Three-dimensional evaluation of interproximal contacts of permanent dentition: a cone beam computed tomography study.

PURPOSE: To assess the various patterns of the inter-proximal contact areas of the permanent dentition using the available cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on existing CBCT images from a University hospital and teaching department. Three thousand two hundred and fifty inter-proximal contacts were assessed from 125 existing CBCT scans of patients (age range: 14 years 3 months-29 years 9 months) who had matched the eligibility criteria. The types of inter-proximal contacts of the permanent dentition were scored at occlusal, middle, and cervical thirds, according to the OXIS inter-proximal contacts classification. Chi-square test was used to assess the contacts and gender/arches. RESULTS: The most prevalent contact was type I for the posterior teeth contacts, and types S1 and S2 for the anterior teeth contacts. Statistical significance was not observed between the contacts on the left and right sides (P > 0.05), while statistical significance was observed between the inter-proximal contacts of the maxilla and mandible (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The CBCT-based three-dimensional assessment of the inter-proximal contact areas of the permanent dentition is representative of the OXIS classification. The occlusal level contact was predominantly representative of the overall type of the contact.

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in children. The case for management without corticosteroids.

Acute ITP in children under 13 years of age is generally a benign, self-limited condition with spontaneous recovery occurring within a matter of days or weeks. Our analysis of platelet data indicate no advantage in terms of rate of recovery when steroids are used. In fact, the median of 3 weeks and mean of 3 1/2 weeks from onset to recovery in the nonsteroid-treated children were significantly better than the corresponding figures in the steroid-treated group. In addition, while reducing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage is generally given as the chief therapeutic rationale for using steroids, we have not seen a single case of ICH among 465 consecutive cases of acute ITP in children, the majority (93%) of whom did not receive steroids. On the other hand, adolescents, as adults, with ITP often have the autoimmune (chronic) form of the disease. In this group, corticosteroids may be of at least transient benefit and should be used.

Autoplex versus proplex: a controlled, double-blind study of effectiveness in acute hemarthroses in hemophiliacs with inhibitors to factor VIII.

In view of uncontrolled observations and anecdotal reports suggesting that the activated PCC, Autoplex, was much more effective than standard (non-activated) PCC in controlling bleeding in hemophiliacs with inhibitors, a controlled double-blind study was designed to compare the effectiveness of Autoplex and Proplex. Acute hemarthrosis was chosen for study as this common but non-life-threatening lesion lends itself well to controlled study. A single dose of "unknown" product (Autoplex 75 FECU/kg; Autoplex 50 FECU/kg; or Proplex 75 FIX U/kg) was given, and effectiveness was judged at 6 hr. By all criteria of efficacy, there were no significant differences between the products. It is noteworthy that a single dose of PCC was judged effective in 50% of episodes, a figure that is consistent with other published clinical trials. In this model, no additional benefit was derived from using the activated PCC, Autoplex, in either dosage.

DDAVP: a useful alternative to blood components in moderate hemophilia A and von Willebrand disease.

The effect of the vasopressin analog 1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) was studied in three normal individuals, 31 subjects with von Willebrand disease, and seven subjects with mild or moderate hemophilia A. None of those with von Willebrand disease had qualitative abnormalities of factor VIII-related antigen (F VIII:RAg). Both intranasal (2 to 4 micrograms/kg) and intravenous (0.2 micrograms/kg) DDAVP were used. All normal subjects, 27 of 31 with von Willebrand disease, and six of seven with hemophilia had a more than 200% increase in F VIII coagulant activity, with lesser but definite increases in F VIII:RAg and ristocetin cofactor activity. Two subjects with severe von Willebrand disease had no increase in F VIII-related activities. In six subjects with von Willebrand disease who had prolonged bleeding times, there was transient correction after DDAVP therapy. None of eight subjects who received DDAVP prior to surgical procedures had any unusual bleeding during or after surgery. None received any blood products. No untoward side effects were noted in any of the 41 subjects. We conclude that DDAVP is a safe and effective alternative to the use of blood products in certain individuals with von Willebrand disease and hemophilia A.