Is it a cystic or a cyst-like condition? Discussing the etiology of an unusual large mandibular lesion in a Roman skeleton from Quinta da Torrinha/Quinta de Santo António (Almada, Portugal).

Cystic and cyst-like lesions of the jaw are a recurrent finding in routine dental radiography but not in paleopathology. This paper describes a large oval osteolytic cavity (23 × 14 mm) observed in the mandible of a middle-aged female unearthed from the Roman necropolis of Quinta da Torrinha/Quinta de Santo António (Almada, Portugal, 3rd-5th centuries AD). The lesion was located in the body of the mandible, inferior to the alveolus of the first left molar. The associated tooth exhibited a carious lesion that destroyed the tooth crown and exposed the pulp cavity. The osteolytic lesion presented inner smooth walls and sharped regular contours, surrounded by slight microporosity. Radiography revealed an unilocular lesion with well-defined contours and a thin opaque rim. The differential diagnosis considered several odontogenic and non-odontogenic conditions of the jaw. The size and shape of the cavity, the nature of its walls and contours, and the presence of a source of infection in the pulp is consistent with an odontogenic condition of inflammatory origin, probably a radicular cyst.

Effect of expanded bone marrow-derived osteoprogenitor cells seeded into polycaprolactone/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds in new bone regeneration of rabbit mandibular defects.

The purpose of this study was to assess and evaluate new bone formation in rabbit marginal mandibular defects using expanded bone marrow-derived osteoprogenitor cells seeded in three-dimensional scaffolds of polycaprolactone/tricalcium phosphate (PCL/TCP). Bone marrow was harvested from the rabbit ilium and rabbit bone marrow-derived osteoprogenitor cells were isolated and expanded in standard culture medium and osteogenic medium supplement. The cells were then seeded into the PCL/TCP scaffolds and the cell/scaffold constructions were implanted into prepared defects in rabbit mandibles. PCL/TCP scaffold alone and autogenous bone graft from the mandible were also implanted into the other prepared defects. The specimens were evaluated at 4 and 8 weeks after the implantation using clinical, radiographic, and histological techniques. The results of the experimental group demonstrated more newly formed bone on the surface and in the pores of the PCL/TCP scaffolds. In addition, the osteoblasts, osteocytes, and new bone trabeculae were identified throughout the defects that were implanted with the cell/scaffold constructions. The PCL/TCP alone group was filled mostly with fibrous cells particularly in the middle region with less bone formation. These results would suggest that the derived osteotoprogenitor cells have the potential to form bone tissue when seeded onto PCL/TCP scaffolds.

Cervical Necrotizing Fasciitis of Odontogenic Origin and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an infection of the soft tissues pathology with high mortality that spreads through the fascial planes and rarely seen in head and neck region. The cause of infection is often odontogenic problems. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, surgical debridement, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) are important for the treatment of disease. We report a case of cervical NF in a 33-year-old woman who was treated with rapid surgical debridement and simultaneous HBO.

The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy related to the clinical stage of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible.

This study aimed to evaluate the success of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and surgery in the treatment of mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in relation to the extent of the ORN. Twenty-seven patients with ORN were identified from a total of 509 patients with a history of primary oral or base of the tongue cancer; these patients had been treated with radiation therapy with curative intent between 1992 and 2006, with a radiation dose to the mandible of ≥50Gy. The ORN was staged according to the classification of Notani et al. The time from completion of radiation therapy to the development of ORN varied (median 3 years). Forty HBOT sessions were offered. After HBOT alone, 3 of 11 stage I lesions, 0 of 8 stage II lesions, and 0 of 8 stage III lesions had healed (P=0.0018). An absolute incidence of 5.3% ORN was found in this population. Of all sites irradiated in this study, the floor of the mouth was most associated with ORN (8.6%), whereas the cheek was least associated (0%). Based on the results of this study, HBOT can be recommended for stage I and II ORN and for selected cases of stage III ORN.

Concurrence of Torus Palatinus, Torus Mandibularis and Buccal Exostosis.

