Relationship of viscosity to porosities in automixed elastomeric impressions

Porosities commonly presenting as voids have been recognized as an inherent problem in elastomeric impressions. Automixing of the impression has been found to be effective in reducing voids. The purpose of this study was to compare formation of voids in medium-viscosity and putty-wash materials in four automixed addition silicone elastomers. Impressions of a master model were made according to manufacturers' recommendations on manipulation of materials. Voids presenting on a predetermined surface were counted under a binocular microscope at a magnification factor of 7x. Results showed that Express exhibited a significantly higher number of voids than other materials in both categories. Putty-wash impressions generated significantly less voids than medium-viscosity impressions for all materials except Reprosil. The findings of this study suggested that putty-wash impressions produced significantly less porosities than medium-viscosity impressions and, consequently, offer better tear strength for impressions.     

Sphenochoanal polyps in Singapore: diagnosis and current management

Sphenochoanal polyp is a rare form of choanal polyp. If unrecognised, they can be mistaken for an antrochoanal polyp. This will result in unnecessary exploration of the maxillary sinus, and a failure to remove the sphenoidal component of the sphenochoanal polyp. Adequate preoperative evaluation with computed tomography or magnetic resonance is mandatory to ascertain the correct diagnosis, and to facilitate the planning of the appropriate surgical procedure. We present two patients with sphenochoanal polyp and a review of the literature.     

Upper genital schistosomiasis mimicking an ovarian tumour

Schistosomiasis is a widely prevalent disease in the world and usually involves the gastro-intestinal and urinary tract. The involvement of the female genital tract has been well-established in S. haematobium infections and is rare with S. japonicum infections. This case involves a Filipino female who was admitted to the University Hospital Kuala Lumpur for right iliac fossa pain and was diagnosed initially as acute appendicitis. Ultrasound showed a multi-septated pelvic cyst leading to a provisional diagnosis of ovarian torsion. Intraoperatively a right parovarian cyst was detected and removed. Histology revealed a congested cyst wall with areas of haemorrhage with several viable and calcified eggs of S. japonicum measuring 85 microns x 62 microns. Within the cystic cavity blood admixed with eggs were seen. Confirmation was carried out by using the indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test. This is a first report of upper genital schistosomiasis mimicking an ovarian tumour.     

Causes of nocturnal urinary frequency and reasons for its increase with age in healthy older men

PURPOSE: We investigate the causes of nocturnal urinary frequency and reasons for its increase with age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All voided volumes and times were recorded for 3 days in 188 healthy older men without prostatic diseases during a mass screening program for prostatic diseases in Japan. Nocturnal urinary frequency for each night was defined as the frequency during sleep not counting the morning void. Relationships between nocturnal urinary frequency and functional bladder capacity, nocturnal bladder capacity, nocturnal urinary volume and sleep time were analyzed. Age related changes in functional and nocturnal bladder capacity, and nocturnal and diurnal urinary volume were evaluated. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis demonstrated nocturnal bladder capacity and urinary volume to be significant independent determinants of nocturnal frequency. In age related analysis nocturnal bladder capacity and diurnal urinary volume decreased with age, while nocturnal urinary volume did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Nocturnal urinary volume and nocturnal bladder capacity were the significant determinants of nocturnal urinary frequency in healthy older men. The increase of nocturnal frequency with age was thought to be due to a decrease in nocturnal bladder capacity, since urinary volume did not change. In older men a decrease in water intake might influence age related changes in urinary volume.     

Gorham’s disease of the mandible: radiological features

The most conspicuous element of Gorham’s disease is its radiographic features, wherein massive disappearance of the mandible is observed. We report a case of an adolescent boy with massive osteolysis of the mandible in whom the diagnosis of Gorham’s disease was made. A 14-year-old boy was referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, for the management of a massive mandibular deformity. He was diagnosed with a hemangioma-like lesion at 1 year of age. The disease had progressed for an unknown number of years. Plain X-rays and computed tomography images were examined for reconstructive surgery planning. Gorham’s disease is self-limiting, but has catastrophic results. The role of imaging is huge, particularly for reconstructive surgery planning.     

Probiotic supplementation in the first 6 months of life in at risk Asian infants – effects on eczema and atopic sensitization at the age of 1 year

Background The role of probiotics in allergy prevention remains uncertain but has been shown in some studies to have a possible protective effect on eczema. Objective We aimed to assess the effect of probiotic supplementation in the first 6 months of life on eczema and allergic sensitization at 1 year of age in Asian infants at risk of allergic disease. Methods A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trial involving 253 infants with a family history of allergic disease was carried out. Infants received at least 60 mL of commercially available cow's milk formula with or without probiotic supplementation [Bifidobacterium longum (BL999) 1 × 10⁷ colony forming unit (CFU)/g and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LPR) 2 × 10⁷ CFU/g] daily for the first 6 months. Clinical evaluation was performed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of age, with serum total IgE measurement and skin prick tests conducted at the 12‐month visit. The primary and secondary end‐points were eczema and allergen sensitization, respectively. Results The incidence of eczema in the probiotic (22%) group was similar to that in the placebo group (25%) (P=0.53). The median Scoring Atopic Dermatitis score at 12 months was 17.10 (9.74) in the probiotic group and 11.60 (8.40) in the placebo group (P=0.17). The prevalence of allergen sensitization showed no difference (probiotic=24% vs. placebo=19%, P=0.26). The total IgE geometric mean (95% confidence interval) was 18.76 (12.54–24.98) kU/L in the probiotic group and 23.13 (16.01–30.24) kU/L in the placebo group (P=0.15). Atopic eczema (with sensitization) in the probiotic (7.3%) group was comparable to the placebo group (5.8%) (P=0.86). Conclusion Early life administration of a cow's milk formula supplemented with probiotics showed no effect on prevention of eczema or allergen sensitization in the first year of life in Asian infants at risk of allergic disease. Further work is needed to determine whether timing of supplementation, dose and probiotic strain are important considerations.