Temporomandibular Disorders Clinical and Anatomical Outcomes After Fat-Derived Stem Cells Injection.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common disorders that usually involve temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, and other relevant structures. The symptoms may vary limiting the patients' quality of life. Many treatment options were proposed during the last years with the aim to treat the pathology. In this article, we analyze the effect of the injection of the fat-derived stem cell in the joint as a new treatment option.

A Modified External Fixator System in Treatment of Mandibular Condylar Fractures.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient's outcomes after condylar fractures treated with the modified external fixation system from 2008 to 2012.A group of 58 patients with unilateral and bilateral fractures of mandibular condyle was admitted in the authors' study.The final sample included a total of 44 patients, 24 males (54.6%) and 20 females (45.4%).The remaining 14 (24%) patients were excluded because they did not fulfill all the criteria requested.After 12 months from surgery, the functional-clinical evaluation of mouth's maximum opening and mostly extent of lateral excursion and of protrusion showed the following results: 8% of the sample showed a maximum mouth opening <30 mm, 72% of the sample showed a maximum mouth opening between 30 and 40 mm, 20% of the sample showed a maximum mouth opening >40 mm lateral excursion (contralateral to fracture) and protrusion was respectively of 9.5 and 3.9 mm.Only 2 (4.5%) of the 44 evaluated patients reported headaches. 86.5% of the patients showed no postoperative temporomandibular joint dysfunction; 9% of them reported occasional clicking, while 4.5% reported recurrent disorders. The average satisfaction score of surgery outcome reported by patients was 94.5/100, and it ranged between 50/100 and 100/100.

Evaluation of Temporomandibular Disorders before and after Orthognathic Surgery: Therapeutic Considerations on a Sample of 76 Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular disorders may be associated with dental and facial malformations. The aim of this study is to record the prevalence of TMDs in patients scheduled for orthognathic surgery, reporting the development of TMDs and symptoms during the entire period of the treatment, and demonstrating the benefits of a team effort on this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Assessment of temporomandibular status was performed using the RDC/TMD criteria at T0 (prior to orthodontic therapy), T1 (3 months after the surgery), and T2 post-therapeutic cycle (6 to 12 months postoperatively). A total of 76 participants were included in the study; all the patients underwent surgical treatment: 12 had bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, 6 with condylar position devices; 64 had Le Fort I + bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, and 15 with condylar position devices. Results were evaluated with a paired-sample t-test and segmentation analysis. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were affected by TMDs. At T0, 25 patients experienced TMJ pain, 27 had muscular pain, 31 suffered headaches, 42 had disc dislocation with reduction, and 5 were affected by disc dislocation without reduction. Thirty-five patients had occlusal signs of parafunctions, 8 reported tinnitus, and 7 dizziness. At T1, TMJ pain changed from 33.3% to 4.44%, muscular pain changed from 35.5% to 11.1%, headaches improved from 40% to 6.67%, and disc dislocation from 55.2% to 17.7%. Segmentation analysis highlighted improvement after therapy; 57 patients were considered recovered, 14 improved, none were considered stable, whereas 5 patients demonstrated some worsening, 3 of whom had not presented disc dislocation before surgery. At T2, 71 patients were considered completely recovered or improved. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicates beyond any doubt that both functional status and pain levels related to TMDs can be significantly improved with a multi-disciplinary approach. We concluded that surgeon's intervention need to be modified in the presence of presurgical TMDs.

Tinnitus in Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Is it a Specific Somatosensory Tinnitus Subtype?

ABSTRACT: The most significant otologic symptoms, consisting of ear pain, tinnitus, dizziness, hearing loss and auricolar "fullness", generally arise within the auditory system, often are associated with extra auricolar disorders, particularly disorder of the temporo-mandibular joint. In our study we examined a sample of 200 consecutive patients who had experienced severe disabling symptom. The patiens came to maxillofacial specialist assessment for temporomandibular disorder. Each patient was assessed by a detailed anamnestic and clinical temporomandibular joint examination and they are divided into five main groups according classification criteria established by Wilkes; tinnitus and subjective indicators of pain are evaluated. The results of this study provide a close correlation between the joint pathology and otologic symptoms, particularly regarding tinnitus and balance disorders, and that this relationship is greater the more advanced is the stage of joint pathology. Moreover, this study shows that TMD-related tinnitus principally affects a younger population (average fifth decade of life) and mainly women (more than 2/3 of the cases). Such evidence suggests the existence of a specific tinnitus subtype that may be defined as "TMD-related somatosensory tinnitus".

Sinus Disventilation and Atrophy of the Upper Maxilla: A Combined Surgical Approach Is Possible?

