Longitudinal Stability of Common TMJ Structural Disorders

The longitudinal course of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement (DD) and degenerative joint disease (DJD) has never been conclusively described with magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, respectively. This 8-y observational study's objective was to assess the longitudinal stability of DD and DJD among 401 subjects. The Validation Project provided baseline measures; follow-up was performed in the TMJ Impact Project. With magnetic resonance imaging, 2 radiologists rendered a consensus diagnosis of normal/indeterminate, DD with reduction, or DD without reduction. Computed tomography consensus diagnoses included normal/indeterminate, grade 1 DJD, or grade 2 DJD. Radiologist reliability was assessed by kappa; a Hui-Walter model was used to estimate, after accounting for diagnostic disagreement, the frequency of diagnostic progression and reversal. Permutation tests were used to test the statistical influence of concurrent baseline diagnoses on diagnostic changes at follow-up. Of 789 baseline joint-specific soft tissue diagnoses of DD, 598 (76%) joints showed no change; 109 (14%) demonstrated progression; and 82 (10%) had reversal. Of 794 joints with baseline joint-specific hard tissue diagnoses of DJD, progression was observed in 122 (15%) joints, no change in 564 (71%), and reversal in 108 (14%). Radiologist reliability (kappa) was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.83) for DD and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.68 to 0.83) for DJD. After accounting for the influence of diagnostic disagreement, progression of hard tissue diagnoses in the right TMJ occurred in 15.2% of subjects (95% CI, 10.5% to 20.8%) and reversal in 8.3% (95% CI, 4.9% to 12.3%); results were similar for soft tissue diagnoses and the left TMJ. Concurrent baseline soft tissue diagnoses were associated with hard tissue diagnostic changes at follow-up ( P < 0.0001). Baseline hard tissue diagnoses showed no statistical association with soft tissue changes at follow-up ( P = 0.11). Longitudinally, 76% of baseline TMJ soft tissue diagnoses and 71% of the baseline hard tissue diagnoses remained stable. Diagnostic reversal and progression were confirmed for both soft and hard tissues.

The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. VI: future directions

The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Validation Project has provided the first comprehensive assessment of reliability and validity of the original Axis I and II. In addition, Axis I of the RDC/TMD was revised with estimates of reliability and validity. These findings are reported in the five preceding articles in this series. The aim of this article is to present further revisions of Axis I and II for consideration by the TMD research and clinical communities. Potential Axis I revisions include addressing concerns with orofacial pain differential diagnosis and changes in nomenclature in an attempt to provide improved consistency with other musculoskeletal diagnostic systems. In addition, expansion of the RDC/TMD to include the less common TMD conditions and disorders would make it more comprehensive and clinically useful. The original standards for diagnostic sensitivity ( < or = 0.70) and specificity (< or = 0.95) should be reconsidered to reflect changes in the field since the RDC/TMD was published in 1992. Pertaining to Axis II, current recommendations for all chronic pain conditions include standardized instruments and expansion of the domains assessed. In addition, there is need for improved clinical efficiency of Axis II instruments and for exploring methods to better integrate Axis I and II in clinical settings.

The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. V: methods used to establish and validate revised Axis I diagnostic algorithms

AIMS

To derive reliable and valid revised Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I diagnostic algorithms for clinical TMD diagnoses.

METHODS

The multisite RDC/TMD Validation Project's dataset (614 TMD community and clinic cases, and 91 controls) was used to derive revised algorithms for Axis I TMD diagnoses. Validity of diagnostic algorithms was assessed relative to reference standards, the latter based on consensus diagnoses rendered by two TMD experts using criterion examination data, including temporomandibular joint imaging. Cutoff points for target validity were sensitivity > or = 0.70 and specificity > or = 0.95. Reliability of revised algorithms was assessed in 27 study participants.

