Dimple Sethia

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether ultrasound can assess healing of bone and check the development of callus prior to conventional radiograph thereby enabling early diagnosis of delayed union or confirmation of union. Materials and Methods: Fracture healing was evaluated with ultrasonography and radiography on specific intervals until healing was complete; in 20 fracture sites. Based on the findings of ultrasonographic and radiographic scores were assigned to classify healing. Result: 18 out of 20 fracture sites had completely healed with mature callus formation at the end of 3 months while only 2 fracture sites showed delayed healing. In patients with normal healing, colour doppler ultrasound showed neovascularisation in the 1 month of healing. With time it was noticed that the depth and width of the fractured site was reducing and becoming more isoechoic with the adjacent normal bone sites. Assessment of these parameters being more evident on the USG were statistically significant when compared with OPG. Conclusion: Ultrasound can be considered as a useful guide in assessing fracture healing as a replacement to conventional imaging modalities such as the OPG, particularly in the early prediction of impaired fracture healing. Keywords: Fracture healing, Ultrasound, OPG, Mandible fractures

Open full article page

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate alterations in temporomandibular joint due to immobilisation and re-mobilisation in oral submucous fibrosis patients. Materials and Methods: The study population included 2 groups, patients and normal – 22 TMJ’s of 11 individuals respectively. MRI was performed on all patients pre-operatively and 5 month post-operatively and also on controls. Disc thickness (anterior, intermediate and posterior zone), disc length, joint space and structural changes in the glenoid fossa and condylar head were assessed in all the MRI scans. The severity of changes in relation to duration of reduced mouth opening was noted. And, finally regeneration potential of the TMJ after remobilizing the jaw, on 5th month POD was observed. All the measurements were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The study showed that there were significant differences in the pre-op and normal. The post treatment values/dimensions were comparatively the same as that of the normal population (except for joint space on right side and disc length on left side, which is negligible). It proves that the treatment makes the condition comparably similar to that of normal dimension over a time period of 5 months, sighting the potential capacity of the TMJ to regenerate and repair. Conclusion: The study revealed statistically highly significant changes in the components of Temporomandibular joint in OSMF patients with varying degrees of restriction in mouth opening when compared to controls, and return of the joint structurally towards recovery at 5 month POD stresses upon the need for an early intervention.   Keywords: TMJ, OSMF, Disc thickness, Disc length, Joint space.

Open full article page