The purpose of this paper is to examine panoramic radiographic features of post-Caldwell-Luc maxillary sinus. A characteristic feature of the post-Caldwell-Luc maxillary sinus on panoramic radiographs is a right-angled triangular shape, due to the absence of a floor of the maxillary sinus, radiopacity of the zygomatic bone, thickening of panoramic innominate line, and flattening of the posterior wall. This triangular shape is comparable to the contracted sinus with thickening posterior walls on CT scans. The CT scans also show contents consisting of low or high density tissue in the contracted sinus. Whereas, in MRI contents show a high signal intensity area in a T1-weighted image and a low signal intensity area in a T2-weighted image. This paper also discusses the history of Caldwell-Luc operation technique. Caldwell-Luc was developed concurrently by George Caldwell in the US and Henri Luc in France in the 1980s. The procedure affords a means of access to infected maxillary sinuses and allows for the inspection, diagnosis, and treatment of maxillary sinus diseases. In a Caldwell-Luc operation, first, the maxillary sinus is opened anteriorly through a gingivobuccal incision positioned in the canine fossa. Next, the primary intrasinus disease may then be treated by evacuation of secretions or by excision of pathologic lesions or mucous membrane. Finally, a nasoantral window is formed.
Some lesions in the maxillary sinus may be adequately detected by panoramic radiography. The present study was designed to evaluate the ability of panoramic radiography in detecting experimental bony defects in the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus by comparison with Waters' projection and CT. Bony defects in the mediosuperior and medioinferior regions of the posterior wall were readily detected by panoramic radiography, but those in the laterosuperior or centre were not. It is concluded that there are limitations to the detection of bony defects in the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus by panoramic radiography alone. It is recommended that this technique should not be used for the detection of small osteolytic lesions in the maxillary sinus.
OBJECTIVE To describe the main features of a prototype panoramic X-ray machine modified for photofluorography. METHODS The prototype PTM 2001 (Asahi Roentgen, Kyoto, Japan) consists of a conventional panoramic machine with a modified X-ray generator and incorporating a 9-inch image intensifier and a photofluorographic camera. RESULTS The photofluorographic panoramic radiograph is reduced in size by 60% compared with conventional images. Using 10 cm x 45.7 m photoradiographic film 250 panoramic images can be continuously obtained. Examination time is shorter since cassette changes are not necessary. The radiation dose-in-air, measured in front of the secondary collimator, is 174 muGy. CONCLUSIONS The advantages of the photofluorographic panoramic radiography include cost economy, shorter examination time and lower radiation exposure.
Because of the need to make dental records from the standpoint of patients, we tried to make a problem oriented dental records (PODR) for the patients with temporomandibular disorders according to the thought of problem oriented system (POS). This PODR is based on the TMD patients protocol made by TMD Team Approach, Kyushu Dental College and referred to the PODR of UCLA Pain Management Center and the PODR of Kyushu Dental College Hospital. This PODR consists of five parts such as data base, problem list, initial plan, progressive note and discharge summary. The data base consisits of seven different sheets such as patient profile, history 1 and 2, examination 1, 2 and 3 and X-ray. Examination sheets include nine items of examination such as posture and facial symmetry, palpation, range of motion, TMJ noise, bite maneuvers, joint play, occlusion, guidance and soft tissue. The X-ray sheet includes four items of findings such as pantomogram, transcranial, orbit-ramus and MR images. The problem list sheet is the record of patients problem list, current medications, concomitant treatment and allergies. The initial plan sheet is the record of assessment (A), diagnostic information required (DxI), plan (P) and patient education (PtEd). The progressive notes sheet is recorded in accordance with the SOAP, and a medication log sheet is added with this sheet. The discharge summary sheet is the record of data base, initial problem list, treatment, current problem list, treatment outcome and summary. We would appreciate readers comments and complete this PODR.
Mass dental examination by means of panoramic radiography has been done. The values of panoramic radiography are well known, but its application for mass dental examination is not popular in Japan. The purpose of this paper is to state the value of panoramic radiography as a system of mass dental examination. Panoramic radiography was performed on 777 senior students at Kyushu Dental College from 1971 to 1976. Lesions observed in panoramic radiograms were classified into 8 types, and individual result was as follows : 1. Six hundred and eighty embedded teeth in 438 students (56.4%) were found and it was the most common lesion of all. 2. Four hundred and ninety-eight radiolucent lesions immediately located to the root apex were identified in 309 students (39.8%). 3. Four hundred and sixty radiopaque lesions immediately located to the root apex were observed in 250 students (32.3%). 4. One hundred and fifty-eight radiopaque lesions located apart from the root apex were seen in 139 students (17.9%). 5. Ninety-five cystic densities in the maxillary sinus were identified in 81 students (10.4%). 6. One hundred and seven retained root tips were identified in 37 students (4.8%). 7. Two radiolucent lesions located apart from the root apex were observed in 2 students (0.2%). 8. Of the 19 lesions classified as miscellaneous, 12 were retained primary teeth, 5 were follicular enlargements and 2 were odontomas. With panoramic radiography as a mass dental examination, a great number of abnormalities were accidently detected in the senior dental students. Panoramic radiography is preferable for quantitative diagnosis, but it seems not so good for qualitative diagnosis.
