Objective: To compare the treatment outcomes in patients with early stage Ludwig’s angina who received intravenous antibiotics alone with those who received surgical decompression and intravenous antibiotics. Subjects and Methods: Individuals with early stage Ludwig’s angina were studied using a retrospective cohort study design from August 1997 to September 2017. Data were collected from case notes and logbooks. Appropriate statistical tests were chosen to analyze both the independent and outcome variables. Using 2-tailed test, a level of significance of 0.05 was chosen. Results: A total of 55 patients comprising 38 (69.1%) males and 17 (30.9%) females were studied. The conservative group had a higher number of cases that developed airway compromise (26.3%) when compared to those with surgical approach (2.9%). There was an association between the treatment approach and the development of airway compromise (χ²[1] = 4.83, p = 0.03). Conclusion: There was a higher incidence of airway compromise in patients treated with intravenous antibiotics alone than in those treated with surgical decompression and intravenous antibiotics.

Background: Anaphylaxis is an acutely presenting life-threatening medical emergency. Studies have shown that dentists feel inadequately able to recognize and treat anaphylaxis. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge of local anesthetic (LA) anaphylaxis among dentists in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among dental practitioners at the Dental complex of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from August 2020 to January 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 21 items divided into four main sections: (1) Demographic characteristics, (2) general knowledge on local anesthetic anaphylaxis, (3) knowledge on signs and symptoms of local anesthetic anaphylaxis, (4) knowledge on treatment of local anesthetic anaphylaxis. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0, IBM, Armonk, NY, USA. Results: The 101 respondents approached agreed to participate in the study. There were more males (64.4%) compared to females. Majority of the respondents were aged 30 -39 years. None of the respondents knew completely all the signs and symptoms of anaphylactic reaction from LA. None of the respondents got the complete drugs to be kept in the office for LA anaphylaxis. Less than half (43.6%) of the respondents knew that epinephrine is the drug of first choice for anaphylactic reactions. Only 50 (49.5%) of the respondents knew that the best route for epinephrine administration is intramuscular route. Conclusion: Adequate knowledge on anaphylaxis from local anesthesia is lacking among dental practitioners in our centre.

Background: Knowledge of prevention and removing the barriers of stigma and discrimination is a critical public health issue for HIV/AIDS prevention strategies in Nigeria. Objective: This paper is aimed at accessing the knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention, causes and effects of stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), among the final year dental students. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among final year dental students in accredited dental schools in Nigeria, 2016. At the time of conducting this study there were 8 accredited dental schools in Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to pick four schools from the existing eight. All data obtained was analysed using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Results: Out of the 70 questionnaires administered 60 were filled and returned giving a response rate of 85.7%. Half (50.0%) of the respondents exhibited a good level of knowledge of HIV prevention. About two-thirds (66.7%) of the respondents exhibited good level of knowledge of HIV discrimination and stigma. The main cause of stigma against PLWHA was lack of knowledge about HIV (86.7%). The main effect of stigma on PLWHA as stated by 83.3% is that they hide their HIV status. Conclusion: The study showed that most final year dental students have good knowledge of HIV prevention; causes; and effects of stigma and discriminations among people living with HIV/AIDS. However, they need more training on how occupational HIV exposure should be handled in the clinic.

Background: There is a dearth of literature on the diagnostic characteristics and treatment outcomes for chondrosarcomas of the jaws in our environment due to the rarity of the lesion. Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the demographic data, presenting symptoms, location, radiographic findings, histological findings, treatment, and outcomes in chondrosarcoma of the jaws. Materials and Methods: A retrospective medical record review was undertaken of all patients diagnosed with chondrosarcoma of the jaws at our center between 2000 and 2020. Results: Ten patients (3%) were identified among 333 patients with orofacial neoplastic lesions. The mean age was 26.6 years (standard deviation [SD] 20.6 years, range 14–82 years). The male-to-female ratio was 1:1. Eight (80.0%) patients had jaw swelling and the average duration of symptoms on presentation was 18 months. Maxillary location occurred in six (60.0%) patients. Radiographically, all the lesions appeared radiolucent without clearly defined borders. All patients had only radical resection, except one who had adjuvant chemotherapy as well. Recurrence occurred in three (30.0%) patients and one of the patients died. The mean follow-up was 3 years (range 1–5 years). Conclusions: Chondrosarcomas in this study affected relatively young patients, with painless jaw swelling being the most common presenting symptom. Men and women were equally affected. Radiolucent lesions and conventional histological types were the most common. Radical surgery alone was the most common modality of treatment and the outcomes were good.