Intractable bimaxillary osteomyelitis in osteopetrosis: review of the literature and current therapy.

PURPOSE: Osteopetrosis (OP), also known as Albers-Schönberg disease, is a rare metabolic bone disease caused by a congenital defect in the development or function of the osteoclasts resulting in generalized increase in skeletal mass. Osteomyelitis is a recognized complication, and prevention of dental infections can be difficult. The locations of osteomyelitis in the jawbones have been either in the mandible or maxilla. In this article, a case of OP complicated with osteomyelitis of the mandible and the maxilla is presented, and types of OP and treatment options are discussed with a literature review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 18-year-old blind female patient had been diagnosed with OP in the past. She had a purulent discharge at the medial canthus of the left eye, in addition to another discharge of pus in the infraorbital and upper left molar region, and multiple malformed and partially impacted teeth, and there were sequestrum formations in the maxilla and mandible. For the treatment of osteomyelitis, systemic combined antibiotics of sultamicillin 750 mg and ornidazole 500 mg twice daily, were given orally for 5 weeks followed by surgical removal of small sequestra in the jaws. Persistent osteomyelitic bones were removed by saucerization in the mandibular anterior and right premolar region and the left posterior maxilla under the same antibiotic regimen. After wound healing was completely achieved in both jaws, the oroantral opening in the left posterior maxilla was successfully closed with a buccal flap under antibiotic coverage. RESULTS: The purulent discharge at the medial canthus of her left eye subsided and she had no recurrent infections during the long-term follow-up of 2 years. CONCLUSION: The case reported shows that osteomyelitis is difficult to treat in subjects suffering from OP. Therefore, it is necessary to be very cautious against infections in even minor surgical interventions such as simple dental extractions in patients with OP, regardless of the location of the teeth. When considering removal of impacted teeth in the posterior maxilla, resultant oroantral communication from osteomyelitis of the extraction site should be regarded as a potential complication.

Study of mandibular alveolar distraction osteogenesis using a three-dimensional computed tomography measurement method: report of four patients, a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to show dimensional and volumetric changes after vertical alveolar distraction osteogenesis using a three-dimensional computed tomography measurement method. MATERIALS: Four patients with mandibular alveolar ridge atrophy were evaluated. Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions were obtained 2 weeks before and 3 months after the operation. The results of the three-dimensional computed tomography measurements were used for preoperative planning and for quantitative assessment of the mandibular alveolar distraction. The results of the preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional computed tomography measurements were compared statistically using paired t-test. RESULTS: The increase in distracted mandibular segment volume and surface area, height, and width of each slice after distraction were statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In atrophic jaw cases, the dimensions of the present alveolar bone were clearly measured so that the amount of augmentation needed could be estimated. Three-dimensional computed tomography provided better understanding of the effects of distraction osteogenesis on the anterior mandible. Newly formed bone can be viewed as close to its real dimensions after distraction osteogenesis.

Maxillary myxoma: surgical treatment and reconstruction with buccal fat pad flap: a case report.

Myxoma is a benign tumor that arises from mesenchymal tissue and is found less commonly in the bone than in soft tissue. The majority of bony myxomas occur in the jaws. When compared with other odontogenic tumors, myxoma of the jaws is a rare entity. Numerous types of treatment have been used for these tumors including simple curettage, enucleation, curettage with peripheral ostectomy, and en bloc resection with or without immediate reconstruction. The buccal fat pad (BFP) is a lobulated mass of fatty tissue in the oromaxillofacial region, which has long been a source of grafts in facial augmentation. A case of an odontogenic myxoma in the left maxillary molar area of a 34-year-old female that was treated by curettage and peripheral ostectomy is presented. The surgical defect was successfully repaired with a pedicled BFP flap.

