Trigeminal neuralgia: a retrospective study of 188 Thai cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in a group of Thai patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of 188 patients with TN were reviewed retrospectively for patient demographics, the characteristics of the pain and treatment modalities. RESULTS: Of the 188 patients, 37.2% were men and 62.8% were women. The peak incidence (46.8%) was in the age range of 50-69 years. Pain occurred on the right side of the face more often than on the left (1.8:1). The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve was the most frequently affected (30.3%), followed by the combined maxillary and mandibular divisions (29.3%) and the maxillary division alone (25%). The majority described their attack as a sharp pain (77.6%), and the most common primary locations were at previous extraction sites (40.5%). The most common triggers were chewing (61.2%) and speaking (47.3%). Carbamazepine was the most common prescribed drug (76.1%) for the initial treatment. Combination drug therapy was introduced when the monotherapy failed to control the pain. Surgical intervention was the alternative choice of treatment in refractory cases. CONCLUSION: TN affected women more than men, and this disorder occurred most frequently in patients aged 50 years and older. The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve was most commonly involved.

Oral mucosal lesions in denture wearers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) and denture-related mucosal lesions (DMLs) in denture wearers and to co-relate the prevalence with age, gender, type of denture and any systemic conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental records of 380 denture wearers were retrospectively reviewed for OMLs and DMLs. RESULTS: We found 45% of the denture wearers had DMLs and 60.8% had OMLs not related to denture wearing. Although the prevalence of DMLs was higher in complete denture wearers than in partial denture wearers (49% vs. 42.2%), this difference was not significant. The most common DMLs were traumatic ulcer (19.5%) and denture-induced stomatitis (18.1%). When analysed by type, traumatic ulcer, denture hyperplasia, frictional keratosis and candidiasis were more common in complete denture wearers, whereas denture-induced stomatitis was more common in partial denture wearers. Frictional keratosis was more common in men than in women. The prevalence of OMLs not related to denture wearing was higher in complete denture wearers than in partial denture wearers, and the most common OML was fissured tongue (27.6%). No association between DMLs and systemic conditions or xerostomic drugs was noted. CONCLUSION: No differences in the prevalence of DMLs in association with denture type were found. The prevalence of OMLs not related to denture wearing was higher in complete denture wearers than in partial denture wearers. This difference was affected by age, and the data were similar to the findings observed in the elderly.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma: a clinicopathological study of 342 Thai cases.

AIM: To conduct a clinicopathological review of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and to analyze it with respect to gender, age at diagnosis, clinical presentation, lesion location, and histological grading. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Information on the clinicopathological characteristics of SCC was obtained from pathology reports of 342 cases. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 1:1 and the incidence increased with age. Among the patients 4.7% were younger than 40 years and males were predominant in this subgroup. The alveolar ridge and gingiva were the most commonly affected sites (50%). The majority of the SCC cases presented as ulcers or masses. Swelling and/or pain were the first signs and/or symptoms in most patients (52.6%). The age at diagnosis in relation to the site of occurrence varied. Conventional SCC was the most common subtype (88%). Well-differentiated SCC was the most common histological grading (78.6%). CONCLUSION: In the present study, the incidence of SCC was age-related and showed equal gender distribution. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Routine examination of the oral cavity by dental practitioners and other health care providers aids in the early detection of premalignant and malignant oral disease. Dentists can play a significant role in disseminating information regarding oral cancer.

Antifungal activity of Morinda citrifolia fruit extract against Candida albicans.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the antifungal activity of Morinda citrifolia fruit extract on Candida albicans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Juice extract from M. citrifolia fruit was lyophilized and used in antifungal testing. Antifungal activity of M. citrifolia fruit extract against C. albicans was tested in vitro at various concentrations and for different contact times. The inhibitory effect of M. citrifolia extract on C. albicans was determined by cultures and an applied broth dilution test. RESULTS: Using cultures, growth of C. albicans was not detected with 50 mg/mL of extract at 30-minute contact time or with 60 mg/mL of extract at 15-minute contact time. By the broth dilution test, the minimum fungicidal concentration of extract against C. albicans was 40 mg/mL at 90-minute contact time or with 50 mg/mL at 15-minute contact time. CONCLUSION: M. citrifolia fruit extract had an antifungal effect on C. albicans and the inhibitory effect varied with concentration and contact time.

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumors: an analysis of 67 cases in a Thai population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the biologic profile of the adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) in a Thai population. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-seven cases of AOT registered from January 1974 to May 2006 were studied retrospectively. Age, sex, variants of AOT, site and extent of tumors, associated impacted teeth, initial clinical diagnoses, clinical presentations, and duration of symptoms were analyzed. RESULTS: All AOT cases were intraosseously located, of which 55.2% were follicular and 44.8% extrafollicular. The 2 variants together were found more frequently in the maxilla than in the mandible, with a ratio of 2:1. Females were affected more often than males, with a ratio of 1.8:1. The peak incidence (56.7%) was found in the second decade of life. The majority of AOT lesions (68.7%) was found in the anterior jaws. Adenomatoid odontogenic tumors were observed more often on the left side of jaws (50.7% vs. 38.8%). Canines were the most common teeth associated with follicular AOT (67.5%), and the maxillary canines alone accounted for 51.3% of all cases. The majority of our patients presented with a painless swelling and with duration of symptoms of 6 months and longer. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution and characteristics of AOT in a Thai population are similar to the findings found in other populations. Interestingly, in this series we observed a case involving an impacted deciduous canine and a case associated with an impacted maxillary third molar.

