The association between prune belly syndrome and dental anomalies: a case report

Background: Prune belly syndrome is a rare condition produced by an early mesodermal defect that causes abdominal abnormalities. However, the literature indicates that disturbances related to ectodermal development may also be present. This is the first case report in the literature to suggest that dental abnormalities are part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of prune belly syndrome. Because the syndrome causes many serious medical problems, early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions are encouraged.Case presentation: The authors report the clinical case of a 4-year-old Caucasian boy with prune belly syndrome. In addition to the triad of abdominal muscle deficiency, abnormalities of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, and cryptorchidism, a geminated mandibular right central incisor, agenesis of a mandibular permanent left incisor, and congenitally missing primary teeth (namely, the mandibular right and left lateral incisors) were noted.Conclusion: This original case report about prune belly syndrome highlights the possibility that dental abnormalities are a part of the broad spectrum of clinical features of the syndrome. Therefore, an accurate intra-oral clinical examination and radiographic evaluation are required for patients with this syndrome in order to provide an early diagnosis of abnormalities involving the primary and permanent dentitions.

Root canal treatment of three-rooted maxillary second premolars: Report of four cases

The aim of this report is to contribute to a better understanding of the radiographic, clinical and anatomic findings in maxillary second premolars. This paper reports the endodontic treatment of two cases of three-rooted three-canal maxillary second premolars in different patients, and two sound maxillary second premolars also with three canals and three independent roots in a sibling of one of the patients. Although the presence of maxillary second premolars with one or two canals and one root is much more common, other anatomic conditions can be found. A correct clinical and radiographic diagnosis based on knowledge of root canal anatomy and critical interpretation of radiographs is necessary for a safer and successful endodontic treatment of these teeth.

Enamel Defects in Maxillary Central Incisors of Infants With Unilateral Cleft Lip

Objective: To evaluate the presence of enamel alterations in deciduous maxillary central incisors of infants with unilateral cleft lip and alveolar ridge, with or without cleft palate, and to compare the occurrence and location of these alterations between the central incisor adjacent to the cleft and the contralateral incisor.Design: Intraoral clinical examination was performed after tooth cleaning and drying by a single examiner with the aid of a dental mirror, dental probe, and artificial light, with the child positioned on a dental chair. The defects were recorded in a standardized manner according to the criteria of the Modified Developmental Defects of Enamel Index.Setting: Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies (HRAC) at Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.Patients: One hundred one infants were evaluated. All were white, of both genders, aged 12 to 36 months and had at least two thirds of the crowns of maxillary incisors erupted.Results: Demarcated opacity was the most common defect at both cleft and noncleft sides, followed by diffuse opacity. The occurrence of hypoplasia at the cleft side was 11.8%. Most defects affected less than one third of the crown.Conclusion: The occurrence of enamel defects in deciduous maxillary central incisors of patients with unilateral cleft lip was 42.6%, mainly affecting the cleft side as to both number and severity.

Incontinentia pigmenti (Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome): a case report.

A syndrome--incontinentia pigmenti--of probable genetic etiology, is discussed and a new case report presented. The syndrome presents systemic and dental manifestations, which are separate although similar to those found in other disease entities, i.e., congenital syphilis, hereditary ectodermal dysplasia.

Blepharocheilodontic (BCD) syndrome: Expanding the phenotype?

We describe affected individuals in three generations of a family and another sporadic case, all Brazilian patients, with a combination of signs that diagnose the BCD syndrome. In addition to the cardinal signs, the sporadic case has hypothyroidism and imperforate anus, which was observed previously in one patient. The broadened phenotype and the possibility of involvement of p63 and IRF6 genes in this condition are discussed. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Prevalence and microscopic features of enamel pearls from permanent human molars

