The Efficacy of Er:YAG Laser-Activated Shock Wave-Enhanced Emission Photoacoustic Streaming Compared to Ultrasonically Activated Irrigation and Needle Irrigation in the Removal of Bioceramic Filling Remnants from Oval Root Canals-An Ex Vivo Study.

The removal of filling material is important for successful root canal retreatment. The aim of the study was to compare the efficiency of two activated irrigation techniques, the shock wave-enhanced emission photoacoustic streaming (SWEEPS) mode of the Er:YAG laser and ultrasonically activated irrigation (UAI) and a conventional syringe-needle technique (SNI), in the removal of bioceramic sealer/gutta-percha during conventional retreatment in oval root canals. The study sample consisted of distal root canals of 42 extracted human mandibular molars, which were prepared using a ProTaper Next system up to size 40/0.06 and filled with bioceramic sealer using a single-cone obturation technique. The teeth were then re-treated with a Reciproc Blue RB40 file and 3% sodium hypochlorite solution. The prepared teeth were randomly divided into three groups (n = 14 per group) and subjected to one of the three irrigation methods. Micro-CT scans were performed at different stages to assess the amount of filling material after each retreatment phase. The results of the study showed that all the tested irrigation techniques reduced a statistically significant amount of the remnant filling material at retreatment (p < 0.05), and there were no statistically significant differences in efficacy between the three methods. All tested techniques had similar efficacy in the removal of the remaining filling remnants.

Efficacy of different Er:YAG laser-activated photoacoustic streaming modes compared to passive ultrasonic irrigation in the retreatment of curved root canals.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and super short pulse (SSP) and shock wave-enhanced emission photoacoustic streaming (SWEEPS) modes of Er:YAG laser-activated irrigation (LAI) with two different laser tips, in removing filling remnants after conventional retreatment in severely curved root canals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 40 extracted molars with curved mesiobuccal root canals. The canals were instrumented with ProTaper Next and filled with an epoxy resin-based sealer and gutta-percha using continuous wave vertical compaction and warm injection back-filling. After retreatment with ProTaper Universal Retreatment system and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), all samples were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) according to the final irrigation technique: PUI, LAI/SSP, SWEEPS/flat-tip, and SWEEPS/radial-tip, using 6 mL of 3% NaOCl for an activation time of 3 × 30 s. The samples were subjected to micro-CT scans after root canal filling, retreatment, and final irrigation. The filling material volume and percentage reduction were calculated. RESULTS: All tested irrigation techniques were successful in the elimination of the filling remnants after the retreatment (p < 0.001). The LAI/SSP group showed a higher reduction rate than the SWEEPS/flat-tip group (p = 0.032). No significant differences were found between the other groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: All tested techniques improved the removal of filling material during retreatment in curved canals. LAI/SSP showed slightly better results than other techniques. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study highlights the need for additional activated irrigation after the retreatment of curved root canals. The choice between PUI and LAI is not decisive for success.

Effect of a novel laser-initiated photoacoustic activation of a solvent or sodium hypochlorite in the removal of filling remnants after retreatment of curved root canals.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Er:YAG laser-initiated shockwave-enhanced emission of photoacoustic streaming (SWEEPS®) and passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) combining thymol-based solvent or sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in the removal of filling remnants from curved canals. METHODS: Forty-eight curved root canals were instrumented and filled with an epoxy-resin-based sealer and gutta-percha. The canals were retreated with a Wave One Gold primary file (tip size 25; variable taper) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). After the retreatment, the samples were randomly divided into four groups according to the additional irrigation protocol: PUI/NaOCl, PUI/solvent, SWEEPS®/NaOCl or SWEEPS®/solvent. The volume of filling material in root canal was measured after root canal filling, after mechanical retreatment, after final irrigation protocol and after additional irrigation protocol, using micro-CT. The results were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test with the post-hoc Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon test (α=0.05). RESULTS: In the PUI group, irrigation with the solvent or NaOCl resulted in similar filling reduction (p = 0.224). In the SWEEPS® group, irrigation with NaOCl resulted in a significantly greater filling reduction compared to the solvent (p = 0.021). The SWEEPS®/NaOCl group was more effective than the PUI/NaOCl group (p = 0.008). No significant differences were found between PUI/solvent and SWEEPS® groups (p>0.05) and PUI/NaOCl and SWEEPS®/solvent group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although all tested protocols improved the removal of filling remnants from curved root canal, the SWEEPS® was more successful than PUI when NaOCl was used. Both tested techniques showed similar efficacy when in combination with the solvent.

