American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons' Position Paper on Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws-2022 Update.

Strategies for management of patients with, or at risk for, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) - formerly referred to as bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ)-were set forth in the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) position papers in 2007, 2009 and 2014. The position papers were developed by a committee appointed by the AAOMS Board of Trustees and comprising clinicians with extensive experience in caring for these patients, as well as clinical and basic science researchers. The knowledge base and experience in addressing MRONJ continues to evolve and expand, necessitating modifications and refinements to the previous position papers. Three members of the AAOMS Committee on Oral, Head, and Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery (COHNORS) and three authors of the 2014 position paper were appointed to serve as a working group to analyze the current literature and revise the guidance as indicated to reflect current knowledge in this field. This update contains revisions to diagnosis and management strategies and highlights the current research status. AAOMS maintains that it is vitally important for this information to be disseminated to other relevant healthcare professionals and organizations.

Is Perineural Invasion a Reasonable Indicator for Neck Dissection in cT1N0M0 Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity?

PURPOSE: Perineural invasion (PNI) is considered an adverse histological feature in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Controversy exists regarding elective neck dissection (END) in cT1N0M0 OSCC with PNI as the only risk factor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PNI as an indicator for END, as well as its utility when combined with the depth of invasion (DOI) as a second indicator. PATIENTS AND METHODS: cT1N0M0 (AJCC8) OSCC patients treated from August 1998 to July 2017 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Michigan (MI), and Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University (BSH) were reviewed. Data from these sites included both prospectively captured data housed in a database and retrospective data. RESULTS: 283 cT1N0M0 OSCC patients were analyzed. The tongue was the most common subsite (56.2%). Ninety-nine (99) patients received END and 184 neck observation. PNI was found in only 8 patients (2.83%) all in the tongue or inferior gingiva. END was performed in 7 of the PNI patients. The mean depth of invasion for tumors with PNI was 3.97 mm, compared to 2.54 mm in tumors without PNI. PNI was statistically correlated with nodal disease (pN+) and extranodal extension (ENE+). After using DOI as a primary indicator for END, no additional PNI patients benefited from END. In addition, only 2 patients had PNI identified preoperatively both with 5 mm DOI, and therefore, already indicated for END on the basis of DOI status. CONCLUSIONS: PNI status is statistically correlated with pN+ and ENE + pathology in cT1N0M0 OSCC. After using DOI as a primary indicator for END, PNI status had no added value in decision making. Even surgeons who do not use DOI will find very limited value in PNI status with less than 1% preoperative prevalence (0.71%) in this patient population.

An In-House Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing Workflow for Maxillofacial Free Flap Reconstruction is Associated With a Low Cost and High Accuracy.

PURPOSE: In-house computer-aided surgical design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) can be used in oral and maxillofacial surgery for virtual surgical planning and 3-dimensional printing of patient-specific models. The purpose of this study was to measure the cost and accuracy of an in-house CAD/CAM workflow for maxillofacial free flap reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing mandibular resection and free flap reconstruction was performed between July 2017 and March 2018 in which in-house CAD/CAM was used. The predictor variable was the in-house CAD/CAM workflow. The outcome variables were in-house workflow cost, as measured by the material expenses, and accuracy, as measured by comparative distance, osteotomy angle, and surfaced overlay measurements and the root mean square (RMS) between the preoperative virtual reconstructive plan and the postoperative computed tomography scan. Additional variables evaluated were time required for in-house CAD/CAM workflow, and clinical and radiographic outcomes. RESULTS: In-house CAD/CAM was used for 26 patients undergoing mandibular resection for benign or malignant disease and free flap reconstruction with fibula (n = 24) or scapula free flap (n = 2). Overall flap success rate was 95%. The mean in-house workflow cost per case was $3.87 USD. There were no significant differences between the mean comparative distance and osteotomy angle measurements between the planned and actual mandibular reconstructions with an RMS ranging from 5.11 to 9.00 mm for distance measurements and 17.41° for the osteotomy angle measurements. The mean surface overlay difference was 1.90 mm with an RMS of 3.72 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The in-house CAD/CAM workflow is a low cost and accurate option for maxillofacial free flap reconstruction. The in-house workflow should be considered as an alternative to current practices using proprietary systems in select cases.

