Biomedical subjects

Edvitar Leibur

Publications and source records attributed to Edvitar Leibur.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Odontogenic tumours, a collaborative retrospective study of 75 cases covering more than 25 years from Estonia.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present collaborative study was to analyse retrospectively the character of odontogenic tumours in Estonia, involving the entire Estonian population (1.4 million), and to compare their prevalence with the figures presented in similar reports from other countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All material for the retrospective study was retrieved from the files of the Departments of Maxillofacial Surgery in Tartu and Tallinn, Estonia, where all in/out-patients are treated from the whole country. The final diagnosis in each case of odontogenic tumour was based on the 1992 WHO histological criteria. RESULTS: A total of 75 odontogenic tumours was found, 74 (98.6%) of which were benign, and 1 (1.3%) was malignant. The frequency of odontogenic tumours in this study was the lowest ever reported. The most common tumours were odontoma (34.3%), followed by ameloblastoma with different subtypes (25.3%), ameloblastic fibroma (16%), odontogenic myxoma (12%) and benign cementoblastoma (8%). CONCLUSION: Odontogenic tumours are relatively rare in Estonia compared with the data from other countries.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Progression of radiographic changes in the temporomandibular joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in relation to inflammatory markers and mediators in the blood.

The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal radiographic changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with clinical involvement of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relation to the blood level of inflammatory mediators and markers. Sixteen patients were investigated by computed tomography on two occasions 25-46 months apart. The radiographs were assessed independently for changes in presence of erosions, sclerosis, flattening, osteophytes, and subchondral pseudocysts. The serum (S) or plasma (P) concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), thrombocyte particle concentration, scrotonin (S-5-HT and P-5-HT), tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, tumor necrosis factor soluble receptor type II, interleukin-1 soluble receptor type II (P-IL-1sRII) and interleukin 6 as well as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured. The radiographic status showed no consistent or significant change during the observation period, but the individual variation was considerable. The radiographic signs of erosion and sclerosis varied most. Regression of erosions was associated with high S-5-HT and P-IL-1sRII, while progression of erosions was associated with high P-5-HT. Regression of sclerosis was associated with an increase in P-5-HT and high ESR. Progression of flattening was associated with high CRP. In conclusion, this study indicates that the progression of radiographic changes that occurs in the TMJ of patients with well-controlled RA during a period of 25-46 months seems to be related to the blood levels of CRP, 5-HT, and IL-1sRII. However, only minor progression can be expected to occur, and with considerable individual variation.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed2004

Influence of serotonin on the analgesic effect of granisetron on temporomandibular joint arthritis.

The influence of circulating serotonin (5-HT) on the effects of intra-articular administration of granisetron on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain was investigated in 11 patients with chronic polyarthritides. An analgesic effect superior to placebo has been shown previously. The change in TMJ movement pain intensity was negatively correlated to circulating 5-HT; that is, the higher the 5-HT before injection, the greater the reduction of pain intensity. The resting pain intensity reduction was not related to 5-HT. In conclusion, this study indicates a stronger short-term analgesic effect on TMJ movement pain by intra-articular administration of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist granisetron in patients with high levels of circulating 5-HT.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Impact of temporomandibular joint pain on activities of daily living in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain on daily living in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involving the TMJ. Nineteen patients (17 F, 2 M) with a median (IQR) age of 44 (23) years were included. A scale for the influence of TMJ pain/discomfort on the activities of daily living was used. TMJ resting pain and pain upon maximum mouth opening according to a visual analog scale as well as pressure pain threshold and tenderness to digital palpation of the TMJ were assessed. Blood samples were collected to measure the level of acute phase proteins. Activities of daily living were influenced in all patients at different levels. The impact on daily living by TMJ pain/discomfort was greatest on the performance of physical exercises and jaw movements, while it was smallest on the performance of hobbies and eating. Pain during maximum mouth opening and tenderness to digital palpation were correlated to difficulties with several activities such as to yawn and open the mouth wide, while pressure pain threshold was correlated with difficulties during eating, which confirms that the pain was located in the TMJ. In conclusion, this study indicates that pain/discomfort from the TMJ in patients with RA has a significant negative impact on activities of daily living.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