RESULTS

Revised algorithm sensitivity and specificity exceeded the target levels for myofascial pain (0.82, 0.99, respectively) and myofascial pain with limited opening (0.93, 0.97). Combining diagnoses for any myofascial pain showed sensitivity of 0.91 and specificity of 1.00. For joint pain, target sensitivity and specificity were observed (0.92, 0.96) when arthralgia and osteoarthritis were combined as "any joint pain." Disc displacement without reduction with limited opening demonstrated target sensitivity and specificity (0.80, 0.97). For the other disc displacement diagnoses, osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis, sensitivity was below target (0.35 to 0.53), and specificity ranged from 0.80 to meeting target. Kappa for revised algorithm diagnostic reliability was > or =0.63.

CONCLUSION

Revised RDC/TMD Axis I TMD diagnostic algorithms are recommended for myofascial pain and joint pain as reliable and valid. However, revised clinical criteria alone, without recourse to imaging, are inadequate for valid diagnosis of two of the three disc displacements as well as osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis.

Survival predictors after surgical resection of synchronous bilateral non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC)

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Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that presents with bilateral lung lesions, but without extra-thoracic metastasis, is uncommon. Prognosis is typically poor: No long-term survivor is expected with systemic chemotherapy. However, small reports have suggested the feasibility of bilateral resections. To date, the predictors of survival following this treatment approach remain unknown. Methods: Our institutional tumor registry was searched for patients who underwent bilateral resections of NSCLC during 1998–2006. Patients with metachronous presentations (second lesion found ≥ 2 years afterward) were excluded. Kaplan-Meier survival estimate and Cox proportional hazards model were used to identify survival predictors. Results: Of the 2582 patients operated for NSCLC, 50 patients were included in this analysis. Median age was 69.2 years. Median tumor sizes were 2.0 cms; Adenocarcinomas were the most common (51%). Of 103 thoracotomies, pneumonectomy was performed in 3 patients. Overall peri-operative mortality was 1.9%. Median progression-free survival was 46.0 months (95% CI, 33.1–66.6); overall survival was 77.5 months (95% CI, 43.1–111.1). Performance status, presence of comorbidity, and pathological vascular invasion were important prognostic factors (Table). Risk score based on the sum of these factors (present =1; absent =0) was a strong predictor of survival. Patients with score ≥ 2 (N=11) had a median survival of 17.2 months, compared with 83.5 months among those with score ≤ 1 (HR 5.52, 95% CI 2.27–13.46; p=0.0002). Conclusions: In this largest series of surgery for synchronous bilateral NSCLC to date, the overall survival rate at 5 years is approximately 50%. Performance status, comorbidity, and vascular invasion are strong predictors of survival. Patients with vascular invasion are at an increased risk of progression or death and adjuvant therapy should be considered.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The impact of PET-based staging on survival of patients with stage I lung cancer

