Spontaneous malignant glaucoma: Case report and review of the literature.

Malignant glaucoma usually occurs after anterior segment surgery (typically after glaucoma surgery). The aim of this article is to report a case of spontaneous malignant glaucoma (SpMG), which required phacovitrectomy for resolution and to review the cases of SpMG reported in modern literature. Only nine cases were identified. SpMG has no gender predilection and age at onset seems to be lower (mean age 47 years) than in secondary malignant glaucoma (SeMG). Nearly in half of the reported patients (4 out of 9) the condition had a bilateral presentation. The risk factors that have been identified for SeMG (nanophthalmos, shallow anterior chamber, iris plateau, zonular laxity) are underrepresented in SpMG.post-print418 K

Face Mask Exemptions, Respiratory Patients, and COVID-19 in Spain. Data From the 2021 ITC EUREST-PLUS Spain Survey

Dear Editor, During the initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory patients received confusing messages by several patient associations and the World Health Organization1, 2 to be exempted from wearing face masks. Allegedly, many assumed that difficult breathing through face masks might exacerbate their respiratory condition, producing asthma attacks or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. In its December 2020 Interim Guidance on Mask use in the context of COVID-19, WHO cited studies suggesting that masks might have an adverse impact on respiratory disease patients, but they did not provide any guidance about whether respiratory disease patients should or should not wear masks; explicitly, it reads in page 10 of 22 the following paragraph and references

Review of temporomandibular joint pathology. Part I : classification, epidemiology and risk factors

Pathology of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) affects an important part of the population, though it is not viewed as a public health problem. Between 3-7% of the population seeks treatment for pain and dysfunction of the ATM or related structures. The literature reports great variability in the prevalence of the clinical symptoms (6-93%) and signs (0-93%), probably as a result of the different clinical criteria used. In imaging studies it is common to observe alterations that have no clinical expression of any kind. Radiographic changes corresponding to osteoarthrosis are observed in 14- 44% of the population. Age is a risk factor, though with some particularities. In elderly patients there is an increased prevalence of clinical and radiological signs, though also a lesser prevalence of symptoms and of treatment demands than in younger adults. Approximately 7% of the population between 12 and 18 years of age is diagnosed with mandibular pain-dysfunction. Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is more frequent in females. No clear relationship has been established between occlusal alterations and TMJ disease. Only disharmony between centric relation and maximum intercuspidation, and unilateral crossbite, have demonstrated a certain TMJ disease-predictive potential. Both local and systemic hyperlaxity has been postulated as a possible cause of TMD. Parafunctional habits and bruxism are considered risk factors of TMD with odds ratios (ORs) of up to 4.8. Psychophysiological theory holds stress as a determinant factor in myofascial pain. Genetic factors and orthodontic treatment have not been shown to cause TMD

Retinoids and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL). A preliminary study

Objective. A study is made of the efficacy and adverse effects of retinoid therapy applied to the white lesions of proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL). Material and methods. The results of retinoid therapy were evaluated in 17 patients diagnosed with PVL. Topical retinoids were used in 5 patients, in the form of two daily applications of 0.1% 13-cis-retinoic acid in orabase for an average of 6.17+/-3.13 months. Systemic retinoids were used in 11 patients, with the administration of 25 mg/day of acitretin in tablet form for an average of 5.41+/-2.02 months. One patient successively received the topical and systemic retinoid formulations. The course and results were evaluated on a blind basis by two investigators. The adverse effects of the medication were also assessed. Results. Clinical improvement was recorded for 7 lesions (38.8%) (six involving systemic treatment and one as a result of topical application). Clinical worsening was recorded in the same proportion (5 lesions with systemic therapy and two with topical treatment), while four lesions (22.4%) showed no changes (one lesion with systemic therapy and three with topical treatment). Adverse effects were documented in all the patients administered the systemic formulation, versus in only one patient administered topical retinoids. The most frequent problems were desquamation and pruritus. Conclusion. Although topical or systemic retinoic acid produces some improvement in about one-third of all patients with PVL, further studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of these products, in view of the important percentage of individuals who worsen despite therapy, and the frequent appearance of adverse effects

