Do head and neck cancer survivors attend a high street dentist on a regular basis?

Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients face complex oral health issues following treatment. The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of HNC patients attending their dentist regularly and investigate clinicodemographic characteristics associated with attendance. Two surveys asked about patient attendance patterns and dentition. Pre-treatment orthopantomographs were evaluated for those treated between 2007-2009. The response rate was 66% (444/672). 69% (305/444) saw a high street dentist regularly. 28% of edentulous patients attended regularly compared with 84% with natural teeth, p < 0.001. Associations at p < 0.001 with regular attendance were the leaving of formal education (> 16 years) and earlier clinical staging. HNC patients should be encouraged to see a dentist regularly for routine dental care and cancer surveillance in partnership with the cancer service.

Effect of leukocyte and platelet rich fibrin (L-PRF) on stability of dental implants. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact, if any, of L-PRF application in an implant bed prior to implant placement, focusing on stability by means of implant stability quotient (ISQ) values. The literature was searched in a systematic way by means of the main databases and hand searching of the most relevant journals. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to determine the eligible studies included in this review. Only randomised controlled trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT) were included. A total of four RCTs were included for data extraction. The risk of bias was deemed moderate to unclear. Meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of L-PRF, on implant stability, immediately post-insertion in three studies, after one week from the implant placement in three studies and after four weeks for all the included studies. The fixed effects model has shown Hedges g statistic for the one week varying from 0.380 to 1.401 with a pooled figure of 0.764 (95% CI 0.443 to 1.085) and for four weeks varying between 0.74 and 1.1 with a combined effect of 0.888 (95% CI 0.598 to 1.177). The results for both intervals were in favour of the use of L-PRF while the statistical difference immediately post-insertion was not statistically significant. The present systematic review, though acknowledging its limitations, suggests that L-PRF has a positive effect on secondary implant stability and that needs to be correlated to the clinical practice to measure the actual clinical effect by means of reducing treatment times.

Technical tutorial: How to pack a nose with bismuth iodoform paraffin paste gauze safely and effectively.

The current primary treatment for epistaxis in accident and emergency departments is the insertion of Merocel packs. If these are properly inserted, but fail to control bleeding, it is necessary to insert a bismuth iodoform paraffin paste (BIPP) pack. A BIPP pack, when properly inserted, has the potential to stop most bleeds, but books and journals suggest a method of insertion that limits its effectiveness. A safer and more effective way of packing a nose with BIPP than the traditional method is described.

The further development and validation of the Liverpool Oral Rehabilitation Questionnaire: a cross-sectional survey of patients attending for oral rehabilitation and general dental practice.

BACKGROUND: Since the first version of the Liverpool Oral Rehabilitation Questionnaire (LORQ) was first published in 2004, the questionnaire has been modified to include more detail on chewing and appearance, and also details of denture, dental and implant status. AIM: The aim of this study is to report the ongoing development and validation of the LORQ version3. METHODS: A postal survey of the LORQv3 and OHIP-14 questionnaires was performed in April 2004 of 164 patients who had attended the oral rehabilitation clinic from February 2000. In addition The LORQv3 was administered to 349 patients attending six General Dental Practices, based in Liverpool, attending for routine care. RESULTS: Patients attending GDP scored appreciably better on most items in the LORQv3. The questionnaire discriminated between cancer and non-cancer oral rehabilitation patients in items such as swallowing, chewing, trismus, drooling and food clearance. There was no significant difference between rehabilitation groups for any of the seven OHIP-14 domains. The LORQv3 demonstrated good criterion validity when compared to the OHIP-14 with social items in the LORQv3 correlating well with items of the OHIP-14. Conversely various LORQv3 items did not have strong correlates within the OHIP-14 thus endorsing the additional items in the LORQv3.

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the maxillary antrum and orbit presenting as acute bacterial orbital cellulitis.

Orbital involvement by plasma cell tumours is rare. Orbital tumours do not generally present as an acute orbital inflammatory disease in adults, though tumours such as rhabdomyosarcoma may cause clinical signs similar to an acute orbital cellulitis in children. We describe a patient with bacterial orbital cellulitis and sinusitis who was found to have an extra-medullary plasmacytoma of the maxillary antrum and orbit and coexisting testicular seminoma.

Bilateral chylothorax following left radical neck dissection (case report).

Bilateral chylothorax is a rare complication of radical neck dissection and was first described in 1907. Stuart (1907) reviewed a number of patients with injuries to the thoracic duct in the neck and reported on three patients with bilateral chylothorax, all of whom died. The condition was not reported again until 1951 when the first of the five single case reports published to date appeared. The rarity with which this complication is reported makes it difficult for clinicians to be familiar with it. A further case is reported and the relevant literature reviewed, and certain aspects of the aetiology and management are discussed.

Exostosis of the external auditory canal: an interesting histopathological finding.

Perforation of the tympanic membrane is a frequent complication of surgery for exostoses of the external auditory canal. We report an unusual histopathological finding in a temporal bone containing external canal exostoses which suggests that some of these perforations may be unavoidable.

