Oral epithelium response of electronic cigarette users to electronic cigarette.

BACKGROUND: Electronic cigarettes are increasing in popularity, but there is only little information on their biologic effects on the oral epithelium, the initial site exposed to electronic cigarette smoke. METHODS: We assessed the oral epithelium response to electronic cigarettes by comparing the histology and RNA transcriptome (mRNA and miRNA) of healthy electronic cigarette vapers to nonsmokers. mRNA was assessed based on: (1) genome-wide; (2) genes previously identified as dysregulated in the oral epithelium of electronic cigarette vapers versus nonsmokers; (3) immune and inflammatory-related genes previously identified as dysregulated in the nasal epithelium of electronic cigarette vapers compared to nonsmokers; (4) genes previously identified as dysregulated in the small airway epithelium of nonsmokers following an acute exposure to electronic cigarette; and (5) genes related to the initial steps of COVID-19 infection. In addition, miRNA was assessed genome-wide. Comparisons were performed using analysis of variance, and Benajmini-Hochberg corrected p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The histology of the epithelium, lamina propria and basal layer in electronic cigarette vapers appeared normal. Assessment of mRNA and miRNA, based on all gene lists, did not identify any genes significantly modified in the oral epithelium of electronic cigarette vapers in response to electronic cigarette use. CONCLUSION: An average history of 2 years of vaping results in no detectable histologic or transcriptome abnormalities in the buccal mucosa.

Protecting the tracheal tube cuff: a novel solution.

We describe the successful insertion of a nasotracheal tube following repeated cuff rupture. The patient was a 55-year-old woman with a history of nasal trauma and multiple rhinoplasties, who underwent elective Lefort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for correction of skeletal facial deformity. During fiberoptic bronchoscope-guided nasal intubation after the induction of general anesthesia, the tracheal tube repeatedly ruptured in both nares, despite extensive preparation of the nasal airways. We covered the cuff with a one-inch tape, intubated to the level of the oropharynx, pulled the tracheal tube out through the mouth, and removed the tape. The tracheal tube was then backed out to the level of the uvula, and was successfully advanced.

Early Clinical Outcomes of Arthroscopic Management of the Failing Alloplastic Temporomandibular Joint Prosthesis.

PURPOSE: Total joint replacement is the recommended treatment for end-stage temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease. The goal of treatment is to help the return to acceptable function with improvement of the maximum incisal opening (MIO) and a reduction of pain. When a prosthetic joint shows late complications, surgical management includes an open approach, with debridement, cultures, and prosthetic replacement as options. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the early outcomes of arthroscopic management of failing prosthetic TMJs (PTMJs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The inclusion criteria were patients with custom or stock joints with complaints of limitation of mouth opening and pain, who had undergone arthroscopy. The exclusion criteria were patients with radiographic heterotopic bone formation, improvement with antibiotic treatment, and failed hardware found on imaging studies. RESULTS: A total of 9 patients were included in the present study (all women), with 5 unilateral and 4 bilateral PTMJs, for a total of 13 sides that underwent arthroscopy. Their mean age was 40 years (range, 23 to 65 years). The mean preoperative MIO was 25 mm, and the mean preoperative visual analog scale for pain and functional limitation scores were both 8 of 10. The corresponding scores were 4 of 10 and 3 of 10 at 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic management of prosthetic joints has been reported in orthopedic studies, with benefits shown in the diagnosis and management of synovial impingement and arthrofibrosis. The results from the present study demonstrated that the early clinical outcomes of arthroscopic management of PTMJs is promising for decreasing pain and increasing the MIO. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to further classify the different causes of prosthetic failure and advance the approaches to management.

Endovascular preoperative embolization for temporomandibular joint replacement surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This retrospective study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of preoperative endovascular embolization in patients who underwent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included all patients treated with preoperative embolization of the internal maxillary artery (IMAX) between June 2016 and January 2019. All patients were treated by the same surgeon using standard surgical approaches and procedures. Periprocedural adverse events, blood loss during surgery and clinical follow-up are reported. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (12 females, median age 32.5) were treated with 21 embolizations of the IMAX (bilateral embolizations in seven patients) prior to TMJ replacement surgery with prosthetic joints (TMJ Concepts prostheses). Seven patients presented with TMJ ankylosis/degenerative joint disease/post-trauma deformity, four patients with Idiopathic Condylar Resorption and resultant mandibular displacement/hypoplasia, two patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated condylar degeneration and resultant loss of mandibular position, and 1 patient being re-reconstructed following management of a prosthetic joint infection. Seven patients underwent bilateral prosthetic joint replacement. Four patients underwent additional facial skeletal surgery as part of their treatment. The mean blood volume loss during TMJ surgery was approximately 370 cc (range 100-800 cc). Joint space-specific blood loss was not recorded, but, as per the surgical team, was significantly decreased when compared to non-embolized patients. There were no intra-procedural complications. The median clinical follow-up was 3.5 months (range 1-24 months). The modified Rankin scale (mRS) was 0 before the procedure and at last clinical follow-up in all patients. After TMJ surgery, three patients reported paresthesia of the trigeminal nerve likely related to the residual condyle resection and two patients had mild facial nerve weakness (Temporal and/or Marginal Mandibular branch) related to the surgical exposures. CONCLUSION: Endovascular preoperative embolization of the IMAX is feasible, safe and likely effective in reducing blood volume loss in complex TMJ replacement surgery.

