Saliva as an alternative to blood in the determination of uremic state in adult patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether salivary urea and creatinine levels accurately reflect their serum levels in blood samples of adults to detect chronic kidney disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in eight electronic databases. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO. Only diagnostic test studies were included. The JBI critical appraisal tools assessed the risk of bias. A meta-analysis of proportions was performed. The GRADE tool assessed the quality of evidence and strength of recommendation across the studies included. RESULTS: Eight studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. Six studies assessed salivary urea, and six studies assessed salivary creatinine. All studies presented moderate risk of bias. The meta-analysis depicted an overall sensitivity of 93.3% (95% CI = 88.6; 97.9) for salivary creatinine levels and 87.5% (95% CI = 83.2; 91.8) for salivary urea levels, while the overall specificity was 87.1% (95% CI = 82.8; 91.3) and 83.2% (95% CI = 65.0; 101.4) for salivary creatinine and urea levels, respectively. The overall accuracy of salivary creatinine was 5.2 percentage points higher compared with salivary urea levels (90.8% vs. 85.6%). According to the GRADE tool, the analysed outcomes were classified as having low to moderate level of certainty. CONCLUSION: Compared with blood samples, salivary urea and creatinine levels presented high diagnostic values for chronic kidney disease screening, but should not be considered equivalent to levels obtained from blood at stages three, four, or five of the disease. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Chronic kidney disease patients could receive a clinically significant benefit from replacing blood with saliva for potentially monitoring renal function. Saliva collection presents greater simplicity, comfort, safety, and lower collection cost.

Assessment of BRAFV600E and SMOF412E mutations in epithelial odontogenic tumours.

The classification of ameloblastoma in multicystic or unicystic variants is associated with its clinical behaviour. Recently, BRAF and SMO mutations have been reported in ameloblastomas. However, it is not clear if such mutations are shared by the multi- and unicystic variants of ameloblastoma or by odontogenic carcinomas. We assessed BRAFV600E and SMOF412E in multicystic, unicystic and desmoplastic ameloblastomas. In addition, we investigated whether the BRAFV600E mutation occurs in odontogenic carcinomas. A total of 28 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples, comprising 17 ameloblastomas and 11 odontogenic carcinomas, were included. The BRAFV600E mutation was assessed by real-time PCR with a specific TaqMan probe and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The SMOF412E mutation was assessed by Sanger sequencing. Fourteen out of 17 (82 %) ameloblastomas showed the BRAFV600E mutation, specifically, 5/6 (83 %) unicystic, 7/9 (78 %) multicystic and 2/2 desmoplastic ameloblastomas. BRAFV600E mutation was detected in 4/11 (36 %) malignant tumours, specifically, 3/8 (38 %) ameloblastic carcinomas and 1/1 clear cell odontogenic carcinoma, while the two ghost cell odontogenic carcinomas did not harbour this mutation. The SMOF412E mutation was not detected in ameloblastoma. The BRAFV600E-activating mutation is a common event in ameloblastomas, occurring regardless of site or histological type. This mutation is also detected in odontogenic carcinomas. SMO somatic mutation is a secondary genetic event in the ameloblastoma pathogenesis. Our findings support the possibility for personalised, molecular-targeted therapy for ameloblastomas and odontogenic carcinomas harbouring the BRAFV600E mutation.

Detection of cytokeratins in ghost cells of calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor indicates an altered keratinization and hair follicle differentiation for their development.

Calcifying cystic odontogenic tumors (CCOTs) are benign cystic lesions of odontogenic origin characterized by an ameloblastoma-like epithelium and the presence of a group of cells named ghost cells. The pattern of cytokeratin (Ck) expression on these lesions remains unclear and needs to be clarified. To this end, the expression of Ck6, Ck13, Ck14, Ck18, and Ck19 in the epithelium lining of 7 cases of CCOTs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. For this, the epithelium lining was divided into 3 distinct regions: basal layer, suprabasal layer, and the compartment composed of ghost cells. In this study, 6 cases (85.7%) were classified as type 1 and 1 (14.3%) as type 4. All cases were negative for Ck13 and Ck18, despite the epithelial layer, as well as in the ghost cells. Ck6 was only positive in the ghost cells. Positivity for Ck14 and Ck19 was found in the basal and suprabasal layers, including the ghost cells. The results showing positivity for Ck14 and Ck19 in all of the analyzed cases reinforce CCOT as being of odontogenic origin, and the restricted expression of Ck6 in the ghost cells may be indicative that these cells suffer an altered differentiation into hair follicles in CCOTs.

