Is scoliosis related to mastication muscle asymmetry and temporomandibular disorders? A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) may face motor control problems and health disability barriers during mandibular movements and chewing. However, studies investigating the extent of these disadvantages, and possible associated factors are quite limited in patients with AIS. This study was conducted to gain a deeper perspective on the effect of AIS on temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and to contribute to the small amount of data on this subject. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with AIS and 29 age- and sex-matched asymptomatic controls participated in this cross-sectional study. Cobb's method was used to measure scoliosis curves. In both groups, the volume of the masseter muscle was determined on magnetic resonance imaging, and Helkimo and Fonseca anamnestic indexes were used to evaluate temporomandibular joint (TMJ). RESULTS: It was observed that the TMD symptoms were higher in the AIS group (22.6- Helkimo and 1.2 - Fonseca) than the asymptomatic group (13.6 - Helkimo and 0.7 - Fonseca). There was no significant asymmetry in masseter volume in patients with AIS, however the volume of the masseter muscles was smaller in the AIS group (R = 14.6/L = 13.6) compared to the control group (R = 16.1/L = 16.2). CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicate that spinal curvatures affect the anatomical, biomechanical, and kinesiological features of the masticatory system, and individuals with AIS may experience more chewing problems than asymptomatic individuals. Examining musculoskeletal properties of masticatory system can provide information about the limitation of the TMJ in patients with AIS.

Effects of postoperative osteoporosis treatment on subsequent fracture and the 5-year survival rates after hemiarthroplasty for hip fracture.

According to the literature, only 20-30% of patients are screened for osteoporosis after a hip fracture. Osteoporosis treatment may have a potential protective effect on the 5-year mortality rate. Our results demonstrated that 5-year survival is higher in patients who received osteoporosis treatment after hemiarthroplasty for hip fracture compared with those who did not. PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the status of osteoporosis treatment in patients who underwent hemiarthroplasty for an osteoporotic hip fracture and to compare subsequent fractures and the 5-year survival rates of these patients with those who did not receive the osteoporosis treatment. METHODS: Patients > 65 years of age who underwent hemiarthroplasty for an osteoporotic hip fracture were included in this retrospective multicenter study. Patients who died within 12 months postoperative, who were lost to follow-up, and those with malignancy and secondary osteoporosis were excluded. Group I comprised patients who had no postoperative osteoporosis screening and treatment, and Group II comprised those who received the screening and treatment. RESULTS: A total of 460 of 562 patients (82%) did not receive osteoporosis treatment after hip fracture. No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of subsequent fracture numbers and fracture sites (p = 0.296 and 0.240, respectively). Mean 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in Group II (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, elderly patients who underwent hemiarthroplasty for an osteoporotic hip fracture were not commonly screened or treated for osteoporosis. Our results demonstrated no significant difference between the groups in terms of subsequent fracture. However, we observed a significant high 5-year survival rate among patients who received the osteoporosis treatment.

Does radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy impair hearing function in patients with plantar fasciitis?

BACKGROUND: Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (r-ESWT) is commonly used for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. Previously in the urology literature, some studies reported hearing impairment after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. However, there is no study that evaluates the possible side effects of r-ESWT on the hearing function of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of r-ESWT on the pure tone audiometry of the patients on whom r-ESWT was applied for chronic plantar fasciitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis who were treated with r-ESWT were included in this prospective case-control study. Before and after the r-ESWT application, all patients were consulted to our otolaryngology department for pure tone audiometric examination to detect any hearing impairment before and after the treatment. A control group was also constructed that consisted of patients who were admitted to our department for any complaint. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients participated in the study. Radial ESWT group consisted of 47 patients (39 female, 8 male) with the mean age of 44.1 years. The control group consisted of 20 patients (12 female, 8 male) with the mean age of 36.9 years. We observed a 20-dB threshold shift at 8000Hz in 1 patient who had no clinical symptom. This patient had no threshold shift at the 1-month control audiometric measurement. CONCLUSION: According to the results acquired from this study, we can consider that r-ESWT treatment in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis has no markedly detrimental effect on the hearing function.

Treatment of Acute Vocal Fold Injury With Platelet-Rich Plasma.

OBJECTIVES: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a reliable and has low side-effect profile and has beneficial effects on wound healing. Its investigatory effects on wound-healing process were shown on various tissues. The aim of the present study was to evaluate effectiveness of PRP application on scar tissue of acute vocal fold injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were used in the study. The entire layer of the lamina propria down to the thyroarytenoid muscle of 10 subjects was unilaterally injured by with a microscissor. Gelfoam-absorbed PRP was applied on the injured area for 10 minutes. Control group consisted of rats unilaterally injured using a microscissor, and gelfoam with normal saline was applied on the injured area. Following sacrifice, the larynxes were carefully dissected and removed for histopathologic examination. After excised larynx experiments, serial sections were prepared from vocal fold. Hematoxylin eosin and immunohistochemical staining were done for epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) staining for histopathologic examinations. RESULTS: There was not a significant difference between the two groups for lymphocyte. Although collagen and VEGF were higher in the study group, there was not a significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference between control and study groups for EGFR and FGFR1(P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PRP has beneficial effects on wound healing. PRP accelerates epithelization of injured rat vocal folds by inducing EGFR secretion. PRP is an autogenous, reliable, low side-effect profile, easily harvested material. PRP may be useful to prevent scar formation.