Immunohistochemical Analysis of the Beclin-1 Expression Predicts the Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Autophagy is a cellular process responsible for maintaining homeostasis; a dysregulation of this process is involved in the development and progression of neoplasms. Beclin-1 is one of the major proteins linked to autophagy. However, the data regarding the association between the role of Beclin-1 and the progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) are rather low. For this reason, the objective of this study is to evaluate, through immunohistochemical techniques, the prognostic role of the expression of Beclin-1 autophagy marker in patients with OSCC. METHODS: This is a single-centre retrospective study that includes patients with OSCC admitted to the Maxillofacial Unit of "Magna Graecia" University between January 2019 and September 2020. All the samples obtained from surgery were treated with anti Beclin-1 antibodies and subjected to immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: A total of 26 samples were analysed and the following variables were evaluated for each: percentage of positive Beclin-1 expression by tumour cells, signal strength of tumour cells, and total score. The variables considered were first normalised according to the D'Agostino and Pearson test, then analysed using the Pearson linear correlation coefficient: a statistically significant correlation was found between the parameters infiltration-intensity (p = 0.0088), infiltration-percent (p = 0.0123), intensity-total score (p = 0.0060). CONCLUSIONS: The immunohistochemical evaluation of Beclin-1 revealed a statistically significant correlation between the intensity of the molecule's expression and a greater degree of infiltration of the neoplasm. Beclin-1 can, therefore, be considered a valid prognostic index of disease.

The health risks of dysphagia for patients with head and neck cancer: a multicentre prospective observational study.

It is well known that malnutrition is a frequent co-morbidity in cancer patients, especially in those with head and neck neoplasms. This may be due both to the presence of dysphagia symptoms and to the appearance of adverse effects on chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy. The aim of this retrospective observational multicentric study is to evaluate the nutritional status between dysphagia cancer patients and non-dysphagia cancer patients. Data from 60 patients were analysed, 31 of which without dysphagia and 29 with dysphagia. Results highlight that patients with dysphagia had higher involuntary body weight loss than non-dysphagia ones (p < 0.001). By analysing the entire population, it stands out a weight loss rate of 12 ± 9% compared to the usual weight was observed and a prevalence of moderate / severe malnutrition diagnosis of 53%. Furthermore, 76% of the population who manifested the symptom of dysphagia presented severe malnutrition already at the first visit, compared to 32% of non-dysphagia subjects.

A rare case of mandibular dentinogenic ghost cell tumor: Histopathological, clinical and surgical management.

Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT) is a rare benign tumorous form of calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) characterized by the presence of ghost cells but it seems to have more aggressive behavior. It represents 11.5% of COCs. In this work, we report a case of a 60-year-old male patient with DGCT in the posterior region of the right mandible treated with surgical enucleation.

Protective Effects of Helmet Type on Facial Injuries.

ABSTRACT: The compulsory use of helmet by motorcyclists has lowered the incidence of facial trauma, but there are few studies evaluating the effects of different helmet types on such injuries. The authors collected retrospective data from the medical records of 287 motorcyclists presenting facial injuries treated at the maxillofacial surgery department of the "University Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro city in South Italy between 1 January 2007 and 1 August 2018. Patients were wearing 2 types of crash helmets at the time of the trauma, full face ones or open-face ones, and were compared using the Facial Injury Severity Scale (FISS). Those wearing open-face helmet were 3 times more than those wearing full-face helmet, with a higher FISS score.The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Italy's compulsory helmet law on the change in helmet use and in particular if protection offered by helmets w4as different according to helmet type. The authors correlated the FISS scores among motorcyclists wearing these 2 tipologies of crash helmet.

Malignant transformation of oral lichen planus. A retrospective analysis from 2003-2014: our experience.

AIM: The aim of the study is to describe both the clinical characteristics and the prevalence of Oral lichen planus (OLP) in a group of patients from a region of Southern Italy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Among the patients who referred to outpatient visit, 96 (35 men and 61 women) received diagnosis of OLP according to Van der Meij and Van der Wall criteria. RESULTS: Nine of ninty-six cases observed developed squamous cell carcinoma (9,37%). The risk of malignant transformation was significantly higher among OLP patients who smoked (OR=2,5 P< 0,05), consumed alcohol (OR=3 P< 0,05), came from the province with a ratio province: city of 4,5:1 and had the reticular form (44.4%). DISCUSSION: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an oral subtype of lichen planus with a prevalence in the world population estimated between 0.22% and 5% and an incidence approximately of 2.2%. The analysis of our results revealed an important information about the prevalence of malignant transformation, which is 9.37%. CONCLUSION: The transformation of the oral lichen planus may not be as rare as one would expect. The malignant transformation rates of OLP are underestimated due essentially to restrictive diagnostic criteria, inadequate follow-up periods, and/or low quality of studies. Close surveillance is mandatory to monitoring the growth and evolution of lesions in order to reduce the morbidity of OSCC. KEY WORDS: Malignant transformation, Oral lichen Planus, Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

A rare case of ancient schwannoma of the tongue.

