Clinical, Demographic, and Oral Presentations of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis from a Tertiary Care Hospital in India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The black fungus, mucormycosis, is on the list of lethal complications reported in recent times in COVID patients. Methodology: This cross-sectional study included all cases of post-COVID-19 mucormycosis. Patients' demographics, clinical presentations, and general health information were collected using a pre-designed form. Results: The study included 171 participants with the mean (SD) age as 49 (10) years with the sex distribution as 71% (122/171) male and 29% (49/122) females. About half of the admitted patients (47%) were known cases of Diabetes Mellitus type II with a median (IQR) Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) of 9.1% (7-11.1%). Only 28% (48/171) had received the first COVID vaccination, and 2.9% (5/171) were fully vaccinated with two doses. During COVID-19, 76% (130/171) required hospitalisation for a mean (SD) stay of 11 (6.4) days. Eighty percent of the patients (136/171) received steroids during therapy, while 87% (150/171) and 51% (88/171) received antibiotics and antivirals, respectively. Oxygen was administered to 71% of hospitalised patients (120/171), with 39.1% (47/120) receiving it for more than 7 days. About the development of the first symptoms of mucormycosis (headache, nasal congestion, black crusts in the nose, facial pain, swelling in cheeks and eyes, and loss of vision) after being diagnosed with COVID-19, 16% (28/171) reported it within 7 days, 75% (127/171) between 8 and 30th days and 9% (16/171) after a month. On examination, 20% of mucor patients had hard palate findings, eschars, fistulas, and perforations, 38% had periodontal abscesses, and 5% reported tenderness to percussion. Conclusion: Generally, oral manifestations involved the palate and included varying degrees of mucosal discolouration, swelling, ulcers, superficial necrotic areas, and bone exposure and necrosis with dark eschars.

Comparison of hybrid arch bar versus conventional arch bar for temporary maxillomandibular fixation during treatment of jaw fractures: a prospective comparative study.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a hybrid arch bar (hAB) with the conventional Erich arch bar (EAB) for the management of jaw fractures, focusing on their use for temporary fixation in patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Materials and Methods: Patients presenting with maxillary and mandibular fractures at our institution were included in this prospective, comparative study. Placement time and ease of occlusal reproducibility were recorded intraoperatively for Group A (hAB patients) and Group B (EAB patients). The primary outcome was comparison of the postoperative stability of the two arch bars. Postoperative measurements also included mucosal overgrowth, screw loosening or wire retightening, and replacement rates. The data were tabulated and computed with a P<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The study included 41 patients. A statistically significant difference was observed in postoperative stability scores (3) between Group A and Group B (85.0% vs 9.5%, P=0.001). The mean placement time in Group A (23.3 minutes) significantly differed from that in Group B (86.4 minutes) (P<0.001). The ease of intraoperative occlusion was not different between the two groups (P=0.413). Mucosal overgrowth was observed in 75.0% of patients (15 of 20) in Group A. Conclusion: The hAB was superior to EAB in clinical efficiency, maxillomandibular fixation time reduction, stability, versatility, and safety. Despite temporary mucosal overgrowth, the benefits of hAB outweigh the disadvantages. The choice between hAB and EAB should be based on specific clinical requirements.

Dietary interventions and nutritional impact on oral health and development: a review.

Food and nutrients play a pivotal role in the development of dentition and oral health. While diet includes the overall forms of consumed foods, the nutrients include specific micro- (vitamins and minerals) and macro- (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) nutrients. As much as the assimilation of macro and micronutrients depends on proper oral health for ingesting food, oral health, in turn, depends on the availability of nutrients in the food so ingested. Age, certain medical conditions, socioeconomic status, and overall changes in the evolution of society determine the type of diet which in turn influences oral health. This article has touched upon certain salient aspects of these nutrients and their bearing on overall oral health and development.

Large erupted complex odontoma mimicking maxillary osteomyelitis.

Odontoma is the most common benign odontogenic hamartoma. Odontomas are of two types, such as viz compound and complex odontoma. The complex type is a conglomeration of hard tissues of dental origin. They are primarily intraosseous and usually present in the second decade of life. Most odontomas are asymptomatic, but those erupting in the oral cavity may cause severe infection. They are often associated with impacted teeth and are present with the anterior maxilla showing the highest propensity.The present case report is of a male patient in his early 60s with a substantial solitary sclerotic odontoma of the middle and posterior segments of the maxilla erupted into the oral cavity communicating with the right maxillary sinus. The delayed presentation, size, location and active suppuration can misguide clinicians.

Does the Tooth Sectioning Method Impact Surgical Removal of the Distoangular Impacted Mandibular Third Molar?