Torus palatinus (TP), torus mandibularis (TM), and buccal exostosis are localised, benign, osseous projections, occurring in maxilla and mandible. Etiology is multifactorial and not well established. Tori and exostoses have been associated with parafunctional occlusal habits, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, migraine and consumption of fish. Concurrence of TP, TM, and exostosis in the same individual is very rare. Concurrence of TPand TM has not been reported from Pakistan. We report a case of a 22-year female patient manifesting concurrence of TP, bilateral TM, and maxillary buccal exostoses; with possible association of abnormal occlusal stresses and use of calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Alveolar bone regeneration in response to local application of calcitriol in vitamin D deficient rats.

AIM: Vitamin D deficiency is considered to diminish bone regeneration. Yet, raising the serum levels takes months. A topic application of the active vitamin D metabolite, calcitriol, may be an effective approach. Thus, it becomes important to know the effect of vitamin D deficiency and local application on alveolar bone regeneration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty rats were divided into three groups; two vitamin depletion groups and a control group. Identical single defects (2 mm diameter) were created in the maxilla and mandible treated with calcitriol soaked collagen in one deficiency group while in the other two groups not. Histomorphometric analysis and micro CTs were performed after 1 and 3 weeks. Serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and PTH were determined. RESULTS: Bone formation rate significantly increased within the observation period in all groups. Bone regeneration was higher in the maxilla than in the mandible. However, bone regeneration was lower in the control group compared to vitamin depletion groups, with no significant effects by local administration of calcitriol (micro CT mandible p = 0.003, maxilla p < 0.001; histomorphometry maxilla p = 0.035, mandible p = 0.18). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency not necessarily impairs bone regeneration in the rat jaw and a single local calcitriol application does not enhance healing.

Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible: a case series at a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) defines exposed irradiated bone, which fails to heal over a period of 3-6 months without evidence of residual or recurrent tumor. In the previous decades, a staging and treatment protocol suggested by Marx, has dominated the approach to ORN. However, recently this paradigm is shifting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our institutional experience in managing ORN through a retrospective review of case series from a large urban academic cancer centre. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted to include all ORN cases from 2003 to 2009 diagnosed at the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and the Department of Dentistry. The staging of ORN was assessed as affected by tumor site, tumor stage, radiotherapy modality and dose, chemotherapy, dental work, and time to diagnosis. The effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) and surgery in the management of ORN was evaluated. RESULTS: Fourteen cases of ORN were documented (incidence 0.84%). Primary subsites included tonsils, tongue, retromolar trigone, parotid gland, soft palate and buccal mucosa. There were 5 (35.7%) stage 1, 3 (21.4%) stage 2, and 6 (42.9%) stage 3 cases. ORN severity was not significantly associated with gender, smoking, alcohol use, tumor site, T stage, N stage, AJCC stage, or treatment modality (radiation alone, surgery with adjuvant radiation or adjuvant chemoradiation). Patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy developed less severe ORN compared to those treated with conventional radiotherapy (p < 0.015). ORN stage did not correlate with radiation dose. In one patient only dental procedures were performed following radiation and could be implicated as the cause of ORN. HBO therapy failed to prevent ORN progression. Surgical treatment was required for most stage 2 (partial resections and free tissue transfers) and stage 3 patients (mandibulectomies and free tissue transfers, including two flaps in one patient). At an average follow up of 26 months, all patients were cancer-free, and there was no evidence of ORN in 84% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In early ORN, we advocate a conservative approach with local care, while reserving radical resections with robust reconstruction with vascularized free tissue for advanced stages.

Case of progressive facial hemiatrophy with cervical sympathetic hyperactivity as underlying aetiology.

OBJECTIVE: We report a case of progressive facial hemiatrophy with cervical sympathetic hyperactivity as a possible underlying aetiology, based on clinical findings, three-dimensional computed tomography and thermographic imaging. METHODS: We present a case report in which we describe the investigation and clinical course of progressive facial hemiatrophy, and we also review the world literature on this condition. RESULTS: To our knowledge, this is the first report in the world literature of progressive facial hemiatrophy with cervical sympathetic hyperactivity indicated as a possible underlying aetiology, based on clinical findings, three-dimensional computed tomography and thermographic imaging. CONCLUSION: This syndrome may lead to atrophy of the subcutaneous adipose tissue with hyperfunction of the vegetative system. Although this is a rare syndrome, otolaryngologists should be aware of its symptoms, aetiology and treatment.

Evaluation of parathyroid hormone bound to a synthetic matrix for guided bone regeneration around dental implants: a histomorphometric study in dogs.