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Background: Patients with completely resected stage I lung cancer have the best survival. Stage I, as defined by Mountain in 1997, includes tumors of any size located within one lobe of the lung without involvement of the parietal pleura, a distance of 2 cm or more from the carina, and no evidence for metastatic disease in any pulmonary, hilar, or mediastinal lymph node or distant site. The 5-year survival for such patients is 57–67% (Mountain, 1997). We hypothesized that the introduction of FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) scanning would lead to upstaging of stage I patients with a consequential increase in survival. Methods: To test this hypothesis, we compiled a database of all patients with stage I lung cancer that underwent a complete surgical resection at the Moffitt Cancer Center from 1996 to 2006. Results: During this 11-year period, 1230 patients fulfilled these criteria. Surgery was performed by two thoracic surgeons (LR and ES). Description of pts: 638 women, 592 men; 11 African-American, 1215 Caucasian; 18 Hispanic, 1202 Non-Hispanic; age range 28.1–94.0 y, mean 68.9 y, median 69.9 y; 26 pneumonectomies, 243 segmentectomies or wedge resections; 699 adeno-, 15 adenosquamous, 325 squamous, 25 large cell, 57 neuroendocrine carcinomas; maximum tumor diameter range 0.1–25 cm, mean 2.9 cm, median 2.3 cm; 477 dead (survival 0.0–138.8 months), 753 alive (survival 0.1–144.4 months). The median OS by year of resection was: 88.0 m (1996, N=49), 61.2 m (1997, N=52), 72.1 m (1998, N=73), 58.0 m (1999, N=87), 83.6 m (2000, N=100), 75.0 m (2001, N=114), 70.7 m (2002, N=133), >55.7 m (2003, N=140), >41.5 m (2004, N=158), >33.1 m (2005, N=164), and >17.9 m (2006, N=160). These differences were not statistically significant (log-rank p=0.72). PET scanning was initiated at the beginning of the year 2000. The median OS for the 261 patients treated between 1996 and 1999 was 70.7 m (95% CI: 53.9–84.0), and the median OS for the 969 patients treated between 2000 and 2006 was 75.1 m (95% CI: 66.4–83.7). This difference was not statistically significant (log-rank p=0.34). Conclusions: We conclude that the introduction of PET scanning has not impacted on the survival of patients with stage I lung cancer at our institution.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Pilot phase II study of preoperative gefitinib in early stage non-small cell lung cancer with assessment of intratumor gefitinib levels and tumor target modulation

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Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) can provide clinical benefit in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients. Here we examined the effect of single agent gefitinib in patients with early stage NSCLC with additional assessment of plasma and tumor concentrations of gefitinib. Previous studies have suggested considerably higher tumor concentrations of gefitinib compared to levels identified in blood, yet the results in human lung cancers is unknown. Methods: We conducted a pilot phase II study of a 28 day preoperative course of gefitinib 250 mg PO daily followed by surgical resection for patients with stage IA to selected IIIA non-small cell lung cancer. Response was assessed by RECIST using CT and changes in FDG metabolism were assessed using PET. Tumor penetration of gefitinib was assessed in surgically resected tumor samples along with plasma assessment on day 28. Results: Sixteen patients (7 men, 9 women) completed therapy on protocol and all who started on gefitinib were able to undergo a complete surgical resection. There were 0/16 objective responses (CR/PR), 14/16 SD, and 2/16 PD. Three of the 6 patients had more than 20% reductions in FDG SUVmax assessed by PET scanning. Day 28 plasma concentrations of gefitinib averaged 531 ± 344 nM (range 65 to 1,211 nM) while tumor concentrations of gefitinib averaged 33,108 ± 44,312 nM (range 474 to 134,669 nM). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that NSCLC tumor penetration of gefitinib is much higher than concentrations found in plasma. Assessment of pharmacodynamic markers including tumor EGFR and downstream signaling pathways is ongoing. PET scanning may be an early marker of clinical benefit of EGFR TKI.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Dose-dense pemetrexed (P) and gemcitabine (G) as neoadjuvant therapy in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

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Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy is standard of care for NSCLC stage IB-III after complete resection. Neoadjuvant therapy has potential advantages. P and G are efficacious in NSCLC with low toxicity. In combination, they can be given dose-dense, which may result in better efficacy, lower toxicity, and higher patient acceptability than traditional platinum-based therapy. Methods: Patients with resectable IB-IIIA and selected IIIB, PS 0–1, w/o prior therapy were eligible. CT, PET, brain MRI, and mediastinoscopy were used for staging. P (500 mg/m2) and G (1,500 mg/m2) were given on d1, 15, 29, and 43. Imaging studies were repeated 7–14 days after treatment and response determined by RECIST. Patients had surgery 3–4 weeks after the last treatment. F/U was every 3 months for 2 years with imaging studies. The primary clinical endpoint is radiographic disease response rate. The secondary endpoints are overall and disease-free survival, pathologic response rate, treatment-related toxicity, and surgical respectability and outcome Results: From 4/04 to 12/05, 45 eligible patients were enrolled. The disease stages were IB in 17, IIA in 3, IIB in 10, IIIA in 12, and IIIB in 3 patient. 8 had adeno, 15 squamous, and 22 large cell or unspecified NSCLC on initial diagnosis. 27 had a PS of 0 and 18 PS 1. 3/45 had weight loss. 22 were women. The median age was 67 (range 42–83 years). 2 were never-smokers, 24 had quit, and 19 were active smokers. Disease response rates to PG were 3% CR, 34% PR, 55% SD, and 8% PD. An R0 resection was performed in 75% of patients, 15% had an incomplete resection, and 10% did not have a thoracotomy. There have been no deaths or unexpected morbidities related to surgery or chemotherapy. Conclusions: Dose-dense PG is well tolerated with acceptable side effects. It appears to be equally as efficacious as platinum-containing chemotherapy doublets in terms of radiographic response rates. Survival rates and the median survival time are forthcoming to allow for a better comparison of this regimen with platinum-containing doublets.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The benefits of a restaging PET scan after two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable non-small cell lung cancer

