Ultrasonographic assessment of the maxillary artery and middle meningeal artery in the infratemporal fossa.

PURPOSE: To investigate with Doppler ultrasonography the maxillary and middle meningeal arteries in the infratemporal fossa, and describe their hemodynamic characteristics. METHODS: We included 24 female and 11 male volunteers without vascular diseases, with a median age of 43 years. We used the acoustic window, enlarged by subjects half-opening their mouth, located below the zygomatic arch, in front of temporo-mandibular joint, to reach the maxillary and middle meningeal arteries. RESULTS: In the 35 subjects, 112 arteries were visualized successfully: 60 maxillary (85.7%), and 52 middle meningeal arteries (74.3%), at a depth of 2.40 and 2.50 cm, respectively. Their blood flow was directed anteriorly and away from the probe. While all the measured hemodynamic characteristics differed significantly between the maxillary and the middle meningeal artery (P < 0.001), there was no significant difference between male and female subjects, nor between the left or the right side. CONCLUSIONS: The maxillary and middle meningeal arteries can be insonated in the infratemporal fossa through the easily accessible acoustic window below the zygomatic arch, when the patient holds his mouth half open. They can be differentiated by their ultrasonographic characteristics and blood flow features.

Cranial Reconstruction Using Autologous Bone and Methylmethacrilate.

BACKGROUND: Having in mind the importance of reconstruction of the calvaria, our goal was to compare the complication rates following the use of autologous bone and methylmethacrilate grafts, and explain the factors influencing them. METHODS: The authors collected information of all the patients undergoing cranial reconstructive surgery (N = 149) at the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade. Procedures were performed either using a craniotomy bone flap, removed and replaced in the same act, or using methylmethacrilate. These 2 groups were compared using the Chi-squared test, controlling for the confounding influence of the size of the defect. RESULTS: Intracranial neoplasms were the cause for the reconstruction in 71.1% of patients. The total complication rate was 7.4%, while the infection rate was 5.4%. The infection rate was significantly higher in those procedures done using methylmethacrilate (11.3% compared with 2.1%, P = 0.017), but when controlling for the confounding effect of the size of the defect treated, the difference in infection rate was significant only in large defects (13.9% compared with 2%, P = 0.031), while for small defects the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the material used for reconstruction of calvaria influences the infection rate only in large and complicated defects. Considering the importance of the reconstruction, further studies should explore and confirm the role of material type on the rate of complications.

Pediatric Dentists' Service Provisions in South-East Europe during the First Wave of COVID-19 Epidemic: Lessons Learned about Preventive Measures and Personal Protective Equipment Use.

INTRODUCTION: Having in mind the importance of providing continuous pediatric dental services during the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that children have similar viral loads to adults, the potential to spread the virus to others, and with variable clinical presentation of COVID-19 infection, this study aimed to analyze the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on pediatric dentistry service provision, risks, and preventive measures before and during dental treatment. METHOD: Structured and closed epidemiological cross-sectional survey involved seven Southeastern European countries. The questionnaire was developed using the modified Delphi method, pretested, and tested in North Italy during April 2020. The sample consisted of licensed dental professionals reached via national dental chambers and social media using the best strategies according to the national setting. RESULTS: A total of 3227 dentists participated in the survey, and we included 643 specialists in this study-among them, 164 were pediatric dentists. Most pediatric dentists worked in the public sector (61.0%) and provided emergency (64.6%) and routine dental treatment (18.3%) during the outbreak. One-third of pediatric dentists were COVID-19 tested, statistically significantly more than other specialties, and 3.0% tested COVID-19 positive. In addition, significantly more pediatric dentists (13.4%) reported the presence of at least one symptom related to COVID-19 compared to other specialists (6.1%). None of the pediatric dentists reported PPE shortage. However, 26.2% of all specialists stated that they lacked clear step by step professional guidance in a national language. Similarly, in both groups, around 10% of specialists attended education on coronavirus. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that most pediatric dentists provided dental treatment during lockdown in their countries in public health centers and that they will continue to work during pandemic, our results suggest that pediatric dentists might be at higher risk of COVID-19 infection. Further research should focus on finding better ways to promote and adapt preventive, protective measures and PPE in the pediatric dental setting to be behaviorally acceptable. Moreover, additional efforts should be invested in dental education regarding COVID-19 in the mother tongue.