Cytokeratin 19 expression patterns of dentigerous cysts and odontogenic keratocysts.

BACKGROUND: Although numerous investigators have studied the pattern of keratin expression in different odontogenic cysts, the results have been variable. AIM: The present study was conducted to determine the pattern of expression of cytokeratin 19 (CK 19) in the epithelial lining of odontogenic keratocysts and dentigerous cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The epithelial layers showing expression of the epithelial marker CK 19 was determined by immunohistochemical methods in 15 tissue specimens each of histopathologically confirmed cases of dentigerous cysts and odontogenic keratocysts. Statistical analysis was done to compare the CK 19 expression between dentigerous cyst and odontogenic keratocyst using the Chi-square test. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: All specimens of dentigerous cysts were positive for CK 19 with 20% (3/15) of the specimens showing expression only in a single layer of the epithelium, 40% (6/15) of the specimens showing expression in more than one layer but not the entire thickness of the epithelium, and the remaining 40% (6/15) showing expression throughout the entire thickness of the epithelium. In the case of odontogenic keratocysts, 40% (6/15) of the specimens were negative for CK 19, 40% (6/15) of the specimens showed expression only in a single layer of the epithelium, and 20% (3/15) of the specimens showed expression in more than one layer, but not the entire thickness of the epithelium. The observed differences in CK 19 expression by the two lesions were statistically significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The differences in CK 19 expression by these cysts may be utilized as a diagnostic tool in differentiating between these two lesions.

Association of aggressive periodontitis with reduced erythrocyte counts and reduced hemoglobin levels.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Studies have shown that erythrocyte counts and hemoglobin levels are reduced in patients with chronic periodontitis, suggesting that this condition may be associated with anemia of chronic disease. Although increased leukocyte counts have been reported in aggressive periodontitis, very little is known about the effects of aggressive periodontitis on erythrocyte counts. The present study was undertaken to determine whether generalized aggressive periodontitis is associated with reduced erythrocyte counts and reduced hemoglobin levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was conducted as a case-control study in which 64 patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis were categorized as cases and 58 periodontally healthy individuals were categorized as controls. Erythrocyte parameters (such as erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit and erythrocyte indices) and clinical parameters (such as gingival index, plaque index, probing depth, clinical attachment level and percentage of severe sites) were recorded. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between cases and controls in mean erythrocyte count (4.45 ± 0.6 × 10(6) erythrocytes/µL and 4.78 ± 0.56 × 10(6) erythrocytes/µL respectively, p = 0.002) and hemoglobin level (12.43 ± 1.83 g/dL and 13.53 ± 1.64 g/dL, respectively, p = 0.001). Other erythrocyte parameters, such as hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin, were also significantly lower among cases compared with controls. Logistic regression analyses showed that generalized aggressive periodontitis was significantly associated with lower erythrocyte counts ( p = 0.032) and a lower hemoglobin concentration ( p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study suggest that patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis tend to have lower erythrocyte counts and lower hemoglobin levels compared with periodontally healthy controls. This suggests that generalized aggressive periodontitis, like chronic periodontitis, may be associated with a risk for anemia of chronic disease.

Comparison of periodontal destruction patterns among patients with and without the habit of smokeless tobacco use--a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The effects of tobacco smoking on the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease have been well documented. However, very few studies have assessed the effects of oral smokeless tobacco (ST) on the periodontium. Considering the widespread use of ST products globally, the effects of such products on the periodontal tissues may be important. The present study was performed to compare retrospectively the patterns of periodontal destruction among oral ST users and never-users with periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 149 patients with periodontitis (60 ST users and 89 never-users) were compared for mean scores of probing depth, recession (REC) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) and the mean percentage of sites with different ranges of probing depth, REC and CAL. RESULTS: For full-mouth scores, mean REC and CAL were significantly higher in ST users than in never-users (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). For different regions of the dentition, mean scores of REC were significantly higher among ST users than among never-users (p < 0.001 for all regions), and mean scores of CAL were significantly higher for ST users in mandibular (p < 0.001), buccal (p = 0.008), lingual (p = 0.022), anterior (p = 0.012) and molar (p = 0.009) sites. Generally, there were higher percentages of sites with shallow pockets (0-3 mm), REC of ≥ 1 mm and CAL of ≥ 3 mm in ST users than in never-users. However, only differences for REC categories were significant for all regions (p < 0.001). ST users had a significantly higher proportion of sites with CAL of ≥8 mm for full-mouth sites (p = 0.003), mandibular teeth (p < 0.001), buccal sites (p = 0.002), anterior teeth (p = 0.040) and molars (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: ST users tend to have more severe REC and CAL and a greater proportion of sites with higher values of REC and CAL compared with never-users. The greatest increase in severity of CAL was found to be localized to sites on mandibular teeth, buccal surfaces, anteriors and molars, which may be a result of the retention of the ST product in the oral cavity.

Successful management of isolated ventricular inversion in an adult.

We report a case of isolated ventricular inversion in a 42-year-old woman. This rare congenital cardiac anomaly was corrected by an intraatrial baffle procedure. She also underwent left-sided double-chamber endocardial pacemaker implantation for postoperative tachycardia bradycardia syndrome.