Micro-computed Evaluation of Canal Transportation and Centering Ability of 5 Rotary and Reciprocating Systems with Different Metallurgical Properties and Surface Treatments in Curved Root Canals.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the transportation and centering ability of 5 different rotary and reciprocating file systems with different metallurgical properties and surface treatments in curved root canals. METHODS: Fifty mesiobuccal round canals of upper molars with a curvature of 25°-40° were assigned to 5 experimental groups (n = 12) according to the instrumentation system used: ProTaper Next (Dentsply Sirona, York, PA), Reciproc Blue (RCB [VDW, Munich, Germany]), Reciproc (VDW), TruNatomy (TRN [Dentsply Sirona]), and XP-endo Shaper (FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland). During instrumentation, 5 mL 2.5% sodium hypochlorite was used in each root canal. The final irrigation protocol included 15% EDTA followed by sodium hypochlorite irrigation. The micro-computed tomographic scanning of the samples was performed before and after instrumentation to analyze the transportation and centering ability at 3 canal levels. The results were analyzed with the 1-way analysis of variance test with the corresponding post hoc test. RESULTS: Overall, RCB caused significantly more canal transportation compared with the other techniques (P < .05). There were no significant differences between the other techniques (P > .05). ProTaper Next had a significantly better ability to stay within the central axis of the root canal compared with the Reciproc and RCB techniques (P = .046 and P = .017, respectively). In the apical third, all techniques caused similar apical transportation and centering ability (P > .05). In the middle and cervical parts of the canal, the RCB caused significantly greater canal transportation than the other techniques (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Under the limitations of this study, all tested techniques had similar transportation and centering abilities in the apical part of the canal. However, the overall results and those in the middle and coronal parts of the canal indicated that reciprocating instruments resulted in more canal transportation and less centered preparations.

The efficacy of photon-initiated photoacoustic streaming in the removal of calcium silicate-based filling remnants from the root canal after rotary retreatment.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of photon-initiated photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) in the removal of filling remnants from root canals after rotary phase of retreatment and to examine the difference in the amount of residual material considering the type of sealer. Thirty-six extracted single-rooted human teeth were instrumented and randomly divided into three groups according to the filling material used: group 1: EndoSequence BC Sealer (Brassler, USA), group 2: MTA Fillapex (Angelus Solucoes Odontologicas, Londrina, Brasil), and group 3: AH Plus sealer (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany). Cold lateral condensation technique was used. After 2 weeks, the root canals were retreated with a rotary phase retreatment system (ProTaper Universal Retreatment, Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), followed by Er:YAG laser-activated irrigation (photon-initiated photoacoustic streaming, PIPS). The specimens were scanned in a micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) device after root canal filling, after the rotary retreatment, and after the PIPS. There was significant reduction in the amount of filling material after the rotary phase of retreatment in all groups (p < 0.05), the highest in the MTA Fillapex group (p < 0.001) and no difference between the EndoSequence BC and the AH Plus (p = 0.608). There was significant reduction of the filling remnants after the PIPS in all groups (p < 0.05). The MTA Fillapex was the most easily removed during rotary phase of the retreatment, and there were no differences in the amount of the remaining filling material between EndoSequence BC and the AH Plus groups after rotary phase of the retreatment. The PIPS improved the removal of filling remnants in all groups.

Accuracy of Self-Reported Health Care Use in a Population-Based Sample of Homeless Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of self-reported ambulatory care visits, emergency department (ED) encounters, and overnight hospitalizations in a population-based sample of homeless adults. DATA SOURCE: Self-report survey data and administrative health care utilization databases. STUDY DESIGN: Self-reported health care use in the past 12 months was compared to administrative encounter records among 1,163 homeless adults recruited in 2004-2005 from shelters and meal programs in Toronto, Ontario. DATA EXTRACTION METHODS: Self-reported health care use was assessed using a structured face-to-face survey. Each participant was linked to administrative databases using a unique personal health number or their first name, last name, sex, and date of birth. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The sensitivity of self-report for ambulatory care visits, ED encounters, and overnight hospitalizations was 89, 80, and 73 percent, respectively; specificity was 37, 83, and 91 percent. The mean difference between self-reported and documented number of encounters in the past 12 months was +1.6 for ambulatory care visits (95 percent CI = 0.4, 2.8), -0.6 for ED encounters (95 percent CI = -0.8, -0.4), and 0.0 for hospitalizations (95 percent CI = 0.0, 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Adults experiencing homelessness are quite accurate reporters of their use of health care, especially for ED encounters and hospitalizations.

