Evaluation of the maxillary premolar roots dissociation using radiographic holders with conventional and digital radiography

This in vivo study evaluated the dissociation quality of maxillary premolar roots combining variations of vertical and horizontal angulations by using X-ray holders (Rinn -XCP), and made a comparison between two types of intraoral radiography systems - conventional film (Kodak Insight, Rochester, USA) and digital radiography (Kodak RVG 6100, Kodak, Rochester, USA). The study sample was comprised of 20 patients with a total of 20 maxillary premolars that were radiographed, using the paralleling angle technique (GP), with a 20º variation of the horizontal angle (GM) and 25º variation of the horizontal angle combined with 15º vertical angle (GMV). Each image was independently analyzed by two experienced examiners. These examiners assigned a score to the diagnostic capability of root dissociation and the measurement of the distance between the apexes. Statistical data was derived using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, Friedman and T test. The means of the measured distances between buccal and lingual root apexes were greater for the GMV, which ranged from 2.3 mm to 3.3 mm. A statistically significant difference was found between GM and GMV when compared to GP with p < 0.01. An established best diagnostic dissociation roots image was found in the GMV. These results support the use of the anterior X-ray holders which offer a better combined deviation (GMV) to dissociate maxillary premolar roots in both radiography systems.

Wavefront Analysis, Contrast Sensitivity, and Depth of Focus After Cataract Surgery With Aspherical Intraocular Lens Implantation

PURPOSE: To determine whether implantation of an aspherical intraocular lens (IOL) results in reduced ocular aberrations and improved contrast sensitivity after cataract surgery without critical reduction of depth of focus. DESIGN: Double-blinded, randomized, prospective study. METHODS: In an intraindividual study of 25 patients with bilateral cataract, an aspherical IOL (Akreos Advanced Optic [AO]; Bausch & Lomb, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA) was implanted in one eye and a spherical IOL (Akreos Fit; Bausch & Lomb, Inc) in the fellow eye. Higher-order aberrations with a 5- and 6-mm pupil were measured with a dynamic retinoscopy aberrometer at 1 and 3 months after surgery. Uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity under mesopic and photopic conditions also were measured. Distance-corrected near and intermediate visual acuity were studied as a measurement of depth of focus. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between eyes in uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity at I and 3 months after surgery. There was a statistically significant between-group difference in contrast sensitivity under photopic conditions at 12 cycles per degree and under mesopic conditions at all spatial frequencies. The Akreos AO group obtained statistically significant lower values of higher-order aberrations and spherical aberration with 5- and 6-mm pupils compared with the Akreos Fit group (P < .05). There was no significant difference in distance-corrected near and intermediate visual acuity between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Aspherical aberration-free Akreos AO IOL induced significantly less higher-order aberrations and spherical aberration than the Akreos Fit. Contrast sensitivity was better under mesopic conditions with the Akreos AO with similar results of depth of focus. (Am J Ophthalmol 2010;149:383-389. (C) 2010 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Reticular angiomatoid ""malignant"" fibrous histiocytoma-a case report with cytogenetics and molecular genetic analyses

Angiomatoid ""malignant"" fibrous histiocytoma is a rare sarcoma of low malignant potential that occurs most commonly in the extremities of children and young adults. Herein, we present a case of angiomatoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma with unusual histologic features arising in the mediastinum of an 80-year-old man. The tumor exhibited a reticular growth pattern and myxoid stroma. The tumor cells expressed epithelial membrane antigen and desmin. Cytogenetic analysis revealed the translocation t(2;22)(q33;q12). Molecular genetic analysis confirmed the rearrangement of the EWSR1 locus and the presence of the EWSR1/CREB1 fusion. This report expands the clinicopathologic spectrum of angiomatoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma and underscores the value of integrating morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular findings in the identification of its unusual morphologic variants. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Accuracy of direct digital radiography for detecting occlusal caries in primary teeth compared with conventional radiography and visual inspection: an in vitro study

Objectives: The diagnosis of caries lesions is still a matter of concern in dentistry. The diagnosis of dental caries by digital radiography has a number of advantages over conventional radiography; however, this method has not been explored fully in the field of paediatric dentistry. This in vitro research evaluated the accuracy of direct digital radiography compared with visual inspection and conventional radiography in the diagnosis of occlusal caries lesions in primary molars. Methods: 50 molars were selected and evaluated under standardized conditions by 2 previously calibrated examiners according to 3 diagnostic methods (visual inspection, conventional radiography and direct digital radiography). Direct digital radiographs were obtained with the Dixi3 system (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland) and the conventional radiographs with InSight film (Kodak Eastman Co., Rochester, NY). The images were scored and a reference standard was obtained histologically. The interexaminer reliability was calculated using Cohen`s kappa test and the specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of the methods were calculated. Results: Examiner reliability was good. For lesions limited to the enamel, visual inspection showed significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy than both radiographic methods, but no significant difference was found in specificity. For teeth with dentinal caries, no significant differences were found for any parameter when comparing visual and radiographic evaluation. Conclusions: Although less accurate than the visual method for detecting caries lesions confined to the enamel, the direct digital radiographic method is as effective as conventional radiographic examination and visual inspection of primary teeth with occlusal caries when the dentine is involved. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2010) 39, 362-367. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/22865872

Evaluation of proximal caries in images resulting from different modes of radiographic digitalization

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of observers in diagnosing proximal caries in digital images obtained from digital bitewing radiographs using two scanners and four digital cameras in Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) and tagged image file format (TIFF) files, and comparing them with the original conventional radiographs. Method: In total, 56 extracted teeth were radiographed with Kodak Insight film (Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY) in a Kaycor Yoshida X-ray device (Kaycor X-707;Yoshida Dental Manufacturing Co., Tokyo, Japan) operating at 70 kV and 7 mA with an exposure time of 0.40 s. The radiographs were obtained and scanned by CanonScan D646U (Canon USA Inc., Newport News, VA) and Genius ColorPage HR7X (KYE Systems Corp. America, Doral, FL) scanners, and by Canon Powershot G2 (Canon USA Inc.), Canon RebelXT (Canon USA Inc.), Nikon Coolpix 8700 (Nikon Inc., Melville, NY), and Nikon D70s (Nikon Inc.) digital cameras in JPEG and TIFF formats. Three observers evaluated the images. The teeth were then observed under the microscope in polarized light for the verification of the presence and depth of the carious lesions. Results: The probability of no diagnosis ranged from 1.34% (Insight film) to 52.83% (CanonScan/JPEG). The sensitivity ranged from 0.24 (Canon RebelXT/JPEG) to 0.53 (Insight film), the specificity ranged from 0.93 (Nikon Coolpix/JPEG, Canon Powershot/TIFF, Canon RebelXT/JPEG and TIFF) to 0.97 (CanonScan/TIFF and JPEG) and the accuracy ranged from 0.82 (Canon RebelXT/JPEG) to 0.91 (CanonScan/JPEG). Conclusion: The carious lesion diagnosis did not change in either of the file formats (JPEG and TIFF) in which the images were saved for any of the equipment used. Only the CanonScan scanner did not have adequate performance in radiography digitalization for caries diagnosis and it is not recommended for this purpose. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2011) 40, 338-343. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/67185962