Oral lymphangioma: A rare case report

Lymphangiomas are benign hamartomatous tumors of the lymphatic channels which present as developmental malformations arising from sequestration of lymphatic tissue that do not communicate with the rest of the lymphatic channels. Lymphatic vessels are filled with a clear protein-rich fluid containing few lymph cells. It can also occur in association with hemangioma. The onset of lymphangiomas are either at birth (60% to 70%) or up to two years of age (90%) and rare in adults. Lymphangiomas have marked predilection for the head and neck region (50-70%). The most common location in the mouth is the dorsum of tongue, followed by lips, buccal mucosa, soft palate, and floor of the mouth. On tongue, they may present as a localized or a diffused growth which may enlarge to cause macroglossia, impaired speech and difficulty in mastication. Herewith, we present a rare case of lymphangioma of tongue leading to macroglossia in a 8-year-old boy

Craniometric assessment of gender using mastoid process

Background: The mastoid process characteristics are of great utility in the determination of sex. Studies on human skeletal remains for sex determination have been a topic of interest among researchers. Osteometric studies using individual bones exhibiting sexual dimorphism have been reported among different populations. Skull is important in this regard as it resists adverse environmental conditions over time. The mastoid process can be used as a marker of sex determination in unidentified human skull remains. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of mastoid process as a tool for sex determination in unidentified skeleton. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of different craniometric parameters of mastoid process in sex determination. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 50 adult human skulls of Telangana population were studied to determine the accuracy of mastoid process in sex determination. Parameters studied were length, breadth, antero-posterior diameter, size, and area of mastoid process. Results: Statistics revealed high significance (P < 0.0001) for mastoid length and size for sex determination. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the only study including various craniometric parameters of mastoid process

Association of oral lichen planus with hepatitis C virus, surface antigen of hepatitis B virus, and diabetes: A clinical and biochemical study

Background: Oral lichen planus is an inflammatory mucocutaneous disease commonly encountered in the dental clinic. The etiology of oral lichen planus is still unknown. The probable factors associated with oral lichen planus include anxiety, trauma, malnutrition, infection, and autoimmunity. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum levels of fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels, surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) autoantibodies in oral lichen planus patients and controls, and to assess the association of oral lichen planus with diabetes, HCV, and HBsAg. Study Design: The study included a total of 25 oral lichen planus patients. Twenty-five individuals who did not have the above clinical conditions were also included in the study and comprised the control group. Both the study and control groups consisted of both sexes in the age group of 20–70 years. Patients were clinically diagnosed as oral lichen planus after obtaining a detailed history and was later confirmed by histopathologic examination. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from both the oral lichen planus patients and controls. Biochemical analysis of blood glucose levels, i.e., fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, HBsAg, hepatitis C autoantibodies were done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Blood glucose levels, i.e., fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, were found to be statistically increased in oral lichen planus patients when compared with controls. There was no significant change in HCV autoantibodies and HBsAg. The results of the present study also showed a significant association of oral lichen planus with diabetes. However, there was no significant association of oral lichen planus with HCV and HBsAg in patients when compared with controls. Conclusion: There was a direct relation of oral lichen planus with diabetes whereas there was no significant association with HCV and HBsAg. However, there was a slight increase in the incidence of HCV in oral lichen planus when compared with controls. Therefore, oral lichen planus patients should be evaluated for the presence of these diseases and vice versa so that it can be diagnosed in early stages and treated accurately