BACKGROUND: A polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel matrix covalently bound to a 35-amino acid peptide of parathyroid hormone cystein-PTH 1-34 (cys-PTH 1-34) was shown to enhance bone regeneration around implants. The aim of this study is to test if the addition of an integrin-receptor-binding arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-containing peptide at early healing time points improves the performance of the PEG matrix supplemented with cys-PTH 1-34 (PTH) when applied in acute defects around implants at early healing time points (2 and 4 weeks). METHODS: Six dogs received 48 implants. Each side of the mandible was randomly assigned for implantation at day 0 or 2 weeks. A circumferential critical-size defect was created at each site before implantation. Sites were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 1) PEG alone (PEG group), 2) PEG plus RGD (PEG/RGD group), 3) PEG plus PTH (PEG/PTH group), and 4) PEG plus RGD plus PTH (PEG/RGD/PTH group). Dogs were sacrificed 2 weeks after the second surgery, and specimens were obtained for histologic analysis. For the statistical analysis, mixed linear regression with repeated measurements was used, and a Dunnett-Hsu adjustment was made for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: At 2 weeks, the percentages of new bone formation within the defect were 12.43% for the PEG group, 15.95% for the PEG/RGD group, 15.32% for the PEG/PTH group, and 16.60% for the PEG/RGD/PTH group. At 4 weeks, the percentages of new bone formation within the defect were 30.01% for the PEG group, 27.90% for the PEG/RGD group, 29.89% for the PEG/PTH group, and 27.58% for the PEG/RGD/PTH group. A marginally significant difference (PEG/RGD/PTH group versus PEG group; P = 0.055) was found at 2 weeks but not at 4 weeks. The highest percentage of bone-to-implant contact (BIC) in the defect site at 2 weeks was observed for the PEG/RGD group (8.57%). The BIC after 4 weeks of healing ranged from 11.54% (PEG/RGD/PTH group) to 16.61% (PEG group). No statistically significant differences were observed in BIC. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of binding PTH covalently to a synthetic, RGD-modified PEG hydrogel marginally significantly improved bone formation at 2 weeks of healing compared to the use of PEG alone. Bone regeneration within the defects increased in all groups at week 4 of healing without statistically significant differences.

Bone regeneration after demineralized bone matrix and castor oil (Ricinus communis) polyurethane implantation.

Innocuous biocompatible materials have been searched to repair or reconstruct bone defects. Their goal is to restore the function of live or dead tissues. This study compared connective tissue and bone reaction when exposed to demineralized bovine bone matrix and a polyurethane resin derived from castor bean (Ricinus communis). Forty-five rats were assigned to 3 groups of 15 animals (control, bovine bone and polyurethane). A cylindrical defect was created on mandible base and filled with bovine bone matrix and the polyurethane. Control group received no treatment. Analyses were performed after 15, 45 and 60 days (5 animals each). Histological analysis revealed connective tissue tolerance to bovine bone with local inflammatory response similar to that of the control group. After 15 days, all groups demonstrated similar outcomes, with mild inflammatory reaction, probably due to the surgical procedure rather than to the material. In the polymer group, after 60 days, scarce multinucleated cells could still be observed. In general, all groups showed good stability and osteogenic connective tissue with blood vessels into the surgical area. The results suggest biocompatibility of both materials, seen by their integration into rat mandible. Moreover, the polyurethane seems to be an alternative in bone reconstruction and it is an inexhaustible source of biomaterial.

Bone regeneration after demineralized bone matrix and castor oil (Ricinus communis) polyurethane implantation

Innocuous biocompatible materials have been searched to repair or reconstruct bone defects. Their goal is to restore the function of live or dead tissues. This study compared connective tissue and bone reaction when exposed to demineralized bovine bone matrix and a polyurethane resin derived from castor bean (Ricinus communis). Forty-five rats were assigned to 3 groups of 15 animals (control, bovine bone and polyurethane). A cylindrical defect was created on mandible base and filled with bovine bone matrix and the polyurethane. Control group received no treatment. Analyses were performed after 15, 45 and 60 days (5 animals each). Histological analysis revealed connective tissue tolerance to bovine bone with local inflammatory response similar to that of the control group. After 15 days, all groups demonstrated similar outcomes, with mild inflammatory reaction, probably due to the surgical procedure rather than to the material. In the polymer group, after 60 days, scarce multinucleated cells could still be observed. In general, all groups showed good stability and osteogenic connective tissue with blood vessels into the surgical area. The results suggest biocompatibility of both materials, seen by their integration into rat mandible. Moreover, the polyurethane seems to be an alternative in bone reconstruction and it is an inexhaustible source of biomaterial.