Inflammatory mediators and radiographic changes in temporomandibular joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between the inflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and serotonin (5-HT), the inflammatory markers erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as rheumatoid factor (RF) and thrombocyte particle concentration (TPC) in blood versus temporomandibular joint (TMJ) radiographic changes in patients with clinical TMJ involvement by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Twenty patients were included. Venous blood was collected for quantification of the mediators, markers, and TPC. The radiographic signs of erosion, flattening, sclerosis, subchondral pseudocyst, and osteophyte as well as radiographic grade were investigated with computed tomography. The median (IQR) plasma levels of TNFalpha and 5-HT were 0 (13) pg/ mL and 13 (22) nmol/L, respectively, while serum level of 5-HT was 1360 874) nmol/L ESR, CRP, and TPC were abnormally high in 53%, 250%, and 15% of the patients, respectively. The most frequent radiographic signs were sclerosis (75%), erosion (50%), and flattening (30%). Erosion was found to be associated with high TPC and flattening with high plasma level of TNFalpha. In conclusion, patients with clinical TMJ involvement by RA show an association between high level of TPC and TNFalpha in plasma versus radiographic signs of joint bone destruction.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Reliability and validity of eight dental age estimation methods for adults.

This paper evaluates the reliability and validity of eight published dental age estimation methods for adults that may aid in victim identification. Age was calculated on 20 Caucasian teeth of known age according to the methods of Kvaal (for in situ and extracted teeth), Solheim (for in situ and sectioned teeth), Lamendin (for extracted teeth), Johanson (for sectioned teeth) and Bang (for extracted and sectioned teeth) by one independent observer. For each method, mean age error and standard error were assessed as the measures of accuracy and precision. In addition, method simplicity, requirements for tooth preparation and the equipment necessary were assessed and recommendations given for forensic use in various situations. Methods for sectioned teeth gave more reliable results when compared to methods for intact teeth.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Dentists' qualifications affect the accuracy of radiographic identification.

This study assessed the effects of forensic odontologists' training and experience upon the accuracy of their dental radiographic identifications. Forty participating odontologists with various levels of training and experience completed a Web-based survey of their qualifications and then completed nine Web-based radiographic identification cases. They made their identifications using the American Board of Forensic Odontology Categories and Terminology for Body Identification. The results indicate that odontologists with high levels of training and experience performed significantly more accurately than those with lower levels. We conclude that high levels of training and experience in forensic odontology should be developed, maintained, and required of dentists who participate in a forensic team dealing with challenging identification cases.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2003

Mandibular ameloblastoma and maxillary adenoid cystic carcinoma: case report.

We report the case of a 74-year-old woman who developed a follicular ameloblastoma of the right mandible and 22 months later developed a cribriform adenoid cystic carcinoma of the soft palate on the right maxilla. The ameloblastoma was treated by hemimandibulectomy, and the adenoid cystic carcinoma was managed by resection of the soft palate and the surrounding tissue and bone followed by a 6-week course of radiotherapy. Our review of the literature indicates that only one similar case has been previously reported where an odontogenic tumor and a salivary gland tumor involved two different anatomic locations in the same patient at nearly the same time.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

2.2 Continuous quality improvement.

Continuous quality improvement (CQI) can be envisaged as a circular process of goal-setting, followed by external and internal evaluations resulting in improvements that can serve as goals for a next cycle. The need for CQI is apparent, because of public accountability, maintaining European standards and the improvement of dental education. Many examples are known where recommendations from both external and internal evaluation are used for the improvement of dental education. Unfortunately, the implementation of the recommendations is inconsistent, rarely systematic and usually not transparent. This section agreed that it is essential to apply CQI in a structured, systematic and transparent way if we are to improve and maintain the quality of dental education. A model is proposed which includes three aspects: a) the process of CQI; b) the subjects to which CQI should be applied; and c) the management tools to govern CQI. It is stressed, that CQI is a process that can be applied in any dental school irrespective of curriculum or educational approach within the relevant context of the country or the region. The approach needs to recognize the complexity and the need to balance a quality improvement with accountability. A CQI system is also constrained in any organization by the attitudes and values of the staff. Inevitably there has to be a wide range in the application of CQI. Nevertheless, an agreed model on CQI might enhance convergence towards higher standards of dental education. The process of CQI can be supported by developments in information and communication technology (ICT): collection of data, identifying the steps in CQI, formats of reports, etc. The section was set, as one of its tasks, to advise on the development of a network based on a number of case studies on the application of CQI in dental education.

Cultural Diversity↗