Histopathological diagnosis in pediatric stomatology: A 43-year retrospective study of 1,480 cases from a Brazilian institution.

OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of histopathological diagnoses in oral biopsied tissues obtained from a Brazilian pediatric population. METHODS: an analytical, cross-sectional retrospective study was performed with biopsy files of patients ≤14 years of age from a Brazilian oral pathology laboratory over a 43-year period. Data included sex, age, location, and diagnoses. The prevalence was calculated by means of relative frequency. Associations between sex, age groups and diagnoses were verified with Pearson's chi-square test. RESULTS: from 19,456 oral biopsies, 1480 (7.6%) were obtained from patients aged ≤14 years. Most children were 10-14 years of age (60.1%) and females (55.1%), with an overall M:F of 1:1.2. Children aged 0-9 years and males had a higher frequency of lesions of the oral mucosa, whilst the 10-14 year age group showed a higher frequency of cysts, odontogenic tumors, and salivary gland lesions. The latter was also significantly higher in females. Samples consisted mostly of soft tissue lesions (53%) obtained from the lower lip (30.7%). Intraosseous lesions showed a slight predilection for the mandible (21.2%). Salivary gland lesions (28.8%) was the most common diagnostic category, followed by reactive lesions (18.8%), and cysts (16.1%). Mucocele (33.5%), dentigerous cyst (6.7%), and fibrous hyperplasia (5.9%) were the top three histopathological diagnoses. Malignant lesions affected only 0.9% of this population. CONCLUSION: our results were similar to other retrospective studies. Due to the low frequency of oral biopsies in children, data on the prevalence of oral pathology in this population might aid in the clinical and histopathologic diagnoses.

Paracoccidioidomycosis: a series of 66 patients with oral lesions from an endemic area.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is the most important systemic mycosis in Latin America. It has been regarded as a multifocal disease, with oral lesions as the prominent feature. To provide useful information concerning the diagnosis and management of the disease, this study describes demographic and clinical data from the medical records of a consecutive series of 66 Brazilian patients from an endemic area, evaluated in a referral centre for oral diagnosis. In this sample of patients, there was a predominance of middle-aged male patients, who were primarily rural workers. Chronic multifocal disease was prevalent, with lesions also detected in the lungs, lymph nodes, skin or adrenal glands. Most of the cases presented with lesions at the gingival mucosa followed by the palate and lips; these conditions occurring in the oral cavity were frequently associated with pain. Importantly, most of the patients sought professional care for oral lesions. The diagnosis was obtained through exfoliative cytology and/or biopsy of the oral lesions. Medical treatment was effective, and there were no mortalities in the sample. The present findings not only confirm the importance of oral lesions in the diagnosis and management of PCM but also illustrate that questions still remain unclear, such as the possibility of direct inoculation of the fungus onto oral tissues.

Combination of toothbrushing and chlorhexidine compared with exclusive use of chlorhexidine to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of 0.12% chlorhexidine alone and 0.12% chlorhexidine in combination with toothbrushing to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in mechanically ventilated patients. The Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature, PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Scopus, LIVIVO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, OpenThesis, and Open Access Thesis and Dissertations databases were used. Only randomized controlled trials without restrictions on the year or language of publication were included. Two reviewers assessed the risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model estimated the combined relative risk (RR). The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. Initially, 2,337 studies were identified, of which 4 were considered in the systematic review and 3 in the meta-analysis (total sample: 796 patients). The studies were published between 2009 and 2017. All eligible studies had a low risk of bias. The meta-analysis revealed that the risk of VAP was 24% lower in patients receiving chlorhexidine combined with toothbrushing than in those receiving chlorhexidine alone (RR: 0.76; 95% confidence interval: 0.55-1.06), with moderate certainty of evidence and without statistical significance. In conclusion, considering the limitations of this study, a standard protocol for the prevention of VAP is not yet recommended. More studies with larger sample sizes are needed to draw strong conclusions. However, considering that toothbrushing is a simple intervention, it should be a common practice in mechanically ventilated patients, especially among patients with coronavirus disease.

Multiple calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor: case report and review of the literature.

