The frequency of bifid mandibular condyle in a Turkish patient population

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency and pattern of bifid mandibular condyles (BMCs).

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed using panoramic radiographs from 10 200 patients undergoing dental treatment in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (Erzurum, Turkey) between 1996 and 2008.

RESULTS

Of the 10 200 patients, 32 (0.3%) had BMCs, of whom 17 were female (53.1%) and 15 were male (46.9%). The age range of the patients with BMCs was 5 to 71 years (mean age 30.0+/-0.40). Of these 32 patients, 24 (75.0%) had unilateral and 8 (25.0%) had bilateral BMCs, none of the patients had a history of trauma. No symptoms associated with bifid condyles were observed in any of the patients with BMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible that BMC is a more frequent condition than is commonly perceived. However, because of the minimal symptoms associated with this condition, the authors believe that it will remain an incidental finding upon routine radiographic examination, rather than a clinical observation. Nevertheless, in symptomatic cases or in cases where surgical treatment is planned, panoramic radiographs should be supplemented with CT.

The assessment of urinary function following extended lymph node dissection for colorectal cancer

AIMS

The aim of the current study is to demonstrate whether the effects of extended systematic lymph-node dissection (ESLND) on urinary dysfunctions differ from those of curative radical surgery (CRS) only for rectal cancer.

METHODS

We present data about our patients who underwent rectal resection for rectal cancer over 5 years. One hundred and seventy patients with rectal cancer were reviewed with respect to surgical procedures and post-operative urinary problems.

RESULTS

We performed CRS on 146 patients and CRS+ESLND on 24 patients, and analysed the incidence of post-operative urinary dysfunction in both groups. Urinary incontinence rates were 39 and 58%, urinary retention rates were 4 and 16%, for the patients from CRS group and CRS+ESLND group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the addition of ESLND to CRS does not increase the frequency of post-operative urinary dysfunction, apart from an increased risk of urinary retention.

Effects of carbamazepine and valproate on brainstem auditory evoked potentials in epileptic children

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were recorded in 18 epileptic children receiving carbamazepine and 10 epileptic children receiving valproate. BAEPs were recorded before the administration of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and 13 months later during which the children received AEDs. Statistical analysis of peak latencies and interpeak intervals of waves I-III-V were made. Carbamazepine treatment resulted in prolongation of peak latencies of waves I-III-V and interpeak intervals I-III and I-V. Valproate monotherapy, on the other hand, caused no consistent changes on BAEP. On the basis of these results we suggest that chronic carbamazepine therapy exerts a suppressive influence on the auditory pathways, both peripherally at the level of the cochlea and/or auditory nerve, and centrally at the brainstem.

Ultrasound diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy: comparison of symptomatic and asymptomatic nerve thickness

There is still no consensus on a normal value for the cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Such data would be valuable for the ultrasound diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy. Comparison of the symptomatic and contralateral asymptomatic sides has been recommended. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the asymptomatic ulnar nerve could be a reference value. High-resolution ultrasonic measurements of the cross-sectional areas of the ulnar nerves at the elbow were compared with 38 contralateral asymptomatic elbows of patients with unilateral ulnar neuropathy and 38 healthy controls. There were significant differences in the cross-sectional areas at all levels between the healthy control subjects and asymptomatic side of the ulnar neuropathy patients (p < 0.05). The findings of this study suggest that there is a limitation in using the asymptomatic side for obtaining reference values in ultrasonographic studies. Each ultrasonographic laboratory should determine its own reference values.

The influence of voxel size and artifact reduction on the detection of vertical root fracture in endodontically treated teeth

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of voxel size and artefact reduction (AR) on the identification of vertical root fractures (VRFs) in endodontically treated teeth.

METHODS

A total of a hundred sound, extracted human mandibular single-rooted premolars were decoronated, after which root canal preparation was performed, canals were filled with gutta percha by single cone technique. Randomly selected fifty specimens were fractured, repositioned and glued together. The teeth were examined with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in five different voxel sizes (0.125, 0.200, 0.250, 0.300, and 0.400 voxels). Two scans were performed for each tooth, one with AR and one without AR. Two radiologists evaluated the CBCT scans.

