Historically, German chamomile (GC) oil has been used for treatment of skin disorders. BALB/c mice were sensitized twice a week with 100 microL of 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and challenged twice the following week with 100 microliter of 0.2% DNCB for atopic dermatitis induction. Thereafter, 3% GC oil was applied daily (70 microliter, 6 times week) on the dorsal skin for 4 weeks. Saline or jojoba oil was used for the control mice. Blood was collected after second DNCB challenge, and at 2 and 4 weeks after initiating oil application. Serum IgE levels were significantly lowered in the GC oil application group at the end of the 4-week application period. The GC oil application for 4 weeks resulted in reduction in serum IgG1 level compared with that after 2-week application. The GC oil application group showed a significantly lower serum histamine level than the control group 2 weeks after oil application. Scratching frequency of the GC oil application group was significantly lower than either control groups. This study is to demonstrate GC oil's immunoregulatory potential for alleviating atopic dermatitis through influencing of Th2 cell activation.
Animals ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects ; Chamomile/*immunology ; Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy/*immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Histamine/blood ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Interleukin-4/analysis ; Male ; Matricaria/*immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phytotherapy/*methods ; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms ; Th2 Cells/*immunology

PURPOSE: This study was performed to examine the effects of image filter on observer performance by counting the number of holes at each wedge step on a radiographic image. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An aluminum step wedge with 11 steps ranged in thickness from 1.5 mm to 16.5 mm in 1.5 mm increments was fabricated for this study. Each step had 10 notched holes with 1.0 mm diameter on the bottom of the step wedge which were ranged in depths from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm in 0.1 mm increments. Digital radiographic raw images of the aluminum step wedge were acquired by using CCD intraoral sensor. The images were processed using several types of noise reduction filters and kernel sizes. Three observers counted the number of holes which could be discriminated on each step. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS: The number of holes at each step was decreased as the thickness of step was increased. The number of holes at each step on the raw images was significantly higher than that on the processed images. The number of holes was different according to the types and kernel sizes of the image filters. CONCLUSION: The types and kernel sizes of image filters on observer performance were important, therefore, they should be standardized for commercial digital imaging systems.
Aluminum ; Noise ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Radiography, Dental ; Task Performance and Analysis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to calculate the size and CT number of both normal parotid and submandibular gland, and evaluate its relation to sex, age and obesity using computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The computed tomography was performed parallel to the Frankfurt plane in 46 subjects with healthy salivary gland. The subjects were divided into the three groups(young, middle, old) according to their ages. The size of salivary gland was determined as maximum cross-sectional area and the CT number of salivary gland was determined as the mean CT number of three ROI's. The body mass index was calculated from weight and height. RESULTS: The mean maximum cross-sectional area was 7.79(+/-1.26) cm2 on parotid gland and 4.12(+/-0.83) cm2 on submandibular gland. The mean CT number was -4.43(+/-23.87) HU on parotid gland and 50.01(+/-15.63) HU on submandibular gland. There were decreasing pattern of the maximum cross-sectional area of submandibular gland and the CT number of both parotid and submandibular gland according to age(p<0.05). As the body mass index increased, the maximum cross-sectional area of parotid gland increased and CT number of both parotid and submandibular gland decreased(p<0.05). The maximum cross-sectional area of submandibular gland in male was larger than that in female(p<0.05). As the maximum cross-sectional area and CT number of left salivary gland increased, those of right gland increased(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Intra-individual differences in salivary gland size and CT number is considered in the age and individual obesity.
Aging ; Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Parotid Gland ; Salivary Glands* ; Submandibular Gland

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a system for the measurement and simulation of the TMJ movement and to analyze the mandibular movement quantitatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We devised patient-specific splints and a registration body for the TMJ movement tracking. The mandibular movements of the 12 subjects with facial deformity and 3 controls were obtained by using an optical tracking system and the patient-specific splints. The mandibular part was manually segmented from the CT volume data of a patient. Three-dimensional surface models of the maxilla and the mandible were constructed using the segmented data. The continuous movement of the mandible with respect to the maxilla could be simulated by applying the recorded positions sequentially. Trajectories of the selected reference points were calculated during simulation and analyzed. RESULTS: The selected points were the most superior point of bilateral condyle, lower incisor point, and pogonion. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between control group and pre-surgical group in the maximum displacement of left superior condyle, lower incisor, and pogonion in vertical direction. Differences in the maximum lengths of the right and the left condyle were 0.59+/-0.30 mm in pre-surgical group and 2.69+/-2.63 mm in control group, which showed a significant difference (P<0.005). The maximum of differences between lengths of the right and the left calculated during one cycle also showed a significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Significant differences in mandibular movements between the groups implies that facial deformity have an effect on the movement asymmetry of the mandible.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Humans ; Incisor ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Splints ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Track and Field

