The interval since first symptoms until diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck region is still a problem in southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to examine the interval since first symptoms until final diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the head and neck region in southern Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The individuals were prospectively selected and underwent anamnesis, physical examination and interview in the first medical consultation at a Cancer Hospital from south of Brazil. RESULTS: From 488 patients who underwent clinical examination, 105 were included in the study with diagnosis of SCC. Patients average interval from first symptoms to final diagnosis was 152 days (median 86; max:1105; min: 1), the average professional interval was 108 days (median: 97; max:525; min: 1) , and the average total period interval was 258 days (median: 186; max:1177; min: 45). Factors statistically associated with patient and diagnosis itinerary intervals were smoking and poorly adapted dentures and distance from home to hospital, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of the itinerary characteristics of this specific population may reflect in more effective public policies, such as primary and secondary prevention programs, aiming to increase the survival of oncological patient. Furthermore, the knowledge of the variables that influence the late diagnosis minimizes patient's journey in search of care to cancer centers through health programs.

Implant osseointegration in irradiated bone: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of radiotherapy on the osseointegration of dental implants in the tibia and the action of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as an adjuvant therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 18 rabbits received two implants in each tibial epiphysis, totalizing 72 implants. The control group (group I) was composed by six rabbits and did not receive radiotherapy. The test groups (II and III) received a single dose of 1727 cGy. Group II was composed by six irradiated animals and group III by six animals that received irradiation and PRP during implant placement. The implant success rate, the bone-implant contact (BIC), and the bone volume were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no osseointegration in four of the implants, three in group II and one in group III. Total BIC was significantly higher in group I, when compared to the other groups. There was a significant difference of osteoid BIC only between irradiated animals (group II, 8.5%; group III, 4.7%; p = 0.001). On the other hand, the mineralized BIC was significantly higher in group I. Furthermore, group II had a lower mineralized BIC than group III (p = 0.002). Bone volume was higher in the control group (41.3%), followed by group III (33.4%) and II (25.1%), with differences between groups I and II (p = 0.001) and groups II and III (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that both the bone volume and BIC were higher in the control group. However, the failure rates of the implants were low in both irradiated groups. The PRP was a positive adjuvant in the osseointegration process.

Fasciíte necrotizante cervical: uma complicaçäo de abscesso de origem dentária / Cervical necrotizing fasciatis: a complication due to an abscess of dental origin

Relatamos um caso de Fasciíte Necrotizante da regiäo cérvico-facial após abcesso dentário, em um paciente portador de Diabetes melito descompensado. Esta infecçäo aguda resultou numa invasividade profunda com necrose da fáscia, gordura subcutânea e pele da regiäo cervical. O sucesso do tratamento baseou-se no diagnóstico precoce da doença básica, na terapia antibiótica de largo espectro e no desbridamento agressivo