Signs of oral dryness in relation to salivary flow rate,pH, buffering capacity and dry mouth complaints

Background  

This study aimed to investigate the signs of oral dryness in relation to different salivary variables and to correlate subjective complaints of oral dryness with salivary flow rate.     

Hypothalamic hamartoma with bilateral anophthalmia

Introduction Hypothalamic hamartomas are congenital malformations. Clinically, they can be asymptomatic, but they cause seizures, mental retardation and precocious puberty in many cases. Case report A 20-day-old boy with hypothalamic hamartoma and bilateral anophthalmia was presented. Except those, no other congenital anomaly was detected. Conclusion This is a rare case of hypothalamic hamartoma with bilateral anophthalmia. The mutations at SOX2 has an important role in the developing brain and eyes.     

Spontaneous disappearance of a suprasellar arachnoid cyst: case report and review of the literature

Introduction Suprasellar arachnoid cysts are uncommon developmental anomalies that are most often diagnosed in childhood. Because the natural history and pathogenesis of these remain poorly defined, optimal treatment guidelines are not yet established.Case report We report a case of spontaneous disappearance of a suprasellar arachnoid cyst that persisted after a ventriculoperitoneal shunt performed 10 years earlier. A 5-year-old boy presented with impaired visual acuity and urinary incontinence. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed a large suprasellar cyst with noncommunicating hydrocephalus. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt was put in place to alleviate current aggravation of hydrocephalus symptoms. Because of the persistent size of the cyst and signs of brainstem compression on a repeat computed tomography (CT), we recommended surgical exploration and decompression. However, the boy’s parents declined any further surgical treatment, and the patient was subsequently lost to follow-up for 10 years. When the patient returned to our clinic at the age of 15 years, a repeat MR scan showed a complete disappearance of the cyst. His family denied any significant interval history.Discussion This case represents only the third reported case of spontaneous disappearance of a suprasellar arachnoid cyst. We discuss possible mechanisms and clinical characteristics of the disappearance of the arachnoid cyst with review of the literature.     

Patterns of cancer distribution in a medical center among adolescents 14 to 17 years of age for the period 1995 to 2001.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are limited data on the pattern of cancer distribution among adolescents in Taiwan. This study evaluated the characteristics of these rare cancers in a medical center. METHODS: Analyses of the characteristics of malignant neoplasms for patients aged 14 to 17 years at diagnosis were performed for all cases recorded in the tumor registry of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) at Linkou for the period 1995 to 2001. All eligible tumors were categorized in 1 of 12 diagnostic groups according to the scheme of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer (ICCC). Relative frequencies, age, and gender variations and the characteristics of tumor types were analyzed. RESULTS: Cancer was diagnosed in 320 adolescents during the study period. The male/female ratio was 1.17. Leukemia was the leading diagnostic group. The frequency of carcinomas increased with age and was highest among 17-year-olds. In this age group, non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (non-RMS STS/PNET), thyroid carcinoma (CA) and ovarian germ cell tumor (GCT) were the 3 most common solid tumors; the embryonal malignancies were rare. Tumors with the greatest male predominance were intracranial GCT (91%), nasopharyngeal CA (87.5%), osteosarcoma (84.6%), and colorectal CA (75%). Tumors with the greatest female predominance were thyroid CA (78.3%), gonadal GCT (75%), and non-RMS/PNET (56.5%). Hepatocellular CA comprised 9.4% of all carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: The relative frequency and the distribution of histology subtypes among adolescents were between those of childhood and adult cancers. There were marked variations in tumor occurrence between genders and among different ages.