An unusual clinical vignette of oro-pharyngeal discomfort: Pterygoid Hamulus syndrome

Background

A straightforward clinical reasoning is always difficult in patients with persistent orofacial pain with vague symptoms. Craniofacial pain or Orofacial pain can have a mixture of causes ranging from neurogenic, myogenic, and psychogenic factors intertwined amidst the intricate anatomy with a high vascular network. This plethora of uncertainty blurs the judgment for such patients to whom we provide care. We hereby present a case of a 17 year old female with vague pain on talking, chewing and even swallowing when initially examined; this chronic orofacial pain often worsened her quality of life. The aim of this manuscript is to present a case of Pterygoid Hamulus syndrome that was misdiagnosed as glossopharyngeal and myofascial neuralgia.

Methods

The condition was managed by surgical excision of the elongated pterygoid hamulus, following a recurrence of her symptoms.

Results

The patient was relieved of pain only after the surgical excision of the elongated hamulus.

Conclusions

The surgery was decided upon only after conservative management had not provided much relief and the manuscript also discusses the ambiguous composite pain referral pattern in Pterygoid Hamulus syndrome.

Open Treatment of Mandibular Condyle by Direct Transparotid Approach: Our Experience

The fractures of the mandibular condyle are commonly encountered in maxillofacial surgical practice. The controversies to open or not to open are still ongoing. We have used both techniques, to successfully manage our patients. Open treatment of condyle fracture with or without dislocation is technically challenging. We used a "Direct Transparotid" approach in treating 13 condyle fractures over a period of 4 years. The patients were evaluated for facial nerve injury, salivary fistula, scar, function, and occlusion over a period of 12 months. There were no major complications with acceptable scar, both intraoperatively and postoperatively. The script aims at presenting our experience of direct transparotid approach surgical technique.

Efficacious use of a Calgigraf Ag foam dressing in complete healing of a difficult-to-heal, long-standing ulcer of osteoradionecrosis

A number of dressings containing silver have been recently introduced into the wound care market as increased resistance to antibiotics has become a problem in treating infected wounds. A 54-year-old male, with adenoid cystic carcinoma treated by segmental resection and reconstruction of mandible using reconstruction plate with concomitant radiotherapy, resulted in a deep extraoral nonhealing necrotic, exuding, malodorous, and painful wound. Erythema, eczema, and trophic changes were surrounding the skin. Previous treatment was removal of exposed reconstruction plate and primary closure. Culture samples reported methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus positive and sensitivity to linezolid. Repeated failed attempts to approximate the wound, prompted the use of Calgigraf Ag foam as dressing for the wound. Evidence of new tissue growth and subsequent reduction in wound area and exudate were significant. Chronic nonhealing wounds involving progressive tissue loss give rise to the biggest challenge to wound-care researchers. Despite proper care, some wounds fail to heal in normally and become chronic. The use of ionic silver with negative pressure therapy is safe and effective in difficult nonhealing wounds. This case illustrates the potential benefit of ionic silver combined with negative pressure and moist wound healing as management of a patient with long-standing, nonhealing, and osteoradionecrosis wound. Calgigraf Ag Foam a silver alginate dressing is optimal for maintaining moist environment vital to promote wound healing. It needs less frequent dressing changes with additional benefits such management of excessive exudate minimising malodour and maintaining a moist wound environment.