A rare entity to major outbreak: a case report on mucormycosis.

Mucormycosis is relatively uncommon, fulminant, progressive, life threatening fungal disease which is most often seen in debilitating patients with immunocompromised condition. Mucormycosis cases are seen in patients with the use of systemic steroids in the treatment of severely affected COVID-19 cases and also in the patients with uncontrolled diabetes which causes immunosuppression are being reported with mucormycosis. The main symptoms of this disease include pain on the temporal and the orbital region of the affected side which could be throbbing or lancinating type, mobility of the teeth, jaw pain and often swelling is present which could be extraoral and intraoral both or sometimes only intraorally. The diagnostic approach in such cases is done with the help of clinical diagnosis, histopathology and with advanced imaging like cone beam computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. We here used cone beam computed tomography imaging that revealed haziness in the sinuses and breach in cortical bone of the affected area which confirmed the diagnosis of mucormycosis. Early treatment planning like administration of antifungal drugs and surgical debridement will be life saving in such a deadly disease.

Herpes zoster of orofacial region.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a viral disease which is primarily caused by the nerve tissue, but its treatment necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a DNA virus that causes both primary and recurrent infection. HZ, also known as shingles, is a unique condition induced by VZV reactivation. Neuropathic pain, headache, malaise and sleep disruption are all prodromal symptoms in such cases. HZ generates a pruritic, localized and vesicular rash that is usually unilateral. Individuals who are immunocompromised as a result of disease or receiving any treatment are also at increased risk, regardless of their age. HZ and its sequelae set a major strain on patient's caregivers, health-care system and business. Despite recent advances, prevention and treatment of HZ, consequences remain a therapeutic challenge. This is a case report of HZ infection in a 56-year-old female patient who was managed with comprehensive medical treatment.

Assessment of the Effect of Dimensions of the Mandibular Ramus and Mental Foramen on Age and Gender Using Digital Panoramic Radiographs: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective study is conducted to evaluate the mental foramen size and ramus height using digital panoramic radiograph to see if these parameters could be used to determine a correlation with age and gender in dentate subjects and to show its relevance in forensic odontology. AIM: To determine if there is an interrelation between two mandibular parameters (mental foramen, ramus height) in gender and age assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred and forty-five high-quality radiographs of patients aged 20 years and above were selected to see superior and inferior aspects of the mental foramen and the ramus height. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS 20 version software. The mean and standard deviations were calculated for each clinical parameter, and one-way ANOVA statistical test of significance was used to compare superior and inferior aspects of mental foramen and ramus height with age groups and gender for both right and left sides. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Highly significant relationship was observed, and it was also found that as the age advances, the mental foramen and ramus height increase on both the right and left sides; whereas the mental foramen and ramus height increase among males as compared to females on both the right and left sides. CONCLUSION: There were significant changes in the dimensions of mental foramen and ramus height as age advances. The results concluded that ramus height and the mental foramen can be used effectively in the identification of gender using digital panoramic radiography.

Assessment of micronuclei frequency in individuals with a habit of tobacco by means of exfoliated oral buccal cells.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the genotoxic effects of tobacco on the exfoliated buccal epithelial cells in patients with oral precancerous lesions (OPLs) and Patients with tobacco habit but without oral precancerous lesion(habit controls) by using micronucleus assay as well as the quantification and detection of the biomarkers in these premalignant lesions which will be helpful in finding those patients who are at higher risk for malignant transformation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty samples were collected from the right and left side of buccal epithelial cells obtained from 20 individuals, i.e., 10 patients with habit control and 10 patients with OPLs. Statistical analysis was performed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21.0 Unpaired t-test was performed to determine the micronucleated cell (MNC) and micronuclei (MN) frequencies in individuals; significance was set at P > 0.05. RESULTS: There was an increase in both the MNC and MN frequency from habit controls to OPLs, indicating that the number of cells with chromosomal damage and extent of chromosomal damage in each cell was high in OPLs. CONCLUSION: The MN count can be used as a noninvasive tool for early detection, educating patients, screening a large population, and to check the risk for malignancy, which in turn may help in treatment planning.