This study aims to assess the effectiveness and reliability of a new combined approach to treat the maxillary atrophy and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and other rhino-sinusal pathologies. This 1-step procedure consisting functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and maxillary sinus-lift with simultaneous implant placement for patients with a severe reabsorbed maxillary bone and sinuses' disease. In case of disventilation and maxillary sinuses flogosis, the mucociliary clearance and physiological ventilation have to be aided, in order to make a safer and predictable sinus-lift surgery. This new surgical approach provides the restitution ad integrum of sinus health and at the same time, its grafting. If possible, implants were placed during the same surgical procedures. A 1 center retrospective study was performed in a private clinic of Rome, from January 2006 to November 2013. Seventy-eight adult patients with maxillary atrophy and sinus disventilation no responding to 3-week pharmacological therapy were admitted. All of them underwent to medical history, clinical examination, nasal endoscopies, and computed tomography (CT) scan of nose and paranasal sinuses. Patients were divided in 2 groups using Lund Mackay CT scoring. A 1-step surgery based on FESS and maxillary sinus-lift was performed. Simultaneous implant placement was performed when a crestal thickness of at least 4 mm was present on CT examination. Patient's symptoms scoring was evaluated through visual analogical scale both pre- and postoperatively. Computed tomography scores were usually not in accordance with presurgical clinical condition. Patients with clinical symptoms of disventilatory sinus and low evidence of CRS on CT showed relevant improvements in symptoms' scores after endoscopic surgery. All implants achieved good primary stability; Only 1 patient had lost implant due to peri-implantitis during 1-year follow-up period (1.3%).

TMJ inferior compartment arthroplasty procedure through a 25-year follow-up (functional arthroplasty).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) "functional arthroplasty" on the inferior compartment and disc reposition as a surgical treatment for internal derangement (ID). PATIENTS AND METHODS: By retrospective chart review, all patients who had TMJ surgery on the inferior compartment for TMJ ID from 1985 to 2010 were identified. Their charts were reviewed and subjective data as well as objective data was collected. RESULTS: The chart review yielded 352 patients treated through this approach for a total of 696 joints involved. Analysis of the data showed that there was a good health improvement. The mid VAS about pre surgical TMJ pain was 58.3, after surgery 7.7. About headache and cervical pain the pre surgery mid VAS was 47.7, after surgery 16.7. CONCLUSIONS: Outcome data presented show that TMJ surgery on the inferior compartment and disc reposition could be an effective and successful surgical treatment of TMJ ID. This success has been seen and maintained also in long term follow up in this specific patient population. For this reason, we propose to call this procedure "functional arthroplasty".

Tinnitus in patients with temporo-mandibular joint disorder: Proposal for a new treatment protocol.

The present study was designed to verify the correlation between tinnitus and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.86 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study, all affected by subjective tinnitus without hearing impairment, from both genders, age between 18 and 60 years old. The final number of patients included in the study was 55. All patients received a temporo-mandibular joint examination. All the patients were asked to rate the severity of their symptoms before and after treatment using a VAS scale and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and they followed a standardized protocol for the investigation of tinnitus. All the subjects were monitored by the same researcher and they underwent the same splint treatment. The comparison between pre- and posttreatment phase scores showed in patients with predisposition of TMD and with TMD a statistically significant decrease of THI and VAS values. The characteristics of tinnitus and the degree of response to treatment confirmed the relationship between tinnitus and TMD. The authors believe that, when the most common causes of tinnitus, such as otologic disorders and neurological diseases are excluded, it is correct to evaluate the functionality of the temporo-mandibular joint and eventually treat its pathology to obtain tinnitus improvement or even resolution.

Fast and early mandibular osteodistraction (FEMOD) in severe Pierre Robin Sequence.

Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) is a congenital abnormality characterized by mandibular hypoplasia, glossoptosis and often secondary palate cleft. It may be an isolated or part of a most complicated syndrome. The genetic syndrome that most frequently co-occurs is Stickler syndrome characterized by skeletal abnormalities, joint pain, congenital myopia and retinal detachment. The authors describe their fast and early mandibular osteodistraction (FEMOD) protocol in severe cases of PRS airway obstruction.

Maxillofacial fractures in the province of Latina, Lazio, Italy: review of 400 injuries and 83 cases.

