Use of cone beam computed tomography in otolaryngologic treatments.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) allows us to evaluate 3-dimensional (3D) morphology of the maxillofacial skeleton and also used in dentomaxillofacial imaging to solve complex diagnostic and treatment planning problems such as craniofacial fractures, temporamandibular dysfunctions or sinus imaging. CBCT uses a rectangular or round 2D detector, which allows a single rotation of the gantry to generate a scan of the entire region of interest. Technological and application-specific factors such as development of compact, relatively low-cost, high-quality, large, flat-panel detector arrays; the availability of low-cost computers with processing power sufficient for cone beam image reconstruction; the fabrication of highly efficient radiograph tubes capable of multiple exposures necessary for cone beam scanning at prices lower than those currently used for fan beam CT; and limited volume scanning (e.g., head and neck) eliminating the need for subsecond gantry rotation speeds make this possible. The objective of this study is to review published evidence for CBCT having an important role in ORL treatments. We aimed to review all the available literature about the CBCT imagination in ORL treatments. Systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and Ovid. Additional literature was retrieved from reference lists in the articles. Systematic analysis of the literature from 1998 to 2010 was performed. A total of 40 abstracts were evaluated independently by two members of the project group, and 38 articles were included in the review.

Analysis of Six Orthodontic Journals in Science Citation Index and Science Citation Index Expanded: A Bibliometric Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the article type, origin, main affiliation, number of publications, authors, and affiliations of six orthodontic journals during two intervals of 5 years each (2006-2010 and 2011-2015). METHODS: In total, 4879 articles examined in this study were screened online at the individual journal's website. The types of articles and their authorship characteristics in the six orthodontic journals [three journals indexed by Science Citation Index (SCI) and the others indexed by Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE)] were recorded. Parameters were tested using the Pearson chi-square for independence at a 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: Among all the article types, research articles were the most published in the orthodontic journals indexed by SCI and SCIE in the first (2006-2010; 88.1% and 77.6%, respectively) and second periods (2011-2015; 84.4% and 74.6%, respectively). In the first and second intervals, the European Union was the most common origin among articles accepted by the journals listed in SCI (30.1% and 29.2% respectively), whereas Asia/Oceania was the common origin among articles accepted by the journals listed in SCIE (44.1% and 43.4%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The articles published in the orthodontics journals listed under SCI and SCIE for 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 were significantly different in terms of numbers and characteristics.

Evaluation of inflammation during fixed orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess effects of fixed orthodontic therapy on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level, CBC parameters and levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, creatinine, sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), total protein (TP), and albumin (Alb). DESIGN: Blood samples (7ml) were drawn at baseline, on days 1 and 7, and three months after placement of braces in the study group, while only one blood sample was drawn at baseline in the control group. Serum hs-CRP levels were measured by nephelometric method. Friedman two-way variance analysis was used to assess values with skewed distribution obtained at baseline, on days 1 and 7, in the third month. Wilcoxon rank sign test was performed if median values were unequal. RESULTS: During measurement periods, there were significant increases in hs-CRP level, WBC count and neutrophil count while a significant decrease in Na level (p<0.05). K level was significantly decreased on the day 1. No significant differences were detected in other biochemical parameters evaluated. CONCLUSION: Elevation in serum hs-CRP levels and neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio within first 3 months indicates that a systemic immune response develops against therapy in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic therapy.

Comparison of the effects of mandibular protruding devices on obstructive sleep apnoea patients and healthy volunteers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate upper airway diameter differences before and after placement of custom made mandible protruding devices (MPD) in OSAS group and to compare with control group using computerized tomography. METHODS: The OSAS group was composed of 15 patients aged from 25 to 45 years with mild-moderate OSAS and the control group included 15 healthy volunteers, aged from 25 years to 44 years. On coronal and sagittal reformated CT images, anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) diameters at three levels (passing through soft palate [level 1], 5 mm above uvula [level 2] and 1 cm above the tip of epiglottis [level 3]) were measured before and after MPD placement in both groups. RESULTS: LAT diameters at level 1, level 2 and AP diameter at level 2 in OSAS group were significantly lower than in control group before MPD placement. Only LAT diameters at level 2 in OSAS group were significantly lower than in control group after MPD placement. When we compared upper airway diameters before and after placement of the MPD within each group, statistically significant increase in diameters at all levels were observed. CONCLUSION: MPD is a cheap, easily usable device providing increase in upper airway diameters.