Validation of Vectra 3D Imaging Systems: A Review.

Aim: Three-dimensional facial imaging systems are a useful tool that is gradually replacing two-dimensional imaging and traditional anthropometry with calipers. In this varied and growing landscape of new devices, Canfield (Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, NJ, USA) has proposed a series of static and portable 3D imaging systems. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current literature regarding the validation of Canfield's Vectra imaging systems. Materials and Methods: A search strategy was developed on electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus by using specific keywords. After the study selection phase, a total of 10 articles were included in the present review. Results: A total of 10 articles were finally included in the present review. For six articles, we conducted a validation of the Vectra static devices, focusing especially on the Vectra M5, Vectra M3 and Vectra XT. For four articles, we validated the Vectra H1 portable system. Conclusions: All of the reviewed articles concluded that Canfield's Vectra 3D imaging systems are capable of capturing accurate and reproducible stereophotogrammetric images. Minor errors were reported, particularly in the acquisition of the perioral region, but all the evaluated devices are considered to be valid and accurate tools for clinicians.

Does overweight affect the sagittal dimension of the posterior airway space in a non-OSAS population? A case control study.

OBJECTIVE: The null hypothesis was that, in a non-obstructive sleep apnea syndrome population, overweight do not reduce the antero-posterior dimension of the posterior airway space. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The author retrospectively reviewed the records of subjects evaluated at the Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova Medical School, Padova, Italy, from 2016 to 2018. Only patients with complete demographic, anthropological and CBCT dataset were enrolled. OSAS patient were also ruled-out. Enrolled patients were divided into overweight (28 cases) and non-overweight (32 controls) groups according to the patient's Body Mass Index. Each two-dimensional cephalometric radiography obtained from the cone-beam computer tomography dataset was evaluated in order to measure linear and angular distances between standardized cephalometric landmarks. The two-sample t-test was the statistical test applied to compare the case and control data. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between the two study groups for any of the evaluated variables: the null hypothesis was accepted. CONCLUSION: This study showed that in a non-obstructive sleep-apnea population, overweight and class I obesity does not influence the airway space in the antero-posterior dimension. Further investigation should focus on categorized overweight-obese population. Accurate and reliable protocol for tridimensional airways assessment should be implemented.

Displaced Dental Materials in the Maxillary Sinus: An Original Series. Analysis and Definition of a Surgical Decision-Making Process.

OBJECTIVES: Displacement of dental materials into the maxillary sinus occurs in daily dental practice; dental implants have become a new common foreign body (FB), as implantation has become routine. The main goal of the present study was to analyze an original series of patients consecutively treated for maxillary sinus FBs. A secondary goal was to propose a decision-making flowchart on the basis of the authors' experience and a critical analysis of literature to select the most appropriate surgical approach. METHODS: Eleven consecutive patients evaluated for maxillary sinus FBs consisting of dental material were considered. RESULTS: For removal of the FBs, a nasal endoscopic approach was preferred in 5 cases, a nasal combined approach in 2 cases, an oronasal combined approach in 2 cases, and a lateral window approach in 2 cases. In 2 of 11 cases, complications were reported. A decision-making flowchart to select the best surgical approach is reported. CONCLUSIONS: The correct choice and application of FB removal techniques allow minimization of unfavorable outcomes and creation of an appropriate environment for new dental treatment. Prospective, large series-based studies will be necessary to confirm the safety and clinical efficacy of the proposed decision-making flowchart.

A novel nasal endoscopic approach for removing displaced dental implants from the maxillary sinus.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last 30years, dental implants have become widespread all over the world. Though the implantation procedure is standardized and safe, the displacement of implants into the maxillary sinus can occur. The aim of the study has been to describe a novel combined nasal endoscopic approach through the middle and lower meatus for managing dental implants displaced into the maxillary sinus. METHODS/RESULTS: A 40-year-old man was examined for a titanium osteo-integrated implant displaced within the alveolar recess of the left maxillary sinus. The indications and procedure are reported in detail. The pros and cons of this approach are compared with those of other standard surgical methods. CONCLUSIONS: The main strength of the technique described here lies in the ample view and ideal control of the displaced dental implant achieved by fashioning a second window at the lower meatus that enables enlargement of the natural ostium to be minimized, thereby ensuring an anatomically and functionally better result.

Relaxin-2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: When advanced, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) may involve adjacent non-epithelial structures, and the prognosis is worse for bone invasion. Human relaxin-2 is a peptide hormone that has recently been associated with cancer. It can induce human osteoclast differentiation and activation, suggesting a role in tumor-driven osteolysis. This study was a preliminary assessment of the prognostic role of relaxin-2 in surgical specimens of OSCC tissue and adjacent but uninvolved mandibular/maxillary bone. METHODS: Relaxin-2 immunohistochemical expression and reaction intensity were assessed in tumor and uninvolved adjacent mandibular/maxillary bone specimens from 23 operated OSCC patients. RESULTS: All OSCC specimens were positive for relaxin-2. The intensity of its reaction in OSCC correlated significantly with the pattern of the tumor's invasion front (p = 0.02), being higher with the infiltrative pattern. Mean relaxin-2 immunohistochemical expression was higher in patients whose OSCC recurred after treatment than those experiencing no recurrence (81.3% ± 22.6% vs. 59.5% ± 29.7%, respectively). A significant direct association emerged between relaxin-2 expression in OSCC specimens and recurrence rate (p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Relaxin-2 expression in OSCC should be further investigated as a potentially useful marker for identifying patients at higher risk of recurrence, who might benefit from closer follow-up and more aggressive adjuvant therapy. In other oncological settings, increasing evidence of relaxin being produced by cancer cells is prompting efforts to synthesize human relaxin-2 analogs capable of acting as antagonists and limiting tumor growth.