AIM: This is a case of Ancient schwannoma, an uncommon schwannoma variant, of clinical interest for the unusual site of the lesion, the diagnostic complexity and the surgical approach. CASE REPORT: We present a 40-year-old patient with intramural swelling of the lingual belly. Surgical removal was performed, and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination. DISCUSSION: We discuss the clinical findings and therapeutic strategies for treating and diagnosing ancient schwannoma. CONCLUSIONS: The specific diagnosis is difficult and frequently late. Growth is slow and only at a distance of time symptoms arise. These tumors must be treated surgically in the prevention of a possible recurrence. KEY WORDS: Ancient schwannoma, Intramural tongue mass, Antoni A and Antoni B bodies, Neurinoma, Neurilemoma.

Telemedicine in Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery: An Effective Alternative in Post COVID-19 Pandemic.

The aim of this work was to demonstrate the advantages of using telemedicine (TM) in the management of the outpatients with maxillofacial surgical pathologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted at the MaxilloFacial Surgery Unit of "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, on two different groups of patients: a group of follow-up patients (A1: patients in oncological follow-up after surgical treatment performed before the COVID-19 pandemic; A2: suffering from chronic lesions such as precancerous lesions), and a group B of patients with first urgent visits (B1: patients with suspected oncological pathology; B2: patients with suspected urgent disease such as medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ), odontogenic abscesses, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation, etc.). Participation in the study required possession of a smartphone with Internet access, e-mail and the use of a messaging service (WhatsApp or Telegram) to send photos and messages; completion by the patient of a COVID-19 screening questionnaire; submission of a satisfaction questionnaire by the doctors and patients. A total of 90 patients were included in this study. A high percentage of satisfaction emerged from the analysis of the satisfaction questionnaires of both patients and doctors.TM thus represents an excellent opportunity to improve accessibility to oncological and non-management activities, reducing the risk of Covid-19 dissemination and should be promoted and implemented in the post-pandemic era.

Mini-retromandibular transparotid approach to subcondylar fractures of the mandible A single Center clinical experience.

AIM: We evaluated the safety and efficacy using a mini-retromandibular transparotid approach to reduce and rigidly fix displaced mandibular condylar neck fractures. MATERIAL OF STUDY: Retrospective evaluation of patients who underwent surgical reduction of condylar fracture from January 2012 to December 2014 at the Department of Cranio Maxillo-Facial Surgery of the University Hospital of Catanzaro, Italy. All the patients were clinically assessed for signs/symptoms of infection, signs of Frey's syndrome or salivary fistula, facial nerve palsy ,postoperative scar, TMJ function, and occlusion with range of mouth opening and deviation. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 15 patients. Good results were achieved in all patients and with an average follow- up of 20 months. No major intraoperative or postoperative complication remained at 6 months of postoperative follow- up. DISCUSSION: Management of condylar fractures is still one of the most controversial topics in maxillofacial surgery. Regarding our experience with the mini-retromandibular approach, we evaluate the advantages in comparison with other extra-oral approaches. Advantages include the shorter working distance from the skin incision to the condyle with direct alignment of the fractured segments, less conspicuous facial surgical scarring with good cosmetic result, short operation time, with a low risk of postoperative complications and possible injuries of the facial nerve. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, we believe that the mini-retro-mandibular approach is a viable and safe approach for the surgical treatment of condylar fractures, with a relatively low risk of postoperative complications. KEY WORDS: Condylar fracture, Extraoral approach, Mini-retromandibular access.

Jaw bones regeneration using mesenchymal stem cells. A single-center experience.

PURPOSE: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which are multipotent stromal cells, are considered to be a promising resource in tissue engineering and tissue regeneration. MSCs have been used to generate new maxillary bone with clinically successful results. The aim of this study was to determine the role of MSC in bone regeneration procedures in patients with benign maxillary lesions. METHODS: A study was conducted on five patients treated for maxillary bone defects resulting from biopsy of benign lesions at the University Hospital of Magna Græcia, Catanzaro, Italy from January 2015 to October 2016. MSC from autologous bone marrow were used for bone regeneration. The bone mineral density was compared, using the Hounsfield scale, before and after treatment. Follow-up was monthly for six months, and the patients underwent a computed tomography scan of the maxilla at 6 months. RESULTS: Five patients, who underwent biopsy of osteolytic odontogenic benign tumors, were included in the study. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The mean volume of the newly formed bone was 2.44cm3 (range 2,0-3,1) and the mean bone density was 1137 Hounsfield Units (range 898-1355). CONCLUSIONS: Bone regeneration with MSC from autologous bone marrow appears to be a valid treatment option for maxillary bone defects. KEY WORDS: Bone regeneration, Mesenchymal stem cells, BM-MSC, Upper jaw, Mandible.