Efficacy/Safety of the Use of Glucocorticoids in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Glucocorticoids, also known as corticosteroids or steroids, are drugs derived from cholesterol. They are synthesized by the adrenal cortex, along with other hormones, such as cortisol and aldosterone. Glucocorticoids are drugs recommended for patients undergoing surgery on the oral cavity, facial skeleton, and related cervical structures due to their high efficacy against inflammatory and immune processes. However, these drugs are restricted due to their multiple and serious adverse effects. The objective of this study was to verify the efficacy of corticosteroids administered in major surgeries of the oral cavity, as well as of the cervical and facial structures, based on the characteristics of the patient so as to select the best therapeutic strategy. METHODS: Articles in the databases of PubMed, Nature Portfolio, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were thoroughly examined. RESULTS: A total of 54 articles were selected to address the proposed objectives. The results obtained show that it is effective and safe to use glucocorticoids as pre- or postsurgical therapy in oral and maxillofacial surgery to control the processes of inflammation, pain, lockjaw, and edema. However, when referring to the use of these drugs, one must proceed with caution and pay particular attention when handling them. The concentration of the glucocorticoids used must be individualized, as well as the selection of the route of administration. Various studies show that, although the oral route is the most used route, the most effective route is the intramuscular route due to its easy absorption. However, for patients who have recurrent inflammatory and vesiculobullous ulcerative lesions, the topical route should be chosen to mitigate side effects, considering that recurrent applications must be made to prevent the worsening of the lesion and to avoid having to use medications enterally. In patients with cervicofacial infections, antibiotics continue to be the main drugs used to manage the condition in conjunction with corticosteroids. It is important to know the possible interactions of glucocorticoids with other medicines or food: it has been described that the interaction between Ritonavir, an antiretroviral drug that inhibits human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proteases, and prednisone causes an increase in the concentration of prednisone, leading to possible toxicity in normally safe doses and, in many cases, iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome. It is also important to know the systemic or topical adverse effects of the chronic or high-dose use of glucocorticoids. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that by making adequate use of glucocorticoid therapy in oral and maxillofacial surgery to manage clinical manifestations, it is possible to attenuate the morbidities of treatment and intervention.

Epidemiological Study on Burnout in Spanish Dentists: Underlying Psychological Factors.

The aim of this work is to study the personality factors and coping styles of Spanish dentists when facing burnout syndrome, through epidemiological work. An epidemiological study of 1928 Spanish dentists was undertaken through an online survey, which registered the age and gender, and three questionnaires: NEO-FFI (personality traits), Brief COPE (coping styles), and MBI-HSS (burnout questionnaire). A multivariate analysis and an explanatory binary logistic regression model were used to estimate the presence of burnout. Neuroticism turned out to be the strongest indicator (OR 1.10; IC 95% 1.09-1.14), while extraversion (OR 0.93; IC 95% 0.91-0.95) and agreeableness (OR 0.94; IC95% 0.92-0.98) showed an inverse relationship with the occurrence of burnout, as did age (OR 0.9; IC95% 0.96-0.99). Conscientiousness (OR 1.0; IC95% 1.00-1.06) had a direct relationship with the presence of burnout. An avoidant coping style was the only indicative coping style (OR 1.04 IC95% 1.02-1.06). Approximately 70% of the dentists scored high on one of the three dimensions of burnout. No differences were found in the degree of burnout according to gender. Certain personality factors (neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness), the avoidant coping style, and age are powerful indicators to attempt to forecast the presence of burnout syndrome in dentists.

Low-level light-assisted photodynamic therapy using a wearable cap-like device for the treatment of actinic keratosis of the scalp.

BACKGROUND: Daylight photodynamic therapy (dlPDT) is a painless and increasingly cost-effective treatment for actinic keratosis (AK). New protocols avoid incubation, minimizing pain and adverse events. However, it is time-consuming and dependent on specific weather conditions. In patients with AK of the scalp, we evaluated the efficacy of indoor photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a wearable low-level light therapy (LLLT) device, without pre-incubation with a photosensitizing agent. METHODS: In this pilot study, 27 patients with thin and moderately thick AK (Olsen Grades I-II) underwent a single 15-minute session of LLLT using a wearable cap-like device immediately after application of methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) cream, with no prior preparation of the affected area. Treatment efficacy was quantified by measuring the reduction in AK lesion number and the AK quality of life (AKQoL) score. All AK lesions were mapped at baseline for follow-up 2 months later. Paired pre/post scalp biopsies from 5 patients were analysed using histological and immunohistochemical techniques (p53, p27, cyclin D1, p63, and Ki67 expression). Data were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: In all patients we observed a global reduction in the number of AK lesions (71%; p < 0.0001) and AKQoL score (from 5.6 to 4.4; p = 0.034) 2 months after treatment. Histology and immunohistochemistry of skin biopsies from 5 patients also revealed marked improvements after LLLT. No patients reported any pain during treatment. CONCLUSION: PDT using LLLT is a rapid, painless, and efficacious modality for the treatment of AK.

