A maxillary obturator prosthesis for an active duty Air Force flyer: a case report.

OBJECTIVES: To fabricate a maxillary obturator prosthesis for an active duty pilot allowing him to return to active flying status. METHODS: A 24-year-old male active duty U.S. Air Force pilot presented with a history of right posterior maxillectomy due to a keratocyst odontogenic tumor. The patient had been wearing an interim obturator prosthesis for 4 months and was removed from active duty flight status. A comprehensive oral evaluation was completed and a definitive obturator prosthesis was fabricated using a cast metal framework. Extraoral 3D stereophotogrammetry and a facial moulage were accomplished. The patient underwent evaluation for return to active flying status. RESULTS: The patient returned to active duty flight status after passing all of the required tests. CONCLUSION: Obturator prostheses may be a suitable treatment option allowing a patient to conduct all of the required functions of an active flyer.

Primary extranodal malignant lymphoma affecting the periodontium.

BACKGROUND: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may arise in extranodal tissues within the head and neck region. These lesions may occur in the oral cavity, but rarely appear on the gingiva. Due to their malignant nature, rapid identification, diagnosis, and treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are essential to patient survival. METHODS: An unusual case of primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is described. The small lesion arose on the gingiva and alveolar mucosa. Upon excision, the tissue was submitted for microscopic examination, with the expectation that the lesion would be benign and excision would constitute the entirety of treatment. However, a diagnosis of primary extranodal large B-cell lymphoma was returned. RESULTS: In addition to excision of the lesion, the patient underwent a complete work-up to rule out other systemic lesions. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy were performed. The patient has remained healthy, without recurrence of lymphoma for 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: This case reinforces the importance of submitting excised tissues for microscopic examination even when the lesion appears totally benign. In addition, it highlights the need for complete excision of suspected lesions, with generous borders of normal tissue. With current periodontal plastic surgical techniques, most defects remaining after soft tissue biopsy can be managed with good esthetic results.