[Salivary gland disorder: consider IgG4-related disease]. / Speekselklierafwijking: denk aan IgG4-gerelateerde ziekte.

A 73-year-old man was presented with painless, bilateral swelling of the submandibular salivary glands and unilateral swelling of the parotid gland on the right side, and complaints of dry mouth. A parotid biopsy was taken and a serologic exam was carried out, resulting in the diagnosis of IgG4-related disease. IgG4-related disease is a rare systemic disorder that can cause symptoms in the head and neck region. Usually there are complaints of bilateral, painless swelling of the submandibular, parotid and/or lacrimal glands, with or without complaints of dryness of the mouth and eyes.

Immediate repair of bony defects in the posterior mandibular region following removal of a fractured implant: a feasible treatment?

The aim of this study was to assess whether immediate bone reconstruction after removal of a fractured dental implant in the posterior mandible provides a sound base for implant replacement, with a favourable treatment outcome and high patient satisfaction. Eight consecutive patients with a fractured implant neck were included. The implant was removed via osteotomy, following which the site was immediately repaired with a mixture of autogenous bone and bone substitute. After a 4-month healing period, sufficient bone and favourable soft tissue conditions were present, allowing implant placement with adequate primary stability. After a further 3 months, the implants were restored with an all-ceramic restoration. Patient satisfaction, the aesthetic outcome, complications, and postoperative morbidity were assessed using standardized clinical and radiographic examinations up to 5 years after crown placement. No implant failures were observed during the follow-up. Plaque accumulation, the presence of calculus, bleeding tendency, and peri-implant inflammation indices were low, indicating healthy peri-implant conditions. The mean marginal bone level change at the 5-year follow-up was - 0.17 ± 0.46 mm. All patients reported a high level of satisfaction (mean overall score 9.3 ± 0.5). In conclusion, immediate reconstruction of the hard tissue after removal of a fractured dental implant is a viable treatment option. This approach facilitates rehabilitation, reduces morbidity, and leads to favourable aesthetic outcomes.

[Mucosal anomalies in autoimmune bullous diseases]. / Mucosale afwijkingen bij blaarvormende auto-immuunziekten.

Mucosal anomalies are frequently seen in autoimmune bullous diseases, particularly in pemphigus vulgaris and mucous membrane pemphigoid. The blistering, erosions, ulceration or erythema may present anywhere on the oral mucosa, but also on other mucosal sites. A differential diagnosis is needed of (erosive) oral lichen planus, systemic autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic graft-versus-host disease, infectious causes, Behçet's syndrome and recurrent aphthous stomatitis. A quick diagnosis and initiation of adequate treatment are important because of the potential severity of the disease and to prevent complications due to cicatrization. Besides a biopsy for histopathological analysis, a perilesional biopsy for direct immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoserological tests are needed for diagnosis of pemphigus or pemphigoid. In addition to a mucosal biopsy, a biopsy for direct immunofluorescence of the skin can contribute to a diagnosis of a bullous disease. Besides topical corticosteroids, immunosuppressive treatment is often required for treating autoimmune bullous diseases, such as treatment with rituximab in patients with pemphigus.

Planned dose of intensity modulated proton beam therapy versus volumetric modulated arch therapy to tooth-bearing regions.

BACKGROUND: Intensity modulated proton beam therapy (IMPT) for head and neck cancer offers dosimetric benefits for the organs at risk when compared to photon-based volumetric modulated arch therapy (VMAT). However, limited data exists about the potential benefits of IMPT for tooth-bearing regions. The aim of this study was to compare the IMPT and VMAT radiation dosimetrics of the tooth-bearing regions in head and neck cancer patients. Also, we aimed to identify prognostic factors for a cumulative radiation dose of ≥40 Gy on the tooth-bearing areas, which is considered the threshold dose for prophylactic dental extractions. METHODS: A total of 121 head and neck cancer patients were included in this retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. We compared the average Dmean values of IMPT versus VMAT of multiple tooth-bearing regions in the same patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for receiving a cumulative radiation dose of ≥40 Gy to the tooth-bearing regions (primary endpoint) in both VMAT and IMPT. RESULTS: A lower Dmean was seen after applying IMPT to the tooth-bearing tumour regions (p < 0.001). Regarding VMAT, oral cavity tumours, T3-T4 tumours, molar regions in the mandible, and regions ipsilateral to the tumour were risk factors for receiving a cumulative radiation dose of ≥40 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: IMPT significantly reduces the radiation dose to the tooth-bearing regions.

