Radiographic and Clinical Analysis of Cranio-Maxillofacial Complications of Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis Among 256 COVID-19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: A heavy burden of cranio-maxillofacial complications may be encountered in corona virus disease-2019 patients due to the associated coagulopathy and inflammatory consequences of the disease. This study aims to describe clinical and radiographic features of these complications in 256 patients who developed 1 or more of the following complications: cavernous sinus thrombosis, osteomyelitis or necrosis of the jaws. METHODS: Clinical assessment of cranial nerve function and general clinical assessment were performed. Imaging techniques used were multi-slice computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and MRI with contrast enhancement. RESULTS: Thromboembolism of brain and facial blood vessels were associated with inflammation and necrosis. Multi-slice computed tomography/MR angiography showed thrombotic occlusions of the internal carotid artery in the area of the cavernous sinus, and in the ophthalmic veins. Cavernous sinus thrombosis was attributed to coagulopathy and, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, especially sphenoiditis. A noticeable increase in the size of the cavernous sinus was detected. Compression of the cranial nerves in the cavernous sinus (CS) region causes dysfunction and pathology in the corresponding regions.

Preradiation tooth extraction and jaw osteoradionecrosis: Nationwide population-based retrospective study in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: Radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) within 7 days of tooth extraction is contraindicated because it may increase the risk of osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ). However, delayed RT could compromise survival in patients with HNC. By using a national healthcare database, we reviewed the contraindications and analysed other risk factors for ORNJ. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: By using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, 5,062 HNC patients with at least one tooth extraction 1-21 days before the first RT day (index day) and without any extractions during or after RT from 2000 to 2013 were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to the time of tooth extraction before the index day: 1-7 days and 8-21 days. PARTICIPANTS: Taiwanese patients with head and neck cancer. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE: Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the risk factors of ORNJ. RESULTS: The overall incidence of ORNJ in the included patients was 1.03% (mean follow-up duration, 4.07 ± 3.01 years; range, 1.00-13.99 years). Tooth extraction within 7 days before RT was not associated with increased ORNJ risk (hazard ratio [HR] =0.734; P = .312). Significant risk factors for ORNJ included oral cancer (adjusted HR = 3.961), tumour excision surgery within 3 months before RT (adjusted HR = 3.488) and mandibulectomy within 3 months before RT (adjusted HR = 5.985; all P < .001). CONCLUSION: In a mean follow-up of 4 years, tooth extraction within 7 days before RT for HNC treatment did not increase the ORNJ risk compared with tooth extraction 7-21 days before RT.

Prevalence and normative values for jaw functional limitations in the general population in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: For jaw functional limitations measured by the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS), (a) determining prevalence in the Swedish general adult population, (b) investigating the influence of demographic factors and self-reported dental status and (c) deriving normative values. METHODS: A random sample of the general adult population in Sweden was approached (response rate: 46%, N = 1,372). Prevalence was determined for the JFLS summary score and individual items. The influence of age, gender and dental status was investigated with regression analyses and normative values presented. RESULTS: The JFLS median score was 0, and all items had prevalences ≤30%. Age and gender did not influence jaw functional limitations but dental status did. Normative JFLS scores were 1, 9 and 28 for the 7th, 8th and 9th deciles, respectively. In dental status-stratified norms, 9th deciles were 20, 43 and 100, for subjects with natural teeth only, removable and complete dentures, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Swedish general adult population had excellent jaw function, but dental status was major determinant. In the absence of information linking JFLS scores to important patient concerns, the score distribution can serve as a reference with the 9th decile as threshold for functional limitation.

[A clinicopathological retrospective epidemiological analysis of benign tumors and tumor-like lesions in the oral and maxillofacial region, diagnosed at the University of Szeged, Department of Oral Medicine (1960-2014)]. / A szegedi Fogászati és Szájsebészeti Klinikán diagnosztizált, az orofacialis régiót érinto jóindulatú daganatok és daganatszeru laesiók klinikopatológiai retrospektív epidemiológiai analízise (1960­2014).

