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Biomedical subjects

W B Wescott

Publications and source records attributed to W B Wescott.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Eagle's syndrome diagnosed after history of headache, dysphagia, otalgia, and limited neck movement.

All clinicians responsible for diagnosing and treating diseases of the head and neck should be familiar with the possible clinical manifestations of a mineralized stylohyoid or stylomandibular ligament. Many patients with Eagle's syndrome have been misdiagnosed as having neuralgias, TMJ problems, psychosomatic disorders, or other vague, ill-defined diseases of the head and neck. Unfortunately , patients have been treated for these conditions with negative results. Extraction of teeth, especially third molars, has been performed unnecessarily in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms caused by a mineralized stylohyoid or stylomandibular ligament. Patients complaining of vague facial pain (especially when swallowing, turning the head or opening the mouth), dysphagia, otalgia, and headache with dizziness and with radiographic evidence of mineralization in the stylohyoid-stylomandibular ligament complex may have Eagle's syndrome. If digital palpation of the tonsillar fossa on the affected side causes the typical pain that the patient has been experiencing and if the mineralized abnormality can be felt in the fossa, the patient is considered to have the syndrome, and surgical resection of the abnormality should be considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Asymptomatic, nonulcerated swelling of the posterior hard palate.

It is very important for clinicians to understand that nonulcerated, firm, dome-shaped, nonpainful palatal swellings, if not inflammatory in nature, are probably arising in the palatal accessory salivary glands. The differential diagnosis must include benign mixed tumors; adenoid cystic carcinoma, and necrotizing sialometaplasia, which is usually ulcerated. Statistically, the possibility that the lesion is malignant is slightly greater than the possibility that it is benign. Incisional biopsy must be performed on these lesions to determine the proper treatment and management regimen.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗
PubMed1982

Asymptomatic red lesion in anterior floor of mouth: diagnosis and management.

We have presented a case illustrating that an asymptomatic, red lesion in the oral mucosa should be considered a malignant neoplasm, until proved otherwise. A biopsy and microscopic examination of such lesions are necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis. An appropriate method of obtaining a tissue specimen from the floor of the mouth has been described, and the importance of taking a comprehensive clinical history has been reviewed. The value of transmitting this information to the pathologist, who examines the removed tissue, has been stressed. Small, asymptomatic erythroplastic lesions of the oral mucosa that have not resolved or responded to treatment with two weeks should have a biopsy examination.

Aged↗
PubMed1982

Correlation between initial salivary flow rate and radiation dose in the production of xerostomia.

Dose and initial flow rate are two of several factors that influence the outcome of xerostomia when irradiating head and neck tumors. These two parameters were analysed in 11 irradiated patients where most salivary glands were in the radiation field. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected before, during and after the irradiation. The results indicate a statistically significant linear correlation between initial saliva flow rate and the accumulated dose causing irreversible xerostomia. This phenomenon is explained. A diagram is made that could be used (in head and neck tumors where one side could be spared) as a indicator of the maximum dose the salivary glands in the contralateral non-involved side can receive before reaching irreversible dryness.

Head and Neck Neoplasms↗
PubMed1981

Painful, ulcerated lesions of the palate and facial skin.

Herpes zoster is an acute viral infection that principally affects the skin. It occasionally may involve the oral region with patients sometimes initially complaining of toothache. Generalized skin involvement by the disease should alert the clinician to the possibility of an underlying malignancy. Dentists should also be aware that the disease is infectious and can be transmitted, especially to susceptible individuals.

Facial Dermatoses↗
PubMed1981

Recurring, painful oral ulcers.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by painful, recurring ulcerations of the oral mucosa. Except for gingivitis, it is the most common disease affecting the oral mucosa. Approximately 20% of the general population will have this disease at one time or another. Ship and associates indicated that the incidence among professional students was much higher (60% in their study population). As aphthous-like lesions have been associated with several systemic diseases, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Behcet's syndrome, Reiter's syndrome, neutropenias, and allergies, any patient with recurring oral ulcers should be evaluated medically for the possible presence of later development of a more serious systemic disease.