Enamel pearls are ectopic structures observed mainly on the roots of permanent teeth and could be related to periodontal diseases. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of enamel pearls in extracted human molars and characterize their structures using light and scanning electron microscopy. Methods: The study comprised 2,201 extracted human permanent molars. The teeth were analyzed and classified according to morphological features. The presence, location and shape of enamel pearls were investigated. Fifteen human molars with enamel pearls were embedded in acrylic resin and observed by light microscopy. Results: Seventy-one enamel pearls were identified on third molar root. Microscopically, most pearls were composed of prismatic irregular enamel and normal dentin. The dentinoenamel junction presented an irregular course. The number of dentinal tubules was normal and they presented curvature to continue within the root dentin of the carrier tooth. Dentinal tubules below the enamel pearls were closer to each other. Conclusions: Scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed that the enamel pearls were similar to coronal enamel.

Radiographic study of patients with ectodermal dysplasia and partial

Aim: To investigate the association between gender and type of cleft with hypodontia and to verify if the presence of the cleft interferes with hypodontia of one or more type of teeth in patients with ectodermal dysplasia attending the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies (HRCA), University of Sγo Paulo (USP). Materials and Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 54 patients of both genders (29 males, 25 females), from the files of the oral radiology sector of HRCA/USP, presenting with ectodermal dysplasia and cleft lip and/or palate were evaluated by radiographic observation of hypodontia of one or more types of teeth. Statistical Analysis: We performed descriptive statistics and statistical analysis by Fisher test. Results: Hypodontia was observed in 50% of females and 50.88% of males; 50% for cleft palate and 50.59% for complete cleft lip and palate. Only 22.22% of patients with cleft palate and 6.67% with complete cleft lip and palate presented with hypodontia of one type of teeth, whereas 77.78% of cases with cleft palate and 93.33% with complete cleft lip and palate displayed hypodontia of more than one type of teeth. Conclusion: Based on the present methodology, there were no statistically significant differences in hypodontia of one or more types of teeth between genders or types of cleft.

Dental anomalies in children submitted to antineoplastic therapy

Cancer is the third most frequent cause of death in children in Brazil. Early diagnosis and medical advances have significantly improved treatment outcomes, which has resulted in higher survival rates and the management of late side effects has become increasingly important in caring for these patients. Dental abnormalities are commonly observed as late effects of antineoplastic therapy in the oral cavity. The incidence and severity of the dental abnormalities depend on the child's age at diagnosis and the type of chemotherapeutic agent used, as well as the irradiation dose and area. The treatment duration and aggressivity should also be considered. Disturbances in dental development are characterized by changes in shape, number and root development. Enamel anomalies, such as discoloration, opacities and hypoplasia are also observed in these patients. When severe, these abnormalities can cause functional and esthetic sequelae that have an impact on the children's and adolescents' quality of life. General dentists and pediatric dentists should understand these dental abnormalities and how to identify them aiming for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Esthetic dental anomalies as motive for bullying in schoolchildren

Facial esthetics, including oral esthetics, can severely affect children's quality-of-life, causing physical, social and psychological impairment. Children and adolescents with esthetic-related dental malformations are potential targets for bullies. This study was aimed to present and discuss patients who suffered from bullying at school and family environment due to esthetic-related teeth anomalies. Providing an adequate esthetic dental treatment is an important step in their rehabilitation when the lack of esthetic is the main source of bullying. After dental treatment, we noted significant improvement in self-esteem, self-confidence, socialization and academic performance of all patients and improvement in parental satisfaction regarding the appearance of their children. It is imperative that both family and school care providers be constantly alert about bullying in order to prevent or interrupt aggressive and discriminatory practices against children and adolescents. Clearly, dental anomalies may be a motive for bullying.

Tratamento ortodôntico da agenesia de incisivo lateral superior com envolvimento de fratura radicular de incisivo central superior

Patients with agenesis of maxillary lateral incisor must have in your planning functional and aesthetic considerations, important to the success of the treatment, regardless of whether the choice of treatment is closing or opening and maintenance of space for rehabilitation with prosthesis. This choice will depend on factors such as skeletal and tooth structure and profile. Children and adolescents are the group of individuals most exposed to trauma and fracture of the maxillary lateral incisor due to the activities they perform. Proper diagnosis and good treatment are essential to the success of the treatment. This article aims to report a case of agenesis of the maxillary lateral incisor along with the involvement of a root fracture of the maxillary central incisor. The orthodontic treatment was successfully finished with a favorable prognosis for the fractured incisor to stay in a esthetic and functional position.