INTRODUCTION: In a clinicopathological retrospective epidemiological study we investigated benign tumors and tumor-like lesions located in the orofacial region, diagnosed at the Universiy of Szeged, Department of Oral Medicine. METHOD: During a 54-year period (1960-2014), 14 661 biopsies were taken. The included subjects were 7491 patients diagnosed with benign tumors and tumor-like lesions. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 55.3 years, 2823 (37.7%) patients were male and 4668 (62.3%) female. The male : female ratio was 1 : 1.65. Most of the patients included in the study were aged 51-60 (1280, 17.1%). The number of children was 1014 (13.6%) and the number of adults was 6477 (86.3%). The number of non-neoplasms was 6420 (85.7%), being significantly higher than the number of neoplasms (1071, 14.3%). Most of the lesions were of mesenchymal origin (5574, 77.4%); the number of lesions of non-mesenchymal origin was 982 (13.1%). The most prevalent type of lesions was traumatic fibroma (fibrosis): 1806 (32.4%). The most common lesion type in the group of lesions of infectious/inflammational origin was pyogenic granuloma, the number of which was 465 (8.3%). The most common cystic lesion was mucocele (805, 10.7%). Hemangioma was the most frequent lesion type among developmental anomalies with the number of 815 (14.6%). The most common location of the lesions was the lip in 2081 cases (27.8%), followed by the gingiva in 2024 cases (27.0%), bucca in 1069 cases (14.3%), tongue in 981 cases (13.1%), and the facial skin in 695 cases (9.3%). After taking biopsy, the majority of benign lesions were treated with cryo-, laser-, or combined (cryo and laser) surgery. CONCLUSION: The present computer-aided study showed that irritational fibroma was the most common orofacial benign tumor, and the lip was the most frequent location. The diagnostic classification and the methodology are considerably different in the majority of the studies, which may hinder the exact comparison with other surveys from different regions of the world. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(37): 1516-1524.

[Statistical information about the inflammatory processes of the jaw-facial part in children].

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: The acute and chronic inflammatory processes prevail in the structure of the dental surgical diseases in children. Notably, various forms of lymphadenitis, adenophlegmon and odontogenous osteomyelitis dominate in the specialized surgical units; however, it is not possible to resolve a number of organizational problems without clear understanding of the statistical situation. The aim: The paper is aimed at the analysis of the incidence rate of major nosological forms of the acute suppurative inflammations of the maxillofacial area in children for the prospective planning of arrangements to provide them with high-quality specialized care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The paper involves findings of comprehensive examination and treatment of 537children with acute purulent lymphadenitis, adenophlegmon and odontogenous osteomyelitis that was carried out within 6 years. RESULTS: Results: The resulting clinical data have shown that three abovementioned nosological forms of the disease accounted for 42% of the overall number of the inpatient dental patients and 11% of the total number of children with acute surgical pathology. Out of 537 patients, 240 patients (44.8%) with acute purulent lymphadenitis, 150 (27,9%) patients with adenophlegmon and 147 (27.3%) patients with acute odontogenous osteomyelitis have been observed (318 (59,2%) boys and 219 (40,8%) girls aged from 2 months to 15 years). The study of the past history of the disease has established that in the majority of patients burdened premorbid history and occurrence of concomitant chronic general somatic diseases was presented prior to the onset of acute inflammation. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The factors, mentioned above, greatly contributed to increase in protective-adaptive properties of child body and create the prerequisites for the formation of pathological symptomocomplex in children, which can be implemented even in the minimal effect of antigen load on the tissues of maxillofacial area. Such situation requires a balanced multidisciplinary approach to the planning of preventive measures in this category of patients at all stages of the observation.

