Extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm presenting as symptomatic hypoglossal and glossopharyngeal nerve paralysis.

Aneurysms of the extracranial portion of the internal carotid artery are rare, particularly in young patients. They usually develop following trauma, or secondary to infection involving the parapharyngeal space that extends to the vessel wall. This is a case of an internal carotid artery aneurysm presenting acutely following chiropractic neck manipulation with hypoglossal and glossopharyngeal nerve palsy. The imaging findings and subsequent operative management are described.

Clinical evaluation of acellular allograft dermis for the treatment of human gingival recession.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal root coverage procedures to treat recession areas are indicated for unesthetic, exposed, and/or painful root surfaces. Many methods, most using autogenous soft tissue grafts, have been utilized, but with associated morbidity at the donor sites. An alternative donor material would reduce the morbidity and provide for sufficient available donor tissue. METHODS: An acellular allogeneic dermal connective tissue matrix (AD) and autogenous palatal connective tissue (CT) were compared as subepithelial grafts for the treatment of gingival recession. Twenty-two patients with similar isolated gingival recession of > or = 2 mm on 2 separate teeth were treated with the subepithelial graft technique. Exposed roots were hand root planed only and, by random allocation, either a fitted AD or fitted CT graft was secured in place and covered by coronally positioned flaps. RESULTS: Mann Whitney U test analysis found the following changes at 6 months for AD and CT, respectively, compared to presurgical conditions: root coverage of 1.7 +/- 1.2 (65.9%) and 2.2 +/- 1.1 mm (74.1%) (both P<0.01), increase in keratinized tissue (KT) of 1.2 +/- 1.3 and 1.6 +/- 1.9 (both P<0.01), and an increase in gingival thickness with both; 83.2% of expected root coverage was obtained with AD and 88.6% with CT (P= 0.43). There were no significant differences between treatments for any parameter. Global assessments by clinicians and patients suggested a more esthetic clinical result with AD. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that acellular allogeneic dermal matrix may be a useful substitute for autogenous connective tissue grafts in root coverage procedures.

Clinical comparison of bioactive glass bone replacement graft material and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene barrier membrane in treating human mandibular molar class II furcations.

BACKGROUND: Class II furcations present difficult treatment problems and historically several treatment approaches to obtain furcation fill have been used. METHODS: The response of mandibular Class II facial furcations to treatment with either bioactive glass (PG) bone replacement graft material or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) barrier membrane was evaluated in 27 pairs of mandibular molars in 27 patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis. Following initial preparation, full thickness flaps were raised in the area being treated, the bone and furcation defects debrided of granulomatous tissue, and the involved root surfaces mechanically prepared and chemically conditioned. By random allocation, PG or ePTFE was placed into or fitted over the furcations, packed or secured in place, and the host flap replaced or coronally positioned with sutures. Postsurgical deplaquing was performed every 10 days leading up to ePTFE removal at about 6 weeks. Continuing periodontal maintenance therapy was provided until surgical reentry at 6 months for documentation and any further necessary treatment. RESULTS: Direct clinical measurements demonstrated essentially similar clinical results with both treatments for bone and soft tissue changes. There were no statistically or clinically significant differences (e.g., mean horizontal furcation fill 1.4 mm PG, 1.3 mm ePTFE; mean percent horizontal furcation fill 31.6% PG, 31.1% ePTFE, both P>0.85). Seventeen of the PG treated and 18 of the ePTFE furcations became Class I clinically and 1 furcation completely closed clinically with each treatment. Intrapatient comparisons showed similar horizontal furcation responses with both treatments. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest essentially equal clinical results with PG bone replacement graft material and e-PTFE barriers in mandibular molar Class II furcations. PG use was associated with simpler application and required no additional material removal procedures.

Multi-center clinical comparison of combination anorganic bovine-derived hydroxyapatite matrix (ABM)/cell binding peptide (P-15) and ABM in human periodontal osseous defects. 6-month results.

BACKGROUND: Intraosseous periodontal defects present a particular treatment problem. New bone replacement grafts offer promise for improved results. METHODS: The role of a synthetic cell-binding peptide (P-15), combined with anorganic [corrected] bovine-derived hydroxyapatite bone matrix (ABM), was compared to ABM alone in human periodontal osseous defects in a controlled, monitored, multi-center trial. Following appropriate initial preparation procedures, flap surgery with defect and root debridement was performed. Two osseous defects per patient were treated randomly with each procedure after surgical preparation. Appropriate periodontal maintenance schedules were followed, and at 6 to 7 months, re-entry flap surgery was performed for documentation and finalization of treatment. RESULTS: T test and Mann-Whitney U analyses of patient mean values from 33 patients revealed that the combination ABM/P-15 grafts demonstrated significantly better mean defect fill of 2.9 +/- 1.2 mm (72.9%) versus a mean defect fill of 2.2 +/- 1.4 mm (50.67%) for defects treated with ABM (P<0.05). Other hard tissue findings showed similar clinically superior results with the use of ABM/P-15. Relative defect fill results showed 81% positive (50% to 100% defect fill) responses with ABM/P-15 and 67% positive responses with ABM. There were 3.5 times as many optimal results (> or = 90% defect fill) with ABM/P-15 and twice as many failures (minimal response) with ABM. Soft tissue findings showed no significant differences between treatments. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the use of the P-15 synthetic cell-binding peptide combined with ABM yields better clinical results than the ABM alone in intrabony periodontal defects.

