Diagnostic value of MRI for odontogenic tumours.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI for odontogenic tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 51 patients with odontogenic tumours were subjected to pre-operative MRI examinations. For tumours with liquid components, i.e. ameloblastomas and keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOTs), the signal intensity (SI) uniformity of their cystic components (UΣ) was calculated and then their UΣ values were compared. For tumours with solid components that had been examined using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), their CImax (maximum contrast index), Tmax (the time when CImax occurred), CIpeak (CImax × 0.90), Tpeak (the time when CIpeak occurred) and CI300 (i.e. the CI observed at 300 s after contrast medium injection) values were determined from CI curves. We then classified the odontogenic tumours according to their DCE-MRI parameters. RESULTS: Significant differences between the UΣ values of the ameloblastomas and KCOT were observed on T1 weighted images, T2 weighted images and short TI inversion recovery images. Depending on their DCE-MRI parameters, we classified the odontogenic tumours into the following five types: Type A, CIpeak > 2.0 and Tpeak < 200 s; Type B, CIpeak < 2.0 and Tpeak < 200 s; Type C, CI300 > 2.0 and Tmax < 600 s; Type D, CI300 > 2.0 and Tmax > 600 s; Type E, CI300 < 2.0 and Tmax > 600 s. CONCLUSION: Cystic component SI uniformity was found to be useful for differentiating between ameloblastomas and KCOT. However, the DCE-MRI parameters of odontogenic tumours, except for odontogenic fibromas and odontogenic myxomas, contributed little to their differential diagnosis.

Preliminary study evaluating the accuracy of MRI images on CBCT images in the field of orthodontics.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the 3-dimensional (3D) accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images after the registration of MRI images on CBCT images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three Japanese adult females volunteered for this study. To transform digital imaging and communication in medicine (DICOM) data derived from MRI and CBCT images into polygon data, five software programs were used. CBCT and MRI images were obtained within one week, and both were registered by the iterative closest point (ICP) method. To assess the accuracy of the composite MRI-CBCT, the measurement errors of the MRI-CBCT were verified Measurement values were compared using frontal and cephalometric soft-tissue landmarks. Differences were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were no significant linear measurement errors (P > 0.05) when the images were measured from the superimposed MRI-CBCT images. CONCLUSION: The MRI images attained from MRI - CBCT registration showed accurate 3D linear measurements.

Manifestation of preferred chewing side for hard food on TMJ disc displacement side.

The purpose of this study was to reveal the relationship between chewing-side preference and anterior disc displacement (ADD) of the TMJ. Thirty-two healthy subjects with ages ranging from 26 to 34 years were selected from volunteer students at the Okayama University Dental School. Subjects were asked to chew freely with two kinds of test foods, beef jerky (hard food) and chiffon cake (soft food), thus expecting different amounts of mechanical loading on the TMJ. One, 4, and 7 s after starting the mastication, subjects were asked to open their mouth momentarily to have a digital image of their mouth taken. The bolus placement area was measured by processing the digital images, calculated as the number of pixel of bolus area. Area asymmetry index was used for the determination of preferred chewing side (PCS). Oblique sagittal MRI scanning in the closed mouth position was taken to evaluate the articular disc position. In asymptomatic subjects with ADD, a significant predominance of the PCS on the ipsilateral side of ADD was observed during the mastication of hard food. On the contrary, no correlation was found between unilateral ADD and PCS for the soft food. From the results of this study, it is suggested that ADD is the associating factor of PCS for hard food. Therefore, it would be necessary to break down the concept of PCS into at least two categories, one for hard food and one for soft food, considering the mechanical loading on the TMJ.

Evaluation of panoramic radiographs taken at the initial visit at a department of paediatric dentistry.

OBJECTIVES: To examine oral and maxillofacial lesions other than those related to the chief complaint in panoramic radiographs taken at the department of paediatric dentistry at our hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all 1092 patients who had visited the department of paediatric dentistry at our hospital and had a panoramic radiograph taken between August 1999 and October 2004. The following information was obtained from the patients' files and panoramic radiographs: gender, age, chief complaints and the presence or absence of lesions. RESULTS: Lesions were observed in 140 of the 1092 panoramic radiographs (12.8%). Among the 140 patients discovered to have lesions in the panoramic radiographs, 66 (47.1%, or 6.05% of the entire group of 1092 patients) had different lesions from those underlying the chief complaint. These 66 patients ages ranged from 3 years to 14 years and the lesions involved 39 (59.1%) missing teeth, 20 (30.3%) mesiodentes, 4 supernumerary teeth, 1 odontoma, 1 radicular cyst and 1 impacted tooth. The missing teeth were observed in the central and lateral incisor, canine, and first and second premolar positions of both jaws, especially in the lower lateral incisor and upper central incisor positions. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to detect incidental lesions at a rate of 6.05% (66 of 1092 patients) and at a relatively early age (mean 6.8 years) in the present study. Early treatment of these lesions could avoid maxillofacial deformity and other complications.

Radiographic examination of mesiodens and their associated complications.