Acquired palatal groove and delayed oral feeding in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Acquired palatal groove has been reported in the 1970s and 1980s, but its current incidence in Japanese newborns is unclear. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of palatal groove in preterm infants and to evaluate whether this condition affects oral feeding ability. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study among very low-birthweight infants born at Takatsuki General Hospital, Osaka, between March and October in 2010. The shape of the hard palate was classified into three types: normal, narrow high-arched palate, and palatal groove. RESULTS: Among the 37 enrolled infants, 14 (38%) had palatal groove. In particular, among the 29 infants with birthweight <1000 g, palatal groove was observed in 48% of these patients, and only 10% were normal. Infants with palatal groove were ventilated for considerably more days with oral endotracheal tube than those without palate groove, even after adjustment for gestational age, birthweight, and duration of oral duodenal tube placement (OR, 1.11). Establishment of oral feeding and disappearance of choking on milk were considerably delayed in infants with palatal groove. Transient oral feeding difficulty requiring thickened-feed intervention was observed only in infants with palatal groove; on multi-regression analysis this difficulty seemed to be induced by the palatal groove. CONCLUSIONS: Palatal groove formation induced by oral endotracheal intubation occurs with a high frequency in preterm infants, and this is likely to affect oral feeding ability.

Retrospective analysis of jaw biopsies in young adults. A study of 1599 cases in Southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prevalence and the characteristics of jaw lesions diagnosed in young adults aged 20 to 30 years in a southern Brazil reference center, over a period of 25 years. And to analyze the concordance between clinical and histological diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, the biopsies files from this center were retrieved and data regarding sex, age, bone localization, clinical and histological diagnosis were collected. The histological diagnosis were grouped into the categories Cystic lesions of odontogenic origin, Periapical inflammation, Odontogenic tumors, Bone diseases, Health tissue and Nonspecific diagnostic. Absolute and relative frequencies were estimated with descriptive analysis. The agreement between clinical and histological diagnosis was measured through Kappa statistic. RESULTS: A total of 18,181 histopathological analysis were performed during the period of the study, registering 1,599 jaw lesions in young adults. The average age of individuals was 24,59 years (SD 3,1). Nine hundred ninety-one (62%) lesions were found in females and 608 (38%) in males. More than half of pathologies were cystic lesions of odontogenic origin (822/51.4%), followed by periapical inflammation (282/17.6%). Regarding the site of lesions, more than half occurred in posterior mandible (877/54.8%), followed by posterior maxilla (339/21.2%). The most frequent entities were periapical cyst, chronic periapical granuloma, dental follicle and paradental cyst, corresponding to a total of 1,202 (75.2%) evaluated cases. In relation to the analysis of concordance between clinical and histological diagnosis the general Kappa index was 0.5, which is considered moderate. Finally, the findings confirm data from literature about the most frequent jaw pathologies in young adults and serve as aid for preventive measures of some entities. Additionally, they can improve the formulation of differential diagnosis and the patient management.

Simple and aneurysmal bone cyst: Aspects of jaw pseudocysts based on an experience of Brazilian pathology service during 53 years.

BACKGROUND: Jaw pseudocysts are benign osseous lesions of unclear etiology. Among these, the simple bone cyst (SBC) and aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) are intriguing bone pathologies still rarely studied together. This retrospective study aimed to present the long-term case series of patients with jaw pseudocysts focusing on the clinical, radiographic, and transoperative aspects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective case series of patients with SBC and ABC was performed. Clinical, radiographic, and transoperative aspects of both pseudocysts were reviewed from the histopathological archives of 20,469 cases between 1959-2012. All descriptive data were summarized. RESULTS: Of 354 (15.25%) bone pathologies, 54 cases of jaw pseudocysts were found, with 42 (11.86%) SBC and 12 (3.39%) ABC cases. For both lesions, most of the sample were young Caucasian women with an asymptomatic posterior mandible lesion with undetermined time of evolution and none trauma history. A unique radiolucent scalloped lesion presenting an empty cavity were also observed for both conditions. However, some atypical findings were found for SBC including: the expansion of bone cortical, tooth resorption, displacement of the mandibular canal, and recurrence. The absence of painful symptoms and the lack of classical blood-filled cavity were observed in some cases of ABC. CONCLUSIONS: The SBC and ABC are bone pathologies with few retrospective studies, no previous studies on the two conditions, varied nomenclature, and atypical aspects in some cases. Therefore, the knowledge of clinical, imaging, and transoperative features of such pseudocysts are clinically valuable as diagnosis hypothesis of radiolucent lesions of the jaws.