High utilizers of emergency health services in a population-based cohort of homeless adults.

OBJECTIVES: We identified predictors of emergency department (ED) use among a population-based prospective cohort of homeless adults in Toronto, Ontario. METHODS: We assessed ED visit rates using administrative data from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (2005-2009). We then used logistic regression to identify predictors of ED use. Frequent users were defined as participants with rates in the top decile (≥ 4.7 visits per person-year). RESULTS: Among 1165 homeless adults, 892 (77%) had at least 1 ED visit during the study. The average rate of ED visits was 2.0 visits per person-year, whereas frequent users averaged 12.1 visits per person-year. Frequent users accounted for 10% of the sample but contributed more than 60% of visits. Predictors of frequent use in adjusted analyses included birth in Canada, higher monthly income, lower health status, perceived unmet mental health needs, and perceived external health locus of control from powerful others; being accompanied by a partner or dependent children had a protective effect on frequent use. CONCLUSIONS: Among homeless adults with universal health insurance, a small subgroup accounted for the majority of visits to emergency services. Frequent use was driven by multiple predisposing, enabling, and need factors.

Predictors of medical or surgical and psychiatric hospitalizations among a population-based cohort of homeless adults.

OBJECTIVES: We identified factors associated with inpatient hospitalizations among a population-based cohort of homeless adults in Toronto, Ontario. METHODS: We recruited participants from shelters and meal programs. We then linked them to administrative databases to capture hospital admissions during the study (2005-2009). We used logistic regression to identify predictors of medical or surgical and psychiatric hospitalizations. RESULTS: Among 1165 homeless adults, 20% had a medical or surgical hospitalization, and 12% had a psychiatric hospitalization during the study. These individuals had a total of 921 hospitalizations, of which 548 were medical or surgical and 373 were psychiatric. Independent predictors of medical or surgical hospitalization included birth in Canada, having a primary care provider, higher perceived external health locus of control, and lower health status. Independent predictors of psychiatric hospitalization included being a current smoker, having a recent mental health problem, and having a lower perceived internal health locus of control. Being accompanied by a partner or dependent children was protective for hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Health care need was a strong predictor of medical or surgical and psychiatric hospitalizations. Some hospitalizations among homeless adults were potentially avoidable, whereas others represented an unavoidable use of health services.

A comprehensive assessment of health care utilization among homeless adults under a system of universal health insurance.

OBJECTIVES: We comprehensively assessed health care utilization in a population-based sample of homeless adults and matched controls under a universal health insurance system. METHODS: We assessed health care utilization by 1165 homeless single men and women and adults in families and their age- and gender-matched low-income controls in Toronto, Ontario, from 2005 to 2009, using repeated-measures general linear models to calculate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Homeless participants had mean rates of 9.1 ambulatory care encounters (maximum = 141.1), 2.0 emergency department (ED) encounters (maximum = 104.9), 0.2 medical-surgical hospitalizations (maximum = 14.9), and 0.1 psychiatric hospitalizations per person-year (maximum = 4.8). Rate ratios for homeless participants compared with matched controls were 1.76 (95% CI = 1.58, 1.96) for ambulatory care encounters, 8.48 (95% CI = 6.72, 10.70) for ED encounters, 4.22 (95% CI = 2.99, 5.94) for medical-surgical hospitalizations, and 9.27 (95% CI = 4.42, 19.43) for psychiatric hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: In a universal health insurance system, homeless people had substantially higher rates of ED and hospital use than general population controls; these rates were largely driven by a subset of homeless persons with extremely high-intensity usage of health services.

Comparison of craniofacial measurements of young adult African-American and North American white males and females.