A retrospective study was performed to assess maxillofacial fractures in patients treated at the public "S.M. Goretti Hospital" hospital from 2011 to 31/8/2012. Data were prospectively recorded including age and sex, cause and mechanisms of injury, soft tissue injuries, dentoalveolar trauma, facial bone fractures and type of treatment. The pre-surgical and post-surgical hospitalization days were also analysed. Causes were grouped into five categories: road traffic collision, sports accidents, occupational accidents, assaults and domestic accidents. The analyses involved descriptive statistics. Records from 83 patient sustaining 95 maxillofacial fractures were evaluated. The zygoma was the most fractured anatomical site in both males and females, accounting for 32% of injuries, followed by isolated fracture of the orbital floor (blow-out and blow-in) with 11%. The age group between 18 and 39 years showed the highest rate of incidence of maxillofacial fractures. Men were more involved than women in all cases with a male:female ratio of 5,4:1. Accidents were the most frequent cause of maxillofacial fractures in the age group between 18 and 39 years and interpersonal violence was the most frequent cause of maxillofacial fractures in the age group between 40 and 59 years. Facial fractures occurred primarily among men under 30 years of age, and the most common sites of fractures in the face were the mandible and the zygomatic complex. Road traffic collisions were the main aetiologic factor associated with maxillofacial trauma.

An unusual case of orbito-frontal rod fence stab injury with a good outcome.

BACKGROUND: High-energy non-missile penetrating injuries (stab injuries) account for a small percentage of penetrating head injuries and they present a series of special features. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old man suffered orbito-frontal? and trans-cranial injuries after falling five meters from a terrace onto a rod iron fence. The removal of the metal rod was performed outside the operating room. The orbital roof was exposed and repaired through a bifrontal craniotomy and the frontal sinuses were cranialised. The orbital floor and zygoma were plated with micro-screws. CONCLUSION: The patient recovered without significant complications, apart from a slight paresis of the right superior rectus; the ocular globe remained intact.The positive outcome obtained in this very challenging case is attributable to the competency of the Neurotrauma Unit and to the use of a synergistic approach which involved the contribution of neurosurgeons, maxillo-facial surgeons, radiologists and anaesthesiologists.

Importance of fetal MRI in evaluation of craniofacial deformities.

AIM: This retrospective study aims at demonstrating the importance of a correct and detailed early diagnosis of craniomaxillofacial malformations affecting the fetus, which would (1) allow improvement in ultrasonography (US) diagnosis, (2) help in planning the therapeutic-surgical procedure, and (3) improve handling of the pathology by the families. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2011, a sample of 28 fetuses was selected, all with an ultrasound diagnosis of cleft lip (cheiloschisis-CL) and cleft lip and palate (palatoschisis-CLP) and craniofacial malformation, whose mothers had all underwent ultrasound diagnostic examinations and nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI). All cases were submitted to US examination between the 12th and 19th week of pregnancy, US-3D examination performed by a specialist radiologist between the 19th and 22nd week, and MRI examination between the 23rd and 33rd week of pregnancy. RESULTS: The MRI confirmed the ultrasound diagnosis of 16/28 cases and added information in 11/28 cases, and in 1 (1/28) case, the MRI denied previous CL-CLP ultrasound diagnosis. Moreover, in this study MRI improved the analysis of the entire morphology of the fetuses in cases when syndromic involvement with the involvement of other organs needs to be determined. CONCLUSIONS: The MRI method in fetal patients allows to obtain more details regarding the CL-CLP studied, allowing the medical-surgical team to plan, before the birth, the type of postnatal assessment and surgery to be performed, thus minimizing the impact on neonatal health and improving quality of life of both the patient and his family.

Surgical treatment of congenital rhabdoid tumor in a 10-day-old newborn.

BACKGROUND: Malignant rhabdoid tumors are rare and aggressive tumors of pediatric age. The primary tumor can occur in different localizations, but it mainly involves kidney, soft tissue, or central nervous system. It has been associated to a poor diagnosis. METHODS: The authors present the case of a 10-day-old newborn affected by a bulky nasofronto-orbitary neoplasm. The patient underwent radical surgical treatment and further excision of a preauricular metastasis combined with postoperative chemotherapy treatment. RESULTS: The authors adopted a diagnostic and therapeutic protocol according to international guidelines, not without difficulty because the first histological report showed esthesioneuroblastoma. The rarity and aggresivity of rhabdoid tumor and the precocity of onset in our patient presented a difficulty to define prognostic factors and survival rates, as well as therapeutic plan of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The authors underline the importance of a correct prenatal diagnosis and an early surgical treatment to reach the complete healing of the patient.

Diagnosis and treatment of synovial chondromatosis of the TMJ: a clinical case.

