Elongated styloid process associated with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome

This article presents a case with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) and an elongated styloid process. Basal cell carcinoma syndrome, also known as Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, is an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome manifested by multiple defects involving the skin, nervous system, eyes, endocrine system, and bones. Elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament cause craniofacial or cervical pain. The actual cause of elongation of the styloid process or the calcification of the stylohyoid ligament is unclear. The cause of elongation of styloid process in this case may be the calcification induced by NBCCS. This report is the first case presentation of NBCCS with elongated styloid process. Elongated styloid process might be described as an anomaly of an NBCCS.     

Eosinophilic granuloma: resolution of lesion after biopsy

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a collective term used to describe a group of enigmatic proliferative disorders. Three disease variants include eosinophilic granuloma, Letterer-Siwe disease, and Hand-Schuller-Christian syndrome. Eosinophilic granuloma is reported to be the most benign type of the triad. In this report, a 7-year-old child with an eosinophilic granuloma of the left side of her mandible is presented. There was a painless, hard, tender mass arising from the left side of the molar region. Panoramic radiographs showed a radiolucent area at the molar region. The lesion was resolved 2 weeks after the biopsy. The 1.5 years of radiographic and clinical follow-up was satisfactory.     

Effect of bleaching on microhardness of esthetic restorative materials

This study evaluated the effect of a high-concentration carbamide peroxide–containing home bleaching system (Opalescence PF) and a hydrogen peroxide–containing over-the-counter bleaching system (Treswhite Supreme) on the microhardness of two nanocomposites (Filtek Supreme XT and Premise) and leucite-reinforced glass ceramic (Empress Esthetic), glass ceramic (Empress 2 layering), and feldspathic porcelain (Matchmaker MC). A total of 100 specimens, 20 of each kind of the restorative materials, 2 mm in thickness and 10 mm in diameter, were fabricated. Then the specimens were polished with SiC paper and 1 μm alumina polishing paste. After polishing, porcelain specimens were glazed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Each type of restorative material was then randomly divided into two groups (n=10), and the specimens were treated with either Opalescence PF or Treswhite Supreme. The microhardness of the specimens before bleaching (baseline) and after bleaching was determined using a digital microhardness tester. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Wilcoxon test. Opalescence PF significantly influenced the hardness of all the restorative materials. Statistically significant decreases with respect to before bleaching were found for Premise (p=0.005), Empress Esthetic (p=0.003), Empress 2 layering (p=0.005), and Matchmaker-MC (p=0.003), whereas a statistically significant increase was observed in Filtek Supreme XT (p=0.028). The difference in the microhardness values between before and after bleaching using Treswhite Supreme was statistically significant only for Premise (p=0.022). High-concentration carbamide peroxide–containing home bleaching may affect the microhardness of restorative materials.     

Relaxation degree of cavernous smooth muscle: a novel parameter to predict postoperative success in penile revascularization

Objective To investigate the role of a new preoperative parameter, relaxation degree (RD), in the prediction of postoperative success after deep dorsal vein arterialization operations. Patients and methods Chart reviews and electromyographic recordings were evaluated in 52 patients on whom deep dorsal vein arterialization was carried out for pure caverno-occlusive dysfunction. The efficiacy of the operation was assessed as improvement or failure according to the five-item version of international index of erectile function (IIEF). RD was defined as the percentage decrease in cavernous electrical activity (CEA) after intracavernous papaverine injection. Preoperative RD measurements were statistically compared between the improvement and the failure groups. Results The mean age of patients was 34.2 ± 8.1 years (range 25–49) with a mean follow-up of 32 ± 8 months. Improvement was observed in 39 (75%) and failure in 13 (25%) patients. The mean RD values were 60% and 32% for surgical improvement and failure groups respectively (P < 0.01). In patients with mild ED, the mean RD value was 70.3% whereas it was 28.7% in patients with severe ED. The RD value of greater than 40% predicts surgical success with a specifity of 75% and a sensitivity of 90%. Conclusion The RD value of cavernous muscle seems to decrease as the severity of ED increases. In addition, RD may predict the outcome of penile revascularization operations and it may be a useful preoperative indicator for surgical success.