The value of the new scoring system for predicting neoplastic pericarditis in the patients with large pericardial effusion.

Purpose: Early recognition of neoplastic pericarditis (npe) is crucial for the planning of subsequent therapy. The aim of the present study was to construct the scoring system assessing the probability of npe, in the patients requiring pericardial fluid (pf) drainage due to large pericardial effusion.

Methods: One hundred forty-six patients, 74 males and 72 females, entered the study.

Is postadolescent mandibular anterior growth rotation a risk factor for relapse of incisor alignment in males?

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that (1) pronounced postadolescent anterior mandibular rotation is associated with relapse of mandibular incisor alignment and (2) mandibular anterior rotation is conducive to more severe relapse.

Methods: Based on the amount of mandibular anterior rotation posttreatment, 2 groups of orthodontically treated males were selected: 1 with pronounced anterior rotation (Max AR group; n = 27), defined as maximal decrease of sella-nasion/gonion-menton angle (SN/GoMe), and 1 with minimal anterior rotation (Min AR group; n = 29). Cephalograms and study models made before treatment, after treatment (T2), and at a minimum of 10 years postretention (T3) were evaluated, and SN/GoMe, the irregularity index (II), and intercanine width were measured.

Effects of posttreatment skeletal maturity measured with the cervical vertebral maturation method on incisor alignment relapse.

Introduction: Our aim was to test the hypothesis that relapse of incisor alignment is associated with skeletal maturity at the end of treatment, as assessed with the cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method.

Methods: This was a case-control study with information from the postretention database at the University of Washington. Mandibular incisor irregularity (II) at least 10 years out of retention (T3) was used to define the subjects (II >6 mm, relapse group) and the controls (II <3.

Determining the cessation of vertical growth of the craniofacial structures to facilitate placement of single-tooth implants.

Introduction: Single-tooth implants are commonly used to replace congenitally missing teeth in adolescent orthodontic patients. However, if implants are placed before cessation of facial growth, they will submerge relative to the adjacent erupting teeth. Therefore, it is important to know when facial growth is complete in postpubertal orthodontic patients.

Mandibular growth rotation effects on postretention stability of mandibular incisor alignment.

Objective: To test the hypotheses that pronounced forward and backward mandibular growth rotation may be risk factors for postretention relapse of mandibular incisor alignment, and that morphologic parameters at adolescence may be predictive of the remaining type of mandibular growth.

Materials And Methods: Cephalograms and study models were made before (T1) and after (T2) active treatment and at a minimum of 10 years postretention (T3) of three groups of orthodontic patients with acceptable occlusion at the time of appliance removal. The groups were short facial height (n = 46), angle between the sella-nasion line and the mandibular plane (SN/MP) or= 38 degrees at T2.

Gastroesophageal reflux in Pierre Robin sequence--early surgical treatment.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients with Pierre Robin sequence and to assess whether early palatoplasty with subperiosteal release of the floor of the mouth eliminates upper respiratory tract infections and gastroesophageal reflux.

Methods: In the period from 1993 to 1997, 24 children with Pierre Robin sequence were treated. Because GER is known to occur in patients with this syndrome, we screened for GER in each child for whom an early palatoplasty was to be performed at 3 months of age.

The widening gap in low birthweight rates between extreme social groups in Poland during 1985-90.

An attempt was made to identify the reasons for the increase in low birthweight (LBW) rates in Poland from 8.1% in 1985 to 8.4% in 1990.

A correction formula for computing specific airway resistance from a single-step measurement.

Specific airway resistance (SRaw) is conventionally determined by multiplying the plethysmographically measured values of airway resistance and functional residual capacity (FRC). An alternative single-step method, which avoids the need for airway occlusion during determination of FRC, has been described by Dab and Alexander. The single-step method provides no correction for resistance or dead space of the apparatus and, as a result, systematically overestimates SRaw.