Bilirubin pigmentation of human teeth caused by hyperbilirubinemia.

This study was conducted to identify bilirubin in deciduous teeth obtained from two patients with a history of severe liver dysfunction. Teeth were histologically analyzed and bilirubin was extracted and quantified spectrophotometrically. Histological analysis revealed a green line in the dentine running parallel to the incremental lines. A chloroform/methanol/acetic acid (30:10:0.5, v/v) extract of the teeth was evaporated and the residue dissolved in chloroform. Absorption spectra were prepared before and after the diazo reaction. The absorption maximum shifted from 450 nm before to 540 nm after the diazo reaction and was higher than that of normal deciduous teeth. These results indicate that the discolouration of teeth in patients with severe liver dysfunction is due to bilirubin deposition.

Therapeutic embolization of oral hemangiomas with absolute ethanol.

Two patients, one with a high-flow arteriovenous hemangioma and the other with a low-flow capillary-venous type, were treated by injection of ethanol, and excellent results were obtained.

[Clinical significance of serum levels of SCC antigen in cancers of the oral cavity].

The serum levels of SCC antigen were investigated both in 157 patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas and in 28 patients with oral benign diseases as control. The cut off level could be determined to be 1.71 ng/ml with the mean level of control group plus twice standard deviation. There was a significant correlation between the serum levels and clinical findings of oral carcinomas: the antigen levels closely correlated with the changes of tumor volume and clinical stages in squamous cell carcinoma patients. However, there was no relationship between tumor differentiation and SCC antigen levels. It appeared that higher serum levels of SCC antigen were found in patients with carcinomas of the maxilla and floor of the mouth than in that of other regions. As the serum levels of SCC antigen have increased in the follow-up patients, even if lower than the cut off level, they often suggest the relapses of malignant tumor.

[Continuous subcutaneous infusion of peplomycin in oral squamous carcinoma].

To determine the effect of continuous subcutaneous infusion of peplomycin on both antitumor activity and pulmonary toxicity, thirty-two patients with previously untreated oral squamous carcinoma were given peplomycin via osmotic microinfusion pump (SP-5, Nipro Co., Ltd.) at a daily dose of 5.0 mg subcutaneously. The mean dosage of peplomycin given was 79.8 mg. An overall response rate of 62.5% was achieved, with 21.9% complete response, and 40.6% partial response. The maximum reduction of tumor volume for responder could be generally observed when peplomycin was given at about 60 mg continuously. The most frequently encountered toxicity was a mucocutaneous reaction, manifested by stomatitis (34.4%) and skin eruption (18.8%), but they were mild and tolerable. A local skin reaction also occurred at the site of drug injection, and an ulcer formation developed in 12.5% of patients. Monitoring of pulmonary function by means of PaO2 revealed that 32.0% of patients had a decrease over 10% after peplomycin administration. However, interstitial pneumonitis eventually occurred in only one patient (3.1%). In conclusion, the regimen of continuous infusion of peplomycin is a useful method to administer peplomycin safely without reducing the antitumor effect compared to conventional intermittent injection.

Hidroacanthoma simplex with invasive growth.

Hidroacanthoma simplex is a benign tumor of the skin, macroscopically resembling seborrheic keratosis or Bowen's disease, and histologically revealing intraepidermal focal growth of epithelial cells. A case of hidroacanthoma simplex with a malignant portion is presented in this report. The present case revealed mostly histologic characteristics of hidroacanthoma simplex, but the central portion of the tumor showed downward invasive growth with increased cellular atypia. The malignant change of hidroacanthoma simplex is discussed in relation to eccrine porocarcinoma (malignant eccrine poroma).