No abstract

The aim of the present study was to report the 1-year therapeutic outcome of intra-articular injections of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HA) without arthrocentesis in a group of 25 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The results were compared with those of a group of 10 patients with OA of the TMJ, treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Twenty-five patients (group A) underwent a cycle of 5 injections of HA into the TMJ. Ten patients (group B) underwent a therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 1 month. The follow-up assessments after the end of treatment were at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.Regarding the first follow-up (1 month), statistical analysis for all clinical parameters showed no significant differences (ie, beneficial effect for 2 groups) between groups A and B (P > 0.001). Significant statistical differences (ie, encouraging effect for group A) for all clinical parameters were recorded 1 year after the end of treatment between groups A and B (P < 0.001).A cycle of 5 intra-articular injections of HA without arthrocentesis for patients with OA of the TMJ is considered successful at 1-year follow-up period.

Many surgical and nonsurgical methods for the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) hypermobility have been published. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results after autologous blood injection in and around the TMJ for the treatment of habitual luxation. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed as having habitual TMJ luxation and treated with autologous blood injection into the upper joint space and around the joint capsule (group A). A control group of 15 patients with the same diagnosis were subjected to physiotherapy with muscular exercise (group B). Patients in group A were reevaluated 3 months after treatment and those in group B were reevaluated after 3 months of physiotherapy. A statistically significant reduction in maximal mouth opening and TMJ sounds was noted only in group A, whereas the reduction for group B was minimal. These measurements show that intraauricular and periauricular autologous blood injection results in remission of signs and symptoms of TMJ luxation in the short term.

This paper reports the case of a 50-year-old man who underwent superselective embolization after severe posterior rhinorrhagia caused by hypertension. Twelve hours after the procedure, left-sided hemiparesis and right-sided facial nerve paresis developed, followed by ulceration and necrosis of the soft palate, diaphragm, and right nasal ala. Reconstruction was implemented with porous polyethylene for the nasal pyramid, a forehead flap and a mucosal flap from the oral vestibulum for polyethylene coverage, and a rotational palatal flap for closure of the oroantral fistula. Exposure of the material occurred after 4 weeks, and removal was followed by satisfactory maintenance of the shape and function of the nose. Postembolization necrosis is a rare complication of the area, and there are very few similar reports in the literature.

Endoscopy of the maxillary sinus can be applied in a variety of indications. Alone or in combination with conventional surgery, it is a minimally invasive and highly diagnostic tool.