Harvesting anterior iliac crest or calvarial bone grafts to augment severely resorbed edentulous jaws: a systematic review and meta-analysis of patient-reported outcomes.

The aim of this systematic review was to compare patient-reported outcomes after harvesting calvarial or anterior iliac crest bone grafts to repair severe jaw defects and enable implant placement. The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases, and OpenGrey were searched for studies on patient satisfaction, pain, disturbances in daily functioning, sensory alterations, donor site aesthetics, and complication rates. Of the 1946 articles identified, 43 reporting 40 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria; the studies were one randomized controlled clinical trial, one retrospective controlled clinical trial, and 23 prospective and 15 retrospective cohort studies. A meta-analysis of two studies (74 patients) showed no difference in satisfaction (mean difference (MD) - 0.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 1.17 to 0.92; P = 0.813) or postoperative pain (directly postoperative: MD -2.32, 95% CI -5.20 to 0.55, P = 0.113; late postoperative: MD -0.01, 95% CI -0.14 to 0.11, P = 0.825) between donor sites. However, the level of evidence is limited, due to the retrospective, non-randomized design of one study. Postoperative gait disturbances were highly prevalent among the anterior iliac crest patients (28-100% after 1 week). The incidence rates of sensory disturbances and other complications were low, and the donor site aesthetic outcomes were favourable for both graft types. To conclude, harvesting bone grafts from the calvarium or anterior iliac crest to augment the severely resorbed edentulous jaw results in similar patient satisfaction. However, the findings for postoperative pain and disturbances in daily living suggest a trend in favour of calvarial bone grafts if harvested using an adjusted technique.

[A large maxillary fibroepithelial polyp: a lump in the throat]. / Een maxillaire gigantiforme fibro-epitheliale poliep: een brok in de keel.

A 55-year-old woman was seen at an oral and maxillofacial surgery department because of a large oral swelling and complaints about difficulty eating, nasal speech and fatigue. She had full dentures in her upper jaw. Intraorally, a pain-free, pedunculated, combined solid-elastic and bone-hard tumour was found in the left maxillary tubercle region. A large, fibroepithelial polyp was diagnosed based on clinical and histopathological findings. Six weeks post-operatively, the complaints had disappeared. Chronic irritation of the oral mucosa can result in an oral fibroepithelial polyp that can be distinguished from peripheral ossifying fibroma or giant cell fibroma after histopathological examination. Such a polyp can grow to a large size if the source of irritation is not removed.

Radiation of parotid or submandibular glands is effective for drooling in patients with parkinsonism; a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Drooling is a common symptom in patients with parkinsonism, causing physical and emotional distress. It is unknown which major salivary glands are the best candidates for irradiation to reduce drooling with minimal adverse events. Therefore, this study assessed the efficacy and safety of submandibular and parotid salivary gland irradiation to reduce drooling. METHODS: A prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. After informed consent, 31 patients with parkinsonism and severe drooling according to the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were included in this study. Exclusion criteria consisted of the use of anticholinergic drugs, the existence of salivary gland diseases, and/or an history of (pre)malignancies of the salivary glands. Patients were randomized for parotid-, submandibular- or sham irradiation (2x6 Gy with one week interval). Patients were evaluated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after radiation. Primary outcome measure was drooling severity according to the UPDRS. Secondary outcomes measures consisted of stimulated glandular salivary secretion rates and adverse effects. FINDINGS: Overall 31 parkinsonian patients were included. Initially 11 patients were radiated on the parotid glands, 10 patients on the submandibular glands and 10 patients were sham-radiated. After 6 months, the sham-radiated patients were actively treated after a second randomisation. One patient in the parotid radiation group discontinued his participation after three months due to physical deterioration. Radiation of parotid or submandibular glands significantly improved the existing drooling, as compared to placebo radiation. Parotid- and submandibular radiation was equally effective, but more patients in the submandibular radiated group reported sticky saliva vs. patients treated by parotid radiation (33∙33% vs. 13∙33%). INTERPRETATION: Major salivary gland radiation significantly improves drooling in parkinsonian patients with few adverse effects. However, parotid gland radiation is accompanied by fewer side effects and therefore is the preferred mode of radiation in this patient population.

