Clinical Evaluation of Irradiated, Freeze-Dried Dura Mater Allograft as a Collagen-Based Barrier in Periodontal Osseous Defects

The objective of this study was to clinically evaluate freeze-dried dura mater allograft (FDDMA) provided by the Tata Memorial Hospital Tissue Bank, in various periodontal osseous defects and to observe any unwanted healing pattern or adverse reaction.Eleven systemically healthy patients with one infrabony/furcation defect and at least 6 mm or more loss of attachment at selected sites, were scheduled for surgery. At base-line, patients had a good maintenance regime, minimal gingival inflammation and mobility not more than 1 mm in the buccolingual plane (grade 2). The measurements taken were probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, intrasurgical level of bone and radiographic level of bone. Instead of surgical re-entry, transgingival probing was performed after 12 months of surgery. After debridement the defects were filled with demineralised freeze-dried bone allograft and covered with FDDMA barrier. The results after 12 months were satisfactory (mean gain of attachment 4.33 mm and mean defect fill 3.91 mm). No adverse reaction, infection or delayed wound healing was noted throughout the study.     

Madurella Mycetomatis as an Agent of Brain Abscess: Case Report and Review of Literature

Fungal cerebral abscesses are rare and usually seen in immunocompromised individuals. We report a case and review published literature of Madurella mycetomatis as an agent of cerebral abscess. We found contiguous head and neck infections to be the principal cause of cerebral maduromycosis caused by M. mycetomatis. Early recognition of Madurella spp. as the causative agent is essential to avoid cerebral spread.