RESULTS

All voxel dimensions were successful in detecting VRFs in CBCT scans. But as the voxel size increased, the percentage of detecting VRFs decreased. High accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were found for VRF detection on CBCT scans. Accuracy and sensitivity values decreased (from 100 to 82) while voxel dimensions increased (from 0.125 to 0.400). High-resolution images (0.125, 0.200, and 0.250 voxels) caused an increase in sensitivity for detection of VRFs. AR did not affect the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values for VRF detection on CBCT scans.

CONCLUSIONS

High-resolution CBCT images resulted in an increase in sensitivity and specificity for detection of VRFs compared with lower-resolution CBCT images. The use of AR did not further improve its diagnostic potential.

Relationship Between the Posterior Superior Alveolar Artery and Maxillary Sinus Pathology: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA), which plays an important role in the maxillary sinus blood supply, and maxillary sinus pathologic entities using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The CBCT data from 325 patients (650 sinuses), aged 18 to 55 years, who had been referred to the Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology from 2015 to 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. For the PSAA examination, the axial, coronal, and sagittal CBCT images were evaluated for detection of an osseous canal in the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus and the prevalence, position, and location of the canal. In addition, the presence of maxillary sinus pathologic features was analyzed, and the relationship with the PSAA was investigated. The relationship among the categorical variables was tested using the χ² test.

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 325 patients, including 155 men (47.7%) and 170 women (52.3%). The PSAA was observed in 80.6% of the patients. Of the detected PSAAs, 79.0% were bilateral and 21.0% were unilateral and 56.3% were intraosseous and 40.7% were submembranous. A significant positive correlation was detected between the presence of a PSAA and patient age (P < .05). The prevalence of sinus pathologic entities was 73.2% of all patients. The most common sinus pathologic finding was localized mucosal thickening (53.5%). A significant relationship was found between the presence of PSAA and maxillary sinus pathologic entities (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a PSAA might be a predisposing factor that increases the susceptibility to maxillary sinus pathologic entities. CBCT is an effective imaging method in the evaluation of the maxillary sinuses.

Comparative efficacy of metoclopramide, ondansetron and maropitant in preventing parvoviral enteritis-induced emesis in dogs

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiencies of selected anti‐emetic drugs (metoclopramide, ondansetron and maropitant) in preventing vomiting in the treatment of canine parvoviral enteritis. We designed a randomized, prospective clinical study. PVE quick ELISA test‐positive dogs between 4 and 12 months of age were included in the study. Each of metoclopramide, ondansetron, maropitant and control group had 8 dogs. Metoclopramide and ondansetron were administered as 0.5 mg/kg doses three times a day via intravenous route, and maropitant was administered as 1 mg/kg doses once a day subcutaneously. The number and severity of daily vomitings were recorded. All dogs were treated and monitored for five days; treatments were continued until all animals healed. Metoclopramide, ondansetron and maropitant decreased the severity of vomiting from the first day and the vomiting numbers from the third day in PVE treatment. Obtained results showed that maropitant can be used successfully such as metoclopramide and ondansetron, which are frequently used for PVE treatment. At the same time, it was discovered that metoclopramide, ondansetron and maropitant were equally effective in reducing the frequency and severity of vomiting.

Congenital hydrocephalus as a rare association with ligneous conjunctivitis and type I plasminogen deficiency

Severe type I plasminogen deficiency is the underlying cause of ligneous conjunctivitis (LC). Furthermore, pseudomembranes may also be found on other mucous membranes (gastrointestinal tract, bronchial system, genital tract). In very rare cases, congenital hydrocephalus has been associated with the more severe forms of the disease and may even precede LC. The pathophysiological mechanism is unclear at present. It is advisable to look for plasminogen deficiency in patients with congenital hydrocephalus, because obstruction of ventriculoperitoneal shunts is possible when such a condition is overlooked. Here, we report a case of LC with hydrocephalus. This report reemphasizes the association of LC with hydrocephalus which is not well known.