Patient-reported aesthetic outcomes of upper blepharoplasty: a randomized controlled trial comparing two surgical techniques.

It is not yet established whether additional orbicularis oculi muscle excision leads to better patient-reported aesthetic outcomes (PRO) compared to a skin-only resection blepharoplasty. A double-blind randomized controlled trial of upper blepharoplasty, with or without muscle excision, was performed on 54 White European patients who assessed the procedure via PRO. FACE-Q questionnaires covering eyes in general, upper eyelids, forehead and eyebrows, overall face, age appearance appraisal, age appraisal, social functioning, satisfaction with the outcome, and adverse effects were completed preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months after upper blepharoplasty. The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale was used to assess scarring. The FACE-Q scores for skin-only and skin/muscle upper blepharoplasty were similar regarding the upper eyelids, forehead and eyebrows, overall face, patient perceived aging and age, social functioning, and satisfaction with the results, and also increased for both procedures with time. The FACE-Q score regarding the eyes in general was higher in the skin-only group at the 12-month follow-up. Scarring and adverse effects did not differ between the groups. Additional muscle resection does not seem to influence patient satisfaction. Thus, when performing an upper blepharoplasty, there is no need for additional muscle resection as a routine procedure to improve patient satisfaction.

[Medicaments and oral healthcare. Medicaments potentially inducing angioedema and/or urticaria]. / Serie: Medicamenten en mondzorg. Medicamenten die angio-oedeem en/of urticaria kunnen induceren.

Angioedema stems from increased vasodilation and vascular permeability, resulting in extravasation of fluid. Hereditary and acquired types of angioedema can be distinguished, with 3 and 4 subtypes, respectively. Groups of medicaments potentially inducing angioedema are, among others: ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors and immunosuppressive agents. Urticaria is characterised by red, slightly raised swellings, usually associated with a strong itching sensation and can be subdivided in an acute and a chronic type. Mast cells in the uppermost layer of the skin or the mucous membranes release a lot of histamine, increasing the dilation and permeability of blood capillaries, resulting in extravasation of fluid. Medicaments potentially inducing urticaria are, among others, the following groups: analgesics, anaesthetics, antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, antihypertensives, antifungals, corticosteroids, H2 blockers, cancer medicaments, muscle relaxants, thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors and vaccines. Medical history and being alert when administering and prescribing anaesthetics, analgesics and antibiotics are very important in the prevention or treatment of angioedema and/or urticaria.

[Development of MALT-lymphoma in Sjögren syndrome]. / Ontstaan van MALT-lymfomen bij het syndroom van Sjögren.

Important characteristics of Sjögren syndrome include a sensation of dry mouth, reduced saliva secretion and swelling of the large salivary glands, usually the parotids. Sjögren patients also run a significantly increased risk of developing a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, generally a so-called mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Such a MALT lymphoma often develops in the parotid gland. In 2 cases patients presented with recurrent swellings of the parotid glands who developed both Sjögren syndrome and a MALT lymphoma in both of their parotid glands.

[Oral self-mutilation: a repetitive tongue trauma]. / Orale automutilatie: een repetitief tongtrauma.

An 18-year old woman was referred to the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery with 1 to 2 week episodes of tongue ulcerations that had lasted for a year. Food intake was limited due to pain, resulting in a loss of 10 kg during the previous year. Following a clinical diagnosis of 'aphthous ulcers', she was treated with tetracycline and clobetasol mouthwash, which had little effect. An injection with triamcinolone acetonide did not prove effective either. Some time later, the patient reported at the emergency department with a deep, ulcerative wound to the tongue with characteristic features of bite trauma. She said she had consistently worn her protective mouthguard. The symptoms suggested self-mutilation. The patient was admitted to a psychiatric department, where a diagnosis of anxiety disorder and self-mutilation was reached.

[Medicaments and oral healthcare. Hyperpigmentation of oral soft tissues due to afamelanotide]. / Serie: Medicamenten en mondzorg. Hyperpigmentatie van de orale slijmvliezen door afamelanotide.

