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.     

Distension-induced gastric accommodation in functional dyspepsia: effect of autonomic manipulation

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is associated with impaired gastric accommodation and autonomic dysregulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of autonomic manipulation on distension-induced gastric accommodation in subjects with and without FD, using a newly developed gastric barostat paradigm. Twelve healthy subjects (HS) and 18 subjects with FD had four barostat examinations each: no intervention, intravenous atropine (1 mg), vagal stimulation (mental relaxation with deep breathing) and acute stress stimulation (serial subtraction task). Intrabag pressure increased from 1 to 15 mmHg in 5 min (ramp phase), and was maintained at 15 mmHg for 5 min (tonic phase). Volume responses were analysed using predefined parameters. There were no significant group differences in accommodation variables between HS and subjects with FD. The FD group could be subdivided into two distinct subgroups: subgroup 1 (n = 7, 38%) with low maximum volume and accommodation rate, and subgroup 2 with normal accommodation (n = 11). In subgroup 1, but not in subgroup 2 atropine increased maximum volume and accommodation rate substantially. Neither mental stress nor mental relaxation changed any of the accommodation variables. In a subgroup of subjects with FD, impairment of distension-induced gastric accommodation can be improved by cholinergic blockade, but not by acute physiological autonomic manipulation.