Computerized tomographic evaluation of effects of mandibular anterior repositioning on the upper airway: a pilot study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Snoring is related to narrowing of the upper airway. Treatment options for snoring may have potential side effects or discomfort which may not be tolerated by some patients. Mandibular advancement devices may cause fewer negative side effects than other treatment modalities and have been advocated as a treatment for snoring. PURPOSE: The aim of the pilot study was to evaluate effects of the anterior mandibular positioner (AMP) on upper airway structures in patients with a snoring problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen subjects with snoring problems as identified by spouses or close relatives were selected to complete a questionnaire related to snoring, respiratory symptoms, body mass index (BMI), and smoking habits. Computerized tomography (CT) scans were obtained with and without AMP device fabricated as a monoblock of acrylic resin. Measurements of the oropharynx including length (mm), cross-sectional area (mm2), and plane angle (degrees) were made using anatomic landmarks on standardized CT images and lateral scanograms. The data were statistically evaluated using Wilcoxon signed rank test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: When the AMP was inserted, the cross-sectional area of the oropharynx increased by 60 mm2 on average (P<.05). A mean increase of 2.4 mm (range 1-7 mm) was observed in the posterior airway space on lateral scanograms (P<.005). The range for mandibular advancement was between 4 and 8 mm (mean 5.73 mm). CONCLUSION: The primary effect of the AMP was enlargement of the oropharyngeal airway. Within the limitations of this pilot study, the results suggest that CT evaluation of the upper airway structures may be helpful in determining treatment modality and monitoring the effectiveness of the positioner.

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of facial pain.

The aim of the study was to evaluate facial pain clinically and to determine the frequency with which structural lesions were diagnosed by means of magnetic resonance imaging in a sample of patients with facial pain, including refractory trigeminal neuralgia and atypical facial pain. Fifty-two patients with facial pain were examined clinically, and treatment protocols were adopted for trigeminal neuralgia and atypical facial pain. The patients with atypical symptoms and those who did not to respond to the treatment underwent magnetic resonance imaging to screen for intracranial lesions. Magnetic resonance images of 38 patients were obtained. The female-to-male ratio of the patient population was 32:20. The mean age of the patients was 57.15 +/- 11.49 years. Intracranial lesions were diagnosed in 24 patients. Ten patients had no intracranial pathoses visible on magnetic resonance images. Four patients had other pathoses that were not related to the facial pain. The most frequently observed extracranial pathologic change was sinusitis. It may not be possible to reliably identify high-risk patients for selective magnetic resonance imaging on the basis of a clinical evaluation alone. Routine magnetic resonance imaging for all patients with facial pain is recommended to exclude intracranial lesions.

Sound analysis of temporomandibular joint internal derangements with phonographic recordings.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sound recordings could be analyzed to assess the state of TMJ internal derangements. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the value of sound analysis in the diagnosis of the type of the TMJ internal derangements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After clinical and radiologic examinations, phonographic sound recordings on mandibular excursions were obtained in 52 patients with TMJ internal derangements and 12 control individuals. Sound correlations were made on the basis of opening-closing, protrusive-retrusive, and lateral excursions of the mandible. RESULTS: Clicking was a consistent finding of anterior disc displacement with reduction, whereas crepitation was found in varying degrees in anterior disc displacement and osteodegenerative arthritis. Silent TMJs were the feature of normal TMJs, except for the situations of acute lock. Although in 29 TMJs opening click was followed by a closing click (reciprocal clicking), 46 TMJs with opening click also had clicking on protrusion. On the other hand, 19 TMJs with opening click also had clicking on ipsilateral motion, and 40 TMJs with opening click had clicking on contralateral motion of the mandible. The sound patterns were found to be similar in opening-protrusive clicks and opening-contralateral clicks. The lack of protrusive clicking in the presence of opening click was considered an indication of late disc reduction on opening. Crepitation was observed in advanced cases of TMJ internal derangements. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the results suggest that TMJ sound analysis on mandibular excursions was indicative for diagnosis and establishment of severity of TMJ internal derangements. Clicking and crepitation may be looked on as signs of abnormal joint disorder, clicking indicating anterior disc displacement with reduction, and crepitation, indicating progression from anterior disc displacement without reduction to osteodegenerative arthritis.