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) is a rare benign neoplasm, and few cases of multiple lesions have been published. This article reports the case of a 26-year-old male patient with bilateral gingival lesions near the maxillary canines and a hard tumor on the left side of the mandible. All lesions presented mixed radiographic appearance (radiolucent and radiopaque). Incisional biopsies revealed typical histopathologic findings of CEOT. The gingival lesions were removed by curettage, and the mandibular tumor was surgically resected. No recurrence was detected after 6 years of treatment. Five well-documented cases of multiple CEOT were retrieved from the PubMed database. These patients were slightly older than those with solitary tumors, and none of them presented syndromic features. Three cases had only multiple central tumors, and the other 2 had multiple peripheral lesions, so the present patient is the first to manifest with both central and peripheral tumors.

Odontogenic carcinosarcoma: morphologic and immunohistochemical description of a case.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to describe an extremely rare case of odontogenic carcinosarcoma and compare the findings with those of a literature review. STUDY DESIGN: The clinical and pathologic data of an odontogenic carcinosarcoma affecting the posterior maxilla of a 42-year-old male patient was described. The lesion was immunostained for cell-cycle, cytokeratin, and mesenchymal markers. A review of literature from 1960 to 2017 was conducted in a search for similar well-documented case reports. Descriptive statistics were calculated to compare clinical and pathologic variables. RESULTS: In the reported case, the percentage of Ki-67-positive epithelial and mesenchymal cells was estimated as 40% and 25%, respectively. Epithelial cells were focally positive for cytokeratin 7, -8, -14, and -18, and diffusely positive for cytokeratin 19, p53, and p16. Mesenchymal cells were strongly positive for desmin, HHF-35, and vimentin. Our review showed that odontogenic carcinosarcoma is diagnosed mostly in the advanced stage. All patients with relapsed tumors had died as a result of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Very few cases have been reported in the literature supporting that most odontogenic carcinosarcoma develop in the posterior mandible in a wide age range, without gender and racial predilections. Only one case of odontogenic carcinosarcoma in the maxilla other than the one described here has been reported. Until today, the best treatment remains unknown.

Ameloblastic Fibrosarcoma: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Here is described a case of ameloblastic fibrosarcoma (AFS) affecting the posterior mandible of a woman who was treated surgically and recovered without signs of recurrence or metastasis after 12 years of follow-up. Tumor sections were immunostained for cell cycle, epithelial and mesenchymal markers. Immunohistochemical analysis evidenced high Ki-67 positivity in stromal cells (mean of 20.9 cells/High power field). Epithelial cells displayed strong positivity for p53, p63 and cytokeratin 19. In addition to the case report, a systematic review of current knowledge is presented on the AFS's clinical-demographic features and prognostic factors. Based on the review, 88/99 cases were diagnosed as AFS, 9/99 as ameloblastic fibro-odontosarcoma and 2/99 as ameloblastic fibrodentinosarcoma. All these lesions displayed very similar clinical-demographic and prognostic features. Moreover, the review provided evidence that first treatment, regional metastasis, distant metastasis and local recurrence were significant prognostic values for malignant odontogenic mesenchymal lesions. Based on the findings, segregation among ameloblastic fibrosarcoma, ameloblastic fibrodentinosarcoma and ameloblastic fibro-odontosarcoma seems illogical, considering all these lesions have similar predilections and outcomes.

Oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors: A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 32 cases in a Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: Oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors (OPNSTs) are reactive or neoplastic diseases that develop from proliferation of the nerve itself or their limiting sheaths. Here we describe the clinicopathologic data of OPNSTs observed in a sample of the Brazilian population and evaluate the expression of molecules associated with neural biology to determine their usefulness in the diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study of cases diagnosed as OPNSTs, from the Pathology Laboratory at the School of Dentistry/ Federal University of Uberlandia, followed by an immunohistochemical study of S-100, CD57, neurofilament protein (NFP) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). RESULTS: OPNSTs comprised 0.27% of all biopsies. There were eight patients with neurofibromas, eight with traumatic neuromas, seven with schwannomas, five with granular cell tumor (GCT), and four with palisaded encapsulated neuromas (PEN). Women were more frequently affected (60.6% of the cases). Tongue and lips prevailed as the most frequent sites. S-100 was reactive in 100% of the cases. Neural fibers evidenced by CD57 reactivity of their Schwann cells were always nested in bundles within neurofibromas and GCT, absent within schwannomas and dispersed within PEN. Reactivity for NFP was limited to axons and then followed the same pattern of CD57, though much less evident. Reactivity for EMA was observed in the capsular tissues and perineurium of nerve fascicles, and absent in parenchymal cells of GCT. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that OPNSTs are rare, widely benign and often found in tongue and lips. OPNSTs evolve from a common origin to distinct histological patterns, with eventual overlapping in their clinical and morphologic features. The arrangement of reactive residual neural fibers for CD57 can be a useful staining in the differential diagnosis of OPNSTs. Key words:Peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Oral cavity. Differential diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry. CD57 antigens.