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Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can potentially improve the outlook of resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Whole-body 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-D-glucose (FDG)-PET is often used as an initial test to determine tumor resectability, but its role as a restaging test after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is unclear. Restaging PET after neoadjuvant chemoradiation helps identify unexpected distant metastasis and avoid unnecessary thoracotomy. We explored its benefits after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: Patients with stage IB-IIIA and selected IIIB resectable NSCLC received induction gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2) and vinorelbine (25 mg/m2) on days 1, 8, 22, and 29. PET and CT scan were performed before enrollment and between day 43–50. Response from CT scan was defined by RECIST criteria; from PET, defined as >20% reduction in the SUVmax (a decrease of > 2 SD of spontaneous change in FDG uptake, previously validated). This abstract explores patients participated in a published prospective trial with available both pre- and post-treatment PET scans. Results: There were 19 patients: stage IB-7, stage IIB-2, and stage III-10. Median age was 67 years. Mean interval between staging and restaging PET scan was 59 days. By PET, 10 patients responded. By RECIST criteria, complete response occurred in 0, partial response in 6, and stable disease in 13 patients. Most successfully underwent a complete resection, but positive margins were present in 3; multi-station lymph node involvement was found intraoperatively in 1 patient. Overall median survival was 20.5 months. We found that restaging PET did not help identify any distant metastasis. Moreover, no survival difference was observed between PET responders and non-responders, though PET responders had more advanced stage than their counterparts: median survival 16 months vs. not reached (p = 0.08 adjusted for stage). PET response was correlated with RECIST response (p = 0.05) as well as the response as obtained by SUV max divided by the activity of contralateral lung or aorta ratio. Conclusion: Based on this small group of patients, a restaging PET scan obtained after two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy among patients with resectable NSCLC did not appear to impact the decision on a planned thoracotomy.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Stenting unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in heart transplant patients--the good, bad, and the ugly

The major cause of late death following orthotopic heart transplantation is coronary artery vasculopathy. Approximately 50% of heart transplant patients have coronary artery vasculopathy 5 years post-transplantation. With advances in interventional cardiology technology, heart transplant patients with selected lesions are now undergoing intravascular stenting with acute-gain and late-loss rates similar to stenting in non-transplanted patients. We describe 3 consecutive cases of stenting unprotected left main coronary artery disease in orthotropic heart transplant patients. With follow-up to 3 years and no evidence of restenosis, these results suggest that stenting unprotected left main coronary artery lesions in heart transplant patients can be performed with excellent immediate and long-term results.

