Jack Budowsky

Reactions following the use of terramycin troches: A controlled study

T HERE is apparent from the literature an increasing awareness of the local and general side effects observed during topical and systemic antibacterial therapy.l-I2 Kutscher has reviewed the literature in detail concerning t,he oral reactions to antibiotic and sulfonamide therapy.l” Reports on systemic terramycin therapy indicate that its administration is accompanied by reactions of varyin g types and severity associated chiefly with the oropharyngeal region and the gastrointestinal tract.3, 14, I59 I6 However, considering the severity of the diseases under treatment and their response to systemic terramycin, the reported reactions have not usually been of sufficient importance to be considered a detriment to therapy. The topical application of terramycin in troches introduces the factor of prolonged contact of the drug with the oral mucosa. The side actions thus encountered should be weighed against the severity of t,he oral infection which requires specific treatment with topical terramycin. This study was undertaken to : (1) study and evaluate the reactions resulting from oral terramycin troche therapy; (2) attempt treatment of the reactions resulting from terramycin troche medication, the therapy to be based upon the possible causes of the reactions’” ; (3) inquire into the possibility of chemotherapeutic prophylaxis against such reactions ; and (4) determine the occurrence of systemic sensitization from topical terramycin medication.

Comparative clinical evaluation of radiographs exposed with films of different emulsion speed

Abstract In order to investigate the effect of the use of faster emulsion speed x-ray film on radiograph quality (a study directed ultimately at decreasing the exposure of the patient and/or operator to x-radition), individual and comparative evaluations of the quality of x-ray images resulting from the exposure of the same areas of the mouth using x-ray film of three different emulsion speeds were made. One film of each of four different areas in the mouth was exposed with each of the three x-ray films (DuPont standard slow, S-1, moderately fast, D-1, and very fast, “Lightning Fast”) in each of thirty-five patients. All films were processed under conditions standard for all three films. Blind study and evaluation of the resulting roentgenograms revealed that, in terms of both individual excellence and comparative performance, use of both the moderately fast and slow standard speed films was found to result in roentgenograms superior to the very fast films in a greater percentage of instances. There was relatively little to choose in terms of over-all clarity, variations in density, and visibility of detail between the moderately fast and slow speed standard films. However, many films exposed with the very fast x-ray film were judged excellent and many were judged to be best in performance when compared with the two slower films. This suggests that it is possible to obtain radiographs of the highest quality using the very fast speed film and indicates that further study of some of the critical factors in exposure time, target-film distance, and processing may result in a technique productive of very fast films of uniformly highgrade excellence. Although at present the routine use of very fast film with the short-cone technique is not indicated on the basis of this investigation, increased study of the use and performance of x-ray films with faster emulsion speeds seems highly desirable. Since the exposure of the slow and the moderately fast speed films was found productive of relatively equally excellent films, in terms of both individual quality and comparative performance, increased use of the moderately fast speed film is definitely indicated, due to decreased radiation exposure of the patient and the operator. Where maximum excellence of films is essential, as in the study of difficult to diagnose lesions or when magnification of radiographs is anticipated, the use of the standard slow speed film is still indicated.

Intensification of intraoral roentgenograms by toning

Abstract In order to evaluate the effectiveness of a toning solution for the intensification of roentgenograms, three roentgenograms in duplicate were taken for each of twenty areas of the mouth (in twenty patients). These films were exposed, developed, and intensified according to various experimental and normal specifications. Evaluation of these films by a panel from the Department of Stomatology suggested that, under various conditions in which it may be impossible to obtain other than an underdeveloped or underexposed radiograph, the subsequent use of a toner intensifier is indicated to improve the quality of the available films. In many instances, the image produced will be superior to that in the unintensified state. The intensification process, an inexpensive, readily available, simply performed procedure, is carried out in room light and hence the roentgenogram may be toned to exactly the desired density and contrast. The technique may also prove to be of value in restoring age-faded roentgenograms and as a new specific differential diagnostic aid for hard-tissue lesions. Consideration should be given particularly to the use of such an intensifier to permit decreased exposure times of standard x-ray films in order to minimize both operator and patient exposure to radiation.