ABSTRACT-A group of 30 operative cases (32 sides) with TMJ disturbanc syndrome was included in the present study. The authors carried out a comparative study between radiographic, pathological and operative observations for these cases. Based on this study, we are confident that the nature of the organic destructive stage of the TMJ disturbance syndrome is essentially a secondary degenerative arthrosis, and that those cases showing transient PDS are probably functional and reversible; however. the indolent and deferred cases with internal derangement of TMJ actually belong to earlier manifestations of degenerative arthrosis.

Digital subtraction arthrography and arthrofluoroscpie dynamic observation were performed for seventy cases with TMJ dysfunction syndrome. A comparative study between the findings of digitsl subtraction arthrography and the operative findings was carried out for eleven cases who underwent surgery. It has been found that digital subtraction arthrograpfiy can overcome the disadvantages of conventional arthrography and has important diagnostic value for TMJ dysfunction syndrome, espe-cinlly for disc perforation, In addition, the procedure of digital subtraction arthrography, the normal and abnormal manifestations of digital subtraction arthrograms were described in the present study.

diagnosing pathological changes in intra-articular soft tissues, especially in the disc. Forty-five of these cases (45荡joints) were re-examined after a period of three months to five years During this time these cases had either received symptomatic treatment only or no treatment at all. The following observations were made at the follow-up examination: Cases with internal derangement of the TMJ showed various changes with time. Joints with antedor displacement of the disc. especially antenor desplace-merit with no reduction, in many cases developed communication between the supenor and interior joint cavities Some cases with no bony changes developed obvious degenerative changes while some cases with bony changes either became more serious or got beftter Either of the radiographic manifestations of bony changes in the condyle or communication between the superior and inferior joint cavities could occur first In some cases with communication between the superior and inferior cavities initially, bony plate of the condyle remained unaltered for months or even years

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. To investigate the use of ethylcellulose microspheres as long-term and peripheral emboli for percutaneous maxillofacial arterial embolization. METHODS. Eight mongrel dogs were selected randomly for internal maxillary artery embolization with ethylcellulose microspheres. After embolization, angiographic, microangiographic, and histologic examinations were performed. RESULTS. Ethylcellulose microspheres were trapped in the peripheralarterioles from 24 hours to 6 months after embolization. Dcgenerative changes of maxilla, mandible, and dental pulp occurred after the embolization of the internal maxillary artery with the microspheres. No evidence of whole of focal necrosis of the bones and surrounding soft tissues was found between 24 hours and 6 months after embolization. CONCLUSION. Ethylcellulose microspheres can be used as an alternative long-term and peripheral embolic agent, with potential for percutaneous maxillofacial arterial embolization.

Purpose: To compare chemoembolization with conventional chemotheral chemotherapy and explore the possibility of chemoemmbolization in the oral and maxillofacial region using encased-anticancer-drug microspheres. METHOD: Six mongrel dogs were divided into two equal groups, an experi-mental group undergoing maxillofacial arteriaal chemoembolization with cisplatin encased in eth-yicellulose microspheres, and a control group undergoing the cnventional chmotherapy with cispllatin. The peripheral venous cisplatin concentration and the cisplatin concentration at the local tissue were determined. RESULT: The experiment showed a significant difference in the peripheral venous cisplatin concentration between the two groups and between the time period. There was also a significant interaction between groups and teme, The peak concentration in the experimental group appeared 12 to 24 hours after chemoembolization, The peak concentration in the control group appeared immediately after the anticancer drug was jnfused. Ther was a significant differencde in the concentration in the local tissue between the two groups, when all time periods were aggregated. CONCLUSION: Compared with conventionaal chemotherapy, the maxillofacial arteroal chemoernbolization with cisplatin encased in ethylcellulose microspheres significantly decreses the cisplatin concentration in the peripheral venous circulation and increases the concentration in tthe local tissues, allowing for the possibility of target cancer therapy.

Objective. To investigate the vascular structure of different malignant tumours of the mandible. Methods. Specimen arteriography was performed on seven cases of squamous cell carcinorma of gingiva and four sarcomas. Results. Maliganant tumours could be divided into two groups: (1) the hypervascular sarcomas in in which the aarteries were dilated, distributed evenly and arranged in a buslike pattern; and (2) hypovascular squamous cell carcinoma with scanty arteries distributed unevenly without dilatation; in some areas, the shape of arteries was irregular and arranged in a network pattern. Conclusions. T he variation in vascular structure of malignant tumours of the mandible may be related to the outcme ofregional chemotherapy. Copyright

Purpose: This study, was undertaken to examine the presence of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-lra), IL-IO, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the synovial fluid (SF) lavage specimens of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) Patients and Methods: Synovial fluid lavage specimens were obtained from 14 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of 12 patients with TMJ intermal derngement (ID) and 17 TMJs of 15 patients with TMJ osteoarthritis (OA). Seven synovial fluid lavage samples of TMJs of four asymptomatic donors served as normal controls. The concentrations of IL-lra, IL-10, and TGF-β1 were detected with sensitive and specific sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (sandwich-ELISA). Results: IL-Lra, IL-10, and TGF-β1 in all the normal controls were undetecrtable. IL-lra concentrations were 175.78±52.43pg/mL in the patients with TMJ ID and 187.85±59.51pg/mL in those with TMJ OA IL-10 was undetectable in all the TMJ ID and OA samples. The concentration of TGF-β1 in TMJ ID patients (47.93±88.25pg/mL) was significantly less than in patients with TMJ OA (143.61±108.O0pg/mL) (P<01) Conclusion: The results suggest that deficiencies of IL-lra, H-10, and TGF β1 probably play an important role in the cause and pathogenesis of TMJ ID and OA.

Objective To investigate the effects in vitro of 17 β-estradiol (E2) on the proliferation and metabolism otrabbit mandibular condylar cartilage cells Methods Chondrocytes were derived from neonatal rabbit mandibular condylar cartilage using a modified enzyme method 17 β-estradiol was added to the culture medium in a variety of concentrations Cell growth and DNA, collagent and proteoglycan synthesis were used as indicatms of pregferation and differentiation of condylar chondrocytes. These were measured by cell number. H-proline and S-incorporation. respectively Results E2 increased cell number and H-thymidine incorporation at 10mol/L, and 10 0.10mol/L in a dose-dependent manner. peaking at 10mol/L and 10mol/L. respectively However, further lncrease in the concentration of estradiof caused inhibition of both cell number and H-thymidine incorporation, and this was significant at 10mol/L The effect of E2 on proteglycan synthesiswas similar; the maximum stimulating effect was at 10mol/L. and inhibition was significant at 10mol/L There was no obvious stimutatory effect of E2 on H-tbymidne incorporation observed Conclusions Estradiol affects condylar chondrocyte cell growth, DNA and proteoglycan synthesis in a biphasic manner depending on its concentration. This indicates that estrogen may be important in the probferalion and differentiation of mandibular condylar chondrocytes, and could be relevant to some aspects of certain tempormandibular joint diseases by madulating the function of the chondrocytesv