Combination of toothbrushing and chlorhexidine compared with exclusive use of chlorhexidine to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia: A systematic review with meta-analysis

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of 0.12% chlorhexidine alone and 0.12% chlorhexidine in combination with toothbrushing to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in mechanically ventilated patients. The Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature, PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Scopus, LIVIVO, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, OpenThesis, and Open Access Thesis and Dissertations databases were used. Only randomized controlled trials without restrictions on the year or language of publication were included. Two reviewers assessed the risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model estimated the combined relative risk (RR). The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. Initially, 2,337 studies were identified, of which 4 were considered in the systematic review and 3 in the meta-analysis (total sample: 796 patients). The studies were published between 2009 and 2017. All eligible studies had a low risk of bias. The meta-analysis revealed that the risk of VAP was 24% lower in patients receiving chlorhexidine combined with toothbrushing than in those receiving chlorhexidine alone (RR: 0.76; 95% confidence interval: 0.55-1.06), with moderate certainty of evidence and without statistical significance. In conclusion, considering the limitations of this study, a standard protocol for the prevention of VAP is not yet recommended. More studies with larger sample sizes are needed to draw strong conclusions. However, considering that toothbrushing is a simple intervention, it should be a common practice in mechanically ventilated patients, especially among patients with coronavirus disease.

Cisto odontogênico glandular tratamento cirúrgico por marsupialização e enucleação: relato de caso / Glandular odontogenic cyst surgical treatment by marsupialization and enucleation: case report

O cisto odontogênico glandular (COG) é o cisto de desenvolvimento mais agressivo e raro dentre todos os odontogênicos, portando características epiteliais glandulares ou salivares. O presente artigo visa retratar uma abordagem mais conservadora para esta importante lesão, no sentido de minimizar a morbidade decorrente da abordagem mais radical. Paciente com 57 anos, leucoderma, assintomático e edêntulo, compareceu ao ambulatório de estomatologia com notável expansão no fundo de saco vestibular e rebordo inferior direito, com tempo indeterminado de evolução. Os exames imaginológicos revelaram uma lesão radiolúcida unilocular extensa e bem delimitada na região anterior da mandíbula. Nas condutas propedêuticas, foi realizada uma punção aspiratória positiva para líquido cístico seguido de biópsia incisional. Diante destes achados, a marsupialização foi realizada no sentido de se conseguir a redução das dimensões lesionais, seguido da enucleação com estectomia periférica após 9 meses. Nos primeiros 2 anos de proservação o paciente mantém- -se sem recidivas e em constante acompanhamento. Conclui-se que o dentista pode preferir o método conservador pela técnica de marsupialização seguida de enucleação na abordagem de extenso cisto odontogênico glandular, desde que haja colaboração do paciente nos cuidados pós-operatórios.

The glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is the most aggressive and rare cyst of development among all odontogenics, with glandular or salivary epithelial characteristics. This article aims to portray a more conservative approach to this important lesion, in order to minimize the morbidity resulting from the more radical approach. Patient 57 years-old, leucoderma, asymptomatic and edentulous, attended the stomatology outpatient clinic with a remarkable expansion in the vestibular bag fundus and lower right border, with indeterminate evolution time. Imaging examinations revealed an extensive and well delimited unilocular radiolucent lesion in the anterior region of the mandible. In the propaedeutic procedures, a positive aspiration puncture was performed for cystic fluid followed by incisional biopsy. In view of these findings, marsupialization was performed in order to reduce lesion dimensions, followed by enucleation with peripheral ostectomy after 9 months. In the first 2 years of proservation, the patient remains without relapses and in constant follow-up. It is concluded that the dentist may prefer the conservative method by the marsupialization technique followed by enucleation in the approach of extensive glandular odontogenic cyst, provided there is collaboration of the patient in the postoperative care.

