Gorham disease of the mandible.

Gorham disease, or massive osteolysis, is a rare condition of unknown etiology. The disease is characterized by spontaneous progressive osteolysis of 1 or more skeletal bones. The mandible is the most commonly involved bone in the maxillofacial region. This article reports a case of Gorham disease with mandibular involvement in a 46-year-old male patient with a 7-year follow-up. In this case, we performed lower right mandibular osteotomy and reconstruction with a phased titanium plate. Postoperative follow-up showed continued mandibular bone loss that was progressing to the contralateral mandible. Massive osteolysis of the mandible is a rare clinical condition that must be differentiated from mandibularosteomyelitis, benign and malignant tumors, as well as hyperparathyroidism. Improved differential diagnoses and disease follow-up are required to effectively manage massive osteolysis.

GSTM1 null polymorphisms and oral cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Many studies have examined the association between the GSTM1 null gene polymorphism and oral cancer risk in various populations, but their results have been inconsistent. To assess this relationship more precisely, a meta-analysis was performed. The PubMed and Embase databases were searched for case-control studies published up to May 2013. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Ultimately, 39 studies, comprising of 4,704 oral cancer cases and 7,090 controls, were included. Overall, for null versus present, the pooled OR was 1.29 (95% CI = 1.20-1.40), and the heterogeneity was found in all studies. In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, significant risks were found among Asians (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.27-1.53; P = 0.000 for heterogeneity), but not in Caucasians (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.83-1.18; P = 0.677 for heterogeneity). In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrates that the GSTM1 null gene polymorphism may be an increased risk of oral cancer in Asians but not in Caucasians.

Treatment of postoperative midfacial deformity of chilopalatognathus by distraction osteogenesis with a self-constructed tooth-borne distraction device.

OBJECTIVE: Distraction osteogenesis has recently evolved a challenging technique to overcome major drawbacks of the traditional orthodontic treatment modalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of patients with chilopalatognathus who have premaxillary deficiency through distraction osteogenesis using a self-constructed tooth-borne distraction device. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Individual tooth-borne distraction devices were used for advancement of the maxillary anterior segment. Distraction was performed for 26 patients in accordance with the specific requirements of each individual. Cephalometric radiographs were taken before treatment (T1), after distraction (T2), and after consolidation for 8 weeks (T3). RESULTS: Cephalometric analysis revealed that the premaxilla was moved forward and that the length of palatal plane increased. In 2 cases, the distractor did not work during distraction and was removed. CONCLUSIONS: Distraction osteogenesis using individual tooth-borne distraction devices in patients with chilopalatognathus could effectively resolve soft tissue insufficiencies and hypoplasia of the maxilla.

Prognostic significance of VEGF immunohistochemical expression in oral cancer: a meta-analysis of the literature.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered as a prime mediator of angiogenesis and has been implicated in carcinogenesis and metastasis. Various studies examined the relationship between VEGF protein overexpression with the clinical outcome in patients with oral cancer, but yielded conflicting results. Electronic databases updated to March 2013 were searched to find relevant studies. A meta-analysis was conducted with eligible studies which quantitatively evaluated the relationship between VEGF overexpression and survival of patients with oral cancer. Survival data were aggregated and quantitatively analyzed. We performed a meta-analysis of 17 studies (n = 1,207 patients) that evaluated the correlation between VEGF overexpression detected by immunohistochemistry and survival in patients with oral cancer. Combined hazard ratios suggested that VEGF overexpression had an unfavorable impact on overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.89; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.55) and disease-free survival (HR = 2.08; 95 % CI, 1.14-3.02) in patients with oral cancer: 1.77 (1.09-1.44) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients and 4.28 (1.35-7.21) in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the salivary glands. No significant heterogeneity was observed among all studies. VEGF overexpression indicates a poor prognosis for patients with oral SCC, ACC, and MEC of the salivary glands.

VEGF +936C/T and +460C/T gene polymorphisms and oral cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

Many studies have examined the association between the VEGF +936C/T (rs833061) and +460C/T (rs3025039) gene polymorphisms and oral cancer risk in various populations, but their results have been inconsistent. To assess this relationship more precisely, we performed a meta-analysis. The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched for case-control studies that were published up to January 2013. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Ultimately, six studies were included, comprising 1006 oral cancer cases and 1016 controls. Overall, the pooled OR for VEGF +936 T allele carriers (TC + TT) versus the wild-type homozygotes (CC) was 1.28 (95 % CI 1.04-1.58; P = 0.228 for heterogeneity), the pooled OR for TT versus CC was 1.64 (95 % CI 1.34-1.98; P = 0.315 for heterogeneity), and the pooled OR for the T allele versus the C allele was 1.42 (95 % CI 1.22-1.76; P = 0.286 for heterogeneity). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, significant risks were found among Caucasians but not Asians. However, there were no associations between VEGF +460C/T and oral cancer risk in only two of the included studies. In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrates that the VEGF +936 T allele may be associated with an increased risk of oral cancer, especially among Caucasian populations.