PURPOSE: Distoangular impacted teeth are considered challenging to remove due to their anatomic position. Proper tooth sectioning ensures the removal with minimal bone removal. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of 2 different tooth sectioning methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with distoangular-impacted mandibular third molar were included in this single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Patients with Class III-impacted, grossly decayed teeth and who were ASA III and above were excluded. The subjects were randomly allocated into Group-A conventional method, where tooth sectioning at the cementoenamel junction, and Group B, the modified method, where tooth sectioning removes only the distal portion of the crown. The primary predictor variable was the tooth sectioning method. The primary outcome variable was the operative time and the secondary outcomes included postoperative pain, trismus, and edema assessed on postoperative days 3 and 7. The effect of treatment on operative time was assessed using a t-test and Chi-squared test was used to compare the categorical data. RESULTS: Thirty eight patients were included in this study. With a 1:1 allocation ratio, 18 (50%) patients were included in each group. No statistically significant differences were observed in the 2 groups for gender allocation (P = .32), age (P = .34), tooth classification (P = .97), and side of extraction (P = .32). The mean operative time was 31.61 ± 14.13 minutes for group A and 22.72 ± 10.79 minutes for group B, at the 95% confidence interval had a P value of .04 (P < .05), favoring group B. Secondary outcomes of pain measured by visual analogue scale 3.83 ± 3.06 for group A and 3.88 ± 3.06 for group B (P = .95), facial edema 22.79 ± 2.08 and 22.88 ± 1.32, respectively (P = .88), and the maximal interincisal opening of 33 ± 8.59 and 31.33 ± 7.42 on day 3 (P = .54) and 36.16 ± 11.62 and 39.05 ± 6.08 on day 7 (P = .36). However, the difference in need for rescue analgesia 2.05 ± 2.15 and 0.44 ± 0.85 (P < .01) was statistically significant, suggesting the superiority of the conventional sectioning method. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that both methods of tooth sectioning yield comparably acceptable results. However, the tooth removal was faster by the modified sectioning and the need for rescue analgesia was minimal in this group, suggesting it to be a preferred technique over the conventional method.

Simplified Method for Reduction of Displaced Condylar Head Fracture Using a Monocortical Screw.

Background: Condylar head fractures is difficult to treat because of medial displacement caused by muscle pull and limited access to visualize the proximal segment and secure them back to anatomic position. A novel technique is proposed to overcome the difficulties and ease the task of a surgeon. Purpose: The main goal in Open reduction and internal fixation is to achieve anatomical position and establish occlusion, a task possible only after securing the segment back into place. Over decades, many authors have described various techniques to ease the task yet surgeons are forced to treat cases using closed technique which adds limitation to the rehabilitation of stomatognathic system for a prolonged time. Methods and Materials: Self holding screw driver, 1.5x10mm monocortical screws and drill bit. Using any preauricular access incision, dissection is proceeded anteromedially and the medial segment is identified. A drill hole is made with 1.2 mm diameter drill with counter using periosteal retractor, monocortical screw fixed and segment secured using a self-holding driver and lateralized after increasing the joint space thus achieving the original retromandibular height. Results: The treatment outcomes are better achieved with ease to surgeon and with minimal armamentarium without any special needs per se. Conclusion: The technique proposed is novel and can help achieve desired outcomes even in hands of budding surgeon with minimal time and efforts invested.

Orbital and Intracranial Emphysema Causing Orbital Compartment Syndrome: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review.

A case of 50-year-old male who presented with orbital compartment syndrome as a sequela of mid facial trauma, and literature review. Orbital compartment syndrome (OCS) is one of the potentially sight threatening emergencies encountered in clinical practice. Acute rise in pressure within the confined orbital cavity compromises the blood flow to retina and optic nerve leading to irreparable vision loss. Air entrapped in the orbital cavity leading to orbital compartment syndrome has been rarely reported. A brief literature search for the term orbital emphysema in PubMed yielded 352 articles out of which 280 articles were identified after screening for appropriate titles and case reports. A total of 138 patients were reported in the literature with severe orbital emphysema. Acute orbital compartment syndrome needs to be recognized and addressed on an emergency basis to achieve decompression so as to prevent an irreversible vison loss. Watchful eyes, an accurate diagnosis and timely surgical intervention could potentially reverse permanent damage to the optic nerve.

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia, An Usually Overlooked Diagnosis: A Prospective Single Center Observation Study.

