Comparison of Charge-Coupled Devices and Photostimulable Phosphor Storage Plates for Detection of Vertical Root Fractures in Endodontically Treated Teeth: An In Vitro Study

Objective: Vertical root fracture (VRF) is among the most common causes of endodontic treatment failures. This study aims to compare charge-coupled devices (CCD) and photostimulable phosphor plates (PSP) for detection of vertical root fractures in endodontically treated teeth.Methods: In this diagnostic in vitro study, 40 maxillary anterior teeth were selected and after preparation and root canal filling, their crowns were cut 2mm above the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). The teeth were embedded in a piece of dried bone and radiographed using CCD and PSP with equal geometry at zero and 15° horizontal angles. VRFs were then induced and the fractured fragments were reattached. The teeth were radiographed again. Three observers evaluated the radiographs for detection of fracture line. Data were analyzed using the Proportion test and Wilcoxon’s Signed Ranks test.Results: No significant difference was found between the two sensors in detection of VRFs [p-value (complete)= 0.592, p-value (absolute)= 1]. The sensitivity of the two sensors for detection of buccolingual and mesiodistal fractures was not significantly different [p-value BL (absolute)= 0.109, p-value BL (complete) 0.180] [p-value MD (complete)=0.593, p-value MD (absolute)= 0.102]. The sensitivity of both sensors for detection of buccolingual fracture was higher than for mesiodistal fractures (p<0.001).Conclusion: CCD and PSP had equal efficacy for detection of VRFs in endodontically treated teeth

Ultrastructure of cytoplasmic fragments in human cleavage stage embryos

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the ultrastructure of cytoplasmic fragments along with the effect of cytoplasmic fragment and perivitelline space coarse granulation removal (cosmetic microsurgery) from embryos before embryo transfer on ART outcomes. Methods: One hundred and fifty intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with male factor infertility were included in this prospective study. Patients were divided into three groups of case (n = 50), sham (n = 50), and control (n = 50). Embryos with 10–50 % fragmentation were included in this study. Cosmetic microsurgery and zona assisted hatching were only performed in case and sham groups respectively. Extracted fragments were evaluated ultrastructurally by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Rates of clinical pregnancy, live birth, miscarriage, multiple pregnancies, and congenital anomaly in the three groups were also compared. Results: Micrographs from TEM showed that mitochondria were the most abundant structures found in the fragments along with mitochondria-vesicle complexes, Golgi apparatus, primary lysosomes, and vacuoles. There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics, laboratory and clinical data, or embryo morphological features between the groups. The rate of clinical pregnancy in control, sham, and case groups had no significant differences (24, 18, and 18 %, respectively). The rates of live birth, miscarriage, multiple pregnancy, and congenital anomaly were also similar between the different groups. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that cosmetic microsurgery on preimplantation embryos had no beneficial effect on ART outcomes in unselected groups of patients. As mitochondria are the most abundant organelles found in cytoplasmic fragments, fragment removal should be performed with more caution in embryos with moderate fragmentation