[Is the treatment of temporo-mandibular dysfunction an orthodontic problem? I]

Following an examination of the most popular theories on the aetiopathogenesis of temporo-mandibular dysfunction, the plate invented by Sergio Bassani is indicated as one of the ideal therapeutic means for its treatment.

Two rare developmental defects of the lower limbs with confirmation of the Lewin and Opitz hypothesis on the fibular and tibial developmental fields

We report on two unrelated patients with malformations of the lower limbs. One had a unilateral apparent doubling of the volume of the femur with distal bifurcation, shortness of the tibiae, absence of fibulae, and lateral ray deficiencies of both feet. The other had a partial duplication of the distal left femur, hypoplasia and proximal dislocation of the ipsilateral tibia, syndactyly of the right 1st and 2nd toes, and preaxial polydactyly of the left foot. This report supports the hypothesis of Lewin and Opitz on the presence of two distinct fields of development: the fibular and the tibial.

A case of the Freire-Maia Odontotrichomelic syndrome: nosology with EEC syndrome

We report on a patient, born to consanguineous parents, who had a complex malformation syndrome of severe upper limbs anomalies, peculiar face, structural ear anomalies, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, and abnormal hair and nails. We think that the clinical manifestations of the patient are similar to those described by Freire-Maia as the odontotrichomelic syndrome; the differential diagnosis between this syndrome and ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and cleft/lip palate (EEC) syndrome is discussed.

Late febrile convulsions: a clinical follow-up

A joint study was performed on patients from the Pediatric Clinics of Catania and Modena. Two hundred and twenty-two children who presented with febrile convulsions (FC) after the age of six years (LFC) were followed up in order to evaluate the risk of recurrence and type of convulsions. The overall results showed that 94 patients out of 222 (42.3%) had subsequent fits, both febrile and afebrile. The present study suggests that the risk of subsequent afebrile crises in LFC is higher (15.8%) than observed after "simple" FC (2-3%) and similar to that reported after "complex" FC (13-17%).

A very aggressive form of facial hemangioma

A 3-month-old girl had a massive, particularly aggressive mixed hemangioma involving the right hemiface, with severe ulcerations of the ear lobe and nasal septum. She also showed cerebral anomalies consisting of cerebellar vermis agenesis and cerebellar right atrophy. Despite treatment with corticosteroids, the child died at age 4 months.

A dermatoglyphic study of a group of Sicilian children with fragile-X syndrome

In a dermatoglyphic study of 14 fra(X) boys (compared with a control group of 191 normal schoolboys), we observed the following statistically significant (p less than 0.01) differences: 1) lower frequency of ulnar loops on the fingertips, particularly on the 2nd and 3rd fingers, with a corresponding increase of whorls; 2) transverse course of main line A; 3) increased frequency of abnormal palmar creases. The log score index of Simpson et al [1984] identified 71.4% of our patients and that of Rodewald et al [1986] 64.2%. The different values of these indexes can probably be attributed to ethnic differences. We think that by combining the results of dermatoglyphic analysis from several centers a more discriminatory log score index can be obtained.

Familial Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type II: abnormal fibrillogenesis of dermal collagen

We examined a father and son affected by Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type II. Both patients had micrognathia together with ligament and skin hyperlaxity. The son exhibited complete cleft palate. Ultrastructural studies revealed abnormal collagen fibrils in the dermis of both patients. In the child the most striking alterations consisted of lateral fusion of an enormous number of collagen fibrils giving rise to huge polymorphic collagen masses. In the father's dermis the great majority of collagen fibrils appeared normal; however, lateral fusion of fibrils together with local abnormal collagen aggregation were occasionally seen. In both patients the dermal elastic network was well developed and elastic fibers appeared normal.

Serum IgE in newborns undergoing exchange transfusion

Serum IgE was studied in a group of 20 newborns, ten males and ten females, with neonatal non-immunologic jaundice before and after exchange transfusion and in a control group without jaundice or other immunologic problems. Serum IgE was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (P less than .005). After exchange transfusion there was a further increase (P less than .005). These changes do not seem to be due to the IgE content of the transfused blood. It is suggested that neonatal jaundice and/or exchange transfusion may stimulate the IgE synthesis in the newborn.