Evaluation of hearing deficit in patients with oral submucous fibrosis.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a well recognized premalignant condition predominantly affecting the oral cavity, but sometimes extending to the pharynx, esophagus or even the larynx. OSMF may lead to stiffness of the oral cavity, resulting in trismus and inability to eat, difficulty with speech or swallowing, pain in the throat and ears, and a relative loss of auditory acuity. To evaluate the hearing deficit in patients with OSMF, we examined a study group comprising 40 patients, and also 10 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects as controls. All of the subjects were evaluated for hearing loss by pure tone audiometry. The OSMF group showed a significant degree of hearing loss relative to the control group. OSMF in advanced stages was significantly associated with mild conductive hearing loss (P < 0.01). The present study revealed a significant association between OSMF and hearing deficit. Involvement of the palatal muscles with OSMF may decrease the patency of the Eustachian tube, leading to conductive hearing loss. Therefore, all patients with OSMF should be evaluated for hearing deficit and advised about appropriate treatment.

Multiple dentigerous cysts: a case report and review.

Dentigerous cysts are one of the common cysts of the jaws. Bilateral dentigerous cysts generally occur in association with a developmental syndrome or systemic diseases. Bilateral dentigerous cyst in absence of a syndrome is rare and to date only 18 cases have been reported. After reviewing the literature, no case reports of dentigerous cysts involving all the quadrants of the jaws were reported. As far as our knowledge, this is the first case to be reported.

Esthesioneuroblastoma presenting as tooth pain.

Esthesioneuroblastoma, also called olfactory neuroblastoma, is a rare malignant tumor originating in the olfactory epithelium in the upper nasal cavity with intracranial extension and may also be associated with secondary sinus diseases. Esthesioneuroblastoma has been observed to cause death by distant metastasis or by invasion through the cribriform plate and secondary meningitis. It usually produces nasal obstruction, epistaxis and less commonly anosmia, headache and pain. We report a case of esthesioneuroblastoma in a 50-year-old female who reported with tooth pain as a presenting symptom.

Evaluation of genotoxicity in patients subjected to panoramic radiography by micronucleus assay on epithelial cells of the oral mucosa.

OBJECTIVE: Radiography is one of the most valuable diagnostic tools used in comprehensive dental care. Although there is no safe level of radiation exposure, the possible risk associated with exposure to radiation, must be elucidated. To date, a variety of assays have been proposed to assess the mutagenic potential of genotoxicants; however, these methods are typically laborious and time consuming. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible genotoxic effect of routinely used panoramic radiation exposure in exfoliated epithelial cells as measured by the formation of micronuclei and to compare the genotoxicity of X-rays on keratinized epithelial gingival cells and the nonkeratinized buccal epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 53 healthy individuals with a mean age of 25.21 ±12.67 years. Specimens of exfoliated epithelial cells were collected from patients subjected to panoramic radiography before and 10 days after radiation exposure. The cells were stained with Giemsa and evaluated for micronuclei by scoring 1000 cells per slide. RESULTS: In our study, the genotoxic effect of radiation exposure from panoramic radiography showed a statistically significant increase in the MN frequency in buccal epithelial cells. A significant correlation was observed between the age of the subjects and micronuclei, although no such correlation was found between gender and micronuclei count. CONCLUSION: MN test serves as a simple biomarker indicating the direct exposure to DNA damaging agents such as ionizing radiation, emphasizing great sensitivity even for exposure to low doses during radiation screening. Thus, panoramic dental radiography should be cautiously used only when necessary.

Multiple dentigerous cysts.

Dentigerous cysts are one of the common cysts of the jaws and are associated with the crowns of permanent teeth, most frequently with impacted mandibular third molars. Bilateral dentigerous cysts generally occur in association with a developmental syndrome or systemic diseases. Bilateral dentigerous cysts in absence of a syndrome is a rare condition. There are only 18 cases reported in the literature till date (Dinkar et al. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 25:56-59, 2007). There are no cases reported with multiple dentigerous cyst involving all the four quadrants.

Detection of human immunodeficiency virus using oral mucosal transudate by rapid test.