Surgical correction of craniofacial disfigurements depends for its success on precise knowledge of the craniofacial norms of the patient's racial/ethnic groups. The norms of North American whites should be restricted to patients of Caucasian origin and not applied to members of other races. This study therefore sought to determine differences in anthropometric measurements of the craniofacial complex between African-American and North American white subjects of both sexes and of similar age (18-25 years old). The study group consisted of healthy young adult African-Americans, 50 males and 50 females. The analysis of craniofacial morphology was based on 51 anthropometric measurements: 9 cranial, 10 facial, 8 orbital, 14 nasal, 4 oral and 6 auricular. The results were compared with 51 norms previously established for North American whites in the same age group, generally based on 109 males and 200 females, fewer in comparisons of some nasal measurements (ac-ac, sbal-sbal, ac-sn, nostril axis). Highly significant differences between groups were found in every craniofacial region, especially in the orbital and nasal areas, and confirmed the need to establish separate norms for African-Americans to guide corrective surgery of the head and face.

Spatial resolution requirements for acquisition of the virtual screening slide for digital whole-specimen breast histopathology.

We examined the effect of lateral spatial resolution and reader specialty on the accuracy of detection of breast cancer. The motivation for this pilot study was the need to acquire and display very large data sets in whole-specimen 3D digital breast histopathology imaging. The ultimate goal is to determine the minimum resolution adequate for detection of malignancy. Twenty-three histologic slides were selected from breast pathology cases and digitized at 2 sampling distances (3.2 and 1.9 microm pixels). Images were viewed by 14 pathologists, of whom 5 had breast pathology as their primary specialty. The readers assessed the likelihood of malignancy on a 5-point Likert scale, and provided a provisional diagnosis. For the detection task, sensitivity, specificity, overall accuracy of detection, and area under the receiver-operator curve were calculated. An overall diagnostic score, and scores grouped by malignancy type, were also computed. Outcome measures were examined for significant resolution and specialty effects. Increasing the lateral resolution significantly improved accuracy in diagnosis (P=.004) but no effect was found for detection. Breast specialists achieved significantly higher scores for all outcome measures except specificity. Differences in performance between the 2 groups of readers tended to be greater for the diagnostic task compared to detection, especially at the higher resolution. However, specimen coverage may also be a significant factor. Factors related to the readers may have also affected performance in this study. Based on these results, a more comprehensive study should examine pixel sizes between 0.7 and 1.9 microm.

Anthropometric proportion indices in the craniofacial regions of 73 patients with forms of isolated coronal synostosis.

The study group consisted of 73 North American patients (29 males and 44 females), aged between 0-5 months and 20 years, 26 with right, 33 with left, and 14 with bicoronal synostosis. Basic proportion indices were established in 5 craniofacial regions (cranial, facial, orbital, nasal, oral) calculated from 2 projective measurements [cranial: eu-eu, g-op; facial: n-gn, zy-zy; orbital: en-en, ex-ex; nasal: al-al, n-sn; oral: sn-sto, ch-ch (eu, eurion; g, glabella; op, opisthocranion; n, nasion; gn, gnathion; zy, zygion; en, endocanthion; ex, exocanthion; al, alare; sn, subnasale; sto, stomion; ch, chelion)] taken from the patients by the first author before surgery. These data were then compared with the anthropometric norms established for North American whites (Farkas LG. Anthropometry of the Head and Face. 2nd ed. Raven Press; 1994). In males, the total percentage of normal, subnormal, and supernormal proportion indices was smaller than in females in all 3 groups of patients. Generally, the difference in percentage between normal proportions was the smallest (13.1%) and the supernormal one the greatest (68%). In males, the oral measurements showed the highest frequency of normal proportions (100%) in all 3 patient groups, and the cephalic index the lowest (60%-66.7%). Among the abnormal proportions, the supernormal ones were found more often, especially in the cranial region of females with bilateral coronal synostosis (66.7%). Subnormal proportion indices were rare: none were seen in the facial region of males. A subnormal cephalic index (eu-eu/g-op) was not present in either sex in right and bicoronal synostosis and was observed in only 2 males with left coronal synostosis (13.3%). The study showed that the influence of synostosis gradually decreased from the top to the bottom of the face, with the oral region showing no abnormalities.