A review of temporomandibular joint disease (TMJD). Part II : clinical and radiological semiology. Morbidity processes

The clinical signs and symptoms of greatest semiologic value in temporomandibular joint disease (TMJD) are muscle pain, joint pain, limitations in mandibular movement, and joint sounds. Imaging studies of the joint are very useful for establishing the diagnosis and for discarding other disease processes, though in many cases diagnostic error results from the detection of a large proportion of patients with alterations in the imaging studies but with no associated clinical manifestations. Panoramic X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging are the most commonly used complementary techniques for diagnosing TMJD. MRI may be regarded as the imaging technique of choice, particularly when studying the soft tissues. Biochemical evaluation of the joint synovial fluid has improved our understanding of TMJD pathogenesis, though to date such parameters have not been extended to clinical practice. Myofascial pain with positive painful palpation of the masticatory muscles; joint disc displacements with reduction characterized by the presence of opening or opening and closing clicks; disc displacements without reduction characterized by limitations in oral aperture; and osteoarthritis / osteoarthrosis characterized by the auscultation of friction sounds during mandibular movement, are the morbidity processes most often seen in the context of TMJD. The present study offers a review of the semiology and morbidity processes of the temporomandibular joint

Study of serum ctx in 50 oral surgical patients treated with oral bisphosphonates

Objectives: To determine whether there is a relationship between the total BP dose administered and the variations in serum CTX concentration. Study design: The study included 50 patients requiring dental implant surgery and treated with oral BPs, seen in an Oral Surgery and Implantology Unit between January 2007 and June 2009. The patients were divided into two groups: those in which the medication was not suspended before obtaining the laboratory test sample, and those patients referred from other dental clinics in which BPs was suspended before reporting to our Unit. The total drug dosage administered and the total dose per kilogram body weight were evaluated for comparison with serum CTX. The data obtained were correlated to the osteonecrosis risk table developed by Marx et al. in 2007. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in relation to the total administered dose and the dose in mg/kg b.w. Likewise, in both groups no relationship was observed between the serum CTX value and the total administered dose or the dose in mg/kg b.w. No differences were found between the two patient groups regarding chemical osteonecrosis risk based on the criteria of Marx et al. Conclusions: No relationship was observed between the oral BP dose administered (total dose or expressed in mg/kg b.w.) and serum CTX concentration, and suspension of the medication did not influence the serum CTX levels

Benign tumors of the oral mucosa: A study of 300 patients

Objectives: To analyze the frequency and type of the most common benign tumors of the oral mucosa found at the Hospital Stomatology Service, and to study the clinical characteristics and possible etiological factors. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 300 patients with histologically diagnosed benign tumors of the oral mucosa. Data was compiled for each case, documenting information relating to age, gender, medication, habits (smoking, oral hygiene), anamnesis (reason for consultation, symptomatology, evolution), and the characteristics of the lesion (site, color, size, surface, consistency, and base). Results: Of all the tumors studied, 53% were histologically diagnosed as fibroma. In the study of prevalence of benign tumors of the oral mucosa, no differences were found for age; however there were differences according to gender, finding a greater prevalence of fibromas, pyogenic granulomas, and giant cell granulomas in women, at a ratio of 2:1. The group of tumors studied showed a significantly asymptomatic behaviour, and self-limiting and slow growth. With respect to the possible etiologic agents, we found no statistically significant differences between them. Conclusions: Following the study of 300 patients histologically diagnosed with benign tumor of the oral mucosa, we can state that with regard to prevalence, we found significant differences with respect to gender, being more frequent in women. The fibroma is the most frequent benign tumor of the oral cavity

Osteonecrosis of the jaws by intravenous bisphosphonates and osteoradionecrosis : a comparative study