CONTEXT: On the cusp of the fourth decade of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic, the world has turned the corner - it has halted and began to reverse the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Oral fluid-based Rapid tests have potential advantages over blood-based tests hence the time is ripe for their use to scale up HIV screening and testing programmes. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To detect HIV using oral mucosal transudate (OMT) and to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the HIV Rapid test using OMT. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: OraQuick Rapid HIV-1/2 Diagnostic test was evaluated in sera and oral fluids from 83 subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised of 50 HIV seropositive subjects and the control group comprised of 33 seronegative subjects. Serum samples were collected using the standard phlebotomy technique and oral samples were collected using OraQuick Rapid HIV 1/2 Antibody test OMT collecting device. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The statistical analysis was done using statistical package for social sciences version 16.0, SPSS Inc., 233 South Wacker Drive, 11(th) Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-6412. The Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value were used. RESULTS: All the subjects who tested either positive/reactive or negative/non-reactive with Western blot/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) produced similar results with Rapid test using OMT in study, our study also revealed that the subjects whether on anti-retroviral therapy or not had 100% sensitivity and specificity with the Rapid test using OMT. CONCLUSIONS: The Rapid test using OMT is highly accurate as the diagnostic efficacy in our study was 100% for HIV antibody detection and produced similar results to that of conventional Western blot/ELISA tests.

Oral splint for temporomandibular joint disorders with revolutionary fluid system.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases and disorders refer to a complex and poorly understood set of conditions, manifested by pain in the area of the jaw and associated muscles and limitations in the ability to make the normal movements of speech, facial expression, eating, chewing, and swallowing. The conventional soft occlusal splint therapy is a much safer and effective mode of a conservative line of therapy in comparison to the surgical therapy for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). The purpose of this article is to review the Aqualizer™, an hydrostatic oral splint, as accurate, effective treatment and differential diagnostic tool in TMD that allow treating the patient's pain quickly and accurately saving valuable treatment time. The review article has been prepared doing a literature review from the world-wide web and pubmed/medline.

Importance of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of cysticercosis of temporalis muscle mimicking temporal space infection.

Cysticercosis cellulosae, caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium is a common parasitic infection in Indian subcontinent. Although cysticercosis is common in other parts of the human body, its involvement with temporalis muscle is an extremely rare entity and demands documentation. This paper reports a case of cysticercosis cellulosae in a 35-year-old male patient within the temporalis muscle mimicking temporal space infection; due to the presence of concomitant dental infection, which was diagnosed with the help of high resolution ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging and managed conservatively using oral antiparasitic medication. Here, in this case report, we are emphasizing the importance of imaging modalities in diagnosing space infection and cysticercosis.

Flies blown disease--oral myiasis.

Myiasis, a term first introduced by Hope (1840), refers to the invasion of tissues and organs of animals and human wounds and certain body cavities by the dipteran larvae which manifests as subcutaneous furunculoid or boillike lesions. Oral myiasis is a rare pathology and a risk to the patient's life. Higher incidence is seen in rural areas affecting the tropical and sub-tropical zones of Africa and America. Myiasis affecting the oro-dental complex is rare. Here is a case report of oral myiasis in an 18-year-old male patient who is mentally challenged with anterior open bite, incompetent lips, and periodontal disease. The lesion was treated with turpentine oil, which forced larvae out and irrigated with normal saline solution. Follow-up examination revealed complete remission and healing of the lesion.

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandible: A case report and review of literature.

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is rare benign lesions of bone which are infrequent in craniofacial skeleton. ABC's are characterized by rapid growth pattern with resultant bony expansion and facial asymmetry. We describe a case of ABC in a 25 year old male patient affecting the body of the mandible with expansion and thinning of the buccal and lingual cortical plates. Treatment consisted of surgical curettage of the lesion. A one year follow- up showed restoration of facial symmetry and complete healing of the involved site.

Malignant melanoma of the oral cavity showing satellitism.

Oral malignant melanoma is a rare aggressive neoplasm of melanocytic origin, usually found on the hard palate and gingiva, and representing 0.2-8% of all melanomas. Unfortunately, oral mucosal melanomas have by far the worst prognosis, and therefore early detection is indispensable for improving their prognosis. Histopathological examination of any pigmented lesion is essential to rule out this lethal entity. Computed tomography is of help for assessing both the extent of the lesion and the presence of regional metastasis to the lymph nodes. Malignant melanoma cells stain positively with antibodies against HMB-45, S-100 protein and vimentin, and so immuno-histochemistry can play a crucial role in evaluating the depth of invasion and location of metastasis. The presence of satellite/in transit lesions is an important factor affecting prognosis. Here we report a 30-year-old female patient with malignant melanoma of the gingiva and hard palate with a satellite lesion, highlighting the role of various diagnostic tools in its detection, and the prognosis associated with satellitism.