An updated clinical and epidemiological profile of the adenomatoid odontogenic tumour: a collaborative retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (AOT) is a benign odontogenic jaw lesion. The aim of this study was to update the biological profile of AOT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cases published in the literature and cases in files of co-authors were included. RESULTS: 550 new cases were retrieved, and of a total of 1082 cases analysed, 87.2% were found in the second and third decades. The M:F ratio was 1:1.9. 70.8% were of the follicular variant (extrafollicular: 26.9%, peripheral: 2.3%). 64.3% occurred in the maxilla. 60% of follicular AOTs were associated with unerupted canines. Nineteen cases of AOT (2.8%, M:F ratio was 1:1.4) were associated with embedded third molars. Twenty-two peripheral AOTs (2.3%, M:F ratio was 1:5.3) were recorded. The relative frequency (RF) of AOT ranged between 0.6% and 38.5%, revealing a considerably wider AOT/RF range than hitherto reported (2.2-7.1%). CONCLUSIONS: This updated review based on the largest number of AOT cases ever presented, confirms the distinctive, although not pathognomonic clinicopathological profile of the AOT, its worldwide occurrence, and its consistently benign behaviour.

Candida in oral lichen planus patients undergoing topical steroid therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence, intensity, and species of Candida in the oral cavity of oral lichen planus (OLP) patients who were being treated with a topical steroid. STUDY DESIGN: The incidence and intensity of oral Candida carriage were assessed by salivary and imprint cultures. Cytological smears were used to investigate the presence of Candida spores and hyphae in the OLP lesions. Candida species were identified by a chlamydospore formation test and the API 20C system. RESULTS: The salivary cultures were positive in 76.7% of the OLP patients and 43.3% of the controls (P = .008), whereas the imprint cultures were positive in 76.7% of the OLP patients and 40% of the controls (P = .004). A high-level Candida count in saliva was more frequently found in the OLP patients than in the controls (73.9% vs. 38.5%; P = .004). The mean scores of Candida growth from imprint cultures were higher in OLP patients than in the controls (P = .002). The mean scores of Candida growth were also higher in OLP patients who were taking xerogenic or immunosuppressive drugs (P = .038) and in OLP denture wearers (P = .022). Spores and hyphae were detected in 83.3% of the OLP lesions. Candida albicans, the most frequently isolated yeast, was found in 76.7% OLP patients and 40% of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that topical steroids induce Candida growth and the associated risk factors are age, medication use, and the wearing of dentures.

Geographic tongue: clinical characteristics of 188 cases.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and assess other factors associated with geographic tongue in Thailand. One hundred and eighty-eight Thais with geographic tongue and 188 controls were interviewed regarding their medical history, symptoms, and the nature and migratory pattern of their lesions. Variations in the clinical appearance, lesion location, and any associated tongue fissures were recorded. The age range for the 188 subjects was 9 to 79 years. The highest incidence (39.4%) occurred in the 20-29 age group. Women were affected more than men (1.5:1). The leading group of medical conditions consisted of allergy-related disorders; however, the incidence of these problems among both subjects and controls was not significantly different (55.2% vs. 44.8%). Our results demonstrated a significant co-existence of geographic tongue and fissured tongue. Most of the geographic tongue lesions manifested a typical appearance consisting of a central atrophic area bounded by a raised white circinate line (69.1%) with multiple tongue sites affected (62.8%). The most common locations were at the lateral margins and tip of the tongue. The majority of our subjects (75.5%) were asymptomatic. The results of this study correspond with the findings of previous geographic tongue studies in other populations.

Medical health and medication use in elderly dental patients.

The objectives of this study were to obtain information on the medical conditions and medications used among elderly Thai dental patients and to investigate the relationship between the findings in relation to age and sex. The information regarding medical conditions and medication use was obtained from interviews of 510 dental patients aged 60 years and older. The incidence of medical conditions was 82.5%; women had a significantly higher incidence of medical conditions (86.5%) than men (76.5%). The incidence of medical conditions did not differ among the three age groups. Overall, cardiovascular disease was the leading problem (33.7%) with hypertension being the major component (26.1%). The prevalent problems were bone/joint disorders (32.4%), allergies (18.2%), diabetes mellitus (14.5%), and eye and ear problems (14.3%). In our sample, 65.5% reported taking medications, with an average of 1.5 drug groups per person. The average number of medications taken increased as age increased. Women took medications more frequently than men (70% vs. 58.5%). The four most prevalent drugs were cardiovascular agents (32%), endocrinologic drugs (14.5%), nutritional therapeutics (12.9%), and drugs acting on the musculoskeletal system (11.4%). The present study supports the findings of previous reports in that the presence of medical conditions is high in the elderly and the incidence of medication use increases with advancing age.