Correlation of radiovisuographic analysis of interdental and interradicular bone loss in furcation involvement of mandibular first molars: A retrospective study

The presence of furcation involvement represents a formidable problem in the treatment of periodontal disease. Advances in radiographic analysis such as radiovisuographic (RVG) aid in the early diagnosis and treatment planning, which is critical for long-term success. The present investigation aims to correlate the interdental and interradicular bone loss in chronic periodontitis patients so as to explore the potential of interdental bone loss as a rough approximate screening tool for early furcation diagnosis in mandibular first molar. Materials and Methods: RVG radiographs with furcation radiolucency in mandibular first molars were selected. The morphometric measurements of mesial, distal interdental bone loss, and interradicular bone loss in mandibular first molars were recorded using RVG. The correlation between mesial and distal interdental bone loss and interradicular bone loss was analyzed. Results: In this retrospective investigation, it was observed that distal interdental bone loss was not significantly different when compared with mesial interdental bone loss. The interradicular bone loss was significantly different when compared with mesial interdental bone loss, whereas on analysis between distal interdental bone loss and interradicular bone loss was also found to be statistically significant. Interpretation and Conclusion: Interdental bone loss was found to be associated with progressive bone destruction in furcation area which suggests that early detection of interdental bone loss can be helpful in predicting future interradicular bone loss.

Inferior vena cava thrombosis in a case of amoebic liver abscess: Is hypercomplementemia responsible for this rare entity.

Among the liver abscesses, thrombosis of the inferior vena cava (IVC) has been reported mainly in amoebic liver abscess (ALA) caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E.H). It is an unusual complication especially in paediatric age group. Association of hypercomplementemia and IVC thrombosis has not been discussed previously. Published data suggest that E.H can activate the complement system and can cause hypercomplementemia. A very few studies suggest that complement activation and hypercomplementemia are associated with thrombus formation. We describe a paediatric case of ALA complicated by IVC thrombosis extending to the right atrium and discuss the possible role of hypercomplementemia in causation of IVC thrombosis in cases of ALA.

Pantoea agglomerans infection behaving like a tumor after plant thorn injury: An unusual presentation.

Pantoea agglomerans infections in humans are uncommon. Most common infections reported are septic arthritis or synovitis. We report the case of a 25-year-old, healthy male, who presented with indurated swelling over the posterolateral aspect of his right thigh, associated with pain for one month. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed muscle edema with cystic areas in the posterior-most part of the vastus lateralis of the right thigh. The condition was clinically diagnosed as a right-sided benign tumor of the vastus lateralis muscle. However, Pantoea agglomerans was isolated on a culture of the excised muscle tissue. On the basis of the awareness of the common association of Pantoea with penetrating trauma by vegetation, the patient was asked to recollect any prior such injury. He then gave a history of a fall in the field and a plant thorn prick in the thigh four years back, when he was an agricultural worker. We emphasize the importance of Pantoea agglomerans infection of the soft tissues that can have an atypical presentation as a non-suppurative, indurated, muscle cyst in our case. Thorn injuries are usually ignored as trivial incidents, however, Pantoea infections should always be borne in mind when encountering soft tissue lesions, as antibiotic treatment is required for complete resolution of the lesion.

Fecal occult blood screening in children with severe malnutrition.

We screened 50 consecutive severely malnourished children for evidence of gastrointestinal tract blood loss. Malnutrition was graded as per WHO recommendations. Gastrointestinal blood loss was detected using fecal occult blood test (FOBT) kit. Thirty (60%) of the study population were documented to be FOBT positive. This simple and rapid test is recommended as a routine screening procedure among severely malnourished children for the detection and timely treatment of occult blood loss, contributing to anemia and related complications.