Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Clinico-pathological features in relation to Tumor Stage; AJCC 2018 perspective.

Objective: To investigate the association between clinicopathological findings and tumor stage according to AJCC 2018 guidelines in patients suffering from Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: A descriptive study was conducted from January 2019 to January 2020 at King Edward Medical University and University of Health Sciences on a total of 49 patients enrolled after obtaining written informed consent. Clinical and radiographic findings were recorded. Pathological reporting was done using AJCC 2018 cancer staging guidelines. Association between clinicopathological features with tumor stage and grade was assessed using Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis test. Result: Mean age of the patients was 46.1 ± 10.6 years. Most of the tumors were of well differentiated type (49%) and moderately differentiated (40.8%) with predominant clinical stage III in 42.9% & IV in 44.9 % and primary tumor stage pT2 28.6% & pT3 36.7%. Significant difference was seen for primary tumor stage in relation to age, gender, depth of invasion, primary site, and size of tumor (p < 0.01). For clinical stages, significant difference was observed in the age, gender, size of tumor, nodal metastasis, and anatomical tumor site (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Application of 8th Edition AJCC guidelines identifies the importance of the latest classification with strong association of latest stage criteria with age, gender, site of primary tumor, tumor thickness, depth of invasion, nodal metastasis and size of largest lymph node involved, and Level of Lymph node involved (level III & V) in a subset of patients from a developing country.

Burkitt's lymphoma of mandible in a young Pakistani boy: A case report.

In this part of the world, Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) of mandible considers a unique entity, while BL involving the jaw is endemic in Africa. BL being one of the most speedily growing malignancy, can cause immense destruction in the maxillofacial region. This case report highlights a 3-year-old child affected with BL of mandible. The presenting complaint of the patient was a rapidly enlarging swelling on the right side of the face, causing disfigurement and interfering with the normal oral functions. Confirmatory diagnosis of BL was established after correlating the clinical, radiographic, and biopsy features. Later on a tumour board discussion was held for this case, and the child underwent chemotherapy. Unfortunately, he could not survive after the second cycle of chemotherapy. This emphasises that for every fast growing jaw lesion, BL should have a significant position in the list of differential diagnosis, even in this part of the world without considering the age of the patient.

Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Exhibit Osteogenic Differentiation Potential.

Bone regeneration after trauma, pathologic and surgical procedures is considered a major medical challenge. Due to limitations in using conventional approaches, cell based regenerative strategies may provide an alternative option to address such issues. In the current study, we sought to determine the osteogenic potential of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) isolated from impacted 3rd molars. DPSCs were isolated from human dental pulp tissue (n=6) using explant culture. Growth characteristics of DPSCs were determined using plating efficiency, and the number and time of population doublings. After characterization, DPSCs were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts and were assessed using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and histological analysis. Results indicated that DPSCs can be isolated from impacted human third molars, and that DPSCs exhibited typical fibroblastic morphology and excellent proliferative potential. In addition, morphological changes, histological analysis and expression of lineage specific genes confirmed osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs. In conclusion, DPSCs isolated from impacted 3rd molars have high proliferative potential and ability to differentiate into osteoblasts.

Ophthalmic injuries in orbito-zygomatic fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and severity of ophthalmic injuries in patients with orbito-zygomatic fractures. STUDY DESIGN: A case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Oral and Maxillofacial Department, KEMU/Mayo Hospital Lahore, from January 2009 to December 2011. METHODOLOGY: Patients with orbito-zygomatic fractures were divided into three groups. Group-1 patients had fracture of floor/medial wall of the orbit (orbital-blow out fracture). Group-2 had comminuted orbito-zygomatic fractures. Group-3 had simple zygomatic bone fractures. Frequency and types of ocular injuries were determined on each group. RESULTS: There were 296 (260 male, 36 female) patients with mean age of 31.7 years. Group-1 (n = 20) had 28 ocular findings in 12 (60%) patients including diplopia (n = 10, 36%), enophthalmos (n = 6, 14%), and hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage, choroidal rupture, traumatic mydriasis, and commotio retinae in 2 cases, 7% each. In Group-2 (n = 106), 44 ocular findings were identified in 30 (28%) patients including diplopia (n = 10, 23%), enophthalmos (n = 4, 9%), commotio retinae (n = 10, 23%), reduced visual acuity (n = 6, 14%), retinal hemorrhage (n = 4, 9%) and corneal laceration, corneal abrasion, retinal detachment, traumatic mydriasis, and canthal laceration in 2 cases, 4.5%. In Group-3 (n = 170), 22 ocular findings were seen in 16 (9%) patients included diplopia (n = 10, 45%), enophthalmos (n = 4, 18%), and retinal tear, hyphema, angle recession, and traumatic mydriasis in 2 cases, (9%) each. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmic injuries are a common complication of orbitozygomatic fractures occurring in about 20% of patients in this study, most frequent in the orbital blow fractures subgroup. Ophthalmology consultation is recommended for patients presenting with midface fractures.

