Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical resection matters to cure rhinocerebral mucormycosis: Six case reports.

Rhino-cerebral mucormycosis (RM) is a rare and opportunistic fungal infection observed in immune-compromised patients and metabolic imbalances such as Diabetes Mellitus. RM rapidly infiltrates blood vessels, leading to vascular thrombosis, subsequent tissue necrosis, and high mortality rates (23.6-60%). Due to its fast advancement, RM is a life-threatening condition requiring accurate clinical decisions by the medical and surgical teams. Based on the report of six cases, we emphasize the need for an early diagnosis and starting antifungal pharmacological therapy at the slightest suspicion of RM. Moreover, the restitution of metabolic balance and aggressive surgical debridement are vital steps to control RM, reducing the possibility of fatal outcomes.

Uso de fluoroscopia intraoperatoria en el tratamiento de fracturas aisladas de arco cigomático. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Use of intraoperative fluoroscope in the treatment of isolated zygomatic arch fractures: a randomized clinical trial

Objetivo. La reducción de la fractura aislada de arco cigomático (FAAC) es, habitualmente, realizada a distancia mediante un abordaje temporal de Gillies. No se recomienda una reducción abierta por la gran morbilidad y complicaciones asociadas. Sin embargo, al realizar una reducción cerrada, es muy difícil precisar si fue satisfactoriamente realizada. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar si la adquisición de imágenes intraoperatorias con un arco en C para evaluar la reducción de FAAC es una técnica útil en el tratamiento de dichas fracturas. Métodos. Nuestra hipótesis es que utilizar un arco en C para adquirir imágenes intraoperatorias reduce la necesidad de una segunda cirugía. Entre los años 2009 y 2012, 50 pacientes que fueron diagnosticados con FAAC y que requerían tratamiento quirúrgico fueron distribuidos aleatorizadamente en 2 grupos: 25 pacientes en un grupo experimental en que se realizaba reducción de la fractura y corroboración inmediata de un adecuado resultado con arco en C intraoperatoriamente y 25 pacientes en un grupo control en que se realizaba reducción de la fractura con imagen de control posterior a la cirugía. Resultados. Los resultados mostraron que no hubo diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos (p=0,05). Sin embargo, existió la ventaja de poder reducir de nuevo la fractura inmediatamente si el resultado no era satisfactorio en el grupo experimental. Conclusión. A pesar de que los resultados no son estadísticamente significativos, los autores recomiendan realizar imágenes intraoperatorias en aquellas zonas de las que no se tiene certeza de la reducción (AU)

Purpose. Isolated zygomatic arch fractures (IZAF) are habitually reduced at a distance, via a temporal approach. Open reductions are not recommended due to the associated morbidity and complications. However, performing closed reductions makes it difficult to determine whether it was done satisfactorily. This study aims to determine whether the acquisition of intraoperative images with a C-arm to evaluate IZAF reductions is a useful technique in treating such fractures. Methods. Our hypothesis is that acquiring intraoperative images with a C-arm reduces the need for a second surgery. Between 2009-2012, 50 patients who were diagnosed with IZAF requiring surgery were randomly distributed into 2 groups: 25 patients in the experimental group, where fracture reduction was performed and immediately corroborated intraoperatively for an adequate result using a C-arm; 25 patients were assigned to a control group where the fracture reduction was controlled with post-surgery imaging. Results. The results did not reveal significant differences between both groups (P=.05). Nevertheless, the experimental group had the advantage of being able to immediately reduce the fracture again if the result was unsatisfactory. Conclusions. Despite the fact that the results are not statistically significant, the authors recommend undertaking an intraoperative imaging analysis in areas where we are not certain of the reduction (AU)

C-arm as intraoperative control in reduction of isolated zygomatic arch fractures: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Isolated zygomatic arch fractures (IZAFs) are habitually reduced at a distance, via a temporal approach. Open reductions are not recommended due to the associated morbidity and complications. However, performing closed reductions makes it difficult to determine whether it was done satisfactorily. This study aims to determine whether the acquisition of intraoperative images with a C-arm to evaluate IZAF reductions is a useful technique in treating such fractures. METHODS: Our hypothesis is that acquiring intraoperative images with a C-arm reduces the need for a second surgery. Between 2009 and 2012, 50 patients who were diagnosed with IZAF requiring surgery were randomly distributed into two groups: 25 patients were in the experimental group, where fracture reduction was performed and immediately corroborated intraoperatively for an adequate result using a C-arm, and 25 patients were assigned to a control group where the fracture reduction was controlled with post-surgery imaging. RESULTS: The results did not reveal significant differences between both groups (p = 0.5). Nevertheless, the experimental group had the advantage of being able to immediately reduce the fracture again if the result was unsatisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that the results are not statistically significant (p = 0.5), the authors recommend undertaking an intraoperative imaging analysis in areas where we are not certain of the reduction.