Benign tumors and tumor-like lesions of the oral cavity and jaws: An analysis of 709 cases

PURPOSE

The purpose was to examine the prevalence, gender, age and site(s) of odontogenic and nonodontogenic benign tumors, and tumor-like lesions occurring in the oral cavity and jaws in a Turkish population, particularly, in the Eastern Turkey, and to compare findings of this study with other reports.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data were collected from the files of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Department of Oral Pathology, Ataturk University, Turkey, during a 10-year period from January 2005 to January 2015. They were analyzed descriptively regarding prevalence, age, sex, lesion type, and site.

RESULTS

A total of 709 benign tumor and tumor-like lesions of the oral cavity, and jaws were selected during a period of 10 years. One hundred and twenty-one of these lesions (17%) were odontogenic benign tumors while 588 (83%) were nonodontogenic benign tumor and tumor-like lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that the distribution and characteristics of benign tumors and tumor-like lesions of oral cavity and jaws in the Turkish population, particularly including the Eastern region of Turkey have some differences as well as similarities with the findings of studies in different populations.

Developmental and behavioral problems in preschool-aged primary ciliary dyskinesia patients

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) causes a broad spectrum of disease. This study aims to explore the developmental, behavioral, and social-emotional aspects of preschool-aged children with PCD. Fourteen PCD, 17 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and 15 healthy subjects were enrolled. Developmental features of the participants were evaluated with Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Parents of participants filled out the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The number of children screened positive for developmental delay was statistically higher in the PCD group. Higher numbers of children with PCD were screened positive for developmental delay in communication and problem-solving domains. Delay in fine motor skill domain was more common in children with PCD and CF compared to healthy subjects. There was no difference among the three groups in terms of gross motor and personal-social development. None of the children in all three groups was shown to have social-emotional problems. In CBCL, patients with CF had higher internalizing problem scores. Externalizing and total problem scores did not differ between the three groups. However, among PCD patients, children with developmental delay on more than one domain had higher externalizing and total problem scores.Conclusion: The current study revealed that positive screening for developmental delay is more common in preschool-aged PCD patients compared to patients with CF and healthy children. What is Known: • Intelligence scores of school-aged PCD patients are similar to healthy subjects despite their higher internalizing problem scores on Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). • School-aged PCD patients exhibit higher hyperactivity and inattention findings. What is New: • Positive screening for developmental delay in communication, problem-solving and fine motor skills is more common in preschool-aged PCD patients. • Preschool-aged PCD patients screened positive for developmental delay in more than one domain have higher externalizing and total problem scores on CBCL.

The effect of pregabalin and ibuprofen combination for pain after third molar surgery

Aim

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of different doses of pregabalin and intravenous ibuprofen with regard to pain management and analgesic consumption after third molar surgery.

Materials and Methods

Ninety patients who had been scheduled for third molar surgery were assigned to four different treatment groups. The inclusion criteria consisted of the presence of fully or partially bony retentive asymptomatic mandibular third molars. These groups are included the following: (Group 1) premedicated with oral placebo and intravenous (IV) placebo, (Group 2) premedicated with oral placebo and 400-mg IV Ibuprofen, (Group 3) premedicated with 75-mg oral pregabalin and 400-mg IV ibuprofen, and (Group 4) premedicated with 150-mg oral pregabalin and 400 mg IV ibuprofen. Postoperative pain was assessed with visual analog scale (VAS) every hour for the first 12 hs following the surgery. Pain was then assessed at different time intervals during 7 days following the surgery. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the four groups in terms of VAS pain scores, analgesic consumption, and first rescue analgesic request time after the surgery.

Results

At the end of the study, the results of 80 patients (20 patients per group) were analyzed. The group 4 had lower pain intensity compared with other groups at various time intervals. This difference is statistically significant in between the first 3-10 h (first day) and single-time intervals in second, third, fifth, and sixth postoperative days. Postoperative analgesic consumption was not statistically different between the groups. The first rescue analgesic request time after surgery was different between the pregabalin combination groups and group 2. No significant difference in the side effects was observed.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that preoperative coadministration of 150-mg pregabalin and IV ibuprofen may be useful in improving pain control after third molar surgery.