Two multi-center studies evaluating locally delivered doxycycline hyclate, placebo control, oral hygiene, and scaling and root planing in the treatment of periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical efficacy and safety of doxycycline hyclate (8.5% w/w) delivered subgingivally in a biodegradable polymer (DH) was compared to placebo control (VC), oral hygiene (OH), and scaling and root planing (SRP) in 2 multi-center studies. METHODS: Each study entered 411 patients who demonstrated moderate to severe periodontitis. Patients had 2 or more quadrants each with a minimum of 4 qualifying pockets > or =5 mm that bled on probing. At least 2 of the pockets were > or =7 mm. Treatment with DH, VC, OH, or SRP was provided at baseline and again at month 4. Clinical parameters were recorded monthly. RESULTS: DH and SRP resulted in nearly identical clinical changes over time in both studies. Mean 9 month clinical attachment level gain (ALG) was 0.8 mm for the DH group and 0.7 mm for the SRP group in Study 1, and 0.8 mm (DH) and 0.9 mm (SRP) in Study 2. Mean probing depth (PD) reduction was 1.1 mm for the DH group and 0.9 mm for the SRP group in Study 1 and 1.3 mm for both groups in Study 2. Frequency distributions showed an ALG > or =2 mm in 29% of DH sites versus 27% of SRP sites in Study 1 and 31% of DH sites versus 34% of SRP sites in Study 2. PD reductions > or =2 mm were seen in 32% of DH sites versus 31% of SRP sites in Study 1 and 41% of DH sites versus 43% of SRP sites in Study 2. Comparisons between DH, VC, and OH treatment groups showed DH treatment to be statistically superior to VC and OH. Safety data demonstrated a benign safety profile with use of the DH product. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this trial demonstrate that treatment of periodontitis with subgingivally delivered doxycycline in a biodegradable polymer is equally effective as scaling and root planing and superior in effect to placebo control and oral hygiene in reducing the clinical signs of adult periodontitis over a 9-month period. This represents positive changes resulting from the use of subgingivally applied doxycycline as scaling and root planing was not limited regarding time of the procedure or use of local anesthesia.

Multi-center clinical evaluation of combination anorganic bovine-derived hydroxyapatite matrix (ABM)/cell binding peptide (P-15) as a bone replacement graft material in human periodontal osseous defects. 6-month results.

A synthetic cell-binding peptide (P-15) combined with anorganic bovine-derived hydroxyapatite bone matrix (ABM) was compared to demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) and open flap debridement (DEBR) in human periodontal osseous defects in a controlled, monitored, multi-center trial. Following appropriate initial preparation procedures, flap surgery with defect and root debridement was performed. Three osseous defects per patient were treated randomly with one of three procedures after surgical preparation. Appropriate periodontal maintenance schedules were followed, and at 6 to 7 months re-entry flap surgery was performed for documentation and finalization of treatment. Analysis of variation (ANOVA) and t test analyses of patient mean values from 31 patients revealed that the combination ABM/P-15 grafts demonstrated significantly better mean defect fill of 2.8 +/- 1.2 mm (72.3%) versus a mean defect fill of 2.0 +/- 1.4 mm (51.4%) for defects treated with DFDBA (P <0.05) and a mean defect fill of 1.5 +/- 1.3 mm (40.3%) (P <0.05) for defects treated with DEBR. Other hard tissue findings showed similar clinically superior results with the use of ABM/P-15. Relative defect fill results showed 87% positive (50% to 100% defect fill) responses with ABM/P-15, 58% positive responses with DFDBA, and 41% positive responses with DEBR. There were 8 to 9 times more failures (minimal response) with DFDBA and DEBR (26% to 29% frequency) than with ABM/P-15. Soft tissue findings showed no significant differences among treatments except for greater clinical attachment level gain with ABM/P-15 compared to DEBR. These results suggest that the use of the P-15 synthetic cell-binding peptide combined with ABM yields better clinical results than either DFDBA or DEBR. Further studies are needed to determine the relative roles of the ABM and/or the P-15 in these improved results.

Clinical regeneration with guided tissue barriers.

This review of the current periodontal literature evaluates clinical regeneration with guided tissue barriers in infrabony defects and furcations. A meta-analysis was conducted by calculating weighted means with confidence intervals for each treatment group. Clinical improvement in infrabony defects was best for polylactic acid/polyglactin (PLA/PGA) barriers, with a mean pocket reduction of 5.3 mm and a mean gain in clinical probing attachment level of 4.7 mm. For furcations, special attention was given to the frequency of either complete or partial (> or = 50%) furcation closure. Complete furcation closure was an infrequent result of guided tissue regeneration, occurring in only 7% to 19% of furcations treated with barriers. For the time period reported, the best clinical results in furcations and infrabony defects occurred with PLA/PGA-type barriers. However, there were no statistically significant differences among the various barriers in infrabony defects or furcations.