Fracturas faciales en un centro de referencia de traumatismos nivel I. Estudio descriptivo / Facial fractures in a Chilean trauma center. A descriptive study

Objetivo: Recopilar información del traumatismo maxilofacial, específicamente en pacientes adultos, en el periodo de 3 años en un centro chileno de referencia de traumatismos. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en todos los casos de fracturas faciales que asistieron al Servicio de Cirugía Maxilofacial del Hospital Clínico Mutual de Seguridad C.Ch.C., Santiago de Chile, en el periodo de 3 años (enero de 2009-diciembre de 2011). Fueron analizadas las variables y distribución de género, edad, tipo, frecuencia de cada fractura y causa del traumatismo. Resultados: La población estudiada consistió en 283 pacientes, 259 (91,5%) hombres y 24 (8,5%) mujeres con un promedio de edad de 40,5 (SD: ± 20,5) años. En 499 sitios de fractura las fracturas cigomáticas fueron la localización más prevalente en ambos géneros (48%), seguidas de las fracturas orbitarias (27,2%) y en tercer lugar las fracturas mandibulares (21,2%). La parte de la cara más afectada fue el tercio medio. Los traumatismos por accidente de tránsito fueron la causa más común (39,2%); la gran mayoría de estos fueron por accidente automovilístico. Discusión: Los resultados mostrados en este artículo están en línea con la literatura, y el análisis de este reporte provee importante información para el diseño de planes de prevención de riesgos, especialmente para desarrollar medidas en el área del tránsito (AU)

Objectives: The aim of the present descriptive study was to record data on maxillofacial trauma in working adults in a 3 year-period in a reference trauma center in Chile. Materials and methods: A descriptive study was conducted on cases of maxillofacial fractures treated in the Maxillofacial Surgery Unit of the Hospital Clínico Mutual de Seguridad, Santiago de Chile, over a 3-year period. Frequency, type and cause of injury, as well as age and gender distribution were analyzed. Results: The study population consisted of 283 patients, 259 (91.5%) males and 24 (8.5%) females with a mean age of 40.5 (SD: ± 20.5) years. In 499 fracture sites Zygomatic fractures were the most prevalent location of the 499 fracture sites, in both males and females (48%), followed by orbital fractures (27.2%), and jaw fractures (21.2%). The most common affected part of the face was isolated mid-facial fractures. Traffic-accident-related fractures were the most common cause (39.2%), with the largest proportion of these involving a car accident. Discussion: The results presented are in line with other studies and the analysis of this report provides important data for the design of plans for injury prevention, especially for measures in road traffic (AU)

Use of onabotulinumtoxinA in post-traumatic oromandibular dystonia.

PURPOSE: Post-traumatic oromandibular dystonia (PTOD) is a disorder whose symptoms can include bruxism, muscle pain, and involuntary muscle contraction, among others. The use of onabotulinumtoxinA (ObT-A) is helpful in controlling the symptoms of patients with PTOD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of ObT-A in the treatment of PTOD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective case-series study, the population consisted exclusively of patients diagnosed with PTOD, without distinction by age or gender, from January 2007 to December 2010. The patients were diagnosed with PTOD and treated with ObT-A infiltration (primary predictor) at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at the Hospital Clínico Mutual de Seguridad (Santiago, Chile). The primary outcome variables were bruxism, muscle pain, and involuntary muscle contraction. The data were obtained through questionnaires registered in tables at each control. Systat 13.1 was used for statistical analysis. The statistical test used to compare patients' evolution over time was the test of signs. RESULTS: Thirty male patients 18 to 65 years old diagnosed with PTOD were treated with ObT-A infiltrations. The signs and symptoms associated with oromandibular dystonia (bruxism, muscle pain, and involuntary muscle contraction) were decreased in all patients after ObT-A infiltrations. CONCLUSIONS: The positive results and the absence of complications recommend the use of the infiltration protocol presented in this study for the treatment of PTOD.