International anthropometric study of facial morphology in various ethnic groups/races.

When anthropometric methods were introduced into clinical practice to quantify changes in the craniofacial framework, features distinguishing various races/ethnic groups were discovered. To treat congenital or post-traumatic facial disfigurements in members of these groups successfully, surgeons require access to craniofacial databases based on accurate anthropometric measurements. Normative data of facial measurements are indispensable to precise determination of the degree of deviations from the normal. The set of anthropometric measurements of the face in the population studied was gathered by an international team of scientists. Investigators in the country of the given ethnic group, experienced and/or specially trained in anthropometric methods, carried out the measurements. The normal range in each resultant database was then established, providing valuable information about major facial characteristics. Comparison of the ethnic groups' databases with the established norms of the North America whites (NAW) offered the most suitable way to select a method for successful treatment. The study group consisted of 1470 healthy subjects (18 to 30 years), 750 males and 720 females. The largest group (780 subjects, 53.1%) came from Europe, all of them Caucasians. Three were drawn from the Middle-East (180 subjects, 12.2%), five from Asia (300 subjects, 20.4%) and four from peoples of African origin (210 subjects, 14.3%). Their morphological characteristics were determined by 14 anthropometric measurements, 10 of them used already by classic facial artists, Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer, complemented by four measurements from the nasal, labio-oral and ear regions. In the regions with single measurements, identical values to NAW in forehead height, mouth width, and ear height were found in 99.7% in both sexes, while in those with multiple measurements, vertical measurements revealed a higher frequency of identical values than horizontal ones. The orbital regions exhibited the greatest variations in identical and contrasting measurements in comparison to NAW. Nose heights and widths contrasted sharply: in relation to NAW the nose was very or extremely significantly wide in both sexes of Asian and Black ethnic groups. Among Caucasians, nose height significantly differed from NAW in three ethnic groups, with one shorter and two greater. In the Middle Eastern groups nose width was identical to those of NAW but the height was significantly greater. The present study, conducted by investigators working separately across the world and with small samples of the population, is clearly preliminary in nature and extent. Yet it may fulfill its mission if medical and anthropological investigators continue the work of establishing normative data of the face. These data are urgently needed by medical professionals but have been lacking up till now in western and northern Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Anthropometric measurements of the facial framework in adulthood: age-related changes in eight age categories in 600 healthy white North Americans of European ancestry from 16 to 90 years of age.

The aim of this cross-sectional anthropometric study was to determine the age-related changes in the facial framework during adulthood in healthy white North Americans of European ancestry (261 male subjects and 339 female subjects). Five measurements, four horizontal and one vertical, defining the framework were taken from the skin and bony surface of the face in the maturation period (16-20 years) and in 10-year age categories of adulthood (21-90 years). As well, the thickness of the soft-tissue cover between these two anatomical levels was measured. The categories between 21 and 40 years represented early adulthood, those between 41 and 70 years represented middle adulthood, and those between 71 and 90 years represented late adulthood. The forehead width in both sexes increased significantly on the skin and bony surface from the maturation period to early adulthood. In middle adulthood, the changes were significant only sporadically. In late adulthood, the upper and lower jaw showed a harmonious change with age, mostly increasing on both the skin and bony surface. The face width proved to be the most stable measurement and had the thinnest soft-tissue cover. No consistent pattern emerged during adulthood in increases or decreases within the facial framework; however, an unexpected harmony was noted between the values of the measurements in early and late adulthood in both sexes on both the skin and bony surface. The thickness of the soft-tissue cover at the bony landmarks was greatest in the midface, with a moderately decreasing tendency in both sexes. In the lower jaw, the soft tissue showed significant increases in thickness in early adulthood and moderate to large decreases in late adulthood. Anthropometric analysis of the facial framework in adulthood marks only the first step in establishing the morphological changes of the aging face. Quantitative evaluation of changes within the facial framework of the aging population must be carried out in more detail. Increased worldwide migration results in a mixing of people of various racial/ethnic origins and necessitates a general anthropometric analysis of the aging face to provide more reliable guidelines for therapy.

Relation between anthropometric and cephalometric measurements and proportions of the face of healthy young white adult men and women.

