The purpose of this study was to undertake a retrospective cross-sectional analysis that compared the frequency and characteristics of facial injury presentations at a UK and an Australian tertiary referral hospital during COVID-19 social distancing.
The primary predictor variables were a heterogeneous set of factors grouped into logical categories: demographics, injury mechanisms and site, and management. The primary outcome variable was the presentation of a hard or soft tissue facial injury. A descriptive statistical analysis was undertaken on the assembled data.
The study found a clinical and statistically significant reduction in the frequency (absolute numbers) and prevalence (number per 1000 population) of facial injuries at each study site. In addition, the striking similarity common in both countries was an increase in facial injury due to falls and a decrease in facial injury due to interpersonal violence. Conservative (non-operative) management of facial injury increased at both sites. The implementation of COVID-19 social distancing public health measures, aimed at limiting the community transmission of coronavirus, had a secondary serendipitous effect in reducing the frequency of facial injury presentations and altering its epidemiological characteristics at both a UK and Australian tertiary referral hospital.
The imposition of COVID-19 social distancing laws serendipitously decreased the frequency and altered the characteristics of facial injury presentation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the devolution of social distancing laws had the opposite effect. Materials and methods: The authors undertook a retrospective study of the clinical records of a cohort of patients who sustained a facial injury during COVID-19 social distancing devolution. The primary predictor valuable was the 8 week devolution of social distancing. Other variables consisted of a heterogeneous set of factors grouped into logical categories: demographic, injury specifics, and treatment. A descriptive statistical analysis was undertaken on the assembled results. Results: The study found that the absolute numbers of facial injury presentation rose from 73 to 120; a 64% increase. The study also found that there was an alteration to the characteristics of facial injury presentation across the study variables. Conclusion: The initial imposition and subsequent devolution of COVID-19 social distancing measures had a serendipitous public health benefit. Initially there was a decrease in the frequency of facial injury presentation followed by an increase upon cessation of social distancing restrictions
Background: Jaw pain and trismus are common clinical symptoms among temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients. These symptoms by a reason other than TMD may puzzle clinicians. Chronic dental infection can provoke the symptoms. Cancer is a rare cause but serious scenario. This report analysed 4 cases presenting TMD-like symptoms: two with chronic dental infections and two with malignancies. Objectives: This report stresses the importance of differential diagnoses of TMD with imaging diagnostics. Methods: The four patients were initially diagnosed with TMD and referred to TMJ clinic.Chronic dental infections: Case 1 and Case 2 with jaw pain and trismus without response to TMD treatment.Malignancies: Case 3 and Case 4 with progressive symptoms in spite of TMD treatment. Findings: Chronic dental infections -computed tomography (CT) scan revealed infection of dental origin into the infratemporal space in Case 1, and postsurgical infection of infra-masseteric space secondary to maxillary dental extraction in Case 2. Surgical drainage and antibiotics successfully resolved the symptoms in both cases.Malignancies -magnetic resonance imaging and/or CT scan disclosed a destructive mass in the condyle in Case 3, and in Case 4 a large cancer mass occupied the sinus and spreading into the adjacent structures. Pathologic examination confirmed lung metastatic adenocarcinoma in Case 3 and squamous cell carcinoma in Case 4. Both patients underwent chemoradiation, but passed away after four and six months, respectively. Conclusion: It is indispensable that oral surgeons be on the alert to symptoms mimicking TMD. Once any underlying disease is suspected, advanced imaging diagnostics should be considered immediately.
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