Relationships between mandibular symphysis morphology and lower incisor inclination in skeletal class III malocclusion requiring orthognathic surgery

The purpose of this study is to clarify symphysis morphological characteristics in skeletal class III malocclusion requiring orthognathic surgery and their relationships with symphysis morphology and inclination of the long axis of the lower incisor. The materials were pretreatment lateral cephalometric radiographs from 50 subjects diagnosed as requiring orthognathic surgery. Controls were 30 adults with normal occlusion and well-balanced faces. Detailed cephalometric measurements on the mandibular symphysis (angular, linear and proportional measurements) were recorded and analyzed statistically. In the surgical group, the long axis of the lower incisor demonstrated a significant lingual inclination in relation to the mandibular plane and symphysis. Moreover, because the symphysis demonstrated lingual inclination everywhere except in the basal bone region in relation to the mandibular plane, the curvature between the alveolar and the basal bone region was significantly smaller than that of normal occlusion group. The symphysis labial external surface in the alveolar and basal bone regions demonstrated lingual inclination in relation to the mandibular plane, however, there was no difference in curvature. Small mean values were obtained for Pt.B width, Pog width, and Sym height. Significant differences were observed only in Pt.B width. In both the surgical and normal occlusion groups, a significant correlation was observed between the inclination of the long axis of the lower incisors and symphysis inclination. In the basal bone region, however, there was no significant correlation.

A study of the growth changes in the maxillofacial skeleton of females with reversed occlusion: investigation by means of lateral x-ray cephalogram

321 females with reversed occlusion from the ages of 6 to 20 were classified into 15 groups according to chronological age, and the changes of maxillofacial skeleton accompanying growth were investigated. Lateral cephalometric roentgenogram before treatment of the subjects were used for analyses and measurements of maxillofacial skeleton and overjet. The cephalometric analysis was standardized on the S-N plane, and 5 angular items and 6 linear distances were examined. The results of the investigation are summarized as follows: (1) angle ANB, the relationship between the upper and lower jaws, deteriorated to a minus degree from the age of 9 and became -3.3 degrees at the age of 14. Skeletal convexity became negative from the same age and was -7.3 degrees at the age of 14. Thus, the abnormal skeletal features progressed in this condition. (2) The Ar-Gn distance measurement gradually increased from the age of 6 to 18. The increase was 16.2 mm from 7 to 12, an increase of 3.2 mm yearly. (3) A high correlation (r = 0.99) was observed between angle ANB and Convexity. As well, a high coefficient of correlation (r = 0.87) was observed between skeletal convexity and soft tissue convexity. The change in soft tissue convexity may occur 3-4 years later than that of skeletal convexity. (4) The growth curve of Ar-Gn became a logistic curve with the point of deflection at the age of 10.87. The growth curves of S-Gn and N-Me became logistic curves in the same way.

[Administration of oral etoposide for one year as adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer-side effect]

The possibility of using etoposide 25 mg daily as adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer was discussed. Initially, 73 patients who had undergone resection participated in this trial; 49 of them were eligible, 24 including a patient over 70 years of age (8) took the drug for 1 year, 22 patients resigned from the study due to side effects, and a further 3 patients died during the trial. The main side effects observed were gastro-intestinal trouble (13) and pneumonia (4). The side effects of this drug appeared early in the treatment phase. During the first month of treatment, 9 patients discontinued the drug due to side effects, and 10 more did so within 4 months. To achieve optimal conditions for the trial study of low-dose etoposide it was found important to select patients under 70 years of age and to control side effects of the drug on the gastro-intestinal tract from the beginning.

The effectiveness of medroxyprogesterone in the treatment of multiple metastasizing leiomyosarcomas: report of a case

A 51-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for further investigation of chest X-ray films which showed multiple shadows that had been growing slowly over 2 years. Her only symptom was hemosputa. The lesions were suspected of being metastasizing leiomyoma due to her past history of uterine leiomyoma. Just 1 week before undergoing scheduled open lung biopsy, the lung lesions increased remarkably in size and number. A thoracotomy was performed and six of the numerous nodules were removed. The resected specimens were pathologically diagnosed as metastasizing leimyosarcoma which was positive for the progesterone and estrogen receptors. Thus, 1 month postoperatively, a course of medroxyprogesterone (MPA), 600 mg daily, was commenced. The residual lesions in her chest started to diminish, shortly afterward. She has remained well on this MPA regimen for 45 months. The prognosis of patients with metastasizing leiomyosarcoma is poor because of its low sensitivity to chemotherapy; however, some types of leiomyosarcoma are hormone-sensitive. It is therefore important to examine the hormone receptors of excised tumors from patients suspected of having metastasizing leiomyoma or leimyosarcoma.