Interdisciplinaridade no tratamento de ceratocisto odontogênico: relato de caso / Interdisciplinary in the treatment of odontogenic keratocyst: case report

O Ceratocisto Odontogênico (CO) é um cisto de desenvolvimento odontogênico relativamente prevalente na população e com caráter eventual de agressividade com crescimento ântero- -posterior insidioso. Trata-se de uma lesão cuja apresentação é extremamente diversa com relação à faixa etária, gênero e aspectos imaginológicos mais prevalentes. O presente trabalho relata o caso de um garoto de 11 anos de idade, portador de uma extensa lesão mandibular, envolvendo desde o dente 33 até o 46, cuja microscopia foi compatível com CO. O artigo aborda toda a conduta propedêutica conduzida pela equipe a nível ambulatorial, bem como a interdisciplinaridade com a ortodontia, possibilitando um desfecho almejado e satisfatório do caso.

Keratocyst Odontogenic (KO) is a cyst of odontogenic development relatively prevalent in the population and with an eventual aggressive character with insidious antero-posterior growth. It is a lesion whose presentation is extremely diverse in relation to age, gender and most prevalent imaging aspects. This paper reports the case of an 11 - year - old boy with an extensive mandibular lesion, evolving from tooth 33 to 46, whose microscopy was compatible with KO. The article deals with all the propaedeutic conduct conducted by the team at the outpatient level, as well as the interdisciplinarity with orthodontics, enabling a desired and satisfactory outcome of the case.

Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma: report of 7 new cases and systematic review of the current knowledge.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to describe 7 cases of clear cell odontogenic carcinoma among a Brazilian population and compare these data with a systematic review of the English-language literature. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive statististics were used to compare the clinicopathologic data gathered retrospectively with those compiled from a review. Tumor sections were immunostained for Ki-67, p16, p53, and cytokeratins (CKs) 7, 8, 14, 18, and 19. Log-rank tests were performed for survival analysis. RESULTS: Most cases occurred in the posterior mandible (5/7, 71.4%), and recurrence was diagnosed in all treated patients. Metastatic disease occurred in 2 patients (28.6%). Tumors were focally positive for CKs 7, 8, 14, and 18 and diffusely positive for CK19, p53, and p16. The mean number of Ki-67-positive cells was 35.2 cells/high-power field. Our systematic review provided evidence that tumor size (P = .046), histologic pattern (P = .034), regional metastasis (P = .001), distant metastasis (P = .001), and local recurrence (P = .05) were of significant prognostic value. CONCLUSIONS: This study has contributed to improved characterization of clear cell odontogenic carcinoma, which is an aggressive odontogenic malignant neoplasm diagnosed mainly in the posterior mandible of middle-aged women and typically at an advanced stage. Radical surgical procedures remain the gold standard treatment.

Orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts presenting as a periapical lesion: report of a case and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory cysts, granulomas, abscesses, and fibrous scars represent most periapical radiolucencies. However, other less common lesions, such as orthokeratinized odontogenic cysts (OOCs), can be found at this region, and they deserve to be discussed because the prognosis for an OOC is different from that expected for the ordinary inflammatory periapical diseases. METHODS: An interesting case of OOC associated with a nonvital tooth in a 40-year-old woman is described. After a previous clinical diagnosis of a radicular cyst, the tooth was extracted, and the lesion was enucleated and submitted to microscopy examination. RESULTS: Because of the detection of an orthokeratinized epithelium lining, a diagnosis of OOC was concluded. After 2 years of periodic follow-up, no signs of recurrence were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of keratin in radicular lesions must be carefully evaluated to eliminate the diagnosis of lesions with more aggressive behavior, such as an OOC or even a keratocystic odontogenic tumor. Hence, histopathologic examination is mandatory to confirm the type of lesion and to differentiate other pathologic conditions, therefore establishing patients' prognoses precisely.

Um raro diagnóstico de osteoma periférico em palato duro: relato de caso / A rare diagnosis of peripheral osteoma in the hard palate: case report

Objetivo: relatar uma biópsia excisional de um osteoma periférico no palato duro direito de uma paciente jovem, do sexo feminino e não sindrômica. Relato de caso: paciente do sexo feminino, 32 anos de idade, melanoderma e normossitêmico, buscou atendimento no ambulatório de diagnóstico estomatológico da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia com queixa quanto ao surgimento de lesão na região de palato. Após avaliação clínica e imaginológica, foi decidido realizar biópsia excisional sob anestesia local da lesão. Foram levantadas três hipóteses de diagnóstico: osteoma periférico, exostose ou osteossarcoma. O material coletado foi enviado para análise histopatológica, que confirmou a hipótese de osteoma periférico. Considerações finais: os osteomas periféricos na região de palato duro são raríssimos. Essa lesão geralmente é assintomática ­ exceto quando há impacto traumático durante a mastigação ­, de crescimento lento, podendo se desenvolver em osso cortical ou medular. O tratamento de escolha é a remoção cirúrgica e o índice de recorrência é raro. O caso enfatiza a condição rara, pois foram encontrados apenas seis casos semelhantes relacionados na literatura. (AU)

