Prevalence and distribution of dental anomalies in a paediatric population based on panoramic radiographs analysis.

AIM: To evaluate the frequency and distribution of dental anomalies (DA) in a paediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Panoramic digital radiographs of children between 6 and 12 years old performed at a reference centre for radiographic exams were accessed. Two calibrated examiners evaluated the radiographs. The association between variables and outcomes was assessed using non-parametric tests. The significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: Five hundred and twelve individuals were included and 61.3% presented at least one DA. The mean age of patients with DA (9.35±1.60) was significantly higher compared to patients with no anomalies (7.90±1.58). Patients with supernumerary tooth, however, were significantly younger. The most frequent DA were permanent tooth radicular dilacerations (38.1%), permanent tooth agenesis (29.3%), supernumerary tooth (6.4%) and impacted tooth (6.4%). Anterior teeth and female patients were more affected by radicular dilacerations. Dental agenesis was more frequent in the third molars followed by the upper lateral incisor. CONCLUSION: DA are quite frequent in the paediatric population and the most common DA observed herein could only be identified through imaging exams. The most appropriate timing to perform an investigation for the detection of dental anomalies appears to be between 9 and 10 years old.

MRI in predicting a major clinical response to anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of MRI in predicting a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) improvement of at least 50% (BASDAI 50) upon anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: MRIs from patients with active AS who participated in randomised controlled trials were analysed with respect to presence and extent of active inflammatory lesions as detected in the spine (n = 46), sacroiliac (SI) joints (n = 42) and both sites (n = 26). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to evaluate MRI and clinical data in predicting a BASDAI 50 response. RESULTS: The Berlin MRI spine score (odds ratio (OR) 1.16, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.33) and disease duration (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.97) were statistically significant predictors of a BASDAI 50 response using regression analysis while there was only a trend for C-reactive protein (CRP). The likelihood ratio (LR) for achievement of BASDAI 50 was increased in patients with a Berlin MRI spine score >/=11 (LR 6.7), disease duration <10 years (LR 4.2) and CRP >/=40 mg/litre (LR 3.4). All patients with two or three of these predictors improved clinically (as assessed by BASDAI) by at least 45%. Disease duration >20 years, normal CRP and no active inflammatory lesion in the spine were highly predictive of not achieving BASDAI 50. A trend was only found for the MRI score of SI joints to be predictive. CONCLUSIONS: Widespread inflammation in the spine as detected by MRI contributes to predicting a BASDAI 50 response in active patients with AS treated with anti-TNF agents.

Hoarseness due to bamboo nodes in patients with autoimmune diseases: a review of literature.

SUMMARY: This is a retrospective report on clinical features, laryngoscopic examinations, and follow-up markers of laryngeal manifestation described as bamboo nodes in three female patients with transverse cystic lesions of the vocal folds, treated with logopedic therapy. This study examines logopedic and phoniatric aspects in patients with submucosal "bamboo joint-like nodes" of both vocal folds, and reveals an improvement of different voice quality features after conservative traditional voice therapy. There still exists no standard treatment regimen in patients with rheumatoid disease of the larynx; a lack of consensus is most evident in the role of voice therapy. We would like to emphasize the favorable impact of logopedic therapy in benign laryngeal disorders with underlying autoimmune diseases.

[Polyposis nasi--improvement in quality of life by the influence of leukotrien receptor antagonists]. / Polyposis nasi--Besserung der Lebensqualität durch Leukotrien-Rezeptorantagonisten.

BACKGROUND: Sulfido-Leukotrienes are important inflammatory mediators of bronchial asthma, intolerance of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), polyposis nasi and allergic rhinitis. Receptorantagonists like Montelukast constitute a well-established asthma- and ASA intolerance-therapy. The aim of our study was to evaluate changes in patients Health-Related-Quality-of-Life (HRQL) during Montelukast-monotherapy of nasal polyposis. METHODS: The study was performed in a prospective, double blind and placebo-controlled matter. The study included 30 patients of our ENT outpatient's dept. (77 % male, mean age 49 yrs), suffering from nasal polyposis grade II to IV. Polyps were endoscopically graded, nasal Eosinophilic Cationic Protein (ECP) was measured, and HRQL-score was taken prior to and four weeks after Montelukast-(0 - 0 - 10 mg) compared to placebo. An established HRQL-questionnaire - including 25 items, summarized in 6 symptom-groups - was used. Given was a symptom-score of 1 (not troubled) to 4 (extremely troubled). RESULTS: Patients treated with Montelukast improved their nasal symptoms (Delta HRQL-score 0.58 +/- 0.94, P < 0.01), practical problems (Delta HRQL-score 0.42 +/- 0.71, P < 0.05), headaches (Delta HRQL-score 0.38 +/- 0.56, P < 0.05), non-nasal symptoms (Delta HRQL-score 0.35 +/- 0.92, P < 0.05), sleep (Delta HRQL-score 0.26 +/- 0.71) and emotional problems (Delta HRQL-score 0.18 +/- 0.75). Intranasal ECP (Delta 210.67 ng/ml +/- 332.68) and polyp grading (Delta 0.72 +/- 1.77) tended to improve as well, but did not reach statistical significance. Patients treated with placebo revealed no significant changes neither in HRQL-score, ECP, nor polyp grading. CONCLUSIONS: Montelukast-therapy of nasal polyposis significantly improved patient's HRQL in 4 out of 6 symptom-groups. Measuring HRQL proofed to constitute a more sensitive tool than looking at eosinophilic parameters of inflammation or polyp size.