Brief group cognitive-behavioral intervention for temporomandibular disorders

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are currently viewed as an interrelated set of clinical conditions presenting with signs and symptoms in masticatory and related muscles of the head and neck, and the soft tissue and bony components of the temporomandibular joint. Epidemiologic and clinical studies of TMD confirm its status as a chronic pain problem. In this report we present results from a randomized clinical trial which compared, at 3- and 12-month follow-ups, the effects of usual TMD treatment on TMD pain and related physical and psychological variables with the effects of a cognitive-behavioral (CB) intervention delivered to small groups of patients before usual TMD treatment began. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a minimal CB intervention followed by dental TMD treatment enhanced the effects of usual clinical dental treatment. A second purpose of the study was to determine whether patients classified as high in somatization and psychosocial dysfunction would respond less favorably to this minimal intervention than would those low in somatization and dysfunction. Patients who participated in the CB intervention followed by usual treatment showed greater long-term decreases in reported pain level and pain interference in daily activities than did patients who received only usual treatment. The benefits of CB intervention were not seen when the CB and UT groups were compared at 3-month follow-up. During the 3-12-month follow-up interval, however, the UT group maintained essentially the same level of improvement in characteristic pain while the CB group continued to improve, as hypothesized. During this same follow-up interval, the CB group also showed a strong trend toward continued improvement in pain interference. Such effects were not observed for depression, somatization, or clinical measures of jaw range of motion. Additionally, as hypothesized, dysfunctional chronic pain patients did not appear to benefit from the brief CB intervention. Intent to treat analyses were also performed to assess generalizability of the results.

Epidemiology of signs and symptoms in temporomandibular disorders: clinical signs in cases and controls

An epidemiologic study of clinical signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) was conducted with a probability sample of adults enrolled in a major health maintenance organization (HMO). This report presents data from a first wave field examination and interview conducted by trained, calibrated dental hygienist field examiners. Significant gender differences for vertical jaw opening measures were observed but no significant age differences were found for the distribution of clinically relevant findings. Clinic cases showed smaller amounts of vertical range of jaw motion but did not differ from community cases or controls on extent of lateral, protrusive, or retrusive mandibular movements; on classification of occlusion; or on dentally related variables. Clinic cases had more pain during all jaw excursions as well as during muscle and joint palpation. Joint clicking sounds were also observed more frequently in clinic cases.

Pharmacological management of recurrent oral mucosal ulceration

A number of diseases can cause recurrent intraoral ulceration. This review focuses principally on drug management of intraoral ulceration associated with local and systemic conditions most likely to be observed on an outpatient basis by the general practitioner. These consist of recurrent aphthous stomatitis, erosive lichen planus, benign mucous membrane pemphigoid (BMMP), erythema multiforme. Behçet's disease, allergic stomatitis and infection. Information is provided on a spectrum of medication found useful in ulcer management, including topical antimicrobial and antifungal agents, topical and systemic corticosteroids, topical and systemic analgesics, and systemic immunosuppressive and anxiolytic drugs, plus details of dosage, important adverse reactions and interactions. A treatment guide for management of recurrent aphthae is presented. The reader is presumed to be familiar with differential diagnosis and the importance of establishing an accurate impression before starting drug therapy.

Temporomandibular disorders. Variation in clinical practice

This research describes the extent of variability in diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and relates this variability to treatment outcomes. A health maintenance organization sequentially referred 145 patients with orofacial pain and dysfunction to two TMD clinics. The two clinics differed substantially in their use of tomography (applied to 28% vs. 64% of all patients), and varied moderately in diagnoses assigned to the patient groups. There was large variation in selection of treatments including appliances for bruxism (64% vs. 5%), mandibular repositioning (10% vs. 25%), and joint stabilization (3% vs. 30%); anti-inflammatory medications (44% vs. 19%) and analgesics (16% vs. 2%); and subsequent referral for dental or orthodontic treatment (1% vs. 42%). The differences in diagnostic and therapeutic practice that were found were not associated with important differences in patient-reported pain and dysfunction at 1-year follow-up. These data indicate the need for systematic approaches to identifying, evaluating, and modifying variation in health care practices for common presenting problems lacking reliable methods of evaluation and generally accepted clinical standards for choice of treatments.

