Novel Three-Dimensional and Non-Invasive Diagnostic Approach for Distinction between Odontogenic Keratocysts and Ameloblastomas.

Aim of this study was to demonstrate the diagnostic ability to differentiate odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) from ameloblastomas (AMs) based on computed tomography (CT) or cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Preoperative CT and CBCT scans from 2004 to 2019 of OKCs and AMs were analyzed in 51 participants. Lesions were three-dimensionally (3D) assessed and Hounsfield units (HU) as well as gray scale values (GSV) were quantified. Calculated HU spectra were compared within the same imaging modalities using unpaired t-tests and correlated with participants characteristics by calculating Pearsons correlation coefficients. Within the CT scans, AMs had highly significantly higher HU values compared to OKCs (43.52 HU and 19.79 HU, respectively; p < 0.0001). Analogous, within the CBCT scans, AMs had significantly higher GSV compared to OKCs (-413.76 HU and -564.76 HU, respectively; p = 0.0376). These findings were independent from participants' gender and age, anatomical site, and lesion size, indicating that the HU- and GSV-based difference reflects an individual configuration of the lesion. HU and GSV spectra calculated from CT and CBCT scans can be used to discriminate between OKCs and AMs. This diagnostic approach represents a faster and non-invasive option for preoperative diagnosis of such entities and has potential to facilitate therapeutic decision making.

Teleglaucoma Using a New Smartphone-Based Tool for Visual Field Assessment.

PRCIS: COVID-19 underlines the importance of telemedical diagnostics. The smartphone-based campimetry (Sb-C) is a newly developed digital application allowing visual field testing using a head-mounted device and a smartphone. It enables visual field screening remotely from a clinic. BACKGROUND: Sb-C is a newly developed tool for functional ophthalmic diagnosis. This study aimed to examine the comparability of the Sb-C and Octopus 900 to ensure ophthalmological care in times of social distancing. METHODS: Total 93 eyes were included in the study. After an ophthalmological examination, the visual field was tested by the Octopus program G1 and by the smartphone-based campimeter. The Sb-C was performed using VR glasses and an iPhone 6. The software Sb-C was downloaded and installed as SmartCampiTracker app and is examining the 30-degree visual field with 59 test positions corresponding to the G pattern of Octopus G1. Sensitivities were recorded and saved on the app. In addition, test-retest reliability was tested on 6 ophthalmologically healthy participants. RESULTS: The group comprised 48 women and 45 men (mean age: 62.52±12.2 y) including 19 controls, 17 patients with ocular hypertension, 11 preperimetric glaucomas, and 46 perimetric glaucomas. The mean sensitivity (MS) of all points of G1 perimetry was 23.13 dB (95% CI, 22.08-24.18). The MS of the Sb-C was 21.23 dB (95% CI, 20.37-22.08). The correlation between the mean MS measured by G1 perimetry and the Sb-C was strong ( r =0.815, P <0.05). The test-retest reliability showed a correlation of r =0.591 ( P <0.05) . CONCLUSIONS: With some technical adjustments, the Sb-C shows promise for screening glaucoma and monitoring disease progression remotely from an ophthalmologic clinic.

Postoperative Delirium after Reconstructive Surgery in the Head and Neck Region.

Postoperative delirium (POD) is an acute and serious complication following extended surgery. The aim of this study was to identify possible risk factors and scores associated with POD in patients undergoing reconstructive head and neck surgery. A collective of 225 patients was retrospectively evaluated after receiving reconstructive surgery in the head and neck region, between 2013 to 2018. The incidence of POD was examined with regards to distinct patient-specific clinical as well as perioperative parameters. Uni- and multivariate statistics were performed for data analysis. POD occurred in 49 patients (21.8%) and was strongly associated with an increased age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI) and a prolonged stay in the ICU (p = 0.009 and p = 0.000, respectively). Analogous, binary logistic regression analysis revealed time in the ICU (p < 0.001), an increased ACCI (p = 0.022) and a Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) score ≠ 0 (p = 0.005) as significant predictors for a diagnosis of POD. In contrast, the extent of reconstructive surgery in terms of parameters such as type of transplant or duration of surgery did not correlate with the occurrence of POD. The extension of reconstructive interventions in the head and neck region is not decisive for the development of postoperative delirium, whereas patient-specific parameters such as age and comorbidities, as well as nutritional parameters, represent predictors of POD occurrence.

Retrospective three-dimensional analysis of bone resorption volumes of free microvascular scapular and fibular grafts.

