Clinical prospective non-randomised study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients with halitosis and CCT, 17 male (35%) and 32 female (65%), were selected among patients referred for CO(2) laser cryptolysis. Anamnesis, physical examination and VSC halitometry were carried out. Halitometry values less than 150 ppb of VSC were considered normal. RESULTS: Patients were divided in two groups: Group A - normal halitometry (41 patients - 83.7%) and Group B - abnormal halitometry (8 patients - 16.3%). Halitometry results in Group B were 5.2 times (429%) higher than in Group A and the majority of the patients with abnormal halitometry presented with a tonsillolith at the moment of examination. A tonsillolith was present in 75% of the patients with abnormal halitometry and only 6% of patients with normal halitometry values. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a tonsillolith represents a tenfold increased risk of abnormal VSC halitometry and can be considered as a predictable factor for abnormal halitometry in patients with CCT.

Láser Er:YAG en Periodoncia. Revisión bibliográfica / Er: YAG laser in periodontic. A review

Diferentes láseres, como el COZ, Nd:YAG y ArF se han propuesto en la terapéutica periodontal. La mayor parte de ellos no han alcanzado relevancia clínica, debido a los resultados insatisfactorios obtenidos en las superficies radiculares tratadas, la generación de efectos colaterales o la ausencia de terminales de aplicación adecuados. Sin embargo, el nuevo láser Er:YAG se muestra como una prometedora alternativa en la remoción de placa bacteriana y cálculo de las superficies radiculares afectas, gracias a su mecanismo de ablación termomecánica y a la ausencia de efectos térmicos secundarios. El propósito de este artículo es revisar las actuales aplicaciones del láser Er:YAG en la práctica periodontal (AU)

Different lasers, such as CO2, the Nd:YAG and the ArF have been proposed for use in periodontal therapy. Most systems have not reached clinical significance because of the unsattisfactory results of laser treated root surfaces, emergence of severe side effects, or the lack of suitable delivery systems. However, the recently introduced Er:YAG laser radiation appears to be a promising alternative means of removing microbial plaque and calculus from diseased tooth root surfaces, due to its thermo-mechanical ablation properties and the lack of thermal side effects. The purpose of this article is to review current applications of laser Er:YAG to periodontal practice (AU)

Periappendiceal inflammatory masses: CT-directed management and clinical outcome in 70 patients.

The outcome was reviewed in 70 patients with computed tomographic (CT) and clinical evidence of periappendiceal inflammatory masses. On the basis of the initial CT scan, patients were divided into three broad categories: (a) patients with periappendiceal phlegmons or abscesses less than 3 cm (n = 32); (b) patients with well-defined and well-localized periappendiceal abscesses greater than 3 cm (n = 28); and (c) patients with extensive, poorly defined periappendiceal abscesses with either pelvic, retroperitoneal, or interloop involvement (n = 10). Thirty-two patients with either phlegmons or small abscesses were treated initially with antibiotic therapy alone; clinical resolution of the inflammatory process occurred in 28 patients (88%). Twenty-eight patients with well-defined and well-localized periappendiceal abscesses underwent percutaneous catheter drainage, which was successful in 26 patients (93%). Nine of ten patients underwent early surgical drainage for extensive, poorly defined abscesses. One patient underwent percutaneous drainage as a temporizing measure before surgery. There were three false-positive CT diagnoses of periappendiceal abscesses in this series.