PurposeTo evaluate the images obtained by CT in diagnosis and treatment plan of teeth in the maxillary sinus.MethodsTwelve patients with teeth in the maxillary sinus were studied by plain film radiography(PFR) and by CT with a dental software programme, which displays multiple panoramic and cross-sectional views of the mandible and maxilla. The three-dimensional morphology of the tooth, its inclination, proximity to the sinus wall, surgical planning and prediction of prognosis and complications were estimated on both PFR and on CT scans and scored.ResultsThe radiographical features interpreted from PFR were fair or poorly diagnosed whereas CT provided excellent features. The surgical approach of choice was based on CT interpretation.ConclusionCT is useful for diagnosis and treatment planning of teeth in the maxillary antrum.

Local infiltration of adjacent anatomic structures and soft tissues of the neck from well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid gland is a relatively infrequent occurrence. We report our experience with 21 such cases seen in our department over the past 20 years. All patients were treated by total thyroidectomy and total or partial excision of the infiltrated adjacent structures. Papillary carcinoma was the most frequent type of primary tumor seen. Following the definitive surgery, all patients were scanned with radioactive iodine (131I). In case of isotope entrapment, a curative dose 131I was given. All patients in our series were required to receive thyroid hormone replacement. Four patients died as a result of their disease. Uncontrolled local disease and distant metastases were present at the time of death. Three patients died of unrelated causes. Two-thirds of the patients are still alive (from 1 to 19 years after the treatment).

Facial nerve paralysis is a common otolaryngological diagnosis. Recurrent unilateral peripheral facial palsy is found in about 7 per cent of the cases. Simultaneous bilateral facial palsy is relatively uncommon and occurs in 0.3–2.0 per cent of cases of facial palsy. Recurrent. simultaneous, bilateral, idiopathic facial palsy to the best of our knowledge has never been reported. A case of recurrent, simultaneous, bilateral, idiopathic facial palsy is presented. No evidence of systemic or local disease was found in both attacks of peripheral facial palsies. The association with states of stress is the only common finding between the two attacks.

Four hundred and twenty seven idiopathic peripheral facial palsy (IPFP) patients admitted to the Otolaryngology Department of the Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel between 1978 and 1982 were characterized and analyzed by age, sex and season of illness. An average annual incidence rate of 33.6 patients per 100,000 inhabitans was calculated which is considered to be the highest incidence reported so far, and may be explained by the very high coverage of the "Sick Fund" insurance in the region and by the warm arid climate that prevails in the area. Knowledge of the demographic characteristics of the patients and the population in the catchment area, allowed the calculation of age-specific incidence rates and it was found that this rate increases with age, reaching a peak of 68.2/100,00 in the older age group (greater than 65 years of age). Peak morbidity in young patients (less than 30 years of age) occurs in the winter while elderly patients lack seasonal variability.

Osteoblastic osteitis is a rare kind of bone infection typified by a proliferative reaction of the periosteum and by exuberant bone formation. In the maxillary sinus, it occurs as a consequence of chronic or recurrent sinusitis. It usually manifests with a vague facial discomfort, followed by complications in the deep facial spaces or fossae. The diagnosis is a radiological one. Eradication of this bone infection necessitates removal of the precipitating condition as well as the long-term administration of appropriate anti-biotics. In the case of a deep facial fossae abscess, drainage is mandatory.