A histological investigation of isografts of mature mouse molars to an intrabony and an extrabony site.

An experimental model designed for the investigation of tooth transplantation immunobiology is presented together with the results of a long-term histological study of mature mouse tooth isografts transplanted to an intrabony site (tibial shaft medulla) and to an extrabony site (renal subcapsular site). Mature mouse mandibular third molars were isografted to the tibial shaft medulla and renal subcapsular kidney site in inbred C57BL/6 strain mice and observed histologically over a 6-month period. Isografts at both sites were observed to undergo initial pulpal degeneration with subsequent progressive regeneration as determined by post-transplantation dentine formation. Tibial shaft isografts were surrounded by bone and underwent progressive reabsorption beginning at the coronal dentine, exposed by occlusal wear prior to transplantation, while grafts to the subcapsular kidney site did not become surrounded by bone nor exhibit coronal resorption. Varying degrees of external root resorption and ankylosis of teeth transplanted to the intrabony site were observed, and signs of periodontal ligament reorganization were not seen in isografts at either site.

Serum antibody response to mature tooth allografts in mice.

Mature mouse molar teeth were transplanted to the tibial shaft medulla across an H-2 plus multiple non-H-2 histocompatibility barrier. Over the 35-day experimental period, low levels of complement-fixing antibody were detected in the serum of recipients. Antibody was distributed over two peak periods, 6 to 11 days and 21 to 27 days after transplantation, with IgM apparently preceding IgG production.

A histological investigation of allografts of mature mouse molars to an intrabony and an extrabony site.

Fully developed mandibular third molar teeth, allografted across an H-2 plus multiple non-H-2 barrier to the tibial shaft medulla and renal subcapsular site in mice, were examined histologically over a 12-month period after transplantation. Cellular degeneration within the pulp chamber occurred in the immediate post-transplantation period and was followed by pulp chamber repopulation by a vascular fibrous connective tissue during the first 14 days after transplantation. Progressive regeneration of the grafts occurred and was characterized by irregular tubular dentine formation followed by more organized tubular dentine deposition on the pulp chamber walls. Allografts at both sites eventually underwent rejection, and it was apparent that grafts at the subcapsular kidney site were rejected in a shorter time (35 to 56 days) than those at the tibial shaft site (56 to 70 days). When mature teeth were allografted to the tibial shaft medulla across multiple minor (non-H-2) barriers alone, similar changes were observed with grafts undergoing rejection 56 to 70 days after transplantation. External root resorption and ankylosis were not prominent features and periodontal ligament reorganization was not observed in any of the grafts.

Oral patterns of acute and chronic graft-v-host disease.

Oral manifestations of graft-v-host disease (GVHD) are described in five recipients of allogeneic bone marrow transplants. It was clear that oral mucosal involvement occurred in both acute and chronic phases of the disease, and that recognizable patterns of presentation and course also occurred. The mechanisms of acute and chronic GVHD and the significance of oral mucosal and salivary gland involvement are discussed.

Topical folinic acid therapy in methotrexate-induced oral ulceration.

A case of severe oral ulceration, following administration of combination chemotherapy which included methotrexate, is reported. Topically applied folinic acid was effective in facilitating resolution of the oral lesions.

Gingival lesions in leukemia. A classification.

A classification of gingival lesions that may be encountered in the patient with acute leukemia during remission induction chemotherapy and following bone marrow transplantation is presented. The classification distinguishes between lesions resulting directly from the disease and treatment, and those resulting indirectly from the depression of normal bone marrow and lymphoid tissues.

Neutropenic ulceration. A distinctive clinical entity.

Neutropenic ulceration is a distinctive clinical entity observed in severely myelosuppressed patients, such as those with acute leukemia. This case report demonstrates that evidence of its initial resolution may indicate the earliest stages of bone marrow recovery before this is reflected in the peripheral circulation through the return of functioning neutrophils. The possible influences of leukemic infiltration and bacterial superinfection in its initiation and progression are discussed.

A histological investigations of isografts of immature mouse molars to an intrabony and extrabony site.

Partially-developed teeth with remnants of their periodontal ligaments isografted to the tibial shaft medulla and renal subcapsular site were capable of progressive regeneration characterized by renewed tubular dentine formation. Bone formation occurred in relation to grafts at the renal site as well as the tibial shaft; evidence of periodontal fibre reorganization was observed in grafts at both sites. Despite post-transplantation dentine and cementum formation, continued development of roots of normal morphology did not occur, perhaps due to disappearance of epithelial root sheath.

Herpes zoster virus infection: a clinicopathologic review and case reports.

Herpes zoster virus (HZV) infection, particularly of the trigeminal nerve, can be a disabling and disfiguring condition with variable clinical presentations. Acyclovir is a highly effective treatment modality during the acute clinical phase; however, pain control may be very difficult particularly with protracted and severe post herpetic neuralgia (PHN). The clinicopathologic features are reviewed and two cases in immunosuppressed patients with HZV infection of different divisions of the trigeminal nerve are presented.

Trigeminal neuralgia.

Severe trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is probably the most excruciating pain experienced in the orofacial region. Apart from the primary idiopathic form (ITN), this lancinating pain may be secondary to a range of underlying organic diseases (STN). Diagnosis requires differentiation of these and elimination of other causes of orofacial pain.

Orofacial sensitivity reactions and the role of dietary components. Case reports.

Dietary components have proven to be important aetiological factors in orofacial sensitivity reactions such as plasma cell gingivitis and orofacial granulomatosis. The use of elimination diets to identify these dietary antigens can be instrumental in both diagnosis and effective treatment for these disorders.

The teaching of dento-maxillo-facial radiology in Australian dental schools.

The skills necessary to successfully perform radiological procedures in general dental practice are described and should be used as criteria when developing an effective undergraduate curriculum and as determinants of the contents of continuing education programmes. The present status of undergraduate curricula. continuing education, and postgraduate programmes as well as the recognition of the specialized nature of dento-maxillo-facial radiology, are discussed and recommendations for future developments are made.

Facial cellulitis responsive to flucloxacillin in acute leukemia.

A severely neutropenic patient, undergoing bone marrow transplantation for acute leukemia, experienced bilateral facial cellulitis accompanied by high fever and a facial folliculitis. All resolved with the addition of flucloxacillin to existing antibiotics suggesting a causal role for staphylococci.