OBJECTIVES: To examine mesiodens with regard to their status, their influence on adjacent teeth and their alteration during the follow-up period. METHODS: From retrospective reviews of all patients who visited our institution from 1990-2001, we identified 200 patients (256 mesiodentes) who were shown to have mesiodentes on the basis of a periapical radiograph, a panoramic radiograph or an axial radiograph. RESULTS: The number of supernumerary teeth was one in 146 cases (73%), two in 52 cases (26%) and three in 2 cases (1%). Of 256 mesiodentes, the direction of the crown of the mesiodens was inverted in 172 (67%), in a normal direction in 69 (27%) and in a horizontal direction with regard to the tooth axis in 15 (6%). Of the 147 mesiodentes for which axial radiography was performed, 131 (89%) were located at a palatal site against the dental arch, 16 (11%) overlapped the dental arch and none were at a labial site. Of our 200 cases, a delay of eruption of the permanent central incisor was seen in 12 (6%), malposition or rotation of the central incisor in 5 (2.5%) and dentigerous cyst formation arising from mesiodens in 22 (11%). Marked movement of the mesiodens was seen in 10 cases during the follow-up period of 5-7 years. Some complication arising from mesiodens was seen in 19.5% of all cases in our research. CONCLUSION: Although mesiodentes are not caused by malocclusion, they may cause it. A long period of impaction of mesiodentes may bring about dentigerous cyst formation or movement of the mesiodentes.

Treatment of a plunging ranula with fenestration and continuous pressure.

We present a new method of fenestration and continuous pressure as a simple, effective and uninvasive procedure for the treatment of plunging ranulas. We have recently used in four female patients, aged 10-29 years old. After treatment, the patients remained symptom-free and assessment by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed regression of the ranula in all cases. The procedure resulted in satisfactory healing and we advocate it as a simple and effective treatment that is better for patients than conventional treatment.

A case of complex odontoma associated with an impacted lower deciduous second molar and analysis of the 107 odontomas.

OBJECTIVE: Odontoma is a comparatively common odontogenic tumor, and it may lead to interference with the eruption of its associated tooth. Odontomas are mostly associated with permanent teeth, and they are rarely associated with deciduous teeth. The purpose of this report is to analyze 107 odontomas and to present a case of complex odontoma associated with a lower deciduous second molar. SUBJECT AND METHODS: The 106 cases were analyzed with regard to the following parameters: age, gender, location, erupted teeth, congenital missing teeth, radiological features, histopathological features and prognosis. RESULTS: Of the 106 cases, 41 were complex odontoma, 62 were compound odontoma, and three were immature odontoma. Compound odontoma had a predilection for the anterior. Complex odontoma occurred more often at the mandible. CONCLUSION: Odontoma located above the tooth crown of lower deciduous molar did not behave clinically different from that associated with permanent tooth. An odontoma could be related with a supernumerary tooth or a missing tooth. If odontomas, which interfered with tooth eruption, were extirpated early, the impacted teeth would probably erupt normally and be normal in shape.

Cepharanthin enhances thermosensitivity without a resultant reduction in the thermotolerance of a murine mammary carcinoma.

Cepharanthin (Ce) is a biscoclaurine alkaloid extracted from Stephania cepharantha Hayata. The results of our previous in vitro study indicated that Ce reduces thermotolerance by enhancing thermosensitivity. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of Ce on thermosensitivity and thermotolerance using a murine mammary carcinoma, MCa, and C3H/HeN mice. Ce enhanced the thermosensitivity of MCa cells for heating at 44 degrees C not only in vitro but also in vivo. The in vivo enhancement ratio +/- SD of Ce at 100 mg/kg for heating at 44 degrees C was 1.3+/-0.3. The fractionated heat treatments at 44 degrees C for 30 and 60 min with an interval time of 0-6 days resulted in the development of remarkable thermotolerance and the expression of heat shock protein 70 in MCa tumors after the first heating. Ce at 100 mg/kg given immediately after the first heating increased the expression of heat shock protein 70 in MCa tumors, and did not reduce the development of thermotolerance. Ce given immediately before the first or second heating also did not inhibit the thermotolerance. The results of this study suggest that Ce enhances the thermosensitivity of MCa tumors as a thermosensitizer, but that this mild thermosensitizing property of Ce might be insufficient to conquer the remarkable thermotolerance in MCa tumors that develops after the first heating.

Influence of cell membrane potential, and selectivity of the Na+/H+ exchanger and Cl-/HCO3- exchanger on the intracellular accumulation of adriamycin.

Intracellular accumulation of adriamycin (ADR) has been reported to be influenced by cell membrane potential. We first evaluated intracellular accumulation of ADR and 3,3'-(di-n-hexyl)-2,2'-oxacarbocyanine iodide (NK-2280), an indicator of cell membrane potential, and found a good correlation between ADR and NK-2280 intracellular accumulation in several cell lines. This suggests that ADR accumulation may be influenced by cell membrane potential or the mechanisms of NK-2280 accumulation may be similar to those of ADR accumulation. Next, we observed the influence of the NA+/H+ exchanger and Cl-/HCO3- exchanger on the intracellular accumulation of ADR and NK-2280, and found that ADR accumulation decreased with increasing concentrations of 3,5-diamino-6-chloro-N-(diaminomethylene)pyrazinecarboxamide (amiloride), an inhibitor of the Na+/H+ exchanger, and 4,4'-diisothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), an inhibitor of the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, however, NK-2280 accumulation was increased by amiloride, and decreased by DIDS. The increased accumulation of NK-2280 induced by amiloride may be due to the increased cell membrane potential caused by the inhibition of H+ ion efflux and NA+ ion influx due to the inhibition of the Na+/H+ exchanger. The decreased accumulation of NK-2280 may be also due to the decreased cell membrane potential caused by the inhibition of Cl- ion efflux due to the inhibition of the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger by DIDS. However, the decreased rate caused by DIDS was greater than the increased rate caused by amiloride. Therefore, it is suggested that the decreased accumulation of NK-2280 by DIDS may be influenced by other factors apart from cell membrane potential. These results suggest that the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger may be related to both ADR accumulation, and NK-2280 accumulation, and that the Na+/H+ exchanger may be related to ADR accumulation, but not NK-2280. This suggests that the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger is of low selectivity.