Improving Prenatal Diagnosis of Coarctation of the Aorta

Background

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association between fetal echocardiographic measurements and the need for intervention (primary coarctation repair, staged coarctation repair, or catheter intervention) in prenatally diagnosed coarctation of the aorta.

Onychocryptosis – decrypting the controversies

Onychocryptosis, or ingrown toenail, is a frequent, painful condition affecting young individuals. Controversies still exist regarding its etiopathogenesis and treatment options, including conservative and surgical techniques. The choice of treatment method depends on the stage of disease as conservative measures are mostly effective in early stages and surgical procedures are required in the later stages. Among surgical techniques, phenol cauterization of lateral nail matrix has been the most effective, safe, and commonly performed method. Other more destructive surgical procedures are rarely done nowadays. In this review, we briefly discuss the etiopathogenesis, clinical features, and different treatment options of ingrown toenail.     

Rehabilitation of a missing ear with an implant retained auricular prosthesis

Burns can leave a patient with a severely debilitating disability even after treatment. The objectives of burn rehabilitation are to minimize the adverse effects caused by the injury while rehabilitating the patient''s physical and psychological well-being, maximizing social integration. Long-term success of maxillofacial prostheses mainly depends on the retention. Extra oral implant retained prostheses have proved to be a predictable treatment option for maxillofacial rehabilitation. Replacement of a severely deformed external ear with burned tissues may be satisfactorily accomplished by a cosmetic prosthesis anchored by implants integrated in the skull. The use of such implants is now a well-recognized method for creating a stable result in maxillofacial rehabilitation. This case report describes a safe, simple and economical method for the rehabilitation of a patient with missing right auricle using an implant supported silicone prosthesis. The implant was placed in the mastoid region of the temporal bone. Reconstruction of the ear was done with auricular silicone prosthesis, retained using magnets incorporated in an autopolymerizing resin shim to decrease the weight of the prosthesis on a single implant. This method eliminates the need of tedious laboratory procedures and exact casting and fitting requirements of a metal substructure while minimizing the overall weight and cost of the prosthesis while maintaining adequate support, esthetics and retention of the prosthesis.     

Awl versus intravenous cannula stillete in circummandibular wiring��a prospective comparative study

Purpose

The management of paediatric mandibular fractures using an acrylic splint is a time-tested procedure. Traditionally, an awl is used to place wires to secure such splints. In this article, we have designed prospective study to compare a new technique of using intravenous cannula stillete (IVCS) as against conventional awl in placement of the circummandibular wires.

Methods

A total of 45 patients were included in the study. Group I included 22 subjects in whom an awl was used, and group II included 23 subjects in whom IVCS was used for placement of circummandibular wires. Parameters such as post-operative pain, swelling and ease of penetration, size of entry and exit wound and injury to adjacent structures were compared.

Results

Statistically significant reduction in post-operative pain and swelling were noticed in groupie. The operating surgeons experienced greater ease in using IVCS, and the size of the entry and exit wounds were also relatively small as compared to using an awl.

Conclusion

The IVCS, which is disposable, having finer diameter, a sharp bevel and internal wire carrying capacity, clearly demonstrates statistically significant advantages over the usage of a conventional awl.     

Rehabilitation of geriatric hemiglossectomy patient with implant-supported overdentures. Clinical report

Carcinomas of the tongue constitute approximately 5% to 10% of oral carcinomas. Rehabilitation of these patients postsurgery is challenging because the motor control of the tongue is lost and postsurgical scarring reduces the vestibular depth needed to support and retain a denture. Implant-supported overdentures are a viable option to rehabilitate such patients. The restoration provides enhanced function and wearer comfort.     

Primary Malignant Melanoma of Maxillary Gingiva

Malignant melanoma of maxillary gingiva is a rare clinical entity. Mucosal melanoma is more aggressive than cutaneous form and carries comparatively poorer prognosis. High index of suspicion is required for diagnosing malignant melanoma of oral cavity. Any pigmented lesion in the oral cavity should be taken seriously by the clinician.     

Protein folding and misfolding in the neurodegenerative disorders: A review

Protein misfolding is an intrinsic aspect of normal folding within the complex cellular environment. Its effects are minimized in living system by the action of a range of protective mechanisms including molecular chaperones and quality control systems. According to the current growing research, protein misfolding is a recognized key feature of most neurodegenerative diseases. Extensive biochemical, neuropathological, and genetic evidence suggest that the cerebral accumulation of amyloid fibrils is the central event in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. In the first part of this review we have discussed the general course of action of folding and misfolding of the proteins. Later part of this review gives an outline regarding the role of protein misfolding in the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's and Parkinson along with their treatment possibilities. Finally, we have mentioned about the recent findings in neurodegenerative diseases.