Giant Ventral Lipoma of the Neck.

Giant lipomas are rarely found in the head and neck region. A 67-year-old male patient presented with a massive ventral swelling of his neck extending from the lower margin of the mandible to the clavicle. The mass had slowly grown over 20 years without causing any symptoms, except for considerable psychological stress because of the disfiguration of the patient's profile appearance. Contrast magnetic resonance imaging suggested a lipomatous soft tissue lesion. The surgically removed tumor measured 32 × 20 × 4 cm. Surgery was completed without any intraoperative complications or injury to the critical structures of the neck. The patient was satisfied with the cosmetic result of the operation, and histopathological examination confirmed a lipoma.

Complication of Ruptured Poly Implant Prothèse® Breast Implants Combined with AQUAfilling® Gel Injection: A Case Report and Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: We describe the first case of a patient who received AQUAfilling® gel (Biomedica, Prague, Czech Republic) after augmentation with Poly Implant Prothèse® (PIP) breast implants and later developed breast deformity with bilateral implant rupture. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old Korean female patient who received breast augmentation with PIP implants 18 years ago and subsequent insertion of AQUAfilling® gel 1 year ago visited our center with a chief complaint of pain and decreased implant sizes in both breasts. Breast implant and foreign body removal operation was performed for both breasts under general anesthesia. Intraoperative gross findings, pathologic findings, and tissue culture results were analyzed. RESULTS: Our diagnosis included rupture of the implants in both breasts with leakage of injected material resulting in inflammation of the pericapsular area and pectoralis muscle. The intraoperative gross findings and results of the pathologic report showed that the implants were exposed with massive leakage of AQUAfilling® gel in the pericapsular space, and the pectoralis major was mixed with AQUAfilling® gel-like liquid and tissue with an inflammatory reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should be careful in performing AQUAfilling® gel injection for breast augmentation, especially when combined with breast implant insertion. AQUAfilling® gel itself is not yet proven safe in the long term, so more research on this topic is warranted. Additionally, surgeons should be aware of the comparatively high risk of implant rupture and foreign body reaction with PIP implants, and warn patients accordingly. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

An intermaxillary fixation screw traction wire: an aid for facial bone fracture repair.

We have devised a new technique to improve stabilization of fractured facial bone fractures (frontal sinus fractures, zygomatic fractures, mandibular condyle fractures) by intermaxillary fixation screw traction wires (stainless steel wires through intermaxillary fixation screws). A retrospective study evaluating intermaxillary fixation screw traction wires was performed. We have used this technique for 3 cases of frontal sinus fractures, 9 cases of zygomatic fractures, and 7 cases of mandibular condyle fractures. After dissection of a fractured site, a hole is drilled on the fractured bone where it does not interfere with positioning the plate across the fracture line. After an intermaxillary fixation screw is inserted, a stainless steel wire is tied through a hole in the screw head. By the aid of wire for traction, the displaced fractured bone is easily aligned to the proper position. Plates and screws are applied readily on the predetermined area. A retrospective study on 19 patients using intermaxillary fixation screw traction wires was performed. The diagnoses and associated complications of the cases were recorded. No associated complication as a result of using this technique was identified. The use of intermaxillary fixation screw traction wire enhances stabilization and visualization without possible risk for surrounding soft tissue injury using, a sharp traction device like a bone hook. An intermaxillary fixation screw traction wire is an useful aid for visualization and stabilization during facial bone fracture reduction, particularly where exposure is difficult such as in the condylar region of the mandible. And unlike a classic traction wire, the intermaxillary fixation screw traction wire has almost no risk of having it loosened from the screw.

Two-Dimensional X-Ray Angiography to Examine Fine Vascular Structure Using a Silicone Rubber Injection Compound.

Angiography is an essential tool for the study of vascular structures in various research fields. The aim of this study is to introduce a simple angiographic method for examining the fine vascular structure of unfixed, fresh tissue using a silicone rubber injection compound and soft tissue X-ray system. This study is especially focused on flap territories used in reconstructive surgery. This study employs angiography with a silicone rubber injection compound in various experimental conditions using Sprague-Dawley rats. First, 15 mL of MV compound and 15 mL of diluent is mixed. Then, 1.5 mL of the curing agent is prepared, and a 24G catheter is cannulated in the common carotid artery of the rat. A three-way stopcock is then connected to a catheter, and the radiopaque agent, after being mixed with the prepared curing agent, is injected immediately without spillage. Finally, as the agent solidifies, the specimen is harvested, and an angiographic image is obtained using a soft tissue X-ray system. This method indicates that high-quality angiography showing fine vascular structures can be easily and simply obtained within in a short period of time.

The Role of Periostin in Capsule Formation on Silicone Implants.

Although silicone implants are widely used in breast and other reconstructive surgeries, the limited biocompatibility of these materials leads to severe complications, including capsular contracture. Here, we aimed to clarify the relationship between periostin and the process of capsule formation after in vivo implantation. Seven-week-old wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice and periostin-deficient mice were used. Round silicone implants were inserted into a subcutaneous pocket on the dorsum of the mice. After 8 weeks, the fibrous capsule around the implant was harvested and histologically examined to estimate capsular thickness and the number of inflammatory cells. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis (periostin, α-SMA, and collagen type I) and western blotting (CTGF, TGF-ß, VEGF, and MPO) were performed for a more detailed analysis of capsule formation. The capsules in periostin-knockout mice (PN-KO) were significantly thinner than those in WT mice. PN-KO mice showed significantly lower numbers of inflammatory cells than WT mice. Fibrous tissue formation markers (α-SMA, periostin, collagen type I, and CTGF) were significantly reduced in PN-KO mice. We also confirmed that inflammatory reaction and angiogenesis indicators (TGF-ß, MPO, and VEGF) had lower expression in PN-KO mice. Inhibition of periostin could be important for suppressing capsule formation on silicone implants after in vivo implantation.

Follicular thyroid carcinoma presenting as bilateral cheek masses.

Mandibular metastasis of thyroid carcinoma is extremely rare. We present the case of a 46-year-old woman who had bilateral huge cheek masses that had grown rapidly over several years. Intra-oral mucosal tissue biopsy and imaging work-up including computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging were performed and the initial diagnosis was presumed to be central giant cell granuloma. Incidentally detected thyroid lesions were studied with ultra-sonography guided fine needle aspiration and diagnosed as simple benign nodules. Due to continuous oral bleeding and the locally destructive feature of the lesions, we decided to excise the mass surgically. To avoid functional deficit, a stepwise approach was performed: Firstly, the larger left mass was excised and the mandible was reconstructed with a fibular free flap. The final pathologic diagnosis was follicular thyroid cancer. Postoperative I-131 thyroid scan and whole body positron-emissions-tomography were performed. Right side mass was revealed as a thyroid malignancy. Multiple bony metastases were detected. Since further radioactive iodine therapy was required, additional total thyroidectomy and right side mandibulectomy with fibular free flap reconstruction was performed. The patient also underwent high dose radioactive iodine therapy and palliative extra-beam radiotherapy for the metastatic lumbar lesion. Follicular thyroid carcinoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis for mandibular mass lesions.