Odontogenic and nonodontogenic cysts: An analysis of 526 cases in Turkey

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the age, gender, and sites of different types of odontogenic cysts (OCs) and non-OCs (nOCs) (seen in eastern Anatolian population in Turkey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The following data were collected from the clinical records and histopathology reports of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Department of Oral Pathology, Ataturk University, Turkey, during a period of 10 years. They were analyzed descriptively in terms of incidence, age, sex, cyst type, and site.

RESULTS

A total of 526 cysts were diagnosed during a 10-year period. Of these, 330 (62.7%) were in males, and 196 (37.3%) were in females, the male:female ratio was 1.7:1. There were 509 (96.8%) OCs and 17 (3.2%) nOCs. There were 406 (77.2%) inflammatory OCs and 103 (19.6%) developmental OCs. Radicular cysts were the most frequent (66.4%), followed by dentigerous (19.2%) and residual (10.8%) cysts. Only nasopalatine duct cyst was found as nOC in this study (3.2%).

CONCLUSION

The distribution of jaw cysts in the Turkish Eastern Anatolian population is relatively similar to that of other populations reported in previous studies in the literature, in which most OCs were of inflammatory origin. However, the relative rates of cysts were higher than those reported in other studies.

Analysis of enamel structure and mineral density after different bleaching protocols using micro-computed tomography

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the effect of three different bleaching applications on structural integrity, mineral volume (MV) and density of the enamel by using micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and evaluate the colour effectiveness using CIEDE2000.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four maxillary premolar teeth were divided into three groups (n = 8) (group 1: 40% HP gel with erbium, chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser activation; group 2: 40% HP gel with diode laser activation; group 3: 16% CP gel). Bleaching protocols were applied and colour alteration was obtained. Data were calculated with CIEDE2000 before and after bleaching. A Micro-CT was used to scan the specimens before and after the bleaching application. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA.

RESULTS

No significant difference was observed between the groups for colour changes (p > .05). Micro-CT analysis showed significant differences in structural thickness, structural separation, mineral density and MV for the different ROIs before and after bleaching for all groups (p<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

All of the bleaching methods represented similar efficiency. However, bleaching with Er,Cr:YSGG laser was less harmful to enamel in comparison with other bleaching methods. The present results may be useful for establishing a numerical standard for the change in bleaching with laser systems in dental hard tissues.

Serum lipid concentrations in dogs with tail chasing

OBJECTIVE

To characterise lipid profile in dogs with tail chasing.

METHODS

Fifteen dogs with tail chasing were included in this study. A behavioural diagnosis was made for each dog on the basis of the dog's behavioural history, clinical signs and results of other medical assessments. None of the dogs had concurrent medical disease that would account for compulsive tail chasing. Blood samples were taken from each dog after a fasting period of 12 to 16 hours to measure total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Fifteen control dogs were also enrolled on the basis of normal physical examination results, complete blood count and serum biochemistry profiles.

RESULTS

Dogs with tail chasing had significantly higher total cholesterol (P<0.01), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.001) compared with control dogs. Very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not differ significantly between the groups.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Tail chasing may be associated with serum cholesterol elevations in dogs. High serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels may be used as biochemical parameters of compulsive tail chasing in clinical settings.

The effect of ectodermal dysplasia on volume and surface area of maxillary sinus

PURPOSE

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a congenital syndrome characterized by abnormal development of ectodermal structures, such as skin, hair, nails, teeth, or salivary glands. Patients with ED demonstrate craniofacial dysmorphology, midfacial hypoplasia and hypodontia. The aim of this study is to evaluate volume and surface area of maxillary sinus and craniofacial structures in patients with ectodermal dysplasia (ED) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

METHODS

The CBCT images of 20 patients with ED (study group) and 20 healthy individuals (control) which are equal in terms of age and gender were evaluated. After a three-dimensional analysis and segmentation of each maxillary sinus, the volume and surface area were calculated. Craniofacial dimensions were measured on the sagittal planes of the CBCT images. The results of the ED and control groups were statistically compared.

