Child maltreatment in Dubai and the Northern United Arab Emirates: dental hygienists and assistants' knowledge.

PURPOSE: Dental assistants (DAs) and hygienists (DHs) should play an active role in the detection and reporting of child abuse and neglect (CAN). We aimed to investigate CAN knowledge of DAs and DHs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and some of the inhibiting factors to the process of CAN reporting. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was utilized. We surveyed 186 DAs and DHs using a previously validated self-administered anonymous CAN knowledge questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using χ2-square, Fisher's exact test, t test/Mann-Whitney, and a ROC curve (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Among 186 DAs and DHs surveyed, satisfactory knowledge of CAN was demonstrated by 50.5%. DAs scored a significantly higher score of knowledge compared to DHs (p = 0.03). The most reported CAN referral inhibiting factor was "being afraid to get in trouble with parents". The recognition of a child with special needs and parents missing multiple appointments as risk factors for CAN was significantly higher in the DAs compared to DHs (p = 0.04, p = 0.024, respectively). Awareness of local laws was related to CAN knowledge in DAs (p = 0.012) and DHs (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: The lack of appropriate knowledge regarding CAN necessitates a clear reporting process and better education for DAs and DHs in the UAE.

Normal radiographic anatomy of thoracic structures: analysis of 1000 chest radiographs in Japanese population.

The purpose of this paper was to study the frequency of visualization and characteristics of normal thoracic structures on posteroanterior (PA) chest radiographs in Japanese population. 1000 consecutive normal PA chest radiographs of men and women ranging in age from 20 years to 90 years were reviewed. Frequency of visualization and configuration of structures including (1) fissure lines such as major, minor, vertical fissure line, and accessory fissures, (2) vascular structures including normal apical opacity, aortic nipple, and descending aortic interface, and (3) other structures including air in the oesophagus, aortic pulmonary stripe, and diaphragm were studied. On PA chest radiographs: (1) minor fissure, superolateral major fissure, superomedial major fissure, vertical fissure line, superior accessory fissure, and inferior accessory fissure were visualized in 74.7%, 19.7%, 15.4%, 1.6%, 2.9% and 13.1%, respectively. (2) Normal apical opacity was seen in 3.7%, while aortic nipple was seen in 0.9%. Descending aortic interface was obliterated in 13.7%. (3) Air in the oesophagus and aortic pulmonary stripe were seen in 8.9% and 17.7%, respectively. Hemidiaphragm was obliterated in 10.3% on the right, and in 32.4% on the left. Scalloping of the diaphragm was seen in 10.6% on the right, 6.5% on the left, and 4.3% bilaterally. Frequency of visualization and characteristics of various normal anatomical structures on chest radiographs in Japanese population differ from those reported previously from the West. Familiarity with these normal thoracic structures and variations is important for our daily image interpretation.

Malignant and benign compression fractures: differentiation and diagnostic pitfalls on MRI.

The distinction between malignant and benign compression fractures is a common problem in clinical practice. Various imaging techniques (plain radiography, computed tomography, bone scintigraphy) have been used to differentiate these conditions but they are often inadequate in distinguishing the nature of compression fracture. This review illustrates the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of malignant and benign compression fractures with emphasis on the usefulness, limitations and pitfalls of MRI.

Fracture of an elastic humeral nail. A case report.

The use of elastic intramedullary nails for the treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the humerus has been associated with few complications. We report a fracture of an elastic Marchetti-Vicenzi nail used to treat a pathological fracture of the humerus. The failure of the intramedullary nail followed low-energy trauma and was presumably the end result of metal fatigue, as the original fracture had only healed after 13 months.

MR assessment of meniscal movement during knee flexion: correlation with the severity of cartilage abnormality in the femorotibial joint.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the degree of meniscal movement during knee flexion on MR images and to correlate it with the severity of cartilage damage in the femorotibial joint. METHOD: Sagittal MR images were obtained at extension and 45 degrees of flexion in 35 knees. A shortening ratio in the distance between the anterior and posterior horns at 0-45 degrees of knee flexion was calculated in each meniscus and was correlated with the degree of cartilage abnormality in the femorotibial joint. RESULTS: The shortening ratio of the meniscus was reduced in knees with cartilage abnormality in the femorotibial joint. The shortening ratio of the medial meniscus was inversely correlated with the degree of cartilage abnormality in the medial femoral condyle and with that in the medial tibial plateau. CONCLUSION: Restricted shortening ratio of the meniscus may be related to cartilage damage in the femorotibial joint.