Shusaburo Uemura

Preliminary nuclear magnetic resonance studies on human saliva

Of gustatory-stimulated human whole, parotid, submandibular and sublingual saliva only parotid saliva, a serous rather than mucous secretion, presented a relatively well-resolved proton NMR spectrum with satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio in a short time (30 min). The proton signal intensities showed significant circadian rhythms related to the circadian rhythms of protein concentrations in saliva. Age- and sex-associated differences in spectra were not observed for healthy saliva. On the other hand, marked differences in the spectra were observed for patients with suspected sialoadenitis.

Follow-up examination of the temporomandibular joint disk after splint therapy by magnetic resonance imaging--a case report.

A 38-year-old female patient presented with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, bilateral clicking and intermittent locking. The patient was treated with a splint in order to decrease the symptoms and to obtain a proper disk-condyle relationship. The effect of the splint therapy was investigated after one month and after one year and five months using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with splints in place. After treatment for one year and six months, the clicking sound of the right TMJ disappeared, and she became free from locking. With the aid of MRI, it was found that the disk of the right TMJ had changed from an anterior position with reduction to a superior position. In the left TMJ, the disk changed from an anterior position without reduction to an anterior position with reduction. MRI gave important information on the disk position and the efficacy of the splint therapy.

A radiological study on the adaptive changes in the functional temporomandibular Joint

SummaryIt is important for planning the treatment of patients with TMJ dysfunctions to know the location and the distribution of remodeling on the articular surfaces so that the direction of the load may be assessed.The aim of this study is to radiologically clarify the location and the distribution of articular remodeling, in order to investigate the correlation between joint morphology and oral function.The material used in this study was selective lateral tomograms of 110 arthritic patients ranging in age from 12 to 78 years.Three tomograms indicating the lateral, medial and central portion of the condylar heads were selected from 10 simultaneous serial tomograms. The incidence of flattening, concavity and irregularity of articular surfaces was examined on each anterior and posterior surfaces of both condylar heads and articular eminences.Articular remodeling occurred most frequently on the central portion of the condylar heads on the lateral tomograms. A number of flattened surfaces with or without concavity were unexpectedly found on the posterior surfaces of the condylar heads.

Preliminary Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Human Saliva

Summary-Proton NMR spectra of gustatory stimulated healthy human whole, parotid and submandibular and sublingual saliva were measured. The typical patterns of their spectra were obtained. Among these three kinds of fluids the parotid saliva which contains preferentially serous saliva presented a relatively well resolved spectrum with satisfactory signal to noise ratio in a given short time(30min.). For eight subjects of parotid saliva collected in the afternoon the marked increase in signal intensity in the methyl and methylene proton region of proteins(peptides)was observed as compared with those collected in the morning, reflecting the circadian rhythms in the protein concentration in saliva. On the other hand the methyl peak of lactic acid presented the opposite tendency, which might be also correlated with the circadian rhythms of the glucose metabolism of the parotid gland. The proton NMR spectra of three patients suspected of salivary gland disease were different from those of healthy subjects.

What role does a radiogram play in the diagnosis and the treatment of the periapical lesion

The periapical lesion is a common finding in the complete routine dental examination. Many radiograms are taken for the diagnosis and treatment of periapical lesions, while the precise interpretation of each periapical film is difficult because of the variety of their radiographic appearances, all dentists should know the limitations as well as the usefulness of the radiograms. After a short description of the periapical lesions, the advantages and the limitations of the radiograms in the diagnosis and treatment of these lesions will be described and discussed showing some interesting radiograms and experimental studies.

A case of ameloblastoma in anterior maxilla

It has been generally described in English textbooks that the ameloblastoma originates in the mandible in about 80% of the cases, and that nearly 70% of these occur in the molar-ramus area while the remainder arises in the premolar or symphysis region. Most of these textbooks quote a report by Small and Waldron in 1955. I) They indicated the statistical analysis of 1036 ameloblastomas reported in publications. The table in their article shows that the molar area occupies 47% of ameloblastoma occur in the maxilla. However, one should also be aware of the uncertain incidence of this tumor on the anterior maxilla on this table. The exact incidence and the location of the ameloblastoma of the upper jaw has not been clearly shown. In one article, the lesions are found most frequently in the molar area 2-3), while in another ameloblastomas most often locate from the anterior maxilla to the premolar region? ) In addition, the radiographic appearances of this odontogenic tumor in the maxilla are rarely described in detail because these less common lesions occur in the maxilla. In order to make an exact differential diagnosis, it is of great significance for the radiologists to become familiar with and to investigate the radiographic images of this rare lesion, even in the literature. In this report, the radiographic appearances of an ameloblastoma of the anterior maxilla will be reported and discussed.