The medicament afamelanotide is an analogue of endogenous ?-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It promotes cutaneous pigmentation, providing protection from sunlight. In dermatology, afamelanotide seems to establish therapeutic results for polymorphic light eruption, solar urticaria, erythropoietic protoporphyria, Hailey-Hailey disease, vitiligo and acne vulgaris. Afamelanotide is available for non-medical use to realise quick and easy skin tanning. Adverse effects of afamelanotide mentioned in the scientific literature are development and aggravation of melanocytic naevi, degeneration of melanocytic naevi to melanomas, melanonychia, systemic toxicity, rhabdomyolysis, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, priapism and hyperpigmentation of oral soft tissues. Furthermore, numerous adverse effects of afamelanotide have been reported to the Netherlands pharmacovigilance centre LAREB as well as numerous adverse effects due to overdosage of afamelanotide to the National Poisons Information Centre. Dentists should be alert to hyperpigmentation of oral soft tissues due to afamelanotide.

Retreatment of multiple failing maxillary implants after full arch rehabilitation: a retrospective, observational cohort study.

The aim of this study was to assess implant retreatment in a group of patients whose maxillary implants were all failing after full arch rehabilitation. Treatment involved implant removal, augmentation, and placement of an overdenture supported by four to six implants. All consecutive patients referred between 2008 and 2018, following multiple late implant failures in the rehabilitated maxilla, were included in the study. Seventy implants in 15 patients were evaluated at 3.3 ± 2.5 years (range 1.1-8.6 years) after loading. Implant survival, complications, clinical parameters, marginal bone loss, and patient-related outcome measures were recorded at the time of evaluation. Overall implant survival was 95.7%. Three implant failures occurred within the first year of function. Marginal bone loss was 0.32 ± 0.46 mm; pocket probing depth was 4.55 ± 1.59 mm. Plaque, calculus, inflammation, and bleeding were hardly seen (median index score 0). Patients scored their satisfaction with their overdentures as high (mean overall score 8.7 ± 1.2, maximum 10). Chewing soft and tough food was scored as 'good' and hard food as 'moderate'. The mean Oral Health Impact Profile score was 29.5 ± 33.3. It can be concluded that the replacement of multiple failing implants in an edentulous maxilla after bone augmentation is a safe and predictable treatment procedure when applied as an implant-supported overdenture.

Dental implant placement in alveolar cleft patients: a retrospective comparative study on clinical and aesthetic outcomes.

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the clinical and aesthetic outcomes, and patient satisfaction, following dental implant therapy in cleft patients. Implant survival, changes in marginal bone level, pocket probing depths, plaque and bleeding indices, aesthetics, and patient satisfaction were assessed in 17 alveolar cleft patients and 17 matched controls. At follow-up (mean 72.4±46.4 months), one implant had been lost in the cleft group. Mean marginal bone loss at follow-up was -0.4±0.4mm in cleft patients and -0.2±0.4mm in controls. Aesthetics of the peri-implant soft tissues (pink aesthetic score) were less favourable (P=0.025) in cleft patients (5.0±1.9) than in controls (6.5±1.7), while peri-implant parameters were comparable in the two groups. Overall patient satisfaction was 8.6±0.9 in cleft patients and 8.9±1.1 in controls (P=0.331). In cleft patients, no difference in aesthetics was observed between patients who received additional bone augmentation at 3 months prior to implant placement and those who did not (P=0.092). Dental implant therapy in cleft patients is associated with high implant survival, minor marginal bone loss, healthy peri-implant soft tissues, and high patient satisfaction. Only the aesthetics of the soft tissues was worse in cleft patients compared to augmented non-cleft patients.

Biodegradable versus titanium osteosynthesis in maxillofacial traumatology: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Titanium osteosynthesis is currently the fixation system of choice in maxillofacial traumatology. Biodegradable osteosynthesis systems have the ability to degrade in the human body. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review, with meta- and trial sequential analyses, to assess the efficacy and morbidity of biodegradable versus titanium osteosynthesis after maxillofacial trauma. MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched for randomized controlled trials and prospective and retrospective controlled studies. Five time periods were studied: perioperative, short-term (0-4 weeks), intermediate (6-12 weeks), long-term (>12 weeks), and overall follow-up. After screening 3542 records, 24 were included. All had a high risk of performance and detection bias due to the nature of the interventions. Meta-analysis showed no differences in efficacy or morbidity between biodegradable and titanium osteosynthesis. The risk of perioperative screw breakage was significantly higher (risk ratio 17.13, 95% confidence interval 2.19-34.18) and the symptomatic plate removal rate lower in the biodegradable group (risk ratio 0.11, 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.57), which was confirmed by the trial sequential analysis. The quality of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Based on the narrative review and meta-analyses, current evidence shows that biodegradable osteosynthesis is a viable alternative to titanium osteosynthesis when applied in the treatment of maxillofacial trauma, with similar efficacy but significantly lower symptomatic plate removal rates. Perioperative screw breakage occurred significantly more often in the biodegradable group compared to the titanium group.

