Exercise capacity in athletes with mouthguards.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of wearing a mouthguard on maximal exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary parameters at peak workload, and to assess the athletes' attitudes toward wearing a mouthguard. Thirteen volunteer male athletes (18 to 27 years old) were interviewed before and after delivery of a custom-made laminated mouthguard. A visual analogue scale (VAS, 0 - 100 mm) was used for judgment of interference with breathing, speaking, concentration and athletic performance. In addition, the athletes were subjected to a cardiorespiratory examination on a cycle ergometer with and without mouthguards. Subjectively, the athletes rated the mean interference with performance to be 37 mm VAS at the beginning of the study. Mean scores of impairment decreased to 23 mm VAS (p = 0.081) after wearing the mouthguard for four weeks, and further improved to 12 mm VAS (p < 0.001) after the test on the cycle ergometer. Objectively, the maximum workload during spiroergometry was even slightly elevated during exercise with the mouthguard (330.2 W) compared to exercise without the mouthguard (314.5 W). Peak minute ventilation and oxygen uptake were not different during exercise with and without the mouthguard. The present study demonstrated that a custom-made mouthguard does not significantly affect or reduce maximum exercise performance of athletes.

A retrospective classification of tooth injuries using a new scoring system.

The WHO classification presently in use categories dental trauma only according to the main injury. A new scoring system will now enable more precise and complete diagnosis of tooth injuries. In an initial retrospective investigation, 100 traumatised teeth were classified according to the WHO and the new scoring systems. Clinical and radiological examinations and another evaluations using the new scoring system were made at the time of follow-up examination. Avulsion, intrusion, and root fractures (score < 30) showed the most unfavourable findings at the time of the accident. In comparison, the most favourable findings were shown by concussion and first degree crown fracture (score > 70). A comparison to the WHO classification occasionally revealed noticeable score variations within a single WHO type of injury. Generally, a strong interdependence was observed between the evaluations at the time of the accident and at the time of the follow-up examination (P < 0.001). If the score at the time of the accident was equal to or larger than 57, a successful therapy was usually ensured (P < 0.001). The new scoring system enables more complete diagnosis as well as permitting statements to be made concerning prognosis.

Preoperative radiation and chemotherapy for localized squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a RTOG Study.

Forty-one evaluable patients with localized squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus were treated by a course of radiation therapy (3000 cGy in 3 weeks), 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Cis-platinum (Pt). This was followed by an esophagectomy in medically eligible patients who agreed to the procedure and who had no evidence of extrathoracic tumor. If tumor was found in the specimen, an added 2000 cGy of radiation therapy and additional 5-FU and Pt were given. One-year survival was 44%, 2-year survival 15%, and 3-year survival 8%. All 3-year survivors had tumor-free specimens, but one patient with tumor in the thorax and subdiaphragmatic metastasis survived 2 years.