Developing New Diagnostic Tools Based on SERS Analysis of Filtered Salivary Samples for Oral Cancer Detection.

Cancer still represents one of the biggest challenges in current medical practice. Among different types of cancer, oral cancer has a huge impact on patients due to its great visibility, which is more likely to create social stigma and increased anxiety. New early diagnose methods are still needed to improve treatment efficiency and patients' life quality. Raman/SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) spectroscopy has a unique and powerful potential for detecting specific molecules that can become priceless biomarkers in different pathologies, such as oral cancer. In this study, a batch of saliva samples obtained from a group of 17 patients with oro-maxillofacial pathologies compared with saliva samples from 18 healthy donors using the aforementioned methods were evaluated. At the same time, opiorphin, potassium thiocyanate and uric acid were evaluated as potential specific biomarkers for oro-maxillofacial pathologies using multivariate analysis. A careful examination of SERS spectra collected on saliva samples showed that the spectra are dominated by the vibrational bands of opiorphin, potassium thiocyanate and uric acid. Given the fact that all these small molecules are found in very small amounts, we filtrated all the samples to get rid of large molecules and to improve our analysis. By using solid plasmonic substrates, we were able to gain information about molecular concentration and geometry of interaction. On the other hand, the multivariate analysis of the salivary spectra contributed to developing a new detection method for oral cancer.

A Naso-Orbito-Ethmoid (NOE) Fracture Associated with Bilateral Anterior and Posterior Frontal Sinus Wall Fractures Caused by a Horse Kick-Case Report and Short Literature Review.

Naso-orbito-ethmoid (NOE) fractures associated with anterior and posterior frontal sinus wall fractures are among the most challenging cranio-maxillofacial injuries. These represent a major emergency, having a potentially severe clinical picture, with intracranial hemorrhage, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, meningeal lesions, pneumocephalus, contusion or laceration of the brain matter, coma, and in some cases death. In this article, we present the case of a 30-year-old patient with the diagnosis of NOE fracture associated with bilateral anterior and posterior frontal sinus wall fractures caused by a horse kick, with a fulminant post-traumatic alteration of the neurological status and major impairment of the midface bone architecture. Despite the severity and complexity of the case, early initiation of correct treatment both in terms of intensive care and cranio-maxillofacial surgery led to the successful rehabilitation of the neurological status, as well as to the reconstruction and redimensioning of midface architecture and, not least, to the restoration of the patient's physiognomy.

Efficiency of Empirically Administered Antibiotics in Patients with Cervical Infections of Odontogenic Origin.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Odontogenic infections are among the main types of disorders located in the cephalic extremity. The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of empirically administered antibiotics on the bacterial strains identified at the infection sites. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study included 10 randomly selected patients with odontogenic cervical soft tissue infections, who received antibiotic treatment prescribed by the family doctor or the dentist. The bacterial flora involved in the development of the septic process, the type of antibiotic administered to the patient and the sensitivity of the identified bacterial flora to the administered antibiotic were determined. RESULTS: In the 10 selected patients, 14 bacterial strains were detected; 7 patients had a single bacterial strain, and 3 patients had two or three types of bacteria. Of the administered antibiotics, amoxicillin was the most widely used (33.3% of the cases), followed by amoxicillin with beta-lactamase inhibitors (25% of the cases). In half of the patients, there was no sensitivity of the bacteria detected in the septic focus to the empirically administered antibiotic, and in 10% of the cases, partial sensitivity was evidenced. CONCLUSIONS: Empirical administration of antibiotics without the association of surgery did not prove to be effective in the treatment of cervical infections of odontogenic origin.

Subantral Augmentation with a 1/1 Alloplastic and Autologous Material Mixture. Histological Characteristics and Dimensional Stability of the Newly Formed Bone.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The maxillary sinus augmentation procedure is the most frequent method used to prepare the posterior maxillary area, with bone deficit, for the placement of dental implants. For this purpose, several types of materials have been used as bone grafts, each of these materials having a number of advantages and disadvantages. The present study is aimed at evaluating the histological and volumetric properties of an alloplastic and autologous material mixture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 7 selected patients who underwent subantral bone augmentation with a 1/1 autologous and alloplastic material mixture. Subsequently, at the time of dental implant placement, biological samples were taken from the bone augmentation area and were histologically analyzed. The subantral bone resorption rate was also evaluated in parallel. RESULTS: Histological examination evidenced the presence of residual amorphous material in the bone augmentation area. The mean bone resorption rate was 15.15%. The presence of a high bone resorption rate was correlated with the presence of a smaller residual amorphous material amount in the subantral bone augmentation area. CONCLUSIONS: The association of autologous and alloplastic material for subantral bone augmentation improves the characteristics of the two material types.