Aesthetic outcomes of upper eyelid blepharoplasty: a systematic review.

Although upper blepharoplasty is a common cosmetic surgical intervention, a better scientific understanding of the aesthetic results and the preferred surgical technique to achieve the best aesthetic results is still needed. A systematic search using four search engines (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane) was performed to identify any study on the aesthetic outcome of a solitary upper blepharoplasty; these were subjected to quality assessment for possible inclusion. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials, controlled trials, cohort studies, and case series (n ≥ 10). A total of 4043 studies were assessed, of which 26 were included. Aesthetic outcomes included patient-reported outcome measures, scarring, eyebrow height, tarsal platform show, and panel or expert evaluation. Meta-analysis was not possible. Patients were generally satisfied with the aesthetic result and scar formation after an upper blepharoplasty. The amount of tarsal platform show increases, which positively affects the aesthetics. The eyebrow seems to move down slightly. The surgical technique used (skin only or skin/muscle removal) did not influence patient satisfaction or the physician-assessed aesthetic outcomes. Patients are generally satisfied after an upper blepharoplasty. The optimal design of the skin excision is still a matter of debate, especially when addressing lateral hooding. Further objective research is advised.

Weight of salivary gland ultrasonography compared to other items of the 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for Primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Major salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) is widely used for the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Our objective was to assess the contribution of SGUS compared to other items of the 2016 ACR/EULAR pSS classification criteria, based on expert opinion. METHODS: A secure web-based relational database was used by 24 experts from 14 countries to assess 512 realistic vignettes developed from data of patients with suspected pSS. Each vignette provided classification criteria items and information on history, clinical symptoms and SGUS findings. Each expert assessed 64 vignettes, and each vignette was assessed by 3 experts. A diagnosis of pSS was defined according to at least 2 of 3 experts. Validation was performed in the independent French DiapSS cohort of patients with suspected pSS. RESULTS: A criteria-based pSS diagnosis and SGUS findings were independently associated with an expert diagnosis of pSS (P < 0.001). The derived diagnostic weights of individual items in the 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria including SGUS were as follows: anti-SSA, 3; focus score ≥ 1, 3; SGUS score ≥ 2, 1; positive Schirmer's test, 1; dry mouth, 1; and salivary flow rate < 0.1 mL/min, 1. The corrected C statistic area under the curve for the new weighted score was 0.96. Adding SGUS improves the sensitivity from 90.2 % to 95.6% with a quite similar specificity 84.1% versus 82.6%. Results were similar in the DiapSS cohort: adding SGUS improves the sensitivity from 87% to 93%. CONCLUSION: SGUS had similar weight compared to minor items, and its addition improves the performance of the 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria.

Implant treatment of two failing or missing central incisors in the aesthetic region: a treatment protocol and 1-year prospective study.

Implant treatment for two central incisors in the maxillary aesthetic region is complex due to concerns regarding inter-implant hard and soft tissue stability. A treatment protocol was therefore developed and implemented in a 1-year prospective case series study involving 16 patients with two failing or missing central incisors in the maxillary aesthetic region. The protocol consists of five options depending on whether teeth are still present (options 1-3) or not (options 4 and 5) and on the amount of bone available at the start of treatment: (1) extraction followed by immediate implant placement and provisionalization, (2) extraction followed by immediate implant placement and delayed provisionalization, (3) extraction followed by ridge preservation, delayed implant placement and immediate provisionalization, (4) delayed implant placement and guided bone regeneration with delayed provisionalization, (5) guided bone regeneration (extensive bone augmentation of the alveolar ridge), delayed implant placement, and delayed provisionalization. The patients were assessed regarding peri-implant hard and soft tissue parameters, aesthetic index score, and patient satisfaction. All treatment options showed good clinical and radiographic results and high patient satisfaction.