Relationship between anteroposterior cranial vault deformation and mandibular morphology in a pre-Columbian population.

INTRODUCTION: An externally applied force to the cranial vault has been reported to affect the growth of the facial skeleton. However, the effect on the mandible is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anteroposterior cranial vault deformation and mandibular morphology. METHODS: The study sample included 44 women's crania with intact faces and bases that were excavated from archaeological sites in the Azapa Valley in northern Chile. The crania were divided into anteroposterior deformation (AP) and undeformed (U) groups according to frontal, parietal, and occipital curvatures. The sizes of the cranial vault, middle face, and mandible were measured with calipers. Lateral cephalograms were taken and analyzed according to a conventional method. RESULTS: Cranial base angle, bizygomatic breadth and upper facial height, bicondylar breadth, anterior breadth, and mandibular body length were significantly larger, and the mandibular angle was significantly smaller, in the AP group than in the U group. CONCLUSIONS: The anteroposteriorly shorter and wider cranial deformation caused by externally applied forces in infancy might affect the bone-remodeling process of the mandibular angle, leading to a smaller mandibular angle in adulthood.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for radionecrosis of the jaw: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial from the ORN96 study group.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) for overt mandibular osteoradionecrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 12 university hospitals. Ambulatory adults with overt osteoradionecrosis of the mandible were assigned to receive 30 HBO exposures preoperatively at 2.4 absolute atmosphere for 90 minutes or a placebo, and 10 additional HBO dives postoperatively or a placebo. The main outcome measure was 1-year recovery rate from osteoradionecrosis. Secondary end points included time to treatment failure, time to pain relief, 1-year mortality rate, and treatment safety. RESULTS: At the time of the second interim analysis, based on the triangular test, the study was stopped for potentially worse outcomes in the HBO arm. A total of 68 patients were enrolled and analyzed. At 1 year, six (19%) of 31 patients had recovered in the HBO arm and 12 (32%) of 37 in the placebo arm (relative risk = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.25 to 1.41; P = .23). Time to treatment failure (hazard ratio = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.68 to 2.60; P = .41) and time to pain relief (hazard ratio = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.52 to 1.89; P = .99) were similar between the two treatment arms. CONCLUSION: Patients with overt mandibular osteoradionecrosis did not benefit from hyperbaric oxygenation.

Cherubism in siblings: a case report.

Cherubism is a non-neoplastic bone disease characterized by clinically evident bilateral, painless enlargements of the jaws that are said to give the patient a cherubic appearance. Cherubism may appear in solitary cases or in many members of the same family, often in multiple generations. On radiography, the lesions exhibit bilateral multilocular radiolucent areas. Histopathologic evaluation reveals proliferating fibrous connective tissue containing numerous multinucleated giant cells. Since the first description of this condition in 1933, almost 200 cases have been reported. We describe cherubism in 2 siblings and briefly review the literature on this subject.

Sclerosing osteomyelitis of Garré periostitis ossificans.

Sclerosing osteomyelitis of Garré is a rare syndrome; the mandible is the most commonly affected bone segment in the cervicofacial region. This chronic disease is characterized by a nonsuppurative ossifying periostitis with subperiosteal bone formation, commonly reactive to a mild infection or irritation. The differential diagnosis must be made with similar clinical conditions with hard mandibular swelling associated with bony sclerosis. Presumptive diagnosis can be achieved by radiology, but such diagnosis must be confirmed by histology. The aim of therapy is to remove the cause when recognized, aided by an adequate antibiotic therapy. Clinical, radiographic, and histologic features are presented in this case report.

Effects of selenium on the structure of the mandible in experimental diabetics.

