Cricoarytenoiditis in rheumatoid arthritis: Radiologic and clinical study

WOS: 000189022600004PubMed: 14967082The cricoarytenoid (CA) joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not uncommon. In this study, clinical assessment, laryngeal endoscopy, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were used in 15 patients with RA to evaluate the diagnostic criteria of CA joint involvement. Symptoms owing to CA joint involvement were present in 66.6% of the patients. The frequency of involvement was 13.3% on laryngeal endoscopy but 80.0% with HRCT assessment. The most common HRCT findings were CA prominence (46.6%), density and volume changes (46.6%), and CA subluxation (39.9%). In some of the patients, soft tissue swelling (20%) near the CA joint and narrowing in the piriform sinus (33.3%) were also observed. Radiologic abnormalities related to CA joint involvement generally precede clinical symptomatology. Therefore, HRCT evaluation may be a useful method in the assessment of CA joint involvement in RA patients to exclude possible causes of laryngeal signs and symptoms

Temporomandibular joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis: A radiological and clinical study

WOS: 000174994100008PubMed: 12002825Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not uncommon. In this study a questionnaire, clinical assessment, and high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) were used in 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis to evaluate the diagnostic criteria of TMJ involvement. Symptoms due to TMJ involvement were present in 33.3% of the patients. Frequency of involvement was 40.0% on clinical assessment but 86.6% with HRCT assessment. The most common HRCT findings were decreases in the joint space (33.3%) mandibular subchondral cysts (23.3%), temporal subchondral cysts (23.3%), degeneration (23.3%), shape (13.3%) and height (13.3%) anomalies of the mandibular condyle, condylar head resorption (13.3%), erosion of the mandibular condyle (13.3%), and demineralization (13.3%). All patients with positive clinical findings also had positive HRCT patients, there were no symptoms or clinical findings implying TMJ findings. In seven (46.7%) of the involvement; however, they had positive results on HRCT evaluation. The HRCT findings may be the initial sign of TMJ involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In conclusion, it is suggested that RA patients with the suspicion of TMJ involvement should undergo HRCT evaluation, because HRCT findings may precede the clinical findings

Prevalence and predictive factors of sleep bruxism in children with and without cognitive impairment

Studies have found a higher prevalence of sleep bruxism (SB) in individuals with cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with the clinical manifestation of SB in children with and without cognitive impairment. The sample was made up of 180 individuals: Group 1 - without cognitive impairment; Group 2 - with Down syndrome; Group 3 - with cerebral palsy. Malocclusions were assessed based on the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI); lip competence was assessed based on Ballard's description. The bio-psychosocial characteristics were assessed via a questionnaire and clinical exam. Statistical analysis involved the chi-square test (p < 0.05) and multivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of bruxism was 23%. There were no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.970). Individuals with sucking habits (OR [95% CI] = 4.44 [1.5 to 13.0]), posterior crossbite (OR [95% CI] = 3.04 [1.2 to 7.5]) and tooth wear facets (OR [95% CI] = 3.32 [1.2 to 8.7]) had a greater chance of exhibiting SB. Sucking habits, posterior crossbite and tooth wear facets were identified as being directly associated with the clinical manifestations of bruxism