Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint: Case series and literature review.

Background: Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (SATMJ) is a relatively uncommon condition in the adult population and can result in significant morbidity. This study reviewed seven cases of SATMJ, including their management and complications.Clinical Presentation: A retrospective study was performed on seven cases that developed SATMJ documented from 2011 to 2017. Seven cases demonstrated SATMJ that resulted in joint destruction and complications, such as mandibular osteomyelitis, vertebral osteomyelitis, bone erosion, ankylosis, and death. The management of these seven cases was presented, as well as the treatment outcomes.Clinical Relevance: SATMJ should be treated aggressively, as it may cause severe damage to the TMJs and adjacent tissues, which could lead to loss of function, malocclusion, and potentially fatal complications.

Mandibular Reconstruction With Block Iliac Crest: An Institutional Experience.

STUDY DESIGN: Mandibular reconstruction is a challenge. Several reconstructive techniques are available, and the individualization of choice for each patient leads to better results and quality of life for the individual. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristics and complications of cases submitted to mandibular reconstruction with autogenous bone graft block of the iliac crest. METHODS: Records of 45 patients undergoing mandibular reconstruction with autogenous bone graft block of the iliac crest were analyzed from January 2000 to December 2014. The data collected included age, gender, etiology and graft size, surgical approach, complications, comorbidities, and habits and addictions. Analysis of variance, chi-square test, and Fisher exact test were used for analysis of the variables with a significance level of P < .05. RESULTS: The success rate of the 45 charts analyzed was 75.6%. No statistical differences were found between age and presence of complications, between defect size and presence or absence of complications, and between type of surgical approach and presence or absence of complications. CONCLUSION: According to our study, medical history may influence postoperative complications and require attention, though further studies should be performed to further elucidate the relationship between diseases and postoperative complications.

Immunohistochemical analysis of BRAF V600E mutation in ameloblastomas.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the presence of BRAF V600E mutation in mandible ameloblastomas by correlating clinical and imaging data on the cases studied. METHODS: Eighty-four cases diagnosed as mandibular ameloblastoma were selected for analysis. The specimens were submitted to immunohistochemistry for detection of BRAF V600E mutated protein. Clinical-pathological data such as age, gender, tumour size, mandibular location, radiographic aspects, histological type and sub-type, and tumour status were collected. The clinical-pathological parameters were categorised and analysed according to BRAF V600E detection. RESULTS: Of the 84 patients, 78.6% (66 cases) demonstrated positivity for anti-BRAF V600E antibody, whereas 18 were negative (21.4%). The correlation between BRAF expression and variables showed statistical significances for mandibular location (P = 0.0353) and tumour size (P = 0.008), whereas no statistical significance was observed for gender, age, radiographic aspect, histological pattern, histological sub-type and tumour status. Multivariate logistic regression revealed a significant risk for BRAF positivity in tumours with posterior mandibular location (OR = 7.23, P = 0.0451) and size > 4 cm (OR = 7.29, P = 0.0150). CONCLUSION: BRAF V600E mutation is common in mandibular ameloblastomas, especially in cases of tumours larger than 4 cm and in the posterior region of the mandible. In addition, this mutation can occur regardless of histological type of the tumour, age, gender, radiographic aspect and tumour status. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The association between clinical-pathologic features and BRAF V600E mutation in ameloblastomas may provide directions for the treatment of this neoplasia. The use of BRAF inhibitors for targeted therapy could lead to an establishment of an alternative compared to the resective surgery.

Analysis of the blood supply to the post-fracture edentulous mandible: study by colour Doppler sonography.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the arterial blood supply to the mandible of edentulous patients treated for mandibular fractures using colour Doppler ultrasound. METHODS: The blood supply of edentulous patients surgically treated for mandibular fractures (group A) and edentulous fracture-free individuals (group B) was assessed. Only the fractured sides were evaluated in the first group (N = 17), whereas each side was evaluated in the second group (N = 20). The arterial flow of six sites was assessed. The systolic-peak maximum velocity (SPV), final diastolic velocity (FDV), resistive index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), acceleration and flow direction of each artery were obtained. Additionally, the presence of local vascular obstructive factors was evaluated. The differences between groups were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, which was complemented by the Mann-Whitney test, for correlations between the degree of alveolar atrophy and the study factors (p < 0.050). RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the flow of certain arteries, especially the submental (SPV, p = 0.007, PI, p = 0.022, and acceleration, p = 0.015), in the fracture group. The facial artery in both groups showed lower values related to local obstructive factors (SPV, p = 0.001, FDV, p = 0.040, and PI, p = 0.030). The submental artery flow was higher (SPV, p = 0.006, and FDV, p = 0.009) in non-atrophic individuals. CONCLUSIONS: There was a decreased flow mainly in the submental artery, but there were no cases of major vascular injury in edentulous patients treated for mandibular fractures.

Immunohistochemical biomarkers in ameloblastomas.

Ameloblastoma is an aggressive odontogenic tumour, which is locally invasive and highly recurrent. Studies show that ameloblastoma is a benign odontogenic neoplasia, being relatively rare and occasionally presenting behaviour of malignant lesions. In addition to these particularities, the histological diagnosis of ameloblastoma can be challenging when the tumour shows high rates of mitosis, absence of nuclear pleomorphism, basilar hyperplasia and neural invasion. In order to help in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of this neoplasia, some immunohistochemical markers were shown to be associated with tumoural epithelium. The identification of these markers as well as of their association with clinical signs can be useful to elaborate more efficient treatment strategies and to control this pathology, including improvement of the quality of life of patients affected by this neoplasia. This article aims to review some markers associated with specific molecular pathways, bone remodelling, cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell signalling and tumour suppression.

Maxillofacial aspects in malignant osteopetrosis.

OBJECTIVE: Malignant osteopetrosis (MO) is a rare hereditary disease that affects young children. Its physiopathology is explained by a basic defect in osteoclast precursor cells, with a radiographic image of diffuse sclerosis and increased bone density. The bone contains an increased number of structurally abnormal osteoclasts. Infections commonly occur because the neutrophils exhibit reduced chemotactic response and decreased ability of bacterial phagocytosis. PATIENT: A white female patient aged 9 months, of mixed descent, was diagnosed at birth as having MO after bone marrow biopsy. Dental examination revealed the presence of four teeth, all of which had enamel hypoplasia and no carious lesions. After bone marrow transplantation (BMT), an erythematous lesion appeared on the alveolar ridge on day 2, with signs of tooth exfoliation. On day 7, there was gingival bleeding, edema, and erythema at the region of the maxillary incisors with grade 3 mobility, without changes in food intake. RESULTS: Concerning the oral cavity, the patient maintained grade 1 tooth mobility without tooth exfoliation or other oral alterations. CONCLUSION: Accurate diagnosis and careful therapeutic planning are important to avoid the secondary complications of the disease.