Effect of radiation therapy on lymph node fluorescence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after intravenous injection of indocyanine green: a prospective evaluation.

Background: Indocyanine green (ICG)-guided surgery has proven effective in the identification of neoplastic tissues. The effect of radiation therapy (RT) on lymph node fluorescence after intravenous injection of ICG has not been addressed yet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of RT on node fluorescence during neck dissection in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Routine CSF parameters as predictors of disease course in multiple sclerosis: an MSBase cohort study.

Background: It remains unclear whether routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters can serve as predictors of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease course.

Methods: This large-scale cohort study included persons with MS with CSF data documented in the MSBase registry. CSF parameters to predict time to reach confirmed Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores 4, 6 and 7 and annualised relapse rate in the first 2 years after diagnosis (ARR2) were assessed using (cox) regression analysis.

Cognitive outcomes in Susac syndrome: A 2-year neuropsychological follow-up study.

Background And Purpose: Susac syndrome (SuS) is a rare, autoimmune, neurological disease characterized by a clinical triad of branch retinal artery occlusion, sensorineural hearing loss and encephalopathy. Neuropsychological functioning in SuS is little researched and the prevalence, nature, and evolution over time of cognitive deficits in SuS remain unclear. This study aimed to better understand the long-term neuropsychological outcomes of patients with SuS.

Atypical clinical and novel radiological findings in Susac syndrome: Experience from a large monocentric cohort.

Susac syndrome (SuS) is a rare immune-mediated endotheliopathy that affects the brain, retina and inner ear and is characterised by the variable clinical triad of encephalopathy, visual and vestibulocochlear dysfunction. Here, we present clinical and paraclinical data of 19 SuS patients followed at Ghent University Hospital and highlight some atypical clinical and novel radiological findings. Our findings suggest that spinal involvement expands the clinical phenotype of SuS.

A unique phenotype of longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis in autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome.

A 49-year-old patient with a history of lymphoproliferation and autoimmune cytopenias presented with unexplained longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis. Flow cytometry on peripheral blood showed an elevated level of double negative T lymphocytes, a finding typical for autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS). Inborn error of immunity (IEI) gene panel demonstrated a heterozygous variant in the FAS gene (c.

A 20-year split-mouth comparative study of two screw-shaped titanium implant systems.

Purpose: To prospectively assess marginal bone loss and implant survival with Astra Tech (Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA) (group A) and Brånemark (Nobel Biocare, Zurich, Switzerland) (group B) implants in a split-mouth study conducted over a 20-year follow-up period.

Materials And Methods: A total of 95 implants (n = 50, group A and n = 45, group B) were randomly placed in the left or right side of the maxilla or mandible in 18 patients. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed, and results were reported at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years after insertion of the prosthesis.

The effect of salivary bypass tube use on the prevention of pharyngo-cutaneous fistulas after total laryngectomy.

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy of Salivary Bypass Tube (SBT) for preventing pharyngo-cutaneous fistula (PCF) in a recent cohort of patients who underwent primary and salvage total laryngectomy (TL).

Methods: A consecutive series of 133 patients who underwent total laryngectomy between 1997 and 2019 was reviewed. The incidence of PCF was compared between patients who did not receive SBT (nSBT group; n = 55) and those preventively receiving SBT (SBT group; n = 78) in both primary and salvage TL.

Illustrating access to community pharmacies in Wisconsin.

Objectives: Community pharmacists also play a vital public health role in increasing access to health care services and information during times of public health crisis. To examine access to community pharmacies in Wisconsin and the relationship between pharmacy locations and primary care health professional shortage areas (HPSAs).

Methods: A list of licensed pharmacies in Wisconsin was screened to identify community pharmacies.

Alternative therapies in controlling oral malodour: a systematic review.

Is there a role for alternative therapies in controlling intra-oral halitosis? Treatments other than tongue cleaning and anti-halitosis products containing zinc, chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride were considered as alternative therapies. Four databases were searched (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and The Cochrane Library). Inclusion criteria were: examination of alternative halitosis therapies, study population with oral malodour, a (negative or positive) control group and evaluation of breath odour via organoleptic and/or instrumental assessment.

The OralChroma CHM-2: a comparison with the OralChroma CHM-1.

