Columella necrosis in a child secondary to nasal continuous positive airway pressure during neonatal period

The advent of continuous positive airway pressure ventilation as a mode of treatment for respiratory distress syndrome for premature infants has increased the risk of nasal injuries such as pressure necrosis. We describe a case of a 24-week infant who received CPAP ventilation as a mode of ventilatory support for respiratory distress syndrome and the complication of pressure necrosis of the columella. There are many factors that predispose an infant receiving CPAP ventilation to nasal injury. Many strategies can be employed to reduce the incidence of nasal injuries such as the use of nasal barrier dressings, the use of nasal high flow oxygen (nHF) cannula instead of CPAP ventilation, and the use of nasal masks instead of nasal prongs for CPAP ventilation delivery. The treatment of pressure necrosis can be either medical or surgical. The use of ointments or growth sprays can be used in cases of skin breakdown. Surgical reconstruction can be offered in cases of nasal deformity.

Talon cusp in fused teeth: A rare concomitant occurrence

Talon cusp and fusion of teeth are two separate developmental dental anomalies affecting both primary and permanent dentitions. While the former is more common in permanent maxillary incisors, the latter occurs more commonly in deciduous maxillary anterior teeth. This paper describes a rare case of talon cusp in fused teeth affecting the permanent mandibular incisors. A note on the etiopathogenesis of these two anomalies and a possible hypothesis on their concurrent occurrence are mentioned. The importance of awareness and understanding of these lesions and the prophylactic measures to prevent complications is also discussed.

Pleomorphic adenoma in the infra-temporal space: the first case report

The infratemporal fossa is a deep retromaxillary space corresponding to the inferior aspect of the middle cranial fossa. Tumours in the infratemporal fossa are very rare; therefore experience in their diagnosis and therapeutic management is very limited. Tumors that are reported commonly in the infratemporal region are nasopharyngeal carcinomas, juvenile angiofibromas and adenoid cystic carcinomas. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the English language literature of a pleomorphic adenoma presenting in the infratemporal space and probably arising from an ectopic minor salivary gland, along with a brief description of the surgical technique.