Osteochondroma Involving the Ramus of the Mandible: An Unusual Location.

Osteochondroma (OC) is considered the most common tumor of the axial skeleton, although it is relatively uncommon in the craniofacial region. The present case describes an atypical case of OC in the posterior border of the ramus of the mandible. To the best of our knowledge, only one case has been reported till now in this region. A 35-year-old male patient reported with a complaint of swelling over the left middle one-third of the face and limited mouth opening for six years. Panoramic radiograph (PR) and paranasal sinus (PNS) view showed a well-defined radiopacity located in this region. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a characteristic mushroom-shaped outgrowth from the inner surface of the ramus of the mandible. The patient was treated with osteotomy, with the cut made at the angle of the mandible. Histopathological examination revealed features suggestive of OC. Subsequently, the patient was able to open his mouth, and there was no evidence of recurrence or postoperative complications in the one-year follow-up.

Is Greulich and Pyle standards of skeletal maturation applicable for age estimation in South Indian Andhra children?

INTRODUCTION: Now-a-day age determination has gained importance for various forensic and legal reasons. Skeletal age (SA) of a test population can be estimated by comparing with established standards of Greulich and Pyle (G-P). As this atlas has been prepared using data from upper-class children born between 1917 and 1942 in the USA and the applicability of these standards to contemporary populations has yet to be tested on Andhra children living in India. Hence, this study was aimed to assess the reliability of bone age calculated by G-P atlas in estimation of age in selected population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 660 children (330 girls, 330 boys) between ages 9 and 20 years were randomly selected from outpatient Department of Oral Medicine in GITAM Dental College, Andhra Pradesh. Digital hand-wrist radiographs were obtained and assessed for SA using G-P atlas and the difference between estimated SA and chronological age (CA) were compared with paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: G-P method underestimated the SA by 0.23 ± 1.53 years for boys and overestimated SA by 0.02 ± 2 years in girls and mild underestimation was noted in the total sample of about 0.1 ± 1.78 years. Spearman rank test showed significant correlation between SA and CA (r = 0.86; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that G-P standards were reliable in assessing age in South Indian Andhra children of age 9-20 years with unknown CA.

Antibacterial activity of aqueous extracts of Indian chewing sticks on dental plaque: An in vitro study.

The anti-microbial efficacy of aqueous extracts of Indian chewing sticks against different kinds of plaque bacteria in vitro was investigated. Supra-gingival plaque is cultured and subjected to the antibacterial activity of the aqueous extracts of chewing sticks (Neem, Acacia, Pongamia glabra, Achyranthes aspera, Streblus asper) separately. The results of the study demonstrate that all the five chewing sticks under study possess inhibitory potential against bacteria present in dental plaque mainly on aerobes. The antibacterial efficacy of aqueous extracts has antibacterial effects and could be used as a therapeutic agent and therefore, it appears to be potent anti-microbial agents that could be considered as a medicinal plant. Results of this study showed chewing sticks contained antibacterial agents, but the concentration and composition of the active substances differed among the plants.