Mandibular canine dimensions as an aid in gender estimation.

BACKGROUND: All humans have an identity in life; compassionate societies require this identity to be recognized even after death. OBJECTIVES: To measure the dimensions of the mandibular canine and assess the usefulness of the mandibular canine as an aid in gender estimation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population comprised 200 subjects inclusive of 100 males and 100 females with an age range of 18-25 years. Measurements made in mm at the contact point were of mesiodistal width of the right and left canines and intercanine distance both intraorally and on casts, and the mandibular canine index (MCI) was calculated. The obtained data were subjected to t-test/Mann-Whitney test and discriminant function analysis. RESULTS: All parameters of mandibular canines, namely, intercanine distance, canine width, and canine index were greater in males compared to females suggesting significant sexual dimorphism of mandibular canines. On subjecting the data to discriminant function analysis, it classified sex correctly in 73% of the samples. CONCLUSION: The result of our study establishes the existence of significant sexual dimorphism in mandibular canines. We can therefore, recommend the use of mandibular canine dimensions as an applicable and additional method for gender determination in human identification.

Clinical and oral implications of dengue Fever: a review.

Dengue is a viral infection with fatal potential complications. It is also called as break-bone fever. Worldwide dengue infection is the most common mosquito-borne viral disease. It is caused by vector Aedesa egypti and represents a major public health issue in more than 100 tropical countries. The word dengue is obtained from Swahili phrase Ka-dinga pepo meaning "cramplikeseizure." Dengue viral infections are characterized by abrupt febrile illness, but can also lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Hence, it requires an early and correct diagnosis. Gingival bleeding is the most common oral manifestation of dengue infection. Although oral lesions are uncommon in dengue infections and if manifested, may be mistaken for bleeding disorders. This review emphasizes the significance of oral lesions as it may be the early indicators of dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Synovial sarcoma of the buccal mucosa: a rare case report.

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a rare malignant neoplasm that arises most commonly in joint capsules and articular tendons, but its relationship to the synovium is not always obvious. Synovial sarcoma is a malignant soft tissue tumor representing 5.6% to 10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. They are termed SS because of their histologic resemblance to the synovium, but they rarely involve a synovial structure and are thought to arise from pluripotential mesenchymal cells. The tumor usually occurs in close association with tendon sheaths, bursae, and joint capsules, primarily in the para-articular regions of the extremities, with approximately 9% occurring in the head and neck region. Synovial sarcoma has been reported rarely in the oral cavity. We report a very rare case of Synovial sarcoma of the buccal mucosa in a 24-year-old male patient.

Dermatoglyphic evaluation in subjects and parents of cleft lip with and without cleft palate.

Objectives : Dermatoglyphic patterns make good material for genetic studies because they remain stable throughout life. Given that the primary palate, lip, and dermal ridges develop during the same period of intrauterine life, the genetic message contained in the genome can be deciphered during this period and is reflected by dermatoglyphics. This study was undertaken to compare the dermatoglyphic patterns in subjects with clefts and controls and both their parents to study the genetic etiology. Methods : A total of 294 subjects (48 cleft subjects and 50 healthy controls with both their parents) were selected. Finger and palm prints of all were recorded using the ink method. Results : Increased frequency of loops and arches and low mean total ridge count was observed in cleft subjects. Increased frequency of loops and arches with decreased frequency of whorls, mean total ridge count, and atd angle of right hand was found in parents of cleft group as compared with the parents of the controls. Conclusion : Dermatoglyphic patterns have considerable variances. They can be used to study genetic etiology and as an educational tool for genetic counseling.