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia is often difficult to diagnose in view of its symptoms that overlap with many other regional causes. This subset of patients commonly visits otolaryngologists, dentists, oncologists only to be referred to the other and finally to the psychiatrist when the diagnosis is overlooked. We hereby present a prospective observation study of 26 cases of Glossopharyngeal neuralgia. In our observation we found a prevalence of 0.2% for glossopharyngeal neuralgia in our patients with facial pain, however amongst the neuropathic pain the GPN was more prevalent with about 35% of all the cases. Amongst the cases diagnosed with GPN we had 73.1% female predilection as compared to only 26.9% male. 53.8% of cases had left sided and 46.2% on the right sided making it non-significant in sidewise predilection.

Site-Based Comparative Analysis of Sample Collection Through Direct Biopsy and Nasal Swabs for Early Diagnosis of Post-COVID Rhinomaxillary Fungal Infection Using Potassium Hydroxide Mounting: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Aim: To perform site-based comparative analysis for samples collected from the nasal region and oral cavity subjected to microscopic detection of fungal hyphae in KOH mount in a group of patients with rhinomaxillary mucormycosis. Methodology: Forty patients fulfilled eligibility criteria. The diagnostic outcome of detection of fungal hyphae from the KOH samples obtained was the primary endpoint of the study. Based on this, the samples were grouped into three groups viz-oral, nasal and both. The secondary outcome was to check if there was any diagnostic delay in these three groups of patients. Results: The mean number of days for delayed diagnosis for oral site involvement was 56.33 ± 37.53, for nasal involvement was 32.86 ± 19.53 and for both oral and nasal involvement was 22.00 ± 12.94. This difference was statistically significant at p = 0.03. The mean delay in diagnosis was significantly less when both oral and nasal regions are involved as compared to the only oral region involved at P = 0.01. Conclusion: To avoid the chance of delayed diagnosis or false-negative results, it is best to collect samples from both nasal tissues and the most representative site in the dentoalveolar segment depending on the extensiveness of the disease.

Palatal perforation in a patient with borderline lepromatous leprosy: leprosy still not eradicated.

Leprosy was eliminated globally in 2000, but it continues to be endemic in developing countries like India, Brazil and Indonesia, with a prevalence of 0.57/10 000 persons in India (2020). At the end of the year 2020, the prevalence was 129 389, and oral manifestation of the leprosy is luncommon. We hereby report a case of a female patient in her late 30s who presented with palatal perforation. Following a thorough history taking and full body clinical examination, we arrived at a diagnosis of leprosy, and prompt treatment was initiated. Knowledge of cases like this becomes important as the oral lesion is said to form an essential source of leprosy dissemination in the community, and awareness about them becomes crucial, demanding immediate attention.

Psychological Distress and Coping Among Dental Practitioners During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey From India.

AIM: Most dental procedures are aerosol-generating and hence highly risky for spreading SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection. This can lead to sufficient psychological distress, avoidance of risky procedures, and impact on dental practice. We intend to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental practice and psychological distress among dental practitioners. METHODS: An online survey was conducted by an email-based survey link; 1257 registered dental practitioners were contacted across the country. RESULTS: Most dental practitioners continue to practice during the COVID-19 pandemic (81.08%). Postgraduate specialists significantly outnumber undergraduates in performing dental procedures (p=.001). Career-related anxiety was considerably high among postgraduates (61.96%; p=.036) during the initial phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in India. In contrast, self-efficacy was significantly better among postgraduates than undergraduates (p=.027). CONCLUSION: Dental practitioners suffered considerable impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to enhance coping and self-efficacy strategies among dental practitioners.

Oral Melioidosis in Odontogenic Keratocyst of Mandible.

Melioidosis is a potentially fatal, life-threatening infection caused by the gram-negative saprophytic organism Burkholderia. It is a disease endemic to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. This infection transmits through direct contact, cutaneous inoculation, inhalation, or ingestion, and patients clinically exhibit abscesses in single or multiple organs. It is clinically under-reported due to a low index of suspicion, lack of diagnostic facilities, and misdiagnosis as tuberculosis. Infections of the musculoskeletal system are exceedingly rare, and clinical presentation may vary from the involvement of femoral bone, palmar tenosynovitis, and parietal bone osteomyelitis secondary to central nervous system involvement. The rarity of the melioidosis to secondarily infect a developmental odontogenic cyst leading to focal osteomyelitis of mandible prompts the clinician toward thorough evaluation for early diagnosis and treatment.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19 infection coexisting in concurrent necrotising fasciitis with deep space infection of neck: an unusual presentation.