Dental abnormalities in children after chemotherapy treatment for acute lymphoid leukemia

The frequency of dental abnormalities, such as delayed dental development, microdontia, hypoplasia, agenesis, V-shaped root and shortened root was evaluated in 76 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) pediatric patients who had been off chemotherapy for 6 months. These children had been subjected to one of the three Brazilian Protocols or the BFM86 Protocol. The patients were divided into three groups: Group I (GI; high risk) treated with one of the three Brazilian Protocols who received high-dose chemotherapy, intensive maintenance and cranial radiotherapy; Group II (GII; low risk) who were also treated with one of the three Brazilian Protocols using low-intensive chemotherapy with no radiotherapy; and Group III (GIII) based on the BFM86 Protocol.Of 76 children, 13 showed no dental abnormalities (8 were at the age of tooth formation). The remaining 63 children (82.9%) showed at least one dental anomaly.The abnormalities were probably caused by the type, intensity, frequency of the treatment and age of the patients at ALL diagnosis and this might have important consequences for the children's dental development. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Morphological abnormalities and apoptosis in lamellar tissue of equines after intestinal obstruction and treatment with hydrocortisone

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Abnormalities in apolipoprotein and lipid levels in an HIV-infected Brazilian population under different treatment profiles: the relevance of apolipoprotein E genotypes and immunological status

HIV infection is associated with disturbances in lipid metabolism due to a host's response mechanism and the current antiretroviral therapy. The pathological appearance and progression of atherosclerosis is dependent on the presence of injurious agents in the vascular endothelium and variations in different subsets of candidate genes. Therefore, the Hha I polymorphism in the apolipoprotein E gene was evaluated in addition to triglycerides, total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), LDL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and apolipoprotein (apo) Al, B and E levels in 86 Brazilian HIV-infected patients and 29 healthy controls. The allele frequency for apoE in the HIV-infected group and controls was in agreement with data on the Brazilian population. Dyslipidemia was observed in the HIV group and verified by increased levels of triglycerides, VLDL and apoE, and decreased levels of HDL and apoAl. The greatest abnormalities in these biochemical variables were shown in the HIV-infected individuals whose immune function was more compromised. The effect of the genetic variation at the APOE gene on biochemical variables was more pronounced in the HIV-infected individuals who carried the apoE2/3 genotype. The highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-receiving group presented increased levels of total cholesterol and apoE. Dyslipidemia was a predictable consequence of HIV infection and the protease inhibitors intensified the increase in apoE values.

Detection and Identification of Abnormalities in Customer Consumptions in Power Distribution Systems

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Echocardiographic abnormalities in children with obstructive breathing disorders during sleep

Objectives: To assess cardiac morphology and function by means of echocardiograms of children with obstructad breathing while asleep.Methods: the study enrolled 40 children of both sexes, aged from 3 to 11 years; 30 of them had obstructed breathing during sleep (group I) and 10 children were healthy controls (group II). The two groups were similar in terms of sex, age, weight and height. The 40 children underwent echocardiogram, viewing all four chambers during systole and diastole, paying special attention to the right ventricle (RV). These data were compared by means of Student's t test (p < 0.05).Results: In group I, increased diameter and area of the right ventricle were observed during both systole and diastole. There was less variation in RV area between systole and diastole. Reduced left ventricle (LV) diastolic diameter was also observed, together with reduced ejection fraction and reduced contraction.Conclusions: the morphological and functional cardiac abnormalities observed in the RV and LV suggest that, in children, obstructed breathing during sleep can lead to cardiovascular repercussions. These abnormalities may expose these children to increased anesthetic and surgical risks.