Investigation of infraorbital nerve injury following zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures.

The aim of this study was to investigate the severity of infraorbital nerve injury following zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures and to estimate the treatment methods facilitating its functional recovery. A total of 478 patients with unilateral zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures were treated. Infraorbital nerve sensory disturbances were diagnosed in 64.4% of the patients. Injury of the infraorbital nerve was expressed as asymmetry index, which was calculated as a ratio between the affected side and the intact side electric pain detection thresholds at the innervation zone skin before treatment and 14 days, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. A mean asymmetry index of 0.6 +/- 0.03 and 1.9 +/- 0.5 was registered for 57 (11.9%) patients with hyperalgesia and for 251 (52.5%) patients with hypoalgesia, respectively. As a result of retrospective analysis of infraorbital nerve sensory disturbances and its functional recovery, infraorbital nerve injury severity was classified as mild, moderate and severe. It was found that the dynamics and outcome of the functional infraorbital nerve recovery depend on the severity of the injury and the presence of infraorbital canal damage. Function was completely recovered within 3 months after treatment in cases with mild nerve injury. In moderate cases, complete recovery was seen within 6 months and in 34.6% of the severe cases, within a 12-month period after treatment when infraorbital nerve decompression was performed according to the stated indication. Treatment based on infraorbital nerve injury classification offers a better prognosis for complete recovery of the infraorbital nerve function.

The relationship between the calcaneal bone mineral density and the mental index in post-menopausal females.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the bone mineral density in the calcaneus and the mental index (MI) of the mandible in post-menopausal females, and to evaluate the diagnostic threshold of the index. METHODS: The post-menopausal females aged 50 years and older were examined using panoramic radiography of the mandible for mandibular cortical width measurements at the mental foramen (mental index, MI) determination and DXL Calscan P/N 031000 (Demetech AB, Solna, Sweden) for the examination of calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD). The statistical analysis was performed to determine the tendencies between the data. RESULTS: According to the T-score values of calcaneal BMD, the subjects were distributed into T1, T2 and T3 groups. BMD differences between the groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The panoramic radiographic examination of the mandible was performed, MI (mm) was determined and the mean values in the groups were calculated. The differences of MI mean values between the groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001). In the general group, a statistically significant relationship was found between calcaneal BMD, T-score and MI (p < 0.001). In the logistic analysis, the diagnostic threshold of MI was 3 mm (sensitivity 73.5%; specificity 72.6%). CONCLUSIONS: A diagnostic threshold for MI of 3 mm or less is suggested as the appropriate threshold for referral of calcaneal BMD reduction.

Reirradiation of recurrent head and neck cancer using high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the results of hypofractionated accelerated CT-guided interstitial HDR-BRT using 2.5 Gy per fraction. From December 2008 to March 2010, 30 patients were treated for recurrence of previously-irradiated head and neck cancer. Thirteen patients underwent surgical resection followed by HDR-BRT to the tumour bed. Seventeen patients were treated with HDR-BRT only. All patients received 2.5 Gy twice per day for a total dosage of 30 Gy. The overall survival rate (OS) for the entire group at 1 and 2-years was 63% and 47%, while local control (LC) was 73% and 67%, and disease-free survival (DFS) was 60% and 53%, respectively. Patients treated with surgical resection and HDR-BRT showed an improvement in both 2-year LC (77% vs. 47%, p = 0.013) and 2-year OS (62% vs. 35%, p = 0.035) compared to patients treated with HDR-BRT only. Median OS for pre-treatment tumour volumes ≤ 36 cm3 was 22 months and 9.2 months for those > 36 cm3 (p = 0.038). Grade III and IV late complications occurred in 3% of patients. There were no grade V complications. The interstitial HDR brachytherapy regimen using 2.5 Gy twice daily fractions at a total dose of 30 Gy offers an effective treatment option for patients with recurrent previously-irradiated head and neck cancer with a low rate of late high grade toxicity. Surgical resection had a positive effect on survival and local control in management of patients with recurrent head and neck cancer.

A 5-year follow-up study on one-stage implants inserted concomitantly with localized alveolar ridge augmentation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the success of one-stage implants placed at the time of alveolar bone augmentation using simultaneous guided bone regeneration technique with a collagen barrier membrane in patients suffering from insufficient bone width. Seventeen patients were treated with 20 one-stage OSTEOFIX (Oulu, Finland) implants using simultaneous guided bone regeneration technique. Dehiscence defects were filled by bovine bone mineral Bio-Oss and covered with collagen membrane. Clinical and radiographic parameters of the peri-implant conditions were assessed at the moment of prosthesis placement and at 1- and 5-year follow-ups. Diagnostic dehiscence defect measurements after implant placement showed that the mean vertical defect varied from 3.8 mm to 10.0 mm. At the moment of prosthesis placement and at 1- and 5-year follow-ups all implants were stable, painless and without biological complications. Clinical and radiographic parameters of the peri-implant conditions remained stable during follow-up. The cumulative implant survival rate was 100% after the 5-year observation period and the success rate for all pooled implants was 90%. The present study showed predictable treatment outcomes recorded after 5 years of function for one-stage OSTEOFIX (Oulu, Finland) oral implants placed simultaneously with guided bone regeneration using collagen membrane and deproteinized bovine bone mineral.