Current Practices in Microvascular Reconstruction by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

PURPOSE: Microvascular free tissue transfer (MFTT) is a reliable reconstructive option with variation in perioperative care and a general lack of clinical practice guidelines. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons' (OMSs) current MFTT perioperative practices in the United States have not been described. This study describes these practices including surgeon practice environment, operative practices, perioperative management, and success. METHODS: The study design is cross sectional. The sample is composed of OMSs who completed an Oral/Head and Neck Oncologic and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship prior to 2018 in the United States. Data were collected by means of a survey of the study sample. Descriptive statistics were reported. RESULTS: Forty surgeons responded to the survey for a response rate of 33.9%. Respondents were 97.5% (n = 39) male and worked in private (n = 8), combination (n = 10), and academic practices (n = 23). Surgeons in private and academic practice performed an average of 23.3 (SD 13.9) and 48.6 (SD 28.6) flaps per year, respectively. The 2-team approach was used by 88.2% of surgeons. Immediate dental implants were placed in osteocutaneous free flaps by 28.6% (n = 2) of private practice surgeons and 70% (n = 14) of academic surgeons. Postoperatively, most patients went to an intensive care unit (ICU) (82.7%, average duration 2.6 days). Anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications were routinely used with the most common choice being aspirin (77.4%, n = 24). Antibiotics were universally administered, often for 3 days or longer (74.2%, n = 23). Self-reported success rates were 95.3% (SD 4.1) and 96.0% (SD 1.7) in private and academic settings, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of practice trends by microvascular OMSs in the United States. The results of this study suggest that there is variation in MFTT operative and perioperative practices by individual surgeons and practice environment with minimal variation in self-reported success rates.

Comparison of Early Oral Cancer Depth of Invasion From the American Joint Committe on Cancer 7th to 8th Edition Criteria. Does the Difference Impact the Accuracy of Clinical Decision Making?

PURPOSE: Depth of invasion (DOI) is an independent predictor of regional metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Measurement criteria for DOI were modified in the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) eighth edition. The purpose of this study was to compare DOI AJCC seventh (DOI7) and eighth (DOI8) edition criteria on frozen section accuracy for decisions regarding elective neck dissection (END) in cT1N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A blinded, retrospective, comparative study of patients who underwent ablative surgery at the University of Michigan was completed. The predictor variable was criteria for DOI measurement. The outcome variables were concordance between DOI7 and DOI8 measurements and accuracy using thresholds for END. Effect of tumor growth pattern and worst pattern of invasion, and the difference between DOI8 on frozen and permanent specimen were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 30 specimens of T1N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma (16 tongue, 5 alveolus, 5 floor of mouth, 4 buccal mucosa) were included. DOI7 versus DOI8 on frozen and permanent specimen were significantly different (P < .05) but clinically insignificant and highly correlated (r > 0.99, P < .001). One hundred percent concordance between DOI7 and DOI8 was noted on frozen specimen in predicting the need for END when compared with permanent pathology DOI. There was no significant impact of tumor growth pattern or worst pattern of invasion on measurements and no significant difference in DOI on frozen and permanent specimen for DOI8 (P = .68). Excellent agreement between pathologists for all measurements was observed (ICC>0.99, P < 0001). CONCLUSIONS: High concordance between DOI measurements by AJCC seventh and eighth edition criteria suggests that guidelines for DOI thresholds for END in patients with T1N0 tumors developed using the AJCC seventh edition can be safely applied using AJCC eighth edition criteria. DOI measurement by AJCC 8 criteria on frozen specimen can be used to guide decision-making regarding END, given the high correlation to AJCC 8 permanent DOI measurement.

Elective Neck Dissection in T1N0M0 Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: When Is It Necessary?