Odontogenic and nonodontogenic cysts: An analysis of 526 cases in Turkey.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the age, gender, and sites of different types of odontogenic cysts (OCs) and non-OCs (nOCs) (seen in eastern Anatolian population in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following data were collected from the clinical records and histopathology reports of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Department of Oral Pathology, Ataturk University, Turkey, during a period of 10 years. They were analyzed descriptively in terms of incidence, age, sex, cyst type, and site. RESULTS: A total of 526 cysts were diagnosed during a 10-year period. Of these, 330 (62.7%) were in males, and 196 (37.3%) were in females, the male:female ratio was 1.7:1. There were 509 (96.8%) OCs and 17 (3.2%) nOCs. There were 406 (77.2%) inflammatory OCs and 103 (19.6%) developmental OCs. Radicular cysts were the most frequent (66.4%), followed by dentigerous (19.2%) and residual (10.8%) cysts. Only nasopalatine duct cyst was found as nOC in this study (3.2%). CONCLUSION: The distribution of jaw cysts in the Turkish Eastern Anatolian population is relatively similar to that of other populations reported in previous studies in the literature, in which most OCs were of inflammatory origin. However, the relative rates of cysts were higher than those reported in other studies.

Benign tumors and tumor-like lesions of the oral cavity and jaws: An analysis of 709 cases.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to examine the prevalence, gender, age and site(s) of odontogenic and nonodontogenic benign tumors, and tumor-like lesions occurring in the oral cavity and jaws in a Turkish population, particularly, in the Eastern Turkey, and to compare findings of this study with other reports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data were collected from the files of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the Department of Oral Pathology, Ataturk University, Turkey, during a 10-year period from January 2005 to January 2015. They were analyzed descriptively regarding prevalence, age, sex, lesion type, and site. RESULTS: A total of 709 benign tumor and tumor-like lesions of the oral cavity, and jaws were selected during a period of 10 years. One hundred and twenty-one of these lesions (17%) were odontogenic benign tumors while 588 (83%) were nonodontogenic benign tumor and tumor-like lesions. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the distribution and characteristics of benign tumors and tumor-like lesions of oral cavity and jaws in the Turkish population, particularly including the Eastern region of Turkey have some differences as well as similarities with the findings of studies in different populations.

Associated factors and persistence of palatal groove in preterm infants: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence on the relationship between prematurity and palatal abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of palatal groove, the associated factors and the persistence time in preterm infants from birth to 24 months of age. METHODS: The children's data, medical history and eating habits were collected using a questionnaire answered by the legal guardian and updated every dental visit. Natal and neonatal data were obtained from the medical records. During the orofacial examination, the presence or absence of a palatal groove was observed. In order to evaluate for associations between independent variables and the palatal groove, descriptive analyses and bivariate analyses were conducted using the Mann-Whitney, Pearson's chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests, when appropriate. The Poisson regression analysis was used to determine risk and protective factors for the occurrence of palatal groove. The significance level was 0.05. For the persistence of palatal groove, a survival analysis was used (Kaplan Meier method). RESULTS: Seventy-four preterm infants were monitored. Palatal groove occurred in n = 19 (25.7 %) and persisted for an average time of 12 months. Bivariate analysis showed a significantly higher occurrence of palatal groove in girls (68.4 % vs 40 % with non-occurrence of palatal groove) as well as in infants that stayed longer in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (median 37 days vs 20 days), that did not have exclusive breastfeeding (94.7 % vs 69.1 %), were intubated (median five days vs one day) or used an orogastric tube (median 33 days vs 15 days). The quantitative data for 'NICU', 'intubation' and 'orogastric tube' were correlated and estimated as risk factors for palatal groove formation in the unadjusted Poisson regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Palatal groove occur transiently in approximately one quarter of preterm infants, especially in infants that stay longer in the NICU, are intubated or use an orogastric tube.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Patients Receiving Bone-Targeted Therapies: An Overview--Part I.

