Angiogenin expression in head and neck basaloid and conventional squamous cell carcinoma: a site- and stage-matched comparison.

BACKGROUND: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Angiogenin (ANG), a member of the ribonuclease super-family, is essential to tumor angiogenesis, but has also been implicated in tumor consolidation and proliferation. METHODS: ANG expression was first investigated in 12 head and neck basaloid squamous cell carcinomas (HNBSCCs) and compared with a control group of 24 site- and stage-matched conventional SCCs to establish whether the supposedly more aggressive biological behavior of HNBSCCs might be ANG-related. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between HNBSCCs, and SCCs in terms of recurrence, disease-free survival (DFS), or overall survival rates. In HNBSCC, we identified a trend toward a significant inverse correlation between endothelial ANG expression and DFS (statistical trend, P = 0.08). Endothelial ANG expression did not differ significantly in HNBSCCs and SCCs. A high ANG expression in carcinoma cells was directly associated with pT in both the HNBSCC (P = 0.04) and the SCC (statistical trend, P = 0.07) groups. ANG expression in carcinoma cells was significantly lower in HNBSCCs than in SCCs (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: All the biological mechanisms investigated to date, including ANG-mediated angiogenesis or cell proliferation, have failed to confirm that HNBSCCs have a more aggressive behavior than matched SCC.

Immediate fixed rehabilitation of severe maxillary atrophies using trans-sinus tilted implants with or without sinus bone grafting: One-year results from a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To compare the clinical outcomes between tilted trans-sinus implants inserted without simultaneous bone grafting versus sinus elevation procedures with bone grafting to support immediately loaded prostheses for the rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two subjects were selected to receive an immediately loaded fixed restoration supported by four or six implants and randomised to receive at least one trans-sinus implant without simultaneous bone grafting (group 1, n = 16) or at least one trans-sinus implant with sinus elevation procedures and bone grafting (group 2, n = 16). Primary outcomes were prosthesis and implant failures. Secondary outcomes were complications and peri-implant marginal bone level changes. RESULTS: Forty-one trans-sinus implants (23 trans-sinus implants without simultaneous bone-grafting and 18 trans-sinus implants with sinus elevation procedures), 23 conventional tilted implants and 84 axial implants were inserted. No drop-outs occurred. At 1 year after loading no prosthesis was lost. One patient treated with sinus graft lost one implant (0.0% vs. 6.3%, difference 6.3%; 95% CI: -4.7 to 17.3; P = 0.99). There were no statistically significant differences in implant failures between the two groups. Complications occurred in eight patients in the group without bone grafting and in nine patients in the group with sinus elevation and bone augmentation. No statistically significant differences were found in complications (50.0% vs. 56.3%, difference 6.3%; 95% CI: -12.7 to 25.3; P = 0.99), and in peri-implant marginal bone level changes (difference 0.05 mm; 95% CI: -0.24 to 0.34; P = 0.604). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no statistically significant differences were observed between subjects treated with tilted trans-sinus implants without simultaneous bone-grafting or with sinus elevation procedures supporting cross-arch immediately loaded fixed prostheses in atrophic maxillae. Longer follow-ups are needed and alternative procedures such us short implants or crestal sinus elevation procedures should be compared since they could be less invasive.

Short Dental Implants (6 mm) Versus Standard Dental Implants (10 mm) Supporting Single Crowns in the Posterior Maxilla and/or Mandible: 2-Year Results from a Prospective Cohort Comparative Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of present study was to compare short (6 mm) with longer implants with the same surface use in the posterior maxilla and/or mandible. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 110 implants of 6 or 10 mm in length were placed with an internal hex (n = 60) and with a conical connection (n = 50) but the same material, surface and design, supporting single crowns in the posterior maxilla and/or mandible. Outcomes measured were implant survival and marginal bone level changes up to 24 months after loading. RESULTS: Final group consisted of 105 implants: 6 mm (n = 58) and 10 mm (n = 47). Success rate after 24 months was similar between treatment groups (98.3% vs. 100%; P = 0.361). Failure rates of the short implants in mandible (1/18, 5.6%) and in maxilla (0/40, 0%) were also not significantly different (P = 0.133). Success rate after 2 years was similar between internal hex vs. conical connection implants (100% vs. 97.7%; P = 0.233). Subjects lost statistically significant marginal peri-implant bone in both groups, but without differences (6 mm group: 0.38 mm [95% CI = 0.09 to 0.67] vs. 10 mm group: 0.43 mm [95% CI = 0.15 to 0.61]; P = 0.465 at 24 months), in relation also to type of implant (internal hex vs. conical, P = 0.428 at 24 months) or operator (P = 0.875 at 24 months). CONCLUSIONS: Short implants may be successful in the posterior areas during the first 24 months of loading, with similar outcomes to 10 mm long implants, supporting their use as a valid option in selected cases. However, larger and longer follow-ups of 5 years or more are needed.