PURPOSE: Elective neck dissection (END) versus observation remains controversial for cT1N0M0 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The aim of this study was to determine whether neck dissection is indicated for cT1N0M0 OSCC versus observation when considering oral cavity subsites and depth of invasion (DOI) as predictors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter, ambispective cohort study of patients with cT1N0M0 OSCC treated at the University of Michigan and Beijing Stomatological Hospital from August 1998 to July 2017 with a follow-up end date of July 2019 was performed. Patients were excluded if follow-up was less than 2 years and no neck disease had occurred or if the final pathologic analysis resulted in upstaging to T2 using American Joint Committee on Cancer criteria, eighth edition. A total of 283 patients met the criteria. The main outcome parameter was the 2-year neck metastatic rate. RESULTS: The total 2-year lymph node metastatic rate was 11.3%. Overall neck metastatic rates escalated consistently according to DOI: less than 2 mm, 2.1%; 2 to 3 mm, 9.4%; 3 to 4 mm, 15.2%; and 4 to 5 mm, 24.6%. On univariate Cox regression analysis, DOI greater than 3 mm, tumor grade, and perineural invasion were statistically significant indicators of 2-year neck metastasis. On multivariate analysis, only DOI and tumor grade remained. On multivariate analysis of 2-year survival, no factors were independent predictors. Our proposed treatment strategy for END based both on statistically significant results for DOI and on review of the raw data using a 20% cutoff analysis showed cutoffs of 2 mm for the tongue (18.2%), 3 mm for the floor of the mouth (40.0%) and upper gingiva (20%), and 4 mm for the lower gingiva (33.3%) and no cutoff for the hard palate (0.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The watch-and-wait approach remains a reasonable approach in selected patients with cT1N0M0 OSCC. Decision making for END in T1N0M0 patients should minimally consider tumor grade, DOI, and oral cavity subsite.

Increased Presence of Perineural Invasion in the Tongue and Floor of the Mouth: Could It Represent a More Aggressive Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, or Do Larger Aggressive Tumors Cause Perineural Invasion?

PURPOSE: Despite data showing worse outcomes and aggressive disease behavior, perineural invasion (PNI) has not been well characterized in terms of tumor location, histopathologic features, or cervical lymph node status. The specific aims of this study were to measure correlations between PNI, tumor location, and other known histopathologic characteristics used to define aggressive disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity who underwent neck dissection. We excluded patients whose neck was previously treated with surgery or radiation therapy. Demographic and histopathologic variables of interest were obtained from patient charts. The primary outcome of interest was PNI, and the predictors of interest included tumor location, histopathologic tumor characteristics, and cervical lymph node status. For continuous variables, mean differences were compared by t tests. For categorical variables, the differences in the distribution of the proportions were analyzed with the χ2 test. All variables were entered simultaneously into a multivariate logistic regression model to control for possible confounding. Statistical significance for the study was set at P < .05. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-eight patients met the study criteria. PNI showed statistically significant correlations with lymph node status, tumor depth, and specific primary tumor location. PNI was more likely to be seen in tumors located in the tongue or floor of the mouth. Tumors with PNI had a deeper depth of invasion: 15.9 ± 10.9 mm versus 10.2 ± 10.0 mm (P < .001). PNI tumors had a higher mean total number of positive nodes: 2.85 ± 5.23 versus 0.83 ± 1.80 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: PNI is statistically correlated with tongue and floor-of-the-mouth subsites within the oral cavity, as well as larger tumors, deeper tumors, and disease that has progressed to the lymph nodes. Whether this correlation represents causation in either direction remains unknown.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue During Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Epidemiologic data have shown changes in the demographic profile of patients presenting with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) during the past 4 decades. In particular, there has been a marked increase in the number of young women without a history of smoking presenting with SCC of the tongue. A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results review of patients with head and neck cancer identified 5.3% younger than 40 years. After comparing cohorts from 1973 to 1984 with 1985 to 1997, a 60% increase in tongue cancer in patients younger 40 years was noted. Epidemiologic data also have shown that women are tending to delay childbearing to an older age. These 2 factors have resulted in an increasing prevalence of cancer diagnosed during pregnancy. If current trends continue, oral surgeons and maternal fetal medicine obstetric specialists will see an increasing number of pregnant patients presenting with malignancies. This in turn will lead to a number of complex surgical and adjuvant treatment considerations resulting in ethical and moral decisions for which limited data exist to guide best practice. The treatment chosen will affect not only the health of the patient, but also the health of the fetus and ongoing pregnancy. This report describes the case of a woman who was diagnosed with SCC of the tongue at 14 weeks' gestational age. This report presents her treatment course and a review of the literature to support her decisions related to the care given.

