Robert R. Rhyne

Mineralization of the stylohyoid-stylomandibular ligament complex. A radiographic incidence study.

In this Veterans Administration-based study, 1,771 oral panoramic radiographs were reviewed to detect abnormalities in the styloid process, stylohyoid-stylomandibular ligament complex. Three hundred twenty-three (18.2 percent) of the radiographs revealed mineralization in these areas which varied from an apparent elongation of the styloid process to extensive involvement of the entire ligament complex with segmentation, nodularity, and the development of jointlike structures. Mineralization was unilateral in 12.4 percent of patients and was observed more commonly in patients 50 to 59 years of age. No relationship could be established between the extent of mineralization and increasing patient age. This study suggests that mineralization of the stylohyoid complex is not uncommon and probably only rarely causes symptoms.

Synovial chondromatosis of temporomandibular joint: Report of a case

Abstract A single case of synovial chondromatosis has been presented. The disease entity is rare, when all articulating joints are considered, but the involvement of the temporomandibular joint is practically nonexistent. Although synovial chondromatosis is a benign process, the bizarre morphologic appearance of the tissue cells presents a difficult diagnostic problem in distinguishing between chondromatosis and chondrosarcoma. Management of the patient is, indeed, less dramatic and traumatic in the case of chondromatosis than when an erroneous diagnosis of chondrosarcoma is made. It is essential that radiologic, histologic, and clinical expressions be considered before a final diagnosis is made and surgical treatment is instigated.

Hospital dental services.

consultant advice and treatment for cases of special difficulty referred to hospitals by general dental and medical practitioners, or for patients admitted to hospital as a result of trauma or disease dental care, including comprehensive treatment, of long-stay hospital in-patients dental care of short-stay patients when this is required for pain relief or other emergency, or as part of, or in support of their general treatment the treatment of certain out-patients, where there are medical considerations which make it desirable for the treatment to be carried out in a hospital