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Elimination Of Pain Improves Specificity Of Clinical Diagnostic Criteria For Adult Chronic Rhinosinusitis, Scott D. Hirsch, Evan R. Reiter, Laurence J. Dinardo, Wen Wan, Theodore A. Schuman

Otolaryngology Publications

Objective

Determine whether the elimination of pain improves accuracy of clinical diagnostic criteria for adult chronic rhinosinusitis.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

History, symptoms, nasal endoscopy, and computed tomography (CT) results were analyzed for 1,186 adults referred to an academic otolaryngology clinic with presumptive diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. Clinical diagnosis was rendered using the 1997 Rhinosinusitis Taskforce (RSTF) Guidelines and a modified version eliminating facial pain, ear pain, dental pain, and headache.

Results

Four hundred seventy-nine subjects (40%) met inclusion criteria. Among subjects positive by RSTF guidelines, 45% lacked objective evidence of sinonasal inflammation by CT, 48% by endoscopy, …

Variation In Periodontal Diagnosis And Treatment Planning Among Clinical Instructors, Sharon K. Lanning, Scott D. Pelok, Brent C. Willians, Philip S. Richards, David P. Sarment, Tae-Ju Oh, Laurie K. Mccauley

Periodontics Publications

Consistency in clinical decision making may be necessary for reliable assessment of student performance and teaching effectiveness, yet little has been done to examine variation in periodontal diagnosis and treatment planning among dental school faculty. The purpose of this investigation was to examine variation among faculty in diagnosis and management of common periodontal diseases. Twenty-seven clinical instructors (periodontists, general dentists, dental hygienists, and first- and second-year periodontal graduate students) reviewed three web-based cases and answered a brief questionnaire focusing on radiographic interpretation, periodontal diagnosis, and treatment planning. Response rates for the three cases ranged from 62 percent to 70 percent. …