Significantly Decreased Recurrence Rates in Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor With Simple Enucleation and Curettage Using Carnoy's Versus Modified Carnoy's Solution.

PURPOSE: A variety of modalities has been suggested for treatment of keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KOT), including Carnoy's solution (CS) and modified Carnoy's (without chloroform) solution (MC). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of CS versus MC as it relates to the KOT recurrence rates when used in conjunction with simple enucleation and curettage (E&C) for treatment of KOT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients with a pathologic diagnosis of KOT treated with E&C and application of CS or MC by 3 surgeons at a single center from January 1996 to April 2014 was completed. The demographic, clinical, radiographic, and histologic data were collected for each patient. All disease recurrences were confirmed by biopsy. The primary outcome variable of the study was the interval to recurrence, with the predictor of CS versus MC. Other variables included in the analysis were gender, age, surgeon, and lesion location. Multivariate analysis, including the Wilcoxon test and χ(2) test of associations, was performed. RESULTS: A total of 210 patient medical records were reviewed, with 80 patients meeting the final study criteria. Of the 80 patients, 44 were in the CS arm and 36 in the MC arm. The median age was 47 years (range 10 to 89) in the CS group and 50 years (range 14 to 72) in the MC group (P = .70). Women accounted for 43% (19 of 44) and 44% (16 of 36) of the patients in the CS and MC treatment arms, respectively (P = .91). The lesions were found in the mandible in 26 of the 44 patients (59%) treated with CS and 22 of the 36 patients (61%) treated with MC (P = .85). Surgeon 1 treated 37 of the 44 patients (84%) and 21 of 36 patients (58%) in the CS and MC groups, respectively (P = .01). The recurrence rate was 10% for the CS arm and 35% for the MC arm (P = .027; hazard ratio 6.9). CONCLUSION: In the present retrospective study, the recurrence rate of KOTs treated by E&C with application of CS is significantly lower than that of MC. The data provided could be considered by the Food and Drug Administration for a clinical trial of CS in patients with KOT.

Using business intelligence and data visualization to understand the characteristics of failed appointments in dental school clinics.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Broken appointments are an important cause of waste in health care. Patients who fail to attend incur costs to providers, deny trainees learning opportunities, and impact their own health as well as that of other patients who are waiting for care. METHODS: A total of 410,000 appointment records over 3 years were extracted from our electronic health record. We conducted exploratory data analysis and assessed correlations between appointment no-shows and other attributes of the appointment and the patient. The University of Michigan Medical School's Committee on Human Research reviewed the study and deemed that no Institutional Review Board oversight was necessary for this quality improvement project that was, retrospectively, turned into a study with previously de-identified data. RESULTS: The patient's previous attendance record is the single most significant correlation with attendance. We found that patients who said they are "scared" of dental visits were 62% as likely to attend as someone reporting "no problem." Patients over 65 years of age have better attendance rates. There was a positive association between receiving email/text confirmation and attendance. A total of 94.9% of those emailed a reminder and 92.2% of those who were texted attended their appointment. CONCLUSION(S): We were able to identify relationships of several variables to failed and attended appointments that we were previously unknown to us. This knowledge enabled us to implement interventions to support better attendance at Dental Clinics at the University of Michigan, improving patient health, student training, and efficient use of resources.

Odontogenic sinus tract to the chin: a diagnostic dilemma.

Sinus tracts of odontogenic origin most commonly open into the oral cavity but occasionally may drain extraorally. The diagnosis is more difficult when necrosis of the tooth occurs in the absence of dental caries. We report a 23-year-old man with a long-standing chronic wound on the inferior aspect of the chin that was refractory to treatment. This case demonstrates the use of a simple technique to identify a necrotic mandibular incisor tooth as the source of infection.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw: an update and review of recommendations.