Massive leiomyosarcoma of the maxilla.

Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant smooth-muscle tumour that is exceedingly rare in the head and neck region. Presenting signs and symptoms of leiomyosarcoma in the orofacial region are generally nonspecific. The tumour is commonly encountered as a slow growing, discreet firm, and non-ulcerated painless mass. We presented a case of massive leiomyosarcoma of the midface which might be the first leiomyosarcoma of midface reported in Pakistan so far to our knowledge. We also discuss the diagnosis and treatment of leiomyosarcoma in this aspect.

Reconstruction of mandible by free fibular flap.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the results of using the free vascularized fibular flap for comprehensive reconstruction of postresection or post-traumatic mandibular defects. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, from March 2007 to June 2009. METHODOLOGY: The study group consisted of patients who underwent reconstruction of continuity defects of the mandible using a fibular vascularized free flap. Indication for mandibular resection were squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth and alveolar ridge in 5 cases, ameloblastome of the mandible in 6 cases, odontogenic keratocyst in 3 cases, defect due to fire arm injury in 2 cases and central giant cell granuloma of the mandible in one case. The type of reconstruction performed was primary reconstruction in 11 patients and secondary in 6 patients. RESULTS: There were 17 patients including 14 males and 3 females with mean age of 40 years. All flaps except three survived. One patient died due to complications related to blood transfusion. Of those, 2 completely failed, one due to the unfavourable recipient bed of the patient with fire arm injury and other due to venous thrombosis. Donor site morbidity was low; there was some compromise in the ankle function but none of the patient complaint of foot drop. Simple problems with wound healing such as dehiscence and delayed wound healing developed in 5 patients, which usually required only local antiseptic treatment. After the operation patient began oral feeding and walking with some aid in fourth week and became completely ambulant in 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: In this small series the free fibula flap was a versatile and reliable option for microvascular reconstruction of large mandibular defects. It provided a large quantity of bone, which could be easily shaped and passively adapt to the remaining mandible and for an implant-based prosthetic restoration.

Quality of life in patients with obturator prostheses.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer has a profound impact on the quality of life for patients and their families. Functionally, the mouth is an important organ for speech, swallowing, chewing, taste and salivation. These functions become compromised due to surgical ablation of the tumour. Obturator prosthesis is a common prosthdontic rehabilitative option for maxillectomy patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate how patients with maxillofacial defects evaluate their quality of life after maxillectomy and prosthodontic therapy with obturator prostheses. METHODS: Thirty patients were included in the study (11 female, 19 male). The patients were interviewed by using a standardised questionnaire developed by University of Washington (UW-QOL). The detailed questionnaire was adjusted for obturator patients and internalised most parts of obturator functioning scale (OFS). RESULTS: Quality of life after prosthodontic therapy with obturator prostheses was 54 +/- 22.9% on average. Functioning of the obturator prosthesis, impairment of ingestion, speech and appearance, the extent of therapy, and the existence of pain had significant impact on the quality of life (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Orofacial rehabilitation of patients with maxillofacial defects using obturator prostheses is an appropriate treatment modality. To improve the situation of patients prior to and after maxillectomy sufficient information about the treatment, adequate psychological care and speech therapy should be provided.