The specific aim of this study was to determine the differences between 6 anthropometric (taken from the surface) and cephalometric (taken from x-rays) measurements and 12 proportion indices formed by the measurements obtained from the face of 51 healthy Caucasoid young adult males and females. The z-score analysis revealed negligible differences in frequency of normal values, in surface measurements 97.4% (298 of 306) versus 96.7% (296 of 306) in cephalometric ones. The optimal normal measurements dominated, in males in 76.8% and in females in 80.8%. The mean values of the 6 linear measurements, taken from the surface and the cephalogram of the face were in equal number similar and significantly dissimilar in both sexes (Table 1). Comparison of the mean anthropometric and cephalometric proportion indices did not show significant differences in the two sexes (Table 2). For males 50% of the 12 proportions the indices were similar and 50% were significantly different. For females the frequency of similar proportions was seen in 33.3% and in 66.7% moderately-severely differing, statistically not significant. The z-score analysis identified subnormal measurements on the facial surface in 2.6% (8 of 306) and in cephalometric ones in 3.3% (10 of 306). The subnormal measurements of mild and moderate degree disclosed on the skeleton were not detected on the surface and some of the severely subnormal ones became mild-moderate on the skin surface. The study showed that the vertical anthropometric and cephalometric measurements in the facial profile were in highly significant percentage normal when compared with their normative data established for healthy populations. Generally, the cephalometric normal measurements were smaller than those of the anthropometric ones, some of them significantly. The significant differences between the proportions on the surface and skeleton in healthy subjects advice to be cautious in clinical practice, to judge the morphological changes of the face separately on the surface and on the skeleton of the patient.

Proportion indices in the craniofacial regions of 284 healthy North American white children between 1 and 5 years of age.

The study's aim was to provide the normal range data on 81 anthropometric proportion indices of the craniofacial complex, separately in boys and girls between 1 and 5 years of age, supplementary to the previously published normal proportion values of the North American white population from 6 to 18 years of age. In the first age group, 17 or 18 boys and 18 or 22 girls were measured. In each age group between 2 and 5 years old, 30 boys and 30 or 31 girls were examined. The normal values of the 81 proportion indices were established with the help of 45 measurements (7 cranial, 13 facial, 4 orbital, 12 nasal, 7 labio-oral, and 2 auricular) taken from 287 healthy children. The data on the normal indices were reported in two groups: areal and interareal. The areal proportions are formed by taking measurements from one particular craniofacial region. Proportions indicating the quality of relation of measurements taken from two craniofacial regions were classified as interareal (N = 36). The basic proportions (N = 13) of the areal one show the relation between the measurements influencing the general view of each craniofacial region. The detailed analysis of the proportionality in the individual regions, carried out with the help of the other measurements within the regions, established 36 additional areal proportion indices. The recommended method of examination is to start with the basic proportions, which offers the determination of the most and least disproportionate craniofacial region, followed by a more comprehensive search for other disproportions with the help of the additional areal proportions (N = 36) and interareal proportions (N = 32).

Age-related changes in anthropometric measurements in the craniofacial regions and in height in Down's syndrome.

This cross-sectional study analyzed age-related changes in normal and abnormal measurements of the head and face in three age categories in 115 Down's syndrome patients 1 to 36 years old. The frequency of normal measurements significantly surpassed that of abnormal ones in each category. Clinically, the key task was to ascertain differences between the youngest and oldest patients. In age group 1 (1 to 5 years), normal measurements in three of the six craniofacial regions were significantly more frequent than abnormal ones. In age group 2 (6 to 15 years) the percentage of normal measurements significantly increased, influenced by higher growth rates in the period of maturation, which coincided with this category. In age group 3 (16 to 36 years) the percentage of normal measurements significantly increased in the head and ear but decreased in the other regions, significantly in the orbits. The frequency of both optimal and severely abnormal measurements changed significantly from age group 1 to 3 in only five measurements each, with no consistency in the direction of results. Abnormal measurements qualified as stigmata and were recorded in 40% (10 of 25) in five regions: three in the face; two in each of the head, orbits, and ears; and one in the nose. Marked epicanthi covering the endocanthion decreased from 35.0% in age group 1 to 8.7% in group 3. In age group 1, the frequency of normal body height (20.7%) in both sexes was significantly less than subnormal (70.3%) but significantly decreased in age group 2. Mean height in group 3 was enough to rule out short stature as a stigmata of Down's syndrome. The study was limited by small numbers, particularly in the variations of normal and abnormal, but the trend toward normality after maturation suggests that reconstructive surgery should be delayed until this time.

