Latex Allergy and Sensitization in Cities: A Survey in a Population at Risk

The Efficacy of Four Ways of Administrating Dexamethasone during Surgical Extraction of Partially Impacted Lower Third Molars

Glucocorticoids are drugs noted for their potent anti-inflammatory effect and long lasting half-life. Various studies have been carried out to identify which of these molecules is best for reducing the post-operative sequelae after surgical extraction of the impacted lower third molar. This study examines four different ways of administering dexamethasone after surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars: endoalveolar application, submucous injection, intravenous administration and intramuscular injection, with the aim of identifying which method gives the least discomfort to the patient in regard to reduction of pain, edema and post-operative lock-jaw. Results show that a greater reduction of the post-operative sequelae was obtained in the group of patients treated with dexamethasone intravenously. Satisfying results were also obtained in the group treated with a topical administration of dexamethasone in powder form and in the group which was given dexamethasone through an intramuscular injection. These last two groups had similar results. Instead, the results obtained in the group that received dexamethasone through local submucous injection were not satisfactory.

Lymphocyte Differentiation in the Nasal Mucosa

Few cytological studies have investigated the morphologic changes occurring during lymphocyte differentiation in the nose. The aim of the study is to investigate lymphocyte and plasma cell morphology in patients with allergic rhinitis. Nasal cytology was performed in 110 patients (61 men, 49 women) of ages ranging from 12 to 47 years (mean age, 27), 72 of whom were affected by pollen allergic rhinitis (32 allergic to olive, 21 to Parietaria, 13 to grasses, and 6 to cypress) and 38 by perennial allergic rhinitis (allergy to house dust mites). Cytological samples were obtained by scraping with Rhino-Probe™. The samples were collected from the inferior middle turbinate. After fixing and drying, the samples were stained and counted. Cells belonging to the lymphocyte-plasma cell lineage were analyzed. Within this population, 5 different cellular types were identified displaying particular morphologic features of the nucleus and the cytoplasm. These morphological variants constitute various functional stages of B lymphocytes. In allergic inflammation, antigen stimulation induces B lymphocytes to differentiate and become plasma cells. The findings from this strictly morphological study will need to be confirmed by immunohistochemical and immunophenotypic studies.