Objectives: Already decades ago, the diagnosis of halitosis was facilitated with the arrival of chair-side instruments to score the breath odor. These devices are used for a more objective assessment of halitosis compared with organoleptic scoring, but these too have their disadvantages. To overcome some of the drawbacks of the original model of the OralChroma (CHM-1), few years ago a second generation of this machine (CHM-2) was introduced.

A new method of choice for organoleptic scoring: The negative-pressure technique.

Aim: To examine an organoleptic scoring method (OLS) whereby the sample is collected by negative pressure in a syringe and is subsequently smelled and rated away from the patient.

Materials And Methods: Data of 476 patients visiting a specialized halitosis clinic in Leuven (Belgium) were reviewed retrospectively. Organoleptic (with the classic and with the negative-pressure method) and instrumental (with the Halimeter® and OralChroma ) ratings of breath odour were retrieved from patient files together with the final diagnosis.

Influence of tongue brushing and scraping on the oral microflora of periodontitis patients.

Objective: To examine the effect of tongue cleaning with a tongue scraper (TS) or toothbrush (TB) in patients with periodontitis.

Background: The tongue is a possible reservoir for bacterial (re)colonization of the periodontal tissues in patients with periodontitis. To date, it is not known what the influence of tongue cleaning is on the tongue coating of patients with periodontitis.

Periodontal screening and referral behaviour of general dental practitioners in Flanders.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the screening and referral behaviour of Flemish dentists concerning periodontitis and more specific, the use of the Dutch Periodontal Screening Index (DPSI).

Materials And Methods: An online questionnaire was electronically distributed through the different professional dental societies. It consisted of two parts: the first aimed at describing the profile of the dentist.

Subgingival debridement: end point, methods and how often?

Subgingival debridement is the part of nonsurgical therapy which aims to remove the biofilm without intentionally removing the cementum or subgingival calculus. The objective of this review was to describe the end point of this therapy, the different methods used and how often it should be carried out. The literature shows that several methods are currently available for subgingival debridement, namely hand instrumentation, (ultra)sonic instrumentation, laser, photodynamic therapy and air-polishing.

Benign tumors of the parotid gland: a retrospective study of 339 patients.

Aim: Among 339 patients operated for benign tumor of the parotid gland: the recurrences and the postoperative complications rates were compared WITH those published in literature.

Materials And Methods: About 339 patients operated: 274 primarily and 65 for recurrence or residual tumor.

Variables: sex, age, surgical techniques, pre- or postoperative radiotherapy, histology, size and localization of the tumors, disease free intervals, recurrences and postoperative complications.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of refractory epilepsy.

Introduction: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an established non-invasive neurostimulation technique that is able to induce neuromodulatory effects outlasting the duration of the stimulation train. The cortical excitability disturbance in epilepsy provides a rationale for investigating the efficacy of low-frequency rTMS as a treatment for epilepsy patients. Sofar clinical trials in epilepsy patients have shown conflicting results ranging from ineffective to very effective.

Periodontal diseases as a source of halitosis: a review of the evidence and treatment approaches for dentists and dental hygienists.

Bad breath (halitosis) is an important social complaint. In most cases (≥90%), the cause of halitosis can be found within the oral cavity. Under this circumstance, the term oral malodor applies.

Treatment of aggressive periodontitis.

Despite etiological differences between aggressive and chronic periodontitis, the treatment concept for aggressive periodontitis is largely similar to that for chronic periodontitis. The goal of treatment is to create a clinical condition that is conducive to retaining as many teeth as possible for as long as possible. When a diagnosis has been made and risk factors have been identified, active treatment is commenced.

Instrumental assessment of halitosis for the general dental practitioner.

At the moment there are no clear protocols for the assessment of bad breath. An organoleptic evaluation is still the reference. To date there are several tools available to detect and quantify specific compounds related to halitosis.

Usefulness of a new malodour-compound detection portable device in oral malodour diagnosis.

A new device (BB Checker) able to detect malodour compounds has recently been made available. This retrospective analysis aimed at evaluating the usefulness of this device as adjunct tool for the diagnosis of oral malodour. Data from 100 consecutive volunteers with bad breath complaints attending their first consultation at a halitosis clinic were analysed.