Urologic patients receiving bone-targeted therapies are at risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). ONJ has historically been associated with bisphosphonate therapy. More recently, RANK-Ligand inhibitors (denosumab) have also been used to reduce the risk of skeletal-related events in patients who have advanced cancers with bone metastases. More than 65% of men with metastatic prostate cancer and nearly 75% of women with metastatic breast cancer are affected by bone metastases. The literature has described ONJ associated with bisphosphonate therapy as bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). However, with evidence also linking the use of RANK-Ligand inhibitors with osteonecrosis of the jaw, we advocate use of the term "anti-bone resorption therapy-related osteonecrosis of the jaw" (ABRT-ONJ). The term "medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw" (MRONJ) is now becoming more widespread. There is not a universally accepted definition of ABRT-ONJ, which may have hindered recognition and reporting of the condition. In Part I of this article, a review of current knowledge around the etiology of ABRT-ONJ and incidence data are provided. In Part II, we provide an audit of ONJ in a nurse consultant-led bone support clinic. In the article, we refer to zoledronic acid because this is the bisphosphonate of choice for use in men with prostate cancer in the United Kingdom.

Retrospective Audit: Does Prior Assessment by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Reduce the Risk of Osteonecrosis of The Jaw in Patients Receiving Bone-Targeted Therapies for Metastatic Cancers to the Skeleton?--Part II.

Men who receive bone-targeted therapy for metastatic prostate cancer are at increased risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Development of ONJ has been associated with the administration of bone-targeted therapies in association with other risk factors. ONJ can be distressing for a patient because it can cause pain, risk of jaw fracture, body image disturbance, difficultly eating, and difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene. The aim of this article is to report results of an audit of prior assessment by oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS) before initiation of bone-targeted therapies and whether it may reduce the risk of ONJ in patients receiving bone-targeted therapies for advanced cancers.

Time trends and determinants of acute odontogenic maxillofacial infections in Lithuania: a retrospective national 2009-2013 treatment data audit.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the distribution of treatment facilities accepting patients with acute odontogenic maxillofacial infections (AOMIs), time trends in incidence and relate these infections with a number of determinants. METHODS: A national Lithuanian retrospective study gathered data on all patients treated in outpatient/inpatient treatment facilities. Adjusted Incidence Ratios (AIRs) of AOMIs were calculated separately for each type of infection and for each year. Administrative districts (ADs) were grouped into low, medium, and high thirds based on the regional determinants: socio-economic index (R-SEI), access to basic (R-BDCI) or specialized dental care (R-SDCI) and index of systemic diseases (R-ISD). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant geographical differences in the distribution of TFs providing care for patients with AOMIs. Numbers of treatment facilities consistently increased from 2009 to 2013, but there was no consistent increase/decrease in the incidence of AOMIs (-1%). Regions with the highest R-SEI tended to have a higher incidence of AOMIs as compared to regions with medium or low R-SEI. When controlled for other determinants, lower R-BDCI/R-SDCI scores were associated with a higher incidence of AOMIs. CONCLUSIONS: High annual incidences (-1% of a total population) were diagnosed and treated for AOMIs, but there was no consistent time trend for these infections.

Notoriety bias in a database of spontaneous reports: the example of osteonecrosis of the jaw under bisphosphonate therapy in the French national pharmacovigilance database.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify a notoriety bias in a database of spontaneous reports and its consequences on the calculation of the reporting odds ratio (ROR). METHODS: We used the case/noncase methodology to calculate the ROR for bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) in the French national pharmacovigilance database (from 1985 to 2013). To evaluate notoriety bias, drug-related risk factors for ONJ [as specified in the summary of product characteristics (SPC) of bisphosphonates] were systematically scanned for notifications of reports of ONJ occurring under bisphosphonate therapy. When a risk factor was present, the ONJ was considered as not due to bisphosphonates, and a second ROR was calculated under the hypothesis of maximum bias. RESULTS: In total, 148 cases of ONJ were reported (143 with bisphosphonates and five without). The raw ROR was 3448 (95% confidence interval 1413-8417). After analysis of the reports, only 86 had no mention of a risk factor for ONJ. The ROR under the maximum bias hypothesis was 87 (95% confidence interval 63-121). Among ONJ where chemotherapy was being administered simultaneously to bisphosphonates, 27 reports did not consider the chemotherapy to be implicated, despite seven of these occurring in cases where ONJ was mentioned in the summary of product characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The existence of a notoriety bias has an impact on measures of disproportionality. The detection of pharmacovigilance signals might be delayed. It is advisable to list all drugs being taken when an adverse drug reaction occurs, and not only those known to be associated with the observed reaction.