Objective: To report an excisional biopsy of a peripheral osteoma in the right hard palate in a non-syndromic young female patient. Case Report: A 32-year-old female patient, black, and normosystemic sought assistance in the stomatological diagnosis outpatient clinic of the School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil, complaining about the appearance of a lesion in the palate region. After clinical and imaging assessment, it was decided to perform an excisional biopsy under local anesthesia of the lesion. Three diagnostic hypotheses were raised - peripheral osteoma, exostosis, or osteosarcoma. The material collected was sent for histopathological analysis, which confirmed the hypothesis of peripheral osteoma. Final considerations: Peripheral osteomas in the hard palate region are very rare. This lesion is usually asymptomatic, except when there is a slow-growing chewing impact during mastication, which may develop in cortical or spinal bone. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice and the rate of recurrence is rare. The case emphasizes the rare condition, considering only six similar cases were found in the literature. (AU)

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum of the skin with involvement of the oral cavity.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an inherited multisystemic disease of elastic fibers that primarily affects the skin and retina. A case of primary PXE of the skin with late involvement of the upper lip is reported. A 55-year-old woman with a previous diagnosis of PXE affecting her skin developed a lesion on her lower lip. An oral examination identified a yellowish macule of undefined limits. A biopsy from her lip was taken and both light and transmission electron microscopies confirmed the presence of fragmented elastic fibers and calcifications on her mucosa, which was compatible with the diagnosis of oral PXE. Since the manifestation of oral PXE is rare in this region, dental practitioners must be aware that this systemic condition may produce oral lesions, which sometimes may mimic other benign diseases of the oral cavity like Fordyce granules. So, the establishment of an appropriate diagnosis is necessary to provide adequate information and attention to the patient.

Giant complex odontoma of the anterior mandible: report of case with long follow up.

This paper describes an exceptional case of an enormous complex odontoma affecting the mandibular symphysis of a 9-year-old boy. Because of its dimensions, the lesion produced cortical bone expansion, dental displacement and impactation, which are clinical signs very seldom described for odontomas. The lesion was surgically excised in a conservative way using an intraoral approach with local anesthesia. After 7 years of follow up, all teeth had erupted and the mandibular bone healed totally. Because of its radiographic mixed radiolucent and radiopaque appearance and its expansive growth, it is imperative to make the differential diagnosis of giant complex odontoma for other more aggressive mixed odontogenic tumors, such as ameloblastic fibro-odontoma, odotoameloblastoma and cystic calcified odontogenic tumor. Conservative approach appears to be indicated in the treatment of such lesions.

Concomitant consumption of marijuana, alcohol and tobacco in oral squamous cell carcinoma development and progression: recent advances and challenges.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) corresponds to 95% of all malignant tumours of the mouth. The association between alcohol and tobacco is the major risk factor for this disease, increasing the chances for the development of OSCC by 35-fold. The plant, Cannabis sativa is smoked as cigarettes or blunts and is commonly used in association with tobacco and alcohol. Any type of smoking habit exposes individuals to a wide range of carcinogens or pro-carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as some ethanol derived substances such as acetaldehyde (AA), and all are genotoxic in the same way. In addition, ethanol acts in the oral mucosa as a solvent and therefore increases the cellular membrane permeability to carcinogens. Carcinogens found in tobacco are also concentrated in marijuana, but the latter also contains high levels of cannabinoids, bioactive compounds responsible for several effects such as euphoria and analgesia. However, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC), the major psychotropic cannabinoid found in plants, causes a reduction of cellular metabolism and induction of apoptosis, both of which are anti-neoplastic properties. Apart from limited epidemiologic and experimental data, the effects of concomitant chronic exposure to marijuana (or Δ(9)-THC), tobacco and alcohol in OSCC development and progression is poorly known. This paper reviews the most recent findings on the effects of marijuana over cellular proliferation, as well as in the risk for OSCC, with emphasis on its interaction with tobacco and ethanol consumption.