The influence of occlusion on jaw and neck muscle activity: a surface EMG study in healthy young adults.

The electromyographic (EMG) characteristics of masseter, temporalis and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles during maximum voluntary teeth clench were assessed in 27 male and 35 female healthy young adults. Subjects were divided into two groups: (i) 'complete' Angle Class I (bilateral, symmetric canine and molar Class I relationships), and (ii) 'partial' Angle Class I (one to three canine/molar Class I relationships, the remaining relationships were Class II or Class III). On average, standardized muscular symmetry ranged 80.7-87.9%. During maximum voluntary teeth clench, average co-contraction of SCM muscle was 13.7-23.5% of its maximum contraction. On average, all torque coefficients (potential lateral displacing component) were >90%, while all antero-posterior coefficients (relative activities of masseter and temporalis muscles) were >85%. The average integrated areas of the masseter and temporalis EMG potentials over time ranged 87.4-106.8 muV/muV s%. Standardized contractile muscular activities did not differ between 'complete' and 'partial' Angle Class I, and between sexes (two-way analysis of variance). A trend toward a larger intragroup variability in EMG indices was observed in the subjects with 'partial' Angle Class I than in those with 'complete' Angle Class I (significant difference for the temporalis muscle symmetry, P = 0.013, analysis of variance). In conclusion, the presence of a complete or partial Angle occlusal Class I did not seem to influence the standardized contractile activities of masseter, temporalis and SCM muscles during a maximum voluntary clench. Subjects with a 'complete' Angle Class I were somewhat a more homogenous group than subjects with 'partial' Angle Class I.

[Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Rendu-Weber disease) Management of epistaxis and oral hemorrhage by Nd-Yag laser]. / Teleangectasia emorragica ereditaria (malattia di Rendu-Osler-Weber). Nostre esperienze sul trattamento dell'epistassi e delle emorragie orali al Nd-Yag laser.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The paper reports the use of Nd-Yag laser treatment for some major otolaryngoiatric symptoms in hereditary hemorrhagic teleangectasia (Rendu-Osler-Weber disease), focusing on the importance of epistaxis and oral hemorrhage as a cause of continuous hemoreintegrative treatment, without forgetting the constant psychophysical stress undergone by these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Photocoagulation of teleangectasia in the ENT district has been used by the authors since January 1994. A total of 8 patients, 5 males and 3 females, have been treated aged between 31 and 65 years old. During the first year specialist outpatient controls were performed every two months, after which the follow-up became four-monthly. RESULTS: The authors provide a detailed illustration of the methods used, the choice of power, and the advantages and results obtained, emphasising the outpatient nature of treatment, excellent patient tolerability and the low cost to the health service. CONCLUSIONS: In the light of these results, the Authors underline the unquestionable usefulness of Nd-Yag laser in the treatment of a few of the undoubtedly more stressing symptoms of Rendu-Osler-Weber disease.

[Photocoagulation of the hypertrophic lower turbinates using ND:YAG laser: functional results]. / Fotocoagulazione dei turbinati inferiori ipertrofici mediante ND:Yag Laser: risultati funzionali.

The difficult nasal respiration due to hyperplastic hypertrophy of the turbinates is a broad topic of ongoing interest in otorhinolaryngology. The authors describe a study of 71 patients suffering from hyperplastic hypertrophy of the lower turbinates treated since 1994 by photocoagulation using a ND:YAG laser. The laser treatment was performed on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia and assisted by the use of an Endo-Video Closed-Circuit Video-Camera. The authors explain the details of the procedure used, emphasize surgical precision and the numerous advantages, the scarcity of intra- and post-operative side effects, the lack of post-operative nasal plugging. In addition, they present the satisfactory functional results achieved. The patients treated were followed up for 6 months prior to surgery and 30 months after laser photocoagulation. After surgery the following tests were performed: fibroscopy, objective symptom evaluation, rhinomanometry, rhinometry, muco-ciliary transport time (MCT), IgAS assay and turbinate biopsy. The low cost of performing this procedure is certainly a plus. The results obtained show a significant and permanent improvement in nasal ventilation and this was both referred by the patients themselves and could be objectively revealed by the ongoing controls. In conclusion, photocoagulation using a ND:YAG laser is well accepted by both physician and patient. It can improve nasal ventilation while respecting the anatomic and functional integrity of the nasal fossae.

[Nd-YAG laser in otorhinolaryngology: our experience]. / Applicazioni del ND-YAG-laser in otorinolaringoiatria: nostre esperienze.

The Authors describe Nd-YAG Laser treatment in dealing with some of the most common hypertrophic-hyperplastic pathologies of the upper airways. Laser operations are performed under local anesthesia employing an Endo-Video-Telecamera in order to treat soft surgical targets not reachable otherwise. The Authors stress the numerous advantages of this techniques: high surgical accuracy, poor collateral intro- and post-operative effects, lack of post-operative intranasal packing, quick recovery time, absence of relapse, sparing of nasal physiology. Furthermore patient of the treatment acceptance and low sanitary expenses, are additional favorable factors. The Authors explain the details of the methods, emphasize the tolerability of the treatment and report the results obtained during two years of experience.

[Evaluation of a prevention and prophylaxis program for the handicapped]. / Valutazione di un programma di prevenzione e profilassi in soggetti portatori di handicap.

The growing interest regarding the importance of oral health in subjects affected with physical and psychological handicaps has led the Authors to prepare a programme of oral hygiene aiming at the prevention of dental and periodontal diseases and demanding the participation of the other members of the families, the educators and the specialized staff put at the head of their assistance. Fifty-three subjects presenting different pathologies, who have undergone elementary operations of oral hygiene, have been examined. In order to value the efficacy of these systems, DI (Debris Index), CI (Calculus Index) and OHI (Oral Hygiene Index) of Greene and Vermillion have been periodically calculated. The results obtained have been encouraging and have emphasized the importance of the behaviour of family and institutions towards people with physical and psychological handicaps, in order to let a project of primary prevention succeed.