Rapid Palatal Expansion in the absence of posterior cross-bite to intercept maxillary incisor crowding in the mixed dentition: a CBCT evaluation of spontaneous changes of untouched permanent molars.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the reaction of untouched permanent molars following RPE, anchored on deciduous teeth in the early mixed dentition, aimed to solve maxillary anterior crowding in the absence of posterior cross-bite. METHODS: A prospective clinical trial comprised 35 consecutive patients (20 males and 15 females) treated by the same orthodontist (MR). All patients showed crowding of the upper permanent incisors in the early mixed dentition in the absence of posterior cross-bite. RPE was anchored on second deciduous molars and on the deciduous canines. CBCT was taken before and after the removal of the RPE appliance. The transverse linear changes in width and the variation in the torque of the permanent molars were measured in the coronal plane. RESULTS: Relief of incisor crowding was found in all patients. The transverse width between permanent molars increased significantly. The apices of the upper permanent molars spontaneously expanded more than the crowns, while the opposite happened on the lower permanent molars. Moreover, the untouched upper permanent molars spontaneously uprighted palatally, while the lower permanent molars spontaneously uprighted buccally. The variation in the torque of the permanent molars mirrored transverse normal growth. CONCLUSIONS: In the early mixed dentition and in the absence of posterior cross-bite, it is possible to expand transversally the palate while uprighting the upper permanent molars in the opposite direction. RPE anchored on the deciduous teeth in the early mixed dentition, in the absence of posterior cross-bite, provides an "anticipation of transverse growth" and could be indicated to expand the anterior portion of the maxillary arch perimeter to solve upper incisor crowding.

Survival of a neglected case of brain abscess caused by Cladophialophora bantiana.

Cladophialophora bantiana is an uncommon fungus related to the black yeasts which causes, if untreated, mostly fatal cerebral infections in immunosuppressed and competent patients. We report a case of a patient who survived a recurrent cerebral abscess caused by C. bantiana despite delayed and apparently inappropriate therapy.

Optical-chiasmatic region epidermoid with a suprasellar and prepontina region cysticercosis.

The Authors report a case of epidermoid in the optical-chiasmatic region associated with a cysticercosis in the suprasellar and prepontal region. The patient was surgically treated with success: a bilobate cystic formation with ramifications adherent to the carotid siphon was found in front of optic nerves. Opening the arachnoid between the left optic nerve and carotid, a dysembriogenetic cystic formation was observed. Adherent to it there was the wall of a second parasitic cystic formation (probably cysticercosis) from which some small cysts slid away. After a review of the literature the Authors point out both the casual association of the two pathologies and the utility of C.T. scan in the diagnostic process of the above mentioned lesions.