Surface anatomy of the face in Down's syndrome: age-related changes of anthropometric proportion indices in the craniofacial regions.

The purpose of the study was to determine the age-related changes in normal and abnormal proportion indices in Down's syndrome patients between 1 to 5, 6 to 15, and 16 to 36 years of age. Nine indices were analyzed in five craniofacial regions of 125 subjects: 70.2% to 79.0% were normal and 21.0% to 29.8% abnormal. Proportionate indices increased in frequency in all age groups in a much higher percentage than disproportionate ones. In the oldest group, the frequency of normal proportions significantly increased in the head and trended higher in the facial, orbital, and nasal regions, and lower in the ear. Disproportions showed a similar pattern, with a decreasing frequency in all regions except the ear. The variations of harmony and disharmony in normal proportions, and moderate and severe in disproportions, helped clarify the morphological changes influencing the craniofacial design. Among proportionate ratios, harmony ranged from 45% to 65.5% in age group 1 and from 30% to 87.5% in group 3. No cases of severe subnormal disproportions were seen in the nasal tip protrusion-nose width and nasal root depth indices in age group 1, and none in the cephalic index, midface-lower face depth, and nasal tip protrusion-nose width indices in group 3. The 20-year age range of group 3 helped show the post-maturation improvements of the face and the remedying effect of the extended growth rate on some initial facial disproportions.

Differences between direct (anthropometric) and indirect (cephalometric) measurements of the skull.

This study sought to determine the relative reliability of indirect cephalometric measurements and direct anthropometric ones taken in norma frontalis of 25 dry adult human skulls. Six of the 11 linear projective measurements were singular and located in the orbital, middle, and lower parts of the face, with two from each part. Two of the five paired measurements were taken in the orbital region on both sides, and the other three were taken in the middle to lower face between the midpoint of the facial axis and the landmarks lateral to it. Both singular and paired cephalometric distances were significantly shorter than the anthropometric distances. Mean numerical differences were much greater in paired measurements than in singular ones. The differences between these two sets of findings are a result of the uneven position of the landmarks used for measurement, located, as they are, on different planes of the face. These differences are undetectable by two-dimensional cephalograms.

Are stentless valves hemodynamically superior to stented valves? A prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Although stentless aortic bioprostheses are believed to offer improved outcomes, hemodynamic benefits remain unsubstantiated. METHODS: Fifty-three patients were randomized to receive the stented C-E pericardial valve (CE) and 46 patients the Toronto Stentless Porcine valve (SPV). Annuli were sized for the optimal insertion of both valve types, such that surgeons were required to commit to specific valve sizes before randomization. Echocardiographic measurements and functional status (Duke Activity Status Index) were assessed at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Although cardiopulmonary bypass times (CE: 118.6+/-36.3 minutes; SPV: 148.5+/-30.9 minutes; p = 0.0001) and aortic cross-clamp times (CE: 95.4+/-28.6 minutes; SPV: 123.6+/-24.1 minutes; p = 0.0001) were significantly prolonged in the SPV group, perioperative morbidity and mortality was similar between groups. Neither valve offered a superior internal diameter for any given annular diameter (mean decrease in left ventricular outflow tract diameter after valvular implantation: SPV: 3.4+/-1.11 mm versus CE: 3.7+/-1.33 mm; p = 0.25). Although labeled mean valve size was significantly larger in the SPV group, the actual mean valve size based on internal valvular diameter was no different between groups (CE: 21.9+/-2.0 mm; SPV: 22.3+/-2.0 mm; p = 0.286). Although effective orifice areas increased, and mean and peak transvalvular gradients decreased in both groups over time, no differences were demonstrated between groups at 12 months. Similarly, although significant regression of left ventricular mass was accomplished in both groups over time, no differences were demonstrated between groups. Finally, Duke Activity Status Index scores of functional status improved in both groups over time; however, no differences were noted between groups at 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Although offering excellent outcomes, stentless valves did not demonstrate superior hemodynamic indices in comparison to stented valves up to 12 months after implantation.