Hyperoxic lung injury in mice: a possible protective role for prostacyclin

Arachidonic acid metabolites have biologic properties that can mimic the pulmonary changes produced by hyperoxic exposure, but little information is available regarding their importance in this setting. The role of prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane (Tx) A2 in oxygen-induced lung injury was evaluated by exposing mice to 100% oxygen for up to 4 days and measuring plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid concentrations of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha), a metabolite of PGI2, and TxB2, a metabolite of TxA2. To determine whether a relationship exists between changes in these arachidonic acid metabolites and the severity of the lung injury, we also measured mortality, BAL protein concentration, BAL angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, and plasma lactate dehydrogenase activity, and we examined lung sections by light and electron microscopy. After 3 days of exposure to 100% oxygen, microscopic and biochemical changes consistent with mild lung damage were found, but there was no increase in either plasma or BAL 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentration. On day 4, severe lung damage was present. and BAL 6-keto-PGF 1 alpha level increased threefold (P less than 0.001). The level of TxB2 in BAL fluid did not change on any day. Twice-daily administration of either a high (5 mg/kg) or a low (1 mg/kg) dose of indomethacin reduced BAL concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and it resulted in increased mortality and higher BAL protein concentration and BAL ACE activity. These data suggest that TxA2 has little if any role in the pathogenesis of oxygen-induced lung injury, whereas prostacyclin may play a protective role.

Arthrographically assisted splint therapy: a 6-month follow-up

After repositioning splint therapy, 51 patients were evaluated for a minimum of 6 months. Forty-five (88%) of the patients were considered to have been treated successfully, whereas six (12%) patients required surgery to correct meniscal displacement. A detailed analysis of signs and symptoms before and after splint treatment is in progress.

Sigmoid colon perforation: result of accidental swallowing of a toothpick

Acute surgical abdomen is a very serious situation that arises in various medical conditions. Common among them are appendicitis, foreign-body ingestion, and intestinal obstruction or perforation. These complications usually require emergency abdominal surgery. A case of rectal bleeding accompanied by acute surgical abdomen following the accidental ingestion of a toothpick is described in this report.

Intraligamentary anesthesia: a double-blind comparative study

Three local anesthetic agents (Xylocaine 2%, Xylocaine 2% with epinephrine 1:50,000, and Marcaine 0.5 with epinephrine 1:200,000) were injected intraorally using an intraligamentary injection technique. The study used a double-blind design and electrical tooth pulp stimulation to examine the duration of pulpal anesthesia. Patterns of recovery from each drug, subjective discomfort associated with each drug, pain of injection, and pain in comparison with local infiltration were also measured. The extent and duration of adjacent soft tissue anesthesia were recorded. Xylocaine 2% with epinephrine 1:50,000 produced the longest pulpal anesthesia. The decay pattern of this particular drug was less abrupt than that of the two others. No difference in discomfort or pain was found across the various drugs. There was no significant difference in pain at injection when intraligamentary anesthesia was compared with local infiltration. Post-injection pain was slightly lower with local infiltration. The extent of soft tissue anesthesia was significantly related to vasoconstrictor levels in the drugs. The study shows that duration of pulpal and soft tissue anesthesia can be tightly controlled by the operator and tailored specifically to planned dental procedures.

Temporomandibular joint findings in pediatric populations and young adults: a critical review

The etiology, diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and dysfunction is a controversial subject. There are varying opinions regarding the contribution of occlusion (malocclusion) to the development of mandibular dysfunction and further, the contribution of occlusal alterations (orthodontic and restorative) to the development of pain and dysfunction. Epidemiologic investigations suggest there is a high incidence of subjective and objective symptoms in the pediatric population. Observations on incisal relationships, condyle position and joint sounds, and comparisons to controls seem to suggest that these factors are not the cause of pain or dysfunction. The purpose of this review is: (1) to bring the clinician's attention existing published information reporting the presence of symptoms in children, (2) to evaluate selected information in young adults, (3) to question anecdotal information on the etiology of TMJ problems. It is not in the purview of this paper to determine the overall etiology of TMJ dysfunction.