[Review and perspective of clinical research involving chest tightness variant asthma in China].

Chest tightness variant asthma (CTVA) was first reported and named by Chinese scholars in 2013. It is a new clinical type of asthma characterized by chest tightness as the only or primary symptom, without typical asthma manifestations such as recurrent wheezing and shortness of breath, and without wheezing sounds heard during lung auscultation. The overall epidemiological data on CTVA is currently unavailable. Its pathogenesis is similar to that of typical asthma, involving eosinophilic airway inflammation. Due to the lack of typical clinical manifestations, insufficient knowledge of this disease in some clinicians and some other reasons, CTVA is susceptible to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. Currently, the diagnostic criteria for CTVA are: chest tightness as the only or primary symptom, without typical asthma symptoms and signs such as wheezing and shortness of breath, and with any one of the objective indicators of variable airflow limitation. Effective anti-asthma treatment is required, and other diseases that cause chest tightness, such as cardiovascular, digestive, nervous, muscular, and mental diseases should be excluded. CTVA treatment follows that of typical asthma, but the specific treatment duration is uncertain and may require long-term management. Traditional Chinese medicine has shown some therapeutic effects on CTVA. Most CTVA patients have a good prognosis after active anti-asthma treatment. This paper analyzes and summarizes the research of CTVA in China from 2013 and provides new perspectives for further exploration of CTVA.

Double-step transport distraction osteogenesis in the reconstruction of unilateral large mandibular defects after tumour resection using internal distraction devices.

One-step transport disc distraction osteogenesis (TDDO) is an effective method for the restoration of mandibular defects. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of double-step TDDO in the reconstruction of unilateral mandibular segmental defects after tumour resection using internal distraction devices. Six patients with unilateral mandibular segmental defects were reconstructed successfully with this technique. In the double-step TDDO procedure, the mandibular body was lengthened first and then the mandibular ramus was restored. The distraction movement was set at a rate of 0.4mm twice per day. Dental rehabilitation followed distractor removal. The maximal amount of lengthening was 55 mm in the mandibular body and 42 mm in the mandibular ramus. The average amount of lengthening was 52 mm in the mandibular body and 34 mm in the mandibular ramus. The aesthetic and functional results were excellent in all patients. The implants were integrated successfully and dental restoration was satisfactory. In this study, double-step TDDO is a reliable method for reconstruction of mandibular defects after tumour resection, especially for large mandibular defects. This technique is an ideal method for dental rehabilitation, despite the long overall treatment time.