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare, benign, chronic, progressive and proliferative lesion that usually affects large joints. This disease is characterized by the development of cartilaginous nodules within the space of synovial joints, tendon sheaths or cases; the nodules subsequently degrade, detach and form free-floating, calcified bodies within the joint space. In 1933, Axhausen described the first case of synovial chondromatosis affecting the temporomandibular joint. The aetiology still remains unknown, but a history of trauma and inflammation is often found. Clinical symptoms of chondromatosis affecting the TMJ are often characterized by swelling, pain, headache, crepitation, malocclusion and joint dysfunction. The big challenge concerning synovial chondromatosis is to suspect and establish a correct diagnosis. These nonspecific initial signs and symptoms may mimic other nonspecific TMJ's diseases and can easily lead to a delay in diagnosis or a misdiagnosis. Here we present a case of synovial chondromatosis of the TMJ and the appropriate diagnostic and treatment performed.

Management of facial trauma in patients older than 75 years.

According to the literature and World Health Organization, elderly people are specified as persons older than 65 years of age. The authors believe that the indication for surgery patients over 65 is based on the restoration of functionality and the aesthetics. The behavior of the surgeon has to change with patients aged older than 75 years where the restoration of function and, therefore, a good quality of life is far more important than the aesthetic restoration. In a retrospective study of 1022 patients consecutively hospitalized at Maxillofacial department in Roma, Università "Sapienza," the patients older than 75 years were analyzed. During this period, the data of all patients undergoing treatment because of trauma-related injuries were collected. Data were registered regarding etiology, localization of the injury, surgical treatment ratio, medium average stay, age, and sex distribution. Surgical treatment in these patients should be driven by the general condition of health whenever possible; reduction of facial fractures should be guided by the need to return a good quality of life for the patients. The goal of this study was to analyze a new group of population, people older than 75 years, that is, a real new and growing group of population.

Trigeminal impingement syndrome: the relationship between atypical trigeminal symptoms and anteromedial disk displacement.

The purpose of this study was to determine if compression of the mandibular nerve and its branches could be caused by antero-medial disk displacement, resulting in atypical facial pain. Sixteen temporomandibular joints (TMJ) were dissected and injected with an autopolymerizing solution into the superior compartment, which produced an artificial capsular swelling that caused disk displacement. In all specimens, the TMJ capsule was close to the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve after the intracapsular injection. Thus, capsular distension or antero-medial disk displacement, as seen in various temporomandibular disorders (TMD), could result in nerve compression and facial pain symptoms.

Myositis ossificans of the medial pterygoid muscle.

Myositis ossificans (MO) is a disease whose main feature is the formation of heterotopic bone involving muscle or any other soft tissue. Pathogenesis is not all clear, but trauma is universally recognized as a trigger event. Myositis ossificans can be divided into 2 classifications: MO progressiva and MO traumatica. The authors present a case of a 64-year-old man who was diagnosed with MOT of the left medial pterygoid muscle. The patient had a long clinical history of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular articulation related to previous conditions, and no major traumatic events were reported, apparently related to MOT.

Cleft lip and palate: technical strategies for the primary palatoplasty.

Surgical procedures in cleft lip and palate repair are continuously evolving. In the international literature, many guidelines exist dealing with different timings and surgical approaches. The authors present a technical strategy on primary palatoplasty and the guidelines for the surgical management of cleft lip and palate adopted by the Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery of the Università "La Sapienza" of Rome. This approach has been developed to allow a physiological facial growth and to preserve the essential main features of the stomatognathic system enclosing phonation and swallowing. Moreover, the authors present their own surgical technique for primary palate repair at 24 to 48 months with the galea-pericranium free flap.

Early secondary alveoloplasty in cleft lip and palate.

The aims of this study were to present a personal surgical technique throughout the review of international literature concerning surgical techniques, objectives, and outcomes in early secondary alveoloplasty and to describe our personal surgical techniques in alveolar bone defect repair in cleft lip and palate.Throughout a literature analysis, it is now settled that early secondary alveoloplasty could reestablish the continuity of alveolar bone and prevent upper dental arch collapse after presurgical orthopedic upper maxilla expansion; it also might give a good bone support for teeth facing the cleft and allow the eruption of permanent elements with the bone graft and rebalance the symmetry of dental arch, improve facial aesthetic, guarantee an adequate amount of bone tissue for a further prosthetic reconstruction with implant, and finally close the eventual oronasal fistula.The surgical technique we are presenting permitted a total number of 35 early secondary alveoloplasty on which a long-term follow-up is still taking place.We can assess that early secondary alveoloplasty must be performed before permanent canine eruption. Iliac crest is the suggested donor site for bone grafting; orthopedic and orthodontic treatments must be performed in association with surgery, and if there is the dental element agenesia, an implantation treatment must be considered.