Arterial supply and morphological characteristics of sympathetic neurons in the human superior cervical ganglion.

The aim of this study was the micromorphological analysis of the distribution of microvessels, mast cells and ganglionic neurons in two parts, proximal and distal of the human superior cervical sympathetic ganglions (SCSGs). Statistical analyses were applied to detect the possible metric regional differences in their densities. Five injected human SCSGs with colored India ink and gelatin were microdissected and examined. Second group of five human SCSGs was prepared and serially sliced for CD34 and mast cell tryptase immunostaining. The microscopic fields of two parts of the SCSGs were analyzed for the following quantifications: microvessel density (MVD), mast cell density (MCD), and ganglionic cell count and measurements. The mean number of CD34-positive microvessels in microscopic fields, the MVD, had a value of 83 for the upper parts, and 82.7 for the lower parts of SCSGs. The mean number of tryptase-positive mast cells in microscopic fields, the MCD, was 4.5 in the proximal parts, and 4.7 in the distal parts of SCSGs. The mean number of ganglionic neurons in microscopic fields was 19.5 in the proximal parts, and 19.8 in the distal parts of SCSGs. The density of CD34-positive microvessels, the density of tryptase-positive mast cells, and the density, mean diameters and mean areas of ganglionic neurons were not significantly different in two observed parts, upper and lower of the SCSGs. In conclusion, the distributions of microvessels, mast cells, and neurons in two parts of the SCSGs were uniform with no specific micromorphological variations, there is a homogenous vascular and cellular pattern within the SCSGs.

Nutrient canals and porosity of the bony palate: A basis for the biological plausibility of the anterior middle superior alveolar nerve block.

BACKGROUND: The authors investigated morphologic parameters of the palatal cortex that affect the diffusion of local anesthetic solution in the region of the anterior middle superior alveolar (AMSA) nerve block injection site. METHODS: The authors used computed tomographic (CT) and micro-CT imaging to assess 20 human skulls from an anatomic collection. Analysis of the CT images included frequency, distribution, and width of the nutrient canals in the bony palate, according to to the person's sex and age. Micro-CT analysis involved measuring the thickness and porosity of palatal cortical bone in the area of the AMSA injection site in relation to the thickness and porosity of the opposite buccal cortical bone. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (P = .042) in the location of the nutrient canals between male specimens (> 50% in the border region) and female specimens (> 50% in the palatal process). Furthermore, the female skulls had significantly wider nutrient canal foramina (P = .042) than did the male skulls. Despite greater thickness, the palatal cortex in the area of the AMSA injection site had slightly greater porosity than did the buccal cortex. A significantly greater number of microcanals penetrated the whole cortical thickness in palatal than in buccal cortical bone (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The distribution and width of nutrient canals differed between male and female skulls. At the microscopic level, structural characteristics of the palatal cortex provide a good anatomic basis for the potential of a satisfactory AMSA injection success rate. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The AMSA technique success rate might be increased if the clinician adjusts the injection site to the distribution of nutrient canals, depending on the sex of the patient.

Apical root-end filling with tricalcium silicate-based cement in a patient with diabetes mellitus: A case report.

Introduction: The material used for root-end filling has to be biocompatible with adjacent periapical tissue and to stimulate its regenerative processes. Tricalcium silicate cement (TSC), as a new dental material, shows good sealing properties with dentin, high compression strengths and better marginal adaptation than commonly used root-end filling materials. Although optimal postoperative healing of periapical tissues is mainly influenced by characteristics of end-root material used, it could sometimes be affected by the influence of systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Case report: We presented apical healing of the upper central incisor, retrofilled with TSC, in a diabetic patient (type 2 DM) with peripheral neuropathy. Standard root-end resection of upper central incisor was accompanied by retropreparation using ultrasonic retrotips to the depth of 3 mm and retrofilling with TSC. Post-operatively, the surgical wound healed uneventfully. However, the patient reported undefined dull pain in the operated area that could possibly be attributed to undiagnosed intraoral diabetic peripheral neuropathy, what was evaluated clinically. Conclusion: Although TSC presents a suitable material for apical root-end filling in the treatment of chronic periradicular lesions a possible presence of systemic diseases, like type 2 DM, has to be considered in the treatment outcome estimation.