Observational study of chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis treated with methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Therapies used to treat chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis (CNH), such as surgical excision, pressure relief, or topical steroids report varying degrees of success. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the response and safety of methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) photodynamic therapy (PDT) in CNH. METHODS: This retrospective, observational study performed at the University Hospital Ramon y Cajal (Madrid, Spain) and Hospital San Jorge (Huesca, Spain) included all patients diagnosed with CNH and treated with MAL-PDT from 2008 to 2015. Treatment sites were prepared and irradiated as per the conventional MAL-PDT procedure. RESULTS: Patients underwent a mean of 2.3 sessions with between-session intervals ranging from 15 days to 1 month. A complete response to PDT was observed in 33 patients (76.7%), who experienced pain relief and resolution of the inflammatory nodule. Lesion recurrence was recorded in 10 patients (23.3%) during the mean follow-up period of 20 months. Receiving ≥2 PDT sessions was significantly associated with a good response (26/28, 93% success rate, P = .003). LIMITATIONS: Some limitations of the study are the lack of an established between-session interval, the absence of evaluation of curettage effectiveness and the limited sample size. DISCUSSION: The results support the view that PDT is a promising treatment approach for CNH.

In situ production of ROS in the skin by photodynamic therapy as a powerful tool in clinical dermatology.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinical modality of photochemotherapy based on the accumulation of a photosensitizer in target cells and subsequent irradiation of the tissue with light of adequate wavelength promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and cell death. PDT is used in several medical specialties as an organ-specific therapy for different entities. In this review we focus on the current dermatological procedure of PDT. In the most widely used PDT protocol in dermatology, ROS production occurs by accumulation of the endogenous photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX after treatment with the metabolic precursors 5-methylaminolevulinic acid (MAL) or 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). To date, current approved dermatological indications of PDT include actinic keratoses (AK), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and in situ squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) also known as Bowen disease (BD). With regards to AKs, PDT can also treat the cancerization field carrying an oncogenic risk. In addition, an increasing number of pathologies, such as other skin cancers, infectious, inflammatory or pilosebaceous diseases are being considered as potentially treatable entities with PDT. Besides the known therapeutic properties of PDT, there is a modality used for skin rejuvenation and aesthetic purposes defined as photodynamic photorejuvenation. This technique enables the remodelling of collagen, which in turn prevents and treats photoaging stygmata. Finally we explore a new potential treatment field for PDT determined by the activation of follicular bulge stem cells caused by in situ ROS formation.

Dental sealant knowledge, opinion, values and practice of Spanish dentists.

BACKGROUND: Multiple guidelines and systematic reviews recommend sealant use to reduce caries risk. Yet, multiple reports also indicate that sealants are significantly underutilized. This study examined the knowledge, opinions, values, and practice (KOVP) of dentists concerning sealant use in the southwest region of Andalusia, Spain. This is a prelude to the generation of a regional plan for improving children's oral health in Andalusia. METHODS: The survey's target population was dentists working in western Andalusia, equally distributed in the provinces of Seville, Cadiz, and Huelva (N=2,047). A convenience sample of meeting participants and meeting participant email lists (N=400) were solicited from the annual course on Community and Pediatric Dentistry. This course is required for all public health sector dentists, and is open to all private sector dentists. Information on the dentist's KOVP of sealants was collected using four-part questionnaire with 31, 5-point Likert-scaled questions. RESULTS: The survey population demographics included 190 men (48%) and 206 women (52%) with an average clinical experience of 10.6 (±8.4) years and 9.3 (±7.5) years, respectively. A significant sex difference was observed in the distribution of place of work (urban/suburb) (p=0.001), but no sex differences between working sector (public/private). The mean±SD values for each of the four KOVP sections for pit and fissure sealants were: knowledge=3.57±0.47; opinion=2.48±0.47; value=2.74±0.52; and practice=3.48±0.50. No sex differences were found in KOVP (all p>0.4). Independent of sex: knowledge statistically differed by years of experience and place of work; opinion statistically differed by years of experience and sector; and practice statistically differed by years of experience and sector. Less experienced dentists tended to have slightly higher scores (~0.25 on a Likert 1-5 scale). Statistically significant correlations were found between knowledge and practice (r=0.44, p=0.00) and between opinion and value (r=0.35, p=0.00). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that, similar to other countries, Andalusian dentists know that sealants are effective, have neutral to positive attitudes toward sealants; though, based on epidemiological studies, underuse sealants. Therefore, methods other than classical behavior change (eg: financial or legal mechanisms) will be required to change practice patterns aimed at improving children's oral health.

