Investigation of the maxillary lateral incisor agenesis and associated dental anomalies in an orthodontic patient population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of maxillary lateral incisor (MLI) agenesis and associated dental anomalies as well as skeletal patterns in an orthodontic population, and then to compare it with the prevalence of these anomalies in the general population. STUDY DESIGN: The material of the present study included the records of the 3872 orthodontic patients. The followings were recorded for each subject with the agenesis of MLI: Age, sex, unilateral or bilateral absence, anterior-posterior skeletal relationship of the maxilla and mandible, and presence of associated dental anomalies. The occurrence of these anomalies was compared with data previously reported for the general populations. RESULTS: Of the 3872 patients examined, 94 were found to have agenesis of the MLI, representing a prevalence of 2.4 per cent, with females being more frequently observed. The most commonly found associated anomalies were ectopic eruption of maxillary canines and reduced or peg- shaped contralateral incisor with the frequencies of 21.3 per cent and 20.2 per cent respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with agenesis of MLI showed a significantly higher prevalence of skeletal Class III malocclusion compared with the general population. The prevalence of ectopic eruption, transposition, and transmigration of the maxillary canine and reduced or peg- shaped MLIs were significantly increased.

Combined laryngocele: a cause of stridor and cervical swelling.

A laryngocele is usually a cystic dilatation of the laryngeal saccule. The etiology behind its occurrence is still unclear, but congenital and acquired factors have been implicated in its development. In this study, we present a rare case of laryngocele occurring in a 72-year-old woman. During physical examination the external component of the laryngocele was seen as a swelling in the neck. The swelling became larger during Valsalva maneuver. On the endoscopic examination of the larynx, she had a bulging near the ventricular fold and the right aryepiglottic fold. Diagnosis of laryngocele was made and confirmed with physical examination, indirect laryngoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Intra-articular lipoma causing snapping in the patellofemoral joint.

Intra-articular lipoma is an exceedingly rare diagnosis. We identified a lipoma that was seated in the retropatellar area and caused snapping of the patella during flexion of the knee joint. The tumor was easily and totally excised under arthroscopic guidance after the thin pedicle was cut.

Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis manifesting as intracerebral hemorrhage associated with herpes simplex virus type I.

Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHL) is a rare and usually fatal disorder characterized by an acute onset of neurological abnormalities. It may occur in association with a viral illness or vaccination. Radiology and brain biopsy are essential for the diagnosis. We present a case of AHL mimicking or manifesting as intracerebral hemorrhage associated with herpes simplex virus. A 3-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with cerebral hemorrhage. The findings of cerebrospinal fluid, MRI and electroencephalogram indicated acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis associated with herpes simplex virus involving the left parietal cortex (hemorrhage) and the right temporal lobe (encephalitis). The patient received intravenous dexamethasone (1.5 mg/kg/24 h divided q6 (six times a day) for 5 days, tapered slowly to discontinuation over the next 5 days) and aciclovir (15 mg/kg/every 6 h for 14 days). His clinical condition markedly improved, and after 3 weeks he was discharged from the hospital with moderate right hemiparesis. Mild hemiparesis with normal psychometric testing was determined when he was checked 6 months later. AHL remains misdiagnosed as viral encephalitis because it produces different protean clinical forms. Pediatric patients admitted with cerebral hemorrhage and infarct should be evaluated for presence of hemorrhagic encephalitis-causing agents, especially for herpes simplex. Since, as in our case, treatment with corticosteroid and acyclovir markedly improves conditions of herpes simplex-caused AHL, we suggest that early diagnosis and treatment is of importance for the prognosis.

[Pictorial essay: Pneumocephalus]. / Pnömosefali.

Imaging in pneumocephalus aids in the diagnosis and management of this condition, which usually results from trauma, iatrogenic causes, infections, tumors, and cranium abnormalities. The role of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is especially addressed in this article.