Bisphosphonates have had a very positive impact as therapeutic agents for cancer and osteoporosis, but have also been associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) which has emerged as an idiosyncratic oral complication. Bisphosphonate-associated ONJ has generated wide attention despite its considerably rare occurrence. Many speculations exist as to why bisphosphonates may increase the incidence of ONJ. The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research established a task force on bisphosphonate-associated ONJ and recently released a summary report of their findings. A case definition delineated a confirmed case of ONJ as 'an area of exposed bone in the maxillofacial region that did not heal within 8 weeks after identification by a health care provider, in a patient who was receiving or had been exposed to a bisphosphonate and had not had radiation therapy to the craniofacial region'. Treatment recommendations have been developed by the American Dental Association, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Considering the scientific evidence, little is known about the true incidence and pathophysiology, and many questions persist. New epidemiologic studies are surfacing and attempts to ameliorate the condition may shed light on the likely complex etiology. The bones of the oral cavity provide a unique environment relative to blood flow, oral microbiota, bone structure and function. Although little is known of the mechanisms and course of ONJ, even less is known about the spectrum of issues of altered healing that could fall short of defined ONJ.

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: a pictorial review.

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is characterized by nonhealing exposed bone in the maxillofacial region in patients who have undergone bisphosphonate treatment. The underlying etiology is unclear and may be multifactorial. The diagnosis is primarily clinical. Diagnostic tissue sampling may exacerbate the process and is typically avoided, necessitating other diagnostic approaches. The appearance of ONJ at diagnostic imaging is variable and includes sclerotic, lytic, or mixed lesions with possible periosteal reaction, pathologic fractures, and extension to soft tissues. There is a spectrum of signal intensity changes on T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images with variable enhancement, findings that may correspond to the clinical and histopathologic stage of the process. Bone scintigraphy is sensitive with increased uptake in the area of the lesion. Although the imaging findings are nonspecific, there appears to be a role for imaging in the management of ONJ. Radiography is relatively insensitive but typically employed as the first line of radiologic investigation. Computed tomography and MR imaging are more precise in demonstrating the extent of the lesion. A number of imaging modalities have revealed lesions that may be associated with bisphosphonate exposure in asymptomatic individuals or in the context of nonspecific symptoms. The risk of these lesions advancing to overt clinical disease is unknown at this time. The radiologist should be aware of ONJ and include it in the differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with a history of bisphosphonate therapy without jaw irradiation, so as to avoid potentially harmful biopsies.

Maxillary and Mandibular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma with Concurrent Periapical Endodontic Disease: Diagnosis and Management.

Extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the oral region can present similarly to diseases of odontogenic origin. The objective of this report was to describe a rare case of maxillary and mandibular NHL that presented similarly to and concurrently with lesions of odontogenic origin.A unique case of extranodal NHL, which presented at the apices of maxillary and mandibular teeth in conjunction with lesions of odontogenic origin in a 68-year-old white man, is described. The patient sought care because of a lesion in the right maxillary paranasal region that caused him paresthesia. Radiographically, periapical radiolucencies were present along teeth #5-8, #23 and 24, and #30 and 31. Biopsies of the right maxillary and anterior mandibular lesions were completed and led to a diagnosis of NHL at the apices of teeth #5-8 extending to the hard palate and granulation tissue at the apices of teeth #23 and 24. Two years later, the patient returned because of pressure and sensitivity associated with teeth #30 and 31. Vestibular swelling was noted clinically, and a multilocular periapical radiolucency was present radiographically. Via endodontic therapy and a positron emission tomographic scan, the lesion associated with teeth #30 and 31 was determined to be of both odontogenic and nonodontogenic origin because it possessed both a sinus tract associated with tooth #30 and NHL. Lesions of odontogenic and nonodontogenic origin possess diagnostic and treatment challenges because they may present similarly and/or concurrently. Thoughtful and conservative management of odontogenic lesions with associated NHL is imperative. Interprofessional collaboration and communication among providers must be thorough and clear to properly coordinate care and prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment when these entities occur together.