Self-perceived changes in oral health-related quality of life after receiving different types of conventional prosthetic treatments: a cohort follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) reported by subjects treated with conventional prostheses. METHODS: A consecutive sample of 153 patients seeking prosthodontic rehabilitation was recruited. Socio-demographic and prosthetic-related factors (Eichner Index; number of occlusal, aesthetic, and lost units) were registered. Baseline impacts on OHRQoL were collected using the OHIP-14 questionnaire. One month after treatment, the participants answered whether the prostheses had generated better, equal, or poorer effects within the 14 items of a retrospective scale (Post-OHIP). The study patients were compared with the reference population (P-population; n=123) in terms of OHRQoL. Such P-population consisted of Spanish adults wearing conventional dental prostheses who were not seeking any dental treatment. The reliability and validity of the tests applied and the factor structure of the Post-OHIP were investigated. A Poisson regression model was calculated to predict what items would change favourably after treatment. RESULTS: Four prosthetic cohorts were established according to the types of rehabilitations performed: 1-FDPs: metal-ceramic fixed dental prostheses; 2-M-RPDs: metal-based removable partial dentures; 3-ADs: acrylic partial dentures and 4-CDs: complete dentures. Both tests confirmed adequate psychometric properties. Most items of the Post-OHIP consistently loaded on a single factor. Patients requiring ADs or CDs reported significantly lower baseline OHRQoL than those needing M-RPDs or FDPs. Pain/discomfort was the only hampering issue subsequent to removable rehabilitation. M-RPDs are expected to provide the significantly highest therapeutic improvements. CONCLUSIONS: Patients perceived benefits in chewing ability, aesthetics and satisfaction with their mouth after receiving conventional dental prostheses. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Conventional prosthetic therapy enhances patients' overall well-being although it can cause discomfort and chewing dysfunction in more than 20% of subjects. Metal-based removable partial dentures are the most predictable in terms of patient satisfaction. The higher the clinical impairment felt by patients, the higher the increase in OHRQoL after rehabilitation.

"Síndrome del conejo" originadopor cleboprida / Rabbit syndrome due to clebopride

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Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome with fatal outcome.

Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome is a disease characterized by multisystemic involvement, fever, lymphadenopathy, mucocutaneous rash, hypertransaminasemia and peripheral eosinophilia. This rare syndrome seems to be related to arene oxide metabolites of aromatic anticonvulsants (phenytoin, phenobarbital and carbamazepine). Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity seems to be much more aggressive in patients undergoing concomitant radiotherapy. We report a case of anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome developing toxic epidermal necrolysis with fatal outcome in a patient receiving cranial irradiation and aromatic anticonvulsants for seizure prophylaxis. This report attempts to emphasize the importance of an early diagnosis of this syndrome, the knowledge of the common cross-reactivity among the major anticonvulsants and the need for an appropriate measurement of the true benefits of seizure prophylaxis in patients with brain tumors.

Prúrigo nodular y ciclosporina: descripción de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Nodular prurigo and cyclosporine: case report and literature review

El prúrigo nodular es una dermatosis crónica, intensamente pruriginosa de curso crónico y etiopatogenia desconocida que clínicamente cursa con nódulos firmes y redondeados, de superficie verrugosa. Aunque se han empleado diversos tratamientos, el resultado suele ser decepcionante. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 52 años con prúrigo nodular intenso y cirrosis biliar primaria que respondió satisfactoriamente al empleo de ciclosporina a la dosis de 4 mg/kg/día durante 25 semanas. La suspensión del tratamiento se siguió de una recidiva del cuadro clínico que cedió después de su reintroducción. Este caso representa un nuevo ejemplo de prúrigo nodular con respuesta favorable al empleo de ciclosporina (AU)

Rinoescleroma / Rhinoescleroma

Se presentan 59 casos de rinoescleroma. Se comenta la etiopatogenia y la patologia de la enfermedad. Se analizan sus factores inmunologicos y se actualiza el tratamiento

Fistulas quilosas de cuello / Chilous fistules of the neck

Entre 1965 y 1977 se efectuaron en el Hospital Universitario del Valle (HUV) 150 disecciones radicales de cuello, entre las cuales hubo 2 casos de fistulas quilosas. Se analizan sus caracteristicasy se trazan criterios nuevos para su prevencion y tratamiento

Fracturas mandibulares / Mandibular injuries

En las historias de 127 pacientes del Hospital Universitario del Valle (HUV) en Cali, hubo 156 fracturas mandibulares desde 1974 hasta 1978. Se analizan sus caracteristicas clinicas, las tecnicas quirurgicas que se usaron y se ofrecen normas para el tratamiento de estas lesiones