Radiologic assessment and frequency of idiopathic osteosclerosis of jawbones: an interpopulation comparison.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic osteosclerosis is a localized growth of compact bone with an unknown cause. This asymptomatic lesion is an insignificant finding and as such requires no treatment. It should be distinguished from other types of osteosclerosis created by inflammatory processes and systemic diseases. PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and distribution of idiopathic osteosclerosis in the jawbones in Iran and to compare this prevalence and distribution with other populations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in the Dental School of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, between 2010 and 2011. Data were collected from the files of patients who underwent panoramic radiography for dental treatment. Location, shape, and relation between idiopathic osteosclerosis and the tooth as well as the resorption of the tooth involved were evaluated. Lesion distribution regarding age, gender, localization, shape, dental relationship, and root resorption was assessed using the chi-squared test. RESULTS: In total, 787 panoramic radiographs of 456 women and 331 men were assessed. Idiopathic osteosclerosis was detected in 75 (9.5%) patients. The prevalence of idiopathic osteosclerosis was significantly higher in the women (11.8% vs. 6.3%; P < 0.01). The mean age of the patients with idiopathic osteosclerosis was 31.9 ± 17.9 years and 30.8 ± 13.3 years in the patients without idiopathic osteosclerosis. The distribution of idiopathic osteosclerosis in the mandible (97.3%), mostly in the premolar region, was significantly higher than that in the maxilla (2.7%). CONCLUSION: Our results showed high frequencies of idiopathic osteosclerosis in Iran in comparison to some other countries.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw in Sweden associated with the oral use of bisphosphonate.

PURPOSE: To estimate the incidence of bisphosphonate (BP)-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) associated with the use of oral BPs and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) not associated with current or previous medication with a BP or radiotherapy to the head and neck region (background ONJ) in Sweden. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was sent to all oral and maxillofacial surgery clinics and hospital dental clinics in Sweden. They were requested to report all new cases of BRONJ and background ONJ during 2007 and 2008. RESULTS: The response rate was 61%. The oral BRONJ incidence for patients aged 45 years or older was 67 cases/100,000 patient-years of BP medication in 2007 (1 case/1,500 patient-years). In 2008, 69 cases/100,000 patient-years (1 case/1,445 patient-years) were reported. The mean age at the development of oral BRONJ was 76.5 ± 10.8 years (median age 79, range 49 to 96) for 2007 and 79.8 ± 7.6 years (median 79, range 67 to 94) for 2008. Women were primarily affected (22 of 26 in 2007 and 25 of 29 in 2008). The incidence of background ONJ was low: 0.14 and 0.09/100,000 person-years for those aged 45 years or older in 2007 and 2008, respectively (3 cases in 2007 and 2 in 2008). CONCLUSIONS: The BRONJ incidence has been estimated to be more than 100-fold greater than the incidence of background ONJ. However, an average Swedish dental practice (1,234 patients) will only encounter 1 patient with new oral BRONJ every 62 nd year.

The incidence of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws in oral cavity cancer patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to define the incidence of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in patients with oral cavity cancer (OCC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and to identify the risk factors influencing its development. STUDY DESIGN: Six databases were searched systematically. A meta-analysis was performed to determine overall, spontaneous, and dental extraction-attributed incidences of ORN. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool evaluated evidence certainty. RESULTS: Out of 11 eligible studies, 6 underwent meta-analysis for the overall aggregated ORN incidence in OCC patients receiving IMRT, resulting in an incidence rate of 8% (95% CI: 6%-11%). Regarding development reasons, 2 studies were assessed, revealing an incidence of 36% (95% CI: 1%-98%) for spontaneous ORN, and 17% (95% CI: 5%-44%) ensued from dental extraction exclusively pre-RT. All rates had very low certainty of evidence. Factors significantly correlated with ORN development included postoperative RT use (78%), employment of therapeutic doses above 50 Gy, and mandibular involvement (80.5%). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that IMRT alone is not sufficient to decrease ORN rates in OCC patients, underscoring the importance of precisely identifying the involved risk factors. However, further detailed primary studies will be necessary.