Non-ampullary plugging of the posterior semicircular canal for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common condition which is usually self-limiting. Surgical treatment is rarely required and for many years the mainstay of such treatment has been singular neurectomy (posterior ampullary nerve section). A new operation has recently been described for the treatment of BPPV involving occlusion of the posterior semicircular canal. We have performed this operation on five patients with intractable BPPV and report our results with follow up of between 12 and 36 months from operation. The excellent results of posterior semicircular canal occlusion which have been previously reported in the literature are confirmed by our experience. In our opinion the operation is a safe and effective alternative to singular neurectomy.

View from within: radiology in focus lateral pharyngeal diverticulum.

We report a case of a lateral pharyngeal diverticulum arising from the right vallecula. The aetiology and clinical features of these rare lesions are discussed. Diagnosis, which is difficult clinically, was made by barium swallow examination of the pharynx. The importance of contrast radiology in the investigation of pharyngeal symptoms is emphasized by this case.

An unusual posterior cranial fossa tumour causing hearing loss.

Clivus meningioma is an uncommon tumour arising from the region of the synchrondrosis between the basal portions of the sphenoid and occipital bones. We report a case of a patient with a large meningioma of the clivus whose presenting symptom was auditory change. Alteration of hearing is a rare mode of presentation for such a tumour although it may present at a later stage in about 50 per cent of cases. The discrepancy between the size of the tumour and the paucity of physical findings, the value of a multiple test auditory screening strategy, and the surgical approach in this case are discussed.

Otogenic Fusobacterium necrophorum meningitis.

A case of meningitis secondary to acute suppurative otitis media in a previously healthy child is reported. The only organism isolated from blood after aerobic and prolonged anaerobic culture was identified as Fusobacterium necrophorum. Complete recovery followed treatment with surgery and prolonged antibiotic therapy. The role of anaerobes in the development of meningitis, the isolation and identification of Fusobacterium necrophorum, the clinical presentations of F. necrophorum infection and the choice of antibiotics in the treatment of these infections are discussed.

Intranasal squamous cell carcinoma in a renal transplant recipient on long term immunosuppression.

An increased risk of developing malignant disease after renal transplantation and immunosuppression with azathioprine and corticosteroids is well documented. We report a case of intranasal carcinoma occurring in a renal transplant recipient. The possible role of immunosuppression on the development and on the outcome of treatment of this tumour is discussed.

Computed tomographic findings in atrophic rhinitis.

Computed tomography (CT) has been used increasingly in the assessment of patients with symptoms of sinonasal disease since the introduction of functional endoscopic surgery for the treatment of chronic sinusitis. The association of sinusitis and atrophic rhinitis will inevitably lead to more frequent imaging of patients with atrophic rhinitis. Correct interpretation of the CT appearances of atrophic rhinitis is important as misinterpretation may have serious implications during sinus surgery. These appearances have not been described previously. We describe and discuss the CT findings in three patients with clinical evidence of atrophic rhinitis.

The Liverpool Oral Rehabilitation Questionnaire: a pilot study.

There are several validated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaires designed to record patient-derived outcomes in head and neck cancer. None deals specifically with oral rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to pilot a new questionnaire, the Liverpool Oral Rehabilitation Questionnaire (LORQ). The questionnaire consists of 25 items about oral function and denture satisfaction. A four-point Likert scale is used. Sixty-one consecutive patients attending oral rehabilitation clinics completed the LORQ in combination with the University of Washington Head and Neck questionnaire version 3 (UW-QOL) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer H and N quality of life questionnaire (EORTC H and N 35). Forty-two patients received questionnaires at baseline, whereas the rest were provided with the questionnaires at various stages of oral rehabilitation. For each item on the questionnaire, a full range of possible responses were given by patients. Kappa coefficients of agreement for test-retest data indicated moderate to very good agreement between repeat questionnaires. There were significant correlations (P < 0.001) between items in the LORQ and those in the UW-QOL and EORTC HN questionnaires. The LORQ also identified differences in responses between non-cancer and cancer groups of patients undergoing oral rehabilitation. This study of the LORQ is encouraging, although data on its responsiveness over time and to intervention is awaited.

The fate of tumour rests following removal of acoustic neuromas: an MRI Gd-DTPA study.

The fate of capsular fragments left attached to vital structures at the time of otherwise total tumour removal was studied in 14 of 21 such patients who underwent acoustic neuroma surgery. Imaging using magnetic resonance Gd-DTPA at post-operative intervals of 6 months-12 years (mean 70 months) showed evidence of persistent tumour in half the patients. None of the patients had developed new symptoms and computed tomography had failed to demonstrate tumour recurrence. Persistence of the tumour was more likely if the residual fragments were not cauterized at the time of operation. Four of the seven persisting tumour rests showed evidence of gradual enlargement. The implications for patient management, particularly if an attempt is made to preserve hearing, are discussed.