The advantages of xeroradiography for panoramic examination of the jaws and teeth.

Xeroradiography is an electrostatic imaging method which was significant advantages over conventional radiographic techniques. This article introduces the use of xeroradiography for panoramic examination of the jaws. The resultant images not only contain superior local contrast and detail when compared to conventional panoramic radiographs but also correlate well with histopathologic changes. The investigation indicates that xeroradiography is an important new diagnostic tool for detection of disease of the jaws and teeth.

Mycobacterial disease of the parotid gland.

Mycobacterial disease is an unusual but important condition that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a discrete parotid gland swelling or mass. The management of this condition involves exclusion of neoplastic disease and combined medical and surgical therapy. We present 5 cases of mycobacterial involvement of the parotid gland and discuss issues surrounding the diagnosis and treatment options.

Applications of xeroradiography in dentistry-a review.

Xeroradiography is the technique in which electrostatically charged plates sensitive to X-rays are used in diagnostic radiology in place of conventional film. There has however been anxiety that radiation dosage for xeroradiography may be at unacceptably high levels. James et al., however, in 1973 showed that by increasing the kilovoltage to at least 120 the exposure could be reduced by 60 per cent. Using higher kV lateral oblique jaw and lateral and anteroposterior skull xeroradiographs have been produced with lower radiation exposure than conventional film. Bony detail is much more sharply delineated on xeroradiographs and soft tissues are visible on the same picture without use of a grid or wedge filter. These features are of obvious advantage in cephalometrics and orthognathic surgery. Panoramic techniques are potentially the most useful way of applying xeroradiography. The combination of full jaw coverage with the sharp definition only possible at present with intra-oral radiographs would provide more information for the dentist, save time for the radiographer and reduce the dose to the patient. Excellent results have been obtained with autopsy specimens on machines which develop 90kVp, but optimal exposure for a normal adult requires a panoramic X-ray machine development 120 kVp. Xeroradiography has the advantage, therefore, of providing more detail of diagnostic value with lower radiation exposure to the patient. The process requires no silver, which is in increasingly short supply.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome: review.

PIP: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is reviewed for dental practitioners, with an emphasis on oral findings; the clinical course, diagnosis, reporting, treatment, prognosis, transmission, and epidemiology are also covered. HIV infection has an incubation period that may be associated with glandular fever, a prodrome called AIDS-Related Complex (ARC) characterized by lymphadenopathy, low fever, weight loss, night sweats, diarrhea, oral candidosis, nonproductive cough and recurrent infections. AIDS is characterized by opportunistic infections. Over 50% present with pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, 21% with Kaposi's sarcoma, and 6% have both. The AIDS virus causes direct neurological symptoms in some cases. Oral candidosis (thrush) in a young male without a local cause such as xerostomia or immune suppression is strongly suggestive of AIDS. Other oral manifestations are severe herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, venereal warts, aphthous ulceration, mycobacterial oral ulcers, oral histoplasmosis, sinusitis and osteomyelitis of the jaw. Hairy leukoplakia, usually seen on the lateral border of the tongue, is probably caused by Epstein-Barr virus. Kaposi's sarcoma, an endothelial cell tumor, is characteristic of AIDS, and in 50% of patients is oral or perioral. Cervical lymph node enlargement will be seen in those with ARC as well as AIDS. No guidelines have been issued by the Department of Health and Social Security for dental surgeons in the UK for reporting AIDS cases. Although HIV virions have been isolated from saliva, there are no known incidents of transmission via saliva. HIV is less likely to be transmitted by needle stick injuries than, for example hepatitis B (25% risk), especially if the blood is from a carrier rather than a full blown AIDS case.^ieng