Evaluation of elongated styloid process on digital panoramic radiographs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The elongated styloid process may produce characteristic head and neck pain syndromes, commonly known as Eagle's syndrome. An awareness of this syndrome is important to all health practitioners involved in the diagnosis and treatment of neck and head pain. It has been estimated that 2 to 28% of the general adult population has radiographic appearance of elongated styloid process. The objective of the study was to assess the elongation of styloid process on digital panoramic radiographs and to evaluate the prevalence of elongation according to age, sex and types. RESULTS: Elongated styloid process was seen in 107 subjects out of 300 patients who were aged between 10 and 70 years old. Our study revealed that as age increased elongation of styloid process increased with female predominance. Type 1 elongation was most common than the other types of elongation. We also found that left styloids were elongated than the right with bilateral elongation. CONCLUSION: Panoramic radiographs can show a correct picture of elongated styloid process which can confirm the diagnosis and can thus help avoid misinterpretation of the symptoms as tonsillar pain or pain of dental, pharyngeal or muscular origin and hence panoramic radiography is economical and the best imaging modality to view the elongation of styloid process.

Usefullness of palatal rugae patterns in establishing identity: Preliminary results from Bengaluru city, India.

INTRODUCTION: Palatal rugoscopy is the name given to the study of palatal rugae. Rugae pattern are widely considered to remain unchanged during an individual's lifetime. The rugae pattern has the potential to remain intact by virtue of their internal position in the head when most other anatomical structures are destroyed or burned. Moreover, rugae pattern are considered to be unique similar to fingerprints and are advocated in personal identification. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study is to establish, individual identity using palatal rugae patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 100 study models all of whom were subjects above 14 years old. Martin dos Santos' classification was followed based on form and position to assess the individuality of rugae pattern. RESULTS: Each individual had different rugae patterns including dizygous twins and the rugae patterns were not symmetrical, both in number and in its distribution. CONCLUSION: The preliminary study undertaken here shows no two palates are alike in terms of their rugae pattern. Palatal rugae possess unique characteristics as they are absolutely individualistic and therefore, can be used as a personal soft-tissue 'oral' print for identification in forensic cases.

Cheiloscopy: An aid for personal identification.

AIM: Cheiloscopy is a forensic investigation technique that deals with identification of humans based on lips traces. The aim of this study is to establish the uniqueness of lip prints which aids in personal identification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised of 200 subjects. The materials used were dark-colored lipstick, paper, cellophane tape, a brush, and a magnifying lens. RESULTS: This study shows that lip prints are unique and permanent for each individual, and the lip prints among family members and between twins revealed different patterns on the whole with few similar grooves suggesting the existence of heredity in the lip prints. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that lip prints are unique to each individual and can be used for personal identification.

Use of frontal sinus and nasal septum patterns as an aid in personal identification: A digital radiographic pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine and classify the variations in the pattern of frontal sinus and nasal septum as observed on the posterior anterior Cephalometric radiographs, and to propose the possible use of the same in personal identification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 50 individuals visiting the department, whose age ranged from 25 to 50 years. The radiographs of 25 males and 25 females were recorded using a Kodak 8000 C and Dental Imaging Software Viewer 6.3.4. Frontal sinus (symmetry and lobulations) and nasal septum patterns (deviations) were observed and classified. RESULTS: Frontal sinus symmetry was observed in 29 (58%) individuals and asymmetry was observed in 16 (32%). Frontal sinuses were absent (bilateral aplasia) in two individuals (4%). Unilateral aplasia was seen in three individuals (6%). Straight nasal septum was seen in 11 (22%), right deviation in 21 (42%), and left deviation in 15 (30%) individuals. Sigmoid was seen in one male (2%), reverse sigmoid in one male (2%), and other pattern type in one female (2%). Both frontal sinus and nasal septum patterns were assessed together for each individual. Out of 50 individuals, 41 unique combinations of frontal sinus and nasal septum were found. However, there were nine individuals whose patterns matched one of the patterns of the 41 individuals. CONCLUSION: We observed that the frontal sinus and nasal septum patterns had considerable individual variation. A combined use of both the patterns, as observed on the radiographs, could serve as an adjunct to other methods of personal identification.