Ludwig's angina is a rapidly spreading, potentially fatal infection of deep fascial spaces of the neck leading to airway oedema and death. This, in recent times when associated with COVID-19 infection, possess treatment challenges making the patient susceptible to opportunistic infections with reduced healing potential. Owing to the multifactorial aetiology in our case and addressing them at the earliest, it is important to achieve favourable outcomes. The space infection that seeded with untreated trivial dental caries progressed to necrotising fasciitis of neck with mycobacterial growth on cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test for tuberculosis testing. The presence of Mycobacterium organisms should be speculated in patients with pulmonary signs of tuberculosis (TB) because a suppurative TB lymphadenitis of neck could also have the same presentation. The decisive moment in successful outcome was identification of mycobacteria in COVID-19 infected patient, thereby allowing to initiate the antitubercular therapy along with surgical debridement. Thus, medical management of patient with cohabiting infections is difficult task and needs appropriate addressal.

Talon's cusp in a primary maxillary central incisor: A report of a rare odontogenic anomaly.

Talon's cusp, a type of dens evaginatus (DE) in a primary tooth, is a rare odontogenic anomaly which is reported sparingly in the literature. We report this case describing the presence of a talon's cusp on the right primary maxillary central incisor in a 2-year-old boy precipitating discomfort, owing to occlusal interference. The treatment plan involved pulpectomy and reduction of the lingula DE extension under general anesthesia.

Vascularized Second Metatarsal Joint Transfer with Concomitant Orthognathic Surgery for Reconstruction of the Temporomandibular Joint: Our Pilot Experience.

Background: Temporomandibular joint ankylosis-associated deformity and dysfunction is a challenge to reconstruct. Alloplastic temporomandibular joints, both stock and custom-made, are used to replace the ankylotic mass with a functional joint. Still, the cost of these alloplastic joints is so expensive that it cannot be affordable to most of our population. Purpose: A primary objective of achieving at least 35 mm of mouth opening was planned. Secondarily we planned to achieve a functional occlusion with acceptable facial balance and symmetry. Method: Autologous TMJ reconstruction using vascularized second metatarsal joint transfer with concomitant orthognathic surgery. The surgery aims to achieve a significant functional rehabilitation with correction of maxillomandibular deformity in a single-stage surgery. Results: As a result of this, we present our initial experience to rehabilitate the patient with temporomandibular joint ankylosis both functionally and aesthetically by performing simultaneously joint replacement using the patient's own vascularized second metatarsal joint and concomitantly performing the orthognathic surgery. By this, we could holistically treat the patient with minimal cost and make them socially acceptable. Conclusion: We do not propose a 2nd metatarsal vascularized flap as a substitute for a custom-made total TMJ prosthesis. Still, we suggest a viable option in a selected set of patients where TMJ prosthesis cannot be afforded or has failed with a history of multiple surgeries in the same region.

Oral Submucous Fibrosis Secondary to Buccal Mucosal Graft for Urethroplasty.

Oral submucous fibrosis is a collagen disorder commonly seen in the population with areca nut chewing habit, which is more prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. Various studies have suggested a multifactorial origin with a high incidence of the disease in association with consumption of the areca nut. However, it has never reported being secondary to buccal mucosal graft procedures. We are presenting a case of submucous fibrosis secondary to buccal mucosal graft for urethroplasty.

Use of Orthopaedic Impactor to Assist the Fine Reduction of Rotated Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures.

Anatomic reduction of Zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures is quite challenging and technically demanding. Various methods and instruments are mentioned in the literature to achieve the same. However, a precise anatomic reduction is still a difficult task. We propose the use of a simple orthopaedic impactor in reducing laterally rotated ZMC fractures.

Juvenile Psammomatoid Cemeto-ossifying Fibroma of Mandible: a Diagnostic dilemma.

Psammomatoid Juvenile ossifying fibroma (PsJOF) is a rare benign fibro-osseous lesion characterised to grow to unusually large size very rapidly. Its usual presentation is in younger age group mostly children and predominately involving the Sino-Naso-Orbital region. Its aggressive nature gimmicks a malignant lesion but it is rather a benign lesion with a higher recurrence rate than the conventional ossifying fibroma but lacking metastatic potential. The high recurrence rate makes it essential that the lesion is not reconstructed immediately and thorough monitoring in the follow-up period. Lesion of such clinical importance needs to be diagnosed preoperatively to provide a better and radical surgical treatment option, but the variability in its presentation as seen in this case makes it even harder to diagnose. We aim to draw attention to the rare phenomena that PsJOF presents to help readers broaden their purview in diagnosis and thereby manage them accordingly.

Duplication of the internal jugular vein: a rare presentation during neck dissection.

The anatomical variations of the internal jugular vein (IJV) is a well-documented phenomenon which may depend on the course of drainage, fenestration in the vein, bifid formation, variations in the tributaries and so on. However, a true duplication of the IJV is a rare entity on its own and is seldom reported in the literature. We report a case of true duplication of IJV which is an incidental discovery during the course of neck dissection.