Defects in head and neck regions are standardly treated with microvascular grafts, such as free scapular (SFF) and fibular flaps (FFF), which are subject to a certain amount of bone resorption over time. The aim of this study was the 3-dimensional evaluation of bone resorption volume in both grafts. Over a period of 10 years, computed tomograms (CT) of patients with mandibular reconstructions with SFFs and FFFs were examined. The respective grafts were segmented as well as 3-dimensionally measured. Furthermore, factors such as gender, age, nicotine abuse, previous disease with type 2 diabetes, and adjuvant therapies, were examined for their influence. A total of 211 CT scans from 67 patients (40 SFFs and 27 FFFs) were included in the study. SFFs showed slightly higher median bone volumes (87.60% at 730 days and 86.55% at 1500 days) than FFFs (84.40% at 730 days and 82.10% at 1500 days). When final volumes were considered, FFFs had higher mean volume values (88.22%) than SFFs (83.82%), with significant correlation between resorption volume and time progression (r = 0.357, p = 0.024). All previously mentioned factors had no significant effect on bone resorption. Bone volumes of FFFs showed postoperative volume reductions similar to those of SFFs, with isolated SFFs having markedly lower volume values. The choice of a microvascular graft for reconstruction in the mandible proves difficult regarding bone resorption. The presented results may support decisions about future transplantations.

Continuous Multidisciplinary Care for Patients With Orofacial Clefts-Should the Follow-up Interval Depend on the Cleft Entity?

OBJECTIVE: The multidisciplinary follow-up of patients with cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P) is organized differently in specialized centers worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the different treatment needs of patients with different manifestations of CL/P and to potentially adapt the frequency and timing of checkup examinations accordingly. DESIGN: We retrospectively analyzed the data of all patients attending the CL/P consultation hour at a tertiary care center between June 2005 and August 2020 (n = 1126). We defined 3 groups of cleft entities: (1) isolated clefts of lip or lip and alveolus (CL/A), (2) isolated clefts of the hard and/or soft palate, and (3) complete clefts of lip, alveolus and palate (CLP). Timing and type of therapy recommendations given by the specialists of different disciplines were analyzed for statistical differences. RESULTS: Patients with CLP made up the largest group (n = 537), followed by patients with cleft of the soft palate (n = 371) and CL ± A (n = 218). There were significant differences between the groups with regard to type and frequency of treatment recommendations. A therapy was recommended in a high proportion of examinations in all groups at all ages. CONCLUSION: Although there are differences between cleft entities, the treatment need of patients with orofacial clefts is generally high during the growth period. Patients with CL/A showed a similarly high treatment demand and should be monitored closely. A close follow-up for patients with diagnosis of CL/P is crucial and measures should be taken to increase participation in follow-up appointments.

Clinical Follow-Up in Orofacial Clefts-Why Multidisciplinary Care Is the Key.

(1) Background: Although most clinicians involved in the treatment of cleft patients agree upon the major importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and many protocols and concepts have been discussed in the literature, there is little evidence of the relevance of continuous interdisciplinary care. We aimed to objectify the type and number of therapeutic decisions resulting from an annual multidisciplinary follow-up. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of all 1126 patients followed up in the weekly consultation hours for cleft patients at university clinics in Leipzig for the years 2005-2020. We assessed the clinical data of every patient and specifically evaluated the treatment decisions taken at different points in time by the participating experts of different specialties. (3) Results: In total, 3470 consultations were included in the evaluation, and in 70% of those, a therapeutic recommendation was given. Each specialty showed certain time frames with intense treatment demand, which partially overlapped. Nearly all therapy recommendations were statistically attached to a certain age (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: There is an exceptionally high need for the interdisciplinary assessment of patients with cleft formation. Some developmental phases are of particular importance with regard to regular follow-up and initiation of different treatment protocols. The therapy and checkup of cleft patients should be concentrated in specialized centers.

OCT and IOP findings in a healthy worker cohort: results from a teleophthalmic study in occupational medicine.

PURPOSE: To avoid significant loss of vision in employees, the working population could be examined with ophthalmic methods as OCT and IOP measurement for detection of serious eye diseases. The value of "virtual eye clinics" in occupational preventive medicine has been previously shown. We used a telemedical approach to gather epidemiological information about prevalence of eye diseases such as glaucoma, ocular hypertension, hypertensive retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, epiretinal membrane, AMD, adult vitelliform maculopathy, cystoid maculopathy, choroidal nevi, and macular drusen. METHODS: The study included 931 people ranging from age 39 to 65 years. Using a telemedical approach, all medical examinations and the ophthalmic examination were performed by a technician using an optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and a pulse air tonometer. The data were saved in the web-based patient chart MedStage® of the Talkingeyes® Collaboration Network. RESULTS: We found a high prevalence of eye diseases in a group representative for the working-age population by telemedical examination. 13.47% of the workers examined showed ocular findings necessitating treatment or control by an ophthalmologist, including ocular hypertension (5.7%), hypertensive retinopathy with loss of temporal retinal nerve fiber thickness (2.3%), epiretinal membrane (1.07%), glaucoma (0.97%), age-related macular degeneration and adult vitelliform maculopathy (0.53%), and diabetic retinopathy (0.2%). Two of the examined persons presented ocular findings requiring urgent treatment to prevent serious vision loss. CONCLUSION: Using a telemedical approach, we collected epidemiological information about prevalence of eye diseases in the working-age population. Virtual eye clinics in occupational preventive medicine are a useful method to improve sight and reduce vision loss of workers by reducing travel time and inconvenience associated with an in-person appointment with an ophthalmologist.