Salvage treatment for recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The treatment failures of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are mostly local and regional recurrences. The aim was to estimate the prognosis of patients with recurrent OSCC through the prognostic staging system. We reviewed 81 patients with recurrent OSCC from April 1, 1999, to April 1, 2005. The independent prognostic factors for the patients with recurrent OSCC were identified by the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Then, to develop a prognostic staging system, and according to this staging system, the patients with recurrent OSCC were divided to 4 stages. By the Kaplan-Meier and log-rank statistical analyses, we found that the survival rate of patients with recurrent OSCC was significantly different at the different developmental stages. The primary TNM cancer stage before initial treatment, the extent of recurrence, and the recurrent tumor size are the independent prognostic factors for the patients with recurrent OSCC. Through this clinical study, the earlier-stage cases (stages I and II) for the patients with recurrent OSCC had a significantly better survival outcome compared with the advanced-stage cases (stages III and IV), and at the early recurrent stage, the salvage surgery represented a reliable and feasible treatment method.

[Clinical application of free thin anterolateral thigh flap in the reconstruction of intraoral defects].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical features and therapeutic effect of free thin anterolateral thigh flap for the reconstruction of intraoral defects. METHODS: The clinicopathologic data of 34 cases with oral carcinoma were obtained from Institute and Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing University Medical School, from December 2008 to December 2011. These 34 patients underwent the simultaneous tumor resection and intraoral defects reconstruction with free thin anterolateral thigh flaps. The defects were located at tongue, buccal, mouth floor, and so on. The subcutaneous fat thickness of the flap at the site of the perforator is usually measured by ultrasound before the operation. If the thickness of the subcutaneous fat at the site of the perforator exceeded 1.5 cm, the patient was excluded from the study. RESULTS: There were 16 male and 18 female patients. The mean age was 55.4 years. Among the 34 patients, 26 flaps with musculocutaneous perforators and 8 flaps with septo-cutaneous perforators were used. Partial flap necrosis occurred in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The free thin anterolateral thigh flap is the ideal soft tissue flap for the intraoral defects reconstruction. Satisfactory functional results can he achieved at recipient area with minimal morbidity at the donor site area.

[Reconstruction of oral soft tissue defects with free anterolateral thigh flap].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical features and therapeutic efficacy of anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps for the intraoral defects reconstruction. METHODS: The clinicopathologic data of 67 cases with oral tumors were obtained from School of Stomatology, Nanjing University Medical Center from Dec. 2008 to Dec. 2010. All the patients underwent the simultaneous tumor resection and intraoral defects reconstruction with free anterolateral thigh flaps. The defects included the tongue, buccal, gingival, mouth floor, and so on. The descending branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery was anastomosed to the external maxillary artery or superior thyroid artery; the vein was anastomosed to the common facial vein or external jugular vein. The flaps were divided into three types: musculocutaneous ALT flap, fasciocutaneous ALT flap and thinned ALT flap. RESULTS: There were 38 male patients and 29 female. The anterolateral thigh flaps included 35 musculocutaneous flaps, 17 fasciocutaneous flaps and 15 thinned flaps. The success rate was 98.5% (66/67). Partial necrosis happened in one case with diabetes, which healed after debridement and dressing. 1 flap was totally necrosis. Double venous anastomosis was performed in 41 flaps, and one venous anastomosis was performed in 26 flaps. 8 patients required operative exploration in the perioperative period including 6 flaps with thrombotic events (5 flaps were complete survival after the salvages, and 1 flap was failure) , 1 flap with hematoma, and 1 flap with twisting of perforator. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 24 months( mean, 8.7 months). The result was satisfied. The donor sites were closed directly in all patients, and the wounds healed uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: The free anterolateral thigh flap is an ideal soft tissue flap for the intraoral defects reconstruction with good functional result at recipient area and less morbidity at the donor site.

[Application of titanium mesh and free forearm flap for reconstruction of maxillary defect resulted from tumor resection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of titanium mesh and free forearm flap for reconstruction of maxillary defect resulted from tumor resection. METHODS: From 2004 to 2008, 19 cases with maxillary tumor underwent tumor resection. The defects were reconstructed immediately with titanium mesh for bony defects and free forearm flap for oral mucosa defects. RESULTS: 16 cases achieved satisfactory functional and cosmetic results. The speech assessment was good without oronasal reflux. The titanium mesh was exposed and infected in 3 cases. Then the meshes were taken out and the defects were covered with the forearm flap to close the oronasal fistula. The midface was slightly depressed with no functional morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: It is simple and practical to reconstruct maxillary defect with titanium mesh and free forearm flap. Both the functional and cosmetic results are satisfactory.