Is preexisting inflamed jaw marrow a "hidden" co-morbidity affecting outcomes of COVID-19 infections? - Clinical comparative study.

Introduction: Exceedingly high levels of the chemokine CCL5/RANTES have been found in fatty degenerated osteonecrotic alveolar bone cavities (FDOJ) and aseptic ischemic osteolysis of the jaw (AIOJ) from toothless regions. Because CCL5/RANTES seems to have a prominent role in creating the COVID-19 "cytokine storm", some researchers have used the monoclonal antibody Leronlimab to block the CCR5 on inflammatory cells.Objective: Is preexisting FDOJ/AIOJ jaw marrow pathology a "hidden" co-morbidity affecting some COVID-19 infections? To what extent does the chronic CCL5/RANTES expression from preexisting FDOJ/AIOJ areas contribute to the progression of the acute cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients?Methods: Authors report on reducing the COVID-19 "cytokine storm" by treating infected patients through targeting the chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) with Leronlimab and interrupting the activation of CCR5 by high CCL5/RANTES signaling, thus dysregulating the inflammatory phase of the viremia. Surgical removal of FDOJ/AIOJ lesions with high CCL5/RANTES from patients with inflammatory diseases may be classified as a co-morbid disease.Results: Both multiplex analysis of 249 FDOJ/AIOJ bone tissue samples as well as serum levels of CCL5/RANTES displayed exceedingly high levels in both specimens.Discussion: By the results the authors hypothesize that chronic CCL5/RANTES induction from FDOJ/AIOJ areas may sensitize CCR5 throughout the immune system, thus, enabling it to amplify its response when confronted with the virus. As conventional intraoral radiography does little to assess the quality of the alveolar bone, ultrasonography units are available to help dentists locate the FDOJ/AIOJ lesions in an office setting.Conclusion: The authors propose a new approach to containment of the COVID-19 cytokine storm by a prophylactic focus for future viral-related pandemics, which may be early surgical clean-up of CCL5/RANTES expression sources in the FDOJ/AIOJ areas, thus diminishing a possible pre-sensitization of CCR5. A more complete dental examination includes trans-alveolar ultrasono-graphy (TAU) for hidden FDOJ/AIOJ lesions.

Pre-chemoradiotherapy high platelet counts predict jaw osteoradionecrosis in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

INTRODUCTION: This retrospective study aimed to investigate if pretreatment platelet (PLT) levels can predict the risk of osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). MATERIAL &METHODS: ORNJ instances were identified from LA-NPC patients' pre- and post-CCRT oral exam records. All pretreatment PLT values were acquired on the first day of CCRT. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimal PLT cutoff that divides patients into two subgroups with distinctive ORNJ rates. The primary outcome measure was the association between pretreatment PLT values and ORNJ incidence rates. RESULTS: The incidence of ORNJ was 8.8 % among the 240 LA-NPC patients analyzed. The ideal pre-CCRT PLT cutoff which divided the patients into two significantly different ORNJ rate groups was 285,000 cells/µL (PLT ≤ 285,000 cells/µL (N = 175) vs. PLT > 285,000 cells/µL (N = 65)). A comparison of the two PLT groups revealed that the incidence of ORNJ was substantially higher in patients with PLT > 285,000 cells/L than in those with PLT≤285,000 cells/L (26.2% vs. 2.3 %; P < 0.001). The presence of pre-CCRT ≥3 tooth extractions, any post-CCRT tooth extractions, mean mandibular dose ≥ 34.1 Gy, mandibular V57.5 Gy ≥ 34.7 %, and post-CCRT tooth extractions > 9 months after CCRT completion were also associated with significantly increased ORNJ rates. A multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that each characteristic had an independent significance on ORNJ rates after CCRT. CONCLUSION: An affordable and easily accessible novel biomarker, PLT> 285,000 cells/L, may predict substantially higher ORNJ rates after definitive CCRT in individuals with LA-NPC.