The incidence of mineralization of the stylohyoid ligament complex, according to radiographic findings, was analysed in a group of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and compared with that of a control group of asymptomatic individuals (AI). Both groups were similar considering the prevalence of the female gender as well as the distribution of cases according to age. 'Elongated' was the most frequent radiographic appearance in both groups; 'partially mineralized' was the most frequent radiographic pattern in the TMD group; and the lower ramus was the most frequent location of mineralization in both groups. When comparing between groups and according to each class, there was only one significant difference in radiographic appearance, 'pseudoarticulated' being more frequent in the TMD group. We can conclude that the occurrence and characteristics of mineralization of stylohyoid ligament complex were similar in TMD patients and AIs.

Alterações de crescimento mandibular decorrentes de traumas à articulação temporomandibular são freqüentes. Entretanto, seu mecanismo não é completamente esclarecido. Assim, mediante modelo experimental, analisou-se as conseqüências da remoção do côndilo mandibular no crescimento da maxila e da mandíbula. Foram utilizados 40 Rattus norvegicus , linhagem Wistar, com um mês de idade, distribuídos em três grupos: experimental, controle-operado e controle. Sob anestesia geral, no primeiro grupo foi removido o côndilo mandibular direito, no segundo foi feito acesso cirúrgico e no terceiro nenhum procedimento foi realizado. Os animais foram sacrificados aos três meses de idade e submetidos à incidências radiográficas axial e rostro-caudal do crânio fixado. A seguir, foi realizada dissecção, e obtidas a incidência radiográfica axial do crânio e lateral das hemi-mandíbulas. A partir destas, foram feitas mensurações cefalométricas por meio de um sistema de computador. A análise estatística mostrou diferença altamente significante a menor para o desvio da linha média mandibular e para o comprimento da mandíbula no grupo experimental, bem como diferença significante a menor na altura do ramo mandibular e no comprimento da maxila. Concluiu-se que a condilectomia na fase de crescimento levou a uma assimetria significante na mandíbula, havendo também alterações significantes no comprimento da maxila.

This study analyzed the effects of the unilateral removal and dissection of the masseter muscle on the facial growth of young rats. A total of 30 one-month-old Wistar rats were used. Unilateral complete removal of the masseter muscle was performed in the removal group, and detachment followed by repositioning of the masseter muscle was performed in the dissection group, while only surgical access was performed in the sham-operated group. The animals were sacrifi ced at three months of age. Axial radiographic projections of the skulls and lateral projections of the hemimandibles were taken. Cephalometric evaluations were made and the values obtained were submitted to statistical analyses. In the removal group, there were contour alterations of the angular process, and a signifi cant homolateral difference in the length of the maxilla and a signifi cant bilateral difference in the height of the mandibular body and the length of the mandible were observed. Comparison among groups revealed signifi cance only in the removal group. It was concluded that the experimental removal of the masseter muscle during the growing period in rats induced atrophic changes in the angular process, as well as asymmetry of the maxilla and shortening of the whole mandible.

The purpose of this prospective study was to verify the changes in the preoperative and postoperative complete blood counts of patients with surgically treated facial fractures. Fifty consecutive patients with a mean age of 34 years who presented facial fractures and underwent surgical treatment were included. A complete blood count was performed, comprising the red and white blood cell count (cells/μL), hemoglobin (g/dL), and hematocrit (%) levels. These data were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively during a 6-week period. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests to identify the possible differences among the groups and among the periods of observation using the Friedman and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks tests. The most common location of the fractures was the mandible (42.3%), followed by the zygomatic-orbital (36.5%) and associated locations (21.2%). Leukocytosis was associated with neutrophilia in the immediate postoperative period in all of the groups. There were no values below the reference limits of the values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocytes, and no values above the reference limits for the remaining white blood cells, although significant differences among periods were observed in most cells, depending on the type of fracture. The primary findings were leukocytosis associated with neutrophilia, verified in the immediate postoperative period in all of the groups, and the influence of the type of fracture on the significant alterations observed among studied periods on the values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocytes, leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes.

No abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the facial symmetry of rats submitted to experimental mandibular condyle fracture and with protein undernutrition (8% of protein) by means of cephalometric measurements. METHODS: Forty-five adult Wistar rats were distributed in three groups: fracture group, submitted to condylar fracture with no changes in diet; undernourished fracture group, submitted to hypoproteic diet and condylar fracture; undernourished group, kept until the end of experiment, without condylar fracture. Displaced fractures of the right condyle were induced under general anesthesia. The specimens were submitted to axial radiographic incidence, and cephalometric mensurations were made using a computer system. The values obtained were subjected to statistical analyses among the groups and between the sides in each group. RESULTS: There was significative decrease of the values of serum proteins and albumin in the undernourished fracture group. There was deviation of the median line of the mandible relative to the median line of the maxilla, significative to undernutrition fracture group, as well as asymmetry of the maxilla and mandible, in special in the final period of experiment. CONCLUSION: The mandibular condyle fracture in rats with proteic undernutrition induced an asymmetry of the mandible, also leading to consequences in the maxilla.

OBJETIVO: Analisar as conseqüências no crescimento de maxila e mandíbula de defeito ósseo cirúrgico simulando fratura no ramo da mandíbula. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 25 ratos Wistar com um mês de idade. Sob anestesia geral e por meio de incisão submandibular. Foi realizada osteotomia vertical no ramo da mandíbula do lado direito com emprego de motor cirúrgico. Após período de dois meses os animais foram sacrificados, os tecidos moles retirados e as hemimandíbulas desarticuladas. Foram realizadas incidências radiográficas axiais para o crânio e laterais para as hemimandíbulas. A seguir, por intermédio de um sistema de computador foram obtidas medidas lineares da maxila e das hemimandíbulas. Foi empregado o teste "t" de Student para verificação da significância da diferença entre os lados experimental e controle. RESULTADOS: A diferença foi significante para a altura do ramo (p=0,010) e comprimento da mandíbula referente ao côndilo (p=0,015) e ao ângulo (p<0,001), não havendo diferença significante para as mensurações da maxila. CONCLUSÃO: As conseqüências do defeito ósseo cirúrgico experimental no ramo da mandíbula na fase de crescimento foram a diminuição da altura do ramo e do comprimento da mandíbula.

Determinação do Ângulo Å na incidência axial do crânio. BT = bula timpânica (direita e esquerda) ponto médio; PI = ponto incisal entre os incisivos superiores e PI' = ponto incisal entre os incisivos inferiores .