Humans↗
PubMed1981

Asymptomatic nonulcerated swelling of the mandible.

This case emphasizes that radiographic changes, although not diagnostic, can be characteristic and highly suggestive of a disease process especially a benign or malignant tumor. Radiographic changes that suggested the possibility of a malignant process in this case included ill-defined margins of the lesion; bone production within the lesion, especially interdentally at the alveolar crest; widening of the periodontal ligament space around tooth roots within the lesions; and perpendicular bony striae extending outward from the surface of the bone (sun-ray effect). THese changes are not specific for a malignant process: however, when coupled with the clinical history, the probability of malignancy is high. Failure of recognition is considered the greatest problem in malignancy of the oral cavity. Clinicians should consider every abnormal condition as suspicious unless there are valid reasons for ruling out cancer.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1978

Alterations in whole saliva flow rate induced by fractionated radiotherapy.

Sequential changes in flow rate of whole saliva are detailed in 13 patients. Samples were collected without exogneous stimulation during a course of fractionated radiotherapy involving major portions of the salivary glands. Flow rate decreased markedly during the initial 3 treatment days and gradually thereafter until a minimal flow rate was reached. Early in the treatment, variable degrees of recovery were seen on Mondays following a weekend (Friday-Sunday) without treatment. After a minimal flow rate was reached, no such recovery was observed. Radiation needed to produce minimal flow varied from 450 to 4,050 rad. Patients with higher initial flow rates required higher dosages to reach the minimum. No return of secretory function was noted after extended periods of time.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Laboratory effectiveness of different types of fluoride compounds.

The enamel solubility reducing characteristics of four fluorides -- sodium fluoride (NaF), acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF), stannous fluoride (SnF2), and sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2PO3F), each prepared to contain 1.23 per cent F are evaluated. Initial solubility reduction by SnF2, 81.7 per cent was significantly (P less than .01) higher than that of 76.9 per cent provided by APF, however, after repeated exposure to acid etches the protection by APF became significantly (P less than .01) higher than that derived from SnF2. The durability of protection provided by SnF2 after overnight washing, was significantly (P less than .01) higher than that of APF. Results for NaF and MFP were significantly (P less than .01) lower than those of either APF or SnF2 at any point in the experiment.

Apatites↗
PubMed1975

Chemical protection against postirradiation dental caries.

Experience with dental caries in twenty-four patients receiving irradiation for malignant lesions of the head and neck demonstrates the critical importance of cooperation by the patient, a program of strict oral hygiene, and daily self-treatment with 0.4 per cent stannous fluoride gel. The ravaging form of dental caries associated with the postirradiation period can be essentially eliminated in cooperating patients. In nine patients who were uncooperative, fifty-seven crowns were amputated and an additional seventy-five carious surfaces were found 3.75 years after irradiation. In six patients who cooperated and used the gel on a daily basis, no crowns were amputated and only one carious area was found over the same time period.

Dental Caries↗
PubMed1975

Environmental lighting and human salivary gland function.

Three experiments were conducted to (a) determine the effect of light deprivation on submandibular flow, (b) test for accommodation in darkness-induced parotid flow-rate depression, and (c) evaluate the effects of lights of widely varying intensities on parotid flow. Light deprivation decreased submandibular flow rate from 0.146 ml/min to 0.045 ml/min, a decrease of 69%. It is suggested that photic input through the retina provides stimulation to the salivary glands in the human through the superior cervical ganglion in a system similar to that present for the pineal. This implies that the sympathetic nervous system functions in the regulation of a component of the resting flow from both the parotid and submandibular glands. Series of parotid saliva samples collected in darkness did not reveal a pattern suggestive of accommodation to darkness. The effect of darkness on flow is as strong in the first sample as in those collected later under darkness. Reinstitution of light brings immediate restoration of the routine level of unstimulated salivary flow. A light intensity as low as 0.1 fc is sufficient to maintain the usual level of resting parotid flow. Increasing intensity up to 150 fc did not significantly increase this rate of flow.

Accommodation, Ocular↗