Aims: We analyze the possible clinical differences between bone jaw exposed areas in ONJ (osteonecrosis of the jaws) and ORN (osteoradionecrosis). Patients and method: Group 1 was composed with 53 ONJ cases and group 2 with 20 ORN cases. In both groups we analyzed, the major size of the exposed bone areas, the number of exposed areas, the location on the jaws and the presence of others associated and severe complications, such as skin fistulas and jaw fractures. We also investigated the possible local aetiology or trigger factor of the lesions. Results: The major size of the bone exposed areas was 2.29±2.02(mean ± std.dev) in group 1 and 2.7±2.9 (mean ± std.dev) in group 2 (p>0.05). The number of exposed areas was 1.8±1.34 (mean ± std.dev) in group 1 and 1.2±0.55 (mean ± std.dev) in group 2 (p>0.05). There were more fractures in the second group (20%) (p<0.05), and skin fistulas (35%) (p<0.05). We found more patients in group 1 in which the dental extraction was the local aetiology of the bone necrosis (35 cases, 66.03%), while in group 2 there were 8 (40%) (p<0.05). Conclusions: In our study with ONJ there were not differences in the major size of the bone exposed areas, but there were more lesions per patient than in group with ORN. The severity of the complications, such as jaw fractures and skin fistulas were higher in ORN, and in this group it was more frequent the spontaneous lesions than in the ONJ where it is more frequent following dental extractions

Epstein-Barr virus in oral proliferative verrucous leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma : a preliminary study

The aim of this study was to analyze proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) for the possible presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). We studied three groups: Sub-Group 1 was composed of 10 patients with PVL, (6 of whom had developed OSCC); Sub-Group 2 comprised 5 patients with OSCC but no preceding PVL; and Sub-Group 3 were 5 controls with clinically normal oral mucosa. Oral biopsies from all cases were examined for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by nested PCR. EBV was detected in 60% of Sub-Group 1 patients (PVL ) and in 40% of Sub-Group 2 (OSCC), but in 0% of SubGroup 3 (controls)

Abordando la exposición a las emisiones del tabaco y de los cigarrillos electrónicos: protocolo del proyecto TackSHS

Objective The TackSHS project aims to comprehensively elucidate the impact that exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) from cigarettes and second-hand aerosols (SHA) from electronic cigarettes have on the respiratory health of the European population according to socioeconomic characteristics and other determinants. Method The TackSHS project involves a series of coordinated studies carried out by 11 academic and public health organisations from six European countries. The project will investigate: a) the determinants of SHS and SHA exposure assessed at the individual level (surveys on representative general population samples) and in common environments (environmental sampling in specific settings); b) the overall disease burden, mortality and morbidity attributable to such exposure; and c) its economic impact in terms of direct health care costs. The project will also examine specific acute respiratory health changes in healthy individuals and patients with respiratory diseases exposed to SHS and SHA. In addition, the project will examine the effectiveness of a novel intervention to reduce SHS exposure in households where smoking is permitted. All these studies are inter-related and involve collaborative coordination among the participant organisations. Conclusion The comprehensive, integrated approach of the TackSHS project will enable a significant step forward from the current status quo in the understanding of the impact of SHS and SHA exposure on health and provide the basis for health policy recommendations to help European countries to further reduce the harm caused by SHS and SHA exposure.Additional co-authors: Montse Ballbè, Beladenta Amalia, Olena Tigova, Xavier Continente, Teresa Arechávala, Elisabet Henderson, Alessandra Lugo, Xiaoqiu Liu, Cristina Bosetti, Enrico Davoli, Paolo Colombo, Sheila Keogan, Shashsa Li, Elizabeth Breslin, Hannah Byrne, Anna Tzortzi, Constantine Vardavas, Vergina Konstantina Vyzikidou, Stephanie Teloniatis, Gerasimos Bakelas, George Mattiampa, Roberto Boffi, Cinzia De Marco, Alessandro Borgini, Chiara Veronese, Martina Bertoldi, Andrea Tittarelli, Giulia Carreras, Barbara Cortini, Simona Verdi, Alessio Lachi, Elisabetta Chellini, Marta Trapero-Bertran, Daniel Celdrán Guerrero, Dominick Nguyen, Polina Starchenko, Julio Ancochea, Tamara Alonso, María Teresa Pastor, Marta Erro, Ana Roca, Patricia Pére