Loaded and nonloaded titanium versus hydroxyapatite-coated threaded implants in the canine mandible.

A commercially pure titanium threaded implant was compared to a hydroxyapatite-coated threaded implant of similar geometric design and dimensions in the canine model. Bilateral posterior implants supported fixed prostheses, and some implants in the same mandibles served as unloaded control implants. Implants were evaluated clinically, radiographically, and histomorphometrically at the light microscope level to detect any differences in bone response to loaded conditions. No statistically significant differences were found between the two implant designs under loaded or nonloaded conditions with regard to mobility, probing depth, percentage of osseointegration, and crestal bone position.

Frequency of furcation closure with regenerative periodontal therapy.

A review of the literature was performed related to the frequency of closure of Grade II furcations with various regenerative therapies such as bone replacement grafts (BRG), coronally positioned flaps (CPF), guided tissue regeneration barriers (GTR), or open flap debridement (OFD). Fifty papers involving 1,016 furcations were evaluated. Complete furcation closure was reported only 20% of the time. Clinical change from Grade II to Grade I (partial furcation fill) was found in an additional 33% of the cases. Therefore, general improvement in clinical furcation status has been reported only about 50% of the time. The most effective furcation regenerative therapy was the combination of GTR plus BRG (91% overall positive). Similar overall positive results (88%) were achieved with nondemineralized allogeneic freeze-dried bone plus tetracycline without a barrier. The least effective therapy for regeneration in furcations was OFD (2% complete furcation closures and 13% partial furcation closures). If complete furcation closure is a primary goal of regenerative therapy, that goal would not appear to be commonly met.

Management of life threatening adult postpneumonectomy syndrome.

A case of life threatening airway obstruction secondary to bronchial compression following right pneumonectomy is reported. The aetiology of postpneumonectomy syndrome and the anaesthetic dilemmas faced are discussed with reference to the adaptation and use of a chest drain tube as an improvised airway to bypass the bronchial obstruction.

Overpressure isoflurane at caesarean section: a study of arterial isoflurane concentrations.

In this study we have measured arterial concentrations of isoflurane obtained during Caesarean section in two groups of patients. Patients in group 1 received 1% isoflurane throughout operation, whilst those in group 2 received 2% isoflurane for the first 5 min, 1.5% for the next 5 min and 0.8% thereafter. We found that arterial isoflurane concentrations were significantly greater in group 2 than in group 1 (ANOVA, P < 0.05). Isoflurane concentrations greater than 30 micrograms ml-1 were achieved rapidly in most patients in both groups, but there was a large scatter of results. The isoflurane concentration at which awareness or recall may occur is not known, but an "overpressure" technique as described for patients in group 2 may result in fewer patients being at risk of awareness.

Effects of the Nd:YAG dental laser on plasma-sprayed and hydroxyapatite-coated titanium dental implants: surface alteration and attempted sterilization.

The Nd:YAG dental laser has been recommended for a number of applications, including the decontamination or sterilization of surfaces of dental implants that are diseased or failing. The effects of laser irradiation in vitro (1) on the surface properties of plasma-sprayed titanium and plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite-coated titanium dental implants, and (2) on the potential to sterilize those surfaces after contamination with spores of Bacillus subtilis have been examined. Surface effects were examined by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction after laser irradiation at 0.3, 2.0, and 3.0 W using either contact or noncontact handpieces. Controls received no laser irradiation. Melting, loss of porosity, and other surface alterations were observed on both types of implants, even with the lowest power setting. For the sterilization study, both types of implants were first sterilized by exposure to ethylene oxide and then contaminated with spores of B subtilis. After laser irradiation, the implants were transferred to sterile growth medium and incubated. Laser irradiation did not sterilize either type of implant. The spore-contaminated implants in the control group were successfully sterilized with ethylene oxide.

Laryngeal mask airway and tracheal tube insertion by unskilled personnel.

After a short training programme 11 naval medical trainees inserted a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and a tracheal tube (ETT) in random order in a total of 110 anaesthetised patients. They were allowed 40 s for each attempt. Success was defined as the detection of expired carbon dioxide within 40 s of Guedel airway removal which subsequently rose to an end-tidal value of at least 4 kPa, together with satisfactory lung expansion and ventilation, without other airway intervention by the anaesthetist. 104 LMA insertions were successful compared with 56 of ETTs (p less than 0.01). All first attempts at LMA insertion were successful, whereas satisfactory ETT placement was progressive. Insertion was also quicker with the LMA (20 s) than with the ETT (35 s) (p less than 0.01). Further studies are indicated to assess the value of the LMA in emergencies.