Implementation of photographic triage in a paediatric dental, orthodontic, and maxillofacial department during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, limitations were placed on face-to-face encounters in dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) in order to promote physical distancing and reduce viral propagation. To facilitate continued assessment of dental, orthodontic, and maxillofacial emergencies, a photographic triage system was initiated at Alder Hey Children's Hospital (AHCH). We will discuss the benefits this system offers at a patient, clinician, departmental, and NHS service level. AIM: To share our experience of photographic triage during the first 3 months of COVID-19 lockdown, lessons learned, and recommendations. DESIGN: Prospective data collection over 3 months. RESULTS: 220 photographic referrals were received, and swelling (30%) and dental trauma (27%) were the most common presenting complaints. 57% of referrals were not seen, 23% were seen semi-urgently, and 20% booked for outpatient review. Of those seen, 7 children were seen elsewhere and 44 were seen face-to-face at AHCH, with 8 being admitted. CONCLUSION: Photographic triage reduced physical encounters and proved useful in training junior staff, assessment of new patient referrals, and first on-call from home. Implementation should be considered throughout dental, orthodontic, and OMFS departments nationwide. In the event of a COVID-19 resurgence or emergence of a new pandemic, photographic triage could facilitate physical distancing and service provision.

Ameloblastic Fibroma of the Mandible Reconstructed with Autogenous Parietal Bone: Report of a Case and Literature Review.

Ameloblastic fibroma (AF) is a rare, slow-growing benign neoplasm, comprised of tissues of odontogenic origin. It constitutes 2% of odontogenic tumours, occurring at any age, but has a predilection to present in the first two decades of life. AF principally affects the posterior mandible. It is characterized by epithelial islands and cords immersed in ectomesenchyme that mimics the dental papilla and enamel organ but without actual hard tissue formation. Herein, we describe the case of a 6-year-old Caucasian male who presented to the Oral and Maxillofacial Department at Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK, with a painless expansile mass in the left mandible which was diagnosed as a benign ameloblastic fibroma and subsequently enucleated and reconstructed with a parietal calvarial bone graft. A brief literature review and the issues surrounding diagnosis are discussed.

Recurrent nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain due to hypothyroidism.

A 45-year-old woman presented with recurrent episodes of diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Investigations, including routine blood tests, gastroscopy with duodenal biopsy, colonoscopy and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning, failed to find a cause of these symptoms. Routine blood tests were repeated and included thyroid function tests. The latter confirmed a diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism. After initiating thyroid hormone replacement therapy, all of the patient's symptoms resolved. She remains well and asymptomatic to date.