RESULTS

The right and left sinus volumes and surface areas were significantly lower in the ED group than in the control group (p < 0.05) while the SNA was significantly higher (p < 0.05). ANB and SN-GoMe were also lower in patients with ED than in controls (p < 0.05). The difference in SNB values between the two groups was not significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The volumes and surface areas of both maxillary sinuses were found to be smaller in patients with ED compared to healthy individuals. Class III malocclusion with maxillary retrusion is a characteristic craniofacial feature of these patients.

The radiological evaluation of the nasal cavity, conchae and nasal septum volumes by stereological method: A retrospective cone-beam computed tomography study

BACKGROUND

The nasal cavity (NC) is the entrance to the respiratory system. Many studies have been conducted on the structure, function and volume of the NC. Only a few studies were performed assessing the volumetric values of NC and conchae.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the volumetric measurements of the NC, conchae and nasal septum using the stereological method.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 200 individuals (100 females and 100 males) aged 8-59 years were retrospectively evaluated. Inferior nasal concha and middle nasal concha, NC and nasal septum volumes were measured on these images. Measurements were made using point counting method, which is based on the Cavalieri principle. The mean values of the measured structures for 2 age groups and for each gender were obtained. Differences between the groups and genders of all parameters were examined. The volume fractions of measured volumes were calculated.

RESULTS

The mean volumes of the nasal septum, left and right NC, left and right inferior nasal conchae, and left and right middle nasal conchae were 4.99 ±1.51 cm³, 7.44 ±2.93 cm³, 7.68 ±2.99 cm³, 3.10 ±1.11 cm³, 3.04 ±1.02 cm³, 1.32 ±0.56 cm³, and 1.28 ±0.49 cm³, respectively. Gender and age differences were statistically significant in all volumes (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The data obtained in this study may assist clinicians in planning treatment, assessing the treatment results of pathological conditions within the NC, and help surgeons in preoperational and postoperational evaluations, especially in dentistry, otorhinolaryngology and plastic surgery.

The Effect of Smartphone Use and Nomophobia on Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness in Turkey

Background

Smartphones used unconsciously and in an uncontrolled manner make young people experience sleep problems. This study aimed to investigate the effects of university students’ smartphone addiction and nomophobia levels on sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Methods

This study, which had a cross-sectional design, was conducted with 390 people who were first-year and senior students at Inonu University between November and December 2019. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Nomophobia Scale, and Smartphone Addiction Scale were used in the present study used. For statistical analysis, the chi-squared test, the Student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and binomial logistic regression analysis were used. The research has ethics committee approval.The error level was chosen as p = 0.05.

Results

The smartphone use time of the students was finded to be 5.4±2.6 years, daily online time was 4.3±2.6 hours, and daily sleep time was 7.4±1.5 hours. The students received 78.3±25.8 points from the Nomophobia Scale, 90.3±29.7 from the Smartphone Addiction Scale, 7.2±2.8 from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and 5.9±4.1 points from the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. A total of 54.4% of students had moderate, and 22.8% had severe nomophobic symptoms; 83.6% of the group had poor sleep quality, and 14.6% had excessive daytime sleepiness. A positive, moderate and significant relation was detected between the mean Nomophobia score and the mean Smartphone Addiction Scale score. It was also determined that those with less than 30 minutes of smartphone use before sleeping had low nomophobia, smartphone addiction and daytime sleepiness scores, and better sleep quality.

Conclusions

Nomophobic symptoms and smartphone addiction were observed to be high in university students. Most students had poor sleep quality. The awareness of students on healthy sleep, and conscious and controlled smartphone use should be increased.

Key messages

• Smartphone addiction increases the level of nomophobia moderately in university students.

• Those who use a smartphone less than 30 minutes before going to sleep have better sleep quality and lower daytime sleepiness.