Diagnostics and surgical treatment of liver echinococcosis in Latvia

The results of treatment of 44 patients (during the period 1996 - 2010) with liver echinococcosis (LE) were analysed. Echinococcosis hydatid (EH) cyst was found in 15 patients, alveolar echinococcosis (AE)--in 29 patients, 11.3% of cases were asymptomatical, different clinical symptoms were found in 36.4% of patients and 52.3% of patients were admited due to severe complications. Surgical treatment was performed in 41 patients. Among 15 patients with hydatid liver cyst 3--underwent liver resection, 8--pericystechinococcectomy, 4--guided percutaneous treatment--PAIR. No complications or recurrences were noted. Radical operations were performed in 12 patients with AE (41.3%), 11 of them had asymptomatical or noncomplicated disease. Recurrence appeared in one patient (8.3%). Nonradical or palliative operations due to AE complications were performed in 15 patients (51.7%). Complication at the postoperative periods occurred in 17% of patients with AE and lethality rate came to 3.4%. The diagnosis made at the early asymptomatic state and the following selection of combination of surgical approach and medicamental treatment (albendazol) can improve the results of treatment of patients with liver echinococcosis.     

Molecular imaging reveals skeletal engraftment sites of transplanted bone marrow cells

Molecular imaging holds great promise for the in vivo study of cell therapy. Our hypothesis was that multimodality molecular imaging can identify the initial skeletal engraftment sites post-bone marrow cell transplantation. Utilizing a standard mouse model of bone marrow (BM) transplantation, we introduced a combined bioluminescence (BLI) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging reporter gene into mouse bone marrow cells. Bioluminescence imaging was used for monitoring serially the early in vivo BM cell engraftment/expansion every 24 h. Significant cell engraftment/expansion was noted by greatly increased bioluminescence about 1 week posttransplant. Then PET was applied to acquire three-dimensional images of the whole-body in vivo biodistribution of the transplanted cells. To localize cells in the skeleton, PET was followed by computed tomography (CT). Co-registration of PET and CT mapped the sites of BM engraftment. Multiple, discrete BM cell engraftment sites were observed. Taken together, this multimodality approach may be useful for further in vivo characterization of various therapeutic cell types.     

Suspected familial odontogenic keratocysts related to Gorlin Goltz syndrome

This report represents the suspected familial case series of odontogenic keratocysts OKCs related to Gorlin Goltz syndrome GGS, a rare genetic disorder characterized mainly by multiple basal cell carcinomas, OKCs and other less frequent skeletal and neurological manifestations. Familial cases included grandmother's father, grandmother, father and son. Although they had all OKCs, father additionally possessed some of the other characteristics of GGS. We described all the patients' diagnoses, treatments and long-term follow-ups under the light of current literature.     

Management of an Adult with Spaced Dentition, Class III Malocclusion and Open-bite Tendency

The aim of this case report was to present the orthodontic treatment of an adult with spaced dentition, Class III malocclusion, and open-bite tendency. A 28.4-year-old adult woman was concerned about the unesthetic appearance of her spaced dentition localized at both upper and lower arches while smiling. She had a mild tongue thrust, hypertropic upper frenum, and mild speech difficulty while pronouncing "s". Her profile was straight with prominent lips. Molar relationship was Class III on both sides. Anterior teeth were in an end-to-end relationship. Lower dental midline was deviated to the left side. Cephalometric analysis revealed a skeletal Class III relationship with hyperdivergent facial pattern. The treatment plan included myotherapeutic exercises for the tongue thrust habit and a diagnostic set-up for closure of diastemas. A strict retention protocol was followed combined with gingivoplasty, fiberotomy, and frenectomy procedures. All spaces were closed successfully, adequate overbite and overjet relationships were obtained, and tongue thrust habit and speech difficulty while pronouncing "s" were eliminated. Clinical and cephalometric results indicated the maintenance of the treatment outcome at 6-months post-retention period.