Chronic frontal sinus disease: combined use of platelet-rich plasma and calvarial bone grafts for sinus obliteration in aggressive and secondary cases.

INTRODUCTION: The surgical management of chronic frontal sinusitis can be challenging. The most effective way to treat this condition is sinus obliteration. Several methods have been published. We evaluated the feasibility of a combined treatment, consisting of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and autologous calvarial bone chips, in chronic frontal sinus diseases (CFSD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to June 2006, seven patients (four women and three men) were admitted presenting with signs and symptoms of CFSD. Their ages ranged from 35 to 67 years. Two patients presented with signs of frontal osteomyelitis and a cutaneous fistula, while endoscopic drainage had failed for five patients. All patients were treated by sinus obliteration though bicoronal access. Free autologous calvarial bone graft combined with PRP was used to repair the frontal sinus. RESULTS: The frontal sinus repair was successful in all seven patients with progressive resolution of symptoms without perioperative complication. The CT scans at 12 postoperative months showed complete obliteration of sinuses. DISCUSSION: Combined PRP and autologous bone graft is a safe and reliable procedure for frontal sinus obliteration. The low rate of complications and the absence of donor site morbidity support using this technique in secondary and particularly complex cases.

Dislocation of a fractured mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa: a case treated by an extracranial approach.

INTRODUCTION: Penetration of the mandibular condyle into the middle cranial fossa is a rare complication usually due to blunt traumas to the chin. Particular anatomical and dynamic conditions can lead to the intracranial dislocation of the condyle in spite of the fracture of the condylar neck that usually prevents this event from dissipating the kinetic force of the impact. DISCUSSION: We report the case of a 10-year-old female patient suffering from symphyseal and bilateral condilar fracture with intrusion of the left condyle into the middle cranial fossa. The diagnosis of intracranial dislocation was initially missed because of the nonspecific symptomatology and insufficient radiologic data provided by conventional investigations (plain X-rays and panoramic views). The persistence of the limitation of the mouth opening and the worsening of the preauricular pain with irradiation to the temporal region led us to perform further radiological investigations (computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging) that revealed the intracranial complication. A successful removal of the displaced condyle was carried out through an extracranial approach, and at a 3-year follow-up temporomandibular joint function is satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The case is reported to emphasize the need for careful radiological investigation in case of condylar fractures and the effectiveness of the extracranial route to surgically treat these rare complications.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction following shotgun injury.

Shotgun injuries to the maxillofacial region may have minor or, more often, devastating consequences. The most important factor in determining the extent of injury is the distance of the victim from the muzzle of the gun: usually, the longer the distance, the less severe the damage. Here is reported a case of shotgun injury sustained from a distance of approximately 10 m in which the deeper penetration of a single lead pellet led to significant involvement of the temporomandibular joint.

Glomangiopericytoma of the pterygomandibular space: an unusual case.

We describe a case of glomangiopericytoma located in the pterygo-mandibular space, a rare anatomical region for this neoplasm to develop. The lesion is classified as a separate variant from the classic haemangiopericytoma, which is characterised by more aggressive biological behaviour.

Submento-submandibular intubation: is the subperiosteal passage essential? Experience in 107 consecutive cases.

Adequate treatment of panfacial injuries often requires tracheostomy or alternating intubation through the nose and the mouth to keep the field free during the operation. Altemir's submental technique is an attractive option in these patients. We used the method with a slight modification in 107 operations in our unit to treat panfacial injuries. We had a low rate of complications and no increased operative time.

The Elastic Internal Traction (EIT): an effective method to reduce the displaced facial fractures.

Open reduction and rigid fixation are commonly used to treat displaced fractures of the facial skeleton. Manual reduction can be performed by means of forceps or transosseus wires to close the bone fragments. In order to reduce facial fractures, we used a technique, called Elastic Internal Traction (EIT), based on the elastic action of rubber bands stretched between screws placed on both sides of the fracture line. We have used EIT in 104 patients suffering from mandibular fractures, and 40 cases of patients with orbito-maxillary complex fractures out of the 707 patients treated for trauma between July 2000 and August 2002 at our hospital. In our opinion, this technique provides an effective reduction and a stable primary fixation of the bone before the final fixation. It also has the advantage that the surgical field is clear of the assistant's hands and surgical instruments that are usually used to lock the reduction. The resulting operative time is shortened, and the plating of the bone is simplified.