Minimally Invasive Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis and Fibrosis of Temporalis Muscle.

A case of severe mandibular hypomobility due to fibrosis of the left temporalis tendon, combined with ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, is presented. This case emphasizes the importance of reconstructing the historical timeline to establish a correct diagnosis, ultimately leading to appropriate treatment. The use of minimally invasive surgical techniques and the importance of postoperative rehabilitation are emphasized.

Rationale for early versus late intervention with arthroscopy for treatment of inflammatory/degenerative temporomandibular joint disorders.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to determine if there were differences in outcomes of arthroscopic surgery in patients with inflammatory/degenerative temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease who underwent early surgical intervention versus late surgical intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 44 consecutive patients who met the criteria for TMJ operative arthroscopy who were divided into early and late intervention groups. The time between the onset of symptoms and the performance of arthroscopy was used to determine entry into the early versus late intervention group. All groups were evaluated for changes in preoperative versus postoperative pain levels based on visual analog scale (VAS) scores and maximum interincisal opening distance. Statistical analyses included the Student t test to determine if there were significant differences between preoperative and postoperative assessments in the early and late intervention groups. RESULTS: The mean time between onset of symptoms in the early intervention group (21 patients) was 5.4 months compared with 33 months in the late intervention group (23 patients). All patient groups had statistically significant decreases in pain and improvement in maximum interincisal opening distance after arthroscopy. The early intervention group had a mean decrease in VAS pain scores of 5.14 compared with the late intervention group with a mean decrease in VAS pain scores of 2.84, and this difference was significant (P = .012). The early intervention group had a mean increase in maximum interincisal opening of 12.38 mm compared with the late intervention group with a mean increase of 7.70. Although statistical significance was not achieved for increases in maximum interincisal opening between the early and late intervention groups (P = .089), the difference between the 2 groups was suggestive of a trend. There were no surgical complications for either group; however, 2 patients in the late intervention group developed persistent chronic neuropathic pain, requiring pain management. CONCLUSIONS: TMJ arthroscopy reliably decreased pain and increased the maximum interincisal opening distance in the early and late intervention groups. The early intervention group had better surgical outcomes than the late intervention group. Arthroscopic surgery should be considered early in the management of patients with inflammatory/degenerative TMJ disease.

Oral ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor: case report and literature review.

Ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor (ECMT) of the oral cavity is a rare lesion. We describe the 33rd reported case in the current English-language literature. This patient had originally presented 5 years earlier with a tongue neoplasm with biopsy results consistent with nerve sheath myxoma. A general surgical pathologist gave the patient's current lesion a preliminary diagnosis of low-grade sarcoma. After further evaluation by an oral and maxillofacial pathologist, the diagnosis of ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor was established. It is important for clinicians to have a better understanding of ECMT, so as to avoid future misdiagnosis of this entity.

Dental premedication protocols for patients with knee and hip protheses.

In 1997, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) published an advisory statement regarding antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with total joint replacements undergoing dental treatment. The first periodic update of these guidelines was published in 2003. Nevertheless, confusion exists among dentists and physicians as to the clinical indications for premedication in this patient population. This article serves as an overview of current recommendations for use of chemoprophylaxis in the dental treatment of patients ith prosthetic joints.

Dental premedication protocols for patients with knee and hip prostheses.

In 1997, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) published an advisory statement regarding antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with total joint replacements undergoing dental treatment. The first periodic update of these guidelines was published in 2003. Nevertheless, confusion exists among dentists and physicians as to the clinical indications for premedication in this patient population. This article serves as an overview of current recommendations for use of chemoprophylaxis in the dental treatment of patients with prosthetic joints.

The relationship between temporomandibular joint synovitis and adhesions: pathogenic mechanisms and clinical implications for surgical management.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between arthroscopically diagnosed synovitis and adhesions in a population of patients with significant limitation of mandibular opening and temporomandibular joint pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Temporomandibular joint arthroscopy was performed on 126 joints in 80 patients (female:male = 5.7:1; mean age = 35.5 years; mean duration of symptoms = 50 months). All patients were diagnosed with severe temporomandibular joint disease recalcitrant to conservative therapy. Each joint was evaluated arthroscopically for the presence of synovitis and adhesions. Chi-squared analysis was performed to determine if there was a significant relationship between the presence of synovitis and adhesions. RESULTS: Diagnostic arthroscopic examination showed the following: no synovitis and no adhesions in 18/126 joints (14%), no synovitis with adhesions present in 33/126 joints (26%), synovitis with no adhesions in 13/126 joints (10%), and synovitis and adhesions present in 62/126 joints (49%). Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between arthroscopically diagnosed synovitis and adhesions. CONCLUSION: Synovitis and adhesions are commonly present in the temporomandibular joints of patients requiring arthroscopic surgery due to painful limitation of mandibular movement. Excessive mechanical stress on the temporomandibular joint leads to maladaptive responses in the articular and synovial tissues, ultimately leading to synovitis, osteoarthritis and the formation of adhesions. An understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to synovitis, osteoarthritis and adhesions has important clinical implications for the nonsurgical as well as surgical management of patients suffering from these disorders.

Tongue entrapment in an aluminum juice can.

Tongue entrapment in bottles and cans is rare, but occurs. The following is a case report of a 10-year-old female who got her tongue entrapped in an aluminum juice can. The anatomy of the tongue, complications from injury, and a proposed removal procedure are described.