In the treatment of diabetes-induced pathologies, beneficial results have been obtained with administration of antioxidants. Selenium is an antioxidant and essential trace element in living organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of selenium on the structural alterations of the mandible due to diabetes. In this study thirty-nine Wistar rats were used and a control, a selenium given control, a diabetic and a selenium given diabetes groups were formed. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single i.p. injection (50 mg/kg) of streptozotocin (STZ). The diabetic + selenium and the control + selenium groups were injected with a daily dose of 5 micro mol/kg/day sodium selenite (i.p.) for 4 weeks while the diabetic and the control groups were injected with distilled water. Mandibles of all the animals were excised and examined at the 5th week. High blood glucose level and low body weight in the diabetic group were not significantly affected by selenium administration. Furthermore, a negligible increase in blood glucose level was observed in the selenium given control group. Densitometric analysis revealed a significant reduction in bone density and presence of resorption in the diabetic and the selenium given control groups as compared to the selenium given diabetes and the control groups. In X-ray diffraction analysis, the reduction in peak intensity of the reflected light in both the diabetic and the selenium given control groups indicated a possible alteration in the crystallinity or a poor crystalline substance. Histological investigation showed that there was progressive resorption, trabecular and cortical irregularity and vascular proliferation in the diabetic and the selenium given control groups, whereas a more healthy appearance was detected in the selenium given diabetes group. The results of this study suggest the positive effects of selenium on diabetes-induced structural alterations in the mandible. However, the unexpected results in the selenium given control group necessitate further studies on the mechanism of selenium effects in organisms.

[Mature bone radionecrosis: from recent physiopathological knowledge to an innovative therapeutic action]. / Radionécrose de l'os mature: connaissance physiopathologique récente motrice d'une thérapeutique médicale innovante.

Osteoradionecrosis is a severe radiotherapy (RT) injury by healing failure, late effect and spontaneously irreversible by tissue death. Histologically, it consists in a pagetoid mosaic that combines a defective osteogenesis with an osteoclastic osteolysis and more marginally an osteolytic osteolysis, turned to account to fibroblastic and collagenic fibrosis. Several pathogenic hypotheses favor sometimes a vascular hypoxic hypotheses, sometimes a fibro-atrophic hypothesis. Various events start up or favour ORN as traumatisms (dental extraction, surgery,...) or bacterian infection on fistula. In clinic, adult mature bone concerned is the mandible after head and neck RT by septic ORN, and the hip after pelvic RT by aseptic ORN. For each, epidemiology, clinic and therapeutic aspects are developed. Usual therapeutic attitudes consisted in restriction of defavorable associated events (dental extraction, infection, RT dose, chemotherapy,...) and devitalized tissue removal. Physiopathological therapeutic innovatives aspects are proposed to struggle against radiation-induced fibrosis associated and to limit bone destruction.

Segmental mandibular reconstruction by microincremental automatic distraction osteogenesis: an animal study.

We investigated the reconstruction of a surgically created critical size mandibular defect in sheep using a newly developed automatic distraction device. The device has an implantable component, which is fixed to the mandible to allow the transfer of the transport disc across the created defect, and an external component which is mounted on the activation pump and secured away from the site of bone distraction. Compression of the bellows in the external component causes fluid to be forced through the connecting tube into the distraction component. Distraction at a rate of 1 mm over 24 h was achieved in six sheep. New bone generated at the site of the created defects both anterior (compression side) and posterior (tension side) to the transport disc and had similar radiodensity to the adjacent mandibular bone eight weeks after the completion of distraction.

The effect of high salt intake on the mandibular bone loss in Dahl-Iwai salt-sensitive rat.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high salt intake on the mandibular bone in Dahl-Iwai salt-sensitive (DS) rats. Twenty-eight 11-week-old male DS rats were divided into four groups (n=7). The control groups received a normal (0.2% NaCl) diet while the experimental groups received a diet supplemented with 8.0% NaCl. The systolic blood pressure was significantly increased in the experimental groups compared to the control groups. The animals were sacrificed under ether anesthesia at the 8th week or the 22nd week of the experiment. The biochemical data in plasma and urine suggested negative calcium balance in the experimental groups compared to the control groups. The bone mineral density was significantly reduced at the 22nd week of high salt loading. The histomorphometric analysis suggested that the reduction of the mandibular bone volume had already started by the 8th week of high salt loading along with the increased bone resorption and the decreased bone formation, and that the improper bone remodeling balance became normalized by the 22nd week of high salt loading. In conclusion, these results indicate that a high salt intake causes not only severe hypertension but also a mandibular bone reduction in the DS rats.