A 66-year-old man visited author's institute complaining of the swelling on the submandibular gland area. Clinically, the exophytic mass penetrated the skin of the submandibular area. On MRI, the lesion occupied the left submandibular space and extended downward, protruding exterior to the subcutaneous fat layer, but the center of the lesion was located on the side of the skin and the growth exterior to the skin was prominent. Demarcation of the lesion and the submandibular gland was unclear. Histopathologically the epithelial nests and keratin production were seen, then the biopsy result was squamous cell carcinoma. The stroma of lesion showed a myxoid characteristic and some ducts showed metaplasia of the ductal cells, which suggested the gland-origin carcinoma. However, lots of keratin production and carcinomatous change of cells continuous to the normal epithelium of the skin, the skin-origin carcinoma invading into the submandibular gland area could not be excluded.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Metaplasia ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Submandibular Gland

A 66-year-old man visited author's institute complaining of the swelling on the submandibular gland area. Clinically, the exophytic mass penetrated the skin of the submandibular area. On MRI, the lesion occupied the left submandibular space and extended downward, protruding exterior to the subcutaneous fat layer, but the center of the lesion was located on the side of the skin and the growth exterior to the skin was prominent. Demarcation of the lesion and the submandibular gland was unclear. Histopathologically the epithelial nests and keratin production were seen, then the biopsy result was squamous cell carcinoma. The stroma of lesion showed a myxoid characteristic and some ducts showed metaplasia of the ductal cells, which suggested the gland-origin carcinoma. However, lots of keratin production and carcinomatous change of cells continuous to the normal epithelium of the skin, the skin-origin carcinoma invading into the submandibular gland area could not be excluded.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Metaplasia ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Submandibular Gland

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), which belongs to the Ewing's sarcoma (ES) family of tumors, is mainly seen in children and young adults. PNETs are extremely rare in the maxilla. Here, we report a case of PNET of the left maxillary sinus in an elderly male. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a slightly enhanced solid mass occupying the left maxillary sinus and infiltrating into the retroantral space. A partial maxillectomy was performed. Despite postoperative chemotherapy, follow-up computed tomography (CT) and MRI revealed a nodal metastasis in the submandibular space. Neck dissection was performed. However, the patient died 10 months after the second surgery because of distant metastasis to the liver. MRI and CT were particularly useful in detecting the extent of the tumor, recurrence, and metastasis. Further, a literature review of the previously reported PNET cases of the maxilla was carried out. In this paper, we also discuss the current approach for the diagnosis and management of these tumors.
Aged* ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Maxilla ; Maxillary Sinus* ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive* ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma, Ewing ; Young Adult

Leiomyosarcoma is extremely rare in the oral cavity and especially in the mandible. At first, the case of this report was diagnosed as odontogenic fibroma but after approximately 3.5 years, it was diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma. Conventional radiograph of the first time showed an ill-defined radiolucent lesion in the mandible. After local recurrence, CT images showed a large irregular soft tissue mass with some necrotic areas. These findings were not specific for leiomyosarcoma, but they suggested that this lesion was a recurrent soft tissue sarcoma. Histopathological examinations using H & E staining, immunohistochemical staining and Masson's trichrome staining confirmed this case as leiomyosarcoma. Deciding its malignany or benignancy, defining the tumor extent and its relationship to the surrounding anatomic structures, and evaluating the distant metastasis are more important role of radiographic examination than finding out the name of disease.
Fibroma ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Mandible* ; Mouth ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas in late adult life, but its incidence in oral and maxillofacial region is extremely rare. We report a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma which occurred in the infratemporal fossa. Conventional radiograph of this case showed an ill-defined radiolucent lesion in the alveolar bone of the right maxillary first molar area, the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus, and the ascending ramus of mandible. MRI demonstrated well defined mass of intermediate signal intensitiy in T1 weighted images but T2 weighted images showed two distinctive regions of different characteristics. Infratemporal portion of the lesion was of hyperintense signal but under that region, the signal intensity decreased clearly, which might mean this case composed of two different subtypes, though it couldn't be confirmed by histopathological examination. Biopsy was taken in the only soft tissue of the maxillary posterior alveolar region and confirmed the lesion as the storiform-pleomorphic type of malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Histopathological subtype was well consistent with the relatively aggressive imaging findings of that region. We expect more detailed analysis of the nature of malignant fibrous histiocytoma with improvement of the imaging modality and the identification of the relationship between diagnostic imaging and histopathologic findings.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mandible ; Maxillary Sinus ; Molar ; Sarcoma

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical and radiological features of peripheral osteoma of the mandible (POM) in a Korean population and to compare with previous reports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen cases of POM found in 15 Korean patients who visited Seoul National University Dental Hospital between 1980 and 1998 were reviewed to determine their clinical and radiological features. RESULTS: The 15 patients, five males and ten females, ranged in age from 22 to 69 years, with a mean age of 40.7 years. Six POMs were located on the buccal side of the mandibular body and five on the lingual aspect of the mandibular body and five on the lower border of the mandible. The duration of the lesion ranged between 1 and 10 years. The size of the lesions, in their great diameter, ranged from 6 mm to 26 mm, with a mean of 14.1 mm. Six POMs were pedunculated, nine sessile, and one bell-shaped. Eleven POMs were compact types and five were cancellous ones. CONCLUSION: The clinical and radiological features of these Korean series were broadly consistent with those of non-Korean populations reported previously. The principal difference was that all POMs under 35 year-old age were compact types.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible* ; Osteoma* ; Seoul